ROTAGAS
From the President
We're all set for a very big week. The Jim Baker Medal is one of the highlights of our calendar, and it will be my pleasure to present the award on behalf of the club. We have four seats left at our tables, with two nominees still to confirm whether they can make it — but our winner will be there, which is the main thing.
It's sure to be another fantastic event, made all the better by this year's guest speaker: Shane Jacobson, the Australian actor who came to fame in the satirical comedy Kenny.
Bookending the weekend is the Just a Farmer screening tour — Quilpie, Charleville, St George, and then Roma on the Sunday night — with the great Shane Webcke as MC as it travels. That's outstanding promotion for a wonderful cause all on its own.
I could say that after such a big weekend we'd earned next Tuesday off… but we follow straight on with the Pinaroo AGM. We need as many members and their partners there as possible — it's vitally important for the AGM, so please keep it in mind and make yourself available.
— Scott McDonell, President
Correspondence
Incoming
- District Governor — DG News newsletter
- Rotary International — Service Project Center experience improvements
- Rotary International — Rotary in Review newsletter
- Roma State College — acknowledgement of our sponsorship of the All Rounder Award (further updates to come)
- Melissa Barter (Camp Quality) — confirming The Big Rig as the location for the esCarpade breakfast
- Australian Rotary Health — newsletter
Outgoing
- Contacted all the Jim Baker Medal finalists
- Gemma (RCAT) — confirmed our two tables at the Maranoa Business Awards and the program
THE MINUTE
Business of the meeting.
Previous Business
CIVIQ water fountain — Bryan Payne memorial. Ongoing Council has a small number of quality drinking fountains, one of which could potentially be placed at Rotary Park through Andrew Davidson (Maranoa Regional Council). If it proceeds, the club would cover installation and place a separate memorial board for Bryan alongside it. Awaiting further information from Council and a meeting with Andrew and the board. Remains in Previous Business until completed.
Covered hardstand for the catering van — Basset Park Shed. Ongoing Russell Grulke and Scott have measured the area, and we now await Russell's quote. We missed the latest grant deadline, but once the quote is in hand we'll submit for other grants or the next funding round.
Just a Farmer — club catering & support. Ongoing The club is catering the Charleville (Fri 9 Oct) and Roma (Sun 11 Oct) screenings, with Scott assisting Craig Carlson at Charleville. Main focus now is promotion and reaching the farming community. See the tile below.
Camp Quality esCarpade breakfast. Ongoing Camp Quality has asked us to cook breakfast when the esCarpade stops in Roma (Tue 27 Oct) — around 200 people. Melissa Barter has confirmed the location as The Big Rig; still awaiting a budget figure before committing.
General Business
Jim Baker Medal — finalists chosen, Medalist announced Saturday. Voting took place at Tuesday night's meeting, and we have our ten finalists: Margarita Puralta, Catherine Cooper, Andrew Crawford, Dale Waldron, Ali Raza, Sarah Cameron, Ernst Luarsai, Keagan Roos, Camille Johnston and Travis Hanson. The Jim Baker Medalist will be announced on Saturday night at the Maranoa Business Awards, where President Scott will present the award on behalf of the club. We're delighted to again welcome Shane Jacobson as guest speaker. We have four seats left at our tables — if you'd like to join us, let us know as soon as you can.
Toowoomba Metropolitan Art Union — a hand for a fellow club. The Rotary Club of Toowoomba Metropolitan has asked us to help spread the word on their Art Union fundraiser: a $20 ticket for a chance at $20,000 cash, with only 2,000 tickets in the draw. Proceeds fund their project to install Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) in key community locations. The draw is on 26 October. Tickets at raffletix.com.au — a great chance to support a fellow club and a more heart-ready community.
Pinaroo AGM — Tuesday 13 October, 6:00 pm. Our Annual General Meeting will be held at Pinaroo on Tuesday 13 October at 6:00 pm, in lieu of our regular meeting. All members and partners are asked to attend — we need as many as possible on the night to ensure we reach quorum, so please make every effort to be there.
Annual membership subscriptions — now due. Subscription invoices have been sent to all members. Please have your subscription paid before the Pinaroo AGM (13 October).
Members Draw & Raffles
No members draws this week — we were at the Engine Room.
What's On
NYSF — Expressions of Interest close 8 October
Expressions of interest for the National Youth Science Forum are now open and close Thursday 8 October. A fantastic program for students with a passion for science, technology and engineering. Know a young person who'd thrive? Register their interest with the club.
MRC Volunteers Round Table — Thu 8 October
The Maranoa Regional Council is hosting a Volunteers Round Table on Thursday 8 October — a chance for local community and volunteer groups to come together, share and connect. If you can represent the club, please let the committee know.
