UPCOMING EVENTS
| Event Date | Activity | Locations |
| 3 Nov | Social Evening | |
| 10 Nov | Weekly Meeting | Kiama Golf Club |
| 17 Nov | Weekly Meeting | Kiama Golf Club |
NEWS
Jamberoo Car Show 2025
Rotary Kiama fed the masses at the 2025 Jamberoo Car Show!
Festival of Choirs 2025
The Festival of Choirs successfully entertained a full house at the Pavilion on 13 October with a broad range of beautifully presented choral music. The multigenerational audience appreciated the quality and passion of the performing choirs who excelled with a diverse repertoire. The program was coordinated by longtime “master of choirs” Geoff Cole, and supported by other members of Rotary Kiama, who again delivered depth to Kiama’s artistic, musical and cultural life of our community.
Rotary Supports Parkinson’s Walk
Rotary Kiama provided sizzling sausages to members of the local community that turned out to support the “Parkinson’s Walk in the Park” fundraiser at Black Beach on Sunday 28 September. Another example of Rotary Kiama supporting those in the local community suffering this insidious disease!!
Christmas in July Trivia- What a Night!
What a night!…. Over 200 came along for 6 rounds of Trivia, and a night of community conviviality. The night started with the combined “Pipes and Drums” from Kiama, Shoalhaven and the wider region providing a stirring set to get everyone in the right mood. Many dressed for the the evening in extravagant Christmas costumes, and every table decorated for the “holidays”!
The trivia was keenly contested, and at the end of the night two teams ended up at the top of the score sheet. This was resolved by a shoot out with a “killer question” that decided the ultimate winners, the Kiama Central Netball table. However, as they might say, they may have won, but sport (trivia) was the bigger winner on the night…
Rotary Kiama Changeover/ Continuation 2025
Changeover/Continuation was a great night with a few surprises and a relaxed atmosphere where we all celebrated what the club and its members have achieved during the last 12 months. The video presentation helped relieve some of those moments and reminded all how much we actually did achieve. Dr Josh Francis was confirmed as our newest Honorary Member despite being somewhere in the Northern Territory at the time. Special Paul Harris Fellowship Awards were presented to Marilyn Jarrett and Alan Waterworth for their support of the Board and our main fundraising activities this year…and a special initial PHF was awarded to Sue Clarke who as an Honorary member of the club has continued to both support and provide superb media assets to the club …much needed in the modern era of communication.
Among the guests were the District Governor,Tonia Barnes, and The Mayor, Cameron McDonald who helped with the presentations and especially the prestigious ROBERT EAST AWARD…this year with John Kenny being voted as the member who has contributed to the club, its operations and its success.
Rotary Kiama continues to help young kids in the area to read!
The Illawarra Imagination Library is a program that provides free, age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five. Managed by Illawarra Rotarians in association with United Way Australia, the program aims to foster a love of reading and improve literacy skills among young children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Continuing our support for this great program, Kiama Rotary donated $1000 to continue the important work by this initiative.
Banging a “Bigger Drum” in Kiama
Bill Wheeler Symposium Winner 2025
Kiama Rotary Supports Cutting Edge Bio-Medical Research at UOW – the Bill Wheeler Scholarship Award 2025.
The Kiama Rotary Club has again supported the Bill Wheeler Symposium and Award Scheme at the University of Wollongong (UOW), with a donation of $1,000 for the 2025 award. The Award Scheme recognises the work of a former member of the Rotary Club, the late Bill Wheeler, OAM, in assisting the UOW Research Centre. Rotary members attended the symposium held in Wollongong last week.
The winner of the 2025 award is Mr Mohsin Hassan of the UOW Intelligent Polymer Institute. He will be undertaking research overseas into the development of a bio-printing system to assemble 3D bio-fabricated structures for medical use. The Rotary Club hopes to have Mohsin attend a future meeting to tell the members about progress on his PHD.
Bill Wheeler organised a Rotary led fund-raising event at Hartwell House in 2003 to assist Professor Graeme Clarke, developer of the Cochlear Ear program in Australia, who was then working in collaboration with Professor Gordon Wallace at UOW. Thereafter, until his untimely death in 2006, Bill continued to enthusiastically support Distinguished Professor Gordon Wallace, Executive Director, ARC Centre for Excellence for Electromaterials Science at UOW, where ground breaking bio-medical research continues to this day.
The Bill Wheeler Symposium and Award Scheme has been an annual event at the UOW Innovation Campus since 2009 and Kiama Rotary is delighted to have been involved with donations to the Symposium over that period. The annual award goes to a PHD student undertaking cutting edge bio-medical research at the ARC Centre and the Rotary funds help the winner to undertake overseas research for their PHD studies.
The Bill Wheeler Symposium is a community-based event, and each year a distinguished speaker is invited to give a talk on their area of medical research. The 2025 address was given by Associate Professor Laurencia Villalba, a distinguished vascular surgeon whose ground-breaking work has been in the field of treatment of pulmonary embolism.
Mrs Lexie Wheeler also financially supports the award each year. Lexie formally presented the award to Mohsin Hassan at the Symposium held on 25 March. She was accompanied this year by her grandson, Jacob Parker. She thanked UOW and Professor Wallace for the event and the honour extended to her late husband. She also thanked Kiama Rotary for its continuing involvement and contributions.
