Instead of our meeting on Tuesday night, a group of us met to help wrap the prizes for the trivia night to be held this Saturday night. Wow! What an array of prizes the Fun Raising committee have put together! This event certainly promises to be a fun packed event that is sure to showcase just how amazing our club is.
A large contingent of our members attended the Cluster meeting on Wednesday along with members of Monbulk and Belgrave-Ferntree Gully clubs to support our much loved DG Emma as she held her DG visit. A born leader, our Emma spoke with conviction about her areas of focus being Family Violence Prevention and the Australian Rotary Health Foundation’s focus on Mental Health Awareness.
It was great to join with our neighbouring clubs, they are always happy to have us with them. Monbulk club is really struggling for members and have asked for help so we’ll put together a roster and see if some of us can visit their meetings.
International Chair, Catherine, and I went to the Donations In Kind warehouse on Tuesday. This is an amazing example of Rotary in action and has to be seen to be believed. They send containers of supplies to developing nations including vital medical supplies, furniture and school equipment. We have brought back 300 bags to fill with school stationery to assist children in need. Our club will put these items together at our meeting on September 15. If anyone is able to hem material DIK have rolls of rubber backed material used to make a waterproof sheet for women to use during childbirth.
This week we welcome PP and Honorary Member Martin Bouncristiani to the club as guest speaker, it’s sure to be a thought provoking talk, make sure you don’t miss it.
In order to confirm numbers for meetings at the pub, please ensure that you communicate the following to PP PHF Lorna: 0408 506 622
notify if NOT attending by 12 noon on the MONDAY before the meeting
and notify if bringing guests or visitor
notify at any time about future absences and holidays.
Thank You!
People Who Sparkle
Susi Wilson
Years of Service: 6
Profession:Pharmacist. I was already a pharmacist in Germany for 10 years but when I came to Australia I had to re-qualify. I had to sit all the major exams and complete 1675 hours as a poorly paid trainee before I was qualified as a Pharmacist in Australia. It was horrible!
Q: What first inspired you to join our club?
A: I went to my son’s Valedictory presentation night where I met Gloria. She was there to present an award sponsored by Rotary. When I told her that I had no family in Australia she said I should come along to Rotary as it is like a big family. I went along to the Christmas celebration as Gloria’s guest and it was really nice.
Q: What is a personal Rotary highlight?
A: I like that I can contribute to the community. I also like that it gives me something totally different to think about. Some of the guest speakers are really interesting.
Q: What Rotary project (current or new) would you most like to be involved in in the future?
A: In the future, when I’m not working, the Dementia Café would be good. I follow along with what they are doing and have done some online learning. I really like the Kids fun Run and the Pride of Workmanship Awards.
Q: What is the best thing about being a member of this club?
A: Knowing that if something happens to me, like last year when I broke my hip, that there is a whole family of Rotary that I can count on to help me out and care about me. I also like meeting totally different people than those I meet in other parts of my life.
Q: What is a life philosophy or mantra that you live by?
A: Live everyday as it comes and quality over quantity.
Q: If you could have any super power what would you choose?
A: The power to go back in time and make better decisions in my life.
Q: What was your very first job and how much did it pay?
A: In Germany I had a job that my Mum arranged where I would read for a blind lady. Sometimes the newspaper or her letters. She used to give me this yucky fruit juice, maybe cranberry juice, and I didn’t like it. Lucky she was blind so I could pour it out into her plants!
My other job at the time was tutoring in Maths, English or German. I was tutoring a boy in German and I spoke to his teacher to find out what he needed help with. His German teacher was also my German teacher and this teacher really liked me. Once the teacher knew that I was the tutor for this boy, his marks improved!
Q: Who is your dream guest speaker, dead or alive? Why?
A: Definitely my Dad. He was a mathematician and always made very funny speeches at family occasions.
Q: When you are not busy completing Rotary tasks, what do you like to do in your spare time?
A: I like being outdoors running, walking, swimming, cycling and playing tennis. I do sometimes sit still, even though people think I don’t, and when I do, I like reading or more recently card making.
Q: What is the biggest lesson life has taught you?
A: Health is the most important thing.
Meeting 2nd September, Cluster Night with Monbulk RC & DG Emma
Rotary Community Group 4 cluster meeting last night, with RC Monbulk hosting RC Belgrave-Ferntree Gully and RC Emerald and District (Home of the District Governor Emma Clark).
Emerald & District Rotary Club
President Gayle Barrot gave us a snapshot of a typical week in the life of the Emerald & District Rotary Club, it’s impressive just how much our members achieve.
Preparing and organising behind the scenes on Mondays.
Packing 300 school kits for students in developing nations.
Preparing prizes for the 12 September trivia night.
Running the Breakfast Club at Emerald Secondary College.
Hosting the Golden Hours Café for carers and partners of people living with dementia.
Attending cluster meetings and supporting local Interact/EarlyAct youth clubs.
Preparing meals for around 60 people at St Luke's in Cockatoo.
Celebrating Kirsty's upcoming marriage.
The Jolly Walkers regularly walking 6–16 km with 8–14 participants.
