On top of a well-attended pre-dinner drinks in the Centro Courtyard, an unexpected surprise last week, with Julie and John from Road Safety Education, our community partner for the RYDA program, attending our meeting and providing a wonderful presentation on the RYDA program, road safety statistics and the benefits a program such as this provides to our youth, predominantly in years 11 and 12. Thank you to Ken Potter for inviting Julie and John along.
As mentioned at the meeting, our 2026 Changeover will be held at The Builders Club on 24 June 2026. As we need to have a minimum of 50 people, I would encourage all members and their partners/friends to attend changeover. It is a great opportunity for those members we haven’t seen at club meetings for a while to reconnect with the club for what is always a fun night, celebrating our club’s achievements over the past year and welcoming in our new President(s) and Board of Directors, as well as acknowledging our major donation recipients. Cost is $50.00 per head which included a 2-course meal. For those who haven’t accepted already, please email me directly if you are able to attend or otherwise.
At our board meeting the main items for discussion / resolution were; - An update on the Wollongong Police Station awards ceremony, where we await an update from Julia Patton, the event organiser. - Sri Lanka Club Project – Ros provided an update on her progress towards establishing a project. Ros will provide an update to the club in early June. - Our Crown Street Mall Volunteers Stand will now be on Friday 5 June. Setup at 7:30AM, with volunteers required from 8AM – 2PM. We will be running a gold coin donation sausage sizzle at the stand as well as providing information about Rotary and our club to interested people. - We will support the Illawarra Rotary Clubs DV Proposal put forward via Julie Collareda from Dapto Rotary.
Our next BBQ is on Monday 1 June 2026 at Bunnings Kembla Grange. Please register via ClubRunner or email Rose Pope directly if you are able to assist on the day.
Di North is looking for volunteers to help as donation collectors for the Annual Red Shield Appeal on Saturday 30 May, 2026 at Fred Finch Netball Courts, Berkeley from 8AM to 4PM. 4 x 2 hours shifts are available with 2 people required for each shift. Please contact Di directly if you are able to assist.
This week our guest speaker is none other than our own Janet Crakanthorp, presenting her very own member story. I look forward to seeing you all there.
Last Week’s Meeting Minutes:Scribe – Anne Christensen
The 43rd meeting of the Rotary year was called to order by Sergeant Jim. President Phil welcomed everyone especially the RYDA guests, John and Julie.
Anne's Reflection reminded us that when we each were new members of Rotary, none were asked to name their religion, where they were born or their political persuasion. We were simply welcomed to become part of the Rotary family. Let's take a moment to think about how incredible that is. People of all persuasions come together to improve the lives of the less fortunate in health, education and living conditions, regardless of race, colour or creed.
Michael provided the International Toast - to individual Rotarians all over the world.
Ray informed us that he has been to Lake Heights Public School to check the native beehive there. It will be restocked with bees next Monday and there will be a formal “beehive” opening on Tuesday. Today is International Bee Day.
Ken reported that RYDA was attended by 150 kids from Illawarra Schools. WIN News and ABC TV will be attending tomorrow (21st May)
Michael requested we all look out for potential guest speakers for our meetings.
President Phil reminded us of the Changeover Dinner on 24th June at the Builders Club. Invitations have been sent to guests.
Women Illawarra's project using the District Grant money is progressing well. RCWW has been invited to a working bee and BBQ - date to be organised.
Rose is unfortunately, unwell, but is organising the BBQ roster for the next Bunnings BBQ on Monday, June 1st. Please either email Rose or add yourself to the ClubRunner roster.
The Board will be meeting after tonight's meeting.
Julie from RYDA gave the meeting a presentation on this outstanding program to help young drivers avoid accidents on the road, reducing the mortality and injuries on the road.
Youth driving fatalities have reduced 65% as a result of new laws, including the red and green Provisional licences, limits to legal blood alcohol for young drivers, reductions in passenger numbers and mobile phone limitations. RYDA attendance is increased nationwide. Locally, 48% of attendees are from lower socioeconomic cohorts and this is, in part, due to Rotary's support of the program.
John uses his own story as an example at RYDA and asks students to investigate why the crash that caused his injuries occurred. The program is well supported by police and it receives 98-100% positive feedback.
Sergeant Jim refreshed our memories about who is rostered for what.
Our wine raffle winners were Anne Christensen and Helen Hasan.
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.
