Stories

Help us support women to give birth safely

Posted on Apr. 23, 2025

Welcoming a new baby into the world is an exciting time but many expectant mothers around the globe risk giving birth without access to basic medical supplies and support.

On Saturday 17 May we’ll be packing 3,000 lifesaving birthing kits to support women in developing countries to give birth safely.

The Birthing Kit Foundation Australia distributes kits to remote regions of the developing world, where they have been proven to save the lives of mothers and their newborns.

By volunteering just two or three hours of your time, you’ll enjoy a hands-on activity for a really worthy cause.

This year’s event is part of the Rotary International EPIC Day of Service, with thousands of Rotary clubs worldwide undertaking projects aimed at making a lasting difference. We’d love you to join us!

There are three shifts to choose from and no prior experience is required.

Young leaders on Rotary Youth Exchange and Scouts

Posted on Apr. 16, 2025

At our 15 April meeting we heard from Penelope and Adelle about their respective experiences with the Rotary District 9705 Youth Exchange Program and Scouts Australia.

Penelope spoke about her once-in-a-lifetime adventure as an exchange student in France. She explained how the year-long exchange has helped her grow and better understand other cultures.

Adelle shared her experience of attending the recent Scouts’ Australian Jamboree where she faced new challenges, built her leadership skills and formed new friendships.

We’re proud to have sponsored Penelope and Adelle’s respective endeavours and grateful to learn more about their life-changing experiences. Thank you both for coming along!

Snags, scrums and smiles at BBQ fundraiser

Posted on Apr. 12, 2025

Snags, scrums and smiles on a sunny Saturday!

We were pleased to crew the BBQ at the Canberra Grammar School Rugby Union Gala Day on 12 April -- and what a turnout!

Tongs were flying, sausages were sizzling and the Sundowners were on fire. All in the name of raising funds for local service projects that make Canberra a better place.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by for a feed and helped make a difference, one snag at a time.

Helping Community Services #1 mark an eggcellent Easter

Posted on Apr. 10, 2025

With Easter just around the corner, chocolate season has well and truly started in Canberra.

And what better way to spread the Easter (and chocolate) spirit than partnering with our friends from Community Services #1 to deliver Easter eggs to local families.

We were stoked to drop off our stash of eggs and hear about all the amazing things CS#1 has planned to mark Easter in our community.

That includes their 'Community Easter Lunch' on Monday 14 April. From an Easter egg hunt, to hot cross buns and a sausage sizzle, there's everything to keep the adults and kids entertained, while even sharing in some of our chocolates.

The details are:
Monday, 14 April
11am-1pm
CS#1 Wellbeing Garden, 63 Boolimba Crescent, Narrabundah

Heidi inspires with tales of grief, healing and growth

Posted on Apr. 02, 2025

This week we were delighted to hear from Canberra author and advocate Heidi J Prowse OAM.

Heidi generously shared her reflections on grief, burnout, healing and growth, including moving excerpts from two of her three books.

We hung on to every word as Heidi spoke about meeting her late husband, Andrew, with whom she raised more than $1 million for Cystic Fibrosis ACT.

Heidi has worn many hats, including generously donating her time to emcee our last two trivia night fundraisers.

Thank you, Heidi, for your support. We continue to be inspired by your energy and passion for serving our community.

You can find out more about Heidi here:

And you can find and purchase Heidi’s books — We Should Have Grown Old Together, Finding Self Love in Poems, and Beyond Being Tough: The Modern Man’s Guide to Self-Love & Growth — here.

Tuesday’s meeting also ushered in our newest member as we formally inducted Connor.

A chance meeting in Batemans Bay sparked Connor’s interest in our club. Since then, Connor has hit the ground running as an engaged volunteer. We’re thrilled to have him formally on board!

As always, there’s plenty coming up, including our Easter Sunday Bunnings BBQ and our 2025-2026 club planning day on 4 May. Interested in getting involved? Please reach out!

Stepping in to support the Aussie Peace Walk

Posted on Mar. 30, 2025

Rotary plays a key role in spreading the word of peace across the globe. That’s why some of our members were honoured to support the Aussie Peace Walk over the last weekend of March.

The Peace Walk brings together participants from across the globe to walk various trails around Canberra while spreading messages of peace, unity and support for different communities.

While some of us volunteered, providing support to participants at different points during their walk, a few of us took on the challenge of the longer walks across both days.

From the torrential rain of Saturday to the clear skies of Sunday, we enjoyed the opportunity to come together with friends from across the world to show solidarity with peace efforts both in Australia and abroad.

Sharing food and a chat with Vinnies Night Patrol

Posted on Mar. 27, 2025

Our city is a beautiful one but there are many people in our community doing it tough.

The Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn Night Patrol is an opportunity to share a bite to eat, a refreshment and a conversation.

We joined the Rotary Club of Jerrabomberra on Wednesday evening 26 March to do just that, supporting about 30 people at stops across Canberra and Queanbeyan.

We staff a Night Patrol van once a month. Interested in joining us? Please get in touch.

Poles spread messages of peace in Canberra

Posted on Mar. 23, 2025

On Sunday 23 March we enjoyed an incredibly moving afternoon at the Canberra Rotary Peace Bell where five new Peace Poles were unveiled, inscribed with the messages of peace in 34 languages.

Peace Poles are internationally recognised symbols of hope which bear the message, ‘May Peace Prevail on Earth’, in different languages on each of its sides.

We had the honour of donating one of the Peace Poles (No. 506) in association with the Canberra Multicultural Community Forum (CMCF) Inc. The pole recognises messages of peace in seven Asian languages. They are Tamil, Lao, Khmer, Tagalog, Burmese, Thai and Malay.

The new poles will form part of a constellation of Peace Poles in Lennox Gardens to spread the message of peace and hope for future generations.

Our fellow Rotarians from throughout Canberra were also on hand to unveil the four other poles:

Pole 502 was donated by the Rotary Club of Canberra to recognise languages from the Pacific Islands;
Pole 504 was donated by the Rotary Club of Gungahlin and the Rotary Club of Canberra Burley Griffin to recognise languages from the Baltic states;
Pole 508 was donated by Woden Daybreak Rotary Club to recognise languages from Africa;
Pole 510 was donated by the Rotary Club of Canberra Murrumbidgee to recognise languages from South Asia.

Next time you are in Lennox Gardens, make sure you snap a picture of the poles and send it through to us. It will be your own way of spreading the word of peace.

Learning and development inspires us to 'unite for good'

We spent Saturday 22 March at the Rotary District 9705 learning and development day as we look towards the 2025-26 Rotary year.

We were inspired by a variety of workshops covering innovative ideas to develop clubs, build membership, support young people and care for our environment.

There are so many incredible community service projects being undertaken by Rotarians right across Canberra and beyond.

It was such a thought-provoking day and each of us walked away with different ideas on how we can make an even greater impact in our community.

It also allowed us to reflect on the Rotary International President’s message to ‘Unite for Good’. We are looking forward to collaborating with other clubs to help make positive change.

Rotary district governor inspires grassroots change

Posted on Mar. 19, 2025

On Tuesday 18 March we swapped our usual meeting for a combined club catch-up to hear from Rotary District 9705 Governor Rob Uhl.

DG Rob laid down a simple, yet effective foundation for Rotary clubs to make positive change in their communities.

She set us the goal of engaging with our community and collaborating with partners to change lives. By applying this standard, we will further our reach across the broader Canberra region.

We also took the opportunity to discuss our shared community service priorities with our friends from the Rotary Club of Tuggeranong and Woden Daybreak Rotary Club.

Trivia night raises thousands for women's health

Posted on Mar. 18, 2025

Another BIG thank you to everyone who supported our 2025 Trivia Night.

Together, we have raised almost $10,000 for the purchase and packing of Birthing Kit Foundation Australia birthing kits, to help women with limited access to medical facilities give birth safely. You can find out more about the event here.

Don’t forget to mark Saturday 17 May in your diaries for our birthing kit packing day. Keep an eye on our website and social media channels for more details. We’d love to see you there!

Trivia night tests grey matter for worthy cause

Posted on Mar. 13, 2025

President Mitra with winning table, 'What's In'.

A BIG thank you to everyone who supported our 2025 Trivia Night on 13 March.

It was a fantastic evening filled with curly questions, fun games and plenty of chatter.

Tables preparing to test their knowledge.

Most importantly, funds raised will help us purchase and pack life-saving birthing kits to help women in developing countries give birth safely. You can find out more about these kits via the Birthing Kit Foundation Australia website.

Congratulations to the winning table, ‘What’s In’!

Emcee Heidi, President Mitra and trivia committee chair Peter.

And a special thank you to our emcee, Heidi Prowse, and the organisations that participated in our ‘corporate challenge’, including Keane Consulting, Cyconsol, Proactive Labs and the winning Wisdom Learning.

Interested in helping us assemble the birthing kits? Mark Saturday 17 May in your diaries and keep your eyes peeled for more information soon.

Rotary Youth Exchange students visit Canberra

Posted on Mar. 12, 2025

What’s a trip to Australia without exploring the nation’s capital?

