Rotary Sydney conducts in person forums and virtual meetings to hear speakers and discuss international, national and local issues. The Club also has wide range of social events. Details below in Upcoming Events and Rotary News. Visitors are very welcome but please book. Contact us by email: office@sydneyrotary.com
Sydney Rotary supports the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Click above & read the statement.
Rotary Sydney News
Rotary Sydney Annual General Meeting 
Notice is given that the Rotary Club of Sydney Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held at 12.20pm on Tuesday 12 December 2023 at The Castlereagh Hotel 169 Castlereagh Street Sydney and by Zoom. Only active members of the RCS who are in good standing may participate in this meeting. 
 
Past President James Allen has again agreed to be the returning officer. 
Members of Rotary Sydney will be asked to adopt a new Constitution and ByLaws at the Annual General Meeting in December 2023. 
 
The AGM will be followed by a Club meeting and lunch where  guests are welcome. 
 
If attending in person please book for the Club Lunch Meeting CLICK HERE.
If attending the AGM by Zoom there is no need to book just use the following Zoom link at 12.15pm. You are very welcome to stay on the Zoom link and hear the presentation on Project Rozana. 
 
Please refer to the following documents. 
 
Read more...
Rotary Sydney - Israel Palestine Health Diplomacy

Join us for our last club lunch meeting of the calendar year including a very timely and informative update on the important peace building work of Project Rozana in Israel and Palestine from the joint project chairs Ron Finkel & Dr Jamal Rifi.

We are back at the Castlereagh Boutique Hotel, The Cello Room, 169 Castlereagh St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia.

On the Tue 12th Dec 2023, commencing 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm AEDT,

We will be celebrating the induction of a new member and recognising the long and distinquished service of an esteemed Rotarian.

We will also hear an update about the work that our club is doing internationally.

Please book here.

Please note the Rotary Sydney AGM will be conducted briefly at the commencement of our meeting, members should arrive at 12:15 in time for the 12:20 start of the AGM. Non-members are welcome to attend however may not vote at the AGM.

 

Rotary Sydney fellowship at the bar & at the cafe
 
 

Rotary Sydney "Let's kick 2023 into touch"

In World War II America, Female Santas Took the Reins | History| Smithsonian Magazine
With a final drink & maybe a bite to eat if you wish  
Wednesday 13 December 2023 about 5.30pm.
Babylon Rooftop 
Westfield Sydney Level 7/188 Pitt St, Sydney. 
Main entrance is via the Express Escalator from Pitt St Mall, OR Take the internal escalators within Westfield Sydney to Level 7
Booking: Don't book just turn up!! Order and pay as you go.

And just because it is January!!!

Piccadilly Lounge Café
Tuesday 16 January 2024: Piccadilly Lounge Café, Piccadilly Arcade 210 Pitt Street. Join Rotary Sydney members from 12.30pm for a quick coffee & snack or full meal & drinks to wile away the afternoon.
No need to book. Just turn up, pay for what you order and enjoy some New Year fellowship.
Kandinsky at Art Gallery of NSW
 
Join Rotary Sydney for a private tour of this must-see exhibition, featuring works from the Guggenheim Museum, New York. 
Wednesday 31 January 2024
6pm guided tour, 7pm Wine & Cheese
BOOKING DETAILS ON CLUB RUNNER SOON. 

Wassily Kandinsky

Vasily Kandinsky Improvisation 28 (Second Version), 1912
One of the great innovators of European abstraction, Vasily Kandinsky (1866–1944) broke new ground in painting during the first decades of the 20th century. In his influential treatise, On the spiritual in art, published in 1911, he wrote about art’s potential to ‘stand alone’, with imagery 
independent of the natural world. The development of a new subject matter based solely on the artist’s ‘inner necessity’ would occupy him for the rest of his life.
Rotary Sydney Tree of Friendship 

The Rotary Club of Sydney is partnering with Market City Shopping Centre to host our inaugural Tree of Friendship from the 30 October to 30 December 2023. 

The Ribbon Cutting Media Launch on Wednesday 1 November 2023 at Market City Shopping Centre - 9-13 Hay St, Sydney was a great success!

