President's Weekly Report – Week Ending 15 September 2026
1. Weekly Meeting Highlights & Guest Speaker
Our weekly meeting last Thursday featured the return of guest speaker Glenn Gatehouse. It was wonderful to have Glenn back with us once again. Members thoroughly enjoyed his engaging presentation and pleasant conversation throughout the meeting. We are all eagerly anticipating our upcoming vocational visit and educational lunch at the Toowoomba West Special School scheduled for Thursday, 22 October 2026.
2. Community Service & Hands-On Projects
Our members were active across several community initiatives over the weekend and early this week:
Flexi School Working Bee: Over the weekend, Ron Bowden and the team carried out maintenance work and yard tidy-up at the Flexi School. Sincere thanks and well done to Ron and the volunteers for their hard work.
Toowoomba Hospice Yard Maintenance: On Monday morning, members were back on site at the Toowoomba Hospice to maintain and tidy the grounds. The gardens and yards are looking fabulous as usual, providing a neat and welcoming environment for patients and families.
3. Governance & Board Meeting Summary
The monthly Board Meeting took place on Monday evening, 14 September 2026. Key areas of discussion included:
Topic
Key Discussions & Action Items
Membership & Participation
Strategies to broaden member participation across club activities and projects beyond core volunteer groups.
Fellowship & Social Events
Plans to strengthen social connection and partner involvement.
Meeting Venue & Format Review
Reviewing options for our Thursday lunchtime meeting venue and modernising meeting formats to enhance member value and participation.
Insurance & Governance
Review of District advice regarding Directors' & Officers' Liability Insurance and Youth Protection policy obligations.
4. Upcoming Events & Key Dates
24 September 2026: Guest Speaker Annette Scott (CEO, Toowoomba Base Hospital) – Update on hospital developments.
1 November 2026: Grace House Cambodia Project Orientation Lunch @ Peter & Narelle Burrows' residence.
We are all in Rotary Service together.
Peter J. Nalder
President, Rotary Club of Toowoomba East Inc. (2026–2027)
Kim's Kaleidoscope
Dear Ladies,
I hope this message finds you all in good health.
I am writing to advise of some plans I have been considering for the ladies get togethers this year. We are all very busy with our own commitments (work, volunteer requirements, grandparent duties, medical issues etc) and so I have planned to have two luncheons, and a high tea or painting experience at Pinot and Picasso.
Ideally, I would like to have the first luncheon in early November before the Christmas celebrations become a priority. The next get togethers will occur in February and April of next year. By this time most vacation and school holiday babysitting requirements will have been fulfilled. The final catch up in April will not clash with the club birthday celebrations or Mothers’ Day commitments. Some juggling around the public holidays in April may be tricky!
Venues, dates and times will be posted in the Easterly. I have been reading the Easterly and noting dates for social functions for years, as I am sure you all do as well. Relying on our dear partners to provide the information can lead to some frustrating conversations. My contact details and RSVP dates will also be provided.
I look forward to catching up with you all at some stage in the year.
A Club member will be charged full price of the meal.
fail to submit any apology before 11am on Tuesday for the meeting the following Thursday (48 hrs later)
need to submit a late apology due to changed circumstance.
Fail to show up after indicating they would be present.
The members owing this fee will notified by the Club Secretary and Club Treasurer via an emailed
Late apology fee notice.
The fee can be paid by direct credit into the RCTE Club account or by adding it to the next club meeting
Rotary Club of Toowoomba East
Apologies 17.09.2026 Cam Ashmore, Wayne Barnett, Dave Birrell, Richard Black, Adrian Bonica, Pete Burrows, Gary Campbell, Henry Campey, Jim Charlton, John Creedon, Col Davidson, Critter Groves, Andrew Kratzmann, John Liley x3, Russell Manns, Jeff Martin, Peter McLoughlin, Toby Sandell, Doc Smith, Geoff Somerville, Ross Watt, Matt Wentzel, Rob Youman
Apologies 24.09.2026 Wayne Barnett, Dave Birrell, Adrian Bonica, Pete Burrows, Gary Campbell, Jim Charlton, Critter Groves, Andrew Kratzmann, John Liley x2, Russel Manns, Jeff Martin, Peter McLoughlin, Toby Sandell, Doc Smith, Ross Watt
