The Art Deco Department Stores of Shanghai
Celebrate the Year of the Horse with the Rotary Club of Sydney!
Join us for a special Lunar New Year luncheon and talk on the first day of the Year of the Horse, Tuesday, 17th February 2026.
We are honoured to host Peter Hack, a respected historian from the Chinese Heritage Historical Association (CHHA), for a captivating presentation:
"The Art Deco Department Stores of Shanghai: The Chinese-Australian Connection"
Shanghai’s Nanjing Road is world-famous for its iconic Art Deco department stores. But who built them? In this fascinating talk, Peter Hack will unveil the incredible, little-known story of the Chinese-Australian merchants from Sydney’s own Haymarket who were the key players.
Discover how these grand emporiums of entertainment and commerce, which sold the best goods from around the world, have their roots in the bustling banana trade of Sydney! This is a unique tale of international success, connecting our city's history directly to one of the world's great metropolises.
About Our Speaker:
Peter Hack is a researcher and historian of modern Chinese history and Chinese Australians. A life member of the Museum of Chinese Australian History and Treasurer of the CHHA, he is the author of "The Art Deco Department Stores of Shanghai: The Chinese-Australian Connection." He is a regular visitor to China and spoke at the 2015 World Congress on Art Deco in Shanghai.
Event Details:
-
Date: Tuesday, 17th February 2026
-
Time: 12:15 PM for a 12:30 PM start
-
Venue: Castlereagh Boutique Hotel
-
Ticket Includes: Luncheon and presentation.
Bookings are essential. Secure your place for this enlightening celebration of culture and history today!
Building Peace, One Scholar at a Time: Meet Our 2026 Rotary Peace Fellows
Meet Our 2026 Rotary Peace Fellows
The Rotary Club of Sydney warmly invites you to a special and inspiring regular meeting featuring our 2026 Rotary Peace Fellowship recipients.
The Rotary Peace Fellowship is one of Rotary International’s most prestigious and globally competitive programs. Each year, dedicated leaders from around the world are selected to study at premier peace institutions, equipping them to address the root causes of conflict and advance sustainable peace.
At this meeting, you will meet two outstanding Peace Fellows:
Grace Stanhope
A Research Associate with the Lowy Institute in Sydney, Grace will be pursuing her studies at Uppsala University in Sweden. She will share insights from her work in international security and her aspirations to contribute to global peace policy.
Tamkin Hakim
A courageous advocate supporting underground education initiatives for Afghan women under the current regime, Tamkin will commence her studies at Bahçeşehir University in Turkey. She will offer a powerful, firsthand perspective on resilience, advocacy, and the fight for fundamental rights.
This is more than a club meeting. It is an opportunity to hear directly from emerging global leaders and to see how Rotary strategically invests in individuals creating measurable impact across the world.
Members, guests, partner organisations, and all those passionate about peace, international development, and education are warmly welcome.
Event Details:
-
Date: Tuesday, 17th March 2026
-
Time: 12:15 PM for a 12:30 PM start
-
Venue: UBS The Chifley Tower
-
Ticket Includes: Luncheon and presentation.
Join us for an afternoon of insight, inspiration, and global impact.
For inquiries, please contact David Hirsch at dhirsch@selbornechambers.com.au.
BEHIND THE BELL:
A PRIVATE TOUR OF ST ANDREW’S CATHEDRAL
On Tuesday afternoon, 20 January 2026, our club members and families gathered for a rare and memorable private tour of St Andrew’s Cathedral, led personally by the Dean of Sydney, Rev Sandy Grant.
A Glimpse Behind the Scenes
The tour offered more than what most visitors see. We were given behind-the-scenes access to the cathedral’s heritage treasures, including the historic Gallipoli flag and the remarkable 500-year-old Great Bible. Each artefact carried its own story, connecting Sydney to global history in powerful ways.
One of the highlights of the afternoon was the cathedral’s bell tower. Standing beside the great bells, seeing their mechanics up close, was a rare privilege and a reminder of the cathedral’s enduring presence in the heart of the city.
Community and Conversation
Following the tour, members and guests gathered for afternoon tea, sharing reflections, laughter, and conversation. It was a beautiful example of Rotary fellowship in action, bringing together generations of members and families in a setting rich with heritage and meaning.
RECAP: CORPORATE ETHICS 2026 - COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS AND CLIMATE LEADERSHIP
The Rotary Club of Sydney hosted its annual ethics event, Corporate Ethics 2026: The Influence of Elevated Community Expectations – Sustainability and Climate Change, bringing together members and guests for a timely discussion on ethical leadership in a changing world.
Our keynote speaker, Siobhan Toohill, a senior advisor to business and government, shared insights from more than 20 years leading sustainability and governance across major institutions. Drawing on experience as Australia’s first Chief Sustainability Officer in listed financial services, she explored how rising community expectations are reshaping corporate ethics, governance, and strategic decision-making.
The session highlighted the importance of moving beyond ESG rhetoric towards practical execution, listening to communities, and designing policy and market frameworks that enable system-wide change. It was a thought-provoking conversation on what it truly means to lead with integrity in a climate-constrained future.
This event reinforced Rotary’s role in convening informed, values-driven dialogue at the intersection of ethics, sustainability, and public trust.
A special shout-out to Rotarian Matthias Peng from Rotary Zurich Plus for joining us in this amazing keynote!
Sydney Rotary Business Networking & Social Evening
Your Invitation to Impact
Curious how your success can align with community contribution? Come along to Club York coming Wednesday.
Sydney Rotary offers a vibrant environment where successful business people collaborate, grow, and unite for good.
Meet our members, learn about our projects, and explore how joining our dynamic club can enrich both your personal and professional life.
We're excited to show you why successful individuals are finding their place with us.
- Date: Wed 18 Feb 2026
- Venue: Castlereagh Boutique Hotel (near Gadigal Metro Station)
- Time: 5:30 – 7:30PM
- Costs: Free - all welcome
