This is the last time I will have the privilege of contributing to Rotary Roundup as your District Governor. It has been a truly wonderful and exciting experience leading our incredible district and I have enjoyed every moment of it. I’d like to thank all of you for making me so welcome at your meetings and events. I have been truly inspired by the amount of work that is happening all over the district, a consistent observation made by our Past District Governors.
May has been busy but very rewarding. I have attended several Pride of Workmanship presentations and they are always enjoyable. I think it’s important at these events to explain why we, as Rotarians, go to the trouble of recognising people in our communities for going above and beyond. Vocational Service is one of our Five Avenues of Service along with Club, Youth, Community and International Service. However, Vocational Service goes back to the very beginning of Rotary and is built on our philosophical cornerstone – The Four Way Test, Object of Rotary, Code of Conduct, and two of our five values, Integrity and Service. We are recognising people in the community who align with our Rotary values and we need to tell them that in order to give them a deeper understanding of not only why they have been recognised, but of Rotary itself. People love to be appreciated for their work so don’t forget to thank your own members regularly for their contributions.
I recently attended The Science and Engineering Challenge where high school students spent a day immersed in challenging and fun activities and team work is paramount. Gavin Ralston from the E-Club of Greater Sydney organises this program across two districts and I attended the event at Campbelltown where I was invited to present the awards and give a short address. I have also attended two MUNA events, Central Coast MUNA and Northern MUNA and I will attend Western MUNA in June. I want to acknowledge Jill Hamilton, Greg Keighran and Drew Fitzpatrick and their teams for their commitment to these events. The amount of work that goes into MUNA is incredible but it is well worth it for the opportunity that this program provides for senior high school students. It was amazing to watch them present their arguments back and forth with such professionalism and intelligence - a very uplifting experience. Please volunteer to help out on the day when you next get the opportunity and see for yourself that our future is in good hands.
Some exciting news for our District is the formation of a satellite club. Greg Newling, supported by the members from Ku-ring-gai Rotary has worked hard to bring this to fruition. The group’s official title is “The Rotary Satellite Club of Ku-ring-gai, Community Network but will be known as Ku-ring-gai Community Network. This is the only satellite club in our District at present and we look forward to seeing how their journey progresses.
Speaking of journeys, I have just returned from the International Convention in Melbourne, a real highlight of the Rotary year. If someone in your club attended they will no doubt report back with enthusiasm. It was an inspiring five days, the sort of inspiration that gives you the big picture of Rotary and how so many of us from all over the world are making a difference. If you have never been to an International Convention you must put it on your bucket list because you will not regret it. There are many of our Rotarians who have never even been to a District Conference. These events serve to inspire and enhance your Rotary experience, so if you’ve never been to these bigger events please consider our next District Conference in Terrigal and the International Convention in Singapore. Meet me at raffles for a Singapore Sling … or two!
District Governor Elect Christine and I look forward to seeing you at the District Changeover on July 1. I am sure Christine will enjoy the experience as much as I have, while District Governor Nominee Niranjan Deodhar and District Governor Nominee Designate John Campbell will no doubt embark on a slightly different journey as we explore the possibilities that Regionalisation may offer.
I wish you well for the remainder of the Rotary year and hope that we meet again soon.
Mina
Mina Howard
District Governor 2022-2023
Winston Churchill Quotes. (n.d.). BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved May 28, 2023, from BrainyQuote.com
Web site: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/winston_churchill_131192
Rotary’s annual cycle of new Club Officers, District Officers and International Officers provides an opportunity to identify new priorities as well as refresh our understanding of the many programs that Rotary has to offer.
Our District Rotary Foundation Committee has been busy training club leaders to enable them to apply for District Grants and Global Grants. The District Grant application process is already underway, so please get your incoming Club President and Foundation Director to complete the eligibility requirements right away. This involves signing a Memorandum of Understanding regarding the stewardship requirements for managing Rotary Foundation funds, as well as setting a Goal for the amount your Club intends to raise to support the Foundation’s Annual Fund.
Your incoming Club Board also needs to agree on a specific project that would benefit from a District Grant and commit to raising funds to cover at least half the value of the project, and then complete the District Grant application form. Usually, our District Committee receives more applications for District Grants than we can fund, so it is important that you comply with all the requirements AND get your application in as early as possible. Incoming Grants Chair David Rivett and incoming Committee Chair Haran Ramachandran are available to assist you and your club with this process.
After serving on the District Rotary Foundation Committee for several years, I’ve been very impressed by the amazing projects that Rotarians in our District carry out with the help of The Rotary Foundation. Our District Grant and Global Grant projects extend from Mongolia to Nigeria, from Kiribati to Timor Leste, as well as throughout Australia! Our projects, coupled with the Foundation’s flagship Polio program, and the more recent Disaster Response Grants, enable us to take great pride in our support of The Rotary Foundation!
The most outstanding attribute of Rotary to me is its ability to provide the framework for every Rotarian to find a personal way to “do good in the world” - in our club, our community, or anywhere in the world either directly as a volunteer, or by providing our financial support.
My best wishes to the incoming District Foundation team for 2023/2024 led by PP Haran Ramachandran!
The Winter RYPEN Camp is now close to being full. A waiting list has been set up for last minute candidates who would like to come usingcancellations which result in a vacancy.
Please see the links below for the full information packs and application forms:
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Camp Director Amand Barnes at Winterrypen@gmail.com
District 9685 Changeover 2023 - Saturday 1st July from 12.00 pm to 4.00 pm at Rydges Norwest, 1 Columbia Court, Baulkham Hills.
DG Mina Howard and DGE Christine Owen invite you to join friends and leaders from across the District as we celebrate the service and accomplishments of Rotarians over the past year as we imagined Rotary, and begin to grow Rotary together in 2023-2024, creating hope in the world.
