Here's a lovely thank you and update from our member Keith Watts. For a look at all the lovely photos on the night CLICK HERE

Thank you very much for joining us at the testimonial dinner last Thursday night.  I’m told we will have raised over $2000 at the dinner for The Rotary Queensland Breakthrough Project and with other donations received this means we have received well over $5,000 so far this year for this project alone. As part of the process, we’ve set up a fund held at the University of Queensland named Queensland Rotary Endowed Chair in Neuroscience, which will be within the Queensland Brain Institute.  As at 31 December 2024 the fund balance was $123,420.12, including the investment return of $13,420.12 for the year.  The target is $5 Million, and with the support of all Rotary Clubs in Queensland and philanthropists and other benefactors we will achieve this. The Rotary Club of Brisbane as lead club has set up a special account for this project within our Public Ancillary Fund and the fund issues tax receipts for all donations.   One simple way to support the project is through Containers for Change, and my residential community at Sylvan Grove CTS 5234 has an arrangement with Containers for Change under which they provide 3 large bins for the containers and clear them every fortnight, with the proceeds paid to the QBI account at our PAF.  This is approximating $20 per fortnight.  Imagine if we could get more of these. 

Our thanks go to QBI for the show bags we all received Thursday night.  Included in this was a page about the Rotary Club of Brisbane Club Med Kyeema EOFY Raffle. This is a 50/50 raffle, with 50% of the proceeds going to the Rotary Club of Brisbane - Kyeema Foundation joint project for Food Security and training Master Farmers at PNG, and the other 50% less ticket administration going to the Rotary Clubs/organizations participating who sell tickets.  The raffle prize pool is $12,874, all of which has been donated.  The big prize is a Club Med holiday (RRP: $6,500), and there’s also an Opal and Gold Necklace (RRP: $2,500.00) and other great prizes.

 Here’s a link where you can buy tickets, ranging from $20 each,  3 for $50, 7 for $100 and 15 for $200.  Ctrl-Click on the link to go to the web page and buy your tickets.

Here’s my unique link to our Rotary Club of Brisbane Kyeema Raffle – and it’s time to put it to good use!

  https://www.raffletix.com.au/?ref=7c36z&sref=rfu83r7c

Kind regards and many thanks

Together in Rotary service

Keith

Dr Keith Watts

Past President and Chair, International Service Committee and Club Historian, Rotary Club of Brisbane

Rotarian, Philanthropist, Mentor, and Community Advocate

Dr Christopher Muir’s life was marked by a rare and enduring commitment to service—across medicine, education, faith, and Rotary. A respected and deeply loved member of the Rotary Club of Brisbane for over 32 years, Chris exemplified Rotary’s ideal of “Service Above Self” in every facet of his life.

Chris joined the Rotary Club of Brisbane on 1 June 1993, and remained a devoted member for over three decades. His leadership qualities, thoughtfulness, and ability to inspire others quickly became evident, culminating in his appointment as Club President for the 2018–2019 Rotary year.

During his presidency, the club saw a resurgence in impact and engagement. It was awarded the Alan Ward Memorial Shield for vocational service, the Herrington Shield for its exceptional club bulletin, and achieved significant milestones in fundraising and service programs. His calm, measured, and inclusive leadership style was widely respected.

Chris's commitment to Rotary extended well beyond leadership. He was a Paul Harris Fellow +1, and a Sustaining Member across multiple years. He was frequently EREY-eligible and took active interest in The Rotary Foundation’s work. His long-term support for Donations in Kind, along with numerous local and international Rotary service projects, left a lasting impact on the community.

Outside of Rotary, Chris was equally distinguished. He was recently recognised as the 2024 Queensland Philanthropist of the Year nominee. His remarkable philanthropic record included establishing multiple endowed scholarships at the University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, and Marist College Ashgrove—each of them making higher education accessible to generations of young Queenslanders.

Chris served as the President of the Alumni Friends of UQ, where his leadership helped raise millions of dollars for scholarships and research funding. His advocacy for lifelong learning and youth empowerment was as passionate as it was practical.

In service beyond education, Chris chaired the Downs and West Community Support Committee, a ministry of the Sisters of Charity, and volunteered with the St Vincent de Paul Society. He was also a member of the Order of Malta, committed to serving the sick and the poor with dignity and compassion.

He was a man of quiet resolve, deep faith, and unwavering generosity. His service was not loud—but deeply felt. His contributions not only transformed lives, but inspired many of us in the club to lead with heart, humility, and integrity.

Chris is survived by his wife, Dymphna Muir, also a Rotarian and an active member of the Rotary Club of Brisbane. Their partnership—within the club and in life—has enriched our community in immeasurable ways.

Chris's memory will live on in the scholarships he endowed, the communities he uplifted, the Rotary legacy he built, and the lives he touched. We honour his remarkable life, and offer our deepest condolences to Dymphna and the Muir family.

Win incredible prizes, including a luxury Club Med / Bestfriends Travel getaway, from a prize pool worth over $12,000 with 14 prizes to be won! Support the Kyeema Foundation in Papua New Guinea as well as local Rotary clubs & projects.

CLICK HERE to buy tickets

Want to raise $$$ for your own club? If you are a Rotary Club and you're interested in selling your own tickets to this raffle - and keeping half of the proceeds, email our Treasurer HERE to find out more.

The Paddington Rotaract Club invites Rotary Club of Brisbane members to their 2025/26 Changeover and R.I.S.E Celebration.

Expect an energetic afternoon marking the transition to a new board, award presentations, and a celebration of the club’s major project achievements.

After formalities, drinks and food will be served. Raffle prizes will follow — prize list available on their social media channels.

Note: No refund policy applies.

Contact paddington@rotaract.org.au with any questions or if you’re bringing children.

CLICK HERE for tickets

Have your say! Please fill in this Membership Engagement Survey for Angela and Dan so we can all shape how our club operates and what we focus on. 

CLICK HERE to fill in the form.