Please join with me in thanking PDGs Warwick Richardson and Sue Hayward for their efforts and good heart to take on the role of DG in our District.
We are now in the final quarter of the Rotary year where we start finalising programs and projects that we all started or continued from the previous years. Keep going with these, Rotary doesn’t stop just because we are heading to a new year!
The next few months bring us to President Elect Learning and Development where we hope to inspire our new (and returning Presidents) to do the best they can do for the Club they lead. District will also be holding the annual District Assembly which is another opportunity for members of Clubs holding executive positions to keep up to date with new and emerging issues in the respective portfolios.
Our monthly District updates hold significant information of events and important dates in the Rotary calendar, please have a read so you don’t miss out!
Clean water and sanitation is a human right. When people, especially children, have access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, they lead healthier and more successful lives. We don’t just build wells and walk away. Rotary members integrate water, sanitation, and hygiene into education projects. When children learn about disease transmission and practice good hygiene, they miss less school. And they can take those lessons home to their families, expanding our impact.
What Is your Club doing to focus on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene?
Happy Birthday
Congratulations to the following Clubs in our District who achieve milestones in March:
Wollondilly are 18 years young on 14/3
Sydney Darling Harbour is turning 27 on 25/3
Shellharbour City achieve 59 years on 15/3
West Wollongong chalk up 61 years on 23/3
Dapto celebrate 65 years on 26/3
Drummoyne are celebrating 73 years on 27/3
Congratulations to all club members from your District Team.
To find out about events being held by Clubs, check out the Club News page on our website - link below.
A Rotary Club must approve and support the application for District Governor 2027-2028. Form here.
Interviews and Selection: Thursday 17 April 2025
_____________________________________________
District Probus Chair
Probus clubs provide retirees and semi-retirees with an opportunity to form social connections, develop friendships and enjoy social activities.
The role of the (Rotarian) Probus Chair is to assist in the formation of new Probus clubs.
Probus South Pacific usually determines where the next club might be formed. The Probus Chair helps to find a sponsor Rotary club, and attends the initial interest meeting. An employee from Probus South Pacific will be there with a presentation about Probus and will answer any questions that are asked.
If a new Probus club is formed, the Probus Chair attends the first meeting, and as needed, provides advice on running a meeting &/or an AGM. This role involves giving time to 1 to 2 (or less) duties per month.
Lyn Bates has been our District’s Probus Chair for several years.
If you are interested in this role, please either phone Lyn on 0408 284 082 or send her an email to lba36507@bigpond.net.au
_____________________________________________
Expressions of Interest:
Rotary Community Leader - South West Sydney
The role of a Rotary Community Leader (RCL) is to inspire and mentor Clubs in their Rotary Community Group to expand their community impact, increase the satisfaction of their members, and grow their Clubs. The RCL will coach Club leaders and facilitate access to advice and guidance from Rotary International and the Regional Council, Portfolio Leads and Rotary Specialist Network.
Information about the role is contained within the attached Job Documentation. Otherwise contact the current RCL: Shane Burette on 0437100575 or shaneburette@gmail.com
Expression of Interest should be lodged with Shane no later than 31 March 2025.
There are some useful resources available on the Rotary Foundation Australia website available for Clubs to use. It is the go to page so why not bookmark the page.
The Bugle is a local newspaper in Kiama which Kiama Rotary have been very successful in getting regular stories published.
How did it happen?
The club membership committee recommended that the Club's profile needed to raised to attract new members by reporting on community interest events rather than just recruitment requests.
Kiama Rotary invited the Editor of The Bugle along to a meeting as guest speaker and as she was new to the job and was looking to establish partnerships in the LGA.
She indicated that they were looking for publishable press releases of what the Club does in relation to the community not just about the club and its members.
A small group of members was established who had skills in press writing, took pictures of every event and started sending them directly to the Bugle. This committee was made up of the Admin/Membership Director/ long term past president and ex-Mayor of Kiama as well as the project director. It was a simple write, check and send off the releases and hope they fitted their requirements.
Below are examples of the releases to date and President Phil Whyte noted that the format is publishable in hard copy as well as a digital format, which the Bugle likes to use.
He also noted that the secret is having a well organised and trained writer that can produce a format liked by the editor ….saving them some work and allowing for a “cut and paste” exercise.
Articles are varied and are targeted towards youth and education, as well as partnerships with other entities and leadership recognition.
Most Bugle articles are then usually picked up by other Facebook sites such as the club, What’s Happening in Kiama, Kiama Community News as a matter of course.
Does your Club have a success story about increasing your Club's profile or how you're working to attract new members. Then send your story to the District Secretary E: kaymireyleesrotary@gmail.com and it will be published in the District Bulletin.
____________________________________________
RYPEN (Rotary Youth Enrichment) is scheduled for 4 - 6 April 2025 at Teen Ranch, Cobbitty. Time to rally those young people who get so much out of this great program. Find out more.
RESCA Nominations are now open
Did you know that the Rotary Districts of NSW Emergency Services Community Awards (RESCA) is the only way for the community to recognise our emergency service personnel who have gone above and beyond their call of duty and reflected the Rotary motto of “Service above Self”.
