When President Angela had to pull out last minute, the club stepped in and kept things running smoothly. Ten people came to the lunchtime meeting, including guests we've been trying to connect with for ages - Madonna and John—both said they’d like to come again. Also attending were Matt Christopher, visiting Rotarian Chuck from RC e-Club Wash, Bruce McNaught, Michael Stephens, Peterson Wei, Phil Gresham, Keith Watts, and more!

Thanks to Peterson this video: the RI President-Elect’s address to the RI Governors Assembly, was well received and sparked good conversation about what Rotary does and what our club contributes.

Vice President Bruce McNaught said it was a rewarding conversation about the work Rotary does, especially in our own club. The flexibility of the meeting—and how those present contributed—was a good reminder of what Rotary is all about.

Keith Watts shared an update from our sister club, the Rotary Club of Kobe East. Matt Christopher kindly looked after our guests and made sure they felt welcome. Thanks to Bruce, Keith, and Matt for helping make the meeting a success.

Next Meeting – Monday 7 April, 5:30 PM
We already have lots of visitors booked in—come along and help us make it a good one. Register or Decline and more info here.

From Idea to Impact
What began as a modest collaboration has now grown to involve 26 Rotary clubs across 20 Queensland communities. Through this network, Rotary raised and delivered its first $100,000 cheque to QBI last year—an effort led by our club and presented by President Angela alongside Tim. It marked the beginning of a long-term commitment to support ground-breaking research into the brain and its diseases.

Why the Brain? Why Now?
Tim asked a question many in the room were thinking: “Why study the brain?” His answer was simple

Thanks to member Winnie Chen for sharing this thoughtful article from 9News: "Kindness Will Make You Happier Than a Higher Salary, Report Shows."

The article draws on findings from the World Happiness Report and highlights that simple acts of kindness—helping a stranger, donating, or volunteering—can increase personal happiness even more than earning a higher income.

This message strikes a chord with us as Rotarians. Service above self is at the heart of what we do, and this report reaffirms that giving back is not only good for others—it’s good for us too. Whether it’s mentoring youth, running fundraisers, or offering time and skills, our work truly brings meaning and wellbeing.

And there’s more—sharing a meal with others, something we often do at our meetings, has also been shown to strengthen connection and boost wellbeing. It's another simple act that brings people closer and builds community.

Take a moment to read it here: Read the article

Let it be a reminder of the joy and purpose that comes from serving our community—something we all get to be part of, every day.

Photo: clearly we love a natter over a meal! Here's some of the gang in Singapore in 2024

Those who attended the conference had the rare opportunity to hear from Trichur Narayan “Raju” Subramanian, Rotary International Director (2023–25) and a senior counsel in India’s High Court and Supreme Court.

Raju was a standout presence—not just for his distinguished résumé, but for how approachable, friendly, and generous he was with his time. He connected easily with attendees, sharing insights from his decades of service in Rotary and the law.

His speech was a highlight. He spoke passionately about The Rotary Foundation, not in abstract terms, but through powerful stories of impact—from children receiving free heart surgery through global grants, to students in Rotary-supported schools who went on to become engineers, architects, and accountants. His message was clear: Rotary, when done well, transforms lives.

Photo: Raju & Sue

Professor Sebastian Kaempf opened the session by highlighting the Rotary Peace Fellowship as a platform for professional transformation during a time of global "polycrisis"—interconnected challenges like climate change, war, and displacement. He praised the program’s grassroots impact, noting Rotary’s annual funding of 50 fellows and the vital support from local Rotarians in Brisbane and beyond. (Watch the whole segment here)

He then introduced Erica, a fellow from the Philippines.

Erica titled her talk Her Story, reclaiming her narrative shaped by childhood violence, poverty, and resilience. After working through education on scholarships, including Rotary’s Keystone program, she entered humanitarian work in disaster zones. At 17, she was elected to public office but later left due to corruption, refocusing on peacebuilding and emergency response, especially with displaced Indigenous communities.

Featuring a (video) presentation from Rotary International President-elect Mário César Martins de Camargo, recommended by our District Governor-elect and club member Mark Williams.

De Camargo’s focus on Innovation, Continuity, and Partnership is particularly relevant to the direction of our club, offering insights into Rotary’s global priorities and how they connect with our own projects and growth.

This is a great opportunity to reflect on where Rotary is headed and how we can strengthen our club’s impact.