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District Governor Rita Zappulla's October Update
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Welcome to the October 2026 edition of the Rotary District 9560 Newsletter.
October is an especially busy month for Rotary, with a focus on community economic development, polio eradication, mental health research, club governance, membership growth, training and preparations for several major District events.
District Governor Rita Zappulla’s October video update accompanies this written newsletter. Clubs are encouraged to share the video with members and, where suitable facilities are available, play it during an upcoming club meeting. |
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October action list for Clubs
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Before the end of October, clubs are encouraged to:
- Plan or support a World Polio Day activity using one or more of the suggestions in this newsletter
- Consider participating in Lift the Lid activities
- Complete the ATO Not-for-Profit Self-Review Return, if applicable
- Set the date for the club AGM
- Finalise arrangements for reviewing club accounts
- Register for the 26 October Public Image Webinar
- Review the use of Rotary logos and branding
- Stop using AI to generate, recreate or modify Rotary logos
- Support the local Rotary Community Group workshop
- Place the relevant 2027 PELS and DA date in the club calendar
- Purchase Gala Dinner tickets before the early-bird offer closes
- Consider making a bequest to The Rotary Foundation when updating your Will
- Consider participating in Oceans to Outback
- Continue inviting prospective members to club service activities
- Register for the Zone 8 Conference or the 2027 Rotary International Convention
Continue reading this newsletter to find out more. |
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District 9560 to remain unchanged
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Following the recent club vote on redistricting, Rotary International has confirmed that District 9560 will remain unchanged for the next few years.
The final voting result was:
- 47 clubs, or 58.75%, voted no
- 31 clubs, or 38.75%, voted yes
- Two clubs, or 2.50%, did not vote
While this is welcome news for many members, it reinforces the importance of continuing to grow and strengthen Rotary across our District.
Every club has a role to play in attracting new members, retaining existing members and ensuring Rotary remains active and sustainable in communities throughout Queensland, the Northern Territory and Timor-Leste.
Strong membership growth will be essential if the District is to avoid facing a similar redistricting proposal in the future.
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October Focus: Community Economic Development
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October is Rotary’s Community Economic Development Month.
Throughout the world, Rotary clubs support projects that create employment opportunities, reduce poverty, build local capability and contribute to sustainable economic growth.
Clubs are encouraged to consider how their current activities contribute to economic development in their communities. These projects may include:
- Helping unemployed people prepare résumés and apply for work
- Supporting vocational education and training
- Mentoring small businesses and emerging entrepreneurs
- Providing financial literacy programs
- Supporting local employment initiatives
- Recognising excellence through Pride of Workmanship Awards
Even relatively small projects can help people develop confidence, skills and connections that lead to greater economic independence.
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October is Polio Awareness Month
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October is also an important month for Rotary’s work to eradicate polio, culminating in World Polio Day on 24 October.
Clubs are encouraged to organise a fundraiser, movie night, community activity or club fellowship event that supports the PolioPlus Fund.
Through Rotary’s partnership with the Gates Foundation, donations to polio eradication are matched two to one, tripling the impact of each eligible contribution.
Clubs can also register a World’s Greatest Meal to Help End Polio and contribute to the goal of reaching 10,000 registered events.
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Polio Movie Night: Guided By Horses
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This year’s World Polio Day movie fundraiser features the Australian documentary Guided by Horses.
Set against the breathtaking Australian outback, the film tells the remarkable story of Aboriginal Professor Juli Coffin and the transformative bonds between young Indigenous people and wild horses.
Exploring themes of resilience, hope, connection and healing, the film provides clubs with an opportunity to bring members and communities together while raising vital funds for the PolioPlus Fund.
Clubs could present the film as:
- A World Polio Day fundraiser
- A club fellowship activity
- A community movie night
- A collaborative event involving several local clubs
- A public awareness activity supporting End Polio Now
Whether you are planning a club social event, community fundraiser or World Polio Day celebration, this is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a powerful Australian film while helping to end polio.
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PolioPlus Matching Challenge Update
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The District’s individual PolioPlus Matching Challenge continues to build momentum.
The first 50 Rotarians who make a personal donation of US$100 to the PolioPlus Fund will have an additional US$100 donated in their name through the District challenge.
Already, 25 members have participated, meaning 25 matching opportunities remain available.
This District matching contribution is in addition to the Gates Foundation’s two-to-one matching arrangement, substantially increasing the impact of each qualifying donation.
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Lift the lid on mental illness
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October is an important month for Australian Rotary Health, with clubs and communities encouraged to raise awareness and funds for mental health research.
World Mental Health Day is 10 October, although Lift the Lid activities can be held at any time throughout the month.
