ROTAGAS
From the President
It's been a very big weekend. A massive thank you to Sally, and to Trevor Phillipson — a visiting Rotarian from Townsville — who gave up their time to join me and the St George Rotary Club in supporting the Surat Race Day. The races themselves were cancelled, and for about five minutes we were genuinely worried: it was a slow start, with everyone tucked into the catered VIP tent. It didn't take long for the onslaught to begin, though, and I fried chips for eight hours straight — Sally alongside me on the scoop for a good part of it, and Trevor wrangled in as a runner who barely stopped. All up we sold around $13,000 worth of food. Michael from St George manned the till the whole day and was just about hoarse by the end — and a good crew of St George members were right in the thick of it too. It was great to join forces with them. A fantastic turnout, even with the races called off.
On Sunday night and into Monday I began directly emailing the Jim Baker Medal nominations out to the 200 business contacts we've built — with around 145 emails still to gather and a number of businesses not yet on the list. The response has been exceptional: we already have four nominations in. With two weeks until nominations close and a schedule of reminder emails still to come, we may just have our work cut out for us with nominees — an excellent position to be in. It will also serve us well down the track in building club support, fundraising and, most importantly, membership. We'll keep working the contacts list, using the Jim Baker Medal as a great way to open direct lines between the club and the wider business community. We've also posted on Facebook and shared it to plenty of local groups, and we'll run a countdown as nominations close.
It was also great to have ADG Bob Minchin join us at our last meeting at the Engine Room. He gave us a terrific update on all things district, and it was heartening to have his encouragement for the club to work more closely with our contacts in Charleville and Quilpie on the upcoming events — getting Rotary's visibility back out west. That's an important part of our mission: to be there for our communities in times of natural disaster, like the floods and droughts that hit the west hard.
I've confirmed I'm now available on the night for the presentation, and I'm looking forward to representing the club. If you're coming along, now's the time to lock in your seat at the Rotary table before we're swamped with nominees. Hope to see you there.
— Scott McDonell, President
Photos
Correspondence
Incoming
- Cathy Carnevale (Village Event Management) — bump-in details for Friday, Santos Festival of Rugby
- Gemma Tapp (RCAT) — introducing herself as the new RCAT General Manager
- Lauren Waldron (Roma State College) — Presentation Night invitation & confirmation request
- Liza Bertolotti (LifeFlight) — banking details for the club's donation
- Liza Bertolotti (LifeFlight) — request to run a sausage sizzle at their community day, Friday 25 September
- Barry Fagg (Rotary Club of Toowoomba Metropolitan) — Art Union fundraiser for their AED project; asking us to help spread the word
Outgoing
- Maranoa business community — 200 invitations to nominate for the Jim Baker Medal
- Crows Nest Rotary — ordering the Trifecta tickets for the Dance Girls
- Cathy Carnevale (Village Event Management) — trailer info for site setup
- Lauren Waldron (Roma State College) — acknowledging the invitation and confirming our sponsorships
- Gemma Tapp (RCAT) — welcome, and inviting her to a meeting once the Business Awards mayhem is done
THE MINUTE
Business of the meeting.
Previous Business
Engine Room signage. Completed The Engine Room signage has now been installed — a great result, and thanks to Mark Nicholls and Signasaurus for seeing it through. Now closed.
CIVIQ water fountain — Bryan Payne memorial. Ongoing Council has a small number of quality drinking fountains, one of which could potentially be placed at Rotary Park through Andrew Davidson (Maranoa Regional Council). If it proceeds, the club would cover installation and place a separate memorial board for Bryan alongside it. Awaiting further information from Council and a meeting with Andrew and the board. Remains in Previous Business until completed.
Zone 8 redistricting ballot. Ongoing Club members have agreed to the redistricting. Awaiting Mackenzie's return to submit the club's ballot. Remains in Previous Business until completed.
Just a Farmer — club catering & support. Ongoing The club is catering the Charleville (Fri 9 Oct) and Roma (Sun 11 Oct) screenings, with Scott assisting Craig Carlson at Charleville. Main focus now is promotion and reaching the farming community. See the tile below.
Camp Quality esCarpade breakfast. Ongoing Camp Quality has asked us to cook breakfast when the esCarpade stops in Roma (Tue 27 Oct) — around 200 people. Awaiting a budget figure before committing.
General Business
Santos Festival of Rugby — burger van, this weekend. We're back on the burger van at Gallas Fox Park. I'll be setting up on Friday morning, with bump-in at 9:00 am, and the event opens at 8:45 am Saturday. I'll fire the van up first thing in the morning but won't be there to assist until around 2:00 pm — Riley and Bella will be in attendance too. If you're available to lend a hand across the weekend, please let me know.
Covered hardstand for the catering van — Basset Park Shed. Motion carried That the club obtain quotes and apply for grants to construct a covered hardstand at the Basset Park Shed to house and cover the catering van. Moved: Howard · Seconded: Sally · Carried. Update since the meeting: Scott has spoken with Russell Grulke and they're arranging a time to meet at the shed to discuss the build, which Russell can then quote on. A $35,000 grant through the Gambling Community Benefit Fund is now open and closes 28 September, so we'll be working to get our application in.
Toowoomba Metropolitan Art Union — a hand for a fellow club. The Rotary Club of Toowoomba Metropolitan has asked us to help spread the word on their Art Union fundraiser: a $20 ticket for a chance at $20,000 cash, with only 2,000 tickets in the draw (already more than half sold). Proceeds fund their project to install Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in key community locations — potentially life-saving when someone suffers a sudden cardiac event. The draw is on 26 October. If you'd like a ticket or two, or can share it around, tickets are at raffletix.com.au — a great chance to support a fellow club and a more heart-ready community.
