April 16 2025: Over twenty members, partners and friends of our two local Rotary clubs were treated to a guided tour of the brand-new Maryborough and District Hospital facility last Wednesday afternoon. We've been asked not to show internal pics of the place until it officially opens on April 28th, but I'm sure I speak for all in attendance that the place is very impressive, and our community is fortunate to have this facility in our midst. The designers have weaved efficient planning with plenty of natural light and greenery to help reduce the unpleasant aspects of a hospital stay. We sincerely thank our tour guide, CEO Nickola Allan (pictured with our group) for giving up her time to show us around.  After the tour, we all enjoyed a meal at the Bull & Mouth Restaurant. Click "Read more..." for other external Hospital pics. We'll publish the internal pics next month.

We mourn the unexpected death of Rotary Club of Wendouree member Rob McDougal after a short illness. Rob joined Wendouree in 1998 and served as President in 2005/06 and in many other leadership roles. He was also active at Rotary district level as district trainer and GSE team leader to Brazil. Rob epitomised the spirit of Rotary; he was a gifted leader, loyal mentor and supporter, selfless and wholehearted participant. Our Maryborough members will remember Rob speaking to our club in August last year about his passionate concerns for the people of Ambon in Indonesia.

RIP Rob McDougall

 As we celebrate Rotary’s Environmental Month this April, let’s unite in designing effective community service that protects our planet. Whether it’s organizing local cleanups, promoting sustainable land use, or supporting endangered species, your efforts can make a difference. Explore ways to take action and tips for success in the Areas of Focus guide. You can also browse environment projects on the Service Project Center to get ideas. For even more inspiration and support, connect with Rotary Action Groups that work on endangered species, sustainability, and food plants. Together, we can protect the environment and create lasting change in our communities!

It has been 50 years since Rotary Youth Exchange became an official program of Rotary International. This program connects cultures, inspires service, and creates friendships that last a lifetime. The picture shows this year's Youth Exchange students at our recent District Conference. Click this link to watch a short YouTube video about Rotary Youth Exchange. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbTJ3z4B4Iw 

April 3rd 2025: Members gathered in the meeting room at the Mill House to hear reports from those who attended the recent District 9780 Conference. Highlights reported included presentations by Ramish Ferris on the value of efforts to eradicate Polio (Click Read more... for more details of this talk and pics of the Conference), Rosie Batty on Family Violence, Dr. Jessie Harman on the 100 Year Anniversary of Rotary in this region, Peter Drysdale on the development of cyclone proof housing for families in Fiji, and Prof. Michael Carr-Greig on Youth mental issues. To watch a YouTube video of the conference, click the link in the article below in the Bulletin or elsewhere on the Home Page.

To watch a half hour video of our members attending the District 9780 Conference including some short video segments and selected slides from many of the presentations, click the following YouTube link:  

March 30th 2025: Almost seventy bike riders headed off from Summerfield Winery (pictured) in Moonambell on Sunday to help Maryborough Rotary Club raise money for local service projects. The temperature was pleasant, but the wind was a challenge as riders negotiated the hills near Elmhurst before returning via Landsborough back to the Winery. Thanks to Brian for doing most of the organization and to all Rotarians and friends who helped out with promotion, marshalling, and supporting the riders. Click "Read more..." for more pics.

At Thursday's meeting, PP Brian Reed provided members with some stats from last week's Bike Ride, 69 riders participated including 7 "walk-ins" on the day. Receipts were over $3000 and once costs were deducted, we enjoyed a profit of $1995.71. Again, a big "thank you" to Brian and the Rotary members and friends who worked on this event. The great image here was taken by President Bec from the "Sag" wagon. Other great pics taken by past member, Toby Bainbridge can be accessed by clicking, "Read more..." Thanks, Toby.

A reminder that members will be given a tour of Maryborough's brand new hospital complex at 4.30PM on WEDNESDAY April 16th. This will be followed by an optional meal at the Bull & Mouth. Please note the earlier start and the fact that our meeting will be on Wednesday. There will be no meeting on the Thursday of that week - the day before Good Friday. It is essential that we have numbers for both the tour and the optional Bull and Mouth Meal by NEXT TUESDAY, APRIL 15TH. Please let PP Anthony know if you will be attending. We do not know exactly how long the tour will be so there could be a break between the tour and the meal.

PP Meryl has finally received a package of information on Peace Poles for Rotary Clubs from www.peacepolesoceania.com . This includes prices for complete poles or just the metail signs that can be attached to our own wooden poles as required. Our small sub-committee will consider some of the options and present them to members in coming weeks for an ultimate decision to be made by the Board. See "Read more..." for more pics and information.

March 23rd - 25th 2025: Seven of our Trad Gen members attended the Rotary District 9780 Conference and enjoyed an inspiring, varied program of speakers and activities prepared by District Governor Lesley Shedden (pictured) and her Torquay Rotary team - and others. Keynote speakers included Michael Carr-Greig talking about Mental Health disorders in Australia where 40% of 16 to 24 year olds currently experience some form of mental disorder, Rosie Batty talking about Domestic Violence and Polio Survivor, Ramesh Ferris talking about his lived experience of Polio. At next week's meeting we'll see some pics and videos and hear more about this great event. Click "Read more" for more pics.

March 28 2025: At the AGM of the Trad Gen club, we confirmed most of the new office bearers for 2025-26 with its new theme of "Unite for Good". President(s) will be PDG Anthony Ohlsen and PP Martin Mackay. Secretary will be PP Thea Allan, Treasurer and Past President will be PP Bec Lowery. The Administration Chair will be PDG Geoff James, Membership Chair will be PP Garry Higgins, Public Image Chair will be Max Berry, Projects Chair will be PP Alison Teese (TBC). We're still looking for a Rotary Foundation Chair - any volunteers please?

