Embedded Files
March 2021
Table of Contents
Welcome
Welcome
It's a busy time around the District during Vocational, Peace & Conflict Resolution, and Water, Hygiene & Sanitation months, and I'd like to thank all those Presidents and Members of clubs who have invited me to be part of and witness the service you deliver in your communities. Whether it is Pride of Workmanship, celebrating 100 Years in Australia, or the continuing programs that Covid doesn't stop, I've been impressed, but not surprised, in the quality and quantity of programs that operate in our District. Thank you for all you do.
In this newsletter, I draw your attention to RAM World Malaria Day Challenge, The R100 Day in the Park, the closing registration date for AFGR Tournament, and the opening of applications for Windeward Bound Great Youth Adventure. Please click the links in the text or the images which will take you to websites for bookings, more information, or contacts to Rotarians supporting these programs.
Lastly, the Rotary Club of Kingaroy, the communities of the South Burnett, and I look forward to welcoming you in a couple of weeks to our home and treating you to an array of tastes, experiences, venues, and topics during your District Conference. It's hard to believe it's nearly here, and if you've not registered, this week is your last opportunity. Accommodation abounds, and hospitality is extensive: stay as long as you like, and leave when you must.
See you then,
DG Neil (2020/21)
District Calendar
District Calendar
District Leadership Team Meetings:
20th March: Peace Fellow Seminar, 11am - 6pm, Hancock Auditorium, UQ
26th - 28th March: District Conference, Kingaroy
29th March: RYLA Applications Close
6th April: District Leadership Team Meeting
District Presidents' virtual Meeting: last Friday of the month, 6.30pm - links will be sent ahead
District Conference Registrations are Open (see Link below)
Rotary Centenary in Australia and New Zealand: baton exchanges
District Conference Sponsors:
Click each logo for more information
Club Visits and DGTV
Club Visits and DGTV
Thank you to those of you who have subscribed and commented on the addition of DGTV. There are new links, videos and images from DG Neil's visits, as they happen. Thanks to all for your patience while we delve into the 21st Century media.
It's hoped that this compilation of images will serve as a demonstration of the universality of Rotary in our communities, as well as the opportunity to feature many of the excellent causes and projects that you support.
If you have any suggestions for improvement of this inclusion to the the District Newsletter, please let us know. Until then, see you on DGTV!
(For more information, please contact the editor: 9600dgnewsletter@gmail.com )
R100 Celebration: 9600 & 9630
R100 Celebration: 9600 & 9630
See the latest on Baton Relays and the upcoming event to celebrate with colleagues in the neighbouring District. Please note that there will be an entry fee to the planned Covid-safe event on Saturday 17th April at EE McCaskie Oval, Kelvin Grove.
Tickets are available through Eventbrite, and more information via Facebook: 2x MC's on stage, DJ playing all day, multicultural dancers, multicultural food and Rotary Projects Showcase. All welcome - please like and share the event through all social media.
Pics, videos, and commentary for your celebration of this occasion are welcome: 9600dgnewsletter@gmail.com
Rotary Centenary | R100 Baton Relay: Brisbane CBD Cluster
Rotary Centenary | R100 Baton Relay: Brisbane CBD Cluster
Commencing at the Rotary Club of Brisbane's Gala celebrating 100 years of Rotary in Australia, the CBD Cluster chose to conduct a literal baton relay to mark the event, with each President visiting the next club on the schedule over two weeks.
Coordinated by Assistant Governor Rutian Mi, each club hosted visiting Rotarians to acknowledge the commitment of previous Rotary leaders to seed the movement south of the equator. Sticking to the schedule, the Rotary Clubs of Brisbane, Brisbane Airport, Hamilton, Nundah, Rotaract Rivercity, Brisbane High Rise, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane Mid-City, and New Farm exchanged the Cluster baton, where each club's program coincided with a special event. For more information about RC Brisbane's Centenary Gala, please read on.
Rotary Club of Brisbane Centenary Gala | 1921 - 2021
Rotary Club of Brisbane Centenary Gala | 1921 - 2021
And just like that …. It’s done. The Centenary Gala was a wonderful evening that simply could not have happened without the help, effort and support of the many people, businesses and organisations who decided to lean in and make it a night to remember.
From the pink velvet ropes to the stunning venue, glittering guests and dancing till midnight it was a magical night and fitting way to celebrate 100 years of Rotary in Australasia. Rotary Club of Brisbane would like to thank those who attended, those who made financial and auction contributions, those who bid on the auctions, those who braved the stage to inform, encourage and inspire the audience, Galabid, W Brisbane and their team, Richard O’Leary from Event Photography and who could forget the spectacular Ben Trigger?
