ROTAGAS
From the President
The world has watched in shock this week at the scale of the disaster unfolding in Nepal — a cascading chain of events, from an earthquake to a landslide that blocked a river and collapsed a dam, leading to absolute devastation. The full loss of life is yet to be accounted for, and sadly may include Australians, along with Rotarians and the family members of Rotarians. RAWCS has moved quickly with the Nepal Flooding Disaster Relief Fund, aiming to raise two million dollars — I've included the link and a QR code below for anyone who would like to donate or share.
We also mark the loss of a great musician, philanthropist and friend of Rotary, Dolly Parton. Through the Dollywood Foundation's Imagination Library she had already gifted some 23 million books to children by the time she was keynote speaker at the 2010 Rotary International Convention in Montreal. Teaming up with Rotary, that number now exceeds 350 million books and counting — a legacy that reaches far beyond the music and will live on forever. I've linked a copy of her Q&A from the 2010 Convention for anyone who'd like to read it.
— Scott McDonell, President
Correspondence
Incoming
- Sgt Dan Clarke (Queensland Police Service) — Cheese Toastie Making Day, Term 4 invitation
- Sarah Flesser (St John's Catholic School) — Presentation Night & Rotary Best All Rounder Award
- Cathy Carnevale (Village Event Management) — details for the Santos Festival of Rugby
- RCAT — Maranoa Business Awards Finalist Function (Sharpe Engineering), 17 September
- Melissa Barter (Camp Quality) — coffee van contacts and details for esCarpade
- ROMAC — E-News, August 2026
- RAWCS — Nepal Flooding Disaster Relief Fund appeal
- Yujin Seo (RYTS Leader, District 9620) — RYTS 2026 applications open, seeking sponsoring clubs
- Ebony McNaughton (RYTS Admin) — club still has $1,000 credit to send a participant
Outgoing
- Yujin Seo (RYTS, District 9620) — thanks for the update; we're searching for a participant to sponsor
THE MINUTE
Business of the meeting.
Previous Business
CIVIQ water fountain — Bryan Payne memorial. Ongoing Council has a small number of quality drinking fountains, one of which could potentially be placed at Rotary Park through Andrew Davidson (Maranoa Regional Council). If it proceeds, the club would cover installation and place a separate memorial board for Bryan alongside it. Awaiting further information from Council and a meeting with Andrew and the board. Remains in Previous Business until completed.
Engine Room signage. Ongoing Signasaurus have ordered the signage for the Engine Room; we're awaiting the material for installation. Mark Nicholls will update the club once it arrives. Remains in Previous Business until completed.
Zone 8 redistricting ballot. Ongoing Club members have agreed to the redistricting. Awaiting Mackenzie's return to submit the club's ballot. Remains in Previous Business until completed.
Surat Diggers' Race Day — helpers. Ongoing Win Salmon (St George) has asked for a hand selling food at the Surat Race Day (Sat 12 Sep). With the Santos Festival of Rugby the next weekend, two in a row may be a stretch — Riley and Isabella to be asked. See the tile below.
Camp Quality esCarpade breakfast. Ongoing Camp Quality has asked us to cook breakfast when the esCarpade stops in Roma (Tue 27 Oct) — around 200 people. We've requested a budget figure and await their reply before committing.
General Business
PCYC Term 4 Toastie Morning — Friday 9 October. Sergeant Dan Clarke (District Crime Prevention Coordinator, Roma Patrol Group) has locked in the Term 4 toastie morning: Friday 9 October from 9:00 am at the Maranoa PCYC (34/44 George St, Roma). The goal this round is a hearty 1,700 toasties, supporting Roma State College (Junior, Middle and Secondary campuses), the Surat, Wallumbilla, Injune, Mitchell and Yuleba State Schools, and the PCYC Drop-in program. It's a proactive way to encourage school attendance and strengthen the ties between the Queensland Police Service, local schools, community groups and our young people — and always an enjoyable morning giving back. Please RSVP by 17 September so Dan can sort out space and seating.
St John's Presentation Night — Rotary Best All Rounder Award. St John's Catholic School has written to confirm our continued support of the Rotary Best All Rounder Award at their 2026 Presentation Night, on Tuesday 10 November. As in past years, the winning student is recognised on the perpetual shield and receives an engraved medallion from Rotary. The school needs us to nominate who will present on the night, along with our contact details — Sarah Flesser (Presentation Night Committee) is awaiting our reply. We also present the All Rounder at Roma State College and the Bryan Payne Memorial Award at RSC, so we'll line these up together.
Maranoa Business Awards — Finalist Function, Thursday 17 September. RCAT's Finalist Function is on Thursday 17 September, 6:00 pm at Western Queensland Spirit — the night the Business Awards shortlist becomes official, over drinks and canapés. It's proudly presented by event partner Sharpe Engineering, and leads into the awards night on 10 October where we present the Jim Baker Medal. Tickets are open now — see the tile below.
