ROTAGAS
From the President
Well, October is almost upon us and everything is happening at once. Interest rates went up today, and the Maranoa Regional Council has locked in the date for the Christmas Street Party (Thursday 3 December — see What's On).
Jim Baker Medal nominations have closed, and we've received a massive 12 nominations. The business contact list has done exactly what we hoped — promoting Rotary and lifting our engagement across the community. During the school holidays, Bella, Sterling and I spent a few hours driving around Roma tracking down any businesses we'd missed on the first run, and we've quite a few more to add. That puts us in a great position heading into the Maranoa Aquatic Centre opening events and the Rotary Mercantile Cup.
Tonight's meeting is all about those nominations — sifting through them to shortlist the Finalists we'll invite to the Rotary table at the RCAT Business Awards, and identifying those worthy of a Vocational Excellence Award. From the Finalists we'll select this year's Jim Baker Medalist. I'm very much looking forward to the evening.
Plans are also coming together for the Just a Farmer screening on the Sunday night after the Business Awards. I've heard great things about the film and look forward to getting behind the event.
It's shaping up to be a busy week next week.
— Scott McDonell, President
Correspondence
Incoming
- Georgi Adams (Maranoa Regional Council) — Christmas Street Party, Thursday 3 December
- Captain Sarah Parry (Windeward Bound) — request for a donation towards three trainees next year
- OCHRE / Queensland Government — Taroom Trough Development Plan, Roma community workshop invitation
- NYSF (National Youth Science Forum) — Expressions of Interest now open, close 8 October
- Maranoa Regional Council — Volunteers Round Table, 8 October
- Australian Rotary Health — newsletter
- ROMAC — eNewsletter
- Rotary Down Under — magazine
- Roma Fire — invoice for Engine Room equipment
- District 9620 — call for nominations for Governor of the new District 9642 (merger of D9620 & D9640), 2028–29 Rotary year
Outgoing
- Chris Ellis (Windeward Bound) — confirming the club will support three trainees
THE MINUTE
Business of the meeting.
Previous Business
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.
Covered hardstand for the catering van — Basset Park Shed. Ongoing Russell Grulke and Scott have measured the area, and we now await Russell's quote. We missed the latest grant deadline, but once the quote is in hand we'll submit for other grants or the next funding round.
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
Jim Baker Medal — nominations closed, finalists tonight. A magnificent 12 nominations have been received and nominations are now closed. Tonight's meeting will shortlist the finalists to invite to the club's table(s) at the RCAT Maranoa Business Awards (Saturday 10 October), identify those worthy of a Vocational Excellence Award, and from the finalists select this year's Jim Baker Medalist. We're delighted to again confirm Shane Jacobson as our guest speaker. If you'd like a seat at the club's table, please let us know as soon as you can — space will be at a premium!
Windeward Bound — three trainees for 2027. The club has agreed to support three trainees on next year's Windeward Bound youth voyages, following Captain Sarah Parry's request. A wonderful investment in three young people from our region.
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. Proceeds fund their project to install Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in key community locations. The draw is on 26 October. Tickets at raffletix.com.au — a great chance to support a fellow club and a more heart-ready community.
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
NYSF — Expressions of Interest close 8 October
Expressions of interest for the National Youth Science Forum are now open and close Wednesday 8 October. A fantastic program for students with a passion for science, technology and engineering. Know a young person who'd thrive? Register their interest with the club.
MRC Volunteers Round Table — Wed 8 October
The Maranoa Regional Council is hosting a Volunteers Round Table on Wednesday 8 October — a chance for local community and volunteer groups to come together, share and connect. If you can represent the club, please let the committee know.
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. Details on the flyer — come lend a hand.
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.)
Taroom Trough Development Plan — Roma Workshop, Wed 14 October
The Queensland Government and OCHRE are running a community workshop on the future of the Taroom Trough, and Roma locals are invited to have their say. Wednesday 14 October, 5–7 pm at the White Bull Tavern, 43 Station St, Roma. RSVP by Monday 12 October to yarn@ochresp.com.au.
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.
Maranoa Christmas Street Party — Thu 3 December
The Maranoa Regional Council has set the date for the Christmas Street Party — Thursday 3 December. A wonderful night for the whole community, and a fixture the club looks forward to supporting. More details to come.
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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