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NEW YEAR - NEW BEGINNINGS

The start of a New Year offers a perfect opportunity for Rotary clubs and members to embrace new beginnings, set fresh goals, and make an even greater impact. Here are some ideas to inspire your Rotary initiatives for the New Year.

Reflect and Set Goals

Host a vision-setting meeting to reflect on the past year’s accomplishments and challenges.

Identify areas where your club can expand its outreach, improve engagement, or tacklenew projects.

New Membership Drives

Use the New Year to launch a membership campaign.

Organise an open house or community event to attract prospective members.

Emphasise Rotary’s values of fellowship and service to inspire others.

Foster Collaboration

Strengthen partnerships with local organisations, businesses or other Service clubs.

Plan joint initiatives to maximise your Club’s reach and resources.

Invest in Leadership Development

Offer training and mentorship programs for club members.

Encourage younger members or newer Rotarians to take on leadership roles.

Build Rotary Awareness

Enhance your club’s social media presence to share stories of impact.

Organise public awareness campaignsto highlight Rotary’s global and local contributions.

There are also many more areas to consider: engaging in Rotary’s youth programs, focusing on our seven areas of focus, celebrating our Achievements etc.

By starting the year with renewed energy and purpose, Rotary Club’s can strengthen their impact and continue to make a positive difference in the community and beyond.

Happy New Year to you all and wishing a successful 2025

District Governor: Rob Uhl

A Once in a Lifetime Sailing Adventure

This East Coast Youth Leadership Challenge would be a tremendous experience

for a young person from your community.

COMBINED 100 YEARS OF SERVICE

The Rotary Club of Orange had a very special gathering this week to celebrate and honour two extraordinary individuals who each have dedicated 50 years of service to

Rotary and to their communities. It’s hard for us mere mortals to grasp such a milestone! Kerry Rawson and Chris Gryllis are a testament to not only their incredible

commitment to the ideals of Rotary but to the lives they have touched and the difference they have made to their communities over the past five decades.

Rotary is built on the foundation of service above self, and they have embodied that principle every step of the way. Whether it was through organising Impactful projects, mentoring new members, leading initiatives, or simply lending a hand

wherever it was needed, both these Rotarians have shown us what true dedication and service look like.

Their contributions have strengthened their club and inspired a generation of Rotarians to follow in their footsteps. Through their work countless lives have been changed, communities uplifted and opportunities created for those who otherwise

may have gone without.

Chris was born on the Greek island of Patmos in April 1 1944. Chris with his brothers came to Orange in 1952 They worked together to establish several successful businesses before Chris branched into Real Estate. Chris joined Rotary in October 1971.

Chris, (a Paul Harris Fellow) in his 50 years of Rotary has held a number of positions in the Club including President 1977-78. Entwined in his Rotary commitments Chris served for 27 years as an Orange City Councillor including being Deputy Mayor.

Kerry is a life long resident of Orange being both born there and educated at Orange High, Kerry opened Regency Jewellers in 1968 now having multiple shop fronts in the Central West employing over 70 people.

Kerry also has held many positions in the Club including that of President. Kerry has also given 20years of service to Lifeline

National RESCA Awards

These Awards are a Vocational Service initiative OF THE Rotary Districts. Currently NSW, ACT and Victoria participate but are looking that next year Tasmania and Queensland will participate.

In keeping with Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self” , the Awards acknowledge and celebrate selfless Community Service of Emergency Services personnel while supporting an important Rotary initiative: Australian Rotary Health PhD Research Scholarship into mental health in Emergency Service Personnel. Whole in dividual services have specific internal Awards, The emergency Services Community Awards, is the only platform in which emergency Services personnel are recognised by their community. The Awards are open to all Emergency services personnel, both paid and volunteer capacity.

In Canberra yesterday the winners of each state and territory came together for the announcement of the National Winners.

The winners were:

Gary Luxford – Fire Rescue Victoria. Gary is recognised as an esteemed volunteer with 56 years of service at the Tooradin Country Fire Authority (CFA).

Beginning his journey at 18 years he has held pivotal roles including Captain of the Warneet Fire Brigade for a decade and Group Captain of the Cranbourne Fire Brigade for another 10 yeas His commitment extended to rebuilding communities post disaster, notably after the Bunyip/Garfield fires, where he assisted with debris clearance and reconstruction efforts. Beyond firefighting, Gary’s impact spans diverse community roles – he is a Justice of the Peace, overseeing the Cranbourne Signing Centre, and has been a devoted Rotarian for 26 years serving as Club President twice. His initiatives include innovative fund raising projects like a scrap metal program benefiting local causes.

Sashi Vagadia – Victoria PolicaSashi serves as a Sergeant in the public Order response team within Victoria Police, overseeing operations and supporting team members across the state.

With a background in the UK Metropolitan Police as a Detective Inspector, Sahi joined the Victoria Police in 2017, bringing with him a commitment to community service and mental health advocacy. He established the “Baton Challenge” iniative at the Victoria Police Academy, raising over $10,000 for Victorian Police Legacy and enhancing awareness among recruits. Sashi volunteers extensively, notably organising the Lara RSL 24hr 96kim Kokoda Memorial Challenge raising $50,000 for Soldier On and increasing RSL membership significantly. He also supports the Victoria Police Legacy children’s Retreat and serves as an Ambassador for VPL.

Sashi’s dedication extends to promoting mental health and well being within the Police force, fostering a supportive environment through initiatives like “Canines and Coffee” with Police veterans Victoria. His selfless contributions exemplify his commitment to community, membership, and leadership in Victoria Police.

Our commendations also go to the judges as all finalists (seven of them) all have demonstrated the commitment to Service Above Self and would have had a very hard job deciding the two winners.

EYES FOR AFRICA: A MILTON-ULLADULLA RAWCS PROJECT

Rotary Australia World Community Service Ltd. (RAWCS) was formed to enable Australian Rotarians, Rotary Districts and Rotary Clubs to assist communities and individuals through humanitarian aid projects. In our Community Group we have three RAWCS projects currently operating. One of these is the Eyes for Africa project established by the Rotary Club of Milton-Ulladulla.

Welcome to the
District 9705 Website

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District Governor: Rob Uhl

Rotary E-Club of Brindabella

District Board

23-24 Newsletters Archive

D9705 Conference 2023

D9705 Conference 2024

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Jimmy Carter's vision for peace

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