This years DG's Project is UQ's Queensland Brain Institute where the aim is to improve lives through a deeper understanding of the brain in health and disease. We are asking all Rotarians, Clubs, and other community Orginizations and Individuals to consider this as a cause to donate towards. Click on link below.
St George Rotarians have been very busy over the past month supporting the Global Nurses and Midwives Rotary Club as well as the St George QCWA, the local Youth Council, and the St George RSL Sub-Branch. Membership of Rotary helps us to serve our community but doing this in collaboration with other community groups takes our service to the next level.
We joined the Global Nurses and Midwives Changeover via Zoom as we have done for the past two years. This year was going to be extra special as we had a role in presenting member Jeff Potter with Paul Harris Fellow recognition during the changeover. All went very smoothly till the day of the changeover when Jeff couldn’t attend our club dinner because of illness. We had the certificate and pin all ready (photo at left), We weren’t deterred though, as we did present Jeff with his Paul Harris Fellow recognition following the VP commemorations. President, Win made the presentation with fellow Rotarians and Jeff’s wife, Donna, present as well as a small group of community people who had also attended the commemorations. It was a very fitting way to recognise Jeff’s service to Rotary as well as the wider community.The Global Nurses and Midwives Rotary Club expressed this very well when saying, ‘The presentation carried even deeper resonance as it followed the St George commemoration of VP Day at the Cenotaph, where the community gathered to honour history, sacrifice, and service. Against this backdrop, Jeff’s award symbolised the same spirit of dedication and selfless contribution.’
Rotary clubs of Carindale and Brisbane South East, in conjunction with the Brisbane City Council and Cr Lisa Atwood held the Brisbane Kite Festival on Sunday 24 August 2025 from 10am to 3pm. The event was held at Tingalpa Model Aero Club, in the Minnippi Parklands. The Rotary Clubs of Carindale and Brisbane South East spent many volunteer hours planning and running the event. There was a designated area for the public to fly their kites alongside professional kite flyers. For those who did not have a kite, a range was available to purchase. A fun day was had by the many 1000’s of adults and children running around the open parkland.
On 16 and 17 of August, the D9620 Rotary Youth Exchange program took centre stage as we hosted an incredible August training weekend for our outbound exchange students and inbound exchange students. We welcomed our three Short Term Exchange students for the 2025/2026 year, along with seven Long Term Exchange students set to embark on their journeys in 2026. We also had the pleasure of hosting four Inbound students from Brazil, Japan, Denmark, and Czechia.
The August Orientation is a crucial component of our program, serving as a mandatory training day designed to equip each student for their upcoming year abroad. Students and their families had the opportunity to hear from District Governor Mark Williams, who shared his invaluable experiences as a former Rotary Exchange Student. His insights highlighted the incredible opportunities that this program can provide, emphasising the transformative nature of international exchanges. Throughout the weekend, committee members led engaging sessions that covered various essential topics, including culture shock, support systems, and program expectations. Interactive role-playing exercises and public speaking workshops were integrated into the sessions, ensuring students became proficient Rotary Ambassadors. Beyond the training, students also enjoyed recreational activities such as fishing, music, and soaking up the scenic beauty of Bribie Island.
This grant gave students from a school out west a holiday on Bribie Island. It was intended to give the students from Proston State School a camp on Bribie Island. A previous 1-week camp had proved to be highly enjoyed by the participating children. It was surprising that some students had not seen the ocean before. This year grades 3 & 4 attended, and the stay was only for 2 nights as the teachers didn’t think that the younger students should be away from home for longer.
The benefit of the program to the students, was that they learnt to step outside the classroom, and this can be a daunting experience for many students. The group from the west was made up of 16 students, two teachers, and one child with autism plus their father.
They learn to live together, to cooperate and to help with meals and other duties some of which they had never done before. The students also had time to go to the beach, which was a new experience to some as well as learning lifesaving skills [provided by lifesaving instructors]. This experience gave students a reward for their efforts during the year. The Bribie Island community was fully supportive of the project as the surf lifesavers, the Melsa train, and the Butterfly House all gave freely of their time and instruction for the students to enjoy their week.
