We are proud members of Rotary International where we can serve our Community and those needing help across the world. We enjoy meeting together for meals and mutual service in the convivial company of other Rotarians and guests.
18.30 WELCOME
Apologies:
Guests:
Toast to Australia:Chair
International Toast: Peter
Heads & Tails: Brian W
Thought for the Week:
Don’t cry because it is over. Smile because it happened.
–Dr. Suess
Members' News this week:
8 members enjoyed the District Club Leader Learning Seminar on Sunday
18.35 REPORTS
19.00 dinner
19.20 bill marles - Adventure pioneer day for farmers
19.55 wrap
20.00 close
president's report
refer to Stories below
District Changeover Luncheon - District Governor Rajeev Kamineni will hand over the role of District Governor to Tim Mee for Rotary District 9510 for 2026-2027. You are invited.
Date: Wednesday 08 July 2026
Time: 11.45am for 12.10pm to 2pm
Venue: MTX John Halbert Room, Adelaide Oval
Cost: $50 per person
SECRETARY REPORT - Steve
Directors to start preparing their reports for the Annual Report…Target date Friday 12 June to allow time to add pics, formatting, printing and binding in readiness for the Annual Change Over dinner
No other business
TREASURER REPORT- Steve
Made donations to Legacy $750, CHATs $750, Interplast $500, as agreed last meeting
Donation set for 2 June to Ronald McDonald House $1,000
Final few members to advise their membership intentions for Jul 26 – 1x retirement, 3x uncertain, all others re-joining
Will confirm membership fees after Board meeting
Club Accounts to 31 May sent to members
COMMUNITY & FUNDRAISING- Ros
thanks to all who assisted at the Bunnings BBQ on Monday
INTERNATIONAL REPORT - Scott
ntr
VOCATION & ENVIRONMENT- Jean
Environment
Ongoing - Blanket Revolution, egg carton collections and coffee pod recycling
Looking for any fresh ideas for Environment projects. Please let me know. Will keep on with the collection of egg cartons.
YOUTH REPORT - Andrew
Ros & Andrew attended SSLSC annual awards - refer to Stories
RYPEN, have not seen any applications. Waiting on feedback from District as they may have candidates.
WLSS graduation pre-planning for Tuesday 9 December!
GUEST SPEAKERS
Alison and Steve are the interim guest speaker organisers. Ideas from Club members welcomed.
OTHER BUSINESS:
50-year Celebration project
Coffee table book - still in progress
Fed Govt Grant
We have passed stage 1, and the application has been made for stage 2 - which means we have a very good chance of getting the grant.
International Toast
RC Lugosi Mango Tree, D9213
Kampala, Uganda
chartered 2017, currently has 39 members.
Meets Wednesdays @1230 - shell Club
President David Ddamlira
Club visits or notices from visiting Rotarians
'tis the season of Club changeovers, lots of opportunities
Please check the Events Folder
Max Dalrymple (Somerton Park) is having a few issues with an ankle transplant, hopefully seeing light at the end of the tunnel.
First, I want to extend a massive thank you to the one-third of our members who attended last weekend’s Club Leaders Learning Seminar (District Assembly). Our excellent attendance record is something to be proud of. I know we all learned something new, and I certainly came away inspired by the collective energy and positive attitude in the room.
Speaking of positivity, I have been reflecting a lot lately on the Rotary Four-Way Test, particularly around how we interact with one another. Lately, there has been a growing undercurrent of negativity regarding the timeline of our international container project to the Philippines. Let me be perfectly clear: nobody sets out to fail, and nobody actively tries to do a poor job. The project management team has gone above and beyond to navigate incredibly complex hurdles, including notoriously slow communication channels and astronomical Manila customs demurrage charges.
The practical solution to "abandon" the delivery (based upon very good advice) so that the local Philippine club can bid for it at auction was a strategic pivot, not a failure.
The project is around six months behind schedule, but it is not dead. If anyone were to suggest it wasn't fully thought through is simply erroneous and deeply unfair to the members who have poured their time into it.
Delays are a reality of ambitious service work, both abroad and at home. In fact, as we approach our 50th Changeover, we have three major initiatives taking longer than expected—the international container and two of our specific local anniversary projects that we had all hoped would be finalised by June 30th. It is counterproductive to disparage future opportunities simply based on perceived delays of current ones.
