Meeting 2860 was the annual Rawdon Mitchell Challenge between the three Mount Gambier Clubs. It was a beautiful day for a Par-Tee with the temperature cooling down before Tee off. We gave it a shot but unfortunately had a rough time of it. In the end the Rotary Club of Mount Gambier were the best by Par. Maybe a few too many of us spent more time in the sand than David Hasselhoff which led to our overall average being slightly over 70. We didn't get the wooden putter however with The Lakes Rotary having an even higher average than us.
Putter luck next time I guess, which is rumoured to be Ten Pin Bowling. Whilst some of these puns have been sub-par, next years will be incredi-bowl!
Q: How many golfers does it take to change a lightbulb?
A: Fore!
Q: What do you call a wizard who can turn himself into a golf club?
A: Harry Putter.
Q: What’s a golfers favorite dance move?
A: The Bogey.
Until next time, may the course be with you...
Ian Teeing Off, hole 1
Packed fairways of fellowship
David and Lisa
Frank among the mushrooms
Mary and Lily
Brian on 10, asleep on the job
Lily, a course alum on hole 3
David considering his options
Ian lining up the win
Next Week
Meeting 2861 will be back on Tuesday 13 January 2026 at Macs Hotel for a member presentation from Brian (Shags) Shanahan.
January Sergeants:
David Cameron
Ray Herbert
Upcoming Events
Australian Sprint Car Catering 30-31 January 2026 TBC
What is Club Treasurer?
Each Week we will be taking a Deep Dive into our Committee Leadership Opportunities. This week we will look at Treasurer.
As club treasurer you'll play an important role in your club’s ability to carry out service projects, fundraise, and support The Rotary Foundation.
Duties:
Manage club funds,
Collect and submit dues and fees,
Report on the state of your club’s finances,
Work with The Rotary Foundation,
Pay the Clubs Invoice which is based on the number of members in your club.
You will also be provided with specific training and resourcing opportunities to assist in your leadership journey!
If you are interested in becoming Treasurer, please reach out to Neil for more information.
Victorian Bushfire Update
As at 10 pm on Saturday 10 January 2026, the official advice from Vic Emergency was:
Fifty fires are still burning out of control across Victoria, with 14 Emergency Warnings still in place for communities at risk from significant fires in Walwa in the far north east, the Otways in the south west and Longwood in central Victoria.
A lot of our members have friends and family in the affected areas, and our thoughts and prayers are with everyone impacted by and responding to these events.
At the moment there is no coordinated Rotary donation program, however advice from Vic Emergency to avoid giving to scammers or opportunists is to donate via GIVIT. This is a platform that can accept donations including money, goods, services and volunteer time.
Every month the Rotary Magazine shines a spotlight on Rotary Projects around the Globe. This month highlighted the work of the Rotary Club of Flemington Kensington along with USA, Mexico, China and the Philippines.
The Flemington Kensington update is below with a link at the end to the full article.
Melbourne Rotarians made use of a long-standing partnership with Somali expatriates in the community to improve health care in the African country. With no in-country club to work with, the participation of the Somali diaspora in Melbourne was integral to the project’s success. Abdiwahid Hassan, a member of the Rotary Club of Flemington Kensington, collaborated with fellow Rotarians, Somalia’s Health Ministry, and a university in Somalia to fulfill a list of the most-needed items, some of which were donated by hospitals. Funds from the club and District 9800 helped cover the $18,000 cost of shipping. Nearly $100,000 worth of medical equipment arrived in Jariban in central Somalia in March, expected to help 40,000 people.
The 2026 summit brings together three districts to amplify the collective power and drive meaningful change. We'll be focusing on the incredible things we can achieve when we work together, sharing our successes, and planning our future impact.
What to expect:
Inspiring Speakers: Hear from visionary leaders.
Collaborative Workshops: Engage in hands-on sessions.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow members from across the districts.
Celebration of Service: We'll be showcasing amazing projects and celebrating the impact we've all made.
Experience Horsham: Discover the best of the Wimmera region with a Paddock to Plate-themed Gala Dinner and more.
