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Rotary Club of West Wollongong Inc.
(ABN 32 681 953 565)
District 9675
Chartered 23 March 1964
Club Bulletin 25 February 2026
February is Rotary's
Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Month
Congratulations to our very active Friend of Rotary Di Reid. A well deserved award.
 
President's Message
 
Even though a short meeting last week there is a fair amount to report to all members this week.
 
Firstly, after trialling a different meeting format on 11 February, members have elected to return to our original meeting format for the present time.
 
At the February Board Meeting, the board has approved, or is in on-going discussion of, the following items.
  • We will look at ways at earning better interest on accumulated club funds.
  • We will approach Centro on better meal options for members.
  • Due to our PhD Scholar withdrawing from his research project we discussed what to do with the available funds.
    - The John Chaplin Memorial Scholarship will be increased to $5,000 per year.
    - We will commit to an ARH Indigenous Health Scholarship this year.
    - We will not pursue another PhD Scholarship for the time being.
  • We are looking to sponsor a RAWCS project in the Australia Pacific / Southern Asia region. More details to come as we collect information.
  • We have proposed 2 dates to Wollongong City Council for our stand at the Friday Farmer's Markets in Wollongong Mall. 
At the D9675 President's meeting on Thursday Night:
  • Rotary Community Leader (RCL) nominations are open for our Rotary Community Group (RCG) from 2 - 23 March 2026.
  • Under the Rezoning & Redistricting plan, due for implementation 1 July 2028, the current four NSW Districts are likely to combine into one District.
  • Our incoming DG Shane Burette is available for DG visits to clubs if invited.
  • RYLA was undersubscribed in January this year, resulting in a loss.
  • ROMAC's Lei Day is set down for May 2026.
  • RYPEN will be held at Cobbitty on 1-3 May 2026 and 28-30 August 2026.
  • Lift The Lid walk (Camden Rotary) is being held on 1 March at Camden.
  • Camp Abilities presentation and project of Dapto Rotary, a multi-day Summer Camp for kids with disabilities with adaptive sports and activities, will be held at the RYLA site. Hoping it will become a continuing Rotary Youth Project similar to RYLA. Waiting on the date for the first camp.
This week's guest speaker is Paul Erickson (you may know his father) on the topic Understanding Artificial Intelligence. A topic that should prove to be both interesting and enlightening, given the pace of change in this area.
 
I look forward to seeing you all there.
 
Cheers,
President Phil
 
Guest Speakers
Mar 11, 2026
Information & Services available from Wollongong City Libraries
Mar 25, 2026
Illawarra Multicultural Service
View entire list
 
Last Week’s Meeting Minutes: Scribe – Dennis Simpson
 
Meeting commenced at 6.15 after a pleasant gathering in the courtyard where a
complimentary glass of wine was enjoyed.

Meeting commenced with Jim rattling the glassware to attract the attention of the rabble and invited President Phil to present his opening remarks: “ENJOY YOUR MEAL”, the Presidential reply.

Dinner was served !!!!! A VEGEE STACK, it was nice to see that most enjoyed it.

REFLECTION: Dennis reflected on the wonders of growing old and how much time it allows to do very little, inspirational.

INTERNATIONAL TOAST: Ray proposed a toast to The Rotary Club of Moose Jaw,
Saskatchewan Canada. Thank you Ray.

Dennis reported that the raffles at the Charles last week were dismal, let’s hope for better this week.
 
                           
PRESIDENT PHIL: The meeting structure that was trialled last week was discussed and after several of our members spoke about the changes it was put to a vote and the decision was made to keep it the way we have been doing it.

President Phil announced that there were 6 potential Race Day beneficiaries tabled so far with maybe a couple more to come in for discussion.

There has been an update on the changes to the registration for the District Conference, we all got the Email so please read.

Presidents’ Meeting is on this Thursday, and the members were asked if there was anything for him to mention, Michael suggested the ARH Scholarship Program.
 
      
 
RAFFLE WINNERS: Raffle conducted by Noel and the winners were President Phil and Annette. Congratulations to you both, enjoy.

Rosters were announced and the meeting closed at 7pm, Board meeting to follow.
 
RECENT HAPPENINGS
THE JOKER LIVES ON
 
       
 
 
        
Arthur enjoying a visit with Rose, Di Reid and a Chocolate
                 
 
 
 
Enjoying pre-dinner drinks
 
Upcoming Events
Bunnings BBQ
Bunnings Kembla Grange
Mar 09, 2026
7:00 am – 4:30 pm
 
RCWW Club Meeting 33 - Guest Speaker
Centro CBD
Mar 11, 2026
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
 
Joker Draw - Team 5
The Charles Hotel
Mar 12, 2026
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
 
Meat Raffle - Team 3
The Charles Hotel
Mar 13, 2026
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
 
D9675 Conference 2026
Novotel Brighton-Le-Sands
Mar 14, 2026
7:30 am – 11:59 pm
 
RCWW Club Meeting 34 - Pre-Dinner Drinks
Centro CBD
Mar 18, 2026
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
 
Board Meeting
Centro CBD
Mar 18, 2026
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
 
Joker Draw - Team 1
The Charles Hotel
Mar 19, 2026
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
 
View entire list
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Bob Ridley
March 6
 
Spouse/Partner Birthdays
Jean Potter
March 5
 
Peter Phillips
March 17
 
Krystyna Dunn
March 31
 
Lynne Simpson
March 31
 
 
A Few Handy Links
 
Thank You to Our Generous Supporters
The Charles Hotel
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.
Bulletin Editor
Kate Thomas
Rotary Club of West Wollongong                                                             Bulletin