Gidday to all from Broome, we made it to our first main destination with all going well and looking forward to talking about our experience on our return. 

Thank you to all in attendance last Tuesday evening for our Club Assembly, I appreciated the welcoming although it felt quite different from my side Zooming in to deliver our Clubs 3-year Strategic plan. Thank you to all our directors who have supported my ideas, assisting with your input and adjusting the original plan ensuring it matches what all of us feel is a Strategic Club direction. The Plan will be available along with all reports once presented to our Secretary Julieanne Sissman PHF.

It was great to see the Christmas in July went well, and I am looking forward to the next one when the date is decided.

Well done, Rtn. Suellen Scutter, Dir. Jenny Phillips Vocational committee and your great team of helpers, it was good to see Suellen was acknowledged last Tuesday at our Rotary meeting for her effort supporting & making this project happen. There was a large amount of organising for the final event, along with the fantastic support from Business’s contributing gifts for the raffles along with public support. The final figure from the raffles and donations has not quite been finalised, once this has been completed, we will then know what figure will be presented to the Royal Flying Doctors Service assisting them with their assistance throughout Australia. Having travelled through Northern Territory through to WA it is amazing where you see landing strips, some on parts of the major highway and others in a cleared well maintained scrub area.

Aged Care Expo: this coming Thursday 6^th of August, all the best for the day Rtn. John Whimpress for your relentless effort toward organising this event, along with your supporters. 
Looking at app. 50 stall holders, it will be a great place for all ages to attend and find out more information providing support toward our future.

We were hoping to catch up with the Rotary Club of Kununurra when we arrived there, instead I found an interesting Rotary journey story. Prior to covid the Rotary Club of Kununurra had around 50 striving members, unfortunately once covid had finally finished so did the majority of Rotarians. The great news is there are still around 3 members living locally who are now part of the Rotary E-Club of Western Australia (also known as E-WA Rotary) being the state's first online Rotary club, offering flexible community volunteering and networking for busy professionals, FIFO workers, and members who prefer digital connection.
I have made a new acquaintance through several phone calls & hope to be attending an E-Club meeting Monday 17^th August, once they have completed their Strategic Plan for 2026-27 which the whole Club is involved with the planning, sounds like a great way to ensure everyone is comfortable with the annual goals.

How the E-Club Connects: 
Weekly Meetings: Held via synchronous online video hookups (such as Zoom or GoToMeeting) on Monday nights.
Online Community: Ongoing discussions and coordination take place through an active Facebook group.
Face-to-Face Events: Optional monthly social get-togethers are hosted at various physical locations across Western Australia. 
Key Projects and Causes
Love of Reading: Literacy support programs and reading initiatives targeted at children in the WA Wheatbelt (including Bruce Rock and Narembeen).
Disaster Relief: Support for international and local aid partners like ShelterBox.
Environment & Health: Tree-planting commitments via Tree-mission to offset greenhouse gases, alongside community parking services at events like the Perth Makers Market.

Dates for your diaries:

Aged Care Expo: Thursday 6^th of August, a great opportunity to gain a guide as we age.
Health of the River “District Program”: Monday 14^th Sep. – Friday 18^th Sep. Applications due 14^th Aug.
Open to Students in year 10 High School “please contact Director Lyn Sickerdick or the RALY Committee if you know someone who fits in this age group and are interested in “ecology in action.”
One & All Sailing Challenge “District Program”: Sunday 27^th Sep. – Thursday 1^st Oct. 5-day voyage – program supported through RALY Committee.
Environmental Youth Program: Monday 28^th Sep to Thursday 1^st Oct. – currently received 8 applicants from 4 schools.
RYLA “District Program” leadership seminar for Youth 19 – 26 years: Saturday 3^rd Oct – Friday 9^th Oct. – further information please contact Vocational Director Jenny Phillips. 
Rotary Proposed Getaway: Friday 16^th Oct – Sunday 18^th Oct. Mt Compass Caravan Park.
River Murray Boat Owners: BBQ Sunday 18^th Oct 11:30am – 2:00pm. register to assist. 
Bunnings BBQ - “Rotary & Bunnings BBQ Partnership”
First Responder Mobile App Project”: Wednesday 28^th October  https://www.rotarymgg.org.au/first-responder-mobile-app/

All the best from WA.
Kind regards
Simon Sickerdick

Meet via Zoom

During Covid, our club met via Zoom to allow all members access to our weekly gatherings.