We’ve joined forces with the Rotary Club of Ginninderra to help host eight Rotary Youth Exchange students visiting Canberra.

Rotary Youth Exchange gives students the opportunity to live and study abroad for 12 months.

The eight students, who are visiting from Sydney and the Central Coast, have travelled to Australia from France, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Czechia, Brazil and Japan.

The cohort will visit a range of national institutions during their time in Canberra, including Parliament House, the National Gallery of Australia and, of course, Questacon!

Thank you, Helen, and the other Rotarians from across Canberra, for welcoming the exchange students to our beautiful city and ensuring they have a great stay!

Community partner making a real difference

Posted on Mar. 05, 2025

We were delighted to welcome Community Services #1 CEO Simon Bennett and operations director Romney Kelly to this week’s meeting to find out more about how the organisation is making a real difference in our community.

CS#1 supports thousands of individuals and families across the ACT and nearby NSW, including through early childhood education and aged care services, a food pantry, social support groups, and much more.

As our partner organisation, we’ve supported CS#1 through a range of initiatives, including donating two defibrillators, supplying food pantry items and helping out at community Christmas events.

Hearing from Simon and Romney reminded us just how significant CS#1’s work is — and why we’re committed to supporting the organisation where we can.

We also discussed a range of upcoming activities, including our Trivia Night on 13 March. The event is raising funds to purchase and pack lifesaving birthing kits.

Find out more and snap up a ticket here.

Cleaning up Canberra's environment

Posted on Mar. 03, 2025

To mark Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday 2 March we headed down to Lake Burley Griffin at Weston Park.

We're lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the world, so it's important we take the time look after our natural environment.

By removing rubbish around the shoreline of the lake, we're hoping to prevent it from polluting the waterway and impacting all the creatures and plants that call Lake Burley Griffin home.

From hats, drink bottles, plastic packaging and shoes, there was plenty of rubbish for us to pick up.

It was a timely reminder of the importance of each of us taking the time to look after our environment.

Thanks to the National Capital Authority for organising the event!

Keeping the BBQ wheels in motion with Pedal Power

Posted on Mar. 03, 2025

We had a wheely good time supporting the Pedal Power ACT Pedalling Together bike ride on Saturday, 1 March.

Some hot weather didn’t stop us sizzling up a storm on the barbecue.

The event celebrated the joy of cycling, as well as the contributions of volunteers.

Interested in volunteering with Rotary? Check us out or get in touch!

Supporting those on our streets at night

Posted on Feb. 27, 2025

On 26 February we joined forces with the Rotary Club of Jerrabomberra to staff one of the Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn Night Patrol vans.

We shared food, beverages and a conversation with about 20 people across our two stops in Canberra and Queanbeyan.

The Night Patrol aims to support and engage with vulnerable members of our community on the streets at night.

Please get in touch if you’re interested in joining us or finding out more about this worthwhile initiative.

Celebrating Rotary's 120th birthday

Posted on Feb. 23, 2025

On 23 February 1905, Paul Harris formed the Rotary Club of Chicago alongside three friends with the vision of exchanging ideas and creating opportunities for people to reach their dreams.

Fast forward to today, and we are just one of 45,000 clubs around the world who are committed to making a positive impact in the communities that we live and work.

What makes 23 February even more special for us, is that it also marks 8 years since we were established as a satellite club within the Rotary Club of Canberra Sunrise. Eight years on, we only continue to grow and expand our reach at home and abroad.

Some of our members marked the occasion with some celebratory cupcakes.

Happy 120th birthday Rotary International and happy 8th birthday to us!

Plenty of community service projects underway

Posted on Feb. 19, 2025

There was plenty to discuss at our 18 February meeting:

Constructing and painting new outdoor furniture for Vinnies companions at Oaks Estate.
Managing the BBQ at Pedal Power ACT's ‘Pedalling Together Bike Ride’ at Haig Park on 1 March.
Our upcoming trivia night on 13 March to raise money for our birthing kits project, with plenty of tickets still available here.

We also heard from District 9705 Service Projects Director John Askew about the ‘Plalkin’ My World’ project to improve our local environment.

Have a burning desire to make a lasting impact on our community? Please get in touch! We’d love to hear from you.

Spreading the love of volunteering

Posted on Feb. 14, 2025

Fighting polio in red
Serving Rotary in blue
Volunteering is sweet
But made sweeter with you!

We LOVE volunteering. Whether you’re romantically partnered or happily single, we’d LOVE you to join us in making a real difference in our community and the world around us!

Happy Valentine’s Day.

Supporting women's health and community inclusion

Posted on Feb. 05, 2025

At this week’s meeting we discussed a range of community service and fundraising activities, including:

Our upcoming trivia night, raising money to purchase and pack life-saving Birthing Kit Foundation Australia birthing kits.
Further work to upgrade the outdoor area at Oaks Estate, in partnership with the Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn Community Inclusion Program.

Interested in getting involved? Send us a message!

You can purchase tickets to our trivia night here.

Lots in store at first meeting of the year

Posted on Jan. 24, 2025

This week marked our first meeting of 2025, and it was jam-packed with planning and preparation for the months ahead.

Some of the things we covered included:

Planning works to promote social cohesion
Activities to support local youth
Preparing for upcoming fundraisers

Want to join us as we make a lasting impact across Canberra and the surrounding region? Please get in touch!

Kicking off 2025 by offering a helping hand

Posted on Jan. 22, 2025

We began 2025 as we ended 2024 - offering a helping hand to those most in need.

Members spent the evening of Wednesday, 22 January 2025, manning the Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn Night Patrol van. Stopping at Queanbeyan and Civic, members engaged with companions who may be sleeping rough or in need of some support.

Companions were provided some meals, offered clothing and shared meaningful conversations.

We’re rostered on one shift a month where we support those doing it tough. It’s certainly a worthwhile way to spend our Wednesday night.

Reflecting on the busy year that was 2024

Posted on Dec. 31, 2024

As 2024 comes to an end, we reflect on all the things we've achieved. We’ve completed plenty of community service activities and had loads of fun along the way. It’s certainly been a year to remember.

From supporting some of the most vulnerable in our local community through the provision of basic necessities, to purchasing and packing 3,000 birthing kits for pregnant women in low-resource settings around the world, we have sought to make a positive impact in 2024.

It’s been a tremendous year for us and we head into 2025 with even greater passion to do good in the world.

Bringing Christmas cheer to those sleeping rough

Posted on Dec. 25, 2024

On Christmas Day, we were out and about on the Vinnies Night Patrol Van spreading festive cheer and offering warm conversations to those who needed it most.

It was all about sharing kindness and making sure no one felt alone during the holiday season.

Christmas celebration to mark a successful year

Posted on Dec. 17, 2024

After a busy year, we came together just before the holiday break for a festive Christmas celebration!

The night was filled with so much fun – Christmas trivia, pass the parcel and a hilarious round of stealing Secret Santa.

It was a wonderful way to celebrate the successes of the year with laughter, fellowship and holiday cheer.

Celebrating Christmas with our Canberra community

Posted on Dec. 08, 2024

We were thrilled to support Community Services #1’s Christmas party in early December and to help make the event so special for clients, community members, staff, and board members.

From Santa visits and a sausage sizzle to live music—this was truly a festive celebration to remember!

We were proud to donate supplies and run the sausage sizzle. We love being part of such a vibrant, supportive community and look forward to celebrating with the community again next year!

Board of Directors elected for the next Rotary year

Posted on Dec. 06, 2024

Our recent Annual General Meeting provided an opportunity for all members to begin thinking about our goals and ambitions for the next Rotary year. There are plenty of exciting service activities on the horizon.

With election of the 2025-26 Board of Directors, planning is well underway to expand our reach and impact both locally and internationally.

Congratulations to our members who will be taking on these roles from 1 July 2025:

President – Jordan Fallon

President Elect (2025-26) – Claire Scott

Secretary – Claire Scott

Treasurer – Megan Downie

Vice President – Mitra Rawan

Foundation Director – Sam Saunders

Service Projects Director – Peter Hill

Public Image Director – Emma Kelly

Spreading a bit of Christmas cheer

Posted on Dec. 03, 2024

For several years now, we have been working with the Vinnies Community Inclusion Program at Oaks Estate to bring some festive cheer to companions during the holiday season.

This year we again organised for the purchase, packing and delivery of Christmas hampers for each companion. Filled to the brim with much-needed Christmas essentials such as canned ham, gingerbread and panettones, the hampers are a tangible way to show the companions they are appreciated.

We came together at our meeting on 3 December to pack the hampers before they are distributed to the companions at their Christmas lunch.

We are grateful for the support of the Rotary Club of Jerrabomberra, Keane Consulting and Cyconsol, whose contributions ensured the hampers were filled with plenty of items.

For many vulnerable members of our community, the Christmas period is not a happy time. With a little bit of love and compassion, we hope to make this Christmas a memorable time for the companions at Oaks Estate.

Addressing domestic violence in the ACT

Posted on Nov. 29, 2024

On Friday 29 November, we attended the Rotary Clubs of Canberra Domestic Violence Connection Day that brought together a variety of organisations dedicated to addressing domestic violence in the ACT.

