Another busy week has come and gone and although we think the time has gone quickly, when you are asked what took place in my week? I’ve been quite busy.

I have enjoyed reading the Director’s Reports from the Committee meetings last Tuesday - an exciting time when you, the Rotarians of our club, get to decide the direction our Service Above Self will take. Our Board will meet this Tuesday to discuss the motions put forward and we will see actions taking place.

Congratulations Rotarian Sam Cozens, on completing your White Card training. It was good to hear you enjoyed the discussions and the manner in which the trainer conducted the sessions. Any training in WHS, makes us safer volunteers in whatever activities we are doing.

Thursday evening I attended a Zoom meeting with Hamish Jones (Past President Rotary Club of Strathmore and Public Image Chair for Rotary District 9790). His topic for this meeting was Leveraging AI to obtain grants. The audience was smaller than other AI presentations which Hamish has presented, and the content was quite specific to Global Grant writing. Hamish gave lots of examples using ChatGPT to write sections of applications using data collected from Community Analysis surveys and even asked for the work to be written with Rotary as the audience - it was good to see the examples being altered as he made further requests of the program. While I do not see myself writing a Global Grant in the near future, I have worked with AI and ChatGPT in my teaching and was inspired to see the effect it could have when wanting to write in a Rotary Context. Check out his presentations on YouTube if this topic interests you further.

Our youngest member of the Rotary Family - Peter Lennon - celebrated his first Birthday on Saturday. The weather at Sturt Reserve was great and it was good to Rotarians spending time with Caitlin, Sam and Peter outside of the weekly meetings. Some Rotarians were active participants in the party games, helping Peter to celebrate the day. Thanks Caitlin for the invitation to share in your family celebrations.

Sunday morning and Simon’s team of Rotarians set up the Calperum Meet and Greet at Sturt Reserve for the attending youth and their families. Parents and Caregivers met the Rotarians who will be attending the camp, and a general introduction to the camp was provided. Lunch was served and thanks to all who helped with the behind the scenes catering and general preparation. It is obvious to see Simon’s passion for working with Youth and in working with the Calperum venue in general. This year, Rotarians attending the camp have undertaken the Youth Protection Topic from the Rotary Learning Centre, updating their knowledge in youth protection.

Rotarian John Scarvelis and I also attended the unveiling of the Italian monument on Adelaide Road. The invitation came from the President, (Mr Gerardo Penta), Murray Bridge and District Italian Association. It was an honour to be at the event which demonstrates another cultural link to the history of Murray Bridge

Trialing something new this week in the Bulletin - What inspired you to join Rotary?  An opportunity for Rotarians in our Club to share their reasons for joining Rotary and how Rotary has influenced their lives. I have asked Board members to be the first to share their stories and then we will progress through all members (only those who are willing to participate). The plan is to have this section also placed on our website, hoping to share with the wider community, demonstrating the power of Rotary to influence lives in our local and international community. Hope you enjoy the read.

We wish Simon (Bus Driver) and Sandy (assistant cook) a great time as they attend the Health of the River program at Calperum this week. The team leaves Murray Bridge Monday morning from the bus pick-up on Adelaide Road.

All members are invited to attend this week’s meeting to view the 2026 calendar, presented by Jacquie Best. The previews have been enticing and I have already been working on my list of which overseas relatives are getting a copy this year. Hope to see you all there

Looking forward to another great week, remembering ‘Helping other people can be a cure, Not just for those who are in need, But for your soul as well’

Roxanne 

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.

1. How did you make first contact with our club?
2. Why do you stay a member?
3. What are you passionate about, both broadly and within the club?
4. How do you engage with the club?
5. How do you relax?
6. What has been your most exhilarating Rotary experience?
7. What does volunteering mean to you?

I received an invitation in the mail to attend a Rotary function in the weeks to follow. Discussions with my husband left us thinking this was part of a membership drive. For the previous 12 months, I had been investigating what Service Club I would consider joining when I finally retired, attending their meetings, asking what their projects included and what service was undertaken locally and overseas, but had yet to investigate/attend a Rotary meeting. The invitation indicated formal dress attire and we were pleasantly surprised to see so many familiar faces when we arrived on the night. The event was an annual Handover night. What happened at that meeting would change my life for the next 11 years (and continues to do so today) as I was presented with a Paul Harris Fellow for services to Public Education in the Murraylands (my employment for the previous 40+ years at Murray Bridge High School). I was able to humbly respond with a small speech and at the end of the evening, I hurried home to Google ‘Who is Paul Harris?’ and ‘What is his connection to Rotary?’ I hadn’t chosen Rotary, Rotary had chosen me. Within weeks I was invited to join and as they say, ‘the rest is history’

The Rotary Club of Murray Bridge is an active club which provides many different opportunities to serve. Its projects have made, and are making, a significant impact locally and internationally over the years I have been a member, and it has been, and continues to be, a privilege and pleasure to be able to contribute. The people I have met and the connections I have made are also a primary reason. I enjoy the fellowship of like-minded people. The personal growth that comes from volunteering in leadership roles within the Club has been valuable in my professional career as an educator and I am looking forward to continued involvement in Rotary when retirement finally occurs.

