Dear members and friends of the Rotary Club of Sydney Darling Harbour,

A big thank you to everyone who has already gotten involved with the Clem Renouf End Polio Now Club. Named after Past RI President Clem Renouf (An Australian who first steered Rotary towards eradicating Polio), the initiative would see Clubs aiming to have EVERY member donate just $10 to Rotary’s Polio fund to mark World Polio Day in 2021/22. Statistics show that only 10% of Rotarians make a personal donation to End Polio Now each year, with this initiative therefore representing a potential hugely significant windfall.

We’ve seen an outstanding take-up from our members, with some going so far as to pay considerably over the ten dollars requested from every Rotarian. As with any donation, participation is completely optional. If you are in a position to give ten dollars to this very worthy cause and would like to join with us as we work to fully eradicate polio, please email info@rotarydarlingharbour.org.au for details on how to get involved.

Otherwise, just a quick shout-out that there is no evening meeting this week. I’ll be sending out a survey to members later this week to get the thoughts of members on how evening meetings should be structured. With lock-down now in the rear-view, I’m keen to make sure that this becomes a vibrant and engaging part of the Club’s offering. Your opinion would be very much appreciated.

Upcoming Events

Climate and Peace Forum: Driving to the Future – Join the EV Revolution
November 16, 2021 at 6:00 pm
Online Event

The Climate and Peace Forum brings you world leading voices in climate and peace. Through engagement with concerned individuals we promote climate action to increase advocacy within government and corporate communities; to raise awareness of NGOs, Rotary and individuals; to identify and promote activities and to establish partnerships. This quarterly event is initiated by Rotarians for everyone. This quarter’s speakers will be speaking about the move to electric vehicles within Australia, with the unique challenges our landscape and culture presents.

For more information, or to get involved, visit https://rotarydarlingharbour.org.au/events/climate-and-peace-forum-driving-to-the-future-join-the-ev-revolution/

Board Meeting – 17/11/2021
November 17, 2021 at 6:30 pm
Online Event

The Rotary Club of Sydney Darling Harbour is engaged in several different projects. Whether it’s working within our local community, advancing international understanding and providing humanitarian aid, providing for the development and advancement of our members or fostering new friendships, our Club strives to always put its hands to something useful. Board meetings allow for the Club’s leadership to discuss plans, co-ordinate on strategies and address Club issues. They allow the Club’s leadership a chance to discuss the our upcoming events and projects, and help ensure that we remain vibrant and cohesive.

For more information, or to get involved, visit https://rotarydarlingharbour.org.au/events/board-meeting-17-11-2021/

Rotary Youth Talks: Partnerships through Youth Engagement
November 20, 2021 at 4:00 pm
Online Event

Rotary International District 9675 Rotaract Representative 20/22 Courtney Krahe joined her high school Interact club over 10 years ago. Over the last 10 years Courtney has participated in a variety of Youth Programs including; Interact, MUNA, RYE, RYLA, Rotaract Round Trips and was the charter VP of UTS Rotaract. Courtney’s aim for her term(s) as DRR is to “Rebuild & Re-Engage” Rotarians and Rotaractors with each other across the District. Lara Rutstein is pursuing Psychology (Honours) at Macquarie University. In 2017, she was selected to represent Australia in soccer at the Maccabiah Games and in 2019, she received the Gold Duke of Edinburgh award. In January of 2020, Lara went to Israel and was selected to intern at their National Anti-Doping Organisation. After returning from Israel, she is now a voluntary leader for Habonim Dror.

Together, they will be speaking about the potential to build partnerships in Rotary through engaging youth. For more information, or to get involved, visit https://rotarydarlingharbour.org.au/events/rotary-youth-talks-partnerships-through-youth-engagement/

Digital Club Meeting – 24/11/2021
November 24, 2021 at 7:30 am
Online Event

Our digital club meetings are a great opportunity to discuss our upcoming events, ongoing projects and recent news from the comfort of your home office. If you are looking to give something back to the community, to develop professionally, to help steer exciting projects, or are just interested in making new friends, you are very welcome to attend our meeting.

For more information, or to get involved, visit https://rotarydarlingharbour.org.au/events/digital-club-meeting-24-11-2021/

2021 Rotary Club of Sydney Darling Harbour Changeover
December 1, 2021 at 6:30 pm
Casa Ristorante Italiano

Continuing a proud tradition, the Rotary Club of Sydney Darling Harbour will changeover its board this year. President Mel Lane will wrap up her two year Presidency, and handover to Drew Sturgiss. If that isn’t enough to whet your appetite, the Changeover is being held at Casa Ristorante Italiano, giving us the opportunity to enjoy authenticate Italian cuisine on the shore of our Club’s namesake, the Sydney Darling Harbour. Tickets are 65pp and includes a three course meal. We hope to see you there as we kick off another Rotary year.

For more information, or to get involved, visit https://rotarydarlingharbour.org.au/events/2021-darlings-changeover/

Evening Meeting – 2/12/2021
December 2, 2021 at 6:30 pm
Club York Sydney

Our evening meetings are used to discuss both our upcoming events and broader world issues. They have a focus on work-shops and project discussion, and are geared to be enjoyed after a hard day of work. If you are passionate about improving your world and local community, making new friends and developing new skills and contributing to important and life-changing projects, we’d love to see you at our meeting.

For more information, or to get involved, visit https://rotarydarlingharbour.org.au/events/evening-meeting-2-12-2021/

Club Meeting – 8/12/2021
December 8, 2021 at 7:30 am
The Grace Hotel

Our regular club meetings are used to discuss our upcoming events, ongoing projects and recent news. If you are looking to give something back to the community, to develop professionally, to help steer exciting projects, or are just interested in making new friends, you are very welcome to attend our meeting. This will be our first physical morning meeting of the year, but you’ll still be able to join us via Zoom if you won’t be in the city.

For more information, or to get involved, visit https://rotarydarlingharbour.org.au/events/club-meeting-8-12-2021/

Final Thoughts

The longest place name in the word, at 85 letters, is “Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu,” New Zealand. Locals just call it Taumata Hill.

Well, that’s it from me. Don’t forget that our next meeting is scheduled for 7.30AM on Wednesday the 24th of November, taking place online. For more information, including how to access the meeting remotely, please visit https://rotarydarlingharbour.org.au/events/digital-club-meeting-24-11-2021/.

Until next week,
Drew Sturgiss
President
Rotary Club of Sydney Darling Harbour