The event provided a valuable opportunity to connect, learn, and explore ways to collaborate in breaking the stigma surrounding domestic violence and supporting meaningful initiatives.

With such a strong turnout and shared commitment to change, it’s clear that together, we can make a real impact in our community.

Helping those sleeping rough

Posted on Nov. 27, 2024

On Wednesday, 27 November, we were out on the Vinnies Night Patrol to make a difference for those in need. Together, we supported this vital service that provides food and drinks, basic essentials and conversation to people experiencing homelessness in Canberra.

It’s always rewarding to give back to the community and work alongside organisations like St Vincent de Paul, who are doing incredible work to support those facing tough times.

Another busy Bunnings BBQ

Posted on Nov. 23, 2024

What an amazing time we had on the Bunnings BBQ at Fyshwick on 23 November.

We appreciate all those who dropped by to purchase a sausage sandwich and a drink.

Their generosity allows us to complete projects in the local community that have a positive impact on many!

With Christmas quickly approaching, we have many projects planned to support those in need and the funds raised from the BBQ will assist us in doing that.

Vinnies Oaks Estate working bee sweetens up space

Posted on Nov. 17, 2024

Some of our members and friends of the club recently teamed up with the Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn Community Inclusion Program at Oaks Estate, where we worked with residents to help rejuvenate some of the outdoor communal space.

This included installing and painting new seating and sprucing up the garden.

A big thank you to Bunnings Fyshwick for the donation of materials and to everyone who helped out.

Interested in volunteering with us? We have plenty of fun, hands-on opportunities coming up. Feel free to pop by our next meeting or send us a message!

Volunteer with us in the lead up to Christmas

Posted on Nov. 05, 2024

At our 5 November meeting we took a break from the news cycle to focus on a range of exciting upcoming events and activities.

They include:

A working bee to install and paint benches and flower beds at Oaks Estate on Sunday 17 November in support of the Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn Community Inclusion Program.
Packing basic necessities for women and girls as part of the Share the Dignity It’s in the Bag campaign at our next meeting on Tuesday 19 November.
Our next BBQ fundraiser at Bunnings Fyshwick on Saturday 23 November.
Attending the upcoming Rotary Domestic Violence and Connection Day at Lennox Gardens in Canberra on Friday 29 November.
Packing Christmas hampers on Tuesday 3 December in support of the Vinnies Community Inclusion Program at Oaks Estate.
Managing the BBQ at Community Services #1 Christmas event on Thursday 5 December.
And more!

We were also delighted to induct Christian as our newest member. Christian has been a friendly face at recent meetings and events — and we look forward to formally having him on board.

Interested in helping us give back to the community and sharing some holiday cheer? Come along to a meeting or get in touch!

Cultural exchange at the pub

Posted on Oct. 30, 2024

We love an opportunity to hang out and at our latest "fifth Tuesday" social catch-up on 29 October we shared a bite to eat with some special guests.

We were joined by the South Dakota First Nations Group Study Exchange delegates for a classic Australian pub meal in the nation’s capital.

The Group Study Exchange program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for young professionals and business people to exchange visits between paired Rotary districts in different countries. Delegates learn more about their host country's way of life, develop personal and professional relationships, and share ideas.

Since 2020, our Rotary district (9705) has been supporting the cultural exchange of First Nations young professionals.

The dinner was a great opportunity to meet the delegates and find out more about their time in Australia. Rotary truly is a global organisation!

Thanks to the Civic Pub for accommodating our big, cheerful group of Rotarians and friends.

Supporting those in need on our streets

Posted on Oct. 24, 2024

Some of our members were out and about in the community on Wednesday evening, 23 October as part of the Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn Night Patrol.

The Night Patrol is an opportunity to support and connect with those doing it tough by sharing food, a warm beverage or refreshment, other essential items and – perhaps most importantly – a conversation.

We volunteer with the Night Patrol every month, stopping off in Queanbeyan and Civic. Please reach out if you’re interested in joining us or finding out more about this worthwhile program.

Sizzling sausage sales at election day BBQ

Posted on Oct. 20, 2024

Canberrans who cast their vote early needn't have feared missing out on a democracy sausage in Fyshwick come ACT Election day.

We were back at Bunnings Fyshwick on Saturday, 19 October to serve sausage sandwiches for a good cause.

We enjoyed another busy day, serving up plenty of snags and refreshments.

Thank you to everyone who dropped by and made a purchase. Your support enables us to continue giving back to our community.

A tender approach to funeral planning

Posted on Oct. 15, 2024

Planning a funeral is a difficult and emotional process. It can also be expensive.

At our 15 October meeting we heard from Catherine Prosser who is the general manager of Tender Funerals Canberra Region, a not-for-profit funeral service that assists families to create meaningful and affordable funerals.

Put simply, Tender Funerals provides a supportive environment for families, including those experiencing financial hardship, to farewell their loved ones with dignity.

You can find out more about Tender Funerals Canberra Region here: tenderfunerals.com.au/canberra/

Griefline provides free, compassionate and confidential support to Australians experiencing grief and loss. Call 1300 845 745 (8am-8pm, 7 days a week for Australians aged 18 years or older) or visit griefline.org.au

A blossom of activity at the Floriade Gnome Knoll

Posted on Oct. 05, 2024

The sun was shining, the flowers were in bloom and a rainbow of paint colours awaited the young and young at heart at the Floriade Gnome Knoll on Saturday 5 October.

We volunteered throughout the day to help manage the gnome-painting activity.

Funds raised from painting gnomes support local Rotary and Rotaract clubs like ours, with profits going back into the Canberra community.

It’s not too late to paint your own gnome, with the Gnome Knoll open throughout the ACT school holidays and on weekends during Floriade. You can find out more here: floriadeaustralia.com

Lifting a lid on mental illness for Hat Day

Posted on Oct. 02, 2024

A colourful array of hats were on show at our 1 October meeting to help lift the lid on mental illness.

Hat Day on 10 October is an Australian Rotary Health initiative raising money for mental health research.

We marked Hat Day a little early, raising awareness of the one in five people in Australia who experience a mental illness each year.

If you’re interested in making a donation, visit: liftthelidonmentalillness.com.au

We also discussed a range of upcoming opportunities, including:

Floriade gnome painting on Saturday 5 October.
Our next Bunnings BBQ fundraiser on Saturday 19 October.
Supporting the Vinnies Night Patrol later this month.

We also learned more about how Rotary is continuing to “say no to domestic violence” in our district — and look forward to sharing more details about what’s happening in this space soon.

Thank you to John from the Rotary Club of Jerrabomberra for coming along and speaking with our club about this important initiative.

Supporting those sleeping rough

Posted on Sep. 26, 2024

Spring might have sprung but there are many people in our community still experiencing the chill of sleeping rough on our streets.

On Wednesday evening, 25 September we supported the Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn Night Patrol, sharing food, a warm beverage and other items with some of those doing it tough in Canberra and Queanbeyan.

We’re involved with the Night Patrol every month – and we’re always looking for new volunteers to join us.

Interested in helping out? Please get in touch!

Another busy BBQ for a good cause

Posted on Sep. 22, 2024

We were back at Bunnings Fyshwick on Saturday 21 September to serve up sausage sandwiches and refreshments.

It was another fantastic turnout, with our volunteers run off their feet serving up snags.

Thank you to everyone who dropped by for a feel-good bite to eat. Our community service work wouldn’t be possible without your support.

Improving children's health at home and abroad

Posted on Sep. 18, 2024

At our 17 September meeting we heard from Dr Kathryn Currow about the amazing work of Taking Paediatrics Abroad.

The organisation connects health professionals to share their experience in paediatric care to remote areas of Australia and around the world. The passion, care and support provided is working to improve health outcomes of children across the globe.

You can find out more here: takingpaediatricsabroad.org.au

The next few weeks will see us:

Cooking up a storm at Bunnings Fyshwick on Saturday 21 September.
Volunteering at the Floriade gnome painting on Saturday 5 October.

We'd love to see you there!

Supporting community sport in Canberra

Posted on Sep. 15, 2024

On Sunday, 15 September we cooked up a storm in support of community sport in Canberra.

Several of our members served up a range of barbecue fare, including egg and bacon rolls and sausage sandwiches, at the Uni-Norths Owls Juniors Rugby Union Club game day in Kaleen.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time. Your efforts not only helped out Owls Rugby but also supported our club, thanks to a donation.

Special thanks to the Rotary Club of Yass for their support, including the use of their barbecue.

Going off the grid for ShelterBox

Our president, Mitra, got her first taste of camping – and it was for a worthy cause!

Mitra was among a group of Rotarians who slept under the stars in Boorowa as part of the ShelterBox Australia Off the Grid challenge.

Campers braved the elements to raise money for ShelterBox Australia’s work to provide emergency shelter and other essential items to people displaced by conflict or natural disasters.

Participants included Rotarians from our club, Boorowa Rotary Club and the Rotary Club of Yass as well District Governor Rob Uhl, District Governor elect Robert Shore, and Rotary Community Leader Leigh Robinson. Together, they’ve raised close to $17,000!

Campers shared a barbecue dinner, many laughs and stories around the campfire, before retreating to their swags and tents as they braved the cold. Their efforts were rewarded with a barbecue breakfast Sunday morning, with plans already afoot for next year's event.