Clubs may consider organising:
- A Lift the Lid Walk
- A Hat Day event
- A mental health awareness presentation
- A community morning tea
- A workplace fundraising activity
- A club discussion about mental health and wellbeing
These events provide an opportunity to raise funds for Australian mental health research while starting important conversations and helping reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.
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Important Club Governance Requirements
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IT IS TIME TO PREPARE FOR CLUB AGMS
Clubs should now begin preparing for their Annual General Meetings.
This includes arranging for club financial records to be reviewed or audited, where required, and ensuring the AGM is scheduled within the relevant legislative timeframe.
As a minimum, clubs should elect or confirm their:
- President-elect
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Other incoming board members
The relevant deadlines are:
- Northern Territory clubs: 30 November 2026
- Queensland clubs: 31 December 2026
- Timor-Leste clubs: 31 December 2026
Once incoming officers have been confirmed, clubs should update their leadership information in My Rotary as soon as possible.
Early reporting ensures incoming officers receive important communications, training information and access to the resources they will need.
Clubs should also ensure that AGM minutes, financial statements and election results are retained with their official club records.
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ATO NOT-FOR-PROFIT SELF-REVIEW RETURNS DUE 31 OCTOBER
Australian clubs that are non-charitable not-for-profit organisations with an active Australian Business Number and self-assess as income tax exempt may be required to lodge an annual ATO Not-for-Profit Self-Review Return.
For organisations operating on the standard Australian financial year, the 2025–2026 return is due by 31 October 2026.
Each affected club should urgently ensure that:
- The club has confirmed whether it is required to lodge.
- Its ABN and authorised contact details are current.
- Its governing documents have been reviewed.
- Its constitution or rules contain the necessary not-for-profit and winding-up provisions.
- The appropriate office-bearer or authorised representative has access to the ATO’s Online services for business.
- The return is reviewed and lodged by 31 October.
Access to the ATO portal is generally managed by an associate or principal authority through Relationship Authorisation Manager. Clubs should check their authority and access arrangements well before the deadline.
If the club has previously appointed a public officer or another office bearer as its authorised ATO contact, that person should coordinate the lodgement with the President, Secretary and Treasurer.
The return can be lodged through Online services for business, by telephone using the ATO’s automated self-help service, or through a registered tax agent.
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Membership Momentum Continues!
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District 9560 membership has increased by 44 members since the beginning of the Rotary year.
District Governor Rita thanks clubs and members for inviting people to experience Rotary and for creating opportunities for prospective members to become involved in service, fellowship and community activities.
The District’s goal is for every club to achieve a net increase of at least two members by 30 June 2027.
Membership growth is not solely the responsibility of Club Presidents or Membership Chairs. Every Rotarian can contribute by:
- Inviting someone to a service project
- Bringing a guest to a club activity
- Introducing Rotary to friends and professional contacts
- Following up with community volunteers
- Providing new members with meaningful ways to contribute
- Creating flexible and welcoming membership experiences
The most effective invitation is often not an invitation to attend a meeting. It is an invitation to participate in a meaningful activity and see Rotary’s impact first-hand.
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Supporting the Royal Flying Doctor Service Ocean to Outback Challenge
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Rotarians throughout Zone 8 are being encouraged to participate in the Oceans to Outback Challenge, supporting the Royal Flying Doctor Service.
Participants can choose to walk, run or cycle during October and set a personal distance and fundraising target. The challenge is flexible, allowing members to do as much or as little as their circumstances permit.
District Governor Rita has committed to walking 87 kilometres during October and encourages Rotarians throughout District 9560 to register, participate or sponsor another member.
The Royal Flying Doctor Service is particularly important to many rural, regional and remote communities across District 9560.
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Please respect our Rotary brand
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There is an ever-growing and concerning use of AI-generated content across our District.
AI is a valuable tool. Trust me, I use it myself to help balance the demands of supporting a District that covers such a vast geographical area.
However, AI should not be used to generate, recreate or modify Rotary logos.
AI will not reliably reproduce the Rotary logo, or any established logo, correctly. It can alter the wording, colours, proportions, spacing and other important brand elements.
Unfortunately, we are seeing this happen far too often across our District.
By all means, use AI to help generate a graphic, background, concept or promotional image. Simply ask it to leave space for the official logo, then take an extra five minutes to insert the correct logo manually using Canva or another design platform.
If you do not know how to do this, please ask. Our District team is here to help.
However, our District team members are volunteers, just like everyone else in Rotary.
They willingly give their time and expertise to support clubs, so it is disappointing when their assistance, particularly with Rotary branding, is not appreciated or followed through.
A significant amount of time and effort goes into developing resources and helping clubs produce fully compliant, ready-to-use brand assets. This support can take several hours for a single event or campaign.
While the completed assets may be used initially, the branding requirements are sometimes disregarded again in the very next event, promotion or social media post.