Please continue to support this wonderful experience by donating gifts for 6 to 12 year olds that will stimulate creativity and friendship-building!

 
5th December: Before heading off to the Rotary Sydney Christmas Party members, full of festive season spirit, visited the tree and donated more gifts to the 100's already collected!
 
Brilliant work by Kaila Cruz and Rio Allen and team!
Read more...
Christmas Celebration 

For members that missed out here are a few pictures from this years Rotary Sydney Christmas Party.  

Thanks to Phoebe Alexander for organising a fabulous event at the Emperor’s Garden Chinese Restaurant 96-100 Hay St & Dixon Street Haymarket.

The group also visited the Rotary Sydney Tree of Friendship and dropped off more gifts, adding to the 100's already donated, for children aged 6-12 years old.

If you haven't donated a gift yet please do so. The Rotary Sydney Friendship Tree is on the 1st floor, Market City Shopping Centre, Hay Street.

RI Foundation Report 
 
The commitment of friends, leaders, and problem-solvers united in taking action makes a life-changing impact. This past year, 1,098 global grants supported large-scale projects, scholarships, and vocational training teams. Leaders who are building peace in the Middle East or North Africa will soon have the opportunity to get world-class professional development at the newest Rotary Peace Center at Bahçeşehir University in Istanbul, Turkey. Our global polio eradication effort is intensifying through our joint commitment with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Our progress in advancing important causes is possible because of your support. 
Rotary Give Every Child A Future - November 2023

A case study in building cooperative partnerships

Rotary Give Every Child A Future (RGECAF) has its origins at Rotary Sydney and has been supported across Australian & New Zealand & beyond and is now  the largest joint Rotary/UNICEF programme since Polio plus.
 
New Vaccines in Pacific Island Countries to improve child survival 
The project aims to support the introduction, roll-out and uptake of 3 new vaccines (HPV, PCV, RV) in nine Pacific Island countries and territories by contributing towards the following three outputs: 
  1. National capacities enhanced to strengthen immunization policy and legislation in nine Pacific Island Counties and Territories (PICTs) 
  2. Health system capacities strengthened to deliver quality immunisation services that are adapted to climate change in nine PICTs. 
  3. Caregivers in nine PICTs have improved knowledge and skills to adopt recommended immunisation practices. 
    Read more...
    NSW Police Officer of the Year 
    Detective Inspector Hassan El-Khansa from Incident & Emergency Management has been named the 2023 Rotary Police Officer of the Year. From joint agency efforts to keep devastating livestock viruses out of the country, to responding to a gas pipeline outage that left more than 20,000 residents without natural gas during an unseasonal cold snap – the work he completed is at a level beyond his emergency management experience.
    2023 Rotary Police Officer Of The Year - NSW Police Force - YouTube
    The NSW Police Officer of the Year awards are a joint initiative by the Rotary Club of Sydney on behalf all Rotary Districts in NSW and the NSW Police Force, to recognise professional excellence and dedication to service by officers and civilian staff.
    Read more for full list of the 2023 Rotary NSW Police Officer of the Year Awards winners. 
    Read more...
    Rotary Youth Leadership Awards January 2024
    RYLA in District 9675 is returning on 2-7 January 2024!
    RYLA is an amazing leadership program for young adults aged between 19 and 25. The  6 day program typically has 75 participants and focuses on leadership, personal development, teamwork and community awareness. RYLA features presentations from many experts who generously donate their time and experience to further the development of young leaders. The program combines workshops and presentations to fully explore the fundamentals of effective leadership.
    Here is a short video testimony from participants of our 2023 program. 
    From the Climate Action Group 

    Business Sustainability 

    The National Retail Association team actively work across a wide range of sustainability topics impacting retailers and their supply chains across Australia and New Zealand.
     