Thank you to everyone who supported the challenge, including Boorowa Rotary Club for hosting the event. You can make a donation here: offthegrid.raiselysite.com/donate

A lot going on at the moment

At our 3 September meeting we discussed some recent achievements and updates, as well as an exciting range of upcoming opportunities to volunteer with (or support) our club.

They include:

The Off the Grid challenge on 7-8 September, a sleep-out raising money for ShelterBox Australia. You can make a donation to this very worthy cause here: offthegrid.raiselysite.com/donate
The Owl’s Rugby BBQ on Sunday 15 September, supporting Canberra community sport (and our club).
Our next Bunnings Fyshwick fundraising BBQ on Saturday 21 September.
Volunteering at the Floriade gnome painting on Saturday 5 October, a fun way to be involved in Australia's biggest celebration of spring while helping bring joy to the young and young at heart.

If you're interested in getting involved, please don't hesitate to reach out. See 'contact us' or send us a message via Facebook or Instagram.

Blown away by another great BBQ

We were back at Bunnings Fyshwick on Saturday 24 August, serving up sausage sandwiches and refreshments.

And we were blown away (figuratively and almost literally) by the community's generosity, helping us raise $2010 towards our club's community service activities.

A portion of our funds from this month’s barbecue will be donated to the Men’s Health Education Rural Van (MHERV), a great Rotary initiative supporting men's health in rural NSW.

You can find out more about MHERV here: mherv.com.au

Happy birthday to ... us!

At our 20 August meeting we celebrated our third birthday as a chartered Rotary club (and yes, there was cake!).

We might be three years young but our history as a club goes back much further. You can find out more about the formation of the Canberra Sundowners, from a satellite club to a fully-fledged Rotary club, on our history page.

We also collected period products to donate to Share the Dignity’s August dignity drive. These items will support women, girls and those who menstruate who are experiencing or at risk of domestic violence, homelessness or poverty to access period products when they need them.

You can find out more about Share the Dignity and it's work to end period poverty here: sharethedignity.org.au

Taste of diplomacy at MUNA

High school students from across Australia descended on Canberra over the second weekend in August to get a taste of diplomacy at the 2024 Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA).

MUNA aims to give students a hands-on experience of a UN-style conference at the historic Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, with the aim of increasing international understanding and goodwill. More than 40 students "represented" 15 countries at this year’s event.

Several of our members helped out at MUNA as recorders, adjudicators or runners, to ensure this year’s participants enjoyed a great experience. A few even served as Secretary-General!

Congratulations to the following schools and the countries they represented:

First place: Sweden - MacArthur Anglican School
Second place: New Zealand - Central Coast Steiner School
Third place: Russia - Unity Grammar
Peace prize: Solomon Islands - St Peter’s Anglican College

Thank you to the Rotary Club of Canberra Sunrise for organising MUNA, now in its 25th year!

Supporting the ACT Emergency Services Community Awards

Did you know that Canberra’s Rotary clubs are behind the ACT Emergency Services Community Awards?

The awards acknowledge and celebrate emergency services workers who serve their community above and beyond their day-to-day roles, exemplifying the Rotary motto of “service above self”.

Every day Canberra’s police officers, ambulance paramedics, firefighters and state emergency service personnel are there to protect and care for members of our community. Their work can literally save lives.

This year’s award nominees included a mix of ACT Policing and ACT Emergency Services Agency paid and voluntary members, all with inspiring stories.

Some of our members heard more about their achievements at an awards ceremony on Friday 9 August, including Lynne, who was also involved in this year’s event as a judge.

Congratulations to the 2024 winners, David Tunbridge (ACT Rural Fire Service) and Tammy Bennett (ACT SES), and to all the nominees and finalists.

The awards also support the work of Australian Rotary Health. This year’s beneficiary is a PhD research scholarship investigating mental health among emergency service workers, many of whom are exposed to traumatic events in the line of duty.

You can find out more about the awards, including this year’s 10 nominees, here: www.act.rescawards.org.au

Caring for kids in care

At our 6 August meeting we heard from John Askew and Dennis Ogden of Kids in Care ACT.

Kids in Care ACT raises money to support at-risk children and those living in poverty in Canberra and neighbouring regions of NSW.

This includes the purchase and delivery of Christmas presents and the preparation and circulation of Go Bags.

Go Bags are designed for children, youth and families placed in emergency or foster care — and who often don’t have time to take personal possessions or special belongings with them. The bags contain age-appropriate items, like clothes, toiletries, a book or toy, to make a big transition a little easier.

Thank you John (who is also a fellow Rotarian at the Rotary Club of Jerrabomberra) and Dennis for telling us more about this great initiative - and showing us an example of a Go Bag.

You can find out more about Kids in Care ACT here:

www.kidsincareact.org.au/

Helping families in need with food

We were delighted to support our community partner Community Services #1 with the donation of items to their food pantry.

The CS#1 food pantry supports Canberrans in need with groceries and other household items.

We’re told our donated goods arrived just as existing supplies were beginning to run a little low, with the items expected to help several families in need.

You can find out more about the CS#1 food pantry here:

https://communityservices1.org/the-food-pantry/

Supporting rough sleepers in our community

Some of our members braved the cold on Wednesday evening, 24 July as part of the Vinnies Night Patrol.

Canberra winters are tough for those sleeping rough. The Vinnies Night Patrol is an opportunity to share some food, a warm beverage, clothing and a conversation.

We lead the Night Patrol once a month, stopping off in Queanbeyan and the city – and we’re always looking for new volunteers to join us.

Supporting our SES volunteers

We were honoured to receive a certificate of appreciation at this year’s ACT SES Chief Officer Awards in recognition of our contribution to the Gungahlin SES unit.

The awards ceremony on 22 August recognised and celebrated ACT SES members who have shown outstanding commitment and bravery in their service.

It was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the great work our dedicated SES volunteers carry out in our community.

We look forward to continuing our relationship with the Gungahlin SES unit.

A BBQ for a good cause

Thank you to everyone who braved the cold and stopped by for a sausage sandwich or refreshment at our latest barbecue at Bunnings Fyshwick on Saturday 20 July.

Money raised will support our community service activities, making every purchase a feel-good treat!

First meeting of the new Rotary year

At our first meeting of the new Rotary year on 16 June we discussed a range of upcoming projects and events before enjoying an opportunity to catch-up with our fellow members.

We’re involved in a range of activities over the coming weeks, including (but not limited to):

our next BBQ fundraiser at Bunnings Fyshwick on Saturday 20 July
the Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn night patrol
further supporting Vinnies’ social inclusion program at Oaks Estate
supporting the Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) in Canberra next month

Interested in getting involved? Contact us or consider coming along to our next meeting!

An update on our birthing kits

We have an exciting update on our birthing kits project.

In May, we joined forces with an enthusiastic group of volunteers to pack 3000 birthing kits. So where did they go?

The Birthing Kit Foundation Australia has partnered with a range of organisations to distribute our kits to Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Tanzania and Uganda, where they will support thousands of women to give birth safely.

Thank you again to everyone who volunteered their time to help us pack these life-saving kits. It wouldn’t have been possible without your support!

Meet our new board

With a new Rotary year comes a new group of volunteers ready and raring to lead.

Meet our 2024-25 board members:

President: Mitra Rawan

Secretary and President Elect: Jordan Fallon

Treasurer: Helen Green

Vice President and Community Service Director: Tara Pullen

Foundation Director and International Director: Sam Doyle

Youth Director: Michelle Dare

Club Service and Communication Director: Emma Kelly

Membership Director: Peter Hill

We’re looking forward to another fun, change-making year!

Happy new (Rotary) year!

On Tuesday we marked the beginning of the 2024-25 Rotary year with our annual club changeover dinner.

The event brought together club members, fellow Rotarians and supporters to celebrate and reflect on our achievements over the past 12 months and officially usher in our new board, including our new president Mitra.

The evening was also an opportunity to thank our 2023-24 board, including our immediate past president Tara, for all their hard work.

But that’s not all, folks. We also officially welcomed our newest member, David, and our newest corporate member, Cyconsol – and heard from a range of guest speakers.

We were also honoured to present hardworking club member, Patricia, with Paul Harris Fellow recognition, and presented donations to a range of worthy causes, including Rotary International, Australian Rotary Health, ROMAC Australia & New Zealand, Operation Cleft, Fearless Women and Harvest Hope Africa.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for an enjoyable evening!

Promoting Rotary at Parliament

On Wednesday, 3 July 2024, the Sundowners appeared at the ACT Legislative Assembly public hearing inquiring into unpaid work in Canberra.

It was an opportunity to share the different community service activities our members are involved in, while also discussing ways to promote volunteering.

The Sundowners have a vibrant, diverse and agile membership who are committed to making a positive impact in our community. We hope our participation in the inquiry will inspire others to volunteer their time and become involved in activities that improve Canberra.

Thanks to James Milligan MLA, Suzanne Orr MLA and Laura Nuttall MLA for your thought-provoking questions.

Supporting those sleeping rough

It’s very chilly across Queanbeyan and Canberra during June.

