Welcome to the Rotary Club of North Sydney

Our club brings together people who share a similar drive to do good in the world. We are actively engaged in community projects that support local causes, as well as international projects that expand Rotary's humanitarian reach around the globe. We also embrace the business community through vocational service activities, and support and stimulate young people to achieve their life potentials.

Check out our Club Projects to see some worthwhile causes we've been involved in. Better still, join us at one of our meetings and see how you can engage Rotary and make a difference!

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We meet on the first
Thursday of every month
12:30pm for 12:45pm
Norths Club
12 Abbott St
Cammeray NSW 2062
Australia
 
Bulletins
Latest News

Rotary club members are volunteers who work locally, regionally, and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and job training, promote peace, and eradicate polio under the motto Service Above Self.

Read our news stories below to see how we've been putting that motto into action. You can also follow us on  for more updates on our activities!

 
Once again, Rotary Club of North Sydney put on a scrumptious Christmas BBQ for the residents of Greenway Apartments at Milsons Point. This time in partnership with the North Sydney Sunrise club.
 
 
Dear members and friends,
 
The past month has been a busy time for Rotary. October was Polio month and Sam, Jiji and I met the Ride for Polio Train at North Sydney and literally jumped on carriage 4!
 
 
Once again, the Lee family have excelled, in particular Sam & Jiji, hosting a wonderful International fundraising event on the Fern Valley Ranch at Somersby on Saturday 11 February. In very warm to hot conditions the visitors enjoyed the farm's attractions, the property looking lush and green from the recent rains.
 
One project, Three groups - Improving lives in Papua New Guinea
 
 
Last year, during our (COVID-19) ‘Jabs for PNG’ project, our International Service Team learnt much about the issues people in Papua New Guinea face. For this 2022-2023 Rotary year, we decided to explore and identify other community needs where we could further our support.
 
Message from President Geoff:
 
Last Thursday night was the President’s Australia Day Dinner at Milsons Point. I was in charge of weather and food which I got right but not the fireworks. Turns out the fireworks were all fired off on the eastern side of the bridge this year. Sorry Kai. I’ll be speaking to whoever was left in charge of crackers about next year. I think everyone had a wonderful night and generally commented that we should do it more often.
 
 
 
 
In November 2022, Chris Ireland, a professional photographer, came to share his passion project with our club. Chris aims to publish a book of photos and stories of the people living in the Greenway social housing block in Milsons Point. Through sales of his book, he hoped to raise funds for the Greenway community and enhance their well-being. Read more to see how we spread Christmas cheer for the folks at Greenway.
 
 
Rotary Club of North Sydney invites you to our annual 'Tree of Joy' event!

Together with our partner venues and charities, we are more determined than ever to spread the joy of Christmas.
 
CLICK THE PICTURE to find out how you can get involved this year!
 
 
 
This year, our Club (along with Rotary Crows Nest & Rotary North Sydney Sunrise) was happily involved again in the Salvo's Red Shield Doorknock Appeal for the North Sydney area. The day ran like clockwork & we raised >$33,300!!
 

 
Our St Patrick's Day lunch last month was a great success! We thoroughly enjoyed singing Irish songs, eating pie & peas, drinking Guinness, sharing an Irish blessing or two, making shamrocks*, all while raising valuable funds for the Black Dog Institute, in the fight against teenage suicide.
 
Last Saturday, Rotary Club of North Sydney International Team put on a luncheon at King Dynasty Restaurant Chatswood for our Water Catchment for Kids in Kenya Project. Almost 80 people, including Trent Zimmerman MP Member for North Sydney, fellow Rotarians, friends and family, came to support us and filled the room with a wonderful atmosphere.
 
From the moment people walked in the door, many already spotted the array of colourful African artisanal handicrafts in our Market Corner. This also set off our Fern Valley Ranch marmalade and honey sales well before the luncheon kicked off!
 

 
Water for Kids
With dry seasons in Kenya lasting 8 months
a year water can be a big problem.
 
At Kirantos Sunshine Primary School in
Olorien, Kenya, the nearest water source is
a dirty pond 2km away.
 
The pond is shared by animals.
 
