• Sargent John Erickson opened the meeting and handed to President Bob for opening remarks.
   
• Bob:
  - We have been presented with a Club Excellence Award based on the 2025–26 Rotary year to the president at the time — congratulations!
  - Congratulated Phil and the committee for Saturday’s race day.
  - Reflected on the very nice luncheon at the University of Wollongong that was thanking us for our support of the students we give scholarships to. There were 300 hundred people there. The two main speakers were phenomenal and really made us appreciate the support we give to undergraduates.
  -Then invited everyone to tonight’s board meeting. We value the input.
   
• John Erickson:
  - Housekeeping and Birthdays/Anniversaries
  - Announced that the Last Supper tables are here to stay (Until…)
   
• Barry:
  - Gave his reflection.
  - Dennis Simpson last week told us AI is going to go rogue and kill us. So today I’d like to pare things back and I thought you might like to know how AI works for good.
  - Delivered, followed by a Q&A session (Brief discussion about DuckDuckGo as a privacy-focused search engine, Brave browser, ChatGPT, Copilot, and concerns about AI risks including children forming AI relationships and potential misuse.)
   
• Ros Yeoman:
  - International Toast
  - Spoke about her trip to Goulburn where she also saw lots of convict-built stuff where there was a set of Roman columns, and didn’t realise the Romans had been to Goulburn, but apparently, they have. These columns were unveiled by the Rotary International President. So the International President of Rotary came to Goulburn and did the unveiling of these columns, and I bet he was surprised that we had Roman columns as well.
   
• Ray Lee:
  - Imagination Library: The Imagination Library is getting a lot more expensive because of the postage rates, so the coffers are looking a bit desperate, though there is still enough to carry on.
  - It’s costing about seventeen hundred dollars a month to run the Imagination Library. Averaged out around the Illawarra clubs it comes out at about fifteen hundred dollars per club per year. That may be some guidance to the board if they’re considering that again.
  - A little bit of history: since the Imagination Library started in the Illawarra in 2014 (the year of Michael’s presidency), they have distributed 30,914 books to 1,383 preschoolers. The benefit that society reaps from educating young people is immense. The Imagination Library is an amazing organisation, and it will continue despite the fact that Dolly is no longer alive, because the foundation is set up to continue supporting it.
   
• PCYC Breakfast roster – Michael & Ros
   
• Phil Peckman:
  Race Day:
  - Congratulated the committee that help make the day the success that it was.
  - 303 people and raised around $21,800
  - Sponsors have already expressed interest in coming back next year. We had a record number of sponsors and a really good vibe. Highest previous total was about $18,500 so we did really well this year — silent auction sold particularly well.
  - Link to Charity Race Day Photos - Click Here for Photos
  
  Meeting Format Survey
  - 18 responses from 25 active members. Twelve wanted to remain the same; six wanted to change to a dinner-and-meeting-separate scenario. At the moment we stay as we are.
  
  Club History & Annual Reports
  - If anyone has any information about the club — annual reports, history, old members listings — tucked away on drives or in cupboards, please let me know so we can digitise it and store it on ClubRunner. Earliest annual reports currently on the website go back to around 2009–2010. Barry Blundell did the 40-year history book (Jessie will be contacted— looking to get a soft copy if possible).
   
• Jim Christensen:
  - Next big event is Pride of Workmanship. Assistance will be needed — don’t hold back if you want to give a hand.
   
• John:
  - Electric wheelchair available (rechargeable) — contact via ClubRunner email if interested.
  - Ride for Rotary currently a bit over $30,000 (aim was $50,000).
  - Two humorous stories told, including the lie-detector robot and the speech therapist / stammering group jokes.)
   
• Wine Raffle:
  The wine raffle was won by Dennis Simpson and Jim Christesen (again!!!). Both are pictured below.
   
• President Bob:
  - Next week’s presentation is our District Governor, Shane Burnette — hopefully 100% attendance.
  - Thank you for being here. Look forward to seeing you next week.
  - Congratulations everyone. I like this table setup — you can see everyone. One big, naughty table.
   
• Meeting closed @ 7:15PM

   

This year, the Illawarra Train Ride will take place on Thursday, 22 October 2026.

We will have morning tea in Kiama and lunch in Bomaderry. Wear your End Polio Shirt and/or cap if you have them. You can purchase t-shirts and caps from Rotary Down Under (RDU) if you would like.