If Zoom was available on a weekly or as requested method of joining our gatherings, would you use it?

Please advise President Simon if this facility would help you engage with our club.

West Lakes Rotary - Visiting Murray Bridge

LAST CALL FOR EOI

Recently members received an email from me, in relation to an expression of interest for a getaway in the stlye of last year's Renmark excursion.
Date is 16th - 18th October but days can be extended to suit your needs.

Thanks to all who have responded but I now need to confirm  bookings for sites and cabins.
Those who have responded directly via email to me will receive an email with further information.

If you have not spoken directly or emailed me and want to know more, please make contact ASAP

Robin LeGallez   robinlegallez@gmail.com  0408 813 295

Christmas in July Fundraiser a Flying Success

The Rotary Club's inaugural Christmas in July Fundraiser in support of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) was an overwhelming success, with around 74 guests enjoying a spectacular evening of fundraising, entertainment and community spirit.

From the moment guests walked through the doors, they were immersed in a true Christmas wonderland. The Murray Bridge Golf Club was beautifully decorated, creating the feeling of Christmas Day in the middle of winter.

One of the highlights of the evening was the incredible display of around 80 raffle prizes, all lovingly wrapped and presented by Roxanne. The 14 silent auction items also proved extremely popular, generating plenty of friendly competition throughout the night.

Following the official welcome, guests heard from Jenny Phillips, who spoke about the important work Rotary does within our local community and around the world. We were then privileged to hear from Narelle from the Royal Flying Doctor Service, who shared the incredible impact of the RFDS across Australia. As one of the world's largest and most comprehensive aeromedical organisations, the RFDS delivers emergency medical care, primary healthcare and inter-hospital transfers to people living, working and travelling in rural and remote Australia. Every day, RFDS crews provide lifesaving care to communities that would otherwise have limited access to essential health services.

Guests were then deeply moved by Fiona Scutter, who shared her own personal experience with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, highlighting the compassionate care and support her family received firsthand. Her story was a powerful reminder of why fundraising for the RFDS is so important.

A delicious three-course meal was then served, prepared by the Murray Bridge Golf Club chef together with two volunteer chefs. A special thank you goes to our wonderful servers—Roxanne, Sandy and Yollette—whose efficiency and friendly service ensured every meal was delivered promptly and with a smile.

Once the formalities concluded, guests danced the night away to the fantastic entertainment provided by The Kneebones, whose great mix of music kept the dance floor busy all evening.

It was wonderful to see so many local businesses and corporate groups supporting the event, with many guests travelling from Adelaide to be part of the evening. The festive spirit was certainly alive, with some fantastic Christmas outfits adding plenty of colour and fun to the celebrations.

A sincere thank you goes to Tom Haigh, who did an outstanding job as Master of Ceremonies, keeping the evening flowing while adding plenty of humour and energy.

The event would not have been possible without the generosity of our food sponsors.

We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the many other businesses and individuals who generously donated raffle prizes and silent auction items. Your support played a significant role in making the evening such a success.

Most importantly, thank you to every volunteer who gave their time before, during and after the event. Your dedication and teamwork created a truly memorable evening. We may have even welcomed a new Rotary member as a result of the event—a wonderful bonus!

The feedback from guests has been overwhelmingly positive, with many already asking when the next Christmas in July Fundraiser will be held.

A huge thank you to everyone who attended, donated and supported the event. Together, we have helped raise vital funds to support the lifesaving work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service while also enabling Rotary to continue making a positive difference in our local community.

CALENDAR WINNERS LAST WEEK 

This Month's Rotary Theme