Please respect the Rotary brand, but most importantly, please respect the time and energy of the volunteers who generously provide this assistance.
If you ask for help, please follow through on the advice and use the resources provided consistently.
Disregarding the time and effort of fellow volunteers is not how we build goodwill and better friendships among Rotarians.
Consistently using the correct logos and brand assets shows appreciation for those who have helped, strengthens Rotary’s public image and ensures we represent our organisation professionally across every community in our District.
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Upcoming District Training
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OCTOBER INFORMATION WEBINAR: PUBLIC IMAGE
The next District Information Webinar will focus on Public Image and will be held on:
Monday, 26 October 2026 at 7.00 pm AEST
District Public Image Chair PDG Merewyn Wright will lead the session and discuss traditional and practical public image tools, including:
- Club newsletters and bulletins
- Local newspaper engagement
- Media releases
- Community storytelling
- Promoting projects and events
- Maintaining consistent and compliant branding
The session will also provide an important reminder about the increasing use of artificial intelligence to create promotional materials.
AI can be a valuable tool, but clubs remain responsible for ensuring that flyers, social media graphics and other promotional materials comply with Rotary’s brand requirements.
Clubs that are uncertain about their promotional materials should seek advice from Merewyn before publication or production.
Members are also encouraged to join the District 9560 Public Image Facebook Group for current advice, examples, practical resources and public image ideas.
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ROTARY COMMUNITY GROUP STAGE THREE WORKSHOPS
Rotary Community Leaders are currently planning Stage Three workshops for clubs within each Rotary Community Group.
Club Presidents and Presidents-elect will be contacted by their RCL and invited to participate in a group planning day.
These workshops will help clubs:
- Review local challenges and opportunities
- Strengthen membership growth and retention
- Improve public image and community visibility
- Explore collaboration between clubs
- Identify priorities for their Rotary Community Group
- Develop practical actions for the year ahead
A considerable amount of work has gone into preparing these workshops. Clubs are asked to support their RCL by ensuring their President and President-elect attend and participate fully.
Each Rotary Community Group will also have access to $1,000 to support a group initiative focused on membership growth or public image.
This is an opportunity for clubs to work collectively on an initiative that may achieve greater reach and impact than an individual club could achieve alone.
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PRESIDENT-ELECT LEARNING SEMINAR AND DISTRICT ASSEMBLY 2027
Dates have now been set for the 2027 President-Elect Learning Seminar and District Assembly, commonly referred to as PELS and DA.
Clubs should place the relevant date in their calendars now and avoid scheduling major fundraisers, barbecues or other significant club commitments on the same weekend.
PELS and DA are held only once each year and provide important preparation for Presidents-elect, incoming board members and club leaders.
RCG 7
Date: 13 February 2027
Location: Childers
RCG 6
Date: 20 February 2027
Location: Gladstone
RCG 5
Date: 21 February 2027
Location: Rockhampton
RCG 4
Date: 20 March 2027
Location: Mackay
RCG 3
Date: 10 April 2027
Location: Townsville
RCG 2
Date: 17 April 2027
Location: Cairns
RCG 1
Date: 8 May 2027
Location: Darwin
RCG 8
Date: 15 May 2027
Location: Dili
RCG 9
Date: To be confirmed
Location: Online
Details: PELS arrangements remain under discussion
Club Presidents should ensure their President-elect is aware of the relevant date.
Other incoming board members and interested club members should also be encouraged to participate in the District Assembly component.
Further information, confirmed venues and registration details will be distributed as arrangements are finalised.
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Million Dollar Rotary Foundation Gala Dinner
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EARLY-BIRD TICKETS AVAILABLE UNTIL 31 OCTOBER
Planning continues for the Million Dollar Rotary Foundation Gala Dinner, presented by Wellness Embodied, featuring Past Rotary International President Jennifer Jones.
The event will celebrate District 9560’s collective goal of raising US$1 million through cash contributions and bequest commitments for The Rotary Foundation.
More than US$320,000 has already been committed towards the goal.
A progress tracker is available on the District website, allowing members and clubs to follow the campaign as it moves towards the US$1 million target.
Early-bird tickets are available for $175 until 31 October 2026. After that date, the ticket price will increase to $200.
Special discounted accommodation has also been negotiated for members and guests attending the event.
Through the event link, members can:
- Purchase tickets
- Access accommodation information
- View sponsorship opportunities
- Learn more about the event
- Follow the US$1 million campaign progress
This will be an important celebration for District 9560, and members are encouraged to secure their tickets before the early-bird offer closes.
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Consider making a Bequest to the Rotary Foundation
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If you are preparing or updating your Will, please consider making a bequest to The Rotary Foundation.
An eligible bequest commitment may count towards District 9560’s Million Dollar campaign target, helping create a lasting legacy through Rotary’s humanitarian and community work around the world.