2.Rotary International South Pacific and Philippines Offie (RISPPO) Resource Guide
An updated Resource Guide Guide for Club Officers is available on the District website https://www.rotarydistrict9685.org.au/ under District Services/Learning and Development, or by clicking HERE
3. Some Convention News
It is a bit early to get full videos of the Convention in Melbourne, so here are a few pictures of the Flag Ceremony and sessions using YouTube video snippets on-line. Click on each video to view.
AG Paul Roger and DG Mina Howard carrying
flags in the opening ceremony
Video: A brief overview of the venue for the opening ceremony
Video: Flag Ceremony Rotary International Convention, Melbourne Australia
Video: Bohemian Rhapsody at the 2023 Rotary International Convention in Melbourne by the Tenors
Video
4. An Incident to Rember for Life For One Brand New Rotarian
Stephen Lizar has just very recently joined the Rotary Club of Chadstone/East Malvern. Stephen is the nephew of AG Paul Rogers and while having a family dinner at a restaurant during the Convention in Melbourne, had the most amazing experience of the 21 year old's life when in walked RI President, Jennifer Jones, who came and sat next to Stephen and put her arms around Stephen and Paul, and without being asked, waited for a photo to be taken. A very gracious and generous person and RI President.
5.Rotarian Wade Norrie, from the Rotary E-club of Greater Sydney,was recently recognised as a member of the order of St John, for his Service Above Self , with over 1200 hours of service with St. John Ambulance. This honour only bestowed upon deserving members who have demonstrated loyalty and service to the organisation. Congratulations Wade, from all of us in District 9685.
6. Referendum 2023 - History in the Making - Guest Speaker Suggestion (Facilitated by Sandy Killick, Democracy Matters)
The views expressed by Sandy Killick, are hers and hers alone. They are not necessarily the views of, nor endorsed by Rotary International, the members of District 9685, the members of COTA nor the Editor of this Newsletter. Rotary International is a Community & Humanitarian organisation that is committed to the principles of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Together embracing & encouraging free speech that is respectful, courteous, informative & balanced, albeit topical at times.
Imagine writing the Australian Constitution in the 1890s. You know the nation will change in the centuries ahead. What is the best way for the people to change the Constitution as our nation grows and changes? Is our Consitution fit for purpose? In October or November this year, Australians will vote in a referendum to decide whether our constitution should be altered to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
What is the new chapter proposed for our Constitution? What are the key points of the ‘Yes case’ and ‘No case’? How will the proposed ‘Voice to parliament work?Where can you get reliable and accurate answers to your questions between now and the day we all go to vote.
Join a respectful, non-partisan discussion that covers:
- The purpose of the Australian constitution. - How referendums work. - The Uluru Statement from the Heart and why it calls for a Voice to Parliament. - The facts and myths surrounding this referendum. - The ‘yes’ case & the ‘no’ case - Possible impacts of a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ vote.
"The Club Buzz" is where you will find some exciting and relevant programs or events happening in our Clubs and in District 9685.
This edition of the Newsletter does not include a Club Buzz. A bumper issue will be included next time, but please send any Club news to communications@rotarydistrict9685.org.au so that the news can be shared with other Rotarians in the District.
There are many notices about Club Changeovers in Club newsletters, and we wish all Clubs a very successful Changeover as we farewell and thank current teams for all of their hard work over 2022-2023, and welcome the new teams for 2023-2024 as we "Create Hope in the World".
Radio is a powerful way to spread your Club stories. If your Club has a project, local or overseas, which would interest the wider general public, discuss it with Rotary Matters presenter Ian Stuart who will be glad to help spread the word. Ian.stuart@optusnet.com.au 0416 138 860
Never A Dull Moment In Kuring Gai
Whetting The Appetite For STEM With The Science Experience
June is designated Rotary Fellowships Monthto recognize the importance of international fellowship and goodwill among Rotarians with similar recreational and vocational interests, promote increased participation in fellowships, and increase understanding of this program.
What are the benefits for Rotarians in joining the Rotary Fellowships? Fellowship provides opportunities for Rotarians to make lasting friendships outside their own Club, District or country. Fellowships contribute to the advancement of world understanding and peace. Also, Fellowships serve as an incentive for attracting new members to Rotary and retaining our existing members. Indeed, Rotary Fellowship, together with the Rotarian Action Groups, serve as an effective tool in promoting membership development and should be actively promoted in our Districts.
to let us know of any bereavements you would like published. It would be much appreciated if you also sent a short biography and photo for an information link in In Memoriam.
You may also inform your Assistant Governor, the District Secretary, or the Governor. Remember to also update your club's member database on the District website.
THE MONTHLY THEME FOR MAY IS ROTARY FELLOWSHIPS MONTH
Please note that this is the monthly theme. The themes for some months have been rearranged, and there will be more information in the future.
THE ROTARY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE COURSE 75
2nd to 4th JUNE 2023
by Zoom
The next opportunity is RLI 75 which will be held on-line.
The 2022 version of the Manual of Procedures has been released. Click on the image below to view/download a copy of this very informative and valuable document (login to My Rotary may be required).
KENNARDS STORAGE
Contact Details
6-8 Phyllis Avenue
Thornleigh NSW 2120
Phone +61 2 9481 9400
Email thornleigh@kss.com.au
Website www.kss.com.au
CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW TO FIND OUT ABOUT ORDERING WARM BRANDED CLOTHING FROM RDU SUPPLIES
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"The Club Buzz" is where you will find some exciting and relevant programs or events happening in our Clubs and in District 9685. 
ROMAC NEWSLETTER