 

🌺🌻SPRING HAS SPRUNG AGAIN!!!🌻🌺
🌴Set to be a beautiful day tomorrow🌴

Rotary North Sydney's "CROWS NEST MARKETS" is on TOMORROW at Ernest Place, Crows Nest 8am-3pmish!!

🐷 🐮🐴 ALL Rotary PROFITS GO DIRECTLY TO OUR FARMERS 🐑🐔🐮

*Have a relaxing lunch, coffee or gelato!
*Browse stalls for antiques, jewellery, books, bric-a-brac & heaps more!
*Free 2 hrs in 3 nearby parking stations.

If you know a local North Shore business that you think deserves recognition, why not nominate them for a Local Business Award?
 
Sponsored by the Rotary Club of North Sydney, together with Service NSW and BxNetworking for Business, this prestigious award will showcase their business and its strengths, promote their range of products and services, and increase their exposure in the local community while celebrating their excellence and quality.
 
 
Voting closes 10th September 2019
Gala Presentation Evening 6th November 2019
 
 
The “Pride of Workmanship” concept was instigated in Australia by our very own Rotary District in 1975. It was designed to encourage more pride by Australians in their vocations. Owing to its theme: "Do it once, do it well, build a better Australia", and its dedicated presentation ceremony, Pride of Workmanship Awards Nights have strengthened the connection between Rotary clubs and local business communities across the country, and around the world.
 
In 2019, our Rotary Club of North Sydney held a combined Awards Night with the Rotary Club of Crows Nest, Lane Cove, and North Sydney Sunrise at the Northbridge Golf Club. Throughout the night we witnessed the recognition of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
 
 
 
Join us for our Pride of Workmanship Awards Night where we award those in our Business Community worthy of the recognition: "Do it once - do it well"!
 
Nominees of the Pride of Workmanship program are presented with a trophy in recognition of their achievements.
 
This event will be held at:
Venue: Northbridge Golf Club 
Date:    17th June 2019
Time:   7pm for a 7:30pm start.
We recently had the pleasure of inducting Toni Field into our Club. Being the better half of Rotarian David Field, she has been a friend of Rotary and connected with our Club for many years and now has more time to devote to "Service Above Self" in her own right. A warm welcome to Toni!
 
If you're 18 to 30 years old...
If you've been looking for a place to volunteer your time...
If you're interested in developing your professional skills
While making an impact on the world's greatest challenges...
This is for YOU.
 
Rotaract is a global organisation that empowers students and young professionals to create positive change in their local communities and around the world.
 
Come and meet with people just like you who want to make a difference.
 
 
We hope those of you who came to our Chinese Banquet Luncheon for End Child Slavery had a great time! Many of you have told us that the food at the King Dynasty Restaurant that day was excellent and we would have to agree!
 

Thanks to all the generous people who came, who donated, who supported us in the raffle, the auction or in our Market Corner shop! Because of you, our luncheon was able to raise over $7,000 for Destiny Rescue!!! That’s 4 more child rescues! This brings our total raised to date to over $12,000 which is equivalent to 8 rescues!! 
 
Thanks for a great day everyone!  Here are some photos from the day:
The Rotary Club of North Sydney invites you to a pre-Father's Day Chinese Banquet Luncheon to help End Child Slavery!
 
SBS Dateline recently featured a story on how Destiny Rescue works in Southeast Asia to rescue children from a life of slavery and exploitation. (Watch: "How to Catch a Pimp"). Every $1500 we raise gives them the necessary funds to rescue a child and continue this important work.
 
See the brochure below for our luncheon details and come along! OR better still get a group of family and friends and celebrate together!
We can do something to give a child the freedom of a new destiny; hope you can help!
 
 
 
Each year, in significant and important ways, the Rotary Club of North Sydney has supported the Salvation Army Red Shield Doorknocking Appeal in the North Sydney Area.
 
The Appeal is co-ordinated by the Rotary Club of North Sydney in partnership with the Rotary Club of Crows Nest and North Sydney Sunrise. We have especially valued the active participation of ACU in the partnership.
 
An observer remark: “A big activity like this is amazingly orderly, the Club has been well prepared. The enthusiasm of the collectors from the local schools and Club volunteers make the day enjoyable and successful.”
 
