Meeting 2887 was kindly chaired by Vice President Greg, to allow the festivities for Lily's 18th to go ahead at my house, thank you Greg. Thank you also to Ray for providing the meeting notes, there would not be a President's Message or guest speaker section without them. And a final thank you to Frank, our talented photographer and board member who makes us look consistently good, this week taking the photo of David and Trudi.
Matthew Dixon advised the Party in the Park application has been submitted to the City Council for consideration.
Matthew's son-in-law, Tom Williams was hugely successful in this year's Swinging with the Stars. Fundraising a whooping $40,000 coming second for money raised, and third for swinging skills. Congratulations Tim! Matthew is working with Tim on a possible program meeting in the future at the Kalangadoo Feedlot. They are just waiting for the weather to be more favourable.
Brian took the opportunity to update recent takings. Bottles and Cans raised $90.10 this time, and the changeover raffle raised $128.20. Thank you to everyone who assists with the ongoing opportunities to raise money for our programs.
David Burt was present to introduce guest speaker Trudi Shelton, the founder of 4 Reasons Why, and David didn't let the opportunity for a Mystery Item challenge slip by!
Until next time...
Trudi Shelton presented the 4 Reasons Why Impact Report, highlighting a remarkable 100% return of donated funds directly to those in need. During 2025-26, the organisation received $168,000 in donations and expended $164,000 in support of its mission.
Trudi reflected on the organisation’s organic growth over the past decade, noting that it has now been 10 years since the first Winter Wear Campaign. She shared that the organisation has existed for half of her children’s lives, who were the inspiration behind its creation.
Their recent fundraising dinner was an outstanding success, raising $47,000. Trudi expressed her sincere appreciation for the ongoing support provided by our club, including cash donations, in-kind assistance, the use of trailers and storage sheds, and support through Pizza Van Walks, among many other contributions.
Following her presentation, Trudi answered a number of questions from members.
In recognition of her exceptional commitment to helping those less fortunate, Trudi was then presented with a Paul Harris Fellow award by Past President and Deputy 4RW Chairman David Burt. In making the presentation, David noted that Trudi’s selfless service truly embodies Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self.”
Congratulations to Trudi Shelton PHF on this well-deserved recognition.
Next Week
Meeting 2888 on Tuesday will be at Mac's Hotel for fellowship and good food. We will also be deciding if the following weeks meeting will be held on the Monday to allow attendance at the Adelaide University Public Lecture: Rethinking Pain.
July Sergeant
Neil Davies
Upcoming projects
Rethinking Pain - 27 July 2026 - Adelaide University
Zone 8 Conference - 30 October-1 November 2026 - Melbourne
Celebrating Deidre: Facebook Legend
If you caught our Facebook activity last week, you'll know the community showed up in force for Deidre. Her post received 156 likes, 3 shares and 69 positive comments, contributing to an impressive 9,686 interactions so far and significantly boosting traffic to our page.
It's wonderful to see our community rally behind someone who has spent decades supporting and serving others. Their recognition is a fitting tribute to Deidre's lasting impact and dedication.
Are you looking for a way to recreate the magic of Bastille Day? The Post and Rail have you covered (info from their page):
French cooking has a reputation for being complicated, but the truth is, once you understand a few beautiful techniques, it becomes surprisingly achievable — and incredibly impressive.
On the menu:
• Chicken Dijon & Tarragon Terrine with Pistachio
• Roasted Vegetable Galette
• Duck Confit with Sour Cherry Sauce
• Crème Brulee with Berry Compote
Rotary 360 has released a blog article highlighting ten easy ways to increase membership and engagement.
Number 8 recommends featuring current members on our socials (Facebook) throughout August It would involve a photo of the member with a short article about why they joined, why they stay and how they find meaning within the club and beyond.
Following Deidre's success, we thought it might be a bit of fun and who knows, maybe even start some friendly competition amongst members.
If you would like to be part of the campaign, please reach out to the executive. There will also be sheets to complete on Tuesday to spark conversation and get people involved.
Join Tea Master Dr Anne Johnson and Chef Ian Perry for a unique tea tasting and food pairing experience over the winter months. July's session is "Compare and Contrast four Oolong Teas". Bookings essential via Ian via phone or in person at Red Shack Cafe.
The Say No to Domestic and Family Violence campaign is a powerful way to bring clubs together, working on a common cause, connecting with local stakeholders and stepping up with a cause that will resonate with the community.
In Australia, Domestic and Family Violence is disturbingly common. It is one of the drivers of homelessness among women, children and men. Domestic and Family Violence crosses all boundaries, race, age, financial status, education, sex and the suburb you may live in.
Rotary South Pacific have refreshed the resources available to clubs looking to engage with the program, take a look at the link below to see the resources.
Rethinking Pain: Understanding Why Pain Persists and What Helps presented by Professor Lorimer Moseley.
Professor Moseley’s public lecture will explore the latest understanding of chronic pain, including why pain can persist long after an injury has healed and what this means for improving treatment and care.
He will also discuss the EQUiPP project, highlighting how it is partnering with communities to build awareness and understanding of pain, as well as sharing opportunities for people to learn more about the project and become involved in its activities.
The Rotary South Pacific Regional Conference is the premier gathering of Rotary leaders, changemakers, and members across our region. It’s where vision meets action—where we explore the future of Rotary through the lens of People, Planet, and Peace, and connect with causes that reflect our shared values and areas of focus.
This is more than a conference—it’s a regional movement. A chance to build momentum, strengthen partnerships, and shape Rotary’s impact in the years ahead.
Date: 30 Oct - 1 Nov
Location: Melbourne Convention Centre PDG Tony Monley OAM, 2026 Zone Conference Chair