MHERV Van Came to Kiama
Rotary Kiama is once again hosted the Mens Health Education Rural Van (MHERV) on Tuesday 11 March. This modern mobile clinic, sponsored by Rotary and operated by an experienced Registered Nurse, offered a free opportunity for a health screen without judgement, or having to make an appointment. The day was wet, and a bit windy, but 55 members of the public were seen with several strongly urged to see their GP after screening – potentially preventing them suffering a significant health related episode. The Van originates from the Lake Macquarie area (Rotary Warners Bay) and is currently continuing a south about loop through the South East of NSW, before heading north later in the year.
Rotary Kiama cleans up Bombo Beach
As part of Rotary Kiama’s longstanding commitment to “Clean Up Australia Day”, members gathered on Bombo Beach on a “search and pick up” mission for all sorts of rubbish, flotsam and jetsam. The beach was notably cleaner than a decade ago, despite the odd camping site hidden at the back of the beach, which was good to see.
Rotary’s 120th Birthday
Rotary celebrated 120 years of service at our meeting on 10th February at the Kiama Golf Club. At this meeting, we acknowledged 50 years of continuous service to the community by both David Russell and Peter Maitland, who were presented a letter of recognition from Stephanie Urchick, the President of Rotary International.
During the evening, the Club also inducted its newest honorary member, recently elected Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald.
Recent “Bugle” Article – Inclusion in Rotary
Rotary will be celebrating 120 years of service on 23 February and all 1.2 million Rotarians worldwide share the belief that embracing diversity, equity and inclusion is integral to everything we do in Rotary. Yet, the myth that Rotary is somehow only for men, is still around. So, let’s debunk that particular myth.
Globally, a quarter of Rotarians are women and closer to home just about 30% of our local Rotary district is women. We know we can do so much better.
Here is what a couple of members of Kiama Rotary Club, Marilyn and Carol have to say about their time in Rotary:
Marilyn – I joined Rotary in the UK over 20 years ago and I always say it was one of my better life choices. I have personally found lasting friendships and the great feeling of belonging to an organisation which improves the lives of others whilst I am having fun.
Maybe you have recently moved to Kiama and are missing your social network, or maybe you have retired and are missing the company and shared common purpose of your working life? If you would enjoy making new friends, joining in supporting our wonderful local community, come and give us a try. Rotary has many members with different skills and abilities and we all have something to give. As has been said “we can’t help everyone but everyone can help someone”.
Carol – My Rotary journey began in 1972 when as a member of Corrimal Rotaract Club (for 18-25 year olds) I was selected to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Award Program (RYLA). It was a life changing experience and I still live by the motto PMA – Positive Mental Attitude which I gained at RYLA all those years ago.
When I moved to Kiama in 2013 I decided there was more to life than four walls and a TV. I rocked up to a Kiama Rotary Club meeting one Monday night in my hi-viz gear straight from work and was immediately made welcome. It’s nice to walk down the street and actually meet people you know. You feel you belong.
Although I work full time, I find that I can readily fit my Rotary activities into my life.
Importantly, as People of Action, we raise funds to support many local and international projects and this gives me a great sense of pride knowing I am helping the Kiama community as well as contributing internationally through Rotary’s overseas aid projects.
Thank you to the Bugle for allowing this to be re-posted.
Kiama Rotary at the Kiama Show 2025
The Kiama Show is the beating heart of the Kiama community every January. Kiama Rotary was there this year manning the BBQ in partnership with the Show Society to feed those of all ages having fun at the Show over two very long days. Thankyou to all that supported us, including guest BBQers local Federal Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips and Kiama Mayor Cameron MacDonald.
Supporting Kiama Youth
Helping with the development of young people is only one of the ways that Rotary makes a difference.
Kiama Rotary Club has congratulated Mark Burns and his team for another successful running of the “Building Young Men Program”. President of the Club, Phil Whyte says that, as a major financial sponsor of the program we are delighted to be able to support a program which clearly benefits the development of our young men.
This is only one of a number of ways that Kiama Rotary Club is supporting our young people. In the next few months we will be providing financial support to enable 4 of our brightest scientifically minded young people to attend the National Youth Science Forum (NYSF). This program has helped many young people in the past to see the full extent of career opportunities open to them in the field of science when they have completed their secondary education.
We will also be facilitating the attendance of a young woman to a Rotary leadership program in the New Year; providing volunteer support in the upcoming HSC examinations and we continue to support the Imagination Library which provides the opportunity for young children to discover the joys and benefits of reading from a young age.
Festival of Choirs – The Photos!
End Polio Now Train Ride
World Polio Day is 24 October.
Polio is a highly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of 5. The virus is spread person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can attack the nervous system, and in some instances, lead to paralysis. Although there is no cure, there is a safe and effective vaccine – one which Rotary and our partners use to immunize over 2.5 billion children worldwide. Find out more about Polio here.
Rotary has mobilised a global effort to eradicate this disease over previous decades, using locally based teams to access some of the most dangerous and difficult areas to vaccinate children, and protect them from the consequences of this terrible disease. We are “this close” to polio going the way of small pox, and in practical terms, eradicating this disease throughout the world.
Our Illawarra Rotary Clubs have banded together to raise funds and awareness about this disease through our annual “End Polio Now” train ride on the South Coast line on Wednesday morning. The Team, with Kiama members, had a break at Kiama Station from “riding the rails” to end polio now.
Rotary Bangs the Drum For a Kiama Institution
The Kiama and Shoalhaven Pipes and Drums Band received a healthy contribution recently from Rotary Kiama for the purchase a new bass drum. Members of the band can be frequently heard piping the sunset (and an occasional sunrise) up at the Blow Hole Point. The new drum, an essential element for many aspects of Scottish music, will ensure that this Band will continue to loudly beat the cultural and musical heart of Kiama and the Shoalhaven!