The Rotary Club of Murray Bridge gathers at the Bridgeport Hotel 2 Bridge St, Murray Bridge on Tuesday evenings. Fellowship from 6.00pm with Dinner starting at 6.15pm. Apologies or guests to be notified to Jacquie Best by 12pm Monday. 0409 377 343
What a great meeting last week - more than 20 members shared their passions within Rotary. All members present now have new contacts to chat with to get more details or gain information on how to join the range of projects currently on offer. Special thanks to those members who agreed to share information.
What an outstanding effort John for your organisation of the Aged & Carers Expo. Thanks also to all who helped set up, conducted the BBQ and helped inside the venue. A true reflection ‘We are People of ACTION’
Did you read The Standard on Thursday? Well done IPP Jenny Alexander-Walters for a great interview with Kaitlyn on the up-coming Hamlin Fistula High Tea event. Great reading. I have also heard from Marg that we are fast approaching 100 guests. It looks like we will be busy.
Congratulations Penny, on another beautiful photo from your camera being used by the Rural City of Murray Bridge in their latest Community Grants Program promotion
While thinking about Community Grants, the funding model is changing to cover 3 categories
Regional Event
Local Community Event
Strategic Alignment Event (aligned to Council’s priorities)
Have you got an idea for an event? Consider discussions with Roger Wickes and then search out the new guidelines and application forms at https://www,murraybridge.sa.gov.ay/councilgrants - next round of grants close at 4-45pm on Friday 5th September 2025
Great night at the Caledonian Hotel on Friday when I joined 3 of our newest members (Kevin, Sandy and Tracey) and Lyn & Simon at the District’s New Members Night. We all learned lots, made great connections and left inspired to make a difference.
Bunnings BBQ on Saturday was a successful event, with a steady stream of customers throughout the day. Thanks to Sue and her team - raising funds for needed projects, both local and international.
Thanks Lyn for organising suitable accommodation for those wishing to attend the 2026 Multi District Conference in Horsham in 2026. Are you looking to attend? Get the details on accommodation from Lyn and get your room booked. The room choices will fill quickly.
Sunday morning, and I have just completed a 4 hr Zoom President Learning and Development session. Topics covered included DG Updates; Being the best President you can be; Membership; Rotary Branding; and a series of Breakout Sessions (wish I could have attended them all), all were recorded so I will be able to check out the others in the very near future and share where there is interest
And remember… ‘A steak can be $7 from a butcher, $10 at a supermarket, $25 at a diner, and $150 at a high-end restaurant. Same steak. The only thing that changed was the location. The next time you feel you’re worthless, ask yourself if you are just in the wrong place’
Roxanne
Join with us for HIGH TEA at the Murray Bridge Uniting Church Hall Narooma Boulevard 17th August - 2-4pm Bubbles on arrival - Entertainment & hear of the life changing work being undertaken in Ethiopia Please RSVP to Marg 0409 376 270 $25 per person Raffle and merchandise made by Ethiopian women for sale Visit https://www.hamlin.org.au to learn more or visit https://www.hamlin.org.au/fundraise/murray-bridge-rotary-club to donate
High Tea For Hamlin
Can't Attend???
Can't attend the high tea but would like to donate?
Click the donate button to donate to the Murray Bridge funraising page.
District 9510 New Rotarians Network Night
Friday evening new Rotarians from across the region met at the Calledonian Hotel in North Adelaide for a networking get together. Sandy, Kevin and Tracey attended from our club. This was an opportunity to meet District Governor Rageev, DG Elect Tim and DG Nominee Damian.
Rotarians were also able to learn from other new members and their mentors.
This informal evening, organised by District Membership Chair, Damian Leach, brought together new members from across the District to build connections, feel welcomed, and enjoy a relaxed social gathering after a warm welcome from the District Governor
This event encouraged clubs to build a strong, welcoming Rotary experience, while participating in a District-wide initiative.
Want to know more? Chat with Sandy, Kevin or Tracey
The Aged & Carers Expo
The Aged and Carers Expo held on Thursday 7th August at the Murray Bridge Performing Arts & Function Centre was amazing. The background work undertaken by John to plan, prepare for and coordinate the attendance of over 30 service providers was a testament to his commitment to ensure older Murraylands residents have the best information on which to make their rest of life decisions as we all track this journey through aging.
The event was incredibly well-attended and provided a great opportunity to connect and engage with members of the local community. There was no shortage of valuable information on offer - stalls featured advice on getting started in caring for self or a loved one from Government Agencies and local experts. Services presented information on aged care packages, mobility equipment, personal alarms, local community groups, education opportunities through U3A, and so much more.
While all the learning and information sharing was happening inside the Town Hall, another group of Rotarians were outside in Sixth Street, preparing and serving a BBQ and thanks are extended to that team for keeping the hunger pangs at bay.
The Rotary Club of Murray Bridge, is indeed fortunate, to have such a passionate member as John to undertake the behind the scenes work to make this happen.
And … I believe he is already looking to the 2026 event. Several Stall Holders booked their next space. WOW, that’s commitment and exciting for all.
Thanks John and the Rotarian team
Morning Tea in a Yurt
Last Tuesday I reported meeting a Mongolian lady named Hanna. As a response to my information about our sending playgrounds to Mongolia, Hanna invited Jack and Jill Reddin together with Rob and I to take morning tea - Mongolian style - in her yurt.
Jack and Jill talked about their visit to Mongolia which kicked off the project to send the playgrounds. We discussed the history of Mongolia from Genghis Khan to present day, agriculture and industry in Mongolia, and most aspects of Mongolian culture not forgetting the weather/climate.
It was wonderful making a connection like this; hearing from Hanna’s son what the effects are on children when they have no play equipment. All this confirms that Rotary is making a difference in the world no matter how small. Jenny Alexander-Walters
AED's - Our Community
Recently our Club purchased and distributed three AED units across our community. Rotary Clubs are known as "People of Action" and this is an example.
Ukraine - The Rotary Foundation
District Governor Elect Tim Mee presented the Ukraine New Dawn Rotary Project to our members at a recent Meeting. There are currently 30 to 40 International Projects being undertaken by about 80 Rotary Clubs in District 9510. It's a good measure of Rotary's capacity to contribute internationally. New Dawn aims to provide humanitarian aid and other essential supplies to Ukrainians in Odesa and regional villages of southern Ukraine. Working in association with Ukrainian not for profit charity NGO "New Dawn" and Rotary District 2232 Odesa. New Dawn was started in Odesa as a volunteer organisation following the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. At the heart of the work is the distribution of food packs daily to internationally displaced people in Odesa. Other support is provided to schools, hospitals, medical centres, and bomb shelters. https://www.facebook.com/RotaryInUkraine Donations are tax deductible via Rotary Australia Overseas Aid Fund ( managed by RAWCS - Rotary Australia World Community Service) To donate use https://directory.rawcs.com.au/58-2022-23 John Scarvelis
