One of the more enjoyable youth activities supported by our club each year took place last week, with the 2026 Science and Engineering Challenge held at UniSQ.
Led by our indefatigable Youth Director Geoff K, seven members assisted across the three days as students from local schools tackled hands-on challenges involving bridge building, problem solving, teamwork, and more than a little controlled chaos.
The Challenge remains a clever way of getting students engaged with science and engineering without it feeling like schoolwork. There is trial and error, plenty of competitive spirit, and the occasional structure that looked much better in theory than it did standing upright.
What our members always notice is how quickly students who begin quietly or cautiously become fully engaged once the activities start. Teams form, ideas fly around the table, and before long everyone is involved. Confidence grows quickly when young people are encouraged to have a go rather than worry about getting things perfect.
The interaction between students and volunteers is also one of the best parts of the day. Members spend it encouraging, guiding, chatting, and generally enjoying the enthusiasm of the students. In return, students get exposure to adults who take a genuine interest in what they are doing and are willing to give up their time. It is a worthwhile exchange for everyone involved.
Thank you to Geoff and the team for giving their time to support such an important youth program.
Thursday's meeting was also significant, with members discussing the results of the recent Member Engagement Survey. The results were broadly positive while confirming several known issues. The discussion forms part of our wider planning process and will help support Peter N as he prepares for his presidential year.
I was also pleased to receive the latest Flexi School eNewsletter, which features our club as the “Community Partner Spotlight.” I encourage members to take a look HERE.
This Thursday we will hear from ShelterBox Australia, with an emergency shelter on display so we can see the resources provided to families displaced by disaster or conflict. It promises to be a worthwhile meeting, so please bring a guest.
See you Thursday.
Club News
An email from Alistair Webb
Evening All
I feel there is a need to update you about my situation rather than hope you hear about it eventually.
As some of you will know, I spectacularly injured my right hamstring on Sunday 17th at Kingsthorpe (Div 2 over 60s) while trying to field a ball with my right foot.
It will make a great story to tell the grandson but the fact that I then went back and successfully batted in the game with a runner (and top scored) is now causing lots of head shaking in the medical fraternity.
It didn’t seem that bad and I went off the Vet conference in Brisbane on the 18th and hobbled along okay.
By Thursday 21st the swelling was getting worrying and an MRI confirmed a grade 4 (highest possible) tear with 2 of the 3 tendons of my right hamstring muscles pulled off the pelvis.
How I was getting about defied an answer
I am booked in with “Hamstring” surgeon in Brisbane this coming Thursday.
My playing of cricket is cancelled for the rest of the Winter season and I am really hoping that it hasn’t been the last game I am ever able to play.
I shall not be able to attend the ShelterBox meeting scheduled for this coming Thursday.
I am also in doubt for the joint Boards meeting on Tuesday the 2nd of June.
Confined as I am now, using crutches and not allowed to drive.
I am a possible starter for the Observation drive on the 7th.
The much anticipated Africa Holiday Marea & I had booked to commence on 9th of June has also been cancelled.
I shall endeavour to help out with Rotary stuff as much as my confinement and recovery allows
Regards
Alistair
Rotary Club of Toowoomba East Invitation
ShelterBox Lunch & Presentation
All Toowoomba Rotarians, Partners, Friends of Members are warmly invited!
Event Details
Date: Thursday, 28th May 2026
Time: 12.15pm
Venue: Downs Club, Toowoomba
Cost: $37.50 per person
Enjoy lunch and view a ShelterBox on full display, followed by a presentation from PDG Paul Roger, Chairman of ShelterBox Australia. Hear about the urgent needs worldwide, especially with recent natural disasters and ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has displaced over two million people.
Bookings & Payment
Email your club’s name and attendee names to: secretary@rcte.au
Make payment to: Rotary Club of Toowoomba East
BSB: 034 221
Account Number: 924 659
Reference: “Your name and club” (e.g. “abcd” Toowoomba or “efgh” Metro)
Bookings are essential by Monday 25th May, so please advise early to ensure smooth arrangements and logistics. Your prompt reply helps us notify the venue and organise the event seamlessly.
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
Apologies 28.05.2026
Cameron Asmore, Wayne Barnett, Dave Birrell, Adrian Bonica, Rod Brilliant, Rod Brown, Jim Charlton, Col Davidson, Steve Davis, Shane Fisher, Lex Franks, Philip Gillam, Andrew Kratzmann, Conor Martin, Craig Mathieson, Brett Motton, Peter McLoughlin, Mark Redmond, Toby Sandell, Doc Smith, Alistair Webb, Matt Wentzel, Mark Winter, Rob Youman, Roger Klaassen
Apologies 04.06.2026 Sports Club
Adri Rod Brilliant, Rod Brown, Col Davidson, Steve Davis, Caig Mathieson, Brett Motton, Peter McLoughlin, Mark Redmond, Toby Sandell, Doc Smith, Roger Klaassen
