I would like to start this Bulletin, by acknowledging that a number of our members are suffering a variety of personal health issues. As a club, we wish all these members a speedy recovery, hoping that all are feeling better very soon and as individuals, we are sending healing vibes to all. If you are needing assistance of any nature, please let a Rotarian know and we will support you

On Wednesday morning 15th October, 7 Rotarians and friends attended the Murray Bridge News sponsored Spring Business Breakfast at the Bridgeport Hotel. While it was an early start at 7-00am, Dimi Kyriazis, managing director of Golden North was an inspiring speaker, outlining his vision - soon to become a reality for Murray Bridge and the long term plans to increase production of a variety of products based on the dairy industry. We have engaged him to speak to our club at a later date.

On the topic of the re-introduction of the Business Breakfasts, some club members were approached to see if our Rotary Club would like to sponsor one (or more) event in 2026 - or perhaps take on even more involvement - if you have a view as to what or how you think our club might be involved in this local Business work, please chat to our Vocation Director, Stephen or myself. 

We celebrated another great Combined Services Club annual dinner last Wednesday evening. Not only did we get to mingle with like-minded volunteers from other Community Service Clubs, we read of their extensive range of Service Activities over the last 12 months. When you put all these hours together, it is an enormous act of selfless service in our local community. Guest Speaker, Senior Constable 1st Class David Brown kept everyone interested with a range of informative topics covering his early career days, his involvement with our youth in a range of community activities,  right up to receiving the 2025 SA Police Officer of the year award. International Director Sue was also able to circulate ‘Save the Date’ notices and Letters requesting financial support to all the Service Clubs for our BKFA Birthing Kit Assembly Activity in January 2026.

This week we also learned of another Act of Selflessness when Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) announced that Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, has graciously accepted the invitation to become Patron of the organisation. The press release indicates “ this esteemed patronage reflects Her Excellency’s commitment to supporting community organisations that make a meaningful impact across Australia and internationally.” We can be proud to have her as part of our Rotary organisation

Thursday Wayne and I delivered the first load of Blister Packs to the new Re-Co Recycling Co-Op at Somerton Park. What an amazing recycling facility - so modern in all the features and so much of their recycling is of a self-serve nature - there is always someone there to assist with the unloading if needed, and they take a huge range of products for recycling. Thanks to Simon and Lyn for volunteering to take loads of the Blister Packs to Re-Co as we continue to receive huge volumes from the Library Recycling Hub

Robin and I attended a Webinar on Thursday evening covering ‘Leveraging AI for Club Excellence - Where ChatGPT fits in’. Guest presenter Hamish Jones outlined a series of options where AI could assist clubs to document, record or initiate fliers etc and thereby saving time and stress if IT skills are not strong. Hamish included real examples covering Club Action Plans, Club Public Image options, Service Project ideas and Social Media examples - all of which need final checking for Rotary accuracy and correct branding before being distributed. I am keen to look at a couple of options over the next few months and I dare say more will appear in this space in the next half of our Rotary year

Calendar Coordinator Jacquie organised a community calendar sales event at Drakes on Saturday. A total of 28 calendars were sold. Thanks to Jacquie and her team for their efforts and to Drakes for the opportunity granted to our club.

Bunnings BBQ team was at Bunnings again on Sunday - serving up sausages and connecting to the community about the virtues of Rotary in our local community. Thanks to Sue for organising the team and thanks to all those who served on either shift.

This Tuesday we will be hearing from the students who participated in the latest Calperum Environmental Youth Camp - this is always a great night when we get to mingle with the students, their families and hear of the camp activities from the student’s perspective.

We also Have World Polio Day on Friday 24th October.

Just remember ‘The most beautiful things in life are not things. They are people, and places, memories and pictures, They are feelings, moments, smiles and laughter’

Roxanne 

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World Polio Day - 24th October

CALENDAR WINNERS 

14^th October

 

Value	No.	Winner	Location	Sold By
$100	563	Marie Fendler	Mt Torrens	Strath Darts
$50	706	Lisa Johns	Murray Bridge	Mobilong Rotary

 

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.

Sam Cozens

This is my Rotary Story

How did you first make contact with our club?

I joined Rotary as a result of an invitation through friends.

How do you engage with the club? 

I brought a number of management skills, and career experiences as a teacher of Secondary students, and as a leader of educators as a Principal at a number of schools.

What has been your most exhilarating Rotary experience?

I have chosen being a member of a Rotary Drought Relief Team as my Rotary Moment to share with you.