    Recycling in the City of Sydney

    Recycling in the City of Sydney
    Saturday 25 November 2023
    Recycle It Saturday from 9am to 3pm at Alexandra Canal Depot, 67C Bourke Road, Alexandria. Drive and drop off clothes in great condition, old electronics, small metal items, bicycles, polystyrene, x-ray scans and more. Quarterly, free. Details click here
    If you are interested in what happens to your waste have a look at the City of Sydney update and they have tips - eg what do you do with the lids? Click here. 

    100 Climate Conversations 

    As Australia’s most ambitious climate-focused cultural project, 100 Climate Conversations aims to inspire action by presenting an evidence-based and empowering vision of the future. The program showcases 100 visionary Australians, taking effective action to respond to the most critical issue of our time, climate change.
    Featuring Mike Cannon-Brookes, Victor Steffensen, Ronni Kahn, Clover Moore, Rebecca Huntley, Grace Vegesana, Ross Garnaut and Ketan Joshi in conversation with some of the nation’s most respected journalists. 
     

    Help to plant trees

    This is a wonderful opportunity for Rotary to be out in force demonstrating our commitment to the environment!
    Please find out details on the website @ 
    or go directly to the TryBooking page to sign up!
     

    A more Sustainable Shop

    5 Ways To Shop More Sustainably - Reusable Packaging News
    For more details click here 
    6 Easy Steps for a more Sustainable Shop
    Steps anyone can take to ensure trips to the supermarket are as sustainable as possible:
     
     
    1. Bring your own bags – including produce bags 
    2. Make a list and stick to it
    3. Check the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL)
    4. Buy seasonal produce
    5. Buy in bulk
    6. The big weekly shop
    Rotary Peace Fellowship - Success
    Sydney Rotary applicant Rhianne Jeyakumar has just been notified she is now a 2024 Rotary Peace Fellow. Each year, Rotary awards up to 130 fully funded fellowships for dedicated leaders from around the world to study at the Rotary Peace Centers. It is a highly competitive process with over 600 applicants each year. Last year Sydney Rotary successfully recruited two Rotary Peace Fellows, Doctor Alfred Mupenzi and Jawoon Kim.

    Rhianne Jeyakumar

    Rhianne is passionate about building community, having worked in the International Community Development Sector. She has worked with organisations involved in helping women who have encountered domestic violence, as well as causes committed to ending modern slavery and fostering community development. Her gifts and experience are ideal for the future growth and success of Banksia Women.
    Call for Nominations for the Community Service Awards 2023
    ROTARY SYDNEY COMMUNITY SERVICES AWARDS 2023

    For many years the Rotary Club of Sydney have recognised leading Australian residents for their contribution to their community. This is an exciting opportunity to celebrate the contributions of individuals and entities within our community.

    This year the Rotary Club of Sydney has decided to extend the Community Services Awards to local members and organisations who are doing amazing Community work in their local area within Greater Sydney (Newcastle to Wollongong and West to Lithgow).

    NOMINATIONS

    Rotary Club of Sydney is looking for community members and community organisations you know that fit the criteria below. Please send a brief outline of how they meet the criteria before Friday, October 7, 2023.

    Please e-mail the Chair of the Community Service Awards Committee c/o Glenn Stafford at glstafford@bigpond.com with your nominations.
     
     
    Read more...
    Rotary Citation 2022-23
    PP Mark Dyer & President Charlie Allen display the Rotary Sydney Citation (below) as they congratulations IPP David Hirsh & his team for their commitment to achieving the club's goals in 2022-23.
    100 years of Rotary Service in SA

    Centenary of Rotary in South Australia Luncheon 

    Photo 5
    The Rotary Club of Adelaide is leading the celebrations of 100 years of Rotary Service in South Australia with centenary projects and events. 
    Rotary Sydney members and supporters are asked to join the celebrations at the 
    Centenary of Rotary in South Australia Luncheon 
    12noon - 3pm Sunday 4 February 2024, William Magarey Room, Adelaide Oval
    Bookings and options for the Sydney contingent will be available soon. 
    SAVE THE DATE. WATCH THIS SPACE. 
    Rotary Sydney IPP David Hirsch and PP Mark Dyer represented our club at the Rotary Club of Adelaide Founders Day Luncheon. Mark Dyer (photo below) at the luncheon with Priya Kamineni from Adelaide and PP Rotary Club of Melbourne Adrian Nelson. 
    Strategic & Operational Plan 
    President Charlie Allen: “In 2023-24 as Sydney Rotarians reengage in the post COVID era we want a vibrant club with fun and great projects."
    The President has worked with Rotary Sydney's Executive, Board and members to developed a Strategic and Operational Plan. President Charlie Allen indicated as he presented the plan that it is not a document "set in stone", it is very much a working document that will need to change as it is implemented. 

