I don't know about anyone else, but when I can't sleep I have a tendency to write about my thoughts.

I've been laying here for 3 hours now on the night of the Bondi shootings.

Part of my reaction to what happened in Bondi comes from my own background. I came of age politically in the shadow of 9/11. Like many people of my generation, I grew up watching the Middle East through a lens of conflict, terrorism, retaliation, and long-running instability. I’ve spent years reading, thinking, and working in and around those issues — trying to understand how violence takes root, and how hard it is to unwind once it does.

Later, my military experience added another layer. Wearing a uniform changes how you see the world. You become very aware of how quickly situations can escalate, how fragile order can be, and how often the real work is not force, but restraint. Discipline. Judgement. De-escalation. Knowing when not to act.

Those experiences shape how I think about peace.

So when something like Bondi happens, here, at home, in a place that feels safe and familiar, I see it differently. Not because it’s comparable to conflict zones overseas, but because it reminds us that the underlying dynamics are human ones. Isolation. Alienation. Disconnection. The slow erosion of belonging.

What I've reflected on most wasn’t just the violence, but what followed. People helping each other. No hesitation. No politics. No labels. Just instinctive care for one another. That told me something important: the connective tissue in our community is still there. In an environment where we have started to identify as pro or anti certain issues or perspectives, these instances of cross-cultural humanity clears the smoke, and provides a clarity of purpose, that sometimes we confuse for something else.

And that matters more than we might realise.

From everything I’ve seen — in politics, in conflict studies, in military training, and in everyday life — strong civic connection is one of the most powerful stabilising forces a society has. When people feel they belong, when they have places to go and people who know them, conflict is less likely to spiral. Tension still exists, but it’s more likely to be talked through than acted out.

That’s why spaces like Rotary matter — not because we have all the answers, but because we bring people together who might otherwise never meet.

Rotary isn’t just about projects or service hours. At its best, it’s civic infrastructure. It’s people from different backgrounds, professions, beliefs, and experiences sitting at the same table and learning how to work together. That’s not trivial work. It’s peacebuilding in its most practical form.

As we head toward Christmas, this feels especially important. This time of year can amplify both connection and loneliness. The gap between those two states can be thin. Small acts — an invitation, a conversation, noticing who’s missing — can have more impact than we often realise.

From my own experience, peace isn’t built only by institutions or treaties. It’s built in communities that are connected enough to hold people before they fall too far. It’s built where disagreement doesn’t automatically turn into division. It’s built where people are known.

We can’t prevent every act of violence. But we can strengthen the civic fabric that makes them less likely — and makes communities more resilient when they do occur.

As Christmas approaches, that feels like something worth dwelling upon.

As we step into the New Year, we’re looking forward to coming back together as a club — reconnecting, sharing a meal, and setting the tone for the year ahead.

To mark our return, members are warmly invited to a Community Workshop Dinner on Tuesday 21 January, from 6:30 pm. This will be a relaxed, social evening focused on conversation and connection rather than formality.

The dinner will be held at the Community Workshop, is free of charge, and partners and family members are very welcome to attend. To keep things easy and informal, the evening will be BYO drinks.

This is a chance to ease back into the year together — to catch up after the break, welcome partners and families into our community, and enjoy a simple evening in good company.

To help us confirm numbers and dietary requirements please access the form below. The form allows you to indicate attendance, include any additional family members, and note dietary needs so we can cater appropriately.

We hope you can join us for a warm, informal evening as we kick off the New Year — together.

Rotary’s commitment to equality and opportunity will be on full display this March when we celebrate International Women’s Day 2026.

📅 Wednesday 4 March 2026 | 7.00 – 9.00 am
📍 Top Room, Arkaba Hotel

This year’s global theme — “Give to Gain” — invites us to reflect on how generosity, mentorship and shared opportunity empower communities and transform lives.

Our keynote speaker will be Kate Croser, Chief Executive Officer of the South Australian Film Corporation. With two decades in film and television and an Emmy Award to her name, Kate now leads South Australia’s screen industry, connecting local stories with audiences around the world.

Kate also serves as SA Chapter Chair for Chief Executive Women (CEW) and sits on several national and state advisory boards, championing gender equity and leadership in creative industries. Twice named by The Advertiser as one of South Australia’s most influential people, Kate brings insight, warmth and real-world experience to the conversation about what it means to “give to gain.”

Tickets are $50 per person (plus booking fee) with tables of up to 10.
🎟️ Bookings: trybooking.com/DGIAL

Bring a business card for the door-prize draw, and don’t forget your lucky streak — raffle tickets will be available for $5 each on the day.

Join fellow Rotarians, colleagues and friends as we celebrate the achievements of women across South Australia and renew Rotary’s promise to open opportunities for all.

The Rotary Foundation is Rotary’s philanthropic and grant-making arm. It exists solely to fund humanitarian work, peacebuilding, and sustainable development initiatives aligned with Rotary’s Areas of Focus.

In 2024–25, The Rotary Foundation delivered a particularly strong year of stewardship and impact:

• US$569 million was received in gifts and commitments

• Total net assets and endowment surpassed US$2.05 billion, exceeding the Foundation’s long-term Endowment goal

• Donor confidence remained high, reflecting strong governance and transparent financial management

The Foundation funds Rotary’s global impact, including:

• Peacebuilding and conflict resolution, through Rotary Peace Centers, peace fellowships, and large-scale initiatives

• Global and District Grants, supporting projects in health, education, water, economic development, and the environment

• Programs of Scale, including the 2025 initiative Pathways to Peace and Prosperity in Colombia, delivered with the World Food Programme

• Polio eradication, through Rotary’s long-standing role as a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative

Every Foundation dollar is used for charitable purpose — not administration of clubs or governance of the organisation. Contributions to TRF directly translate into funded projects, trained peacebuilders, immunised children, and strengthened communities.

Put simply, The Rotary Foundation provides the resources that turn Rotary’s ideas into action.