For this month’s District Grant news item, I have included the requirements that the Lockyer Valley Club places on a school to be eligible for a District Grant Application to be submitted by the club. It is good to see a club setting the parameters that the Rotary Club of Lockyer Valley requires before considering applying for a district grant. The club has been successful on several occasions in applying for grants based on the school breakfast program.
“Our Rotary Club applies for Grants from our Rotary District to fund School Breakfast Clubs in our region. To be eligible for a Grant, a school needs to demonstrate a need and a capability to operate a Breakfast Club on a continuing basis. Grant money can be used to purchase Breakfast Club supplies and where necessary equipment to assist the Breakfast Club to function efficiently. Rotary selects schools for assessment on an annual basis, and if a school has a P & C operating on a consistent basis with adequate resources and enthusiasm to support a Breakfast Club, our Club will make an application for a Grant. A School can commit the resources of the P&C combined with School Staff resources if that will assist to run a viable Breakfast Club. Grant applications close usually at the end of May each year and grants are issued for the ensuing financial year. There is no guarantee that an application will be successful. If a School is not successful in a year, then an application can be made in subsequent years. Rotary requests that if a Grant is made to a School, that Rotary representatives can attend a Breakfast Club to take photographs for publicity. All photographs are sent to the school, prior to publication to receive permission to publish. We hope that your School can take part in the Breakfast Club Grants program. Rotary can attend a P&C Meeting if that will assist with progression of an application for a District Grant.”
In 2018, The Rotary Club of Port Moresby (RCoPM) implemented the SayNO2familyviolence campaign. At the time of implementation, President Adam Hughes explained “this campaign is modelled from the Rotary Club of Maryborough, Victoria (RCM)”
Planning Meeting for Kwikila FSVU Office & Transit Centre, the building in the background is what was renovated:
As a first step, our club formed a partnership with the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Family Sexual Violence Unit (RPNGC FSVU).
It was identified there was a lack of dedicated office space for victims to meet with police to make reports of GBV incidents so the first project was obvious, to provide an office that had to be separate from the mainstream police station but still within the same compound. RCoPM purchased a 40-foot container which was refurbished into an office. Fast forward to 2025, RCoPM has completed FSVU offices at police stations in Badili, Gordons, Seven Mile (Airport), Kwikila and now is nearing completion of another at Sogeri which was made possible due to funding provided by the Kingdom of the Netherlands through the High Commission.
Sogeri town is the headquarters of the Sogeri Sub-District of the Kairuku-Hiri District in the Central Province of Papua New Guinea. It is located in the mountains eastward from Port Moresby and is situated in the Sogeri Plateau at about 500m above sea level. It is connected to Port Moresby by Sogeri Road. The town is near the famous Kokoda Trail.
Whilst there is a FSVU police officer based at Sogeri, she operates from a small office within the police station. With completion of this project will mean a separate area including office space, interview room, bathroom, and kitchenette.
RCoPM has spent in excess of K750,000, this included funds raised from the club’s annual golf charity days along with donations from corporate entities. A huge shout-out to Rotary Club of Maryborough (Victoria), whose SayNO2familyviolence campaign is making an impact in Papua New Guinea!
When the Rotary Club of Booval heard about the disastrous floods in western Queensland a few months ago, they put the wheels in action to see how they could assist. Having a few contacts in that area made it easy for members to contact locals in need. It was soon realised that there were plenty of people to help, but all their tools had gone in the flood waters. So, the Rotary Club of Booval went into action contacting other clubs and the public. The response has exceeded their wildest dreams with people contacting the club with the offer of tools especially from retired people and people downsizing. We have received every type of tool you see in a hardware store, e.g. hammers, ring spanners shifting spanners, drills, concrete trowels, saw horses, even a complete PA system for the rodeos etc. Then, there were Eskys, shovels, axes, rakes, and so the list goes on. We have packed three pallets and three large crates to start, which are being transported courtesy of Quilpie Transport. There is between 1 – 1.5 tonne of goods. This is a great effort by Rotary Club of Booval and the generous people of the area.
If you have tools you would like to donate, please call
I was borne on the wings of an angel Flown high through glowing stars in the sky Past our moon and all the other planets I looked back at where I would die.
As I looked down upon this earth I asked myself, ‘Did I really try? To bring Love and Peace and Happiness To those whose pain simply makes them cry.’
