John Chaplin Memorial Scholarship Recipient Chelsea Marques (centre) with Kaitlyn Lieschke (left), Granddaughter of John Chaplin and Ally Finch (right), Philanthropy and Impact Specialist University of Wollongong
Presidents Message
Chelsea Marques, The 2026/27 UOW/RCWW John Chaplin Memorial Scholarship recipient.
Not only one of the club’s “special nights”, but I’d wager it was one of our best ever.
From the table arrangement, to the formal-casual (such a thing?) atmosphere, the interaction between all present, to the recipient’s own presentation, these were all the culmination of lot of input by member Michael and UOW’s Philanthropy and Impact Specialists, Ally and Shaye.
Phil gave a brief but informative outline of additions to Clubrunner that I shall ask him to re-present in more detail soon. From the overview the new info available will benefit us all.
Not to be out-done, Sgt. Patrick received muchmore applause than groans for his closing Witticism. (What a first !!)
Last Week’s Meeting Minutes:Scribe – Dennis Simpson
Sgt Patrick opened the meeting and asked President Bob to formally welcome our visitors and guests:
Visiting Rotarian Diane Savill from RC of Albany WA, a friend of Annette.
Official Guests: - Chelsea Marques who is our John Chaplin Scholarship awardee. - Kaitlyn Lieschke, granddaughter of John Chaplin. - Ally Finch, Philanthropy and Impact Specialist UOW
Dinner was served but not before PP Phil doused the table with a full glass of red narrowly missing Ray, damn it!
Internation Toast delivered by John Erickson to Norway in recognition of the passing of King Harald, thank you John.
The Reflection was delivered by Dennis who rambled on about a book that he’d read about a villain and a hero, one trying to destroy humanity as we know it and the other trying to save it. He likened it to ‘AI’,,,, will ‘AI’ save the world or destroy it.
Phil spoke on the Race Day as well as the upcoming BBQ where we still need a couple of volunteers. Phil also showed the new Annual Report structure and where we can all access it in Club Runner. (Click Here to View It)
Ray Lee, in his role as Chief Bee-Keeper mentioned that our donated hive at the Lake Heights Public School is thriving which is great news.
Michael Crowley formally introduced our guests and gave everyone an insight to the origin of The John Chaplin Memorial Scholarship and also a background on John himself, highlighting John’s contribution to Rotary at Club level and at district level. Outside of Rotary John was Chief Lawyer for BHP, an OAM in 1995, Foundation member of The Flagstaff Group, The Cram Foundation, and many other organizations. John was heavily involved in Archery as a competitor and judge at all levels including the Olympics.
Kaitlyn presented Chelsea Marques with the official John Chaplin Memorial Scholarship Certificates.
Ally Finch sincerely thanked our Club for the ongoing commitment to assisting the students at the UOW and we could all see how much it means to them when she became quite emotional in her address, thank you Ally.
Chelsea Marques addressed the Club mentioning how important it is to her to receive the scholarship. Chelsea is in her third year of studying Psychology at UOW and she is a very busy young lady. Outside of Uni she loves playing the piano, drawing and going to the beach. Her connection to community work was inspired by attending the opening of McCabe Park with Mayor Bradbury and the experience has never left her. She realized at a young age that she loved ‘service’ being her mum’s translator for appointments of all sorts making her life easier. In high school Chelsea helped run a program called BIG BRAVE BUGS at the Wollongong Botanical Gardens during the summer of 2020. She loves working with children, helping them develop new skills and interests. Chelsea also helped run an R U OK program at St. Marys putting together self-care bags for the students and the finished of high school as a teacher's aide at Wollongong Public School. Chelsea is also involved with The Lighthouse Church helping kids get through their lives. As well as doing her degree she is currently working two jobs, one at a pharmacy during the week and the second is at an after-school day care program.
Her long-term goal is to become a Clinical Psychologist mainly working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and in Applied Behaviour Analysis Therapy.
Chelsea was thanked by Michael and answered many questions from the members. Well done Chelsea you’re a wonderful recipient of our John Chaplin Memorial Scholarship.
Raffle Winners were Diane Savill from WA and Albert Cachia (pictured below).
President Bob thanked everyone for coming, in particular Chelsea, Kaitlyn and Ally as well as our visitor Diane.
President Bob also commended Michael Crowley for all the work he put in for tonight and the overall organising of The Scholarships.
The generous support of The Charles Hotel and it's Amazing Patrons enable us to fund-raise, via our Thursday Night Jag the Joker and Friday Night Meat Raffles, in support of various local, national and international charitable organisations much in need of funding for their various community programs.
The IMB Bank Community Foundation
Monetary Grants from the IMB Bank Community Foundation allow us to conduct the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA) program throughout the year at Kembla Grange Racecourse.
Aimed at students in years 10-12, students attend 6 sessions focusing on the various areas of Road Safety.
The IMB Bank Community Foundation helps build better, brighter communities.
Bunnings Warehouse - Kembla Grange
The generous support of the Bunnings Warehouse - Kembla Grange BBQ Program allows us to fund-raise in support of various local, national and international charitable organisations much in need of funding for their various community programs.
In addition, Bunnings donate equipment and vouchers in support of our other fund-raising initiatives.
