Photo Albums

Members of our Rotary Club, Alison, Yvonne, Steve and Barbara enjoyed a fun and productive Sorting Party with 16 other enthusiastic recyclers. The evening kicked off with a delicious pizza dinner before getting down to work. Under Daniel's guidance, plastic lids were sorted by type, including Visy 2, Coca Cola, and Tetrapack, instead of by colour. We are dedicated to recycling and sustainability. The Recycled Plastic Panels initiative turns hard-to-recycle plastic lids into 100% recycled plastic panels to make innovative products like steps and boxes. We are committed to sustainability. Making a difference, one lid at a time! www.recycledplasticpanels.com

During our club assemblies, RCWL members gather to discuss club business and enjoy fellowship, fostering a strong sense of community and collaboration.

Fundraising for END POLIO NOW. Melbourne Club social event for all members and friends of the RCWL. https://www.endpolio.org

Showcasing a collection of proud moments and prestigious awards earned through our dedicated service and commitment.

What a great evening celebrating the festive season with our Rotary family! Great food, laughter and shared moments made our Christmas dinner truly special. A big thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to the joyful atmosphere. Here’s to the incredible work we’ve achieved this year and the exciting opportunities ahead in 2025! #RotaryChristmas #CommunitySpirit #Celebration

Club members had fun together involved in our environmental project of making wooden Bee Hotels to encourage pollinating bees into our gardens.

For the past few weeks, our Club has been working tirelessly to prepare for a very special shipment. Saturday was another big step forward as we cleaned and readied playground equipment, just one of the many items bound for the Rotary Club of Plaridel Polaris in the Philippines. This container represents months of effort and a whole lot of generosity. Inside will be a playground from South Australia, much-needed medical equipment and supplies, sewing machines, brand new student desks and chairs for classrooms, and a host of other essential donations to support children and families in need. A big thank you to everyone who pitched in this weekend and a special shoutout to missionaries Wilcken and Davis for their muscle, hard work and generous gift of time. Next Saturday is the BIG day - container packing day! Everything we have been preparing will finally come together and be ready to set sail bringing hope across the seas.

In recognition for the work our Club does for the community, the office of Stephen Mullighan MP generously offered the Rotary Club of West Lakes three complimentary tickets to the spectacular Chihuly Nights exhibition at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens.

We regularly host guest speakers who enlighten us on various topics of interest to Rotarians, our city, and areas where we can offer our support.

The Rotary Club of West Lakes holds its annual Christmas event at Neighbourhood Reserve opposite the Bartley Hotel at West Lakes Shore. Previously known as “Carols by the Lake”, the event has been rebranded in the last couple of years to “Christmas Fun for Kids” to reflect the intent of the show, with a number of local community groups participating.

Our wonderful club member, Alison and her mum, generously donated beautiful, colourful blankets to Melissa Monkhouse at Ronald McDonald House. These blankets were a true labour of love - they knitted squares that were then sewn together to make blankets. Thank you for spreading warmth and kindness in our community, Ladies. These will bring comfort to children staying there during hospital treatment.

Anzac Day and Federal Election Day BBQs

Our Club offers the opportunity for members to form friendships across a broad range of people, both in the club and across the community, in a spirit of fun and friendship. We have social activities throughout the year where members do things just for fun and friendship building.

In wintry weather conditions, President Scott showed his dedication by spending a night in his car to raise funds for CHATS. Inspiring leadership in action. #serviceaboveself https://chats-sa.org.au

Rotary Australia Repurposing Equipment (RARE) project is a volunteer-based recycling facility used to collect and redistribute goods, principally donated by companies, hospitals and educational institutions. The goods it distributes are destined for developing countries and to disadvantaged individuals in the local community.

A memorable evening at our Club’s Changeover Dinner. We celebrated the leadership of President Scott, who handed over the reins with grace and gratitude. We thank him for his service and vision. We warmly welcomed our new President Robin, who shared his inspiring personal philosophy, “Don’t just give a man a fish… teach him how to fish.” A powerful reminder that true service is about empowering others for sustainable growth and resilience. President Robin’s theme for 2025–2026 is “Tangible Results,” emphasizing the importance of reflective action and meaningful outcomes, especially through impactful international projects. We are excited for the year ahead and the positive change that lies ahead. Cheers to new beginnings, enduring values and a united spirit of service.

