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
Jun 16, 2026 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm Cen. Australia Standard Time (UTC+09:30)
Join with members of the Rotary Club of Murray Bridge as we hear of the amazing South Australian, Sir Hubert Wilkins.
War hero, scientist, naturalist, spy, sub mariner, aviator, polar explorer, photographer, Wilkins was the most remarkable explorer of the 20th century.
We welcome your attendance as we learn more from Carolyn Spooner, formerly of the South Australian Library but now retired.
Attendance including dinner is $27 but if you wish only to hear the address, cost is $5.
Jul 25, 2026 4:30 pm - 11:00 pm Cen. Australia Standard Time (UTC+09:30)
Christmas in July.
Get ready to embrace the festive spirit this winter! Join us for our Christmas in July Gala, a heartwarming in-person event in support for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Rotary Club of Murray Bridge.
Enjoy an evening packed with holiday themed fun, including exciting games, raffles, door prizes, and even a best Christmas dressed competition – so don’t forget to wear your most festive Christmas outfit! There be plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained, along with great company and delicious treats to make the night extra special.
Whether it’s the thrill of winning a prize, the joy of festive games, or simply the chance to give back, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
So, dust of your favourite Christmas jumper, bring your holiday cheer, and let’s make this July feel like December – all while supporting the incredible work of the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Rotary Club of Murray Bridge.
All attendees must be 18 years or over.
Doors open at 4:30pm with official opening at 5:00pm
What an amazing week our club members have experienced over the last 7 days – So what have members been up to?
Tuesday’s gathering was very powerful – we heard from a young Mason Mirabito who had experienced the opportunity on a week on The One and All, not long after he completed the gruelling Operation Flinders. He shared his journey, the experiences of a week on the tall ship and his love of photography. Mason was joined by Rotary District Governor Rajeev Kamineni who shared all things Rotary through his life passion of making movies -the ups and downs and how each life experience shaped his journey through Rotary. We thank them both for sharing their experiences and enriching our lives
In preparation for my new role of Rotary Community Leader (RCL), I attended Rotary Community Leaders Training – Wednesday May 27th via Zoom, meeting the other RCLs and gaining the homework tasks needed in preparation for delivery to President’s Elect on Saturday afternoon.
On Friday, I attended the Murray Bridge News Murraylands Business Awards in the company of the Director of “The Common Unknowns” – our very own business woman – Caitlin Lennon and husband Sam. While she may not have won the New Business Category, Caitlin used the evening to network with other finalists, while demonstrating all the attributes of a Rotarian. Well done Caitlin – It was an amazing and enjoyable night spent with good company.
On Saturday, club members experienced the Murray Bridge Cabaret Band Festival at the Bridges Event centre. Reluctantly, I relinquished my ticket to another Rotarian after I was double booked with PELS B Training and Development. While the temperature of the venue was low, the music was hot and did not disappoint to be better performances than last year. Thanks so much Secretary Julieanne for organising this Social Event for club members.
President-elect Simon and I attended PELS B training on Saturday 30that The Observatory where the sessions were designed to provide President’s elect with knowledge and advice to be able to volunteer as President of our club. I do hope we can provide President Simon with time for him to share his learning with club members. I was also able to meet all the new Presidents in Group 7 of the Rotary Learning Group and discuss the projects we may like to work on in the 2026-27 Rotary year.
Club Leaders Learning Seminar (District Assembly) – Sunday 31st May – at St Michael’s College, Henley Beach – 9club membersattended the learning seminar which prepared club leaders for their year in office and built their leadership team. The sessions gave District Governor Elect, Tim Mee, and District Committees the opportunity to share more about the different programs of Rotary. They also provided a fellowship opportunity for ALL members of different Rotary Clubs of District 9510. Please chat to those who attended to hear of their experiences of all things Rotary. Professional Development and continuous learning are vital to ensuring our club continues to grow, serve our community, and make a positive impact. Thanks to Robin for all his expertise in IT over the 2 days – your skills are amazing and appreciated by the organisers and participants alike.
