A good turnout at our last meeting for the year and quite appropriately it was also our pre-dinner drinks evening. Thank you, John Erickson, for organising this event throughout the year.
At this week's Club Changeover and Donation's Presentation Dinner we welcome our new President(s) and Board of Directors for the 2026/27 year. We wish them every success and offer our support for the year ahead. We also present donations, from this year's fund-raising efforts to our major recipients; Women Illawarra, Our Community Project and Recovery Camp. All of these organisations provide much-needed support to our local community and well deserve our support.
A reminder that our next BBQ is on Monday 29 June at Bunning's Kembla Grange. Please register your availability either through Club Runner or emailing Rose or myself and advising the relevant time slot.
I think this will be my last President's message for the year. My heartfelt thanks to our Board of Directors and Club Officers for your support, time and effort throughout the year. Thank you to all our members for supporting our club in so many ways, resulting in another great year.
Predinner drinks went a bit up market with a round table, with a tablecloth and proper chairs but there was still the usual friendly chatter. We heard that Sam’s operation had gone off well and other bits of news.
After helping to get everyone upstairs for the short meeting,the meal was held up. So, a number of members offered a few jokes, and Ken read a poem on the challenges of reversing a car towing a trailer given to him by Ros.
Helen’s reflection had a sporting theme starting with her experience at a Soccer World Cup match she attended in South Africa 2010 when Australia was beaten by Germany.She mentioned her visit to Soweto and that 16 June 2026, was the 50th anniversary of the Soweto Massacre when school children in 1976 were shot by police while protesting against a new law that schools must teach in the Africans language. In contrast, the young people she spoke to in 2010 insisted on looking to a better future rather than dwell on the past.
Kerrie proposed an international toast to the Rotary clubs of Sri Lanka.
Phil made it clear that he enjoyed his last meeting as president and reminded everyone of the Changeover next week.
Our wine raffle winners were Barry Stevens and Anne Christensen, pictured below.
The Bees Are Back at Lake Heights Primary School
As mentioned at our meeting, Ray Lee recently managed to split his Native Beehive and has rejuvenated the Lake Heights Primary School native beehive in the last few weeks, as shown in the pictures below. Just the look on the kid's faces makes it all worthwhile. Well Done, Ray!
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.
