While juggling the steady stream of Rotary emails and preparing for Tuesday’s Board meeting, my wife has been quietly organising the next Rotary Ladies Morning Tea. Watching her get on with it prompted me to reflect on just how much our wives and partners contribute to the life of this club.
Much of that support happens behind the scenes. Sometimes it is simply being there as company at a function; other times it is active involvement, offering ideas, serving on committees, or rolling up sleeves at events. Often it is the unseen encouragement that lets us say “yes” to another meeting, another project, or another commitment. The support our members receive from their wives and partners is significant and, in many cases, critical to what we are able to do as Rotarians. It is worth acknowledging - and being grateful for.
On Thursday evening I was well and truly in the back blocks of Roma, dealing with heat, dust, and an overabundance of flies, so I missed the meeting. PE Peter reports it was a good night, with more than 25 in attendance and a suitably enthusiastic focus on refreshments before proceedings got underway. He also revived a nice tradition, asking members to introduce their guests, of which there were three.
I want to encourage all members to bring a guest to a meeting. Our evening meetings in particular are relaxed, social, and a friendly way to introduce mates to the club. Another easy option is inviting a friend to lend a hand at a working bee. This is, I think, an untapped opportunity to increase our “horsepower” by adding willing hands, without any pressure or expectation.
If that involvement eventually leads to membership, great - but that shouldn’t be the starting intent. The intent is connection, contribution, and fellowship.
Lastly, this Thursday’s meeting is a vocational visit to Hope Horizons. Tony, our Program Coordinator, continues to do a terrific job lining up interesting speakers and visits, which is no small task. Please show your appreciation by responding to his RSVP email with a clear “yes”.
I’ll see you at Hope Horizons, 233 North Street, Wilsonton Heights, at 12 noon on Thursday 12 February.
Club News
Pallets loaded on the truck by Alex and Peter N (thanks for the forklift driver staff) ready to be taken to RARE on Saturday by Colin and Peter N (See Photos Below)
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 29.01.2026
Cam Ashmore, Wayne Barnett, Dave Birrell, Rod Brilliant, Alex Burrell, Peter Burrows, Jim Charlton, Bob Cheesman, Graham Christensen, Col Davidson, Shane Fisher, Dave Groves, Andrew Kratzmann, Brett Motton, Peter McLoughlin, Gav Roberts, Toby Sandell, Allan Schefe, Doc Smith, Alistair Webb, Mark Winter
Apologies 05.02.2026
Adrian Bonica, Rod Brilliant, Peter Burrows, Phil Charles, Lex Franks, Roger Klaassen, Shane Fisher, Toby Sandell, Doc Smith,