Given the current mayhem caused by Cyclone Alfred, there will be individuals that stand out in your community who are worthy of this award.
Please get the message out to your local community and let's give our emergency services volunteers the recognition they deserve.
Nayline Pelam and her father, Henry, returned to Sydney on February 2nd from Santo Island, Vanuatu. Nayline is receiving specialist care at the Children's Hospital in Randwick, led by the orthopaedic team of Dr. Angus Gray, who focuses on scoliosis. Stage one involves disc release and gravity halo traction, expected to last 3-4 weeks. Following this, stage two will include posterior spinal fusion surgery. Nayline attends the hospital school, where she interacts with other children. During her hospital stay, her father is staying at Ronald McDonald House in Randwick. We acknowledge their support and also extend thanks to Gabbies Sewing Angels for providing suitable clothing for Nayline during her treatment.
Nayline is an example of how we can support children. Our goal for the coming year is to increase participation in ROMAC. We encourage clubs to join Lei Day in May. A lei symbolizes our hope to assist children in the South Pacific through ROMAC.
To raise funds, clubs could:
Ask members to wear leis to a meeting in May and donate to ROMAC, with the club matching donations.
Hold a best-dressed competition with an entry fee and prize, a raffle, or an event like afternoon tea, lunch, or dinner where participants donate for wearing leis.
Your participation in this event is crucial as calls for help for children in the South Pacific islands increase. We need the Rotary Clubs' support to enable us to continue with this vital work. For more information please visit: www.romac.org.au/how-to-help/host-a-lei-day/
ROMAC Chairs Anita and Jennifer are eager to visit clubs so we can provide you with an insight into ROMAC and how you can help to improve the lives of children like Nayline.
Please contact Anita Robinson; anitagrobinson@outlook.com or Jennifer Pedley at connaljenny@yahoo.com.au to schedule a visit.
Macarthur Lift The Lid Walk for Mental Health 2025
The Macarthur Clubs extend and invitation to all Rotarians in our District to support this event to raise awareness of the high level of mental illness in our community’’.
The Walk is being held on Sunday 23rd March at Camden Town Farm.
The Facebook page for the event is now live and tickets can be purchased ($30 plus booking fee for 16+ and free for children under the age of 15 ). The ticket price includes a shirt and a cap.
Further details and a link to the sponsorship opportunities can be found on the Camden Rotary Club website www.camdenrotary.org.au
We are honoured to host A/Prof Felix Chan at the Rotary Club of Five Dock meeting on 24 March 2025. This event offers a unique opportunity to gain insights from a leading expert in gynaecological oncology and robotic surgery.
Professor Chan is a Medical Consultant to The Eggtober Foundation, which has been instrumental in raising sufficient funds to enable the purchase of a da Vinci Surgical Robot with a dual console for Liverpool Hospital, as well as other medical equipment such as a bladder scanner and a colposcope. The Eggtober Foundation also supports gynecological research into cancers and other related issues.
This is a night for partners, friends, Rotarians and other interested parties.
Professional Background and Achievements:
Pioneer in Robotic Surgery: In 2013, A/Prof Chan performed Australia's first single-site robotic hysterectomy, showcasing his commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology into surgical practices.
Leadership Roles: He serves as the Director of Gynaecological Oncology at Liverpool Hospital and is the Head of Robotic Surgery in Gynaecology at Macquarie University Hospital, Sydney Adventist Hospital, and Westmead Private Hospital.
Academic Contributions: A/Prof Chan has held academic positions, including Senior Lecturer at the University of New South Wales and Associate Professor at the University of Western Sydney. He is also a surgical skills tutor for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG).
Recognitions: His dedication has been acknowledged through multiple nominations for Australian of the Year (2009, 2011, 2012) and the conferral of the Paul Harris Fellowship in 2012.
International Engagements:
Prof Chan is a regular presenter at international medical conventions, sharing his expertise and insights on advanced surgical techniques and gynaecological oncology. His global engagements underscore his commitment to advancing medical knowledge and collaboration across borders.
Event Details:
Date: Monday, 24th March, 2025 - 6pm dinner following by 7pm meeting.
Venue: Club Five Dock, 66 Great North Road, Five Dock
To attend or for further information, Club Secretary at alaughlin@optusnet.com.au.
Don't miss this opportunity to hear from a pioneer in the field and engage in enriching discussions.
Santo Island, Vanuatu. Nayline is receiving specialist care at the Children's Hospital in Randwick, led by the orthopaedic team of Dr. Angus Gray, who focuses on scoliosis. Stage one involves disc release and gravity halo traction, expected to last 3-4 weeks. Following this, stage two will include posterior spinal fusion surgery. Nayline attends the hospital school, where she interacts with other children. During her hospital stay, her father is staying at Ronald McDonald House in Randwick. We acknowledge their support and also extend thanks to Gabbies Sewing Angels for providing suitable clothing for Nayline during her treatment. 
with this vital work. For more information please visit: 