March 28 2025: Local Volunteering champion, Tony Macer spoke at our club about the new million-dollar grant that the local Volunteers Organization has secured for volunteer groups in our shire. Volunteer groups, like Rotary, will be able to apply for assistance with local community improvement projects that are sustainable into the future. More details will be released in coming weeks.

For those who have not been able to attend a meeting of the "Trad" Gen club recently, we advise that for a trial period, our club meeting times and arrangements have changed. We now meet at 6 for a 6:15PM start AT THE MILL HOUSE, and at 7:15, members are invited to attend an optional meal at a different local restaurant each week. This change has occurred because we are no longer able to have meals at the Mill House. Drinks will still be available from 6PM at the Mill House.

Thursday the 18th July DG Lesley Sheddon visited our weekly meeting where we heard about her year as DG and presented her with a cheque for $500 to go towards her charity Rotarians Against Malaria (RAM). On the night we also raised a further $225 for RAM. We also presented Lyn Curry a Paul Harris Fellow award. Which was a touching moment to a well deserved member of our community with an extensive service record in the Girl Guides.

January 18th 2025: Maryborough Rotary Club members were delighted to launch their new "Next Gen" Satellite club by inducting eleven new members. Rotary District Governor, Lesley Shedden presented badges and welcome packs to each of the new members. Click "Read more..." for more pix.

At last Thursday's meeting, PDG Geoff presented an overview of the Big 5 Aspects Personality Typology - a currently popular tool used for self-understanding, motivation, relationship counselling, vocational counselling and problem solving. The theory that there are five main personality traits first developed in the 1940's but it was popularized and named as "The Big 5" in the 1980's by Lewis Goldberg. The full text of the talk is available by clicking "Read more..."

Today we hosted the 4th Regionalisation Pilot meeting in Maryborough at the Maryborough Highland Society. We covered projects from Peace Poles, Science and Engineering Challenge and Environmental projects that we all can be involved in. Club presidents from Ballarat, Beaufort and Ararat were all in attendance. After the Meeting a a few of went up to Bristol Hill Tower to see all the work that has been completed to revitalise the area and President Bec shared the historical significance of the area and the Environmental work with the Field Nats and Maryborough Education Centre. Next meeting will be in Beaufort in February.

Maryborough Rotary Club ran a fun night at the Highland Society on the 1st November 2024. The night consisted of coming along sporting your favourite hat and for those who did not they were fined and given a hat on the night. We shared a lovely meal provided by the Maryborough Highland Society and managed to raise $200 for Mental Health Research after raffling of 2 prizes. A big thank you to the Maryborough Highland Society patrons who gave too to the cause. Maryborough Rotary Club supports Lift the Lid every year so if you would like to come along next year let the club know by contacting secretary@maryboroughrotaryvic.org.au  

Rotary did something different this year and put a small stall in the Maryborough Library to promote Rotary as a viable activity for retirees. We pulled together some marketing material and put up a few banners to start the day off. A big thank you to Martin Mackay, Thea and Terry Allen, Max Berry and Geoff Bartlett who all came to lend a hand. The afternoon simply advertised what we do and marketed Maryborough Rotary Club. We certainly met up with past members and Thea had some quality discussions. the expo also allowed us to connect to other clubs in the area and see the work they are doing. Maryborough Library staff did an amazing job of clearing the space and making everyone feel welcome.

On Friday the 27th of September we held our annual Pyrenees Magic Bike Ride beginning at Summerfield Winery. We had near perfect conditions for the riders with 80 riders attending the event. The ride will also take place again in March next year around the 30th March 2025 and we hope everyone who attended will attend again and bring some friends along to enjoy the unique experience of the Pyrenees ranges have to offer. The ride is made up of 3 courses. 96km ride which is well suited to our experienced riders. 53km ride which is great for our intermediate riders and if you want to have a nice day out and would like to take up cycling as a beginner the short course which is 33km is perfect. 

Rob McDougall with wife Jane McDougall visited Maryborough Rotary Club at their weekly meeting on the 23 August 2024. He shared his long standing relationship with the Island of Ambon and his project that's grown momentum across several Rotary Clubs across Victoria including his own at Wendouree breakfast. Rob delivered a well prepared talk on the history of Ambon and the historical significance to Australian War Veterans including his father.  The work they have done to allow access to education within Ambon particularly with Schools 2 and 4 providing resources to children on the island. 

 

They have also provided support to a local orphanage providing desks and chairs for study and arranged several trips to Ambon to complete any work that may be needed like painting of dorms to providing labour to create a vegetable patch. Wendouree breakfast Rotary Club should be very proud of the work they have achieved in Ambon and will continue to do.

 

Robs passion for Ambon came through and we hope Maryborough Rotary Club can provide some support into the future as a trusted international project. If anyone would like to know more or would like to provide services to Rob and his team please reach out to Rebecca Lowery and she will arrange contact with Rob.

Beaufort Rotary Club put on a great celebration event welcoming George Kirsanovs back into office as club president.

Ararat Rotary Club gave a warm Welcome to all who attended on Wednesday the 10th July at the Chalambar Golf Club. 

Saturday the 29th July, over 50 members and friends celebrated the changeover of our club presidents and the annual theme from "Create Hope in the World" to "The Magic of Rotary".