To that end, we should be proud that our club's reputation extends far beyond our borders. I recently received a wonderful invitation from Incoming President TJ Meneses of the Rotary Club of Makati Northin the Philippines, inviting us to consider a service partnership for the upcoming 2026-2027 Rotary Year. They are an award-winning, 54-year-old club offering us "partnership-ready" joint ventures in health and education. They have even invited any of our members attending the upcoming Rotary International Convention in Taipei this June 13–17 to visit them at Booth #206 in the House of Friendship.
Opportunities like this prove that our international avenue of service is vibrant and highly regarded. We must do the best we can with available resources, support our fellow members, and remain constructive.
As the old saying goes: Everything will be all right in the end... if it's not all right, then it's not yet the end.Let’s keep our positivity high as we celebrate our 50th year.
Eight members of our Rotary Club attended the Club Leaders Learning Seminar at St Michael’s on Sunday 31 May, enjoying a full program of informative and inspiring sessions.
Topics included Rotary’s vision for the year ahead, creating lasting community impact, the Rotary Foundation, membership growth, governance and risk management.
The breakout sessions in the afternoon provided great opportunities to share ideas and learn from the experts!
The seminar featured an excellent lineup of keynote speakers and presenters whose knowledge, experience and enthusiasm made the sessions both engaging and highly relevant, providing valuable insights for Rotary leaders.
We were especially proud to see our own President Robin (District Treasurer), and also Andrew (End Polio), presenting at the seminar. A valuable day of learning, networking and preparing for the future of Rotary.
This also provided opportunities to talk to key Rotarians about potential guest speaker spots - there are a number of positive reactions, so watch this space...
Catering for large gatherings is always difficult.
Unfortunately there was a lot of leftover food.
One cunning plan was to donate to Fred's Van that operates out of St Bede's Hall on Sunday evenings. There was a breakdown in communication, so that when Ros and Andrew arrived with a carload of goodies, they weren't aware and hadn't planned for the influx.
After some negotiation they took about half, leaving the rest for "someone else".
Then it was a trip to the Backpackers Hostel in Port Adelaide - no go.
Last ditch was a visit to the Taperoo Uniting Church. There was a service on for the Christian Family Centre, however they gratefully received the remainder (conservatively valued at about $400!).
On 26 May we were privileged to hear from Judi Brown (Rotary Club of Morialta) about the Papua New Guinea Midwifery Leadership Buddy Program.
Judi has held leadership positions both nationally and internationally under Rotary Health.
This inspiring project partners PNG midwives with Australian “buddies” in a unique reciprocal mentoring and leadership program aimed at improving maternal and newborn health outcomes in Papua New Guinea.
We learned that midwives can provide up to 87% of essential maternal care, and that greater access to trained midwives could prevent many maternal and neonatal deaths.
The program, launched in 2018, continues to make a real and measurable difference through strong partnerships between Rotary, universities, corporations and the PNG Midwives Society.
It is also a venture that promotes Rotary through the process of the project.
Thank you, Judi, for sharing your passion and the incredible impact this life-changing program is having in PNG communities.
A productive morning for 8 club members volunteering at RARE on Saturday 23 May. Helping sort and organise medical supplies for communities in need, there was plenty of teamwork, laughter.
Even time for a well-earned morning tea break.
We are proud to support organisations making a real difference both locally and around the world through the recycling and redistribution of valuable medical equipment and supplies.
Current projects include packing a container for Zambia, and another for Congo!
About 220 Volunteers helped run it … about 140 of those members of Rotary from about 15 Clubs
About 600 Farmers came along.
Over $50,000 of Groceries and Household / Farm items given away as families left. Pantry Items; Fresh Fruit and Veg; Clothing + more
The entire event came out to about $130,000 (including giveaways) to support this cohort of people doing it tough!
7 Farmers visiting our “Health Hub” were identified with Potentially Life Threatening conditions whereby without immediate interaction, they’d likely to be dead within a year. • 2 with advance melanoma; • 4 with advanced undiagnosed diabetes; • 1 with a Blood Pressure of 225 over 115 … and then there was another level of OMG below this when looking at Cholesterol etc! Our friends at Fat Farmers; Adelaide University; Flinders University have systems in place to follow these people up.
