This year the Rotary Club of Sutherland has made incredible strides in giving back to our community.
Our Year in Review (July 2024 – June 2025)
As we wrap up another vibrant year of service, fellowship and impact, our club has had a huge impact - this financial year we have given more than $47,000 to make the world a better place!
A lot of this has been due to the leadership of our outgoing President, Alan Heighway, who has taken on leadership with absolute joy and enthusiasm - and even, on top of the presidential role, raised over $500 on his own selling lip balm and sunscreen! His desire to put the money we raise into places in which it is most beneficial.
While we are sad to see him go as President, we are also excited to welcome our new President, Bruce Kremmer, who has brought fresh ideas and drive to the club since his arrival. We look forward to another year of great achievements!
Recognition - This year, we are proud to recognise two of our own: David McJanet and David Morton, who both received the Paul Harris Fellowship Award for their contributions to Rotary. These awards were exceptionally well deserved and we could not be more proud as a club!
A list of some of the other things we got up to (because the list would be too long otherwise!):
Shire Vintage & Collectables Fair – Our biggest yet, the club organised this event which saw over 2,500 visitors and raised over $18,000 for our club to give to great causes.
End Polio Now - Along with the greater Rotary International, we donated to this fantastic effort to eliminate a terrible disease.
Kirrawee Primary School Breakfast Club – We supported this fantastic cause to ensure that kids get a great start to their day with a healthy breakfast.
Schoolmates Program – We ran this program which donated over $6000 to help kids from families in need get a full school experience, including camps, textbooks, sports programs and more.
Engineering Summer School – We sent three young students to this event run by Young Engineers Australia where they gained exposure to many facets of engineering and industry.
Science & Engineering Challenge – In May we volunteered at this excellent event which promotes Science, Technology, Maths and Engineering careers for young people.
Rotary Youth Leadership Awards - A long term and steadfast supporter of this iniative, our club was excited to send young people to this event again this year.
Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment - Once again, we sponsored young people to attend this profound and recognised program that builds connection for young people.
Kingsway Care Pack Donations– We put together 50 packs to support men in crisis, including toiletries and other necessities to help them in a fresh start.
The Family Co. Grocery Drive – The Rotary Club of Sutherland led a drive at Kirrawee Woolworths, in which over 40 trolleys of groceries were donated by the community to support those in need at Christmas.
Sutherland Bookstall – Our regular bookstall every second weekend outside the Sutherland Uniting Church as been an ongoing success, raising thousands of dollars for charitable endeavours.
Barbecues – We ran barbecues at numerous events and locations, including a regular barbecue at IGA, election day, the Meeting of Two Cultures event at Kurnell (along with the Rotary Club of Caringbah) and more, contributing significantly to our fundraising.
Rotary Park Care - We maintained the Rotary Park at Kirrawee, preserving a small patch of Ironbark forest which is native to our area.
Established Our Own International Project - We established a perpetual donation for overseas development. We have donated $1600 for new local businesses in Zimbabwe, which they may access as a no-strings loan which they can repay when their business finds its feet. So far we have supported two agricultural projects and anticipate that this money will flow through many more!
Other Donations - Lismore Flood Appeal, SKWAD (Special Kids with a Disability) at Endeavour High School, Project Youth, overseas schools and so many more.
New Members: This year we have welcomed three new members who have all jumped in head first! Nick, Jonathon and Om have all had their own impact and two have even joined the board!
Social and Fellowship: From a regular coffee every week, to organised tours and social dinners, the club has really evolved into the social sphere this year. Wine tastings, barefoot bowls, behind-the-scenes tours of local businesses - all have really helped our club grow even closer this year.
As you can see - Rotary is much more than just barbecues. Rotarians are People of Action, and our club delivers on that in spades. We'd love to have you along on our journey of giving, so reach out to us today!