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
It was a nice surprise to find that all Committees finished their meetings on time - even Community, who always has a lot to discuss and arrange.
The news coming out of NSW regarding the flood emergency is very distressing. District 9660 have set up a Disaster Fund Account which is tax deductible, and they are currently preparing a Disaster Response Grant Application through the Rotary Foundation.
I believe that the group of Rotarians and partners who attended the event at the Town Hall really enjoyed themselves and highly recommend that those who didn’t go attend the next event like that.
Roxanne Rowland is currently organising the Changeover Dinner with the help of some members. It is an important event for our Club so I urge members to attend if they can.
Rotary Moments Facebook Group changed their cover photo. Look at the photo top RH and you will see some familiar faces.
Thought for the week: “No act of kindness no matter how small is ever wasted.”
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Flood Relief
As communities across New South Wales face one of the most devastating flood emergencies in recent memory, we are once again called to act with compassion and urgency. In just two days, parts of the state have received four months’ worth of rain, triggering flash floods that have inundated homes, cut off entire towns, and tragically claimed lives. Over 50,000 residents have been warned to evacuate or prepare for isolation, with major flooding affecting areas such as Taree, Wingham, Dungog, and the Mid North Coast. Emergency services are stretched thin, conducting hundreds of rescues while many residents remain stranded. The full scale of the disaster is still unfolding, and the need for coordinated support is growing by the hour. Rotary District 9660 ismobilising to assist affected communities. Disaster coordinators are being appointed, and collaboration with local authorities is underway. As with the Queensland response, mental health support will be a critical focus in the recovery phase.
How You Can Help: There are two trusted ways to contribute: District 9660 Disaster Fund Account (For immediate use by clubs and districts – not tax deductible)
Account Name: Rotary District 9660 BSB: 082798 Account Number: 599 583 002 and/or Rotary Foundation Disaster Response Fund (Tax-deductible in Australia – ideal for individual donations,in support of the Disaster Response Grant application that is being prepared by the district) DONATE HERE
Dorcas - School of St Jude Vocational Visit
We are pleased to share a photo from Dorcas's recent excursion to the Leather International Industry. Please find the attached photo taken on the day of the visit.
Our Form 3 science students travelled to the Leather International Industry in the Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. The aim of the trip was to learn about the importance of the leather sector, how the machines operate, the challenges faced, and the job opportunities available. Students also explored the environmental impact of industrial activities and how local materials are used to produce leather goods such as shoes and other products.
Excursions like this are a vital part of our students’ educational journey. Gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation of their environment helps them make the most of the opportunities a St Jude’s education offers.
It’s always a pleasure to keep you updated on Dorcas’s progress here at St Jude’s.
CALENDAR WINNERS
20th May
Draw Date
Value
Winning No.
Winner
Location
Sold by
20.5.25
$100
900
Mary McLean
Murray Bridge
D.McLean
$50
401
Jill Sullivan
Murray Bridge
Rotary
MDIS 2025
This weekend, several members of the Rotary Club of Murray Bridge had the priviledge of attending the first Multi District Impact Summit. District 9510 (our District) joined with D9800 (central Melbourne / Vic) at the Morphettville Racecouse where we were inspired by the many speakers on a vast array of topics. In addition we were able to join breakout groups to further explore some of the topics on offer.
As a practical example of Rotarians in action, members were able to join hands-on projects where we assembled birthing kits, nurture kits and pack 100kg of lentils into smaller packs for the not for profit group “Puddle Jumpers”.
In addition there was amazing entertainment. We were joined by Eleanor Blythman who performed the national anthem, Jessica Dean who with Eleanor sang a number of operatic and popular songs. For me, the musical highlight was the grand finale, where the song “One Day More” from Les Miserables was performed. Our District Governor from D9800, Michael Lapina opened the singing (Michael is a baritone with Opera Victoria) and was progressively joined by his son Alex, two operatic sopranos, a contralto, bass and tenor with the latter singers emerging from within the audience.
This was a logistical nightmare, performed without rehersal on limited equipment but we pulled it off.
Next year the venue is Horsham in the beatiful Wimmera area. If you missed this year, make sure you attend next year.
A Journey from Progress to Oppression
On Monday 5th May, 6 Rotarians from our club attended the Rotary Club of Gawler where President Jenny Alexander-Walters was invited to outline our club activities with the audience while we shared a meal.
Guest speaker, Erfanullah Abidi, a member of Adelaide Light Rotary, shared his powerful story and inspiring work Educating Women Underground in Afghanistan – a mission of courage, education, and hope. A passionate defender of Afghan women’s rights, Erfanulla has been instrumental in establishing schools for Afghan girls through the Empowerment Network 132 in response to the Taliban’s ban on female education. He outlined his shared concerns about human rights and the ongoing violations in Afghanistan, particularly those affecting women.
Establishing Afghan Girls’ Underground Schools provides essential education for girls beyond Year 6 and has seen the writing of new school curriculum to meet the needs of the females in the classes and also the opportunity for Doctors, Lawyers and other professionals to provide information, support and advocacy to the thousands of women who are keen to have knowledge and therefore empowerment to make a difference in their country while respecting their culture.
Erfanullah is an Ambassador of the Refugee Council of Australia and his efforts have earned him numerous awards including the Paul Harris Fellowship from Rotary International.
Erfanullah will be in Murray Bridge as part of Refugee Week in June to share his journey from Afghanistan to Adelaide. (waiting on confirmation of this from Migrant Resource centre staff – but Erfanullah indicated this was in his itinery for the next month)
Object of Rotary
The Object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and, in particular, to encourage and foster:
FIRST: The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service;
SECOND: High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations; and the dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society;
THIRD: The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian’s personal, business, and community life;
FOURTH: The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.
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On Monday 5th May, 6 Rotarians from our club attended the Rotary Club of Gawler where President Jenny Alexander-Walters was invited to outline our club activities with the audience while we shared a meal.