Nepal Flooding Disaster Relief Fund (RAWCS). RAWCS has opened a national appeal — the Nepal Flooding Disaster Relief Fund (Project 17 of 2026-27) — to help families and communities in Nepal recover from severe flooding that has left many without homes, possessions or livelihoods, and raised the risk of waterborne disease from damaged water and sanitation. Funds support Rotary club projects on the ground. Donations of any amount are welcome and tax-deductible — scan the QR or use the link on the tile below. (Fund manager: PP John Roberson.)
RYTS 2026 — seeking a participant to sponsor. Yujin Seo, RYTS Leader for District 9620, has let us know that applications for the 2026 Rotary Youth Transition Seminar are now open, and is looking for clubs to sponsor participants. RYTS sits between RYPEN and RYLA — a week-long camp for students in Years 11 and 12 transitioning to life after school, built around workshops, team-building and guest speakers to equip them with life skills, a plan for the years ahead, and support networks to lean on. Yujin, a 2024 participant herself, spoke warmly of the experience. Ebony McNaughton (RYTS Admin) has also confirmed the club still holds a $1,000 credit to send a participant, so we're now on the lookout for a suitable young person — please pass any suggestions to the club.
Members Draw & Raffles
No members draw this week — a clubhouse meeting.
What's On
Number Plate Raffle — win "RTY 001"
Last chance — your shot at the prestigious "Rotary in Motion" personalised Queensland number plate, RTY 001. Proceeds support the club's Windeward Bound youth voyages.
- Tickets: $5 each, or 5 for $20
- Draw: Father's Day, Sunday 6 September 2026
- Contact: Chris Ellis — 0419 487 737 · chris.ellissbhrotary@gmail.com
Surat Diggers' Race Day — Sat 12 September
Win Salmon from St George has asked whether any of us can lend a hand at the Surat Diggers' Race Day, where the St George club is running the food stall (selling only). It's the weekend before the Santos Festival of Rugby, so two in a row may be a stretch — but if you're free, or know someone who'd be keen, let Scott know and he'll pass it on to Win.
Business Awards Finalist Function — Thu 17 September
The night the Maranoa Business Awards finalists are revealed — drinks, canapés and the moment the shortlist becomes official. Proudly presented by event partner Sharpe Engineering.
- When: Thursday 17 September, 6:00 pm
- Where: Western Queensland Spirit
Santos Festival of Rugby — 18–19 September, Roma
We're running the burger van on the Saturday — come grab a feed and support the club. The festival returns to Roma for a third year (Santos, with Queensland Rugby Union & NSW Rugby Union) on the freshly upgraded turf at Gallas Fox Park: Queensland Reds v NSW Waratahs, three Women's Rugby Sevens matches, a Reds v Waratahs Under-19s clash, a free Classic Wallabies juniors clinic, and a Vintage Reds v Vintage Tahs 10s.
Cheese Toastie Making Day — Term 4, Fri 9 October
Sgt Dan Clarke and the Roma PCYC are back for the Term 4 toastie morning — aiming for a mighty 1,700 toasties for schools right across the Maranoa. A great community morning supporting school attendance and our young people. RSVP by 17 September to Dan (details on the flyer) and come lend a hand.
Jim Baker Medal — Maranoa Business Awards, 10 October
The date's locked for the 13th Maranoa Business Awards (presented by RCAT) — Saturday 10 October. We're now advertising the Jim Baker Medal for Vocational Excellence to businesses across the Maranoa, presented each year at the awards. Nominations are open to the public — get one in for someone whose work makes the region stronger.
Camp Quality esCarpade — Breakfast Stopover, Tue 27 October
Camp Quality's esCarpade motoring fundraiser rolls into Roma on Tuesday 27 October, and we've been asked to put on breakfast for the crew — around 200 participants across 80 vehicles. It's an early one (arrivals from 6:45 am, away by 8:20) and a great chance to welcome visitors to town while supporting kids facing cancer. Venue and budget are still being confirmed — if you can lend a hand on the morning, let the committee know.
St John's Presentation Night — Tue 10 November
We're proud to again present the Rotary Best All Rounder Award at St John's Catholic School's 2026 Presentation Night — celebrating student achievement across the Cultural, Sporting, Academic and Service areas. The winner joins the perpetual shield and receives an engraved Rotary medallion. A presenter and our details are being confirmed with the school.
RYTS 2026 — Rotary Youth Transition Seminar
A 7-day camp for Year 11 & 12 school-leavers (6–12 December, Lake Perseverance, Crows Nest) — leadership, life skills and guest speakers to prepare them for life after school. The club holds a $1,000 sponsorship credit and is on the hunt for a participant. Know a young person who'd thrive? Register their interest with us.
Nepal Flooding Disaster Relief Fund
RAWCS has opened a national appeal to help families and communities in Nepal recover from severe flooding — restoring homes and livelihoods and tackling the risk of waterborne disease from damaged water and sanitation. Funds go to Rotary club projects on the ground. Every dollar helps, and donations are tax-deductible — scan the QR or donate online.
District 9620 Conference 2027
Registrations are now open! Join Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, Youth Exchange participants and friends from across the district for an inspiring weekend of connection, learning and celebration. 12–14 March 2027 · The Pavilion Conference & Reception Centre, Gympie. Theme: Impact • Empower • Create.
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