ROTAGAS
The club extends its heartfelt condolences to Past President Scot Thomson and the whole Thomson family on the passing of Scot's father earlier this week. The family is understandably an apology from this week's meeting, and we hold them in our thoughts. We look forward to welcoming Mackenzie, Pleasure and Scot back when the time is right.
From the President
A big happy birthday to us! The Rotary Club of Roma was chartered on the 16th of September 1940, which makes this our 86th year — 85 years of service to Roma and the Maranoa now behind us, and that is a truly remarkable achievement. As members it's our responsibility to make sure the club is still here to carry that service into the future, and with that in mind this year will be focused squarely on membership building. Our upcoming board meeting will work through some initiatives to help us get there, and we look forward to sharing them with the whole club shortly.
It was a very busy weekend. The Santos Festival of Rugby was another success for us — we catered for 100 and sold out of burgers by 4pm, and when the fryer played up again we had just six bags of chips left out of thirty, so we called it stumps. A huge thank you to the kids: Riley, Isabella and Kaden anchored the day and did 90% of the work. Thanks too to Eileen Dore, who came in and prepared all the buns so the crew could focus on cooking and selling. I've got a lovely photo of the team — save for the fact that Riley was MIA by then, having fully committed to one of the perks of volunteering: free entry to watch the game!
With school holidays on, we've been taking our time cleaning the van, tidying the shed, listening to a few tunes and restocking the Rotary soft drink. Speaking of the shed, I met with Russell there today for a measure-up of the proposed shelter for the van — he'll get us a quote, and we'll chase the grant to fund it.
A big weekend for Sally too. Sally attended the Tambo two-day Clay Target Shoot and presented the Jim Gall Memorial Trophy, in honour of her younger brother, who tragically passed in an accident the night before the 2009 shoot. Her scorecard shows she did us all proud… once she'd warmed up! Many happy returns to the club on our 86th birthday.
— Scott McDonell, President
Photos
Guest Speaker
A big thank you to Craig Tobin, the new Manager of the Maranoa Aquatic Centre, for coming along to the club and telling us all about the progress of the pool and his plans for the centre — it's all very exciting. Craig has also expressed his desire to join the club, which is even more exciting than the pool opening!
Correspondence
Incoming
- Donelle Whitely (District Chair, Rotary Health) — "Lift the Lid" events
- Amanda Wendt (End Polio Now Coordinator) — World Polio Day awareness & the "Progress to Zero" newsletter
- Western Spirit Distillery — Christmas party booking options
- Annie Connolly (Manager, Community Safety & Rural Lands Service) — Biosecurity Management Plan feedback sought
- Rotary Club of Crows Nest — Melbourne Cup Trifecta tickets on their way this week
- Rotary Leader — newsletter
- Suren Poruri (Global Grant, RI District 3020, India) — wishing the club a happy birthday
Outgoing
- Melissa Barber (Camp Quality) — confirming location for the esCarpade breakfast & a coffee-van contact
- Liza Bertolotti (LifeFlight) — apologies that we're unable to assist with the sausage sizzle
- Cathy Carnevale (Village Gate Event Management) — thanking her and the team for their assistance at the Santos Festival of Rugby
- Gemma Tapp (RCAT) — welcome, and a request to help advertise the Just a Farmer screening
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.
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.
Covered hardstand for the catering van — Basset Park Shed. Ongoing Motion carried previously to obtain quotes and apply for grants for a covered hardstand at the Basset Park Shed. Scott met Russell Grulke at the shed for a measure-up of the proposed shelter for the van — Russell will now provide a quote, and the club will chase the $35,000 Gambling Community Benefit Fund grant (closes 28 September) to fund it.
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 & the night. Eight nominations have been received so far, and nominations don't close until Sunday 27 September. After that we'll shortlist the finalists and invite them to the awards night. We're delighted to confirm Shane Jacobson as our guest speaker for the evening. If you'd like to join the club's table(s) on the night, please let us know as soon as you can — real estate will be at a premium!
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
Chomp with the Chopper — Fri 25 September
LifeFlight is putting on a free community day this Friday 25 September, 12pm–4pm — food trucks, face painting, lawn games and a photo booth. A great free day out for the family, and a chance to support the LifeFlight Foundation and the vital aeromedical service it provides across our region. Get along and say g'day.
Jim Baker Medal — nominations close Sun 27 September
Last few days! 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 this Sunday 27 September — get one in for someone whose work makes the region stronger.
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.)
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.
Update preferences · Unsubscribe