It’s especially tough for those sleeping rough who have to face the harsh conditions of winter.

To provide some support in the form of food, a hot coffee, warm clothes and a friendly conversation, some Sundowners man the Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn Night Patrol.

We are rostered one Wednesday a month where we stop off at Queanbeyan and Civic.

If you are interested in joining us on the Night Patrol, reach out to us. It’s such a worthwhile cause, particularly during these colder months.

Firing up the Bunnings BBQ

Is there anything more Australian than a Bunnings BBQ on a Saturday?

As Canberrans looking to pick-up all their DIY bits and bobs made their way to Fyshwick Bunnings on Saturday, 22 June, members of the Sundowners were on hand to serve up some delicious sausage sangas.

Members were able to show off some of their hidden cooking skills while raising much needed funds.

Planning for 2024-25

The new Rotary year is upon us and a group of Sundowners came together on a chilly Sunday morning to put together a strategy for the coming year as part of our 2024-25 Planning Day.

Members discussed the ways we can continue our good work in the community under the stewardship of Mitra and her incoming Board.

You can be assured we will be focused on a number of service activities that are designed to make a positive contribution to the lives of those who live in Canberra and the broader region.

Submission made to ACT volunteers inquiry

Rotarians right across the globe make a positive and lasting contribution to the communities they serve.

This is no different in the ACT where 15 Rotary Clubs comprised of hundreds of volunteers come together each week to undertake service activities, improve life opportunities of the most vulnerable and make positive change.

The ACT Legislative Assembly’s Standing Committee on Economy and Gender and Economic Equality are currently conducting an inquiry into unpaid work in the ACT.

To assist the Standing Committee to further understand the broad community service opportunities there are in the ACT and how the Sundowners works to implement initiatives that align with the seven overarching missions of Rotary, the Sundowners have provided a submission which can be viewed here.

Doing more for the environment

Our first meeting for June allowed us to be inspired by the very affable Dr Stephen Utick who is the District 9705 Environmental Envoy Team Leader.

Dr Utick’s message was clear and simple - Rotarians have the knowledge, skills and resources to making a lasting and positive impact on the environment.

This message resonated with many Sundowners who have committed countless hours to service projects that improve and beautify our local environment.

The wonderful presentation by Dr Utick has encouraged us to explore other avenues of service in the environment sphere.

We were well and truly inspired to do more. You can play a part too!

Our newest Sundowner

During our second meeting in May we had the great pleasure of welcoming another Sundowner to our fold – Hilary!

Hilary has been an active participant at various Club activities and programs over the past 18 months and we are incredibly excited that he has formally joined us as a Sundowner.

Having previously been a Rotarian in his native Cameroon, Hilary brings plenty of experience of community service to our Club.

We cannot wait to have Hilary on the frontline with us as we strive to make a positive difference in the community we love!

We were also pleased to welcome Hilary’s wife, Vera, who joined with us in celebrating his induction.

Positively Impacting Birthing Outcomes for 3,000 Women

The Can

berra Sundowners, supported by a number of other Rotary clubs, local businesses and friends can proudly claim to have positively impacted the health outcomes for 3,000 mothers and babies through the purchase and packing of 3,000 birthing kits on 4th May. All up about 150 people gave a couple of hours of their time across the day to support this great initiative.

Thousands of women and children around the world die or suffer significant medical issues in child birth in remote areas where medical facilities and practitioners are not readily available. Clean birthing kits give women in remote regions of countries where medical facilities are limited a chance to have a clean and safe birth. They stop infections and the deaths of mothers and babies from these infections, and the inclusion of gloves also restricts the spread of HIV and other STDs. The Birthing Kit Foundation Australia have supplied over 2.7 million clean birth kits to women in remote regions of over 30 countries and trained over 10,000 traditional birth attendants in these communities. Each birthing kit comprises a plastic sheet, a pair of gloves, soap, string and a razor blade, and costs $5. You can find out more here.

The 3,000 birthing kits cost $15,000, which was raised through a great trivia night and the financial support of the Rotary Clubs of Murrumbidgee Canberra, Woden Daybreak, Queanbeyan and Yass, our corporate sponsor Keane Consulting and friends of the club including the following businesses - The Coaching Alliance Group, Cyconsol and RCD Consulting. Thanks also to our partner Community Services #1 for the use of their Griffith Hall for the packing event.

Make a Difference - Pack Birthing Kits

Did you know that April is Rotary’s maternal and child health month?

Nearly 6 million children under the age of five die each year because of malnutrition, poor health care, and inadequate sanitation. That’s why one of Rotary’s key areas of focus is on expanding access to quality care for mothers and their children. Maternal and child health is exactly what we’ll be focusing on over the coming weeks as we prepare for our birthing kit packing day on Saturday 4 May. Please consider joining us to help pack 3000 lifesaving birthing kits to support women in regions without medical facilities or staff to give birth safely.

Each kit costs $5 an

d contains simple items that are designed to help women at home or with limited medical support to deliver their babies safely, with reduced exposure to disease and infection. Find out more about birthing kits here.

Birthing kits trivia night a success

A special thank you to everyone who attended our trivia night on Wednesday 13 March!

Thanks to your generosity, we have raised close to $8000 to purchase and pack birthing kits to help women in developing countries give birth safely.

In early May we will be packing 3000 of these kits – and we need your help!

Registrations are now open to attend one of our birthing kit packing sessions on Saturday, 4 May.

This is the sixth year we’ve supported the Birthing Kit Foundation Australia by purchasing and packing birthing kits.

Each kit costs $5 and includes simple items to help women at home or with limited medical support deliver their babies safely, with reduced exposure to disease and infection.

The Foundation distributes kits to remote regions of the developing world, where they have been proven to save the lives of mothers and their newborns.

WHEN: Saturday, 4 May 2024 (three shifts to choose from).

WHERE: Griffith Hall (next to the Griffith shops) Stuart Street, Griffith.

Rotary and Local Business Networking Evening

Looking for opportunities for furthering the club's interaction with local businesses, the Canberra Sundowners held a Corporate Membership Networking and Information evening on 27 March. We were pleased to welcome our current Corporate member, Keane Consulting and senior representatives from Kayo Consulting, Yellow Edge, Cyconsol and Wisdom Learning along to the Hellenic Club for an informal evening of networking and information sharing. President Tara Pullen provided some background on Rotary and the club. This was followed by Owen Keane outlining some of Keane Consulting's experiences and the value they have seen from corporate membership of the club.

The club looks forward to continuing to explore opportunities to work with these companies to continue and enhance our service to our community.

Any other companies that are interested in extending their community service programs are welcome to contact the club.

Sundowners trivia night

Join us on 13 March for a night of trivia enjoyment and challenge, as well as an opportunity to support the Rotary Club of Canberra Sundowners fundraiser for our annual birthing kit purchase and packing event.

Every birthing kit costs just $5, and we are hoping to be able to purchase and pack around 3,000 kits in May 2024 (after packing 2,000 in 2023!!). Every birthing kit provided improves the birthing outcomes for people without ready access to hospitals and medical facilities.

Hosted by community leader and 2023 King's Birthday honour recipient, Heidi Prowse OAM.

Doors open 6pm. Trivia commences 6.30pm.

Book one or more tickets. Tables of 10. Tickets cost $35 per head and can be purchased here.

Around the club

Club meeting - 1 April

We were delighted to hear from Canberra author and advocate Heidi J Prowse OAM.

Heidi generously shared her reflections on grief, burnout, healing and growth, including moving excerpts from two of her three books. Find out more here.

Club meeting - 15 April

We heard from Penelope and Adelle about their respective experiences with the Rotary District 9705 Youth Exchange Program and Scouts Australia.

Penelope spoke about her once-in-a-lifetime adventure as an exchange student in France, while Adelle shared her experience of attending the recent Scouts’ Australian Jamboree. Find out more here.

Mini MUNA - 29 April

Students from Daramalan College and Merici College put their leadership and public speaking skills to the test at our inaugural mini Model United Nations Assembly (or mini MUNA).

The two teams, representing Israel and Germany respectively, debated a resolution from last year’s national MUNA.

Congratulations to the winning team from Merici College who will be sponsored to attend the national MUNA at Old Parliament House in August. And congratulations to the team from Daramalan College who will also be attending the national MUNA thanks to the Rotary Club of Aurora Gungahlin Canberra.

Special thanks to Jordan, David, Tara, Helen and Bernard for your efforts. Find out more here.

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Supporting our friends at Oaks Estate

Sundays are for supporting friends, right?

On Sunday, 11 February, members teamed with the Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn Community Inclusion Program at Oaks Estate, where we worked with residents to help rejuvenate the communal space with a lick of fresh paint to the outdoor furniture and the assembly of swing seats.

What a wholesome way to spend our weekend! We know the residents will enjoy the new-and-improved space

Supporting companions on the street

We were pleased to end January by joining with members of the Rotary Club of Jerrabomberra in doing our bit to give back to the community we love.

Manning the Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn Night Patrol we made our way to Queanbeyan and Civic where we met with companions on the street, provided some meals, offered clothing and shared meaningful conversations.