Acknowledging the many volunteers handling district, club, fundraising, events, communications, community and behind-the-scenes roles.
It’s the big projects and the little acts of kindness that make our club special.
Thank you to all our members for being the legends who keep Service Above Self alive in our community!
District Governor Emma Clark - Creating Lasting Impact
District Governor Emma Clark brings 10 years of Rotaract and about 24 years of Rotary experience, alongside her role as principal of Emerald Primary School.
The District Governor role is team-based and requires continuity across successive governors to create lasting impact within a one-year term.
Strengthen collaboration through Rotary Community Groups and reduce clubs working in isolation.
Encourage emerging leaders, innovation and inclusion.
Navigate regionalisation and proposed redistricting with Tasmania.
Align district work with Rotary International priorities: increasing impact, expanding reach, improving engagement and building adaptability.
Focus on preventing family violence, supporting mental-health research and prevention, strengthening governance, growing clubs and developing Rotaract.
Encourage clubs to use the Family and Domestic Violence Prevention Toolkit and partner with law enforcement, councils and specialist services.
Support practical initiatives including furniture assistance, safe phones, emergency bags, multilingual resources, awareness events and community walks.
Prepare members to respond appropriately if awareness activities lead to disclosures.
Act now and work with communities, rather than simply for them.
Turn concern into practical service through collaboration, strong governance, membership growth and prevention initiatives.
Remain bold, kind and ready for change while creating lasting impact together.
District Governor Elect - Murray Wilson
Murray outlined several priorities for Rotary’s community and emergency-response work.
Domestic violence: Emphasised the seriousness and prevalence of domestic violence and encouraged Rotary clubs to support programs addressing it.
Disaster Relief: Proposed a stronger Rotary role in emergency response, following discussions with Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Weaver. Three potential roles were identified:
Helping establish and support emergency operating bases.
Coordinating spontaneous community volunteers after disasters.
Assisting with the management and distribution of financial assistance to affected families.
Training and coordination: Rotary should complement—not duplicate—the work of organisations such as the Red Cross and BlazeAid. Rotarians should be trained beforehand and operate within an established emergency-management structure.
Preparation: Clubs were encouraged to start planning for the critical February–March fire period and develop relationships with emergency services.
CFA drone project: A local CFA drone capability requires about $76,000 to equip an existing truck. A fundraising business event will be held 18 September at 6:45 pm at Waverley Golf Club, with proceeds supporting the project.
Future involvement: The speaker plans to return during their year as District Governor to provide further information and continue developing these initiatives.
Rotary District 9815 Conference - Challenge to Change - Monique Smith
Event: “Challenge to Change” Rotary District Conference in the Hunter Valley.
Program: Inspiring speakers, fresh ideas, Rotary projects, and discussions on mental health and family violence prevention.
Friday: Hunter Valley Gardens, wine tasting and lunch, golf, pickleball, and the poolside Rotary Uncorked evening.
Saturday: Inspiring speakers, the Rotary Expo, and the Showtime Gala Night.
Bookings: Early-bird pricing is available until 31 December.
Invitation: Bring your partner, family or friends and make it a Hunter Valley getaway.
It's here! DG Emma Clark's first edition of 9815 IMPACT, our District's new bi-monthly newsletter, has just gone live.
Winter/Spring’s sweet spot is 18–20°C. Heating above that range can add about 15% to a gas bill for every extra degree. Put on your thermal and your favourite windcheater/jumper first.
For good food, good fellowship and the opportunity for service through Rotary we give thanks
Rotary Toast
To Australia and the people of Australia (toast) To Rotary International (toast)
4 Way Test
CHOCLOTTO JACKPOT
$392.00
Winner: Wayne McLeod
Chocolate Winner:
Kris Ash
Duty Roster
Duty Roster - 8th September 2026
Chairperson
Van Den Bergen, Vicki
Fellowship
Cain, Carol
Furnishings
Barrot, Mac
Speaker Minder
Miller, Ken
Response
Adams, Greg
Duty Roster - 15th September 2026
Chairperson
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Linda Culell
September 1
Martin Buoncristiani
September 10
Susan Oakley
September 15
Shalini Penny
September 20
Tina McInerney
September 30
Spouse/Partner Birthdays
Linda Culell
September 1
Dan Moulday
September 3
Angela
September 10
Irene
September 10
Ev Hargreaves
September 17
Anniversaries
Ian Ash
Kristine Ash
September 5
Kristine Ash
Ian Ash
September 5
Gloria Hargreaves
Ev Hargreaves
September 6
Ian Wakefield
Jenny Wakefield
September 6
Join Date
Andrew McAllister
September 1, 2015
11 years
Kelly McAllister
September 1, 2015
11 years
Russ Nielsen
September 1, 1982
44 years
Ian Ash
September 20, 2008
18 years
Kristine Ash
September 20, 2008
18 years
Gloria Hargreaves
September 25, 2006
20 years
Ian Wakefield
September 25, 2007
19 years
Lyn Beckwith
September 28, 2011
15 years
Community Notices
Events
We are regularly asked to share information on other Rotary Club or community group events. Rather than list all of them in Sparkle, please check them out HERE
