ROTAGAS
From the President
We're heading into a very busy stretch of the year. Next weekend is the Surat Races, where St George has asked us to lend a hand supporting the Surat community. Riley, Sally and I have put our hands up, and St George have kindly offered us a share of the takings based on our proportion of the workers — it could be a $500 day for the club.
The following week is, of course, the Santos Festival of Rugby. Reds v Waratahs is sure to be an exhilarating event as always — we'll be setting up the van on the Friday and selling on the Saturday.
The biggest news is the Just a Farmer event — a film shining a light on the toll of suicide in our farming communities, with our Rotary Drought / Natural Disaster Committee helping to fund it. The great Shane Webcke is travelling out to be Master of Ceremonies for the screening and the open discussion afterwards. It's a worthy event for us to get behind, and I've included the flyer below with all the local details. We've also been asked to support the Charleville screening, which I've made myself available to attend — if anyone else would like to assist, please let me know. The main thing now is getting the word out and reaching into the farming community.
— Scott McDonell, President
Correspondence
Incoming
- Elizah Swan (EA, Chief Executive Office) — catering for a Council event, 14 November
- Colleen Caruana (District 9620 RYLA Chairperson) — RYLA nominations open, with supporting documents
- Roger Klaasen (District 9620) — "The Gist" newsletter
- RCAT — Workshop: "Pricing for Profit" with Amanda Kenafake
- Penny West (TRACC Program Support Officer) — Just A Farmer program
- Gambling Community Benefit Fund — GCBFConnect portal activation
- Mon Pfingst (Principal, Roma State College) — 2026 Awards Night invitation & award sponsorship
Outgoing
- Elizah Swan (Chief Executive Office) — requesting information for the catering request
- Penny West (TRACC) — information about the Just A Farmer program
- Win Salmon (St George) — information for Just A Farmer
- Yujin Seo (RYTS Leader 2026) — requesting information on the RYTS program
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.
Engine Room signage. Ongoing Signasaurus have ordered the signage for the Engine Room; we're awaiting the material for installation. Mark Nicholls will update the club once it arrives. 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.
Surat Diggers' Race Day — helpers. Ongoing Win Salmon (St George) has asked for a hand selling food at the Surat Race Day (Sat 12 Sep). Riley, Sally and Scott have volunteered; St George have offered a share of the takings based on our workers. 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
Just a Farmer — community screening, Sunday 11 October. We're proud to be partnering with TRACC (Tackling Regional Adversity through Connected Communities) and South West Health on the Just a South West Farmer project, bringing the award-winning Australian film Just a Farmer to Roma for Queensland Mental Health Week. The Roma screening is a free community event at the Roma Cultural Centre (Bungil St) on Sunday 11 October, 6:00–10:00 pm — with a free community BBQ from 5:30, MC Shane Webcke, kids' activities from the Crack Up Sisters, and a panel discussion with the film's Leila McDougall and local experts. TRACC has also asked the club to cater the Charleville (Fri 9 Oct) and Roma screenings — Scott will assist Craig Carlson with the Charleville catering. Bookings are essential (free) via Eventbrite — a great night to come together and start the conversation on rural mental health.
RYLA 2027 — Rotary Youth Leadership Award. Colleen Caruana (D9620 RYLA Chairperson) has sent the club letter for the 2027 Rotary Youth Leadership Award — a 7-day residential conference for young adults aged 20–30, running Sunday 17 to Saturday 23 January 2027 at Reflections, Lake Cooby (Geham). RYLA builds personal, leadership and citizenship skills through experiential learning, and places are capped at 40. Clubs are invited to sponsor or co-sponsor a participant at $1,100 (corporate/government $1,500); applications close 18 December. We're encouraged to identify a suitable young adult to sponsor — if you know someone who'd shine, let the club know.
Roma State College Awards Night — Tuesday 17 November. Principal Mon Pfingst has invited the club to Roma State College's 2026 Secondary Awards Night — Tuesday 17 November, 6:20 for 6:30 pm at the Roma Bungil Cultural Centre — and to continue our sponsorship of the Rotary All Rounder Award and the Bryan Payne Memorial Award for STEM. The school asks us to confirm our sponsorship by Friday 9 October and to RSVP to attend by Monday 9 November. This sits alongside the All Rounder we also present at St John's, so we'll line up presenters for both.
Members Draw & Raffles
What's On
Surat Diggers' Race Day — Sat 12 September
Win Salmon from St George has asked whether any of us can lend a hand at the Surat Diggers' Race Day, where the St George club is running the food stall (selling only). Riley, Sally and Scott are on board — St George have offered the club a share of the takings based on our workers.
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 — Maranoa Business Awards, 10 October
The date's locked for the 13th Maranoa Business Awards (presented by RCAT) — Saturday 10 October. We're now advertising the Jim Baker Medal for Vocational Excellence to businesses across the Maranoa, presented each year at the awards. Nominations are open to the public — 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).
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. 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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