We’re rostered on one shift a month where we support those doing it tough. It’s certainly a worthwhile way to spend our Wednesday night!

Penelope's off to France

The Sundowners are back for 2024 and there was no better way to start the year than farewelling our outbound youth exchange student, Penelope.

About to head to France to immerse herself in their culture, Penelope, dropped by our January 16 meeting to be officially presented her youth exchange jacket by President Tara.

Penelope also gave members a short presentation on her expectations and goals for the next 12 months.

The Sundowners cannot wait to hear of all the fun and learning Penelope will experience on her exchange.

We wish you all the best, Penelope, as you begin the opportunity of a lifetime

Overview of the last 6 months of 2023 for the Sundowners

Our first half of the 2023-24 Rotary year has continued to exhibit the primary Canberra Sundowners traits - lots of small and largely hands-on activities with a primary focus on our local Canberra community. Before heading off on a very well earned break, our club finished the year with a bang, which included the following activities:

painting of the outdoor community facilities and picnic tables at Oaks Estate (supporting the Vinnies Community Inclusion Program),
purchase of hundreds of dollars of items for Community Services #1 Christmas hampers,
purchase of $1,500 of Christmas goodies and packing of these into Christmas hampers for Oaks Estate residents (supporting the Vinnies Community Inclusion Program) - thanks to Keane Consulting and the Rotary Club of Jerrabomberra for financial contributions,
providing people to support the Community Services #1 Christmas Party,
purchase of 2 defibrillators to be installed at Community Services #1 premises in the new year, and
providing the people power for the Vinnies Night Van (Sundowners staff this van one night every month).

Not b

ad for a small, young Rotary Club! Please contact us if you are interested in learning more about how we make a difference in our community and have fun doing so.

IFFR visits Canberra Sundowners

On Saturday, 18 November 2023, the Sundowners were pleased to host the International Fellowship of Flying Rotarians (Australian Section) at a dinner to mark their visit to Canberra.

The IFFR are a group of Rotarians dedicated to promoting Rotary and aviation as an opportunity for fellowship and service and they certainly demonstrated their capacity to do this during the dinner.

We were privileged to have the 2024 ACT Young Australian of the Year, Caitlin Figueiredo, as our guest speaker where she detailed her considerable attempts to give young people a say in politics. It was inspiring to hear from Caitlin firsthand and it made us appreciate the talent that we have in our own backyard.

Special recognition must be given to one of our own – Lynne Duckham OAM – who was responsible for organising the IFFR visit.

Emma joins the Sundowners

The Sundowners were pleased to welcome Emma Kelly as the newest member to our growing tribe at our first meeting for November.

Emma has been a constant presence at our Club activities and social events over recent months and has thrown herself into serving our local community.

Having previously been an active member of Rotaract, Emma is a wonderful addition to our team.

We are always pleased to welcome new members who are passionate about making a difference in the communities they live and work.

End Polio Now fundraiser

In the lead-up to World Polio Day, members came together on a sunny Saturday to raise funds for the End Polio Now campaign by cooking up a storm on the BBQ at Bunnings Fyshwick.

Many customers were interested in hearing of Rotary International’s ongoing efforts to eradicate polio. Our team were worked off their feet and raised just under $2,000 for the End Polio campaign - what a great effort. Of course we also thank Bunnings for the wonderful opportunities from community groups like ours to raise much needed funds to support our service through the BBQs.

With only 7 reported wild cases in 2023 so far, Rotary’s work in ending polio is tracking well. The funds raised from our BBQ will assist those on the ground providing vaccinations to some of the most vulnerable.

Floriade gnomes flourish again in 2023

It is widely agreed that the biggest celebration of Spring is Canberra’s Floriade and members were out in force during this year’s festival to support the Gnome Painting Competition.

With very favourable weather conditions, members of the Sundowners helped support budding artists on Saturday, 7 October.

Tasked with selling gnomes, distributing paint and brushes and assisting in applying lacquer to ensure each gnome’s longevity, members had a very fulfilling and engaging day.

Profits raised throughout the Competition are used to support Rotary’s local community service activities and for international humanitarian assistance purposes.

Roger Eichler inspires during Mental Health Month

To mark Mental Health Month, the first meeting of October was set aside for members to think about our mental health and wellbeing, regardless of whether we may have a lived experience of mental illness or not.

We were honoured to welcome local Rotarian and author, Roger Eichler, and his wife, Libby Eichler, who spoke of his journey living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A long-serving member of the NSW Police Force, Roger’s experiences across his career serving in rural communities tells many stories, including those entwined with the personal impact on a country cop and his family.

Fires, floods, flies, dust storms and blizzards, Roger’s experiences are tragic, heartfelt, and at times humorous, but tell a story of the impact of serving to protect.

Roger’s book The Price of Protecting Others is a moving account of his journey and provided those in attendance with a greater insight into what living with PTSD is like.

Funds were also raised during the meeting for Australian Rotary Health.

Area 5 Governor Gary Davis Visits

The first meeting for September was interesting with our guest speaker being Area 5 Governor, Gary Davis, who provided an overview of his role and responsibilities as he supports our Club throughout this Rotary year.

Gary joined the Rotary Club of Woden Daybreak in 2018, served as Club President during 2021-2022 and succeeded our own Lynne Duckham OAM as AG at the beginning of this Rotary year.

Gary is also Chair of the District 9705 Conference Committee which will be held at Queanbeyan between 20-22 October 2023. Gary and his Committee have been able to secure a variety of inspiring and thought-provoking speakers and many Sundowners are gearing up to cross over the border to attend the Conference.

Supporting the 2023 CareersXpo

Sundowners supported other Rotarians from District 9705 who volunteered at this year’s Canberra CareersXpo in early August. Our members mainly provided hospitality in the Exhibitors’ Lounge.

The CareersXpo is an annual event conducted in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Aurora Gungahlin and the ACT Government, which seeks to provide career guidance and advice on career opportunities to secondary students throughout the ACT and surrounding NSW schools network.

This year’s CareersXpo was held at EPIC over two days on 9 & 10 August and featured around 150 local and national exhibitors, including universities, colleges, and career placement organisations, as well as government departments, the police, the defence force recruitment branch, training institutions and employers.

Approximately 8,000 secondary students from schools in the ACT and the surrounding region, including students from as far afield as Mallacoota in Victoria, attended the two day event.

Surplus proceeds from site fees and sponsorship are applied to the benefit of local youth and vocational projects conducted by the Rotary Club of Aurora Gungahlin and a small portion of the proceeds will come to Sundowners in acknowledgement of the contribution of our volunteers. This will be assist in the delivery of service projects throughout the Rotary year.

Official District Governor Visit

The Sundowners were pleased to welcome District 9705 Governor, Andrea Grosvenor, to our Club meeting on 15 August.

Andrea has just commenced her long journey of visiting all the clubs in the District. She outlined some of the Rotary International focus areas for the year and also those of our District. It was a good opportunity to hear some of the wonderful initiatives being undertaken across Rotary and the District.

12,000+ People of Action Meet

Six Canberra Sundowners joined over 12,000 People of Action from over 200 countries (also known as Rotarians) meeting at the annual Rotary International Convention in Melbourne from 27-31 May. Each day of the convention includes plenary sessions from great motivating speakers, mainly from community service backgrounds speaking about plans and projects, and a myriad of breakout sessions. Breakout sessions cover a variety of subjects on Rotary trends, projects, challenges, fellowship groups and more.

Birthing Kit Packing Weekend a Huge Success

Our birthing kit packing weekend over 29 and 30 April was a resounding success across many spectrums. We had over 100 people join us for 2 hour packing sessions across the weekend, including Rotarians, local politicians, staff from our primary event sponsors - Keane Consulting, RCD Consulting and The Coaching Alliance Group - friends, family and also some who joined us on spec after seeing the event in print and social media advertising. The organising team ran a very well organised event, with great focus on keeping the production lines running.

Still Time to Join Us - Birthing Kit Packing Event 29/30 April

There is still time to register for our birthing kit packing event next weekend - 29 and 30 April at Legacy House, Geils St, Deakin. There are 2 two and a half hour sessions each day, at 9.30am and 1pm.

More information and online registration is available at https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1023583.

If you'd like to hear President Sam Doyle providing more information on the birthing kit packing event or on the Canberra Sundowners Rotary Club - check out this ABC Radio clip from today - https://www.abc.net.au/canberra/programs/sundaybrunch/rotary-birthing-packs/102257610.

Sundowners Support Coppins Crossing Tree Planting

Some of our members spent the morning of 1st April at the Rotary Club of Canberra Sunrise Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Tree Planting Program! The activity was based on a government grant for the Rotary Club of Canberra Sunrise. The participants managed to plant over 200 native tree seedlings during the session. Another session is expected in the coming month to complete the job.

Sundowners Support Clean Up Australia Day

As we do every year, a small number of Sundowners joined the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association Canberra in a Clean Up Australia Day activity at the top of Mount Ainslie. The Amaroo Scout Group also joined the clean up. Those involved found it very satisfying to make a positive difference to the environment in one small area of Canberra.

