We are back, looking forward to catching up with our Rotary family Tuesday evening after quite an adventurist holiday travelling in our great Australian Northern region.

Tuesday 25th August meeting, thank you Director Jenny Phillips for inviting Rotarian Jeff Neale PDG and Australian Rotary Health Board member who delivered Australian Rotary Health's New Strategic Plan currently in development.

Australian Rotary Health (ARH) has supported health initiatives for over 45 years.
One of Australia’s largest independent funders of mental health research.

Has supported 874 scholarships in: 
Rural medicine
Rural nursing
Indigenous health
Includes 761 research grants, fellowships and PhD scholarships.

Since 2023, mental health funding has focused on children aged 0–12, seeking preventative and curative solutions.

ARH also funds general health research and areas that may struggle to attract other funding.

Cool Kids Program, developed by Prof Ron Rapee AM and Prof Jennifer Hudson:
Available in Australia and 24 other countries
Delivered in 16 languages
Addresses anxiety and phobias in children.

Indigenous Health Scholarships have been provided since 2003, supporting culturally safe healthcare.

Current research includes:
Youth suicide – Mandy Gibson
Culturally safe rural healthcare – Dr Julia-Rose Satre
Schizophrenia and brain receptor mechanisms – Dr Elizabeth Scarr, since 2008
Culture Projects focus on service, connection, and identity.

ARH is looking to think bigger and improve reporting and sharing of research outcomes between researchers, beneficiaries and Rotarians.

ARH is a project of the Rotary Districts of Australia and is financially supported by Rotary Clubs nationwide, including the Rotary Club of Murray Bridge with major support through our annual Ambrose Golf Day.

Overall vision: improve the health and wellbeing of all Australians. https://australianrotaryhealth.org.au/  https://www.facebook.com/AustralianRotaryHealth
Facts Booklet: https://issuu.com/australianrotaryhealth17/docs/facts_booklet_2026

Dates for your diaries: 

Tuesday September 1st CEO Richard Sheppy from the Fat Farmers Rural Health Initiative, bookings essential (only for non members – members – normal protocol applies)

Bunnings BBQ special request: Father’s Day, Sunday 6th September.

Health of the River “District Program”: Monday 14th Sep. – Friday 18th Sep. Applications due 14th Aug. 
Open to Students in year 10 High School “please contact Director Lyn Sickerdick or the RALY Committee if you know someone who fits in this age group and are interested in “ecology in action.”

One & All Sailing Challenge “District Program”: Sunday 27th Sep. – Thursday 1st Oct. 5-day voyage: Filled its current limit. 

Environmental Youth Program: Monday 28th Sep to Thursday 1st Oct. – currently received 11 applicants from 7 schools.

RYLA “District Program” leadership seminar for Youth 19 – 26 years: Saturday 3rd Oct – Friday 9th Oct. – further information please contact Vocational Director Jenny Phillips. 

Rotary Getaway: Friday 16th Oct – Sunday 18th Oct. Mt Compass Caravan Park.

River Murray Boat Owners: BBQ Sunday 18th Oct 11:30am – 2:00pm. 

Bunnings BBQ: “Rotary & Bunnings BBQ Partnership” 

First Responder Mobile App Project: Wednesday 28th October  https://www.rotarymgg.org.au/first-responder-mobile-app/

Dressed 4 Success Nov 14, 2026 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm.
Enjoy Fashion - Food - Friends – Fundraising “Tickets including afternoon tea on sale”

Pioneer Adventure Day: Date of Sunday 2nd May 2027 - this date has been confirmed by clubs represented at the review of this year’s event - we are also looking for grants to assist with the event - more details will be available as soon as I have the details from Bill Marles

Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds (RORP) update

Saturday/Sunday 15^th/16^th August and Saturday22nd August saw Rotarians from a number of Clubs (predominantly from Mount Barker and Group 7) came together at RARE to load 12 playgrounds into a shipping container bound for Timor Leste – leaving the RARE premises on Tuesday 25^th – taking a shipping route from Adelaide to Singapore, then Darin and finally to Timor Leste (who would have known that was the cheapest route). Once the playgrounds were loaded, the remaining space in the container was filled with sports equipment, chairs, tables, children’s bikes, stationery and books, books and more books for all levels from preschool, to early primary, primary, high school - covering a huge range of subjects and fiction - to teacher reference books. As seen in the photo, even refrigerators were loaded at the request of schools and Rotary Clubs in Timor Leste. The RORP team thanks all those involved over the 3 days for their collecting, sorting, and loading of the container.

The next shipment is already in the planning stages and local clubs are co-ordinating the dismantle of more playgrounds with Mypolonga Primary School playground to be dismantled on Thursday 10^th September. For more details on this project, contact Rob Walters - you will need a current Working With Children Check to participate in the dismantle.

Note: a load of medical items, stationery and school uniforms was taken to RARE on the day. This cleared a large space in our Rotary Shed, ready for more to be accepted.

A relaxing Activity

How does our Secretary, Julieanne relax on a weekend? – She joins a group of like-minded individuals at the Murray Bridge Regional gallery and undertakes a workshop on Kingston Weaving – “a First Nations weaving, yarning and sculpture project that explores the return of water in the South East of SA. The project interconnects traditional weaving techniques, language and knowledge towards the creation of a large-scale art installation of enduring cultural significance”

Chat with Julieanne to hear all about her experience, explore this skill further and maybe even join in the next workshop.

Better Late Than Never!

Want to know what happened here?

CLICK THIS LINK

MURRAY BRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR MUSIC RECITAL

MONDAY 21 SEPTEMBER 2026

5.30PM TO 7.00PM

MURRAY BRIDGE PERFORMING ARTS & FUNCTION CENTRE

The seating is cabaret style and two tables of 10 people have been reserved for members of our Club.

At the end of the Performance the 2026 recipient of the Rotary Club of Murray Bridge Music Bursary will be announced and presented.

I can highly recommend this performance.

Please let me, Jenny Alexander-Walters, know if you wish to attend so I can print off a ticket/s for you.

Murray Bridge Club Rotarians do not need to book themselves as normal protocol will prevail.

Book any guests via the link below

https://murraybridgerotary.org.au/events/fat-farmers/

Letters from School of St Jude

Meet via Zoom

During Covid, our club met via Zoom to allow all members access to our weekly gatherings.

If Zoom was available on a weekly or as requested method of joining our gatherings, would you use it?

Please advise President Simon if this facility would help you engage with our club.

West Lakes Rotary - Visiting Murray Bridge

CALENDAR WINNERS LAST WEEK 

This Month's Rotary Theme