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Sydney Rotary
Tuesdays at 12:30 pm
Various Sydney Venues & Virtually. See Upcoming Events.
GPO Box 1523
Sydney, NSW 2000
Australia
Our Club meets 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month, check Upcoming Events & Rotary News for details & booking links. The Club meets at various Sydney venues and & has a wide range of social events. Contact us: office@sydneyrotary.com
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Shape Tomorrow’s Peace Join Our Positive Peace Workshop

Peace is far more than just the absence of conflict is the foundation of thriving communities, successful organisations, and resilient societies.

The Rotary Club of Sydney invites you to a transformative Positive Peace Workshop on Saturday, 29th August 2026, at the Castlereagh Boutique Hotel in the heart of the CBD.

This is a unique opportunity to turn your passion for service into measurable, sustainable change.

When: Saturday 29th August 2026
Where: Castlereagh Boutique Hotel, 169 Castlereagh St, Sydney
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Book now: Seats are strictly limited! Secure your spot here: Register Now
For any questions, please reach out to Hilary Lloyd (0414 608392 / hilary.lloyd@me.com) or David Hirsch (0404 837717 / dhirsch@selbornechambers.com.au).

Celebrating Our Members
Member Birthdays
Felicity Wu
August 5
 
Christine Yen
August 14
 
Clive Goodwin
August 17
 
Chris Timmins
August 27
 
Wayne Costin
August 28
 
Shankar Sankaran
August 29
 
Fleur Hourihan
August 31
 
Join Date
Tony Lewis
August 1, 1990
36 years
 
Indy Singh OAM
August 4, 2004
22 years
 
Clover Moore
August 24, 2004
22 years
 
Happy birthday to all members.
 
Congratulations on your Rotary anniversary and thank you for  the work you do in Rotary and in your community.

President’s Message 

Dear Rotarians and Friends,

We have had a great start to the new Rotary year, with several highlights setting a very positive tone for the months ahead.

Most notable was the induction of Her Excellency Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia, as an Honorary Member of Sydney Rotary on Friday 3 July at Admiralty House in Kirribilli. Sixty-five members, partners and representatives of our partner organisations attended. Her Excellency was a warm and generous host, and we look forward to welcoming her to future Sydney Rotary gatherings.

We also held two excellent Club lunch meetings during July. Conrad Burge of Fiducian provided an economic outlook and market commentary for the year ahead, while PDG Jeremy Wright AO launched our "How to Save the World" sustainability talks with an engaging presentation on the vital role bees play in pollination, biodiversity and food production. 

Looking ahead, the Club calendar for August offers strong opportunities for community service and fellowship. On 4 August, we will welcome Police Officer of the Year nominees from the Sydney City Police Area Command, together with senior colleagues and family members. We will recognise their service, with the State Police Officer of the Year Awards to follow on Friday 6 November 2026. 

On 18 August, the Club will welcome RI Director PDG Jennifer Scott to lunch. As the most senior Rotarian in Australia, Jennifer will share insights into Rotary's global direction, policies, plans and programs. This is an important opportunity for RCS members and other Rotarians to hear directly from a senior Rotary International leader.

Finally, on 29 and 30 August, Sydney Rotary members, coordinated by Mark Dyer, will support the annual MS MegaSwim. Swimmers and BBQ volunteers are needed for this overnight fundraiser, which supports research, treatments and services for people living with multiple sclerosis.

Looking further ahead, I would like to highlight two additional events. The first is our Tuesday Club lunch on 20 October 2026, when we will welcome the Hon. Bob Carr, former NSW Premier and Minister for Foreign Affairs, who will share his perspectives on the global state of affairs and the implications for Australia.

The second is an away day on Thursday 19 November with members of the Rotary Club of Greater Blue Mountains at the Carrington Hotel in Katoomba. Members will enjoy the Blue Mountains before gathering for a cocktail and light dinner function supporting community heart defibrillators for remote communities. We anticipate 70 Rotarians and friends. Discounted accommodation and guided tour options will be available.

Please make every effort to join us for our Tuesday Club lunches and take up the opportunities for service and fellowship offered by our Club in the months ahead.

Yours in Rotary,

Michael Chilcott

President 2026–2027

Rotary Club of Sydney Inc.

Honouring Our Local Heroes: RCS Police Officer of the Year (POOTY) Award

The Rotary Club of Sydney is proud to host a special club luncheon meeting on Tuesday, 4 August, to recognise the dedication and service of the Sydney City Police Area Command (PAC). At this event, we will welcome the five nominees for the RCS Police Officer of the Year Award, along with their families and senior police representatives, to celebrate their professional excellence. The lunch will culminate in the announcement of which nominee will be put forward by RCS to the prestigious State-level POOTY Awards. All members and friends are invited to join us at the Castlereagh Boutique Hotel to show our support for our local police. Please RSVP via the link in this newsletter.

RSVP Required Secure your place REGISTER HERE

 A Date with Destiny: RI Director Jennifer Scott Visits Sydney 

The Rotary Club of Sydney is honoured to host Rotary International Director PDG Jennifer Scott for a special luncheon on 18 August. Jennifer is the most senior Rotarian in Australia and a powerhouse of service. From her work eradicating polio in India to empowering villagers in Cambodia and shaping family law in Mongolia, her stories are a testament to what Rotary achieves globally. This is a rare chance to hear about the future of our organization straight from the top. Make sure you are there to gain insights, ask questions, and network with a true leader of our time.

Event Date: 18 August | Time: 12:00 PM | Location: Castlereagh Boutique Hotel.
RSVP: Essential – please Register Here

Dive in for a Cause with Rotary Tumble Turns!

Join us this August for the MS Mega Swim a 24-hour relay at Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre raising funds for Multiple Sclerosis research. It’s a high-energy event packed with music, movies, and community spirit.

Good news: You don't need to be a pro. If you can swim for just 15 minutes, we want you on our "Tumble Turns" team! The challenge runs from midday Saturday, August 29th, to midday Sunday, August 30th. Register to Swim

Can't swim? Come help us run the Rotary BBQ on Saturday night or Sunday morning instead.

Register as a Volunteer BBQ / Server

Let’s make a difference together. Click the links to register or volunteer or email Mark Dyer at mark@mdyer.com.au for details.

Snapshot of recent event

Governor-General Inducted as Honorary Member of Sydney Rotary

In a significant moment for community service, Her Excellency Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of Australia, was inducted as an Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Sydney. The ceremony, held at Admiralty House, recognised her unwavering commitment to civic leadership and highlighted the vital role of the 9.5 million Australians who volunteered in 2025. Rotary Club of Sydney President-elect Michael Chilcott welcomed the Governor-General to the Rotary family, noting her example will inspire Rotarians in their work strengthening communities across Australia and the region.

🐝 A Buzzing Success!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our July Luncheon with PDG Jeremy Wright, AM. His presentation, "How to save the World … with bees!", was truly eye-opening. We learned just how vital these tiny creatures are to our survival and left feeling inspired to make a difference. It was a wonderful afternoon of fellowship and learning!

A Clearer View for 2026: July Luncheon Recap

What an incredible afternoon! The Rotary Club of Sydney was delighted to welcome 

Conrad Burge, Head of Investments at Fiducian, for our July luncheon. Conrad delivered a compelling presentation on the economic outlook and market commentary for the new financial year, leaving attendees with a much clearer view of the road ahead.

The event was well-attended, the discussion was stimulating, and the fellowship was as warm as ever. Thank you to all who joined us and to Conrad for his invaluable insights.

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