LifeFlight — community day sausage sizzle, Friday 25 September. Liza Bertolotti from LifeFlight has asked whether the club can run a sausage sizzle at their community day on Friday 25 September. LifeFlight's aeromedical rescue service is a vital lifeline across our region, so it's a great cause to get behind — we'll be looking for a few hands on the day, so please let the committee know if you can help. Liza has also passed on LifeFlight's banking details for a club donation.
Pinaroo AGM — Tuesday 13 October, 6:00 pm. Our Annual General Meeting will be held at Pinaroo on Tuesday 13 October at 6:00 pm, in lieu of our regular meeting. All members and partners are asked to attend — we need as many as possible on the night to ensure we reach quorum, so please make every effort to be there.
Annual membership subscriptions — now due. Subscription invoices have been sent to all members. Please have your subscription paid before the Pinaroo AGM (13 October).
Members Draw & Raffles
What's On
Business Awards Finalist Function — Thu 17 September
The night the Maranoa Business Awards finalists are revealed — drinks, canapés and the moment the shortlist becomes official. Proudly presented by event partner Sharpe Engineering.
- When: Thursday 17 September, 6:00 pm
- Where: Western Queensland Spirit
Santos Festival of Rugby — 18–19 September, Roma
We're running the burger van on the Saturday — come grab a feed and support the club. The festival returns to Roma for a third year (Santos, with Queensland Rugby Union & NSW Rugby Union) 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 clash, a free Classic Wallabies juniors clinic, and a Vintage Reds v Vintage Tahs 10s.
Cheese Toastie Making Day — Term 4, Fri 9 October
Sgt Dan Clarke and the Roma PCYC are back for the Term 4 toastie morning — aiming for a mighty 1,700 toasties for schools right across the Maranoa. A great community morning supporting school attendance and our young people. RSVP by 17 September to Dan (details on the flyer) and come lend a hand.
Jim Baker Medal — nominations close Sun 27 September
The Jim Baker Medal for Vocational Excellence is presented each year at the Maranoa Business Awards (the 13th awards, Saturday 10 October). Nominations are open to the public and close Sunday 27 September — get one in for someone whose work makes the region stronger.
Just a Farmer — Screening, Sun 11 October, Roma
A proud club partnership with TRACC and South West Health for Queensland Mental Health Week — a free screening of the award-winning film Just a Farmer at the Roma Cultural Centre, Sunday 11 October, 6–10 pm. Free community BBQ from 5:30, MC Shane Webcke, Crack Up Sisters for the kids, and a panel with the film's Leila McDougall. Bookings essential (free).
Pinaroo AGM — Tue 13 October, 6:00 pm
Our Annual General Meeting is at Pinaroo, Tuesday 13 October, 6:00 pm, in lieu of the regular meeting. All members and partners are asked to attend — we need as many as possible to ensure we reach quorum. Please make every effort to be there. (And a reminder: annual subscriptions are now due — please pay before the AGM.)
Camp Quality esCarpade — Breakfast Stopover, Tue 27 October
Camp Quality's esCarpade motoring fundraiser rolls into Roma on Tuesday 27 October, and we've been asked to put on breakfast for the crew — around 200 participants across 80 vehicles. It's an early one (arrivals from 6:45 am, away by 8:20) and a great chance to welcome visitors to town while supporting kids facing cancer. Venue and budget are still being confirmed — if you can lend a hand on the morning, let the committee know.
St John's Presentation Night — Tue 10 November
We're proud to again present the Rotary Best All Rounder Award at St John's Catholic School's 2026 Presentation Night — celebrating student achievement across the Cultural, Sporting, Academic and Service areas. The winner joins the perpetual shield and receives an engraved Rotary medallion. A presenter and our details are being confirmed with the school.
Roma State College Awards Night — Tue 17 November
We're proud to again present the Rotary All Rounder Award and the Bryan Payne Memorial Award for STEM at Roma State College's 2026 Secondary Awards Night — Roma Bungil Cultural Centre, 6:20 for 6:30 pm. A wonderful night celebrating the achievements of Roma's young people.
RYTS 2026 — Rotary Youth Transition Seminar
A 7-day camp for Year 11 & 12 school-leavers (6–12 December, Lake Perseverance, Crows Nest) — leadership, life skills and guest speakers to prepare them for life after school. The club holds a $1,000 sponsorship credit and is on the hunt for a participant. Know a young person who'd thrive? Register their interest with us.
RYLA 2027 — Rotary Youth Leadership Award
A 7-day residential conference for young adults aged 20–30, 17–23 January 2027 at Reflections, Lake Cooby (Geham) — building leadership, citizenship and personal skills through experiential learning. Places are capped at 40. Clubs can sponsor a participant for $1,100; applications close 18 December 2026. Know a young adult who'd thrive? Let the club know.
Nepal Flooding Disaster Relief Fund
RAWCS has opened a national appeal to help families and communities in Nepal recover from severe flooding — restoring homes and livelihoods and tackling the risk of waterborne disease from damaged water and sanitation. Funds go to Rotary club projects on the ground. Every dollar helps, and donations are tax-deductible — scan the QR or donate online.
District 9620 Conference 2027
Registrations are now open! Join Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, Youth Exchange participants and friends from across the district for an inspiring weekend of connection, learning and celebration. 12–14 March 2027 · The Pavilion Conference & Reception Centre, Gympie. Theme: Impact • Empower • Create.
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