We are also excited to share Rotary’s new message for 2026-2027:
Create Lasting Impact
Those attending look forward to embracing this inspiring theme as we continue our Rotary journey together and work to make a meaningful difference in our community
A reminder that this week’s gathering on Tuesday 2nd June is at the Murray Bridge Council Chambers – we meet at 5-45pm for a 6-00pm start. Cost for the evening is $15 for the chicken and salad meal.. We will commence our gathering in the “Meeting Room” adjacent to the Reception Area and following the meal, we will move to the Council Chamber, where guest speakers Mayor Wayne Thorley and CEO Heather Barclay will give an overview of the Council’s current and forecasted work. Several councillors will also be in attendance.
Shave, Cut, Colour - Please consider attending the Mobilong Rotary Club project of Shave, Cut, Colour to raise money for victims of Family Violence and education surrounding Family Violence. Their President Ann-Marie will be shaving her head, while encouraging others to cut their hair or dye their hair BLUE for the cause. Please consider attending the event on Wednesday 3rd June at Murray Bridge RSL or donating to the cause through the details in the flier. Gordon and I have decided to support President Anne-Marie and have our heads shaved and hair coloured respectively.
Foodbank’s The Great Unwaste Workshop – Foodbank SA & NT is hosting this workshop on Friday 12th June at noon in the Tailem Bend Town Hall. There’s lots to lean as we look to understand better food storage, tips for flexible meal planning, and creative ways to enjoy leftovers. The workshop is being supported by Foodbank SA & NT and the Coorong District Council. See the flier below.
Please consider inviting partners and friends to our June 16th gathering at the Bridgeport when we will hear from Carolyn Spooner on ‘The Life of Sir Hubert Wilkins’ As the flier details, Sir George ‘Hubert’ Wilkins is particularly noted for ‘firsts’, including flights across the Arctic and in Antarctica, and taking a submarine beneath the frozen Arctic Ocean. He was also a war correspondent, cinematographer, naturalist, geographer and pioneering climatologist
This week we have:
Tuesday Evening June 2nd at the Rural City of Murray Bridge Council Offices to share information on the issues facing council when Mayor Wayne Thorley and CEO Heather Barclay will be our Guest speakers
Wednesday 3rd June Rotary Club of Mobilong Shave, Cut, Colour event raising funds for victims of Family Violence and education surrounding Family Violence
And Dates for your diaries:
Bunnings BBQ – Monday 8th June
Guest Speaker – Carolyn Spooner sharing a presentation on Sir Hubert Wilkins – Tuesday 16th June
Changeover Dinner – Saturday 27th June
District Changeover – Wednesday 8th July
Christmas in July – Saturday 25th July
Roxanne
Share this information with your friends and ask them to book online
European Carp
Kate Mason Senior Ecologist with the Murraylands Landscape Board addressed the Rotary Club of Murray Bridge on the European Carp problem in the River Murray and in particular in SA. The problem is much more severe in South Australia due to the relatively slowing of river flow and wetlands making breeding better for the carp than anywhere else on the river. Control methods include mechanical traps limiting carp passage by size and drying out then refilling wetlands similarly to what occurs naturally. Some of this occurs on privately owned land. Teal Flat is a great example of this technique and the Loveday Mussells project where an estimated 1075 adult carp per 2 ha produced 60,200 carp when drained estimated at 361,200 tons preventing 30 billion eggs. In addition carp eat macroinvertebrates and zooplankton in competition with native fish. John Scarvelis
CALENDAR WINNERS LAST WEEK
THE ROTARY CLUB OF MURRAY BRIDGE
INVITES MEMBERS, FAMILIES AND FRIENDS TO ATTEND OUR
2026 - 2027 PRESIDENT CHANGEOVER DINNER
Hear the 2025-26 achievements from President Roxanne Rowland
Followed by the
Induction of Incoming President Simon Sickerdick
Date: Saturday 27th June 2026
Time: 6.00 for a 6.30pm start
Venue: RSL Bistro on the Bridge 2 Ross Rd, Murray Bridge East
Cost: $60.00 per person for 2 course meal $15.00 per child (12 years and under)
Bubbles on arrival Bar facilities will be available
Dress: After Five, Lounge suit, (Black tie optional)
Rotary International’s Epic Day of Service has seen thousands of volunteers come together across the globe to make a difference in their communities. On May 16th, 2026 various Rotary Clubs participated in the event, showcasing the power of community service
This THANK YOU message comes from Bill Marles, RC Adelaide Central and part of the coordination team of the Pioneer Adventure Day at Old Tailem Town –
“The passion of so many Rotarians never ceases to amaze me – and without all of you, we could not have made Rotary’s Pioneer Adventure Day so incredibly successful Flick through over 100 photos to paint the picture for yourself: https://rotarypioneeradventureday.au/photo-gallery
About 220 volunteers helped run it … including around 140 Rotary members from approximately 15 clubs.
