To mark Rotary Queensland's Centenary, we're raising funds for a perpetual chair and research in Neuroscience at the University of Queensland Brain Institute.
A volunteer-based recycling facility collecting and redistributing medical and educational goods.
Strengthens PNG communities via community lead restoration of coastal ecosystems, supporting coral reef and village chicken rearing; for environmental, food and nutrician resilience.
Eddie's Van
Weekday Big Brekkie & connection for homeless and hungry people in inner-city Brisbane.
President Handover
Catch up with all the latest at RCoB.
Discover and celebrate diverse perspectives with a global organisation.
Coming Events
Stories
Jan 30, 2025

Dear Fellow Rotarians,

Happy New Year! I’ve missed the Club and all of you over the break, and I can’t wait to catch up in person this coming Monday, 3 February, for a WELCOME AND WELCOME BACK casual social meeting at 5:30 PM at Friday’s Riverside. It’ll be a great way to ease into the year, reconnect, and welcome potential new members. Click the meetings listed below for more details and to register or send apologies, and scroll down to see who’s speaking at upcoming events.

🫵 Members have been allocated meetings to chair and other responsibilities, scroll down (down down down all the way to the bottom of the bulletin) to Commitments to see what yours are - if you can't - please find someone who can.

Even though it may have seemed like a quiet break, Rotary never really stops—so I want to take a moment to acknowledge all the members and friends of Rotary who have been working and volunteering over the summer break on various projects, tasks, and initiatives. So much of what we do happens behind the scenes, and it only works because of your dedication and efforts—thank you! 

special shoutout to Denise Schellbach for her ongoing work with Eddie’s Van, and to all those who helped out at RARE last Saturday—your commitment to service truly embodies the Rotary spirit. These volunteer efforts (and more) will be featured in the next bulletin, so stay tuned!

📌 Upcoming Board Meeting – 10 February
The first Board Meeting of the year will be held on Monday, 10 February, after our lunch meeting. If you’d like to submit a motion, please click the meeting link for more details. Your input is always valued!

As we step into the second half of my term as President, I am committed to focusing on Rotary causes, people, and events—ensuring we not only attract new members but also create an environment where they stay engaged. At the same time, I want to recognise and support our existing members by ensuring our meetings and activities are meaningful and rewarding. Most importantly, we have some fantastic projects to complete, and I’m looking forward to seeing them through with all of you.

On a personal note, I had a wonderful time in New Zealand over Christmas and New Year, catching up with family and friends. Right now, Miles and I are deep in work on a commercial project, so I truly appreciate the support of our incredible Club members while I focus on that for the next couple of weeks.

I look forward to seeing many of you on Monday 3 February at 5:30 pm —let’s start the year off with great conversations, laughter, and a shared vision for the months ahead!

Rotary Regards
Angela Murphy
2024/25 President, Rotary Club of Brisbane

Nov 27, 2024
 

People of Action know that achieving any vision, big or small, requires a plan.

Rotary International pioneered a model of service leadership more than a century ago based on person-to-person connections. That model is just as powerful today as ever. Except now, those individual connections span the globe. Today's Rotary doesn't just reach out to act on communities' needs close to home; we transcend borders, generations, languages, cultures, and historic differences to create hope for a better world.

When we imagined where Rotary is going in the next 100 years, we developed a plan built on four priorities: increasing our impact, expanding our reach, enhancing participant engagement, and increasing our ability to adapt.

Watch the video, read more and learn about the Action Plan Toolkit for Clubs here

Nov 25, 2024

Our meeting this week was a celebration of connections, accomplishments, and new traditions. With President Angela Murphy at the helm and 9620 Area Governor Bruce McNaught as Chair, it was an inspiring and lively gathering.

The highlight of the day? Honouring four outstanding individuals with the first-ever “Alumni & Friends of the Rotary Club of Brisbane” Certificates.

Welcome and Acknowledgments
President Angela warmly welcomed members, visitors, and a special guest, former Rotarian Geoff Baker (Robina and Surfers West). Our visitors included Mac Millar, Bridget Hellawell, Chantel Duffy, Cole Suter, and Carlotta D’Arino.

Award Presentation – Alumni & Friends Certificates
A huge round of applause for Mac Millar, Bridget Hellawell, Chantel Duffy, and Cole Suter (and Mitch Smyth, Macey Bennett) of Kicks For Kids Foundation, who were recognised as the first-ever recipients of the “Alumni & Friends of the Rotary Club of Brisbane” Certificates. Their contributions to the Rotary ethos and broader community are remarkable. This new tradition is an exciting way to celebrate those who share Rotary’s values and strengthen our network of changemakers.

L-R Angela Murphy, Chantel Duffy, Cole Suter, Mac Millar, Bridget Hellawell, Keith Watts (absent: Mitch Smyth, Macey Bennett)

Speaker Video – Rotary International President Stephanie A. Urchick
The meeting concluded with an inspiring video address from Stephanie A. Urchick, Rotary International President for 2024–25. Her words about Rotary’s global impact and the power of service resonated deeply with everyone. 

Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to making this meeting such a success. As we look toward the end of 2024, let’s continue building momentum for an impactful 2025.