Giving back! There is so much need in places, both near and far. The more I learn about, and am exposed to, these needs, the more passionate I become about doing what I can to help, be it supplying Birthing Kits for safer births in rural and remote regions of the world, to providing hygiene products and facilities to enable girls in disadvantaged communities to stay at school and complete their education, or simply making a small but positive difference in the lives of people in our local community.  I’m passionate about developing viable projects by “joining the dots” through a process involving a community needs analysis and subsequent project development in consultation with the beneficiaries, the sourcing of funding, project implementation and management in partnership with the beneficiaries or their representatives and finally a project review on completion. The key success factor in this process is involving the beneficiaries in all stages to ensure the project is sustainable.

I enjoy  the regular weekly meetings and particularly enjoy the various guest speakers. I am involved with Club management and have served on the Club Board in several capacities including the president of the club. I enjoy my involvement with any/all catering activities to raise much needed funds to be able to support the projects both locally and overseas. I have initiated projects including the Bremer Valley Art Trail Tea Rooms at Callington where members are able to show their talents in making and serving Devonshire Teas to all the visitors to the Pop-Up Art Gallery. I am an avid recycler and our club projects of recycling plastics 2, 4, 5 and medicinal blister packs give me comfort in the knowledge we are reducing landfill and making the planet better for the generations to come.

I enjoy relaxing in the garden,  sharing a driving role of a 1962 EK Holden Sedan, and participating in a Food and Wine Club experiencing dining in a range of local establishments where chefs can demonstrate their extensive range of culinary skills. When at home, I enjoy crochet and sewing, making items for a range of Charities

I enjoy taking our regional Year 6 students to Calperum on our club Environmental Youth Program - you never know what impact you will have on the lives of these young people in such a short time away from home with them.

Being in a position to give back to my community through using my skill, experience and knowledge is very satisfying. Whether through offering advice, support or practical effort and contribution, we can see direct improvement in the lives of others through our combined work as a club. By joining with others, our work is leveraged and multiplied. I think it's a healthy way to live: being outwardly focused. I have the time and the ability to be actively involved, so I will continue to do so while I am still able. It is a way to live a life of significance in my retirement. 

1. How did you make first contact with our club? Purchasing an Insurance Business in Murray Bridge 2013, Jim Mason became a client and with our first meeting he suggested we consider Joining a Rotary Club to assist us getting known in the community. We decided on Murray Bridge Rotary as our Personal Choice, and came along to a meeting which inspired us to join.  

2. Why do you stay a member? I personally have a passion to give back to the community as I feel all my acquaintances have assisted me to get where I am now. Rotary provides the opportunity to meet other like-minded people & assist in local plus wider community projects & activities. 

3. What are you passionate about, both broadly and within the club? I am passionate about creating opportunities for young and older people, offering them something which they may not have experienced & which will create memories for them. I hold a high respect for older people; the life experiences and stories they tell assist people like me to learn more as we grow with knowledge & age.  

4. How do you engage with the club? I try to be involved with what I can make a difference in, always happy to help out in any area & assist anyone if they want a hand.  

5. How do you relax? Relaxing now that is possibly a hard one, but I regularly go to a gym, walk daily (use to run but wear & tear has stopped this). I have been learning to play the guitar & sing for the last 13ish years, this I have vowed to myself to continue “maybe not as good as I would like” but life is about learning & just having a go.  

6. What has been your most exhilarating Rotary experience? This is something which is quite repetitive “just seeing a happy face from someone you have made a difference with”. 

7. What does volunteering mean to you? Doing something for nothing, either within an organisation like Rotary or just in everyday life assisting others whether it is raising funds or just doing some gardening for them, and in return not expecting a reward for your efforts. 

Join us for a cuppa, activities and to learn about support available for people with dementia and their carers

As part of Dementia Action Week, running from 15-21 September, the Murray Bridge Dementia Friendly Group is hosting a free morning tea.

📆 Wednesday 17 September

🕝 10.30 – 11.30am

📍 Murray Bridge Library

The event is supported by The Rural City of Murray Bridge Council, Dementia Australia and the Murray Bridge Community Centre.

CALENDAR WINNERS 

9^th September

 

Value	No.	Winner	Location	Sold By
$100	263	Ruth Mussger	Tailem Bend	Roxanne Rowland
$50	594	A & K Pavy	Strathalbyn	Strath Darts

 

mteSA Awards

On Friday evening (5^th September), President Roxanne, PP Jenny Phillips and her husband Peter, attended the mteSA Awards at the Murray Bridge Racing Club Function Centre (Gifford Hill).  The Rotary Club of Murray Bridge was a minor sponsor, giving us an opportunity to see what is happening in the various Vocational Training areas, not only in the Murraylands, but Riverland and Barossa as well.  Past President Jenny was also a member of the Judging Panel along with Bruce Davis, (mteSA former Board Member and Life Member), and Noel Kneebone (retired Primary School Principal and Education Officer.   

Approximately 300 guests were in attendance, including Hon. Tony Pasin, Federal Member for Barker, Hon. Blair Bowyer, Minister for Education and Vocational Education, Hon. Adrian Pederick MP for Hammond, Mayor Wayne Thorley Rural City of Murray Bridge, and Mayor of Karoonda East Murray, Caroline Phillips, who is also the Regional Manager for the TAFE SA Study Hub.  Radio presenter, Stacey Lee, was the MC for the evening.  

The evening gave President Roxanne and myself an opportunity to network with other guests, including employers, trainees and apprentices.

We congratulate all the winners in the multiple categories and can assure you that Vocational Training is alive and well in the many small to medium businesses in our region.  

Jenny Phillips

PP Rotary Club of Murray Bridge