I was borne on the wings of an angel So I returned to this earthly domain To live the rest of my life with love So that I can fill the days that remain.
I asked myself, Is it the truth Is it fair to all concerned Will it build Goodwill and better Friendships? Will it be Fair to all concerned?
There are Rotarians the whole world over Who lead the way that does inspire Can we follow in their footpath? To lift our actions so much higher.
Today is the day that starts a new year It’s like taking a step into adulthood We are Rotarians, like others around the world So let’s commit and Unite for Good
The Club Excellence Award is the most significant award a Rotary Club can achieve. Recipient Clubs and their members have demonstrated a commitment to achieve their goals, which ultimately helps strengthen Rotary and shape our future.
The Club Excellence Award isn’t just an honour for your club to receive; it’s an important tool to help monitor the health and growth of your club. Taking action toward achieving the club excellence goals helps clubs engage their members, stay relevant in their communities, and function more efficiently. A welcoming and engaging club also reflects the values of Rotary. When clubs achieve their goals, they contribute to the overall health and culture of Rotary for generations to come.
The Club Excellence awards, formerly the Rotary Citation awards recognise clubs that achieve specific goals throughout the year, such as increasing their membership, engaging members in sustainable service projects, giving to The Rotary Foundation, building awareness of Rotary in your community, and having an up-to-date strategic plan.
They say life goes faster when it is full and interesting. By that measure, the life of a DG is full and interesting, because I find it hard to believe TWO months of the year have already disappeared into the rearview mirror.
This month I embarked on my mission to visit all 103 Rotary and Rotaract clubs and Community Corps in the district and I have discovered visiting clubs really IS the best part of the job. Every club I have visited has been different, but all have been committed to Rotary’s mission and values and the welcomes I have received have been extraordinary. I am also amazed at how much our clubs are achieving, often with severely limited resources. I’m looking forward to more visits!
In between club visits I have managed to make it to a few club events. The fact that I can only get to a minority could be seen as a good thing, because it means there is so much going on in our District, but nevertheless it is a matter for regret that I can’t get to every event.
St George Rotarians have been very busy over the past month supporting the Global Nurses and Midwives Rotary Club as well as the St George QCWA, the local Youth Council, and the St George RSL Sub-Branch. Membership of Rotary helps us to serve our community but doing this in collaboration with other community groups takes our service to the next level.
We joined the Global Nurses and Midwives Changeover via Zoom as we have done for the past two years. This year was going to be extra special as we had a role in presenting member Jeff Potter with Paul Harris Fellow recognition during the changeover. All went very smoothly till the day of the changeover when Jeff couldn’t attend our club dinner because of illness. We had the certificate and pin all ready (photo at left), We weren’t deterred though, as we did present Jeff with his Paul Harris Fellow recognition following the VP commemorations. President, Win made the presentation with fellow Rotarians and Jeff’s wife, Donna, present as well as a small group of community people who had also attended the commemorations. It was a very fitting way to recognise Jeff’s service to Rotary as well as the wider community.The Global Nurses and Midwives Rotary Club expressed this very well when saying, ‘The presentation carried even deeper resonance as it followed the St George commemoration of VP Day at the Cenotaph, where the community gathered to honour history, sacrifice, and service. Against this backdrop, Jeff’s award symbolised the same spirit of dedication and selfless contribution.’
Rotary clubs of Carindale and Brisbane South East, in conjunction with the Brisbane City Council and Cr Lisa Atwood held the Brisbane Kite Festival on Sunday 24 August 2025 from 10am to 3pm. The event was held at Tingalpa Model Aero Club, in the Minnippi Parklands. The Rotary Clubs of Carindale and Brisbane South East spent many volunteer hours planning and running the event. There was a designated area for the public to fly their kites alongside professional kite flyers. For those who did not have a kite, a range was available to purchase. A fun day was had by the many 1000’s of adults and children running around the open parkland.
On 16 and 17 of August, the D9620 Rotary Youth Exchange program took centre stage as we hosted an incredible August training weekend for our outbound exchange students and inbound exchange students. We welcomed our three Short Term Exchange students for the 2025/2026 year, along with seven Long Term Exchange students set to embark on their journeys in 2026. We also had the pleasure of hosting four Inbound students from Brazil, Japan, Denmark, and Czechia.