Nov 27, 2024

Dear reader

It's been an action packed week, I want to acknowledge the dedication and energy that make our projects and initiatives thrive. Whether through leadership transitions, successful fundraising, or community-focused programs, the Rotary Club of Brisbane continues to make meaningful contributions. Here are the key highlights:

Leadership and Club Structure

Our ongoing leadership transition remains a priority. We’ve established a Nominating Committee, chaired by Keith Watts, to identify a President for 2025–26. We also formalised Keith’s appointment as Club Historian, recognising his outstanding work in preserving our legacy. Additionally, a mid-year update request was made for members overseeing international and local projects to ensure transparency and progress reporting.

Fundraising Success

The 50/50 Charity Raffle on Melbourne Cup Day was a tremendous success, raising approximately $36,000. Our club’s share is $4,000 —thank you to the volunteers who made it happen! We are also exploring additional opportunities to participate in 50/50 raffles with the Rotary Club of Hamilton. The upcoming Kyeema Raffle promises to be another impactful initiative, with further details to be shared ASAP.

Youth Empowerment and Community Impact

We are proud to sponsor a student for the Rotary Youth Transitional Seminar (RYTS), an impactful leadership program for high school students. The Teacher in a Box project, led by Dickson Ken, is in the process of being adopted as a formal club initiative, providing offline educational resources to underserved communities in Papua New Guinea. The board also approved the formation of a Rotary Youth Exchange Program Committee to facilitate cultural and educational exchanges, lead by Juan Laporta.

Engaging Initiatives

A dedicated Kids & Carers Room will debut at the 2025 District Conference, ensuring inclusivity for parents attending with young children. Thank you to District Governor Sue Mulraney for her support in making this happen. The initiative sets a precedent for future conferences, demonstrating our commitment to fostering inclusivity within Rotary.

Decisions Made

Key motions passed during the board meeting include:

  • Kinross Scottish Ceilidh (Fair) Participation: Our club will join as part of the Kinross Cluster management committee and explore a fundraising stall, potentially selling haggis and tatties.
  • Guest Speaker Recognition: VIP visitors and speakers will now receive a copy of our club history book, a token of our appreciation for their contributions.
  • International Service Agreements: Agreements with inactive clubs will be reviewed and potentially retired.
  • Autism Global Project: Member update in minutes to follow.
  • Social Media and Marketing: Five marketing students under the guidance of Winnie Chen are assisting with social media efforts, aligning with a proposed campaign to attract younger members from the Brisbane CBD.
  • Governance: Deadlines for board meeting documentation have been adjusted to streamline preparation and decision-making processes.

Acknowledgments

A special thanks to Keith Watts for his tireless contributions to International Service, overseeing vital projects and fostering meaningful partnerships. His work ensures our club’s global outreach continues to grow. Thanks are also due to all members who have supported fundraising, youth initiatives, and community engagement efforts.

Looking Ahead

Mark your calendars for these important dates:

  • Monday, 2 December: QBI Breakthrough Project Update RSVP
  • Monday, 9 December: AGM and our last meeting of the year RSVP + Christmas celebration drinks afterwards on the big terrace at Friday's
  • Monday, 20 January 2025: First meeting of the new year RSVP
  • 28–31 March 2025: District 9620 Conference in Toowoomba REGISTRATION

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to the Rotary Club of Brisbane. Together, we are making a difference in our community and beyond. Let’s continue this momentum into the festive season and the new year ahead.

Angela Murphy
Chuffed to be 2024-25 President of the Rotary Club of Brisbane

Light up Carols & Santa🎅🎄
Sunday 1st December New Farm Park
Join our (Kinross Cluster) New Farm Rotary Club friends under the stars with your picnic, family and friends for community Christmas Carols.
🎄Queensland Show Choir
🎄 Singer Peter Vance
🎄Rotary Sausage Sizzle
🎄Free Show Cones from Cr Vicki Howard
Monitor Facebook.com/vickihowardBCC in case of rain
Supported by The Lord Mayor's Community Fund,
Central Ward, Merthyr Village, Village Voice, and Queensland Show Choir
Club Executives & Directors
President
Secretary
Treasurer
Rotary Foundation
Vice President
Immediate Past President
Membership
Executive Secretary/Director
International Service
Youth Service Director
Club Youth Protection Officer
Director
Director
Webmaster
Director
Upcoming Speakers
Angela Murphy & Winnie Chen
Feb 10, 2025 12:15 PM
Club Growth & Engagement Plan
Club Growth & Engagement Plan
 

Angela Murphy – Club President

Angela Murphy is the current President of the Rotary Club of Brisbane and a passionate advocate for community impact. With a background as a film producer, she knows how to bring people together, tell powerful stories, and make things happen. As President, she’s focused on growing the club, keeping members engaged, and making sure Rotary’s work gets the attention it deserves.

Winnie Chen – Marketing & HR Specialist

Winnie Chen is one of our newer members, but she’s already making a big impact! With expertise in human resources, business, and marketing, she brings fresh energy and ideas to the club. Winnie is passionate about helping people connect, grow, and feel valued, which makes her a natural fit for Rotary. She’s excited to help shape the club’s future and create an environment where new and existing members thrive.

Together, Angela and Winnie are leading the charge to make Rotary more vibrant, engaging, and impactful for everyone involved!

Justin Maher - Drive for Life
Feb 17, 2025 12:15 PM
Salvation Army Youth Development Program
Emily Williamson - CEO and Founder REACH Siem Reap
Mar 17, 2025 12:15 PM
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty – Education, Empowerment, and the REACH Model
OUR SPONSORS AND PARTNERS