Our interaction with and support for the community is what we are all about as well as our wider responsibilities as part of Rotary International.   In recent weeks we have been out and about – helping to pack a container of educational materials to go to PNG at the RARE  (Rotary Australia Recycling Equipment) shed,  staging a very successful concert to raise funds for the Rotary Western Queensland Flood appeal (thanks to David and Mary Kearney), then distributing much needed groceries to Anglicare, the Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul from the mid-year grocery appeal facilitated by Kenmore Village Shopping Centre.   Many thanks to Manager Lisa, Joe and the Village team for their assistance with this project. Of course thank you to Ricky for her tireless work in this area.

I hope you can attend our next meeting which will give you an opportunity to provide your thoughts and ideas about what we are doing, how we are doing it and what else we could be doing.   This will help the Board to shape our program for the rest of the year.

Lastly please mark your diaries for our meeting on 16 September when we will be joined by District Governor Mark Williams.  With more than 100 clubs in the District we are unlikely to have any other visits from Mark during his year as DG.

Yours in Rotary service

Margaret

Last Meeting

Club Meeting

held at One Table Cafe

5th August 2025

Chair :           Martin Grabert

Reporter :    Helen Donovan

Guests: Sanjay Shah

Toasts: The Chair proposed the Rotary Toast to members and guests.

Birthdays for the month of August: Deirn Geard; Ross Thomas; Judy Xavier; Rob Mattern; Ian Nave and recognition of Ruthven Underhill for his Queensland Credit Professional of the year award.

Dinner

Welcome: President Margaret welcomed all guests and Club members. 

President’s Comments:

• 28^th July: Thank you was expressed for the attendance by Margaret and June at the KSHS Leadership ceremony.
• 29^th July: Margaret mentioned that 17 people attended the Social Event at Icarus Greek Restaurant
• Ross met with Bridie Smith and her parents regarding her Exchange Student application for 2026.  Kenmore RC will need families to be host for future inbound Exchange Students.
• 3^rd August: Several members assisted with packing containers at Alexandra Hills.
• 4^th August: The Flood Relief Concert at Kenmore Anglican Church was attended by approx. 90 people. Margaret thanked the Brisbane Citizens Concert Band and Kelsey Giarola and those who assisted on the day. DG Mark Williams sent a letter of appreciation to the Club for the concert and the money raised. Kenmore RC Board moved to donate $10,000 towards the Flood Relief of Western Queensland. 

Upcoming Events:

• 27^th August: Solar Buddies program at St Peter’s Lutheran College where 125 Solar Buddies are to be assembled.
• Urvi Shah received a PHF for her contribution to our Club and R.I.
• Ross Thomas was presented with 25 years of Active Membership certificate.
• Jason Pole received his Director’s Badge for Strategy and Communication.
• Jason and his family became Australian Citizens recently and were presented with some Australian mementos.
• Margaret mentioned that there will be fewer guest speakers and more interaction from members during the   new Rotary year. Information on the Foundation and Rotary International will also be shared.
• The Rotary Club of Kenmore Strategic Plan which was created 3 years ago will be finalised. Margaret asked members the question: “Where do you see Kenmore Rotary in 3, 5 and 10 years’ time?” Margaret asked for input from members.
• Questions were raised: “How we communicate information to members ?” “Are we selling our message properly?” The GIST and the new RDU newsletter were mentioned.
• Mary Kearney’s portfolio is International and Foundation. There will be an international toast every 2^nd meeting. Mary will discuss the Rotary Foundation at meetings. 
• Mary discussed the PHF recognition program.  It commenced in 1957 and uses Clubs donations towards the PHF recognition of members and community members for service given. There are 5 levels of recognition.
• Sanjay Shah discussed the PNG Melbourne Cup trip being proposed by his RC. Members and families are invited to attend a Melbourne Cup function at the Hilton in Port Moresby and other functions being organised from 30^th October to 5^th November. Contact Sanjay for further information.
• 19^th August: Club meeting
• 28^th September: Club get together at the home of Margaret and Hank de Wit. Afternoon tea from 3:00 – 5:00pm.
• 22^nd November: Christmas Party at Centenary Tavern
• Ross mentioned that Chapel Hill SS has declined to have the Solar Buddies program for 2025.
• Ruthven informed the Club that he has obtained donations for the Solar Buddies program from Metal Manufacturers and $10,000 donation from National Collection Services. 
• A comment was made that we need more schools to participate in this program. Schools order and pay for the lights and the Club pays for 50% of the cost.
• Jim Dalton asked members to think about ways to improve the running of the Christmas Raffle.

Meeting Closed

Club Projects

Flood Relief Concert

Working at RARE

Helping E-Waste

Next Club Meeting 19th August

In Retrospect….