We had a very enjoyable evening meeting on Thursday 13th at the Sports Club, relaxed with plenty of laughter. It was great to share a drink and a meal with Jim C, who apologised for being eight months late; and to have a commiserating drink with Phil G while looking at photos of a crumpled bonnet. Sorry mate - we’re glad you’re OK. I’m suspect the Sgt will remind you where the stop pedal is next meeting.
We covered some club business too. The Board has approved a $189 contribution to the Belong program, supporting a joint initiative with other Toowoomba Rotary clubs and the Toowoomba Hockey Club to provide a bus for young people from multicultural backgrounds to attend an international hockey match in Brisbane. We also resolved to donate $2,500 to Polio Plus through The Rotary Foundation, which will contribute to our PHF credits. Our accounts for last year have been finalised and the auditors notified. And looking ahead, two new members - Rob Youman and Conor Martin - will be inducted at this Thursday’s lunch meeting. Please make them feel welcome in the Greatest Little Rotary Club in the World.
On Saturday the 15th, Alistair, Conor M, Roger and I attended the Rotary Leadership Institute training day. It was a good reminder that in Rotary, leadership takes many forms. It’s not about titles - it’s about service, setting an example, and being willing to step forward when it matters. RLI challenges us to think about what modern Rotary looks like: how we adapt, how we include others, how we build strong clubs, and how we stay relevant in a changing world. Effective leadership is often quiet work, done behind the scenes - listening before speaking, and choosing what is right over what’s easy. When we lead well, Rotary thrives.
It was fitting to reflect on leadership only days after Remembrance Day. At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we paused to honour Australians who served and died in wars and peacekeeping operations. Their sacrifice was the ultimate act of service - ordinary people who stepped forward when asked. The truest example of service above self.
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
Date:13.11.2025 Apologies 13.11.2025 Cam Ashmore, Adrian Bonica, Ron Bowden, Rod Brilliant, Andy Burke, Peter Burrows, Phil Charles, Bob Cheesman, Graham Christensen, Col Davidson, Steve Davis, Shane Fisher, Dave Groves, Craig Mathieson, Peter McLoughlin, Toby Sandell, Doc Smith, Mark Winter
Apologies 20.11.2025 Wayne Barnett, Dave Birrell, Adrian Bonica, Ron Bowden, Rod Brilliant, Andy Burke, Pete Burrows, Gary Campbell, Henry Campey, Phillip Charles, Jim Charlton, Bob Cheesman, Graham Christensen, Shane Fisher, Phil Gillam, Dave Groves, Peter Hardwick, Roger Klaassen, Andrew Kratzmann, Craig Mathieson, Peter McLoughlin, Mark Redmond, Toby Sandell, Doc Smith, Mark Winter
