ROTAGAS
Supporting our Local Supporters
It was a night of giving back at our last meeting. The club presented $500 to the Maranoa Archers as thanks for their help at our Changeover dinner — and it was a pleasure to host their members, including some of their Junior Archers, for dinner at the Engine Room clubhouse. Mick Anderson gave us an overview of the club: 35 members (many of them juniors), the improvements underway at the range, and the remarkable talent coming through — winning and placing at events across the region, with hopes of hosting a major event at the range before long.
We also welcomed Scott Walsh and members of the Local Ambulance Committee (LAC), who updated us on their vital work across the Maranoa. Their commitment to keeping defibrillators available in the community continues, with more than $30,000 invested and more to come. Since taking over the ham raffles at the Maranoa Christmas Street Parade, it's been our pleasure to donate the proceeds — topped up to a round $1,000 for the LAC.
In a nice touch, Scott donated two snake-bite kits to the club, and President Scott promptly passed one on to the Maranoa Archers after hearing a few tales of the wildlife out at the range. A great night of fellowship all round.
Flood Relief Committee passes through Roma
President Scott caught up with the combined District 9620 & 9560 Flood Relief Committee at the Club Hotel on Sunday evening, as they made their way out to Adavale. The team — PDG Patrice Robinson, PDG Neil Black, Brad Quillam (RAWCS – Rotary Australia World Community Service) and Jim from the Rotary Club of Wynnum & Manly, later joined by Alina Graham (Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Rotary Club) — are travelling through the region, checking on the communities hit by the floods.
One of the party ducked in to say hello to the committee before heading up to his room with his son. President Scott couldn't shake the feeling — "I know that bloke from somewhere!" The penny finally dropped the next day, scrolling the committee's Facebook post: it was cricketing legend Jeff Thomson, along for the ride and entertaining everyone with tales from his career and a good yarn.
In Adavale the committee received a warm welcome. Six expanda homes were delivered there last November as part of the flood relief program, following the devastating floods. From Adavale the team travelled on to Thargomindah — safe travels to them all.
Ernest Kevin "Kev" Hart
The club was saddened by the passing of our friend Kev Hart. Scott and Howard flew down to Chinchilla to say a final farewell. The service was overflowing — hundreds upon hundreds gathered to pay their respects, among them Rotarians and Past District Governors from across the district. After the family left for a private burial, we were able to catch up with them at the Chinchilla RSL. Our thoughts are with the Hart family. Vale, Kev.
Correspondence
Incoming
- DG News — District Governor's newsletter
- Rotary Club of Crows Nest — Melbourne Cup sweeps for 2026
- Craig Tobin — new manager, Roma Aquatic Centre
- Craig Tobin — invite to host the Golden Flipper Mercantile Relay
- Liz Otto (WOW Dance) — bank details for deposit
- Ebony Roscio — vendor status at Santos Festival of Rugby confirmed
- Grace Ramirez (RISPPO) — US$1,000 (A$1,450) Foundation donation confirmed
- Mark Nicholls (Signasaurus) — Engine Room signage order confirmed
- Susan Holz (ABS) — Census information sheet for distribution
- Gwendolyn De Vink (MRC) — cinema info for the Lions Park opening
- Australian Rotary Health — Lift the Lid managed in-house from October
- Ian Hope (DG) — ballot for redistricting of Zone 8
Outgoing
- Gwendolyn De Vink — information about our cinema screen
- Craig Tobin — invitation to attend a club meeting
- Liz Otto — request for bank details
- Ebony Roscio — confirming availability for the Santos Festival of Rugby
- Mark Nicholls (Signasaurus) — request for signage update
- Ian Hope (DG) — confirming redistricting information received
- Georgie Woodall-Adams (MRC) — update on the Rotary Park water fountain
THE BUSINESS
Where the hard decisions are made.
Previous Business
Vehicles donated to SES. Update The vehicles were picked up today and transported to the SES shed in Wallumbilla, where the Road Crash Rescue Unit will use them for training. To be closed out next meeting.
CIVIQ water fountain — Bryan Payne memorial. A ~$12,000 quote has come back from CIVIQ for a council-approved fountain at the park: 2.1 m high, two drinking fountains, a bottle filler and a swinging dog bowl, in solar-resistant stainless steel. The 2.1 m panel leaves room for a Bryan Payne memorial artwork, in line with the donation from Bryan's school friends. Update Council has been informed of our intention and we're awaiting their response.
Members Draw & Raffles
General Business
Melbourne Cup sweep for the WOW Dance Troupe. The Rotary Club of Crows Nest's annual trifecta sweep is available again for 2026. As in previous years, the club looks to support the WOW Dance Troupe by purchasing sweep tickets on their behalf. For consideration.
Proposal — "Rotary Golden Flipper Relay Championship of Roma"
Craig Tobin, the new manager of the Roma Aquatic Centre — and a former Rotarian keen to re-join the club — has proposed that Rotary act as event owner and charity partner for a community swimming relay during the centre's opening week: Wednesday 16 December, 5:00–7:00 pm.
- Format: teams of four, freestyle only, run on a handicap basis — each team pre-nominates a target time; the eight teams closest to their nominated times advance to a final.
- Entry: a per-team nomination fee (amount TBC); all proceeds to the Rotary Global Water Safety & Drowning Prevention program.
- Prize: a perpetual "Golden Flipper Trophy" held by the winning team or their business for the year — Craig to buy and supply a significant trophy.
- A comparable relay at Brisbane's Valley Pool raises $50,000+ a year; Craig will consult its organiser, Hugh Hamilton, on growing this into an annual Roma fundraiser, and is happy to coordinate scheduling, promotion and logistics with Council and the club.
Club Fundraiser
Rotary Number Plate Raffle
Your chance to win the prestigious "Rotary in Motion" personalised Queensland number plate — RTY 001 — a rolling statement of commitment to Rotary. 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
- Email: chris.ellissbhrotary@gmail.com
News & Notices
Santos Festival of Rugby — 18–19 Sept, Roma
We're running the burger van on the Saturday — come grab a feed and support us. The festival returns to Roma for a third year (Santos with QRU & NSWRU), 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, a free Classic Wallabies juniors clinic, and a Vintage Reds v Vintage Tahs 10s.
Festival details →
Rotary's 2028–29 leader announced
Bharat Pandya, of the Rotary Club of Borivli, Mumbai, has been selected to be Rotary International President for 2028–29 (president-nominee from 15 September if unchallenged). A surgeon of 38 years, he has served as an RI director and treasurer and in many Rotary Foundation roles, and sat on the India PolioPlus Committee when India was certified polio-free.
Read the article →
Jim Baker Medal — Maranoa Business Awards, 10 Oct
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.
Nominate for the medal →
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