Sundowners Aim High for Birthing Kits

The Canberra Sundowners have been running birthing kit packing events for about 5 years, well before we chartered as a club in 2021. It has been a regular annual event, and one that brings club members, friends and supporters together for a fun and productive day of service. Last year we packed 900 birthing kits, which were despatched to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Ghana, South Sudan and more locally, to PNG. This year we are working to achieve funding and sponsorship to allow more than double last year's figure with 2,000 birthing kits to be packed. If you would like to donate to help achieve this target, you can do so here.

The birthing kits comprise everything required for a woman to give birth in remote situations where she is not able to get to hospital or medical facilities. Believe it or not, this is still the case for many women in many parts of the world every year. The individual elements of each kit cost $5 for each kits worth, and we join with many other groups to pack the kits for Birthing Kits Foundation Australia (BKA) to despatch. Read more about BKA here: https://www.bkfa.org.au/.

Sundowners Supporting Canberra Homeless

Since Sept

ember 2022, members of the Sundowners have signed on with the Vinnies Night Patrol to provide food, hot drinks and other support to Canberra's homeless on the fourth Wednesday evening of each month. Our members have found this to be a very satisfying activity that can make a real difference in many ways. While a basic meal and hot or cold drink meet the physical needs of our 'companions', the Night Patrol team also provide sleeping bags, clothing and shoes, and most importantly, companionship and a chat.

This month with a couple of our volunteers away/unavailable, we needed some assistance from Vinnies staff. Thanks to our club friend Lesley for your regular and continued support. We do need a few more people to finish training and undertake some shifts so that we can guarantee Sundowners helping with this vital service once every month.

Looking Back

2023 is upon us, and having reached half way through the Rotary year it is worth taking a moment to check how we are travelling. And it is a good news story - the Sundowners continue to grow and serve the community in even more ways, all while having fun with a great bunch of people. Here's a quick snapshot of the Canberra Sundowners' last 6 months:

Social - great activities including ten pin bowling, dinner at Snappers and networking at club meetings,

Fundraising - three Bunnings BBQs, Floriade gnomes and Careers Expo, raising over $6,000 to support our service to the community,

Bringing Some Christmas Joy

It was great to see the culmination of about a month's planning and shopping come together with ten members and friends packing 80 Christmas hampers brim full of goodies and the following day (10th December), with six members and friends delivering the hampers to residents at Oaks Estate. It was very satisfying to hear the thankful comments of many of the residents.

Continuing Our Support of Community Service #1's Great Work

Our club has supported CS#1's activities in a number of ways over the last few years, and with two additional activities in November.

With great weather, great entertainment and a good crowd on hand, members thoroughly enjoyed assisting the CS#1 Family Fun Day in a range of capacities, including staffing the cake stall, cooking and selling sausages, MC'ing the event and much more. The club also provided financial support, primarily to cover the cost of signs for the event.

Rotary Conferences Aplenty

There is nothing like a Rotary Conference for bringing great people and great ideas together. For Canberra Rotarians there have been two substantial conferences over the last two weekends.

Community Service Planning Night a Success

Our recent community service planning session had a real vibe and provided an opportunity for members to have a say and to shape this critical area of Rotary service. Discussions focussed on the next 12 months, with a couple of longer term options for consideration. The outcomes will be discussed at our next club meeting so that other members' ideas can also be incorporated. Some of the activities with strong support from the meeting include:

packing Birthing Kits (as we have done for a number of years now),
continuing to support Vinnies Community Inclusion Program at Oaks Estate, and
supporting our new endeavour operating the Vinnies Night Patrol Van once per month.

We also have a number of environmental activities including tree planting and Clean Up Australia activities planned.

There is something in our program to meet everyone's service passions. If you would like to more about how to impact your community and have fun, please join us for a meeting and check us out.

Busy Start to the New Rotary Year

The Canberra Sundowners have started the new Rotary year with a range of fun activities and service events. These have included two Bunnings BBQs in July, and a suite of service activities in August:

supporting the running of the Canberra Careers Expo,
supporting the Rotary Club of Canberra Sunrise in their running of the Model United Nations Assembly, a great UN Assembly-style debate for Year 10-12 students, and
another outdoor painting bee in community areas and fencing supporting Vinnies Community Inclusion program at Oaks Estate.

A Great Rotary Year

It was great to look back at the wonderful year that the club had in 21-22 under President Sam Saunders. Sam had a tremendously productive year as President, and even found time to give birth to Millie early on in the year.

Sam paid tribute to her Board for the year, who have supported her and worked behind the scenes to ensure the club was able to charter and to set some great foundations. The outgoing Board included President Elect Sam Doyle, Secretary Tara Pullen, Treasurer Patricia McDonell, Membership Director Peter Hill, Immediate Past President Emma McVeigh and Community Services Director Kate Wiencke.

Oaks Estate Community Area Painting

What a great service activity on 28th May, painting BBQ tables, fencing and seating in a communal area between buildings at Oaks Estate. This supports work by Ben and the Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn Community Inclusion Program (https://www.vinnies.org.au/.../Community_Inclusion_Program/) on-site team working to give residents a better communal environment and helping to build social cohesion. We enjoyed meeting some residents and having a number take up brushes and work alongside us. Thanks to Bunnings Canberra Airport for donating paint, brushes and rollers for the activity, and to members and friends for their efforts today.

Join Us Packing Birthing Kits

With the items for 900 birthing kits now in hand, we still have spots available for our birthing kit packing event on the 15th of May at Legacy House in Deakin. We are running two shifts, commencing at 9.30am and 1.30pm.

Full details are provided on the Trybooking site. Sign up to join us with birthing kit packing or to make a donation at: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/890058

Birthing Kit Packing Event a Huge Success

The Canberra Sundowners held our birthing kit packing event on Sunday the 15th of May. This is the fourth year the club has supported this great cause, with each year being bigger and better than the last.

This year we had about 45 Rotarians, members of our corporate sponsor, Keane Consulting (https://www.keane.com.au/) and friends and family join together in two 3 hour shifts to pack the basic items needed to give birth for women who are not able to get to a hospital or medical facility into birthing kits. Each kit comprises a plastic sheet, 3 pieces of string, soap, a pair of gloves, a scalpel and much love.

Social Event

It's not all hard work volunteering in Rotary. We like to have a lot of fun in meetings and social events as well. Our social event for April was tasting French wine and produce and learning about French wines and wine regions at French Flair in Manuka.

If you are needing to top up your glass or cellar, French Flair is well worth checking out for great quality and variety in French wines. https://www.frenchflair.com.au/ Thanks for hosting us Christophe and Nicole! French Flair Food and Wine

Club Meeting 15 March 2022

We had a good rollup for the meeting including a number of guests. Patricia provided the toast to the Rotary Clubs of the Ukraine in support of their role in a very uncertain environment.

The Sundowners welcomed Rotarians Against Malaria (RAM) District 9705 lead Bill Wattam as our guest speaker. Bill spoke to the club about the history of RAM and it’s current efforts in leading the fight against Malaria, particularly in our pacific region.

The primary focus of RAM has been the distribution of insecticide-treated nets to vulnerable populations in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and more recently, Timor Leste.

RAM has raised more than $1.6 million to eliminate malaria since 2003. RAM works in conjunction with the Ministry of Health authorities in each country and complements the work of other malaria organisations, most notably the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Bill was able to bring along one the insecticide-treated nets and explained the difficulties getting people to sleep under the nets and not having open pools of water near homes and villages.

It was a fantastic presentation and many members of our club have worked with Rotary and other organisations in the pacific were able to give further insights. Watch this space for our club to get further involved.

Owen Keane (Keane Consulting's) Champion of Change Award

We are very proud to hear that Owen Keane, Director of the Sundowners corporate sponsor, Keane Consulting, has been named 'Champion of Change' by WIC (Women in Information and Communication) ACT! Congratulations Owen for such great leadership.

Keane Consulting has also announced the winner of their annual NextGen ICT award to support a Year 12 female in ICT related studies. Read about it here. https://www.keane.com.au/nextgen-ict-prize.html

We Sundowners also cherish Keane Consulting's support to the community through organisations such as ours. Not only a great supporter but also engaged in our community service activities.

Clean Up Australia - Mount Ainslie

As in past years we joined Ahmed & friends from @Ahmadiyahmuslimcommunity at their Clean Up Australia Day event, held on 6th March. The Ahmadi's ethos is around peace: "Love all, hate none" which seems timeless.

Charter Celebration A Great Success

The Canber

ra Sundowners finally got to formally celebrate our recent chartering as a Rotary Club with over 80 Rotarians, family and friends. It was a wonderful evening, with great memories of our path to chartering, some amazing silent auction items and raffle prizes and much more.

Gungahlin Street Library Launched

The Sundowners launched our second street library last weekend - this one in Tea Gardens in Gungahlin. It was the culmination of a great deal of effort by a number of people, including our resident artist extraordinaire - Ash, who created a marvellous forest landscape on all sides of the library.

It was great to have a number of members, joined by Peter and Ralitsa from the Gungahlin Community Council come together for the launch.

Charter Celebration - Ticket Sales Close 21 February

There is still time to join us for the celebration of the chartering of the Sundowners. Ticket sales will close on Monday 21st February, so if you are still thinking about coming along, please book soon. We have just under 70 people booked in as at 12 February.