    The Rotary Peace Fellowship changed my life

    Charlie Allen APM
    Charlie Allen became a Rotary Peace Fellow in 2010, studying Peace and Conflict Prevention at the Rotary Peace Centre in Thailand. “The Rotary Peace Fellowship changed the direction of my life,” says Charlie and working to build peace became his vocation both inside and outside of Rotary.  Charlie’s Rotary passion remains the Peace and Conflict Prevention Area of focus.
    Professionally, Charlie is a Senior Practice Fellow with the Institute for Economics and Peace; part of this role is to manage the Rotary/IEP strategic partnership.
    Read more...
    What is the Institute for Economics & Peace; a Rotary Global Partnership 
    Rotary International has a global partnership with the internationally renowned think-tank, the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP). 
    Rotary Sydney is developing a close working relationship with the Sydney based global IEP.
    Global Peace Index, 2023 - Civilsdaily
    Peace building and conflict prevention is one of Rotary's seven Areas of Focus (see list of Areas of Focus on this page). 
    IEP is aiming  to create a paradigm shift in the way the world thinks about peace by developing global and national indices, calculating the economic cost of violence, analysing country level risk and fragility, and understanding Positive Peace. Click here the read about the 8 Pillars of Positive Peace.
    The synergies are clear. 
    Golf Day & Dinner 2024 helps Vision Beyond Aus
     
    All proceeds from the Fiducian Charity Golf Day & Dinner help Vision Beyond Aus provide free eye surgery to the world’s most disadvantaged people.
    Friday 5 April 2024
    Oatlands Golf Club
     
    Save the date. 
     
     
    Registration details will be here 
    in early 2024
     
    VBA was established as part of Sydney Rotary’s international service in 2010 by Rotary Sydney member Indy Singh, OAM, to provide free eye surgery to the world’s most disadvantaged people. Now an independent charity VBA, still led by Indy Singh with a majority of the its Board Rotarians, has supported over 50,000 surgeries, and Indy is determined to reach 100,000. 

    Working with Australian medical practitioners who generously volunteer their time and skill and in-country specialist surgeons and staff, VBA funds and supports free eye surgery at established local hospitals and independent rural clinics committed to providing free care for those living below the poverty line. VBA provides surgical and post-operative consumables and necessary equipment to these centres, with facility refurbishment, to enhance capacity.

    Click here for information on VBA  

    Read more...
    Upcoming Events at Sydney Rotary 
    Rotary Sydney 
    Rotary Sydney

    We meet In Person & Online
    Tuesdays at 12:30 PM
    Various Sydney Venues & Virtually. See Upcoming Events.
    GPO Box 1523
    Sydney, NSW 2000
    Australia
    Tuesday lunch remains our standard meeting time however check Upcoming Events & Rotary News for variations & booking links. The Club meets at various Sydney venues, virtually & has a wide range of social events. Contact us: office@sydneyrotary.com
    Join Us Online [Login to view details]
    District Site
    Venue Map
    Rotary Links
     