On the evening of June 25, 2024 the Rotary Club of West Lakes gathered at La Vita Ristorante for our annual Changeover Dinner. It was a memorable night filled with warmth, camaraderie and a shared commitment to service above self. The evening recognized and honoured the outstanding service of our members. We expressed our heartfelt thanks to our outgoing president, Rosie Erasmus, for her dedication over the past year. We also had the pleasure of inducting our new president for 2024/2025, Scott Anderson, who we are confident will lead us with the same spirit of fellowship and community service. This event epitomized the core values of Rotary: fellowship, integrity, diversity, service, and leadership. Together, we celebrated our collective achievements and reaffirmed our commitment to making a positive impact in our community.

Our club members took part in the Rotary Walk for Respect event that took place in the city on 14 September. We are committed to fostering respectful relationships across all communities

Our club visited Tonsley TAFE to look specifically at the Cabinet Making facilities. Simon Heath, Principal Lecturer, took the tour and is helping the Club instate an award for the best final year apprentice in Cabinet Making. The award will be in memory of esteemed club Charter member and Past President Gerard Ancone whose friendship and generosity helped create the club we are today. The Award is an annual event, and the awardee is selected by the course Lecturers. The Award includes $1,000 to assist the awardee to pursue their Cabinet Making vocation supporting the trade in South Australia, and reflecting Gerard’s passion for the industry.

Our Club proudly supports the Mary Potter Hospice. In July, seven of our members attended a delightful High Tea at the Lakes Resort Hotel, celebrating and contributing to the vital work of this cherished institution.

The Rotary Club of West Lakes has been involved with the SSLSC for many years. This initially stems from two past members (Brian Page & Max Christie) who were also members of the SSLSC. Each year our Club provides two prizes in the memory of Brian and Max that recognise those Life Savers who have demonstrated true Club spirit. The funds are then used for a project of the recipient’s choice.

A fantastic social night with Club members at the Henley Beach Rotary Club Quiz Night. The event was a fundraiser supporting the Sammy D Foundation, a remarkable organization dedicated to ending violence by empowering and mentoring young people. Their work focuses on educating youth and fostering connections to create a safer, more positive future. https://www.sammydfoundation.org.au

The Weissels had a wonderful time in America on a Rotary Friendship Exchange experience in September 2024.

Our club conducted a clothing drive, where donated clothes were repurposed to support the South Australian Police and CHATS.

BBQ fundraiser at the Tennyson Dunes environmental conservation event to raise funds for the Frederick Miller Community Garden initiative. Members of the FMCG also joined us to assist with the BBQ.

Our Club members are highly respected in the community and frequently recognised for their outstanding service and their dedication to volunteering.

We celebrated our 2023/2024 RCWL changeover dinner at the Bartley Tavern.The achievements of President Jean during 2022/2023 were acknowledged. Incoming President, Rosie, spoke of her vision for the year ahead and introduced the board for 2023/2024. Paul Harris Fellow awards were presented to Lyn Grant and Robin Weissel for their outstanding contributions to the club.

Our club proudly collaborates with the Frederick Miller Community Garden in Semaphore. In partnership with members of the Largs Bay Rotary Club, we volunteered at the garden's public Open Day. Our members built a potting table using railway sleepers, hosted a BBQ, and organized a raffle for attendees. The event received generous support from Bunnings, and we were honoured to have Mayor Angela Evans and Councillor Stuart Ghent join the community gathering.

The Blanket Revolution is an initiative launched by Club Member, Alison. Recognizing the potential to repurpose old airline blankets, Alison saw an opportunity to benefit both humans and pets. The project involves collecting washed blankets from the provider, then sorting them into two categories: those suitable for human use and those with defects that can be repurposed for pet organizations, such as veterinary clinics.

Scott recently spent a few weeks in the U.S. and had the pleasure of visiting the Rotary Club of Austin Westlake. Here are some photos of his trip.

