March has been a vibrant and inspiring month for our Club.
Following my brief absence, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to PE Michael Chilcott for leading the Club meeting during that time. I was delighted to return in time for the District 9675 Conference, which truly lived up to its theme, “Aspire to Inspire.” We were particularly moved by keynote speaker Matt Caruana and his powerful story of resilience, reminding us that adversity can be transformed into purpose.
We also heard from Superintendent Christine McDonald, whose lifelong connection to Rotary beautifully embodies Service Above Self. The Conference concluded with a vibrant Bollywood Gala Dinner an evening filled with colour, music, and fellowship.
You maybe surprized to see the banner for this month is ""Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene" (WASH), As it is Rotary International's month fro WASH. Access to clean water and proper sanitation is fundamental to health, dignity, and opportunity, a cause that aligns closely with our own commitment to community and global well-being. In keeping with this focus, I am proud to share that our Board had just aproved a donated up to $40,000 to support the village of Jhamire in Nepal, helping to provide essential water and sanitation infrastructure. This is the third of such project lead by Rotarian Russell Brown. It is a testament to how our collective efforts can create lasting change, bringing clean water and improved health to a community in need. Thank you Russel for leading this project, and bring it to the Club.
Looking ahead, our focus now turns to the ANZAC Day BBQ on 25 April, where we will once again come together in service and remembrance. Your support on the day would be greatly appreciated.
We are also pleased to share that arrangements are underway for the induction of the Governor-General, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, as an Honorary Member of our Club a significant milestone.
A reminder that early bird registration for the Rotary International Convention 2026 Taipei (13–17 June) closes on 31 March. Please feel free to reach out if you require assistance or are interested in the pre-Convention tour.
We are also pleased to share a generous offer from China Airlines a 15% discount on direct return flights to Taipei for Rotarians attending the Convention. When booking online, simply enter the discount code 2026RICT to access this offer.
Finally, nominations are now open for the Community Service Awards and the Joan Salter Award. I encourage you to put forward deserving candidates.
Thank you, as always, for your continued commitment and service.
Let’s unite for good.
Kind regards,
Phoebe Alexander
President 2025–26
District 9675 Conference 2026
Glimpse of District 9675 conference 2026
Trump, the Nobel Peace Prize and the "rules-based order".
You are warmly invited to the next club meeting,
for a critical analysis of current global events presented by the Sydney Rotary Peacebuilding Group.
Given recent developments, this discussion is more timely than ever. Dr Brendon O’Connor will be discussing President Trump, who claims to be a great peacemaker, deserving of a Nobel Prize. The fact that he did not receive one led him to claim that he no longer "feels an obligation to think purely of Peace".
Event: Trump, the Nobel Peace Prize and the "rules-based order"
Date: Tuesday, 7 April 2026
Time: 12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: Castlereagh Boutique Hotel Sydney NSW, Australia
Join us for the Rotary 105 Anniversary Gala Dinner
The Rotary Club of Sydney cordially invites you to a night of elegance and celebration as we mark 105 years of Rotary's dedicated service in Australia.
Set within the grand surrounds of the Strangers Dining Room at NSW Parliament House, this special evening promises to be a highlight of our calendar.
We are privileged to welcome Her Excellency the Honorable Margaret Beazley AC, KC, as our guest of honour.
We also look forward to the anticipated attendance of Premier Chris Minns and acclaimed MC Indira Naidoo (both currently TBC).
This event is a wonderful opportunity for members, partners, and friends of Rotary to come together, reflect on our rich history of community service, and celebrate the continued impact we make.
Dress code: Formal
We look forward to celebrating with you. Register Now
We invite you to attend the 2026 Fiducian Charity Golf Day & Dinner at Castle Hill Country Club, supporting Vision Beyond AUS and their mission to restore sight and transform lives across developing Asian communities.
Date: Tuesday 28 April 2026
Location: Castle Hill Country Club. 7 Spurway Dr, Norwest NSW 2153.
Registration: 11:30am (with mandatory briefing at 12:15pm)
Shotgun start: 12:30pm
Dinner & Auction: 6:00pm
Cost: $250pp
Inclusions: 18 holes of golf, golf cart, refreshments on course and three-course dinner. Cost includes $190 cost recovery and $60 voluntary tax-deductible donation.
Grab your friends, family and colleagues and get a team together!
Dinner Only
Please join us for dinner for only for $200 pp (incl. $140 cost recovery and $60 voluntary tax-deductible donation)
Can't make it?
If you can't attend the day you, donations can be made directly to Vision Beyond AUS.
RI Convention Taipei 2026 Please register before 31st March 2026, for early bird concession.
Rotary International 2026 Taipei Convention, is from June 13 to 17. Accommodation is becoming limited, so please reach out if you require assistance.
I have also organised a 3-day pre-Convention tour—please contact Phoebe Alexander directly if you are interested.
What's Happening In Our Club
Michael Chilcott
Dr. Erwin Carigiet
Dianne North OAM
Club Meeting on 3rd March - Action & Inspiration
Firstly, my thanks to PE Michael Chilcott for hosting the meeting.
This was a meeting on: Fellowship, Service, and International Connection. We thank PDG Dianne North OAM for her truly compelling address at our last meeting on Tuesday, March 3rd. Dianne shared amazing details about the vital, life-changing work of Interplast, highlighting the dedication of volunteer teams surgeons, anaesthetists, and nurses—who travel across the Asia-Pacific region to provide essential, free reconstructive surgery. We commend Dianne for her tireless work in serving the community. Our club will consider an amount of donation towards the works of Interplast in the next board meeting.
At this meeting, also featured a wonderful moment of international fellowship. As we were honoured to host Dr. Erwin Carigiet from the Rotary Club of Zurich City, who exchanged a banner with PE Michael Chilcott. Dr. Carigiet was accompanied by his guest, Martin Shonenberger, and we also welcomed returning visitor, Jet Huage.
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Club meeting on 17th March
Building Peace - One Scholar at a Time
The last club meeting was devoted to Peacebuilding. Our guest speakers, Grace Stanhope and Tamkin Hakim, who were sponsored by Sydney Rotary in their successful applications for Rotary Peace Fellowships, told us of their experiences as peacebuilders and their plans after they finish their studies. Other Peace Fellow alumni – PP Charlie Allen, D9675 Peace Fellowship Subcommittee Chair Olivia Wellesley-Cole, and Jawoon Kim shared their own stories of how the Fellowship influenced their lives and careers.
David Hirsch, chair of the Peacebuilding Group, announced the club’s 3-year sponsorship of the Hannah Middleton Scholarship supporting a student in a Master’s Degree program in Peace and Conflict Studies at the National University of Timor L’Este. Melanie Morrison and Jane Fulton of the Sydney Peace Foundation were present along with Denis Doherty, the husband of the late Dr Hannah Middleton, who devoted her life to building peace and served as the Executive Officer of the Sydney Peace Foundation.
CBD Networking and Fellowship Evening
Join us for an informal evening of fellowship and purpose-driven networking in the heart of Sydney’s CBD! Meet members, friends, and like-minded business professionals.
Date: Wednesday, March 25th, 2026
Time: 5:30PM - 8:00PM
Venue: Castlereagh Boutique Hotel - 169 Castlereagh St, Sydney NSW 2000
Accessibility: Just 300 metres from Town Hall Station (100 metres from Gadigal Metro).
