With Christmas almost here and the New Year shortly thereafter I am approaching the end of the first half of my year as DG. While it has been at times an exhausting 6 months it has also been a very rewarding six months. The tragic event that occurred at Bondi Beach on Sunday 14th December is a tragic reminder that while we live in a country of relative peace, compared to many others in the world, we are not immune from acts of senseless violence. My thoughts are with those who lost or have injured family and friends, to all those at the event and to all those who along with our emergency services did what they could to bring this event to an end as quickly as possible.
The District Governor, Community Leaders and Club Presidents from the Bondi area are working with the local community to provide assistance both immediate and long term. Along with the call for blood donations you and/or your club can make financial donations at https://rotarysouthpacific.org/Stories/fundraising-appeal-for-bondi-survivors-and-next-of-kin).
In the wake of this tragedy I encourage all clubs to consider increasing their focus on Peace in one of the following ways:
- A Peace Pole/s (with 50% subsidy from District)
- Find people to apply to be Peace Scholars
- Get a Peace Scholar to present at your club
- Look at running a Peace Essay or Poster or even video competition
- Look at making your club a peacebuilder club by going to Peacebuilder Clubs - Rotary Action Group For Peace
In December, I had the pleasure of attending the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Dinner at Camp Getaway and once again be inspired by our future leaders and how the program makes a significant change in peoples lives. I also got to attend the Youth Exchange Blazer Presentation for our outbound students in 2026 and also catch up with the current inbounds and again note what a life changing program for these involved.
It was great to be able to share with Past Rotary International President and current chair of the Rotary Foundation Holger Knaack and his wife Susanne the amazing work done by Rotarians and friends who volunteer at Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Network and then show him the wonder that are the Peace Bells at Rotary Melbourne Peace Park. His feedback on both was very positive and who knows he may look at doing something similar back at home in Germany.
I also made a number of Official Club Visits bringing my total to 54 out of our 61clubs and got to attend several clubs Christmas functions. While I am looking forward to a break from Rotary activities I am also ready for a big second half of the year with the highlight being our Multi District Conference/Impact Summit in Horsham from 27th to 29th March.
.jpg)
To all our members, their families and friends and to all our partners and supporters my thanks for you hard work over the first half of the year and all your efforts to ensure a sense of belonging and a spirit of collaboration. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe start to 2026, Please enjoy the break but be back ready to continue all our great projects and programs and to tell our story to encourage like minded people to come and join us.
Unite for Good
Peter Shepheard