Thursday’s meeting reminded us again just how wide the range of experience is within this club. Rob Y delivered his Member’s Profile, offering a fascinating insight into a career in heavy industry engineering with BHP. Who would have picked him, though, as a hang-gliding, bungee-jumping, white-water-rafting thrill seeker, or a cyclist tackling some fairly “interesting” roads across South-East Asia? It really does highlight the remarkable cross-section of careers, backgrounds, and life stories sitting around our tables each week.
On Saturday we delivered a truckload of pallets of books and educational materials to Brisbane for RAWCS. This program gets practical aid into communities that need it most, particularly across the Pacific and developing nations, with resources like these finding their way into remote schools and community learning centres. Our club has supported RAWCS many times over the years, and this latest contribution, sourced from Downlands College and Glennie School, is another example of our quiet, effective service. A big thank you to Alex B for the use of TentWorld resources to make the logistics possible.
There is also some District news to pass on. Rotary Zone 8 is continuing with its Regionalisation Pilot, with Rotary International approving an extension through to 2027–28. This includes a pause on District Governor elections for 2028–29 while new district structures are developed. The immediate message for our club is simple: there is no short-term impact on our day-to-day operations, and we will be kept informed as details become clearer. If you would like more information, CLICK HERE.
Members are also encouraged to consider the upcoming Rotary “Peace Begins at Home” International Mega-Meeting, to be held online on Tuesday 24 February. The focus is on unity, community-led peacebuilding, and strengthening social cohesion. Details are available via the link CLICK HERE.
A reminder too about Metro’s call for help to support their 20/20 Art Union fundraiser – link here: CLICK HERE.
Lastly, John L let us know that planning for our two major fundraisers, the Golf Day and the Long Weekend Getaway, is well advanced. If the Long Weekend Getaway is on your radar, get your deposit in now as places are filling quickly.
This Thursday’s meeting is an evening one at the Sports Club. Wives, partners, and mates are very welcome.
See you there.
Club News
Mark your diaries, phones or calendars!
One Remaining social event booked in.
Sunday 15th February from 3pm to 5pm at Matho’s place, 11 Belgium St, South Toowoomba. A gin tasting to answer questions like tonic or soda, is there a sipping gin, how is gin made etc. There will be snacks provided. Cost to be confirmed in January and numbers will be limited to 22 people. Club members get priority, but the event will be opened to non-members in early February if not full.
Cheers Craig
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
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,