The Drought Relief Team of Jerry, Briony, Elizabeth and Sam, organised and carried out a week long tour of farming districts in the Murraylands, with the specific aim of helping families through an extended period of drought.

We arranged to meet personally with many family groups, talk with them about help services available through many organisations both governmental and private, and to distribute money assistance to help with short term provisions.

The impact of this kind of help for people in need is not only the advice given, and material assistance distributed, but the very powerful notion that we personally demonstrated we cared for the welfare of people going through a very difficult period in their lives. Service above self is the prime motivation of engagement for prospective Rotarians.

Environmental Youth Program

Day 1: Rotary Club of Murray Bridge Environmental Youth Program started Monday 29^th September with the first pick up in Murray Bridge. Everyone was on time & off we headed to Swan Reach for our 2^nd pick up.
Loxton Lions Park was a great place to stop for our lunch & a quick picture with the tree of knowledge.
Then onto Calperum Station after catching up with Michael Ingerson at Ingy’s Citrus Bookpurnong Hill who donated a box of oranges & a box of mandarins.
Arrived at Calperum around 2:45pm., just in time for some afternoon smoko after unpacking the bus & settling into the dorms & mess hall.
Everyone enjoyed a walk down to Ral Ral Creek prior to settling in for the evening getting ready for 2 days of activities from Calperum Station.

Day 2: The students (this includes all the Rotarians) experienced a cultural walk along Ral Ral Creek, starting at Caseys Camp:
Alwin Vernon (Casey) Cooper was a professional fisherman who lived and worked here on the banks of Ral Ral Creek during the latter half of the 20th Century. 
In 1959 he brought Reach P8U1 from the junction of Hunchee and Ral Ral Creeks to the Lake Merreti inlet for £25. He built this whitewashed shack out of bags in 1962 after the original structure of 1958 decayed through flooding.
We walked for 4.5km spotting 3 goannas & a few kangaroos on our way.
In the afternoon we all enjoyed re-planting Calperum Salt Bush from propagation trays into larger tubes assisting with their development. One of the Rangers explained how they are experimenting with making seed pellets from clay & different types of soil which could create a greater strike rate when revegetating various areas.
We then had a tour through the Calperum Office & were shown the area Calperum lmanages on a large map, plus a lot of other interesting displays including some Aboriginal weaving.
Following our afternoon smoko we tried a bit of fishing with our new Rods, Reels, Hats & Fishing gear donated by BCF Murray Bridge. – didn’t catch anything but had some fun. 
After dinner we cooked damper on a stick & enjoyed it with jam & honey before going to bed getting ready for another busy day.

Day 3: re-vegetation project in the morning & Canoe the Riverland in the afternoon.
Starting our activities at 9am, everyone headed out to an area which had been setup for the students to place some new seedlings into the ground.
We planted 2 different types of salt bush “Old Man Salt Bush (Atriplex semibaccata), a creeping salt bush (Atriplex semibaccata)” and pig face (native Carpobrotus modestus).
All the students used various tools to dig the new planting holes, irrigation had been set up we all placed the plants in specific marked areas for the 3 various seedlings.

Once the planting was complete a wire netting had to be placed around the plants with a bit of shade cloth to protect the seedlings in the hot weather, this was great fun & another new experience for everyone.

Day 3 Afternoon Canoe the Riverland:

After lunch we met Brenton at Windmill Bend for 3 hours of canoeing. Brenton was a great instructor & made sure everyone had a good idea on what to do before getting in the water.
DG Rajeev joined us for the afternoon and enjoyed watching all the students have a great time on the water, enjoying all the fun exercises Brenton was getting the students to do.

   Following the Canoeing it was back to camp for some smoko, a rest & then start preparing for our home trip in the morning.
Had another great BBQ meal followed by toasting marshmallows & then into bed for a good sleep.

Day 4 Homeward bound after a good breakfast, Calperum Station provided all the students with a certificate of achievement “Junior Ranger Rockstar”  & a look through the shearing shed.

First heading to Lock 5 for a quick look at the Murray River & then onto the Monash Playground.  

Lunch was finished & we were on the home ward run by 12pm., leaving on time with 2 drops on the way Swan Reach & then Murray Bridge.

The drive home was pleasant weather wise & we didn’t need the radio as there was plenty of noise in the bus, all the students had made some long-lasting friendships, experiences & memories.

We will all hear more at the Rotary meeting 21^st October Calperum Program presentation night.

A huge Thank You to all the Rotarians & Partners attending or involved with the preparation for our Environmental Youth Program, all of us as a team have made a difference in the students lives helping them with life lasting memories & hopefully a guide for their future.