 
 
Over the recent Easter Weekend two sailors from Sailability Middle Harbour competed in the Hansa Class 303 National Championships held at the Kogarah Bay Sailing Club - the first time we have competed in such an event. With only minimal preparation, and the encouragement and coaching from Middle Harbour Sailing Manager David Stalley, Tash Garrity and Chester Bendall  surprised the critics with Tash coming second in the two person division and Chester a credible 20th in the solo division. 
 
    
 
 
The Science and Engineering Challenge is a youth program created and run by the University of Newcastle in partnership with communities, Rotary clubs, universities and sponsors. It is designed to inspire Year 10 students to choose a future in science and engineering when considering their subjects for their final two years of high school. This year the challenge was held on 19– 23 March, 2018 at Sydney Olympic Park .
 
North Sydney Rotarians Geoff, Tony and Philip volunteered their time at this national event and were assigned to supervise teams in the ‘Catapult Challenge’!  After constructing their swing-arm catapult out of dowel, students gained points for length and accuracy of the flight of their projectile.
 
            
 
 
Our Club hosted representatives from the organizations which so generously participated in the ‘Tree of Joy’ activities leading up to last Christmas. Nearly 3000 gifts were collected. These donated gifts were distributed to: Wesley Mission, Salvation Army, Children’s Hospital, Exodus Foundation and the Wayside Chapel. All of whom were extremely grateful for the generosity of the public and the work done by our club.
 

 

 

A thank you to Alison O’Connor, Marketing & Community Engagement Officer from NORTHS

 

A thank you to Kim Archer and Tanya Dawson from Covermore Insurance

 
    

 

 

 

 

A thank you to Jane Booth Digital Marketing Manager with aLi Group

 

PP Jenny Thomas, Chief Rotarian for ‘Tree of Joy".  Awarding President Elect Ross Waugh with a Certificate of Appreciation.

 
 
 
A very enjoyable Christmas Lunch Meeting was held at Norths for our last meeting in the calendar year. It was great to see the many friends who joined us for this special occasion. Excellent fellowship was enjoyed and Norths served generous portions of the special Christmas fare we had organized.
 
 
 
Each year Rotary Club of North Sydney holds its Pride of Workmanship Awards. The Awards acknowledge the achievements of Local Businesses and Employees exhibiting outstanding service and are based on the candidate's work ethic, attitude, performance, responsibility and commitment to their position in their enterprise.
 
This year, a very pleasant Awards evening was had at Northbridge Golf Club on Thursday 16th November when our club joined forces with Crows Nest Rotary Club and Rotary Club of North Sydney Sunrise. Two Nominees from each club meant that there were a total of 6 awardees being presented which made for a splendid evening.
 
 
Supporting Destiny Rescue's International Efforts
 
In our world today, it is sad to know that there are an estimated 40 million people living in slavery. An even sadder fact is that a quarter of these are children.
 
 
Destiny Rescue is an organisation that is standing out as a beacon of hope to the millions of children who are trafficked or trapped in sexual exploitation. Their rescues often involve gaining trust with the enslaved children and partnering with anti-trafficking police to gather intelligence and facilitate raids of brothels.
 
But these rescues are just the beginning of a series of activities this organisation is committed to. Destiny Rescue’s efforts also extend to rehabilitating rescued children and empowering them, or their families, to create a new destiny for themselves.
 
This last two Rotary years 2017-2019, in support of Destiny Rescue’s courageous, relentless and commendable efforts, our International Service team have created a project to raise funds dedicated to child rescues. Every $1500 raised means a child rescued from a life of slavery.
 

Our President’s Message

Dear fellow Rotarians, firstly thank you for the confidence and trust in me to serve you as your president for the coming year.

By all appearances we had a very successful club changeover at the Northbridge Golf Club and I trust that those who attended had an enjoyable evening.

The occasion was made special by the attendance of our new District Governor Peter Ward as well as that of Past District Governor Bruce Allen. The Mayor of North Sydney Jilly Gibson, a great friend of the club, was also a guest and so was the new MP for North Shore, Felicity Wilson. A special mention must go to our Master of Ceremony Tom Sweeney who was a class act and added much to the enjoyment of the evening.

