President Rosemary presenting a Paul Harris Fellow to the Member for Morialta, Hon John Gardner MP
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Meeting Summary
Visit to Parliament House
The Rotary Club of Morialta was proud to present The Hon. John Gardner MP with a Paul Harris Fellow, recognizing his outstanding service to our community and his unwavering support of our club.
John has played a vital role in securing several grants for our Community Workshop, enabling us to expand our impact and reach. He has also actively supported fundraising efforts for the Eastern Adelaide Domestic Violence Service, notably through engaging and successful quiz nights.
His commitment to public service and volunteerism is evident in his continued advocacy for our area. John has held numerous Parliamentary roles, including serving as Minister for Education from 2018 to 2022. He currently serves as Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Shadow Minister for Education, Training and Skills, and Shadow Minister for the Arts and Festivals.
Despite his demanding responsibilities, John has remained closely connected with our members, regularly attending changeover dinners and other club events. His presence and support have been deeply appreciated.
Thank you to The Hon. John Gardner for the great hospitality and tour of Parliament house. It was a great night, John took us through a very informative guide of the history and governance of the Parliament of South Australia
It is only fitting that the Rotary Club of Morialta honoured The Hon. John Gardner MP with a Paul Harris Fellow, acknowledging his enduring dedication to our club and the broader community.
Editorial
In every Rotary club, there are members who don’t speak the loudest — but whose presence shapes the room. They are our elders: long-serving Rotarians who remember not just what we did, but why it mattered.
This short feature honours their quiet leadership, their long view, and their role in holding our club together through change. They are more than record-keepers. They are Rotary’s memory, culture, and heart.
As we focus on growth and innovation, it’s easy to unintentionally overlook those who built the foundations we now build upon. But clubs are strongest when all generations share the table — and when we recognise that legacy isn’t behind us. It’s beside us.
A reminder that we now meet on the 2nd and 4th weeks of the month (other than some exceptions).
Take the opportunity to visit another club on the off week if you would like to have your 'Rotary fix' for the week. The Rotary Club of Lightsview meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday as a suggestion.
Community Service
Australian Rotary Health – August Update
Mental Health Research remains a major focus, with ongoing projects supported across Australia.
Scholarship Programs continue to expand, including Indigenous Health Scholarships and Rural Medical Scholarships, helping to build the future healthcare workforce.
Fundraising & Awareness – clubs are encouraged to get involved in initiatives like Lift the Lid on Mental Illness in October, a national campaign raising awareness and funds for mental health.
Upcoming Events include regional fundraisers and awareness days that support Australian Rotary Health’s mission.
How to Help – Rotarians and friends can support through donations, attending events, or sponsoring scholarships.
ROMAC continues to transform lives by bringing children from our region to Australia and New Zealand for vital medical care.
Janet (Vanuatu) – After 11 weeks of treatment for a severe clubfoot, three-year-old Janet has returned home able to walk confidently, thanks to surgery at Geelong University Hospital and the support of local Rotary hosts.
Serah (Vanuatu) – Fourteen-year-old Serah, suffering from a growth in her knee, travelled to Melbourne for scans and is scheduled for surgery later this year. Thankfully, her leg can be saved.
Haggai (PNG) – One year after life-saving surgery for a serious birth defect, Haggai is now a healthy and thriving two-year-old.
Afu (Timor-Leste) – ROMAC looks back on Afu’s 2006 spinal surgery in Melbourne that restored his mobility and inspired all who met him.
This month also welcomed our own Judi Brown as the new Central Region Chair, bringing extensive nursing and leadership experience.
👉 With just $20 per Rotarian, matched by clubs, ROMAC could fund treatment for all referred children each year. Donations go directly to patient care: romac.org.au/donate
Olayinka Hakeem Babalola of Nigeria will serve as Rotary International president 2026-27. He’s a longtime Rotarian, and active supporter of The Rotary Foundation.
Jordan Hawkey is an author based in Adelaide, South Australia who openly shares that he lives with epilepsy—an inspiring detail that speaks volumes about his resilience.
His Literary Magic: Twins of Legend Series
He's the imaginative creator of the Twins of Legend series—a middle‑grade fantasy saga that stars two meerkat twins, Pan and Samson. Their world gets turned upside down when their town is attacked by snakes, thrusting them into a high-stakes quest involving powers, a secretive brother named Jackie, and a mysterious disc that holds everything together. The story unfolds across at least three books:
Book 1: The Disc of Power – The thrilling introduction to the twins' epic journey
Book 2: The Vault of Souls – They return home, but new dangers lurk in a hidden vault that could spell disaster
Book 3: Invasion of the Isles – With chapter teasers like “Fighting in the Field”, the adventure continues to escalate
Interactive Universe: Ghonsor’s Lore
Jordan doesn't just stop at books—he’s also building a rich lore called “History of Ghonsor,” where fans can explore short stories about characters like King Mirthrid and uncover hidden histories of the land where the meerkats roam.
From His Pen to the Community
Not only does he write, but he also shares his craft—hosting writing workshops like the one held in January 2025 at the Gawler Civic Centre, where he helped aspiring writers learn about storytelling, character development, editing, and even publishing and marketing strategies.
Why He’s So Cool
Creative world-building with adventurous meerkat heroes who capture hearts and imaginations.
Community champion, empowering emerging writers with real-world advice.
A personal narrative of strength, living openly with epilepsy and channeling that into his art.
All Rotary projects connect to one of our 7 Areas of Focus — global categories that define the scope and purpose of Rotary’s service. These areas are not just theoretical. They guide how clubs apply for funding, plan impact, and align with international development goals.
✅ The 7 Areas Are:
• Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution • Disease Prevention and Treatment • Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) • Maternal and Child Health • Basic Education and Literacy • Economic and Community Development • Supporting the Environment
🌟 Why It Matters
These areas ensure Rotary projects are strategic, sustainable, and measurable. Whether it’s funding a clean water initiative in Cambodia or supporting literacy programs in South Australia, every project we do aligns with one of these pillars.
Rotary International also uses these Areas of Focus to determine eligibility for global grants and scholarships — so understanding them helps us unlock more support for our club’s work.
🧭 Key Takeaway
Rotary doesn’t just “do good” — it does it with focus, clarity, and purpose.
When your club initiates a project, link it to an Area of Focus — and you connect your local work to a global movement of impact.
Not on the Agenda
Rotary’s all about impact — but sometimes, that impact runs off bleating.
In May, the Rotary Club of Whanganui North proudly launched their new “Grow with Goats” microenterprise program, gifting goats to support rural families in need. But during the official handover, one particularly ambitious goat — named Daphne — escaped the enclosure, bolted down the main street, and led three Rotarians, two students, and the mayor on a 20-minute wild goose (goat?) chase through downtown.
Witnesses say Daphne paused in front of a local café, climbed a bench, and ate part of the ribbon for the cutting ceremony before being wrangled by a Rotarian using a Rotary-branded umbrella and a very patient voice.
Local paper’s headline the next day? “Udder Chaos as Rotary Launches Goat Project.”
The project is now fully underway — and Daphne has become an unofficial mascot, with her own Instagram tag: #DaphneTheRotaryGoat.
Moral of the story? Never underestimate livestock. Or Rotary. Especially not at the same time.
(Source: Rotary Down Under, June 2025 – yes, this really happened.)
