It’s another Sunday morning as I sit in front of the laptop thinking - Have I missed something for the catering for Calperum Camp? As the day unfolds, I will be able to double check what has been made, collected, shopped and - don’t forget what’s in the freezer. I know quite a few of you and/or your partners are also in the kitchen making the last of the biscuits, cakes and slices for the children this week. On behalf of the children and the Rotarians going on camp - WE THANK YOU ALL

To review the past week, and just like all the previous weeks, we are such a busy club with so much being undertaken. We have:

• Participated in the presentation on Rotary Says NO to Domestic and Family Violence, by Martin Rowe last Tuesday night. Powerful words that are showing more and more the need to act and be involved. I do hope we can have members join the March in Adelaide on Saturday October 11th or bring items for the Care Packages that we can donate
• Thursday was a busy day/evening covering a number of events
  • Simon and Lyn attended the Presentation evening by the RYLA participants and were able to support our sponsored candidate
  • Jenny Alexander-Walters and Sandy were able to attend the Music Presentation evening at the High School and present the 2026 Music Bursary. They were also accompanied by a large group of Rotarians who thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Music continues to be a strong focus at the school and congratulations to school staff and students alike for their involvement.
  • While not a Rotary event, I attended the St Joseph’s school presentation in the 2025 Catholic Schools Music Festival at the Convention Centre - where my grandson was a participant in the 400 strong choir for the evening. It was so good to see the grassroots of music in our Primary Schools and know that these children may be the applicants for our Music Bursaries in the future. Congratulations to all children who attended and their families for providing support.
  • At the Van of Hope, 111 meals were handed out to those in need - another great community service that our members are involved with.
• On Friday Jim, Penny and Malcolm were at the Shed, packing Bags for Blokes under the guidance of Elizabeth Crawley. Another great effort by a few at the forefront using the support of our club members and wider community who have donated volumes of gear to be sorted and packed. At the end of the packing, bags were delivered to local distribution centres for the coming days and weeks
• Throughout the week Rotarians have been busy preparing and baking for the Camp. Thanks to all for your time - I know the children (as will the Rotarians) appreciate your efforts. Special thanks to President-Elect Simon for the countless hours he has invested in making the camp a planned activity - from collecting all the gear from sponsors, to organising the transport - including the Rotary Ute this year - to inviting District Governor Rajeev to attend - it will be an exciting week
• And this morning Lyn was busy at the Port docks with One and All candidate - Cam Rossiter Smith. Cam is part of our partnership with SAPOL Murray Bridge Blue Light Boxing program in Murray Bridge. We hope he has an enjoyable week, building skills and making new friends

This week’s Rotarian sharing  What inspired you to join Rotary is Youth Director Lyn Sickerdick. Read her amazing Rotary journey and let me know your thoughts on the concept of including this information on our website in the future.

As the Calperum Youth Camp is on this week, Tuesday’s meeting will be a Social Event at Murray Bridge Hotel where members will be able to enjoy fellowship, while supporting one of our 2026 Calendar sponsors. Thanks Jenny Phillips for organising this event, venue and taking on the role of President in my absence.

Looking forward to another great week, remembering ‘Only a life lived for others, is a life worthwhile’

Roxanne 

AI meets DV

Last week, our speaker was MartinRowe from the Rotary Club of Blackwood. Martin's presentation was recorded and via the marvels of AI, a summary is provided below.

All text is exactly as transcribed by AI from the original audio recording.

Overview of Domestic Violence and Community Impact

Domestic violence is defined as behaviour that induces fear or harm, encompassing physical, sexual, verbal, psychological, social, financial, spiritual, child, and elder abuse. It includes a wide range of abusive actions such as strangulation, coercive control, sexual threats, social isolation, and financial control. The presentation underscores the complexity and multifaceted nature of domestic violence, which often remains concealed due to stigma and coercive control tactics employed by perpetrators

• Complex nature of domestic violence: Domestic violence includes various forms of abuse such as physical, psychological, financial, and coercive control, often hidden due to stigma and manipulation by perpetrators. Victims, including children, may take years to leave abusive situations, as illustrated by a tragic case of prolonged coercive control.
• Rotary Club initiatives: The Rotary Club of Blackwood promotes awareness through campaigns like "Say No to Domestic Violence," participation in the March for Respect, and assembling comfort packs for victims. They also fund and distribute ESCA bags with essentials for those fleeing abuse and support programs providing safe phones and pet care to address abuse leverage points.
• Challenges in addressing abuse: Media often avoid labelling incidents as domestic violence, which affects public perception. Victims face barriers such as financial dependency, childcare concerns, and limited safe accommodations. Additionally, male victims lack dedicated shelters and support services, highlighting service gaps.
• Educational outreach and future goals: The club educates youth about domestic violence and respectful behaviour to identify abuse early. Success is measured by membership growth, fundraising, and partnerships, with plans to expand school counselling and increase community engagement through grants and awareness campaigns.

• Conclusion: The Rotary Club of Blackwood’s comprehensive approach combines awareness-raising, practical support, education, and community involvement to tackle domestic violence. Their efforts highlight the importance of recognizing the complexity of abuse, supporting victims of all genders, and fostering a community culture that does not tolerate domestic violence. The presentation encourages continued support, participation in awareness events, and donations to sustain these vital programs

One & All Salling Challenge 2025

This morning Lyn caught up with the One & All candidate Cam Rossiter-Smith sourced through our Rotary partnership with the SAPOL Murray Bridge Blue Light Boxing Program in Murray Bridge.
One of the many Rotary opportunities supporting young people gaining experiences as they grow.