Together we raised about $15,000 for Jelly Beans via Open Doors which enables them to continue their critical work supporting vulnerable young people in the Brisbane area.
We also raised over $17,500 for PolioPlus which, matched with a 2 for 1 contribution from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and a 50% match from the RI Foundation World Fund, will supply as many as 175,000 doses of polio vaccine to children who would otherwise be susceptible to this debilitating disease.
District Conference: 2021 | 26 - 28 March, Kingaroy
District Conference: 2021 | 26 - 28 March, Kingaroy
If you were looking for a reason to attend this year's 9600 District Conference, I'll give you seven. With the support of local businesses, the South Burnett Regional Council, and Bendigo Bank, this District Conference brings together an array of Nationally and Internationally recognised local talents for what promises to be our most impressive celebration of Rotary Opening Opportunities.
Rotary Conferences always produce an assembly of excellent speakers and presenters designed to inspire and ignite ideas, conversations, and action. But this year, every session is a front-row, first-hand exclusive with icons and household identities who engender awe in every setting. Masquarading as ordinary Australians, local legends Leah Purcell and William McInnes are just two of the reasons you must register for conference right now.
If you are an officionado of Renaissance People, artists of all genres, and finely crafted creative types, you will be enthralled by the stories and presence of Stephanie, Rick, Tony, and Josh, too. There are more guest speakers, similar in character perhaps not in renown, but no less influential, energetic and empassioned.
The seventh reason to attend is that this is the last District 9600 Conference. Ever. You won't want to miss this.
Registrations Close: 18th March | Accommodation: Some still available
Conference Venue: Kingaroy State High School, 14 Toomey Street, Kingaroy QLD 4610
Actor, Musician, Author, Director, and Queenslander Leah Purcell
Actor and Author William McInnes
Author, Social Entrepreneur Stephanie Woollard OAM
Entertainer and singer Tony Dee
Writer, reporter, and author Rick Morton
MD Proteco Oil, Josh Gadischke
All Roads Lead to Kingaroy
All Roads Lead to Kingaroy
Chapter 8: Kinagroy
Chapter 8: Kinagroy
Kingaroy, the hub of the South Burnett Shire, is 160 km north-west of Brisbane. Legend has it the name is derived from an Aboriginal word describing a small black ant or a red ant.
Home to about 10,000 residents, it is the largest town in the area and the major business centre for the South Burnett Shire. It has a large Town Hall used for many civic functions, such as Australia Day, and is available for rent for private events like the banquet for the Rotary conference!
The main feature of the Kingaroy skyline are the peanut silos, used in the processing of the shire’s main crop. Not only it is a visible landmark, the wonderful smell of roasting peanuts that wafts through the town when it is operation will remind everybody that this is the peanut capital of Australia.
Directly opposite the silos is the wonderful Art and Heritage Precinct, where at least half a day can be spent learning a great deal about the town.
The information centre, has many helpful maps and brochures on offer, as well as souvenirs and quantities of locally made jams and honey. Not to mention peanuts in all flavours!
At the other end of the same building is the Art Gallery. The displays change every month and often feature work by local artists or craft groups. Every year the Shire acquisitive competition is held here and the winning piece is added to the Shire collection.
Of interest to many, and not found in every town, is the Observatory. Located near the air strip, away from the town lights, it is run by experienced astronomer and photographer James Barclay, there is a 70 seat theatre as well as a 45 person obwervation deck, where visitors can actually look through a telescope.
This part of the building itself is the original art deco Council Chambers, which is open to visitors and the whole area has a most interesting and unusual floor!
Bookings are essential. Much more information, including show times and days and admission fees, can be found on the comprehensive website. www.kingaroyobservatory.com
World Malaria Awareness Day on 25 April throughout the world but, for obvious reasons, celebrated on 30 April in Australia. Despite impressive gains against malaria, half the world still lives at risk from this preventable, treatable disease. In 2021, RAM is hosting a fun, safe and virtual event that challenges you to walk, swim, or ride 4km on Malaria Awareness Day to represent the over 400,000 lives lost to malaria each year.
Sign up and donate, ask friends to get involved or sponsor you, and take a selfie doing the challenge to share on RAM Social Media.
We aim to raise $100,000 for RAM projects in the coming year and are challenging each District to raise a little over $5000 to meet that target. Help us reach our goal!
For more information about the importance of combating malaria, visit: http://www.ram.rawcs.com.au
For a visit to your club, email (by clicking their name) District RAM Supervisor, Russ Stephenson (Nambour), Jacqui Hunt (Noosa Heads) or Dr Ivor Harris.
