Our next meeting will be 6:00pm for 6:30pm on Wednesday 26 August 2026 at the Graphic Arts Club, 182 Coward Street, Mascot 2020
Visitors are very welcome - please make yourself known at the bar!
Members are reminded that membership fees are now due!
President's Message
President’s Report
August has been another productive month for our club, highlighted by an outstanding meeting featuring two very different but equally inspiring presentations.
We were pleased to welcome Tara Coleman, Eastern Suburbs Club Manager for PCYC Daceyville, who provided an update on the important work being undertaken to support young people and families in our community. Members heard how the club’s recent contribution towards a floor-cleaning machine is helping PCYC continue delivering its services in a safe and effective environment. The presentation reinforced the value of our partnership with PCYC and the positive impact Rotary can have through practical community support.
We also welcomed Bill Green, who delivered a powerful and thought-provoking presentation covering his experiences in policing, reflections on the Bondi tragedy and the story of Lily Grace. Bill’s insights provided a moving reminder of the importance of community, resilience and compassion in the face of adversity. Members were joined by Bill’s family and guests, making for a memorable evening of fellowship and reflection.
Beyond our regular meetings, the Board continues to progress several important initiatives. Our airport charity collection program remains active, with Rotary-branded collection boxes and QR donation facilities continuing to operate successfully. Discussions are also continuing regarding the Kurnell Public School interactive display project, with payment arrangements currently on hold pending confirmation of presentation, recognition and social media commitments.
The Board has also been discussing future projects and partnerships, including support opportunities through RAWCS, strengthening relationships with community organisations, the future direction of Dog Fun Day, and further development of member and corporate networks to increase the club’s impact and reach.
It has also been wonderful to share some positive member news. Congratulations to Adam Cutler on completing the City2Surf and a warm welcome back to Sara Moses following her recent stay in hospital. These moments remind us that Rotary is more than service projects. It is a community that supports and celebrates one another. Thank you to all members who continue to support our projects, meetings and community partnerships. Through your commitment, our club continues to make a meaningful difference locally and internationally while living Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self.
At our next meeting, on 26 August, the guest speaker will be Phil Wicks, a fellow member, who is an accredited First Aid Instructor. Phil will give updates on Asthma and Anaphylaxis treatments in 2026.
With so much going on at the moment, we will also hear brief updates from the Chairs of Club Services, Youth, Vocational, Community, International and Foundation and an Airport report.
Our last meeting - 12 August
Wow - what a night!
First up we heard from Tara Coleman from Daceyville PCYC on just what they are doing to support the youth of our community. She also outlined the benefits of the new floor cleaner that we donated in conjunction with the Maroubra Rotary Club.
Tara was followed by both an emotional and inspirational talk by Detective Sergeant Bill Green on some of his experiences in Policing. Bill introduced a family severely impacted by the Bondi Beach tragedy and the support he provided to their son, including a visit to the Police Helicopter Wing and tossing the coin at a Sydney Swans game.
He also spoke about an unidentified baby girl found buried in sand at South Maroubra. Bill and his wife Filomena were determined to give the unknown baby a name, Lily Grace, and funeral, so they adopted her to give her a dignified farewell.
Proudly Partnered with Sydney Airports Corporation
2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month at the Graphic Arts Club, 182 Coward Street, Mascot. 6pm for pre-meeting drinks and chat. The meeting, followed by dinner, starts at 6:30pm and the evening normally concludes by 8:30pm.
What an incredible and inspiring evening with Vi and Kim from Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation (Vietnam) when they attended our meeting on 29 July.
Vi’s story is one of resilience, hope and the life-changing impact of generosity. As a child, Vi was living on the streets of Vietnam when one of Blue Dragon’s very first donations helped provide him with support, safety and opportunity. Today, he has come full circle and now dedicates his life to rescuing children and young people from human trafficking across Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and China.
Hearing firsthand about the lives being transformed through this work was both humbling and inspiring.
The Rotary Club of Botany Randwick was proud to donate another $1,400 to support Blue Dragon’s vital work protecting vulnerable children and fighting human trafficking. We have been proudly supporting their work for nearly 20 years, providing some of the initial seed funding in their very early days helping children on the streets of Hanoi.
A special thank you to Sydney Airport and the many travelers who donate their foreign coins and notes through the airport charity bins. Those small acts of kindness are helping create life-changing opportunities for children and families who need it most.
Together, we are proving that even the smallest contribution can have an extraordinary impact.
Our next meeting will be 6:00pm for 6:30pm on Wednesday 26 August 2026 at the Graphic Arts Club, 182 Coward Street, Mascot 2020