Over the next few days on board the One & All, Cam will meet new friends, create lifelong memories, while learn the important skills required to work as a team & crew a working ship.
Before the voyage, the Youth Crew are divided into three watch groups known as Port Watch (P), Middle Watch (M) and Starboard Watch(S). The watches, watch leaders and assistants remain unchanged for the voyage.
During the voyage, each watch works as a team to ensure the safety of the ship. Tasks include sail handling, helming, look outs, fire and flood checks, etc.
The daily routine includes deck duties, domestic duties of accommodation spaces and maintenance work. The watch system ensures that each watch participates with each of these duties throughout the voyage, as well as time off. There are times when "all hands" will be called to assist with manoeuvres.

Bags For Blokes

The Rotary Club of murray Bridge is supporting Elizabeth Crawley in her work for “Bags For Blokes”.
Members of the Rotary Club collected bags and contents before assembling eleven bags and delivering them to the Murray Bridge Community Centre.
These bags were gratefully received and will be distributed to men in need.

Elizabeth has assembled 481 bags since beginning this project and hopes to reach 500 before the end of 2025!

The Rotary Club of Murray Bridge is proud to be associated with this project.
Penny Heighes.

What inspired you to join Rotary?
And how has it changed your life?

Behind every Rotarian is a unique story of purpose, passion, and personal growth. For some, it was the desire to make a tangible difference in their local community. For others, it was the chance to connect with like-minded people and be part of something larger than themselves.

How did you make first contact with our club? 

We purchased a business in Murray Bridge, we only knew our employees and the previous business owner.  He invited us to a Rotary meeting , Mobilong, and we were impressed with the difference the club makes as a collective.  A client and member of the MB rotary club approached us and we immediately said yes to membership.

Why do you stay a member?

I have made some very good friends and the club has/is still making it possible for me to contribute to community and social issues on a much larger scale than would be individually possible.  There is also support for programs I think are important.

Being a community service club member gives access to the means to action and make a difference on a larger scale with support from fellow members that have valuable expertise and experience. 

What are you passionate about, both broadly and within the club?

Giving opportunities to all people to improve their life situation.  Supporting club projects and members to achieve what is important to them.

How do you engage with the club?

Attend meetings, participate in fundraising activities, director of committees, make new members welcome, investigate and initiate programs and projects, 

How do you relax?

Spend time with friends and family.  Exercise, read and cook.

What has been your most exhilarating Rotary experience?

There are a number of experiences that would not have been possible without Rotary.  Contributing to the Monarto Safari Park is fabulous way to get outside. Music for Dementia headsets improving  the lives of patients and care givers.  Friendship exchange with International Rotarians one resulted in attending their daughters 3 day wedding.  And not least the annual conferences/impact summit with the most amazing speakers, so many unseen achievers in our country.

What does volunteering mean to you?

Volunteering to me is an integral part of who I am and who I want to be.

CALENDAR WINNERS 

23^rd September

 

Value	No.	Winner	Location	Sold By
$100	219	K Meyers	Morphett Vale	K Prosser
$50	600	R Hammond	Strathalbyn	Strath Darts

 

Health of the River Forum 2025

Two of our Murray Bridge Rotarians Simon & Sandy support the Health of the River Forum at Calperum Station last week from Monday 15^th September to Friday 19^th September, 

This was a great experience for both of us witnessing the attending Students learn new skills in a fantastic outdoor environment.

Students started off reasonably quiet being unfamiliar with each other attending the program, they quickly got to know each other & realised they were all their to develop a skill new to them.

By the week ending all the students displayed the respect, and care everyone had developed towards all other students and Rotarians attending.

Rotary Team members: we all had a title but as a team we worked together to ensure everyone was safe, comfortable, “not hungry” and enjoyed learning & building new skills.   

Ian Coat – Program Coordinator/ Lead

Maryanne Hannay – Registrar/ Support

Simon Sickerdick – Bus driver/ Support

Sandy Dalton – Food coordinator/ Support

14 attending students in total:

5 students from Urrbrae Agricultural College sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Coromandel Valley, Mitcham & Unley.

1 student St Aloysius College sponsored by the Rotary Club of Salisbury.

2 students from Charles Campbell sponsored by the Rotary Club of Campbeltown.

2 students from Mannum Community College sponsored by the Rotary Club of Murray Bridge.

2 students from Karoonda Area School sponsored by the Rotary Club of Mobilong.

1 student from Goolwa Secondary College sponsored by the Rotary Club of Victor Harbor. 

1 student from St Francis of Assisi College Renmark sponsored by the Rotary Club of Renmark.

Objectives:

The objective of the Health Of The River (HOTR) Youth Forum is to provide students who are keen on ecology and the environment, 

an immersive experience in ecological science, with a focus on the wetland environment and the River Murray.

The educational component was delivered by the Australian Landscape Trust (ALT) Educator Dan and Ecologist Kieran. 

It was a packed program often starting with bird survey at 6:30am and closing with discussion session after 8pm. 

The participants were fully engaged throughout the entire program, asking probing and insightful questions. 

The group bonded tightly and were respectful, collegiate, and collaborative. 

All students completed feedback forms were overwhelmingly positive about their experience. 

The how and why of experimental design:

Why we use the transect and survey sampling methods for plant and landscape surveying.

How to make decisions to design an experiment which collects sample data which correctly represents an ecosystem.

This is achieved through understanding key basic scientific sampling principles. 

The students learnt how to record and use randomisation and sampling scale, which tasks the students to complete sample data collection efforts and discuss and interpret their results. 

This also educates students how to collect data and use these sampling techniques.