Thank you Michael Conte and Bill Waite for helping out at the blood donor clinic. Our roads are busy with summer travelers, farmers are busy on the land, kids are enjoying the outdoors. However, this increases the risk of accidents and the need for blood. Thanks to the volunteers and the donors, you are saving a life.
Thank you to Greg and Heather Holmes for spearheading another successful Pickin in the Park. Special thanks to Sandra Gallaugher for organizing another successful pork barbeque and your amazing homemade pies 🥧. Thanks to Gord Gallaugher for withstanding the heat over the barbeques to cook. Thanks to the many volunteers and of course those that supported the dinner.
Thanks to all those that purchased tickets for our raffle. We raised over $5,000 to enhance our community. Special thanks to Louisiana Grills, Lisle Livestock and Fresh Market, and Friends of Rotary for your generosity.
Bobbi Ferguson thank you for your leadership on the backpack project. Extra special thanks for the Smile Cookies campaign and Friends of Rotary donations that allow us to provide over 170 kids with a backpack for the coming school year.
On July 10, we had had a very inspirational visit from our District Governor, Susanne Zbinden, who returned at the end of the month to help us assemble backpacks. Thank you Susanne, we look forward to the year with you as District Governor.
Lastly, we say goodbye to local resident Mikey Niedzwiecki who is heading to France at the end of August and we welcome Natalie from Switzerland as part of the Rotary Youth Exchange. If you are interested in learning more about this program, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Enjoy these warm summer days.
Unite for Good
Karen
pork BBQ and annual raffle
On July 26 Shelburne Rotary held a successful smoked pork chop bbq dinner in conjunction with Pickin in the Park, serving 130 meals in total. The dinner received many rave reviews, especially for the homemade pies. Thank you to all of the Rotarians and Friends of Rotary who helped out.
The evening was also the occasion to hold our annual raffle draw. The winners of the draw were:
First Prize – Portable Smoker BBQ – Jackie Jones
Second Prize – $150 Gift Certificate Lisle Livestock & Fresh Market – Rodney Hautot
Third Prize – $125 BBQ Gift Basket – Paul Setcliffe
Thank you to everyone who purchased a raffle ticket and supported Shelburne Rotary’s charitable causes.
Recently, $5,000 from the Smile Cookies campaign was donated to the Shelburne Rotary Backpack Project, an initiative to provide children with a backpack that includes a lunch kit, water bottle, and school supplies in time for back to school in September.
The funds from the Smile Cookies Campaign were supplemented by donations from Friends of Rotary to bring the total donation to $7,256. On July 31, Rotarians and Friends of Rotary assembled over 170 backpacks with water bottles and lunch kits that were delivered to the Shelburne Food Bank for distribution.
Thank you to everyone who was able to help out with the assembly, including District Governor Susanne Zbinden and her husband Richard.
The Backpack Project is still looking for donations – you can find more information and ways to donate here.
On July 3, the Rotary Club of Shelburne held its annual “Changeover BBQ”, an occasion to celebrate the past Rotary year (which ends on June 30) and look forward to the next year. The evening saw our new President, Karen Webster, taking over the leadership of Shelburne Rotary from Bill Waite, who received an Outstanding Service Award for his dedication to all projects and activities of the Rotary Club of Shelburne, in particular over his last two years as President. The Executive Members are continuing to serve next year, with a few changes in roles.
The culmination of the evening was the presentation of a Paul Harris Fellow, which is Rotary’s highest award and is presented to a person who has been recognized as having done something significant for others.
The Paul Harris Fellow recipient was Michelle Chidwick.
While Michelle is still fairly new to the club, her impact was felt immediately as she conceived (and continues to lead) our Thanksgiving weekend PumpkinFest event. She has also joined the Executive as Secretary and is our Youth Exchange Counsellor.
Michelle’s energy, enthusiasm, and dedication to making our community and the world a better place is greatly appreciated.
Recent Paul Harris recipients include John Lewandowski of Tim Hortons Shelburne for their support of Shelburne Rotary with their Smile Cookie Campaign and Ardith Dunlop for her over 30 years of service to the Shelburne Food Bank.
On Thursday July 10, 2025, Shelburne Rotary was pleased to host our District Governor, Susanne Zbinden.
It was her second stop on the District Governor’s Grand Tour of Rotary District 7080.
We had an opportunity to hear from Sussane about her journey to becoming District Governor.
She also provided us with some goals for our club and the District.
She reminded us that "despite your relatively small number of members, this club is extremely vibrant, well known and really active with fundraisers and service projects."
She went on to add, "I would like to thank and congratulate all the members of the Shelburne Rotary Club for all their work."
We thank Susanne for her visit, her words of appreciation and encouragement and her leadership of our District.
Get ready for a day of fall fun as PumpkinFest returns to Natasha Patterson Park on October 11!
This annual event is a family favourite, bringing the community together for a celebration full of laughter, excitement, and seasonal charm. Families can enjoy a train ride around the park, receive a free pumpkin to take home, and enjoy live music and entertainment throughout the day.
The event also features a vendor market with local artisans and businesses and inflatable attractions that will keep the kids entertained for hours. Whether you're picking out pumpkins, dancing to the music, or simply soaking in the festive atmosphere, PumpkinFest is the perfect way to spend time with loved ones and make cherished fall memories.
Best of all, it’s free to attend—so gather your family and join us at Natasha Patterson Park for an unforgettable Thanksgiving weekend!
We supported the Dufferin Oaks ice cream social so that every resident who wanted an ice cream treat could have one at a great social event with staff, family, and friends.
As a proud member of the Rotary Club of Shelburne, I’ve come to truly understand the meaning of community, connection, and service. Rotary is far more than a weekly meeting or a calendar of events — it’s a platform for creating real, lasting change.
Being part of this organization has given me the opportunity to work alongside dedicated, like-minded individuals who share a common goal: to put “Service Above Self.” Whether we’re organizing fundraisers, supporting local families, providing scholarships to students, or contributing to global humanitarian projects, every initiative reinforces the power of collective action and compassion.
I've built meaningful relationships, gained valuable leadership experience, and developed a deeper appreciation for the role service plays in building stronger, healthier communities. I’m continually inspired by the generosity and determination of our members, and I’m proud to contribute to a club that prioritizes integrity, inclusion, and impact. Rotary has shown me that when people come together with a shared purpose, there’s no limit to what we can accomplish — both in Shelburne and around the world.
Shelburne Rotarian Sandra Gallaugher was honoured as Mulmur's 2025 Senior of the Year.
Shelburne Rotary congratulates Sandra on this award and for all she does in our community as a Rotarian. Rotarians are active doing so many things in our community.
Joan Wallace, an Honorary Rotarian, has participated (and organized the local event for a number of years) in the Terry Fox Run for over 30 years. This year she is raising money once again while fighting cancer. You can read more about Joan's campaign here and donate here.
The photo shows Joan (at right) helping out President Karen with Rotary's annual raffle.
Honorary Rotarian Bob Hicks passed away on July 28 at the age of 95. You can read his full obituary here. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Agricultural Hall in Shelburne on August 9, 2-4 pm.