The August Orientation is a crucial component of our program, serving as a mandatory training day designed to equip each student for their upcoming year abroad. Students and their families had the opportunity to hear from District Governor Mark Williams, who shared his invaluable experiences as a former Rotary Exchange Student. His insights highlighted the incredible opportunities that this program can provide, emphasising the transformative nature of international exchanges. Throughout the weekend, committee members led engaging sessions that covered various essential topics, including culture shock, support systems, and program expectations. Interactive role-playing exercises and public speaking workshops were integrated into the sessions, ensuring students became proficient Rotary Ambassadors. Beyond the training, students also enjoyed recreational activities such as fishing, music, and soaking up the scenic beauty of Bribie Island.
This grant gave students from a school out west a holiday on Bribie Island. It was intended to give the students from Proston State School a camp on Bribie Island. A previous 1-week camp had proved to be highly enjoyed by the participating children. It was surprising that some students had not seen the ocean before. This year grades 3 & 4 attended, and the stay was only for 2 nights as the teachers didn’t think that the younger students should be away from home for longer.
The benefit of the program to the students, was that they learnt to step outside the classroom, and this can be a daunting experience for many students. The group from the west was made up of 16 students, two teachers, and one child with autism plus their father.
They learn to live together, to cooperate and to help with meals and other duties some of which they had never done before. The students also had time to go to the beach, which was a new experience to some as well as learning lifesaving skills [provided by lifesaving instructors]. This experience gave students a reward for their efforts during the year. The Bribie Island community was fully supportive of the project as the surf lifesavers, the Melsa train, and the Butterfly House all gave freely of their time and instruction for the students to enjoy their week.
For this month’s District Grant news item, I have included the requirements that the Lockyer Valley Club places on a school to be eligible for a District Grant Application to be submitted by the club. It is good to see a club setting the parameters that the Rotary Club of Lockyer Valley requires before considering applying for a district grant. The club has been successful on several occasions in applying for grants based on the school breakfast program.
“Our Rotary Club applies for Grants from our Rotary District to fund School Breakfast Clubs in our region. To be eligible for a Grant, a school needs to demonstrate a need and a capability to operate a Breakfast Club on a continuing basis. Grant money can be used to purchase Breakfast Club supplies and where necessary equipment to assist the Breakfast Club to function efficiently. Rotary selects schools for assessment on an annual basis, and if a school has a P & C operating on a consistent basis with adequate resources and enthusiasm to support a Breakfast Club, our Club will make an application for a Grant. A School can commit the resources of the P&C combined with School Staff resources if that will assist to run a viable Breakfast Club. Grant applications close usually at the end of May each year and grants are issued for the ensuing financial year. There is no guarantee that an application will be successful. If a School is not successful in a year, then an application can be made in subsequent years. Rotary requests that if a Grant is made to a School, that Rotary representatives can attend a Breakfast Club to take photographs for publicity. All photographs are sent to the school, prior to publication to receive permission to publish. We hope that your School can take part in the Breakfast Club Grants program. Rotary can attend a P&C Meeting if that will assist with progression of an application for a District Grant.”
In 2018, The Rotary Club of Port Moresby (RCoPM) implemented the SayNO2familyviolence campaign. At the time of implementation, President Adam Hughes explained “this campaign is modelled from the Rotary Club of Maryborough, Victoria (RCM)”
Planning Meeting for Kwikila FSVU Office & Transit Centre, the building in the background is what was renovated:
As a first step, our club formed a partnership with the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Family Sexual Violence Unit (RPNGC FSVU).
It was identified there was a lack of dedicated office space for victims to meet with police to make reports of GBV incidents so the first project was obvious, to provide an office that had to be separate from the mainstream police station but still within the same compound. RCoPM purchased a 40-foot container which was refurbished into an office. Fast forward to 2025, RCoPM has completed FSVU offices at police stations in Badili, Gordons, Seven Mile (Airport), Kwikila and now is nearing completion of another at Sogeri which was made possible due to funding provided by the Kingdom of the Netherlands through the High Commission.
