Embedded Files
February 2021
Table of Contents
From the recent visit to the Rotary Club of Brisbane High Rise, here with President Margot. High Rise has celebrated an excellent year inducting another new member to their ranks during this breakfast meeting. It's always a pleasure to connect with the members at High Rise and we look forward to welcoming a number of them when they come north for the conference.
See you soon Margot!
Welcome
Welcome
Welcome back to Rotary for this calendar year, and I trust that everyone has had a safe, healthy and enjoyable Christmas and New Year, and that 2021 has started well for you and yours.
This issue will focus on the District Conference, which commences in just 46 days. While we know that Rotarians are notorious for leaving things until the last minute, it would be helpful to organisers if, as the last conference for our District as 9600, we could reverse that trend: things are exciting enough! You will see the editorial talking to some of the highlights, and I'd like to take this opportunity to all those who have contributed to bringing this spectacular event to fruition: the conference committee, including the members of the Rotary Club of Kingaroy, and out-of-towner, DGN Tim Keeler, the sponsors to this event, and particularly, all of you who have encouraged us, purchased raffle tickets, and committed to making the journey inland.
We promise that this will be a long weekend to remember and we look forward to welcoming you in true Rotary spirit.
See you soon at ours!
DG Neil (2020/21)
District Calendar
District Calendar
District Leadership Team Meetings:
2 March, 2021: Board & DCM, Virtual
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 Baton Relay: around 9600
R100 Baton Relay: around 9600
What are your plans to celebrate 100 years of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand?
Each of the clusters should have their batons and now is the time to plan activities and promotions of this milestone. It's hoped we can post images and articles of the festivities here in this newsletter.
Please send your pics, videos, and commentary to the editor, and share your events for this anniversary.
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: First in, best dressed
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 7: Proston
Chapter 7: Proston
Driving down the highway you will sometimes miss a small town if you blink. Proston is not one of those towns – because it is not on the highway! You almost have to go there because you want to.
Located north of both Murgon and Wondai, it is a special area the 400 residents call Proston Village. Once a thriving centre for dairying and timber it has now settled into a slower pace of life with beef cattle and some piggeries.
Originally taken up as farming blocks by returning soldiers in the 1920’s, the men often left their wife and families in Wondai while they travelled over non-existent roads and prepared the most basic shelters to live in.
Good farm country with fertile soil, the area eventually supported several townships with schools, community halls, churches. It seemed to center around Proston, which had two garages, two
bakeries, two butcher shops, two banks, two cafes, two churches and a cinema. Three trains per week carried supplies in and cattle and crops out.
By the early 1970’s the population started to decline. One by one these things either closed or moved to other areas but the residents have banded together and refused to let it die!
A 9 hole golf course is available to everyone who wants to play and campers are welcome to stay there for a donation only.
An ambulance station was established in the late 1920’s and still operates today. The local committee raised funds to build the centre, as well as buy a house for the officer to live in.
There are a couple really quaint shops visitors must see: The general store, called NB Department Store, sells a variety of clothing and household items, while the Jacaranda Tearooms makes tea, coffee, homemade cakes and fresh squeezed fruit juices of many types.
The original two-story pub burned down in 1966 and was replaced by the present structure. It is well patronized, having friendly staff, excellent food and even air conditioning.
There is a major effort among the local residents to re-vitalise Proston and it is amazing what hard working people can achieve.
Shepherd Memorial Church, Proston
This is not your average tale to attract tourists, but an effort to tell city residents that small town Australia is alive and well. BUT, not far from Proston there are two attractions that will be of interest to those from other areas and lifestyles. Next month will highlight Boondooma Dam and Boondooma Homestead.
Zone Headlines
Zone Headlines
Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group: Australian, New Zealand and Pacific Islands has a number of planned events and information available. For contacts in our District: Paulette Steele and Alex Murray of Rotary Club of Maleny can assist. For more information, head to the website by clicking on the logo displayed.
International Reach from RC Kippa-Ring North Lakes: ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute) and GIS (Geographic Information System) applying technology for social outcomes and attracting international recognition. Technology products developed locally have provided guides to assist people who are sleeping rough, and or assist in supporting coronavirus vaccination programs. For more information, please click the image.
District 9620 Update
District 9620 Update
Membership:
Membership remains one of the most important areas of responsibility that Rotarians and Rotary Clubs can be involved in.
It’s through membership that we can share the fellowship that is a value of Rotary, it’s through membership that we can invite and encourage others to understand and join us in our Rotary journey.
More members means we can achieve more in our service activities – either by being involved in more projects or by doing more in those projects we already have underway.
I’m very excited to let you all know that PDG Jitendra Prasad of the Rotary Club of Brisbane International has agreed to be our Membership Coordinator for the Charter year of District 9620. He will lead and motivate a team across District 9620 to live the values of Rotary, care for each other, grow our membership and identify and work in communities to establish new Clubs.
I know that Jitendra will be approaching Rotarians and Rotaractors to be members of his team but if you have a particular interest in the Membership area then send him an email at jitco@powerup.com.au – start the conversation.
Update: Youth Programs:
Youth Programs Coordinator Colleen Caruana has been working closely with her team members and each program now has a Chair working on delivery of the programs in 2021 – 2022.
Those who know me are aware of my view that the Youth Exchange Program is one of the gold standard programs of Rotary. At the last meeting of District Governors Elect we received an update of the current status of the YEP program and discussed the responsibilities of the DGs in committing to the project. While it was a tough decision to make, having analysed all available information I have agreed that District 9620 will not be participating in the program in the 2021 – 2022 year. This decision has also been taken in the other Zone 8 Districts across Australia and New Zealand.
It doesn’t mean that Chair Julian Field and his committee will be sitting idle – they will be using the year to organise our approvals and set the path for what will happen in the future. If the world settles and travel is less of a risk then we will work towards welcoming overseas students back to our country from July 2022 and sending out students from January 2023.
Colleen has coordinated the first meeting of the Youth Program Chairs in 30 January 2021. See you there!
More 9620 Appointments:
District Web Master: Mark Williams of the Brisbane Club
District Insurance Officer: Peter Marer of the Cleveland Club
Coming Events
Coming Events
For more detail on club events and activities, please refer to the weekly Rotary Buzz email, and the District Website.
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 aboveNorth Lakes Office Bookings: Ian HopeRegional office: Rotary International South Pacific and Philippines Office: RISPPO@rotary.orgPage updated
Google Sites
Report abuse