As a celebration of Rotary Queensland's Centenary, Rotary Queensland has committed to raising sufficient funding to establish a perpetual chair and research funding in Neuroscience at the University of Queensland Brain Institute.
Prof Graeme Nimmo RFD is patron of the Break Through Project.
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Our first social evening meeting at Friday's Riverside went exactly as we'd hoped! Members who can’t usually make it to our lunch meetings were able to attend, bringing along family members and even a few local office workers curious about what Rotary is all about—which is exactly why we planned it this way.
We shared pizza, enjoyed relaxed conversations, and even had a few impromptu mini committee meetings. It was a fantastic mix of socialising and club business in a more casual setting.
As we move further into the year, I’d like to take a moment to highlight some important updates and opportunities within our club.
Please take a moment to read through this week’s bulletin thoroughly, as it includes several key updates and requests for volunteers. There are also opportunities to engage with other clubs, strengthening the connections that make Rotary such a dynamic and impactful organisation.
Key Highlights:
Volunteer Opportunities & Events: Check the events list for upcoming activities, including ways to get involved with both local service projects and regional initiatives. These are great chances to meet members from other clubs while making a tangible impact.
Celebrating Our Members' Work: We continue to be inspired by the incredible work being done by our members. From local community service to international projects, this bulletin features several stories worth reading.
Testimonial Dinners: Planning is underway for Dr Keith Watts' testimonial dinner, and we’re also awaiting a date from Denise Schellbach for her event, once she can take some time from her busy schedule.
New Members – Don’t Miss Out! If you’re new to the club, make sure to check out information on the District Conference and other upcoming events. There are grants available to help with costs, so read on to find out how to apply.
The GIST Newsletter: Keep an eye on your inbox for the GIST newsletter. It’s full of updates, stories, and opportunities for you to stay connected with the wider Rotary community.
Rotary Youth Exchange – Host Families Needed
We are excited to share an opportunity to support the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. We are currently looking for members willing to host Venezuelan exchange students. Our very own Juan Renato Laporta is eager to help facilitate this initiative, and we’ve also received a request from Johnatan Teran, a Rotary Caracas member and Action Plan Champion for District 4370, who is hoping to find a welcoming host family here.
If you are interested in opening your home and heart to an exchange student, please reach out—we’d love to hear from you.
A quick reminder about the upcoming D9620 District Conference at the Empire Theatre in Toowoomba. While I’ll be sharing the official letter separately, I want to remind everyone that our club will be hosting the Kids & Carers Room at the conference. This is a wonderful way for us to support families attending the event, and we’ll be looking for volunteers to help out once the registration link goes live.
As we reflect on the first half of the Rotary year, I want to thank you all for your dedication and support. Our meetings are not just about discussions—they’re about action. Whether it’s through volunteering, connecting with other clubs, or supporting initiatives like the Youth Exchange, every contribution makes a difference.
Let’s continue to build on this momentum and make the rest of the Rotary year as impactful as possible.
Kind regards, Angela Murphy President, Rotary Club of Brisbane
The D9620 District Conference is coming up from 28th to 30th March 2025 at the Empire Theatre in Toowoomba. It’s a great opportunity to connect with other clubs, hear from guest speakers, and see the broader work Rotary is doing across the district.
For New Members: There are grants available to help cover the costs of attending, so if you’re interested, be sure to read up on how to apply. The conference is a good way to get a deeper understanding of Rotary’s work and meet members from across the district.
For seven weeks over summer, Denise Schellbach led another successful season with Eddie's Van, providing warm meals and support to those in need. A heartfelt thank you goes out to her loyal team of volunteers—always up early, punctual, capable, helpful, and smiling. It’s truly a pleasure to work alongside such dedicated individuals!
Remarkably, not a single morning was spoiled by rain this season—a rare blessing for this time of year, making the work that much smoother.
Denise always needs volunteers, so keep an eye out for her call towards the end of the year. It’s a rewarding way to give back and connect with the community.
With best wishes from Denise: "Look forward to seeing you next time at Eddie’s Van."
Mark Williams, a dedicated member of the Rotary Club of Brisbane and 9620 District Governor Elect, is currently attending the2025 Rotary International Assembly in Orlando, Florida. This prestigious event brings together Rotary leaders from around the world to prepare for the upcoming Rotary year, share ideas, and strengthen connections across districts.
The latest Rotary Australia Repurposing Equipment (RARE) newsletter for January–February 2025 is out, detailing the incredible work being done to support communities across the Pacific and beyond.
The Rotary Club of Brisbane is delighted to announce a fantastic new initiative designed to support and encourage our newer members. Introducing the Rotary Club of Brisbane Development Grant, an annual grant of up to $300 per person to help our members attend events such as th District Conference and District Assembly.
This grant aims to empower our members to deepen their Rotary knowledge, build connections, and enhance their contributions to our vibrant club and the broader Rotary community.
Click Read more .... and scroll down for the application form.
Past President Dr Phil Saxby continues to lead efforts in Vanuatu to improve dental health services, with ongoing work to establish a new dental clinic in partnership with the Rotary Club of Port Vila and Pikinini Playtime School. The clinic will bear the names of the Rotary Club of Brisbane and the Rotary Club of Port Vila on its nameplate, recognising both clubs' involvement in this project.
For those who missed or valued the recent Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) courses in our district, the Learning Centre offers a wealth of leadership training. These courses are designed by Rotary International to empower members with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead effectively within the club and beyond.
The Rotary Learning Centre is an invaluable resource for all Rotarians—whether you're new to the club or a long-standing member. Accessible online through Rotary International's Learning Centre, this platform offers a wide range of courses tailored to enhance your Rotary experience, develop leadership skills, and deepen your understanding of Rotary’s global impact.