This year we held our Senior's Christmas Party again for more than 150 seniors. Our guests are picked up by members of our club or by bus and brought to The Crows Nest Community Centre where they have a wonderful lunch cooked by the staff of Billy Blue.
 
 
Our Computer Education project strived to enhance educational opportunities for international communities in need with a special emphasis on girls. Rotarians Tammy Chu and Anna Barletta have completed the implementation and training in Dili, Timor-Leste.
 
 
It was an enjoyable day with perfect weather for over 40 people at the Fern Valley Ranch farm.  Friends and families participated in cattle feeding, orange picking, hiking to a scenic waterfall, and a BBQ lunch throughout the day.  Funds were raised in support of providing computer education to the Learning Centre for Youth (Sentru Formosan ba Juventude no Communidade) in Dili, Timor-Leste.  
 
Rotarians having a blast with the cows: Jenny, Ross and Silvio
 
 

Rotarians Jenny Thomas, Ross Waugh, Kevin Thomas, Denis & Jan Booth attended the ground breaking ceremony of a new detox facility to be constructed at Triple Care Farm, Robertson NSW. The Rotary Club of North Sydney has had a long association with the Sir David Martin Foundation through Lady Susie Martin (an Honorary member of our Rotary Club). Triple Care Farm is an award winning residential rehabilitation program run by Mission Australia for young people aged 16-24 years.

 

The formal ceremony included Federal & State politicians and representatives of Sir David Martin Foundation and Mission Australia.

 

Come enjoy a Day at the Farm and help raise funds to deliver Computer Education to the Learning Centre for Youth (Sentru Formasaun ba Juventude no Communidade) in Dili, Timor-Leste.
In June 2016, our Rotary Club of North Sydney, in cooperation with World Computer Exchange (WCE), selected Computer Education as their International Project for 2016-2017 Rotary year. This project strived to enhance educational opportunities for communities in need with a special emphasis on girls.
 
 
 
On June 30, President Denis Booth held a Changeover Luncheon to welcome our incoming President Jeremy Brennan. President Denis awarded Silvio Gmur a Paul Harris Fellow Award for his work in Youth Service and Ken Pratt received his 3rd Paul Harris Fellow Sapphire Pin Award for his invaluable contribution to the club. Jenny Thomas also received a well deserved gift of thanks from President Denis.
 
The changeover was attended by Trent Zimmerman the Federal Member for North Sydney who, on behalf of the club, also presented Denis with a Paul Harris Fellow Sapphire Pin Award for his great efforts as president for 2015-2016.
 
PP Denis Booth and incoming President Jeremy Brennan
A succulent meal for a benevolent cause! If you missed our Peking Duck Luncheon, here's some photos from the day. Almost 60 people came to break Peking Duck pancake together and raise money for an earthquake stricken Nepal. Prizes from Luis Garcia signed soccer balls to silver candelabras were won, Nepalese beanies were bought and all in all we raised over $3600. Thanks to all who came! This money has been put to good use by the Rotary Club of Dhulikhel towards the reconstruction of Nepal.
 
Come give your taste buds an adventure and help rebuild Nepal at the same time! Nepal was devastated by two earthquakes in 2015 and much support is still needed to help rebuild their lives. See the brochure below for details and come along OR better still get a group of family and friends together!
 
The mental devastation will stay with the Nepalese people for a very long time but at least we can do something to mend the physical one; hope you can help!
 
The concept of the Tree of Joy has been part of the Club for a number of years and we give thanks to our Past President Jenny for being the driving force that keeps it going. The objectives are to provide Christmas gifts to those people who might not otherwise receive one.
 
 
Sailability is a "not for profit", volunteer-based organisation which, through the activity of sailing, enriches the lives of people with any type of disability, the elderly, the financially and socially disadvantaged.
  
 
 
Our club brings together people who share a similar drive to do good in the world. We are actively engaged in community projects that support local causes, as well as international projects that expand Rotary's humanitarian reach around the globe. We also embrace the business community through vocational service activities, and support and stimulate young people to achieve their life potentials.
 
Check out our Club Projects to see some worthwhile causes we've been involved in. Better still, join us at one of our meetings or come find us at the Crows Nest Market on the third Saturday of each month! See how you can engage Rotary and make a difference!
 
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