Last Thursday’s meeting featured a presentation from Ann Brownlie of Grace House Cambodia in Siem Reap.
Grace House is a community-based NGO working in rural villages outside Siem Reap, focused on education, family support, and community wellbeing. It supports children from early years through to vocational pathways, provides programs for children with disabilities, and works alongside families to improve living conditions, access to education, and long-term self-sufficiency. In simple terms, it is about creating opportunity where very little exists, and doing so in a practical, hands-on way.
What makes this particularly relevant for us is not just the work itself, but how we might engage with it.
There has been discussion about a club visit to support a project on the ground. These sorts of ventures offer something quite different to our usual activities. Yes, there is the obvious benefit to the community we are supporting, but there is also a significant benefit to those who take part.
Working side by side in a different environment tends to strip things back to basics. It strengthens relationships within the group, gives a clearer perspective on the impact of service, and often leaves a more lasting impression than writing a cheque ever could. It also creates a shared experience that members carry with them long after the trip is over, and that sense of connection flows back into the club.
For the club itself, opportunities like this can be powerful. They bring energy, purpose, and a story worth telling. They also provide something tangible for prospective members to connect with, particularly those looking for more than just meetings and minutes.
Importantly, this would not be all work. The plan is to combine the project with time to experience the culture and history of the region, which adds another dimension to the trip and makes it accessible for partners as well.
It is early days yet, and much coordination to be done. We’ll hear more as plans develop, but it is certainly something worth considering.
See you Thursday at Sports Club for our evening meeting.
Club News
Good morning members, Partners and Friends,
Click Herefor an editable roster for our BBQ at Bunnings West (Anzac Ave), on Easter Saturday, 4th April 2026.
I am still counting on support, to enable a 3-shift of 3 hours each, 5 people per shift. Add your name to the list if you can help or ring me.
The roster is being sent to all members. Those names on the roster, thank you and it is to add to your calendar please!
Look forward to your support, for our Fellowship and Fun-Raising event.
A fee will apply to any member late with an apology regardless of whether the number attending on the meeting day of the meeting is over, under or equal to what the Club Secretary submitted to the Downs Club. This fee will only apply to meetings at the Downs Club or any other club meeting where attendance numbers have to be stipulated prior to the meeting.
A Club member will be charged a meal fee of $20 if they
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 a fee of $20 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 $20 to the $35 meal fee at the next club meeting
Apologies 26.03.2026 Wayne Barnett, Dave Birrell, Adrian Bonica, Ron Bowden, Rod Brilliant, Rod Brown, Alex Burrell, Peter Burrows, Gary Campbell, Phillip Charles, Jim Charlton, Shane Fisher, Phil Gillam, Dave Groves, Roger Klaassen, Andrew Kratzmann, Peter McLoughlin, Mark Redmond, Toby Sandell, Allan Schefe, Doc Smith, Ross Watt, Matt Wentzel, Mark Winter
Apologies 02.04.2026 Rod Brilliant, Rod Brown, Peter Burrows, Phillip Charles, Phil Gillam, Shane Fisher, Dave Groves, Roger Klaassen, Peter McLoughlin, Mark Redmond, Toby Sandell, Doc Smith, Ross Watt, Mark Winter
