Thank you to Greg for filling in for me this week, it is greatly appreciated whilst I am in Portland for work commitments over the SA school holidays.
I would also like to extend a huge thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers who have helped kick off another busy event season.
On Monday, our team staffed two shifts at our Bunnings BBQ, serving up sausages with a smile and raising more than $1,000, with the final profit figure to be confirmed once costs have been calculated.
The momentum continued at the Mil Lel Show yesterday, where volunteers sold an impressive 50 pans. It was down on last years sales, but every dollar raised is important, as is getting our club out into the community we serve.
It's been a great start to the season, and we look forward to turning these fundraising efforts into meaningful projects that give back to our community. Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, energy and enthusiasm. We couldn't do it without you!
Until next time...
Next Week
Meeting 2900 on Tuesday will be at Macs Parlour Room for fellowship and dinner.
October Sergeants
Michael Brooksby
Frank Monger
Upcoming projects
12 October - Graeme Fischer, District 9780 End trachoma Chair, Commodore Motel hosted by Lakes
23-24 October - Mount Gambier Show Pizza Van
25 October 2026 - M.A.G.I.C Casterton Rotary Event
28 October is National First Responders Day Bunnings SA/NT and RI fundraiser
30 October-1 November 2026 - Zone 8 Conference - Melbourne
31 October - 141 Xmas function, Pizza Van
20 November Reidy Park Sports Day
21 November - Mount Gambier Christmas Parade
25 November - Nominations for 2028/29 DG close
1 December AGM – Nomination for next year’s office bearers.
9 December Reidy Park Christmas Carols
16-18 April 2027 - Multi District Conference - Warrnambool Vic
TBC - Graeme Cox, District 9780 Youth Protection Officer, Commodore Motel hosted by Lakes
Save the Date! The Lakes Rotary Club of Mount Gambier's Blue Lake Fun Run returns on Sunday, 29 November 2026. This much-loved community event showcases some of the region's most spectacular scenery, taking participants past iconic landmarks including the Cave Gardens, Blue Lake, and the stunning Lakes precinct. Whether you're a serious runner, casual walker, or simply looking for a great family day out, this is one event not to miss. Keep an eye out for registration details and start planning for an epic day of fitness, fun, and community spirit!
Rotary's Service Project Center has been refreshed to make planning, collaborating on, and reporting service initiatives easier than ever. The enhanced platform provides clearer pathways for submitting proposals, tracking projects, identifying partners, and reporting outcomes, helping clubs better showcase the impact of their work. Whether you're planning a short-term service activity or a long-term community project, the improved system offers more intuitive guidance and streamlined reporting to ensure Rotary's global impact is captured consistently and effectively. Visit the Service Project Center and select "Add a Service Initiative" to get started.
Why not join the 2026 ShelterBox Champion Awards Night and hear inspiring stories of humanitarian impact while congratulating this year's ShelterBox Champions?
Drawing the figure in the space
Join Penola-based artist Dagny Strand for an inspiring artist-led drawing workshop at The Riddoch, beginning with a guided tour of her exhibition, Tide be runnin'. Dagny will share insights into her creative process, from initial observations and sketches through to finished paintings, before leading participants in exploring storytelling through figure drawing. Using personal photographs, sketches, or supplied reference images, attendees will experiment with reinterpreting subjects and developing their own artistic style. Suitable for adults with some drawing experience, basic materials will be provided, and participants are welcome to bring their preferred drawing tools.
Five years ago, the Rotary Club of Mackay faced declining membership and an uncertain future. Instead of focusing solely on recruitment, the club took a different approach: building a stronger, more engaging club and tackling an issue that mattered deeply to the community.
That vision led to the creation of a major Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Program, bringing together schools, businesses, government agencies and community organisations. What began as an idea grew into a community-wide movement, attracting more than $110,000 in support, engaging over 1,500 participants in the Respect in Every Step march, and inspiring 13 new members to join Rotary in a single year.
The experience reinforced a powerful lesson: membership growth is often the result of meaningful service, strong partnerships and making a genuine difference.
Read the article by Michael Buckeridge. District Membership Chair and more photos from Photos Life Publishing Group.
Some ideas start with a conversation. Others start by hearing what someone on the other side of the region is already making possible This October, Rotary and Rotaract members from across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific will come together in Melbourne for the Rotary South Pacific Conference 2026.
Under the theme People. Planet. Peace.
But the value isn’t only in what happens on stage. It’s in the conversations between sessions, the ideas you take back to your club, the people you learn from and the possibility of turning a new connection into something bigger.
