Our Club meets 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month, check Upcoming Events & Rotary News for details & booking links. The Club meets at various Sydney venues and & has a wide range of social events.
Contact us: office@sydneyrotary.com
Congratulations on your Rotary anniversary and thank you for the work you do in Rotary and in your community.
President’s Message
Dear Rotarians and Friends,
Time flies! My year as President of the Rotary Club of Sydney is fast approaching its conclusion. I have thoroughly enjoyed the journey, along with the challenges and opportunities that have come with the role. I would like to sincerely thank everyone who placed their trust in me to lead our club over the past 12 months.
Like any journey, we have experienced both highs and lows, successes and challenges. However, the greatest gift I have received during this time has been the friendship, support and camaraderie of our members. As the saying goes, it is not the destination that counts, but the journey itself.
This month, we announced the recipient of the 2026 Joan Salter Award – The Pathfinder Foundation. It was a pleasure to present the award at our meeting on 2 June, where Past President Alex Shaw, a Director of the Foundation, accepted the award on behalf of the organisation. We look forward to following the outcomes of their significant three-year research project supporting Indigenous youth.
Building on our successful partnership with NSW Ambulance, we are also embarking on a new long-term initiative with the Heart Foundation. The Rotary HeartReady project will run over the next three years and aims to strengthen community awareness and preparedness in responding to cardiac emergencies. The project will be officially launched at our club meeting on 16 June (see details below).
Finally, I would like to remind members that our Changeover Lunch Meeting will be held on Tuesday30 June. I hope you will join us as we celebrate the achievements of the past year and welcome our incoming leadership team.
Thank you for your friendship, support and commitment to Service Above Self.
Yours in Rotary,
Phoebe Alexander
President 2025–2026
Rotary Club of Sydney Inc.
Rotary HeartReady Launch Event
Join us for a special luncheon as the Rotary Club of Sydney marks two significant milestones in our partnership with NSW Ambulance. We will provide an update on the ECMO Project, our Club-funded initiative to supply an ultrasound machine for NSW Ambulance, which has significantly enhanced emergency cardiac care capabilities and demonstrated the power of community collaboration. Following this, we are proud to launch the exciting new Rotary HeartReady Initiative a three-way partnership between the Rotary Club of Sydney, NSW Ambulance, and the Heart Foundation of Australia focused on improving community heart health and emergency response readiness. Featuring keynote addresses from Dr. Mark Dennis (University of Sydney) and Julie Hughes (Heart Foundation of Australia), this event is a must-attend for Rotary Club of Sydney members, members of surrounding Rotary clubs, and anyone interested in community health initiatives. Join us to celebrate what we have achieved and to be among the first to support this exciting new chapter.
Passing the Gavel: Celebrating Phoebe’s Legacy and Welcoming Michael Chilcott
The Rotary Club of Sydney’s most time‑honoured tradition returns on 30 June and this year’s Changeover carries extra significance.
On Tuesday, 30 June 2026, members, partners, and friends will gather at Cello’s Room (4th floor, Castlereagh Boutique Hotel) to mark the end of President Phoebe’s term as the 101st President of Rotary Sydney and to officially welcome President‑Elect Michael Chilcott and his incoming leadership team.
Phoebe has led the club with energy and heart since July 2025. The Changeover is our chance to thank her, reflect on what’s been achieved, and enjoy the fellowship that makes this club special.
But it’s also a afternoon of looking forward. Michael will share his plans and vision for the year ahead and you’ll get to meet the team who will help him deliver it. Expect good company, warmth, a few surprises, and the ceremonial passing of the gavel that connects every Rotary year to the next.
Why attend?
See what’s been accomplished since July 2025
Hear Michael Chilcott’s vision for the coming year
Meet the incoming leadership team
Enjoy the fellowship of fellow Rotarians, partners, and friends
Service, Surprises, and New Beginnings: A Memorable Meeting
Last Tuesday’s Rotary Club of Sydney meeting was filled with inspiring moments and delightful surprises.
We were delighted to welcome our newest member, Felicity Wu, whose passion, enthusiasm, and commitment to service have already energised our club. We look forward to working together on projects that create positive change in our community.
A highlight of the lunch was celebrating Kaila Cruz, who was awarded a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow in recognition of her outstanding service. Over the past three years, Kaila has demonstrated Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self”, through her leadership of the “Tree of Friendships” project at Christmas and her contribution to reviving the Sydney Rotary Club “Citizenship Ceremony 2026”. Congratulations, Kaila this honour is richly deserved.
We were also privileged to hear from Be Centre, recipient of the 2022 Joan Salter Award, which shared the results of its three-year research study into Tele Play Therapy for children experiencing trauma. It was inspiring to see how grant funding can support innovation and deliver meaningful outcomes for children and families.
Finally, we proudly announced THE PATHFINDER YOUTH as the recipient of the 2026 Joan Salter Award. Their work helps Indigenous young people obtain birth certificates something many of us take for granted, yet a document that is essential for opening a bank account, accessing services, and applying for employment. This is life-changing work that helps remove barriers and create opportunities.
Together, through service, compassion and action, we can build a stronger and more inclusive society.
Welcoming Our Newest Australians: The Sydney Rotary Citizenship Ceremony
For over two decades, the Rotary Club of Sydney has upheld a profound tradition that sits at the very heart of our commitment to community and nation-building. Each year, we dedicate a special luncheon to a formal Australian Citizenship Ceremony, officially welcoming a new group of individuals into our national family.
While this cherished tradition was unfortunately interrupted following the COVID-19 pandemic, we were thrilled to bring it back this year. Thanks to the outstanding efforts of our member, Kaila Cruz, who successfully organized the event, we hosted a magnificent Citizenship Ceremony on 19 May 2026.
On this special day, we officially welcomed 19 new Australians into our society. This event is far more than a regular meeting; it is a celebration of the diverse journeys that converge to form the modern Australian story. Presided over with the guidance of Senator Jessica Collins and Alex Greenwich MP, the meeting was a resounding success with over 80 attendees. It was truly a joyful occasion, topped off with a wonderful lunch and vibrant fellowship afterward.
Wednesday 27 May saw our monthly Rotary Networking and Social Night come alive at The Reagh Bar, located within the historic Castlereagh Boutique Hotel.
The evening was a wonderful success, with over 25 members turning out to connect, share stories, and enjoy each other’s company in a relaxed setting. The atmosphere was vibrant, and the conversation flowed as freely as the refreshments.
A particularly encouraging highlight was seeing several friends and visitors who were so keen to learn more about Sydney Rotary that they have decided to join us for our monthly meeting as well. It is truly heartening to see our community grow through genuine connection and shared purpose. Whether you are a long-standing member or simply curious about what we do, you are always welcome.
Come and join us for the next Social and Networking Night in June. For full details, including date, time, and venue, please visit the Sydney Rotary Website and book online.
