At last week's meeting, we heard an insightful talk from Craig Vincent from Local Guardians Aged/Home Care about Australia’s Home Care Package (HCP) program – a $6 billion system that helps older Australians stay living independently at home with support for things like cleaning, gardening, nursing, transport and home modifications.
Right now, the program offers four package levels ($10,000–$40,000 a year), but many people run into hurdles like long wait times, high hourly rates, and hefty admin fees that eat into their funding.
What’s changing?
From 1 November 2025, the new Support at Home program will roll out:
Packages will expand to eight levels, with the top tier rising to $78,000 a year.
A new Recovery Support Fund (up to $25,000) will help people bounce back after a fall or health setback.
Admin fees will be capped at 10%, and service rates will also face caps.
To prevent stockpiling, only 10% of unused funds can be rolled over each quarter.
Tips & takeaways:
Say yes to even small packages – reapplying later could mean years of waiting.
Think about applying once everyday jobs like lifting, cleaning or heavy chores become tricky.
Smaller providers may thrive under the new rules, while bigger ones are already reshuffling.
Volunteers may have a bigger role to play in the future of home support.
Bottom line:
This is the biggest shake-up to the system in decades. While challenges remain, the changes aim to make care more affordable, flexible, and responsive – helping more Australians live independently at home for longer.
Manuela Whitford, CEO of Friends with Dignity, a local DV charity, will be speaking to us about the work they do. Helping DV survivors in practical ways, Friends with Dignity furnishes houses, provides funding for children to attend camps, buy school needs or pay overdue bills. Anything to assist them in starting their new life free from abuse.
Thank you to everyone who donated items to the hamper we are donating to Ingleside State School. Jo has enough items to make up a beautiful prize.
Rotary Friendship Dinner
Last chance to book! Mok is holding a Rotary Friendship dinner at 6pm on September 5th at the Indian Hut Christine Corner. $37pp and it's BYO. Message Mok on Messenger, or text him on 0401 946 966 to RSVP.
Youth Exchange
Update from Norway: Leander has applied for part-time disability support work and was also approached for modelling opportunities during his recent family holiday in Italy.
Fundraising
Macadamias: Geoff has organised a new supply of macadamias. Due to rising chocolate costs, jars are now $14 each. Stock is available - please support the club.
Community & Service Projects
BBQs & Interact Support: The BBQ at Miami High on Monday supported the Interact Club’s tennis team fundraiser. Thanks to all who’ve stepped in - your presence reduces WHS requirements for the school.
Resource Collections: 140 boxes of textbooks collected from Benowa High, plus computers donated via corporate contacts. Thanks to Richard, Ron, and Michael for loading the truck,
and to Vicki for coordinating Day for Girls packages. Kevin
assisted with delivery runs.
Furniture Pickup: Additional items will be collected from Coomera Springs State School.
Administration & Finance
Treasurer’s Update: Members are reminded to submit expense claims with receipts. Please avoid emailing bank account details for security reasons - alternative arrangements will be
made. Bank details from last year’s accounts are proving difficult to retrieve; Graham will follow up.
Duck Race: Launch is set for today. Systems have been tested and are ready. Rosters for Bunnings and Currumbin RSL will be circulated shortly. Members will also be able to sell
ducks at club meetings once permissions are finalised.
Donations: Happy Fine money has now been transferred to Rotary, and receipts have been issued.
The Zone 8 Rotary Conference will be held locally at Twin Towns from 31 October to 2 November 2025, bringing together Rotarians from Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, Timor and Papua New Guinea. This rare event – the first since 2003 – offers members the chance to hear world-class speakers including Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo, Michael McQueen, and Jennifer Scott, as well as updates on the End Polio Now campaign. With registration around $345 (far less than an international convention), it’s a unique opportunity to connect with Rotarians across the region without the usual travel costs. Tony encourages members to make the most of this special occasion, especially on the Friday and Saturday sessions, as Sunday coincides with our Duck Race.
Rotary Blog
A sensory garden is a thoughtfully designed space that stimulates the five senses – sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell – through a combination of plants, textures, water features, pathways, musical elements, and interactive installations. It is not merely a garden to admire, but a space to experience. For children with disabilities, especially those with sensory processing challenges, autism, or limited mobility, such a garden becomes a therapeutic playground. It helps improve focus, reduce anxiety, support emotional regulation, and foster a connection with nature in a safe and inclusive environment.
With the encouragement of our club members and the support of the wider community, we embarked on this ambitious yet meaningful journey. We were fortunate to secure a generous district grant,which was supplemented by voluntary contributions from our dedicated members. It was a heartwarming demonstration of Rotary spirit: Service Above Self in its most tangible form.
Rotarian Simi Khooblall, past president of the Rotary Club of Rose-Belle, Mauritius, lead this community service initiative in the southern region of the island of Mauritius. Read about it here.
Rotary Causes
Linked through sister cities, Rotarians save newborns in Brazil
A mother is in labor, and she’s frightened. Her baby isn’t due for three months. The closest hospital is 30 miles away, and although she makes it there in time, the baby is born weighing barely 2 pounds.
And there’s another problem.
The hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit has only seven incubators, and all are in use, so the baby must be transferred to another hospital to receive the critical care he needs. If he survives the transfer, his parents will need to find a way to make trips to that hospital for months.
Many new mothers were facing similar situations at Dr. Leopoldo Bevilacqua Regional Hospital, a state-run facility in Brazil’s Ribeira Valley. Lack of equipment meant some of the hospital’s most vulnerable newborns had to be transferred, which was a factor in São Paulo state’s high infant mortality rate. Read how Rotary clubs helped reduce the mortality rate.
Rotary News
The donors whose contributions enable much of Rotary’s work gathered at a variety of special events during the 2025 Rotary International Convention in Calgary, Canada. Thanks to its donors, The Rotary Foundation hopes to increase its endowment to US$2.025 billion this year while continuing to change lives around the world.
“From supporting the environment to funding peace centers, you are making your mark and leaving a legacy of generosity and profound respect for others,” 2024-25 RI President Stephanie Urchick told donors at one ceremony. “You inspire each of us to give a bit more, work a bit harder. Thank you for creating The Magic of Rotary, and for leaving this earth a little bit brighter than how you found it.”
Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair Mark Daniel Maloney celebrated donors’ commitment and optimism at the same gathering, which honored members of the Arch Klumph Society. The society recognizes donors who have contributed US$250,000 or more to the Foundation. Read more...
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Please check the roster for the next few weeks and advise
Vicki Kersey and David Ungar if you will be away that week