The event will take place at the National Press Club, from 6.30pm till late on Friday 25th of February 2022 . Tickets are $70 per head, and cover a two course meal and a night of fun, along with a look back at the Sundowners road to chartering. Tickets are available here.

Our charter team has worked closely with the Press Club to ensure this event is as Covid safe as possible and have reduced room and table capacity beyond the approved limits.

Contact us at canberrasundowners@gmail.com if you have any questions. Also contact us through this email address if you cannot make it but would like to donate to the club's service activities.

Meet our new member James

This month the spotlight is on one of our newest members, James Patterson. James has been around the club for a couple of months now. Great to have you on board James.

Join Us for the Sundowner Charter Event

There is arguably no more exciting event in Rotary club life than the club charter celebration. The Canberra Sundowners officially chartered in August 2021, but have had to defer our charter celebrations until February 25th.

Sundowners Off and Running for 2022

Our first meeting for 2022 was a busy affair. With a hybrid face-to-face and online meeting format, we had 20 members and friends in attendance.

Around The Club

Membership Fees

All members should have received an invoice for their Rotary fees for the period July to December. If you have not received an invoice it might be in your 'spam' folder. If you cannot locate it, please contact Treasurer Patricia at patriciamcdonell2003@yahoo.com.au. It would be great if all fees can be paid by mid September.

Where's Pip Off To?

Pip is preparing to leave for a posting in in Taiwan, departing on 2 September. Pip has provided the club with great service in many areas over the life of the club, most recently as our hard working Secretary and organiser of online Tupperware events. Pip is continuing her membership at this time. We wish Pip safe travels and a wonderful posting.

Sundowners origins Quiz

Well now that we have chartered, it is a good time to look back at our club's origins. Here is a quiz for you - probably easier for those of you that have been around since inception, but some good background for everyone:

1. What was the initial driver for the formation of the Sundowners?

2. In what year did the Canberra Sundowners become a satellite club of the Rotary Club of Canberra Sunrise? 2015, 2016 or 2017??

3. Who was the first Chair of the Sundowners? Claire Scott, Tara Pullen or Gus McBride?

4. What Mecano-like construction service activity did the Sundowners undertake to support people who had lost a body part?

5. How many members did the Sundowners have on 1 July 2020?

6. How many members in the Sundowners as at 26 August 2021?

Welcome

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Canberra Sundowners

Are you interested in making positive changes in your community and the world?

The Canberra Sundowners are a vibrant and diverse group of people working to make a difference in Canberra and around the world. We enjoy getting into the community and volunteering our time for worthy causes.

Service Activities

Supporting Community Services #1 Christmas Food Hampers

We recently collected donations of goodies for Christmas food hampers for our partner Community Services #1, who do a great job supporting those less fortunate in our community. Demand for their services is very high this year, and we are working hard to make a difference.

Lid sorting event for Lids4Kids. In October we held a day long event sorting lids. Lids4Kids Australia is a grass-roots 100% volunteer project which rescues plastic bottle lids from landfill to benefit the environment and repurposes them into sustainable recycled plastic products to benefit kids. More information on Lids4Kids is available at https://www.facebook.com/Lids4KidsAU/.

Helping Restocking of Community Services #1 Food Pantry

After receiving advice from Community Services #1 that their food pantry was in very high demand resulting from a range of factors including the ACT lockdown and in need of additional supplies. It has been great to be able to mobilise our team very quickly to support those in need in our community.

Meeting Venue Options Review

A small team has been established to consider alternative venue options to the Canberra Club for our meetings. Please contact Jason or Sam Doyle if you would like to provide input to these considerations.

Community Service Events Overview

We are planning another impactful year in our community. Some of our planned community service events into 2022 are outlined below:

Sundowners Charter Celebrations Confirmed

We are very pleased to have achieved our chartered Rotary Club status on the 20th of August 2021. This means we are no longer a satellite club of the Rotary Club of Canberra Sunrise and are now an independent Rotary Club. Chartering culminated a flurry of activities by our hard working Charter Committee - thanks team.

Our Charter Celebration Committee have also been working hard to set up a charter celebration party to be remembered. We were ready to launch the event when Canberra went into lockdown.

The event has been rescheduled to the evening of Friday 25th of February 2022 at the National Press Club, from 6.30pm till late. Tickets are $70 per head, and cover a two course meal and a night of fun, along with a look back at the Sundowners road to chartering. Tickets are available here. We are sure it will be a night to remember.

Invitations have been sent out to Canberra Rotary Clubs and some of our friends and key supporters. Anyone with a love for Rotary and community service is welcome to join us.

Community service and fundraising

Recent activities

Supporting an Eggcellent Easter - 13 March

We partnered with our friends at Community Services #1 to ensure a sweet treat in the lead up to Easter, donating chocolate eggs for local families as part of CS#1's Community Easter Lunch!

Two big BBQs - 12 April + 20 April

We were pleased to crew the BBQ at the Canberra Grammar School Rugby Union Gala Day -- and what a turnout!

Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time behind the BBQ. Thanks to your efforts, we raised more than $3700!

In what was a busy month, we also returned to Bunnings Fyshwick on Easter Sunday, serving up more sausage sandwiches to passersby.

A BIG thank you to everyone who volunteered their time on a special public holiday to help us raise more than $1000.

Vinnies Night Patrol - 23 April

We continue to support the Vinnies Night Patrol once a month and April was no exception. This month Ash joined friends of the club, Alma and Suzanne, to support some of those in our community doing it tough with food, beverages, other essential items and, importantly, a chat.

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Rotary district and wider news

You can find the latest District 9705 Newsletter here.

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Chartering Update

Our chartering committee has continued to work hard behind the scenes. At this stage it appears possible that we may be chartered sometime in August, although there are still a few uncertainties. A few of the things that we have been progressing include:

Planning For a Big Rotary Year Ahead

The Sundowners kicked off the new Rotary year with two planning sessions. The first addressed club meetings, membership, venue and a number of other matters Chair Sam Saunders led members through a fruitful discussion on what has worked well to date and areas that we can tweak to improve going forward.

There were plenty of ideas put forward and a number of decisions made, including facilitating virtual attendance at meetings going forward (probably using Microsoft Teams) and initiating a review of venue alternatives for our meetings.

Rotary’s Response to the 1918 Flu Pandemic

An estimated 500 million people worldwide became infected. Many cities closed theaters and cinemas, and placed restrictions on public gatherings. Rotary clubs adjusted their activities while also helping the sick.

This is how Rotary responded to the influenza pandemic that began in 1918 and came in three waves, lasting more than a year.

The Rotary Club of Berkeley, California, USA, meets in John Hinkel Park during the 1918 flu pandemic.

Photo by Edwin J. McCullagh, 1931-32 club president. Courtesy of the Rotary Club of Berkeley.

Rotary at the Start of the United Nations

Rotary and the United Nations have a shared history of working toward peace and addressing humanitarian issues around the world.

During World War II, Rotary informed and educated members about the formation of the United Nations and the importance of planning for peace. Materials such as the booklet “From Here On!” and articles in The Rotarian helped members understand the UN before it was formally established and follow its work after its charter.

Many countries were fighting the war when the term “United Nations” was first used officially in the 1942 “Declaration by United Nations.” The 26 nations that signed it pledged to uphold the ideals expressed by the United States and the United Kingdom the previous year of the common principles “on which they based their hopes for a better future for the world.”

History of Women in Rotary

Women are active participants in Rotary, serving their communities in increasing numbers and serving in leadership positions in Rotary. The 1989 Council on Legislation vote to admit women into Rotary clubs worldwide remains a watershed moment in the history of Rotary.

“My fellow delegates, I would like to remind you that the world of 1989 is very different to the world of 1905. I sincerely believe that Rotary has to adapt itself to a changing world,” said Frank J. Devlyn, who would go on to become RI president in 2000-01.

The vote followed the decades-long efforts of men and women from all over the Rotary world to allow the admission of women into Rotary clubs, and several close votes at previous Council meetings.

Young Inventor Eco-Friendly Bricks Come Full Circle

Every hero has an origin story. “I was 10 years old when the entire journey started,” explains Binish Desai. It began with a cartoon called Captain Planet, an animated TV series from the 1990s about an environmentalist with superpowers. Desai can still recite the show’s refrain: Captain Planet, he’s our hero / Gonna take pollution down to zero! “That tagline stuck in my mind,” he says. “I wanted to do something to help Captain Planet.”

First Club in Philippines Opens Door to Rotary in Asia

In early 1919, Rotarian Roger Pinneo of Seattle, Washington, USA, traveled to the Philippines to try to organize a Rotary club in Manila. Leon J. Lambert, a Manila business leader helped Pinneo establish the club. Several months later, on 1 June 1919, the Rotary Club of Manila was chartered and became the first Rotary club in Asia.

The club would be the only one in the country for more than 12 years. Eventually, Manila club members organized Rotary clubs in the Philippine cities of Cebu (1932) and Iloilo (1933). Iloilo club members then started a club in Bacolod (1937), and Rotary continued to expand across the country.

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Canberra Sundowners

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