Why Should You Engage with the Learning Centre?
For New Members: The Learning Centre is an excellent introduction to Rotary's structure, values, and opportunities. It helps new members quickly acclimate to the organisation, understand how clubs operate, and discover ways to get involved in meaningful service.
For Long-Term Members: Rotary is constantly evolving, with new initiatives, leadership strategies, and global projects being introduced. Even seasoned members will find value in the latest courses, keeping them up-to-date with Rotary’s direction and offering fresh perspectives on service and leadership.
As we begin 2025, it’s a great time to plan ahead for the United Nations International Day of Peace in September. With our Peace Pole installed at Petrie Terrace State School, now is the perfect opportunity to connect with the school and organise a ceremony around the Peace Pole to mark this important day. Clubs that have held similar ceremonies report excellent feedback from students and staff, creating meaningful connections within the community.
The D9620 District Conference is hosting a photo competition to highlight Rotary in Action across the district. They’re looking for action shots—photos of members actively engaged in projects, fundraisers, or community service activities. These should capture people in motion, working on Rotary-related tasks, rather than static group poses.
If you’ve snapped some great moments while volunteering, this is a perfect opportunity to showcase our club’s work. Consider submitting photos from:
Eddie’s Van, capturing the team in action during summer service.
Paddington Rotary Club President David Frost has kindly invited our members to join them in celebrating International Women’s Day at The Paddo on Friday, 7 March 2025, with all proceeds supporting Small Steps 4 Hannah
This learning plan will help your club plan service projects using the resources that are available through your Rotary membership. In this learning plan you will learn about positive ways to involve the local community, have a chance to reflect on your current service projects, and strategize ways to increase the impact your club is having in the community.
Free for members and anyone who's registered for My Rotary
From 2025-2026, Rotary International will no longer launch an annual presidential theme. This decision, made by the RI Board of Directors in October 2023, is part of a move to simplify and standardise Rotary’s branding and communication.
Presidential themes were originally meant for internal use to inspire members, but many clubs and districts began using them publicly, leading to inconsistent messaging. With themes changing every year—and some clubs preferring older ones—this created confusion about Rotary’s focus and identity. Simplifying Rotary branding is always a good idea, and this change will help present a clearer, unified message to the public.
And while we’re at it, maybe we Rotarians can break the habit of using acronyms for everything too—because let’s be honest, that’s just as confusing!
Jeanette Johnstone, a retired Business Analyst and Project Manager from the Queensland Department of Education, has dedicated her post-retirement years to revolutionizing education in underserved regions.As a committed member of the Rotary Club of Paddington, Queensland, she founded the 'Teacher in a Box' (TIB) initiative, a testament to her unwavering commitment to global education.
The inception of TIB traces back to 2012 during a Rotary visit to Arusha, Tanzania.Jeanette observed firsthand the acute shortage of teaching resources in local schools and the challenges posed by unreliable and costly internet access.Determined to bridge this educational divide, she envisioned an offline solution to deliver quality educational content to these communities.
Collaborating with Patrick Hackett, an IT student and volunteer at Computers 4 Learning—a Rotary project—Jeanette transformed this vision into reality.Together, they repurposed donated laptops, equipping them with a vast array of educational materials, including videos, lessons, and books.These laptops, when connected to a small router, can share content with up to 100 devices, facilitating both classroom instruction and self-paced learning.This innovative approach ensures that students in remote areas, devoid of reliable internet connectivity, have access to invaluable educational resources.
Under Jeanette's leadership, TIB has expanded its reach, making a significant impact in countries such as Liberia, Tanzania, Kenya, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines.Her dedication has not only provided essential tools for education but has also ignited a passion for learning among countless students.Jeanette's work exemplifies the profound impact of combining technological innovation with a heartfelt commitment to service.
The Rotary Club of Brisbane is proud to be supporting this initiative. With recent funding secured for nine new Teacher in a Box units, a team including Dickson, Ken, and others will soon travel to Papua New Guinea and other locations to install the systems and train local users. It’s a powerful example of Rotary collaboration, technology, and practical action coming together to open new doors for education.
Honolulu, Hawaii, no longer host city for 2027 Rotary International ConventionRegrettably, the 2027 Rotary International Convention will no longer be held in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, as planned. This is due to a recent decision by the Hawaii
9620 Kinross Cluster
The 9620 Kinross Cluster is a vibrant network of Rotary clubs covering parts of Brisbane/Meanjin and Moreton Bay. It’s all about teamwork, bringing clubs together to amplify their impact on local communities.
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In the spirit of reconciliation, the Rotary Club of Brisbane acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today
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102-2060 Winston Park Drive, Oakville, ON, L6H 5R7
From Monday 12 May 2025 we will meet 6:00 pm on Monday's at The Normanby Hotel.
Most meetings are also available live via Zoom.
No meeting on public holidays - check website for details.
The D9620 District Conference is coming up from 28th to 30th March 2025 at the Empire Theatre in Toowoomba. It’s a great opportunity to connect with other clubs, hear from guest speakers, and see the broader work Rotary is doing across the district.
The Rotary Club of Brisbane is delighted to announce a fantastic new initiative designed to support and encourage our newer members. Introducing the Rotary Club of Brisbane Development Grant, an annual grant of up to $300 per person to help our members attend events such as th District Conference and District Assembly.
For those who missed or valued the recent Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) courses in our district, the Learning Centre offers a wealth of leadership training. These courses are designed by Rotary International to empower members with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead effectively within the club and beyond.
This learning plan will help your club plan service projects using the resources that are available through your Rotary membership. In this learning plan you will learn about positive ways to involve the local community, have a chance to reflect on your current service projects, and strategize ways to increase the impact your club is having in the community.
