Following Wednesday night’s Board meeting, it was pleasing to see momentum build behind our proposed visit to Grace House in Siem Reap, Cambodia. What has been a discussion point for some time has now moved to the next stage, with a formal call for Expressions of Interest from members. Please refer to International Director Alistair W’s note elsewhere in the Easterly. At this stage, numbers are capped at 10, so it will very much be a case of first in, best dressed. This is shaping as a hands-on opportunity to see, firsthand, the impact of Rotary support on young lives in a very different setting.
Staying with the international theme, we received an encouraging update from the Rotary Club of Kathmandu regarding the students we support. Three of the four students have successfully passed their year-end exams and are progressing to the next grade. The fourth student, Shiwani Bhatta, is sitting her final exam later this month and, if successful, will complete her senior schooling. It is quietly satisfying to reflect on the role our club has played in helping her reach this point in her education journey. A request has also been received to continue our Nepal student sponsorship, which will be considered by the Board.
Closer to home, the Board was pleased to support a request from Youth Director Geoff K to sponsor a young man to attend the upcoming RYLA program at Cooby Dam, to be held from 31 May to 6 June. He presents as an impressive candidate, and RYLA continues to be one of the most effective programs we have for developing young leaders. Opportunities like this can have a lasting impact, not just for the individual, but for the communities they go on to serve.
A reminder that the Engagement Survey, distributed last Friday, will close this coming Friday, 17 April. Thank you to the 26 members who have already responded. The feedback to date has been both insightful and constructive, and will provide valuable input to PE Peter N as he plans for the year ahead. If you would like to have a say in shaping the future direction of our club, I encourage you to take a few minutes to complete the survey.
Finally, the invite for the Club’s 50th Birthday went out this past week. Numbers are limited. If you intend to come, purchase your tickets quick!
Club News
Dear Members, Partners and Friends,
Due to late change of work commitment forced on our planned guest speaker, Matt Wentzel by Safe Food inspectors, we have been able to secure a surprise guest speaker for our meeting this Thursday 16th April 2026, compliment of our own Rotarian Brett Motton.
I am delighted to advise that our guest speaker will be, Georgia VOLL, an Ambassador for Toowoomba Toyota and a Queensland Fire Cricket player in the Australian Women’s Cricket team. She is also a Sydney Thunder team member in the Women's Big Bash League.
What an opportunity for Partners and Friends to join us for lunch and listen to this Queenslander and her Australian story.
Please ensure you advise our Secretary by Tomorrow, of any guests and dietary requirements.
Sincerely,
Tony Jarroush
RC Toowoomba East - Project at Grace House Siem Reap Cambodia
On Wednesday 8th of April 2026, the RCTE Board approved the proposed project at Grace House. Ann Brownlie is the Chair of the Australian based charity running Grace House spoke to our RCTE meeting on March 26th.
Provisional value of $5000 was agreed for the project including;
Construction of playground / sensory walls
Maintenance projects at the School including painting
Some payment allocated towards student activities / sponsorship
The proposal is to now seek RCTE Rotarians who would like to participate. The aim is to get a party of 10 (5 couples or 3 couples and 4 single Rotarians etc) to travel to Cambodia.
Taking advice from Craig Mathieson the most suitable time for a team to visit Grace House is late January
The proposed travel arrangements are;
good fares with Singapore Airlines exist in late January, $1300 return approx. This is economy value and has 25kg of checked luggage.
The flights leave at 23:45pm and arrive the next day at 09:50am. Short stopover in Singapore
Suggest leave on Thursday 21st January and arrive on Friday morning. Book early check in or even the night before and have Friday as a free day.
Saturday (23rd) and Sunday (24th) doing tourist stuff.
Monday(25th) – Friday(29th) working at Grace House.
Saturday and Sunday (30th and 31st) more tourist stuff.
Fly out Monday 1st at 16:45pm arriving in Brisbane the next day at 07:15am.
Travel costs, accommodation and travel insurance will be paid for personally. Craig Mathieson and Ann Brownlie have organised a deal – see below. Some form of deposit (cost of flights) will be required in the near future to reserve your spot on the team.
The deal that has been put together includes:
Cambodian visa
Return economy airfares
Arrival Transfer
10 nights accommodation (twin/double) with breakfast
4 days of touring with guide and transport
Temple passes
Visits to the local Circus and Apopa Rats
Made in Cambodia Markets
Transport and Lunch for the project at Grace House
Farewell Dinner
Costs are Twin Share/Double Room Total: AU $2750.00 per person and Single Room Total: $3350 per person
The club will sort out the rotary insurance for the work undertaken in Cambodia.
I am actively seeking expressions of interest from those members who would be interested in undertaking this exciting project.
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
Rotary Club of Toowoomba East Day Sheet
Apologies 09.04.2026
Wayne Barnett, Rod Brilliant, Rod Brown, Peter Burrows, Gary Campbell, Jim Charlton, John Creedon, Col Davidson, Steve Davis, Shane Fisher, Phil Gillam, Dave Groves, Andrew Kratzmann, Russell Manns, Peter McLoughlin, Gav Roberts, Toby Sandell, Doc Smith, Ross Watt, Matt Wentzel, Mark Winter
Apologies 16.04.2026
Wayne Barnett, Dave Birrell, Adrian Bonica, Rod Brilliant, Rod Brown, Peter Burrows, Gary Campbell, Jim Charlton, John Creedon, Col Davidson, Shane Fisher, Dave Groves, Andrew Kratzmann, Jeff Martin, Peter McLoughlin, Gav Roberts, Toby Sandell, Doc Smith, Ross Watt, Matt Wentzel, Mark Winter
