Dear Members,
I’d like to start by acknowledging some of our members who are unwell or unable to attend meetings at the moment. We miss you, and you are in our thoughts. As always, we name and acknowledge our absent friends in meetings, and it’s clear that everyone in the club deeply cares. We look forward to welcoming you back when you’re able.
A special mention to our Vice President, Bruce McNaught, who is heading off for a well-earned break, travelling around New Zealand with his wife, Cherryl. We wish them both a fantastic and relaxing time.
Club Goals Discussion
At our meeting on Monday, 24 February, we reviewed our club goals and achievements for the year.
- Leadership Development – At least three of our newer members are already engaging in Rotary Action Groups, helping to build future leaders within our club.
This discussion will continue in future meetings, but I encourage all members to check out myrotary.org to track our club’s goals and see how we’re progressing.
Rotary Learning Centre – A Lifelong Resource
Rotary International is constantly evolving, and there’s always something new to learn. Whether you’ve been in Rotary for five months or fifty years, I encourage every member to take a Rotary Learning Centre course this month. Rotary is about continuous growth, and these courses are designed to help us make the most of our service. More info and links below.
If you do complete a course, let me know—I’d love to hear what you’ve learned!
District Conference – Toowoomba, 15–17 March
Our club will be well represented at the upcoming District Conference, with seven members already planning to attend. If you’re still considering going, there are three spare seats available for a Saturday day trip, leaving at 6:30 am and returning around 6:00 pm.
The Rotary Club of Toowoomba East has put in an enormous effort to make this an outstanding event, and I highly recommend attending if you can.
Exciting News – New Member Grant Application for Conference!
We have received an application for our New Member Grant, which is an exciting development for our club. A huge thank you to Celia Grenning for her work on this—your dedication is truly appreciated. Let's go Peterson Wei!
International Assembly – Report from Mark Williams
Our Mark Williams recently attended the Rotary International Assembly, a global gathering of senior Rotarians. Here are some key insights from his report:
- Rotary no longer has “themes” but rather an annual message. This year’s message is “Unite for Good.”
- The branding and marketing of Rotary messages have been standardised globally, ensuring consistency in colours and materials.
- Rotary International President-Elect R. Gordon Rorke’s focus for the year is "Enabling Global Good."
International Project Update – Report from Phil Saxby
Phil Saxby provided an update on his ongoing work in Vanuatu, including air travel challenges, healthcare issues, and Rotary-led aid efforts. Despite significant logistical setbacks, he has been instrumental in coordinating the shipment of dental and neonatal equipment to hospitals in need. His collaborations with RARE and Rotary clubs have ensured that much-needed supplies are reaching remote communities. Thank you, Phil, for your continued dedication to this important work.
Rotary regards
Angela Murphy