DG Neil, and Youth Program Chair Ossama El-Saadi with the 2020 YEP cohort.
Rotary Youth Exchange Program | Graduates 2020
Rotary Youth Exchange Program | Graduates 2020
The 2020 Youth Exchange year was a challenging one for Youth Exchange as it was for many other organizations. Students went overseas in January 2020 and at that stage there was no COVID restrictions. These students went to Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany , Brazil and Italy.
Because of COVID some students returned early but some stayed the whole year. Because of the District 9600 being no more after July this was the last group of students who went out from this District.
Over many years the District has taken pride in sending out and hosting students from countries worldwide. The YEP committee would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all clubs who have supported the program. Also to all Councillors who have been a great asset to a successful program.
District 9620 Update
District 9620 Update
District Training
District Training
Each year the District Training Coordinator facilitates sessions to provide in depth Rotary information to our leadership teams and to support Clubs in their quest to pass Rotary knowledge to their members. I think we’re all guilty at times of presuming that knowledge is gained by osmosis rather than by our considered steps to learn about the organisation we’re part of.
I consider Doug St Clair to be an excellent training facilitator and am thankful that he accepted the position of 9620 Training Facilitator. This past month he led a day of training for the incoming Assistant Governors and Coordinators. Through a series of talks and group activities we had the opportunity to extend our knowledge and to learn about how others intended to undertake their roles. For me, that’s one of the keys in Rotary. There is no one correct way to undertake a role and each year we get to see flexible approaches. This year we’ll see not just a change due to those who’ve accepted the roles but also because 9600 and 9630 are uniting – two historical ways of doing things becoming one. Be prepared to accept the differences.
President Elect Training (PETS) this year will be an on-line experience over two mornings on the 10th and 11th April. Doug is organising our program and we’ll each be involved in eight sessions – invitations have been circulated with preparation including some pre-reading from the Rotary Learning Centre
Training Assemblies are still being planned – maybe some through the combination of a few clusters. A neighbouring District has this year piloted Assemblies via ‘cluster musters’ and that may be a way to reach more Rotarians across our bigger District.
District Grants
District Grants
The closing date for District Grants is 30 April so take your time to submit applications. If you need more information about the process in the coming year make contact with our Foundation Chair Elwyn Hodges or our Grants Chair Alan Stephens. I’ve heard lots of good ideas as I’ve been visiting Clubs, now it’s your turn to submit the applications
Election of the District Governor Nominee
Election of the District Governor Nominee
Interviews for the role of District Governor Nominee are scheduled to occur in early April. The applicants and panel members have the date locked into their calendars.
DG Visits in the 2021 – 2022 year
DG Visits in the 2021 – 2022 year
Late last year the first cut of dates for DG visits over the coming year was circulated (via the Assistant Governors) with a special request that discussions took place for combined visits where possible as visiting more than 120 clubs would be possible but a big challenge. Thank you to the Clubs where those conversations have already started but over the next few weeks I’ll start making some changes myself. I’ve decided that the dates I’ve set aside for visits to the Island Clubs will not occur later this year so some variation in the schedule is required. If the date proposed for your Club is one of the ones on those dates your Assistant Governor will be in touch.
Coming Events
Coming Events
For more detail on club events and activities, please refer to the weekly Rotary Buzz email, and the District Website.
R100 Celebration
R100 Celebration
When: Saturday 17th April | 9am - 3pm
Where: EE McCaskie Park, Kelvin Grove Road, Kelvin Grove (click on the map link below for directions)
For Rotary Showcase, contact:
Jitendra: 0402 422 777 or Chris: 0413 055 177
43rd Australian Golfing Fellowship of Rotarians Tournament
43rd Australian Golfing Fellowship of Rotarians Tournament
16 - 21st May, 2021 | Maroochy River Golf Club, Bli Bli, Sunshine Coast
The Rotary Club of Maroochydore is hosting the 43rd AGFR (Australian Golfing Fellowship of Rotarians) on the Sunshine Coast Queensland in 2021. To register, please go to the link: https://agfr.org and select Tournament 2021. Registrations close 31st March, 2021
Rotary International Convention: Taipei, Taiwan | 12 - 16 June
Rotary International Convention: Taipei, Taiwan | 12 - 16 June
Please note that the Rotary Convention 2021 is now a virtual event. Details are available through the convention site and ticket refunds are available through the organisers.
District Contacts
Webmaster: Mark Williams: d96x0webmaster@gmail.com District Governor: dg2020-2021@hotmail.com District Directory: rotarydistrict9600@gmail.comDistrict Information
District Leadership Team Meetings: as aboveRegional office: Rotary International South Pacific and Philippines Office: RISPPO@rotary.orgPage updated
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