I believe this will be my last President’s report for 2025 – oh how the weeks, months and now the year has flown by

Tuesday night we held our annual Christmas Party and due to the hard-working team behind the scenes, it was another very successful event. The food was beautiful (especially when we knew where the ham had flown to), the vegetables (those chat potatoes were unbelievable again, John) and the salads were tasty and altogether made for a beautiful meal. The Christmas story narrated by Jenny had the younger children enthralled and Santa did not disappoint any child present. Singing the Christmas carols was a beautiful way to end the evening. AC Care were so appreciative of the Food parcel and Toy delivery when I dropped them off Wednesday morning.

On Thursday morning we celebrated the end of the school year with Callington Primary School at the Semaphore Carousel and with the organisation by Lyn and the generosity of the Rotary Club of Henley Beach, a magnificent day was had by all. The children were no sooner off their carousel ride, then they were back at the beginning of the line waiting to ride the next round. The venue brought back childhood memories for many Rotarians and many of us who attended, certainly enjoyed our rides as well. The children flew kites, kicked the football, played some cricket, walked the jetty, spent time in the playground, and enjoyed watermelon and fruit boxes, before boarded the bus for home. Well done Lyn and your RALY team for the organisation of this lovely event. Lunch with Rotarians from the RC Henley Beach at the Palais Hotel was the perfect way for us to end the day. A special Thank You shout out to the Rotary Club of Henley Beach who have agreed to waive the fee for any other school we would like to replicate the activity with into the future. Another great joint club project.

The Bremer Valley Pop-up Art Market Tearooms & Rotary Christmas Gift Trading Table had Rotarians baking in their kitchens for the event on Saturday. I would personally like to thank all who made gifts or baked items for the Trading Table. (While I have no photos), the trading table looked beautiful and we sold a lot of Christmas gifts. The Devonshire teas came in waves of all or none and this kept Sandy and myself on our toes in the kitchen. As this was the last Tearooms event for 2025, I will be surveying all who have attended or assisted in this event, seeking feedback as to whether we continue this event into 2026.

We tried some different marketing techniques for this event and while my movie skills are far from getting me into Hollywood any time soon, I was more than willing to give it a try. Thanks, Robin for the recording and we certainly had a few interesting comments on the Social Media pages

At the end of the day, we had enough goods to make up a Trading Table at Bunnings on Sunday and with Sandy’s help, we managed to sell 99% of the donated gifts and baked goods to the public, who were eager to hear of the planned Birthing Kits Project in January. Still waiting for some final figures to show the funds raised from both of these events.

The Monarto Safari Resort Raffle has been a success – in terms of ticket sales – ALL SOLD OUT – well before the date we had predicted. Thanks to all members for getting those tickets sold so fast. The draw will take place just after Christmas (as many tickets are for Christmas gifts) and we will await the final financial figures to share in this aspect of the raffle success

So, what does the remainder of 2025 look like?

• Tuesday – December 16^th  – Rotary Christmas Breakfast at the home of John and Bev Scarvelis, beginning at 7.00am
• Tuesday  - December 16^th – final Calendar sales are due with all monies and tear-off returns to Jacquie as a matter of urgency.
• Wednesday 31^st December – NEW YEAR’S EVE – at Sturt Reserve – come and join Jim and the team for a great way to see in the New Year – cooking for the Public 

And just some reminders:

• Our first gathering for 2026 is on Tuesday 6^th January when we will have Committee meetings under the guidance of Directors
• Can all members please register to attend the Birthing Kit Assembly Day on Saturday January 17^th – using Club Runner or via the website – Sue really needs to know how many members we will have present and who will be able to assist with specific tasks on the day. All the materials to assemble the Birthing Kits arrived on my front door last Friday

As we celebrate Christmas, let’s embrace the joy of giving back. May your holidays be bright and your commitment to “Service Above Self” continue to shine. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Roxanne

Want to know about Birthing Kits?

Visit our Birthing Kit page to donate or assist on our Public Assembly day on 17th January 2026.

Location is the White Park Clubrooms, Mulgundawa Rd.

1:00 - 3:00pm

https://portal.clubrunner.ca/12638/Events/birthing-kit-assembly-day

Click this link to see what makes up a kit 
https://vimeo.com/1139771215

Expression of Interest

Potential Rotary Group Friendship Exchange – India D3000 

In early 2024, members from our District (9510) arranged an inbound and outbound Group Friendship Exchange (GFE) with Rotary members from Southeast India District 3000.

We have been approached again by District 3000 to consider establishing a GFE in 2026 – 27 or 2028.

Before preparing any plans for such an exchange we need to establish who in our district 9510 is interested and would like to be involved. 

We are now seeking expressions of interest from D9510 members for an outbound GFE traveling to India and/or hosting an inbound GFE from India. Club Presidents and Club Secretaries could you please share this notice with all club members.

What’s next

• Establish a list of interested Rotary members.

• Hold a briefing session and determine if a GFE with India D3000 is viable 

Please register your Expression of Interest. 

• This is an exciting opportunity to engage with Rotary colleagues in and from India, please provide your Name,  Email and mobile phone details to Adrian Roach, RC Flagstaff Hill, ajrmakeitso@gmail.com or phone/SMS 0409 330 803 by Sunday 31 January 2026.

CALENDAR WINNERS 

9^th December

 

Value	No.	Winner	Location	Sold By
$100	295	Alice Del Zoppo	Marion	L Sickerdick
$50	814	Katherine Horseman	Mt Barker	MB Pistol Club

 

SOLD OUT

THANKS TO ALL OF OUR SUPPORTERS

PUT US IN YOUR DIARY - FEB 15^TH

Murray Bridge High School Robotics
students at National Championships

The Rotary Club of Murray Bridge has assisted with sponsorship of the MBHS Robotics Club for their trip to Macquarie University to be part of the National Competition. This is the third year the school has qualified to attend – where qualifications are based on competition results in the previous state competitions in that year. Our correspondence has been with Fiona Rabone – the Club mentor/staff member coordinating the MBHS teams throughout the year.

“The 2025 Australian FTC (First Tech Challenge) Championships have begun. Murray Bridge Teams actually made it to Macquarie University – despite Jetstar cancelling our Thursday flights AND the Harbour Bridge turning 6 lanes into 1. (being caught in a traffic jam at 11.00 pm on the Harbour Bridge with a group of teenage students was not in the plans). It’s time for fun!’ said Fiona. Students were amazed to find members of the 2023 MBHS team featured on the welcome banner – another promotion of the excellent work Fiona and her team have accomplished at MBHS.

First Tech Challenge students learn to think like engineers. Teams of up to 15 students design, build and program robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge in an alliance format against other teams. Robots are built from a reusable platform, powered by Android technology, and can be coded by a variety of levels of Java-based programming. Teams raise funds, design and market their team brand and do community outreach to earn specific awards. Each season concludes with an exciting FIRST Championship.

Guided by adult coaches and mentors, students develop STEM skills and practice Engineering principles while realising the value of hard work, innovation and working as a team. At the time of writing this article, MBHS was currently placed 3 (out of 42 teams) but this could change as some of the teams play their last match.

We await with baited breath to hear of their final results. 

(Note: those who attended the MBHS Presentation Night will see one of the Year 12 Subject Prize winners, in the photo of the 2025 team – dedication to the team and the event – well done Lucas)