Around 600 farmers came along.
Over $50,000 worth of groceries, household items and farm supplies were given away as families left
The entire event totalled around $130,000 (including giveaways) to support farming families doing it tough.
At the “Health Hub”, 7 farmers were identified with potentially life-threatening conditions where immediate follow-up may well have saved lives: • 2 with advanced melanoma • 4 with advanced undiagnosed diabetes • 1 with blood pressure of 225/115 …and even more concerns identified through cholesterol and related testing.
Our friends at Fat Farmers, Adelaide University and Flinders University already have systems in place to follow these people up.
Beyond the serious side, the day was full of – laughter, dancing, music, food, entertainment, community connection
Some farmers arrived planning to stay for 2 hours … and left 6 hours later. We think that says it all
The day frankly could not have gone any better if it tried. It seemed to tick every box — a huge relief for everyone involved.
A MASSIVE shout out to the Rotary Club of Murray Bridge, President Roxanne Rowland
I’ve finally met someone who NEVER sleeps
OLD TAILEM TOWN owners Tina and Danny Squires went above and beyond — opening not only their village, but also their hearts to Rotary and our farming communities
On the day, magnificent contributors helping physically run the event included (alphabetically):
Rotary Clubs of:- Adelaide, Adelaide Central, Adelaide Light, Burnside, Hyde Park, Mobilong, Mt Barker, Murray Bridge, Prospect, Regency Park, St Peters, Strathalbyn, Tailem Bend, Unley, West Lakes
Inner Wheel Clubs of:- Adelaide Hills, Holdfast Marion, Mobilong, North East Sunset, Tea Tree Gully, IW District A70 (SA), IW Australia – Disaster Relief Fund
Many of the clubs above also financially sponsored farming families to enjoy a FREE day of fun and health checks, along with support from the Rotary Clubs of:- Adelaide Parks, Alice Springs, Blackwood, Eastwood, Edwardstown, Flagstaff Hill, Goolwa, Holdfast Bay, Morialta, Norwood, Somerton Park
THE DAY had so many elements.
Community groups from around Tailem Bend partnered with Rotary to help make it happen.
To finish off — a personal THANK YOU to every single person who, in one way or another, helped make Rotary Pioneer Adventure Day so marvellous.
Following an ever-growing list of phone calls, emails and Facebook messages from farming families BLOWN AWAY by Rotary’s generosity and community spirit … we should all feel incredibly proud of what was achieved together
PS – they want to know if we’re doing it again next year!!”
Thank you to Bill Marles for this email published recently and now shared on Rotary District Facebook page.
People are thanking the volunteers and organisations involved, highlighting the impact of their selfless work. The Epic Day of Service demonstrates Rotary’s commitment to service above self, with many clubs continuing their efforts beyond the event
A special fundraising event has been organised for July. This is designed as a fundraiser for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and support for the many projects of the Rotary Club of Murray Bridge. Rotarians are required to assist.
Promote this amongs your friends as an opportunity for them to support our club. Follow this link for tickets. CLICK HERE
District Changeover - Wednesday 8 July 2026 at the Adelaide Oval
This event will be a celebration of what has been achieved this Rotary year under District Governor Rajeev and an opportunity to be inspired towards what’s ahead in 2026-27
DG Rajeev and DGE Tim would be grateful if you were able to join us for the celebrations at the District Changeover this year.
If you haven’t already done so, please register for the event via this link. The venue capacity is limited.
Bunnings