The day, beyond this sombre side, was full of mirth, merriment, music, dancing, food and entertainment. A number of farmers in tears of joy – some came for 2 hours .. and left after 6 hours!(we think that says it all)
The day frankly could not have been better if it tried. Seemed to tick every box. A great relief.
A MASSIVE shout out to the Rotary Club of Murray Bridge for everything they did, led by human dynamo President Roxanne Rowland. I’ve finally met someone who NEVER sleeps.
OLD TAILEM TOWN’s
owners Tina and Danny Squires went above and beyond. Opening not only their village, but also their hearts to Rotary and our Farmers.
On the Day magnificent contributors to physically running the event, credit must be given to (in alphabetical order)
Rotary Clubs of:-
• Adelaide • Adelaide Central • Adelaide Light • Burnside • Hyde Park • Mobilong • Mt Barker • Murray Bridge • Prospect • Regency Park • St Peters • Strathalbyn • Tailem Bend • Unley • West Lakes
Inner Wheel Clubs of:-
• Adelaide Hills • Holdfast Marion • Mobilong • North East Sunset • Tea Tree Gully and • IW District A70 (SA) • IW Australia – Disaster Relief Fund
Financially most of those Clubs above alsosponsoredmany farming families to have a FREE day of fun and health checks … As well as:-
Rotary Clubs of:-
• Adelaide Parks • Alice Springs • Blackwood • Eastwood • Edwardstown • Flagstaff Hill • Goolwa • Holdfast Bay • Morialta • Norwood • Somerton Park
THE DAY had so many elements. So many Community Groups surrounding Tailem Bend partnered with Rotary to make this event happen. So much music. Kids entertainment …
This story is well worth the read to get a feel for the vibe of the 100+ photos
To finish off – a personal Thank You to every single person who in one way or another made Rotary Pioneer Adventure Day marvellous.
Following an ever expanding list of phone calls and emails and Facebook messages from Farming Families BLOWN AWAY by Rotary’s generosity and community spirit … we should all be very proud of the result.
PS – they want to know if we’re doing it again next year!! 😳
Project Manager – Rotary S.A. Drought Relief - Fodder to Farms Event Manager – www.RotaryPioneerAdventureDay.au Sunday 3 May 2026 – Old Tailem Town Pioneer Village
2023 - 26 Vice President – Rotary Club of Adelaide Central Inc.
2016 - 26 Chair, Marketing & PR
2022 - 23 Past President
Flick through over 100 Photos to paint the picture for yourself:-
We no longer have access to our old website. We have a new domain name that will be managed through ClubRunner. This new domain name is slightly different to the old one. The new website address is:
www.rotarywestlakes.com
We have a new QR code, differentiated by circles on the corner
Members to arrange their own replacement if they cannot front for their meeting night.
DATE
NAME
OTHER INFORMATION
January 13th
Jean
20th
Tracey
27th
Len
February 3rd
Scott
10th
Brian White
17th
Charles
24th
Ken
March 3rd
Ros
10th
Andrew
17th
Ted
24th
Barry
31st
Gary
April 7th
Sue
14th
Stephanie
21st
Barry
28th
Denis
Presentation Gerry Ancone award
May 5th
Jamie
12th
Bob
19th
Brian McDonald
26th
Brian Jones
June 2nd
Yvonne
9th
Alison
16th
Peter
23rd
Steve
30th
tbc
Changeover
Responsibilities
Manage
- banners (pre & post meeting)
- name tags as appropriate
- Microphone is now in the lectern
The speaker system operates on both battery or power.
Prior to meeting, plug in the charger with the connection point being in front of the speaker box. Once fully charged (blue light), the charger can be removed (or left in place).
NOTE: Ensure that Power is plugged in to the actual Power inlet on the speaker and not the Microphone inlet
Three microphones are all battery operated. There are ‘some’ spare batteries in our lectern. Microphones operate on a simple On/Off and are already paired to the system.
The speaker box has a Master Volume knob as well as a Microphone Volume knob. These should not need adjustment unless circumstances have changed. Test inside meeting room.
At end of meeting please carefully check all items, and put safely back in lectern.
Liaise with the Guest Speaker Coordinator to meet and greet Guest Speaker, arrange for introduction, introduce to other members.
- Arrange meal for Guest speaker, cost to the RCWL account (so that Steve can pay later on)
