ROTAGAS
From the President
It's been a very busy fortnight, and a very special one. I travelled out to Charleville to help with the screening of Just a Farmer, and then we reprised it in Roma on the Sunday night. A huge thank you to Mac, Sally and Pleasure for coming along and working the burgers. It's a deeply emotional film — we were all emotionally spent by the end. Events right across the region were very well attended; you always hope for a few more through the door, but everyone who came along was very glad they did.
The Cheese Toasties are done and dusted for another term — 1,800 this round. The community's support for this one just keeps growing; it was standing room only by the end. All the service groups continue to get behind the Police initiative, with councillors, clubs and members of the public still turning out in number. It's wonderful to see something we were instrumental in getting off the ground go from strength to strength.
And a nice segue to another Rotary project doing exactly the same — last week, in lieu of our meeting, we held the Pinaroo AGM. A massive thank you to Howard Hobbs and all the Rotarians and partners on the board. Another year of excellent management and results, with some big expansion plans announced that will see Pinaroo provide additional services as demand continues to rise.
Another celebratory note was the Maranoa Business Awards. I was honoured to represent the club and the legacy of Dr Jim Baker in presenting the Award for Vocational Excellence named in his honour. We had a huge roll-out of nominees, and we congratulate Dale Waldron on his success as this year's Jim Baker Medal recipient.
I was also happy to represent Rotary at the MRC Volunteers Round Table — very well attended, with more than 38 people representing around 60 local organisations, and a lively conversation about working with the Maranoa Regional Council to develop a strategy that supports and grows volunteering across the Maranoa.
The month is far from over, either — the Camp Quality esCarpade rolls through next Tuesday morning, and we'll be providing breakfast for the crew as they continue fundraising for such a great cause.
— Scott McDonell, President
The Fortnight in Pictures
Correspondence
Incoming
- ADG Bob Minchin — requesting our monthly report for District
- TRACC & South West Health — extensive correspondence through the Just a Farmer preparation, with a warm thank-you to the club and feedback forms
- Dr Anthony Brown (CEO, SWHHS Board) — seeking stories of regional health history from across the region
- RCAT — invitation to the Regional Innovation in Action Forum
- RCAT — marketing fee
- Neville Blomeley (VP, Rotary Club of Brisbane Centenary) — organising a defibrillator for a cycling group
- Proveda — the Dying to Know campaign, with Palliative Care Queensland
- Polio Plus — newsletter: World Polio Day is nearly here (24 October)
- Rotary On The Move — The Rotary Foundation newsletter
- Rotary in Review — Rotary International newsletter
- Rotary Learning & Development — newsletter
Outgoing
- Monthly report to ADG Bob Minchin
- Response to TRACC & South West Health on Just a Farmer
- Invoice to Paul at Frontier Services for the Just a Farmer catering
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.
Camp Quality esCarpade breakfast. Ongoing All set for next Tuesday morning (27 October) at The Big Rig — see What's On. If you can lend a hand on the morning, let the committee know.
General Business
Covered hardstand — quote in hand. We've received the quote from Russell Grulke for the covered hardstand — approximately $24,000. That sets us up well for a GCBF grant application of $35,000, which would also allow for additional water and power connections to support how the space will be used.
Windeward Bound — three berths secured for regional youth. The deposit has been paid to the Windeward Bound Trust, committing $3,000 to secure three berths for regional youth aboard the tall ship next year. It's a wonderful endeavour — we've had a number of young people take part over the last couple of years — and your President is already looking forward to the day sail on the Brisbane River next year.
Melbourne Cup Trifecta — tickets now available! The race that stops a nation is nearly here (Tuesday 3 November), and the club's Melbourne Cup Trifecta is up and running. Grab your tickets at $5 each for your chance to win — see a committee member to get yours. (See What's On.)
Members Draw & Raffles
No member draws this week — we were at the Pinaroo AGM in lieu of our regular meeting.
What's On
Regional Innovation in Action — Wed 21 October
A QUT lunch forum on AI, robotics and the future of regional work — People, Technology and the Future of Work. Speakers Professor Rowena Barrett and Professor Alistair Barros, plus an Alpha Mini humanoid robot. Wednesday 21 October, 12:00 for 12:15 start – 1:15 pm, Royal on 99, 99 McDowall St, Roma. Register via the RCAT invitation.
World Polio Day — Saturday 24 October
World Polio Day is nearly here. Rotary and its partners are this close to a polio-free world — every effort counts. A proud reminder of one of Rotary's greatest and longest-running campaigns, End Polio Now.
Camp Quality esCarpade — Breakfast Stopover, Tue 27 October
Camp Quality's esCarpade motoring fundraiser rolls into Roma on Tuesday 27 October, and we're putting on breakfast for the crew — around 200 participants across 80 vehicles — at The Big Rig. It's an early one (arrivals from 6:45 am, away by 8:20). A great chance to welcome visitors to town while supporting kids facing cancer. If you can lend a hand on the morning, let the committee know.
Melbourne Cup Trifecta — $5 a ticket
The race that stops a nation is nearly here — Tuesday 3 November — and the club's Melbourne Cup Trifecta is up and running. Grab your tickets at $5 each for your chance to win. See a committee member to get yours before the barrier draw.
Toowoomba Metropolitan Art Union — a hand for a fellow club
The Rotary Club of Toowoomba Metropolitan's Art Union is drawn 26 October: a $20 ticket for a chance at $20,000 cash, only 2,000 tickets in the draw. Proceeds fund Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in key community locations. Tickets at raffletix.com.au.
Queensland Volunteering Conference — Roma Satellite, 5–6 November
Roma is a live-stream satellite location for the 2026 Queensland Volunteering Conference, hosted by Volunteering Queensland with the Maranoa Regional Council. Two days of connection, shared learning and inspiration — Thursday 5 & Friday 6 November, 8:30 am–4:30 pm, Ernest Brock Room, Maranoa Regional Council Building / Roma Cultural Centre, 57 Bungil St. Thanks to grant funding, tickets (normally $38) are free for regional attendees — please register so organisers can confirm catering. Your President has confirmed attendance.
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.
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
A much-anticipated favourite is back! McDowall Street comes alight from 5:00–8:30 pm on Thursday 3 December with amusement rides, live entertainment, Christmas carols, market stalls, food vendors — and a very special visit from Santa himself. This year it's pool-themed to celebrate the Denise Spencer Aquatic Centre opening the following weekend — think Hawaiian shirts, tropical Christmas and summer fun.
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.
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.
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. Funds go to Rotary club projects on the ground. Every dollar helps, and donations are tax-deductible — scan the QR or donate online.
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