    News & Information
    Want to contact Executives, Directors or Committee Chairs
    Click their name below to email
    Club Executives & Directors
    President
    Charlie Allen, APM
    Rotary Foundation Chair
    Charlie Allen, APM
    Immediate Past President
    David Hirsch
    President Elect & VP, Chair Services & Awards, PCYC & Rural
    Glenn Stafford
    Vice President & Events Coordinator
    Phoebe Alexander
    Honorary Treasurer & Chair Finance, Audit, Investment & Risk
    Rahul Guha
    Honorary Secretary & Public Officer
    Geoffrey Wilbow
    Director & Assistant Secretary, Club Administration
    Fleur Hourihan
    Director & Chair Membership, Youth
    Mark Dyer
    Director & Co-Chair Climate Action Group
    Karen Loblay, AM
    Director & Social Media Coordinator, Co-Chair CAG
    Deborah Hill
    Director & Chair International Services
    Bernard Macleod
    Director
    Adriane Lozano
    Sergeant-at-Arms
    Iurie Brinister
    Chair Chair Peacebuilding Group
    Sy Lagaaia
    Rotary Give Every Child a Future Project Director
    James Allen
    Chair Rotary NSW Police Office of the Year Awards
    John Given OAM
    Chair Soukup Memorial Scholarship Fund
    Gillean Wilbow
    Four Way Test Speaking Competition | Rotary Club of Perth
    Centenary of Rotary in Australia
     
     
     
    The Rotary Club of Sydney's Benevolent Fund is an ACNC Registered Charity 
    Rotary International News
    Rotary leads 28 sessions at United Nations climate conference

    Presentations and workshops at COP28 highlight community-led solutions and partnerships.

    Consider your carbon foodprint

    If all the climate change solutions, from electric cars to wind turbines, there’s a powerful one that’s staring you in the face — at breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

    Rotary projects around the globe December 2023

    Learn how Rotary clubs are taking action in the United States, Peru, Italy, the Philippines, and Papua New Guinea.

    Help Rotary Strike Out Polio

    2024-25 Rotary International President Stephanie A. Urchick invites 25 PolioPlus supporters to her hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, to Help Rotary Strike Out Polio at the $1 Million Baseball Game.

    An audacious request transforms South African schools

    With the largest Rotary global grant ever awarded in South Africa, Rotarians refurbish 11 schools’ toilets and kitchen facilities.

    Rotary clubs in Brazil stand ‘Together Against Polio’

    Rotary members in Brazil launch an informational campaign to promote polio vaccination

    Rotary projects around the globe November 2023

    Learn how Rotary clubs are taking action in the United States, Jamaica, Portugal, Belgium, and Sri Lanka.

    The culinary paradise of Singapore

    Rotary editor Wen Huang paid an extended visit to the culinary paradise of Singapore, the host of the 2024 Rotary International Convention

    Hope in grief

    With suicides rising in the U.S., Rotary members who’ve lost loved ones are determined to prevent more deaths. Their first step — talking.

    Inside the mind of a writer living with Alzheimer’s

    A writer takes readers inside his own mind to witness his struggle with Alzheimer’s, while pleading for better care and a cure.

    Combating polio around the globe

    As the fight against polio unites communities around the world, Rotary members are using time-tested methods and attention-catching new ideas to raise awareness, funds, and support toward eradicating this debilitating disease.

    Pens against polio

    A Rotary member published an anthology of crime stories to raise money for the fight against polio.

    A flight to fight polio

    Rotary members fly around the world to raise funds for polio

    Scholars take a global approach to mental health

    Rotary clubs and districts support study in an emerging field

    Rotary Foundation receives highest rating from Charity Navigator for 15th consecutive year

    Rotary Foundation receives highest rating from Charity Navigator for 15th consecutive yearFor the 15th consecutive year, The Rotary Foundation has received the highest rating – four stars – from

    The value of vigilance

    Tenacious surveillance ensures that progress in the eradication of polio is not merely sustained but advanced

    We are family: Rotary Youth Exchange

    Rotary Youth Exchange offers both teens and host families the chance to grow

    Rotary projects around the globe October 2023

    Learn how Rotary clubs are taking action in the United States, Guatemala, Germany, Barbados, and Italy.

    Rotary to amplify climate action at COP28 in Dubai

    Rotary to amplify climate action at COP28 in DubaiRotary will help facilitate collaboration on community-led climate action, and discuss the intersection of climate change and

    Leading with heart: Vietnam gets a new Rotaract club

    There’s a lot of female energy in the Rotaract Club of One Million Lives Saigon: The charter president, president, and vice president are all women.