Sogeri town is the headquarters of the Sogeri Sub-District of the Kairuku-Hiri District in the Central Province of Papua New Guinea. It is located in the mountains eastward from Port Moresby and is situated in the Sogeri Plateau at about 500m above sea level. It is connected to Port Moresby by Sogeri Road. The town is near the famous Kokoda Trail.
Whilst there is a FSVU police officer based at Sogeri, she operates from a small office within the police station. With completion of this project will mean a separate area including office space, interview room, bathroom, and kitchenette.
RCoPM has spent in excess of K750,000, this included funds raised from the club’s annual golf charity days along with donations from corporate entities. A huge shout-out to Rotary Club of Maryborough (Victoria), whose SayNO2familyviolence campaign is making an impact in Papua New Guinea!
When the Rotary Club of Booval heard about the disastrous floods in western Queensland a few months ago, they put the wheels in action to see how they could assist. Having a few contacts in that area made it easy for members to contact locals in need. It was soon realised that there were plenty of people to help, but all their tools had gone in the flood waters. So, the Rotary Club of Booval went into action contacting other clubs and the public. The response has exceeded their wildest dreams with people contacting the club with the offer of tools especially from retired people and people downsizing. We have received every type of tool you see in a hardware store, e.g. hammers, ring spanners shifting spanners, drills, concrete trowels, saw horses, even a complete PA system for the rodeos etc. Then, there were Eskys, shovels, axes, rakes, and so the list goes on. We have packed three pallets and three large crates to start, which are being transported courtesy of Quilpie Transport. There is between 1 – 1.5 tonne of goods. This is a great effort by Rotary Club of Booval and the generous people of the area.
If you have tools you would like to donate, please call
I was borne on the wings of an angel Flown high through glowing stars in the sky Past our moon and all the other planets I looked back at where I would die.
As I looked down upon this earth I asked myself, ‘Did I really try? To bring Love and Peace and Happiness To those whose pain simply makes them cry.’
I was borne on the wings of an angel So I returned to this earthly domain To live the rest of my life with love So that I can fill the days that remain.
I asked myself, Is it the truth Is it fair to all concerned Will it build Goodwill and better Friendships? Will it be Fair to all concerned?
There are Rotarians the whole world over Who lead the way that does inspire Can we follow in their footpath? To lift our actions so much higher.
Today is the day that starts a new year It’s like taking a step into adulthood We are Rotarians, like others around the world So let’s commit and Unite for Good
The Club Excellence Award is the most significant award a Rotary Club can achieve. Recipient Clubs and their members have demonstrated a commitment to achieve their goals, which ultimately helps strengthen Rotary and shape our future.
The Club Excellence Award isn’t just an honour for your club to receive; it’s an important tool to help monitor the health and growth of your club. Taking action toward achieving the club excellence goals helps clubs engage their members, stay relevant in their communities, and function more efficiently. A welcoming and engaging club also reflects the values of Rotary. When clubs achieve their goals, they contribute to the overall health and culture of Rotary for generations to come.
The Club Excellence awards, formerly the Rotary Citation awards recognise clubs that achieve specific goals throughout the year, such as increasing their membership, engaging members in sustainable service projects, giving to The Rotary Foundation, building awareness of Rotary in your community, and having an up-to-date strategic plan.
They say life goes faster when it is full and interesting. By that measure, the life of a DG is full and interesting, because I find it hard to believe TWO months of the year have already disappeared into the rearview mirror.
This month I embarked on my mission to visit all 103 Rotary and Rotaract clubs and Community Corps in the district and I have discovered visiting clubs really IS the best part of the job. Every club I have visited has been different, but all have been committed to Rotary’s mission and values and the welcomes I have received have been extraordinary. I am also amazed at how much our clubs are achieving, often with severely limited resources. I’m looking forward to more visits!
In between club visits I have managed to make it to a few club events. The fact that I can only get to a minority could be seen as a good thing, because it means there is so much going on in our District, but nevertheless it is a matter for regret that I can’t get to every event.
The entertainer and philanthropist Dolly Parton died 25 August 2026. This Q&A was originally published in the March 2010 issue of The Rotarian (now Rotary) magazine. Later that year, she spoke at the Rotary International Convention in Montreal, Canada.
