Tonight we welcomed our new District Governor, Paul Miegel, and his wife, Meredith.

It was lovely to have them and hear from Paul about his year ahead and what will be happening with the changes to the district in the future. Paul also informed members about the District Conference and played a short video of what to look forward to.  This will be held in Corowa in March 2027

Meredith also mentioned her partner project, Emerge, which is a Women and Children's Support Network. 

 

DG Paul also recognised Brian Maginnity on his 50 years of service to Rotary and presented him with a certificate.

Tonight, we also welcomed some special guests from Leipzig, Germany. Rotarian Michael Staude and his daughter Charlotte have been travelling along the East Coast of Australia, and Charlotte will stay on for an extra few weeks to spend time with Alison and her family. Michael is currently hosting an RYE student from Wodonga and has been very helpful to Meredith and the D9790 RYE Committee.

 

Presidents report                                            20 July 2026,

Thank you for the support and kind thoughts on the changeover.. on reflection it may be a bold move on your part.

Firstly as stated on the night Peter Elias has set a high bar and with him the Board has positioned the Rotary club of ALBURY in very good position on many levels.

Also, to those retiring, Bob Walker, Chris Lewis, Tracey Lee Walker thankyou, your collective wisdom and experience is substantial. I thank Rodger for the effort and time in the coasters.. and to the ongoing Board including, Peter, Glen, Charlene, Alison, Melissa and Karen, I look forward to working with you in the coming year.

So year ahead 

• Member ship 
• Centenary celebrations 5^th November. Anniversary 100  years in 2027.

PROGRAMS

• Youth exchange 
• Circus Quirkus on 29^th July
• Rotary Club of Albury  foundation 
• International service (Nepal and  South Pacific) 
• Country Hope 
• Respectful relationship development (say No to Domestic Violence) 
• RCH appeal
•  RYDA 
•  Food share 

NOTICE BOARD 

• The roster has been circulated on July 7 for RCA meetings and Country Hope. 
• Meetings are scheduled for August  3rd, 17th and 31st August (TBC)
• Holbrook visit 5 attended good to gain insight as to other clubs and rotary members 

THIS MONTH 

Special Olympics: on Saturday night a great celebration of their achievements and an anniversary. Rotary Club of Albury enabled training and purchase of table tennis equipment. They have practise and competition at PCYC on Wednesday afternoons. Members would be most welcome to join them 

Albury Historical Society: I joined Glen in renewing old acquaintances and discussion on Rotary and the Rotary Club of Albury centenary next year, for which they were most willing to assist.

PCYC: as part of maintaining our relationship, some time was dedicated to completion of drainage work. Tim was most appreciative of our efforts. 

Membership: Group 9 & 10 clubs have had meetings to jointly create and deliver a Membership campaign. August is the “month” that Rotary International identifies for focus on membership. Further work is being undertaken by Myself and Melissa, as the Joint initiative ay not be ready until 2027.

Bald Archy:  Five travelled to Holbrook to join the Holbrook club and the Wagga Wagga club members for an after-hours viewing followed by dinner. Great to support them, and it may be an opportunity to invite them to the National Photographic Exhibition that is bi-annual and commences in early August. 

Stakeholders:  Meetings have been held with Local Land Services and Rural Fire services in an endeavour to identify projects that we could be involved with. The conditions attached in that they must be resource efficient and have significant lasting impact.

District Annual Report: This has been an interesting resource in reading about other clubs. I have been communicating with Ivanhoe about corporate membership and Pascoe Vale about their Barista and Car maintenance course, which shows the Rotary thought and mission to serve is spread wide and far.

BOARD members have been actively working their patch, and the work is having an impact, and the rewards will be lasting.

Other 

Membership 

DEED of Cooperation by its nature, is a binding agreement and has been proposed 

Governance frame work – Partnerships is a working frame work. Suggest the time table be advanced 3  months so that following the PELDS conference discussion can be had as to a plan for the 12 months following. It is recommended that a focus group being in two parts over say 2 hours be used to identify Projects and ensure that Rotary is attractive to new members.

A video is in circulation used by the Exchange makers and has appeal

DISTRICT CLUB Plan 

Should the Rotary club of Albury create a plan to maintain engagement and relevance on District  

End Polio The baton is being handed around. The thought is that we will maintain our donation to the Foundation 

End Polio film night: will we participate organise?

Melbourne Cup:   are we racing??

The debate the divides the Border: Sunday 26^th July 4.30 – 6.30 Public house should be fun as part of the Eisteddfod activities.

Communications Plan: A plan to share our news and contact information is being developed.

Centenary celebrations: Development of a mailing invite list will assist membership and celebration plans.

 

RSVP what does in mean? I am heading to Paris and it is a French phrase “ repondez s’il vous plait”  meaning please respond. If you do not, it creates work for the volunteers asking this to finalise numbers. Saying NO is a legitimate, welcome, and timely response and good etiquette. For the recent Bald Archy, I sent 28 requests and received 10 replies..5 Y 5 N..

 

PROJECTS & EVENTS 

I also welcome new ideas and a few so far 

Description	Comment Status
Living skills for young adults	On table
Bushfire revegetation	On table
Membership Group 9 & 10	WIP on a sand bar
Reserve environmental mgt	Draft.  LLS.
Centenary journey RCA	Concept to engage with Rotary family, Nov 26.
Sponsorship Corporate	Draft. RCI
Annual lecture	Initial CSU,  Latrobe discussion
Touch a Truck	Draft discussion Cameron Butcher  RFS + GN BE BH
Strategic partnerships	PCYC other rotary clubs. Ongoing.
Group 9 & 10 MOU & Deed	Draft for discussion with flow charts.
Youth Voices	First one a success ??  Volunteers please?

 

Last week I heard the phase used “that you can lead a horse to water but cannot make it drink well if that is the case what should happen next”?