Please check the roster for the next few weeks and advise Vicki and David Ungar if you will be away that week. Meeting jobs will be allocated via email before the meeting.
Prue Howard spoke about mental fitness as a proactive approach to wellbeing, rather than simply reacting to stress. She explained the “window of tolerance,” describing how excessive stress can push people into hyperarousal or hypoarousal, limiting emotional regulation and problem-solving. Prue highlighted how the body signals overload through fatigue, headaches and temperature changes, and warned that ignoring these signs can lead to anxiety, panic and rigid thinking. She emphasised the importance of physical self-care, including sleep, nutrition, exercise and journaling, to restore balance. Using a real-world example of job-search stress, she illustrated how ongoing pressure impacts mental health. Prue also discussed managing the brain’s threat response, reframing language, and creating daily moments of joy to strengthen mental resilience.
THIS WEEK'S GUEST SPEAKER
Garrett Fitzgerald will be speaking to us about the Marymount Model United Nations (MUN) Program. In MUN, the students research and represent a country in a simulated global forum, debating real-world issues and working towards agreements – just like real diplomats. They develop skills in research, public speaking, and negotiation. Explore global challenges and international cooperation.
We'll also hear from our new Exchange Student Luci.
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WHAT'S THE BUZZ THIS WEEK?
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Outreach Kit packing night Wednesday 11th February in Surfers at 7pm. Email Vicki vickikersey@gmail.com if you would like to assist.
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Kieser Bingo morning - fundraiser for the Brisbane Children's Hospital
When: Monday 23rd Feb 9-11.30am
Where: Burleigh Bowls Club
$10 per bingo card
See the attached flyer for more information.
Meeting information
District Engagements and Club Events
Jo will attend the district board meeting on Sunday and Vicki will attend the Thriving Club Workshop run by David Kenny on Sunday. Members are encouraged to attend the Tri-District Conference in May at Royal Pines, highlighting its strong networking and development value. Ross Smith is one of the MCs for the event and if you have any questions about it, please contact Ross. A social evening has been planned at Mexican Aztec on Friday 13 March, costing $30 per person. Jo has sent out an email today. Please rsvp via that email.
Outreach Kits
Vicki advised that items for the outreach kits for a domestic violence refuge will arrive shortly, with a packing night scheduled on Wednesday. The kits include essential personal items for vulnerable community members.
Asha – Returned Exchange Student presentation
Asha gave us an overview of her year in Norway and reminded us of the goals she set at the start of the journey. She was pleased to report that she had met all the goals and described some of the activities and achievements she has participated in over the past year.
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Club runner information
If you do not have your Club Runner login information, you can go to the Club Runner website, scroll down a little and click on “Send me a Magic Link”. Enter the email address you gave to the club, and you will receive an email. Click on the login button and then select the club website. Go to ‘My Clubrunner’ and then ‘My Profile’. The ‘Edit’ button is at the top right and you can add/change any information on your profile. Click ‘Save’ and you’re done!
If you’re really feeling techy, you can download the Club Runner app.
If you would like any help resetting your password, or downloading the app to your phone, please let us know. There are a few members who can assist you.
We are looking to use Club Runner more for information and rosters, so it would be great if everyone is able to log in.
February is Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Month
Rotary Blog
Simple idea sparks innovation
By John Apostolou, Rotary Club of Alexandroupolis, Greece
For the past two years, through my involvement with the Learning Center and countless conversations with fellow Greek Rotarians at conferences and seminars, I kept noticing the same challenge: the absence of the Greek language on the platform made it difficult for many members to fully engage with the educational resources of Rotary International.
In September 2025, during the official visit of our district governor to our club, I decided to share a simple but meaningful idea: to personally begin translating Learning Center courses into Greek. The governor immediately supported the initiative and gave me the green light to move forward. Read more here.
Rotary Down Under
Bringing nature back to the neighbourhood
by Julie Mulhauser President-elect, Rotary Club of Balwyn, Vic
The Rotary Club of Balwyn is putting the ‘nature’ back in nature strips by connecting people, place and purpose.
The Rotary Club of Balwyn, Vic, is helping property owners in Boroondara beautify their nature strips by replacing the grass (and weeds!) with flowering native shrubs, grasses and groundcovers to attract bees, birds and butterflies.
Verge gardens or biodiverse nature strips connect people, place and purpose for multiple benefits.
It’s 9 o’clock on a Sunday morning and the temperature is soaring toward the 90s as hundreds of children make their way toward Marina Beach in the southern Indian metropolis of Chennai. Yet there’s not a towel or sand pail in sight — only water bottles and chessboards tucked under arms as the kids veer toward a college along the shore. Here, over the next several hours, knights will be sacrificed, pawns queened, and kings toppled at this fiercely competitive tournament — one of hundreds held almost daily in what is arguably the most chess-obsessed country in the world.
On this morning in September, some of the younger players are so small they have to stand at the tables to reach across the chessboards. Around the venue, inspirational posters feature local and international grandmasters. Read more here.
Prue Howard spoke about mental fitness as a proactive approach to wellbeing, rather than simply reacting to stress. She explained the “window of tolerance,” describing how excessive stress can push people into hyperarousal or hypoarousal, limiting emotional regulation and problem-solving. Prue highlighted how the body signals overload through fatigue, headaches and temperature changes, and warned that ignoring these signs can lead to anxiety, panic and rigid thinking. She emphasised the importance of physical self-care, including sleep, nutrition, exercise and journaling, to restore balance. Using a real-world example of job-search stress, she illustrated how ongoing pressure impacts mental health. Prue also discussed managing the brain’s threat response, reframing language, and creating daily moments of joy to strengthen mental resilience.
of the goals she set at the start of the journey. She was pleased to report that she had met all the goals and described some of the activities and achievements she has participated in over the past year.