Members who confirm an eligible bequest as part of the campaign may also have the opportunity to be personally recognised and thanked by Past Rotary International President Jennifer Jones at the Million Dollar Rotary Foundation Gala Dinner.
Making a bequest is a deeply personal decision. Members considering this option should discuss their wishes with their family and seek independent legal and financial advice to ensure their intentions are properly documented.
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Rotary South Pacific Conference 2026
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This is the final opportunity to register for the Zone 8 Conference in Melbourne at the end of October.
District 9560 already has approximately 25 members attending, and registrations remain available for anyone who would still like to participate.
Members attending the conference are also invited to register for the District 9560 fellowship gathering being held on the Sunday evening.
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2027 Rotary International Convention
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Registration is now open for the 2027 Rotary International Convention, being held in Barcelona, Spain, from 26 to 30 June 2027.
The current registration price for members, non-members and guests aged 31 or over is US$795 until 31 March 2027.
From 1 April 2027, the standard registration price will increase to US$895.
Members considering attending are encouraged to register early and begin planning their travel and accommodation arrangements.
The Rotary International Convention offers members the opportunity to:
- Connect with Rotarians from around the world
- Hear from inspiring speakers and Rotary leaders
- Participate in informative breakout sessions
- Discover successful projects and new service ideas
- Build international friendships and partnerships
- Experience the global scale and diversity of Rotary
Relevant Convention updates will be shared through the District’s normal communication channels as further information becomes available.
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Celebrate Rotary Milestones!
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District 9560 congratulates two clubs celebrating significant charter anniversaries during October.
ROTARY CLUB OF MACKAY
Chartered: 16 October 1926
Milestone: 100 years
Anniversary: 16 October 2026
Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Mackay on an extraordinary century of Rotary service, fellowship and community impact.
ROTARACT CLUB OF BUNDABERG
Chartered: 21 October 2011
Milestone: 15 years
Anniversary: 21 October 2026
Congratulations to the Rotaract Club of Bundaberg on 15 years of service to its community and Rotary.
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District 9560 proudly recognises 21 Rotarians celebrating significant membership anniversaries during October 2026.
Together, these members represent 450 years of Rotary membership and service.
Terry Moore
Club: Townsville Sunrise
Anniversary: 1 October 2026
Years of service: 25 years
Joyce Chorny
Club: Hervey Bay Sunrise
Anniversary: 1 October 2026
Years of service: 15 years
Joseph Stacey
Club: Innisfail-Fitzgerald
Anniversary: 2 October 2026
Years of service: 30 years
John Oar
Club: Ayr
Anniversary: 3 October 2026
Years of service: 30 years
Michael L. MacKellar
Club: Cairns Trinity
Anniversary: 3 October 2026
Years of service: 15 years
Frank William Hayes
Club: Bundaberg
Anniversary: 5 October 2026
Years of service: 10 years
Les Salter
Club: Gladstone Midday
Anniversary: 11 October 2026
Years of service: 20 years
Stephen Wallace
Club: Port of Mackay
Anniversary: 11 October 2026
Years of service: 25 years
Josephine Barnes
Club: Atherton
Anniversary: 11 October 2026
Years of service: 15 years
Dr Peter Chenoweth
Club: Rockhampton South
Anniversary: 12 October 2026
Years of service: 20 years
Greg Archer
Club: Innisfail-Fitzgerald
Anniversary: 15 October 2026
Years of service: 25 years
Katanya Lee
Club: Mundingburra
Anniversary: 15 October 2026
Years of service: 20 years
Kenneth E. Coombes
Club: Mackay North
Anniversary: 15 October 2026
Years of service: 30 years
David Murray
Club: Capricorn Coast
Anniversary: 25 October 2026
Years of service: 25 years
Mick Gilmore
Club: Maryborough City
Anniversary: 26 October 2026
Years of service: 10 years
Aloisia Ferfolja
Club: Mundingburra
Anniversary: 27 October 2026
Years of service: 15 years
Jim Stone
Club: Port of Townsville
Anniversary: 28 October 2026
Years of service: 30 years
Ryan Lacaze
Club: Mundingburra
Anniversary: 29 October 2026
Years of service: 25 years
Warren P. Benjamin
Club: Mackay West
Anniversary: 31 October 2026
Years of service: 25 years
Daniel Spencer
Club: Proserpine
Anniversary: 31 October 2026
Years of service: 20 years
Michael Curtin
Club: Mackay West
Anniversary: 31 October 2026
Years of service: 25 years
District Governor Rita Zappulla extends her congratulations and sincere appreciation to each member for their dedication, leadership and contribution to Rotary.
Thank you for continuing to create lasting impact through service.
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If you need help accessing your club's district email account, please lodge a support request with our District Systems Team. |
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