August was a busy month of club visits across the District, connecting with members and seeing firsthand the great work our clubs continue to do in their communities — including attendance at Police Officer of the Year Awards and Youth Vocational Excellence Awards.
It's always inspiring to see the range of projects clubs undertake, from community support initiatives to youth programs and international partnerships. These projects not only make a real difference locally but also help promote Rotary as a brand, showcasing who we are and the value we bring to the communities we serve.
Thank you to all the clubs who hosted me during the month — I look forward to continuing visits in the weeks ahead.
Yours in Rotary service, Shane Burette District Governor, District 9675, 2026–27
Walking for Shelter — Hume and Hovell Track, October 2027
In 1999 I served with INTERFET in Timor-Leste and saw families who had lost everything sleeping in the ruins. I remember thinking there should be an organisation whose whole purpose is getting a roof over people's heads. Years later, after joining Rotary, I found that organisation already existed — ShelterBox, a Rotary Project Partner since 2012, providing emergency shelter to families after disaster or conflict.
This October I'm walking the 75km of the Hume and Hovell Track to raise funds for ShelterBox — turning every kilometre into practical help for families in need. Please support this trek to provide a safe place to sleep, a roof overhead, an opportunity to begin again. Donate Here
Devastation in Nepal
On 26 August 2026, catastrophic flash floods struck Nepal's Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts, triggered by a glacial event on the Nepal-Tibet border, leaving at least 1,342 people dead and thousands missing, with widespread destruction to homes and infrastructure.
ShelterBox has a team on the ground in Kathmandu, working with local Rotary members and partners to assess needs and identify priority support, including emergency shelter items such as blankets, sleeping mats, and tarpaulins. Find attached a letter to all Clubs. Donations to ShelterBox can be made: ShelterBox Australia - Emergency Disaster Relief
RAWCS, as Rotary Australia's overseas aid arm, continues to work alongside Rotary's global network to channel support to communities affected by disasters like this. It's a powerful example of what Rotary and its partners can achieve together when disaster strikes, Donations to the RAWC’s project can be made: RAWCS | Project Details
End Polio Train Ride — I'm Riding!
World Polio Day falls on 24 October, and each year Rotarians mark the occasion by taking to the rails for the End Polio Train Ride — travelling the entire Sydney train network in a single day, visiting all 189 stations, to raise funds for the Rotary END POLIO NOW campaign. Every dollar raised is matched 2:1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
I'll be riding the train this year and would love your support — whether that's joining me for part of the day or contributing to the cause. Since Rotary began its immunisation effort in 1985, polio cases have dropped from over 350,000 a year to just a handful worldwide — let's help finish the job.
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Happy Birthday
Congratulations to the following Clubs in our District who achieve milestones in September: • Concord achieves 70 years on the 24th • Hurstville turned 87 on the 2nd • Wollongong celebrates 99 years on the 14th
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 - Club News
District Conference 2026-27
Mark your calendars! District Conference is coming to Ulladulla, 2–4 April 2027. This is our chance connect with fellow Rotarians, and celebrate the impact Clubs are making across Districts 9705 and 9675.
Conference Pelicans are being distributed out to Clubs, and it's been great fun seeing it turn up all over the place! The Darlings had theirs participate in Sydney Marathon.
If your Pelican has been out and about, send in a photo — we'd love to share them in the lead-up to Conference.
AI is becoming part of everyday Rotary life. The AI Guidelines for Members help Rotarians use AI responsibly and ethically, in line with Rotary's values — covering appropriate use, privacy, and brand protection.
Please take a moment to review them. AI should support, not replace, human judgement. If unsure, contact the Rotary Support Centre.
RYLA is one of Rotary's flagship youth programs, bringing together young people to build leadership skills, confidence, and a strong sense of community responsibility.
Through workshops, challenges, and mentoring from Rotarians, participants leave with new skills, lasting friendships, and a renewed sense of purpose — a fantastic example of Rotary investing in the next generation of leaders.
On Sunday 27 September we will be recognising a group of wonderful women who work to make their communities stronger and better places to live. Do join us at Bankstown Sports Club to see who our winners are.
If you can't make it, please consider donating to support a medical student to complete their rural placement. Use the links on the flier to register by 20 September or to make a donation.
Regards PDG Sue Hayward RIWA Chair
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Barcelona 2027 - Early Bird Rates
Early bird registration rates for the Rotary International Convention in Barcelona open on 17 September — don't miss out on the best pricing!
Barcelona will host Rotarians from around the world for a week of inspiration, connection, and celebration of the work we do together. Registering early not only saves you money but helps with planning your travel and accommodation well ahead of time.
Mark 17 September in your calendar and be ready to register as soon as rates go live. Further details on registration and the Convention program will follow soon.
VTT to Tonga
Tonga is rated as the second most at-risk nation in the Pacific for natural disasters. In response, District 9675's Rotary Emergency Service Community Award (RESCA) program is funding a Rotary Vocational Training Team (VTT) focused on an Emergency Disaster Management exchange with Tonga. The exchange aims to build planning and response capacity and develop governance arrangements to strengthen Tonga's resilience in the face of future disasters.
45 YEARS OF BACKING AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH
Forty five years ago, a group of Rotarians decided to back Australian researchers before anyone else would. There was no fanfare and no guarantees. Just a belief that the right question, backed early, could change lives.
That belief has since become more than $56 million invested, and over 1,600 grants and scholarships.
On Friday 16 October, I would like you to join me at the Chairman's Gala Dinner to celebrate it.
It is a black tie evening at Rydges Parramatta. Three courses, good company, and the people who made 45 years of life changing Australian research possible, all in one room.
Our guest speaker is Associate Professor Melanie Porter. In 2003, Australian Rotary Health backed her as a PhD student through the Ian Scott Scholarship. We backed her again with a Mental Health Grant in 2005, and again with a Postdoctoral Fellowship in 2006. Today she is a clinical neuropsychologist and Associate Professor at Macquarie University, with more than 85 peer reviewed papers and over 80 postgraduate researchers supervised through to completion. She now supervises one of our own scholars. The student became the supervisor.
That is what 45 years of backing possibility looks like, and I will let Melanie tell you the rest on the night.
The details
When: 6.30pm, Friday 16 October 2026 Where: Triple Crown Ballroom, Rydges Parramatta, 116-118 James Ruse Drive, Rosehill NSW 2142 Dress: Black tie Tickets: $95 per person, or $720 for a table of 8 Included: Three course meal, cash bar, and free parking on site
Booking a table of 8 is the easiest way to support. Tables are allocated as they are booked, so I would encourage clubs to get in early.
If you cannot make it, you can still support a researcher to unlock possibility for those who need it most. A gift the size of a seat, $95, funds research time. Not overheads. The weeks a scholar can commit to chasing an answer, because the backing is there.
Questions about the night, or booking a table for your club, call the ARH office on (02) 8837 1900 or email news@arh.org.au.
I do hope to see you there.
PDG Stephen Humphreys Chair, Australian Rotary Health
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