RCWL members serve tea, coffee, pies, pastries and sweet treats at the train carriage cafe in the National Railway Museum, raising funds for our club.

At the Rotary Club of West Lakes, we love our traditional Australian BBQs! These events are a fantastic way to connect with the community and raise funds for our community initiatives. It's always a delightful day out where Rotarians come together, enjoy great conversations, and contribute to meaningful causes. Bunnings BBQ is the first Monday of every month at Woodville!

Our Club dedicated two days to conservation efforts at Monaro Safari Park. During this time, we planted trees and painted fence posts, contributing to the preservation and beautification of the park.

Rotary says NO to domestic violence

We are thrilled to announce the arrival of our Youth Exchange Student, Samuele Tua, who flew in from Milan/Doha on Qatar Air on Saturday, 27th July. Club members Andrew, Ros, and Scott, along with Abby's parents, were at the airport to give him a warm welcome. Abby is currently our club's Australian exchange student in Italy. Ros and Andrew will be accompanying Samuele to Henley High on Monday for his orientation and his first day of school down under. Welcome, Samuele!

Great evening tonight as we welcomed visiting members from the Rotary Club of Wyndham (D9800) with a BBQ at Ros & Andrew's home. They are in town for the Multi District Impact Summit this weekend and we are looking forward to more connection and collaboration ahead.

Another successful Christmas Fun for Kids Event at the Bartley Terrace Reserve.

A collection of photos without description that were downloaded prior to 2023.

Celebrating 50 Years of Service! Robin and Louie proudly represented the Rotary Club of West Lakes at the Rotary Club of Charles Sturt Grange’s 50th Anniversary celebrations. It has been an incredible evening honoring decades of community service, with original Charter Member Bob Smyth, now 91 years old, in attendance to receive several well-deserved awards. The night was made even more special with inspiring presentations from Samuele and Abby, who shared their amazing experiences as International Rotary exchange students. Congratulations to our friends at RC of Charles Sturt Grange on this remarkable milestone! Here’s to many more years of making a difference together.

Our club members proudly volunteer at the historic Semaphore Carousel, collaborating with the Rotary Club of Henley Beach. The Carousel, owned by Frank and Jan Schirippa, offers a nostalgic and joyful experience for both young families and those revisiting cherished memories with their grandchildren. Notably, the Carousel has been modified to accommodate riders with disabilities, providing free rides and much-needed respite for their carers. This inclusive feature exemplifies our commitment to making a positive impact on the community. Volunteering at the Semaphore Carousel is a heartwarming experience that embodies Rotary’s dedication to service and community engagement.

Despite the rain and grey skies, our members had a great weekend attending the 2025 Multi District Impact Summit at Morphettville Racecourse. From discovering that duck races really are a fundraising thing (who knew?!) to our own pseudo duck race with fun prizes up for grabs, it has been a weekend full of surprises. A big shoutout to Beyond Bank, the major sponsor of the event. On afternoon, we got hands-on with creating 'Nurturing Kits' - thoughtful packs filled with goodies and handwritten thank-you notes for hospital workers, which will be distributed by RC Adelaide. We also learned about how Rotary partners are creating meaningful social impact in their communities - a reminder that change happens when we work together. And to top it all off, each delegate received a lovely gift - a practical and stylish backpack. The gala dinner was a wonderful evening of reunions and Sunday started with an End Polio Now walk around the racecourse.

Our Club had an incredible evening of fellowship, fun and fundraising as we celebrated the Melbourne Cup in style! The Carousel horses we rode 'ran the race' as we enjoyed delicious pizzas, laughter and a thrilling sweepstakes—all in support of the End Polio Now campaign, championed passionately by our very own club member, Andrew. It was fantastic to share this special night with members from other clubs, coming together for a common cause. Thanks to everyone who joined us and contributed to our mission to make a difference! Let's keep the momentum going for a polio-free world! #MelbourneCup #EndPolioNow #RotaryFellowship #SemaphoreCarousel

Abby O'Brien is our sponsored international exchange student who is currently in Italy.