Cheese Toastie Making Day — Term 4, Fri 9 October
Sgt Dan Clarke and the Roma PCYC are back for the Term 4 toastie morning — aiming for a mighty 1,700 toasties for schools right across the Maranoa. A great community morning supporting school attendance and our young people. Details on the flyer — come lend a hand.
Maranoa Business Awards & Jim Baker Medal — Sat 10 October
Our big night of the week. The RCAT Maranoa Business Awards are on Saturday 10 October, where this year's Jim Baker Medalist will be announced and presented by President Scott, with guest speaker Shane Jacobson. The club has two tables booked — four seats remain, so let us know quickly if you'd like to join us.
Just a Farmer — Screening, Sun 11 October, Roma
A proud club partnership with TRACC and South West Health for Queensland Mental Health Week — a free screening of the award-winning film Just a Farmer at the Roma Cultural Centre, Sunday 11 October, 6–10 pm. It caps a regional screening tour through Quilpie, Charleville and St George, with the great Shane Webcke as MC along the way. Free community BBQ from 5:30, Crack Up Sisters for the kids, and a panel with the film's Leila McDougall. Bookings essential (free).
Pinaroo AGM — Tue 13 October, 6:00 pm
Our Annual General Meeting is at Pinaroo, Tuesday 13 October, 6:00 pm, in lieu of the regular meeting. All members and partners are asked to attend — we need as many as possible to ensure we reach quorum. Please make every effort to be there. (And a reminder: annual subscriptions are now due — please pay before the AGM.)
Taroom Trough Development Plan — Roma Workshop, Wed 14 October
The Queensland Government and OCHRE are running a community workshop on the future of the Taroom Trough, and Roma locals are invited to have their say. Wednesday 14 October, 5–7 pm at the White Bull Tavern, 43 Station St, Roma. RSVP by Monday 12 October to yarn@ochresp.com.au.
Camp Quality esCarpade — Breakfast Stopover, Tue 27 October
Camp Quality's esCarpade motoring fundraiser rolls into Roma on Tuesday 27 October, and we've been asked to put on breakfast for the crew — around 200 participants across 80 vehicles. It's an early one (arrivals from 6:45 am, away by 8:20) and a great chance to welcome visitors to town while supporting kids facing cancer. The breakfast will be at The Big Rig; budget is still being confirmed — if you can lend a hand on the morning, let the committee know.
St John's Presentation Night — Tue 10 November
We're proud to again present the Rotary Best All Rounder Award at St John's Catholic School's 2026 Presentation Night — celebrating student achievement across the Cultural, Sporting, Academic and Service areas. The winner joins the perpetual shield and receives an engraved Rotary medallion. A presenter and our details are being confirmed with the school.
Roma State College Awards Night — Tue 17 November
We're proud to again present the Rotary All Rounder Award and the Bryan Payne Memorial Award for STEM at Roma State College's 2026 Secondary Awards Night — Roma Bungil Cultural Centre, 6:20 for 6:30 pm. A wonderful night celebrating the achievements of Roma's young people.
Maranoa Christmas Street Party — Thu 3 December
The Maranoa Regional Council has set the date for the Christmas Street Party — Thursday 3 December. A wonderful night for the whole community, and a fixture the club looks forward to supporting. More details to come.
RYTS 2026 — Rotary Youth Transition Seminar
A 7-day camp for Year 11 & 12 school-leavers (6–12 December, Lake Perseverance, Crows Nest) — leadership, life skills and guest speakers to prepare them for life after school. The club holds a $1,000 sponsorship credit and is on the hunt for a participant. Know a young person who'd thrive? Register their interest with us.
RYLA 2027 — Rotary Youth Leadership Award
A 7-day residential conference for young adults aged 20–30, 17–23 January 2027 at Reflections, Lake Cooby (Geham) — building leadership, citizenship and personal skills through experiential learning. Places are capped at 40. Clubs can sponsor a participant for $1,100; applications close 18 December 2026. Know a young adult who'd thrive? Let the club know.
Nepal Flooding Disaster Relief Fund
RAWCS has opened a national appeal to help families and communities in Nepal recover from severe flooding — restoring homes and livelihoods and tackling the risk of waterborne disease from damaged water and sanitation. Funds go to Rotary club projects on the ground. Every dollar helps, and donations are tax-deductible — scan the QR or donate online.
District 9620 Conference 2027
Registrations are now open! Join Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, Youth Exchange participants and friends from across the district for an inspiring weekend of connection, learning and celebration. 12–14 March 2027 · The Pavilion Conference & Reception Centre, Gympie. Theme: Impact • Empower • Create.
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