Dues are now due; please pay before the end of the month.
President’s Message
This past week marked a vibrant moment as Vin and I officially welcomed Neetan as the incoming President of the Rotary Club of Edwardstown. The changeover event was not only a celebration of leadership but also a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to service above self.
Midweek brought a remarkable joint meeting at the Edinburgh Hotel, Mitcham, with fellow Rotarians from the clubs of Mitcham, Eastwood, Hyde Park, Blackwood, and Morialta. The evening was a testament to the power of collaboration, culminating in an inspiring presentation by Martin from RC Blackwood. He spoke passionately about their “Say NO to Domestic Violence” initiatives, highlighting how our collective voice can be a force for safety, dignity, and change in our communities.
These gatherings remind us that Rotary is more than meetings—it’s moments of connection, reflection, and action
It was great to welcome Jay and her family back to Rotary after a period working away.
In July, the Rotary Community Workshop continued to build more than just timber projects — it built connections, creativity, and community pride. From a magical reading tee-pee for local children to handcrafted frames and polished placemats, members brought skill and heart to every piece. Read on for highlights from another month of meaningful hands-on impact.
Three months into their 12-month projects, the Group 5 Midwife Buddies are making strong strides in maternal health across PNG. From placenta pits to solar lighting, Hemacue machines to breastfeeding education, each midwife is shaping meaningful change in their communities — backed by mentorship from their Aussie counterparts. This month’s update is full of progress, partnerships, and even a surprise international visit!
Representing Morialta at the district level, Tim shares reflections from a season of changeovers, club visits, and community inspiration across Rotary District 9510. From welcoming our new District Governor to championing local and global impact, this update highlights the power of connection, celebration, and service in motion.
A recent study has highlighted the success of the Papua New Guinea Midwifery Leadership Buddy Program, a cross-cultural initiative proudly supported by the Rotary Club of Morialta. This innovative program pairs Australian and PNG midwives to strengthen leadership skills and confidence through workshops, peer support, and quality improvement projects.
The study found that PNG midwives showed significant growth in self-leadership, with skills sustained six months later. Participants valued networking, cultural exchange, and learning that leadership isn’t about titles — it’s about action.
Some midwives even overcame civil unrest and communication barriers to keep improving maternal and infant care in remote communities. The Buddy Program is now recognised as a model for boosting midwifery capacity worldwide, one respectful partnership at a time.
This is Rotary at its best: connecting people, growing leaders, and saving lives — one mother and baby at a time.
In every community, trust is fragile — and hope is powerful. Rotary’s greatest strength is not just our projects but our promise: that people of goodwill can work together to make things better.
When we handle our funds carefully, share our stories openly, and lead with integrity, we build trust — Rotary’s greatest renewable resource.
We look forward to welcoming Bianca Peterson to our club this coming Wednesday.
Club Admin
Please make sure you are on the club WhatsApp account to ensure you are up to date with information.
The club decided at the last meeting in June to hold meetings fortnightly, on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month.
Please let me know if you intend to attend the visit to Parliament House on 20 August 2025.
Youth Service
Applications are currently open for the Rotary Youth Program of ENrichment to be held Friday 29 – Sunday 31 August 2025.
RYPEN accepts registrations from participants. If they will have had their 14th birthday and not yet had their 18tth birthday by the beginning of the seminar.
It’s easy to think that our Rotary dues fund all our global projects — but they don’t. This is one of the biggest confusions for both members and the community.
Here’s how it really works:
✅ Rotary International dues — the money we pay per member, twice a year — cover the infrastructure that keeps the Rotary network running:
Global governance
Staff salaries
Regional offices
Member platforms
Council decisions
Leadership training
Policy and compliance
Think of it as paying for the “engine room” that keeps all 46,000+ clubs connected in over 200 countries and territories. Without this, we couldn’t coordinate youth exchanges, manage branding, run conventions, or provide all the tools and support that clubs rely on.
✅ The Rotary Foundation (TRF) — this is different. Our global grants, scholarships, Peace Fellowships, Vocational Training Teams, and Polio Eradication efforts come from donations to The Rotary Foundation. These donations come from individuals, clubs, districts, and partners — not from your standard RI dues.
So when you we run a Global Grant (such as the PNG project), or a Rotary Peace Fellow changing the world, that’s TRF at work — funded by voluntary giving. That’s why things like the Paul Harris Fellow program, the Centurion program, and Bequest Society exist: they encourage members to give extra to fuel that impact.
✅ Key takeaway:
Your dues keep the machine running.
Your donations make the global good work happen.
One bridges ideas to action. The other funds the action itself.
So now that it is time to pay our dues, remember — you’re powering the whole Rotary engine room. And every time you donate to The Rotary Foundation, you’re funding change that no single club could deliver alone
