Eight members and friends from the Rotary Club of Richmond, recently travelled to the Philippines to renew their partnership with the Rotary Club of Panglao Island, Province of Bohol, Philippines.

This connection was established in 2011, when Rotary District (then) 9680 (now 9685) sponsored a group study exchange team to the area to build better friendships and relationships. This was led by Past President Ian Jordan and four selected team members, representing the Hawkesbury: Constable Rebecca Rose, Social Photographer, Kylie Pitt, Fireman, Martin Crew and Bank Manager, David Martin.

President Peter Chidgey, wife Vickie, President Elect PP Debbie Cooper and sister Beverly Gordon, Secretary & PP Ian Jordan and wife Judy and Rotarians Janelle Munro and David Kirkby, self-funded the trip for 10 days to the area to be hosted by our sister club, the Rotary Club of Panglao Island in District 3860.

Since 2011, the Rotary Club of Richmond has been supporting several of the signature programs of our sister club in this impoverished area of the Philippines. Two large containers were sent in 2012 and 2014 which contained furniture, clothes, toys, sporting equipment, medical supplies, technology, hospital beds and light blankets. The second container was put to good use in 2014 due to the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in the area in 2013. Members of Panglao Island Rotary Club were hosted in the Hawkesbury on a visit in 2014 and again in 2016. PP (Past President) Ian Jordan and PP Deb Cooper visited the area on several more occasions. Notably, PP Debbie organised 4 members of Hawkesbury Rotaract and led a visit to Panglao Island to work with their Rotaract members on nutrition and conservation projects.

With this known relationship, Western Sydney University contacted Richmond Rotary, which in turn facilitated arrangements for B.Sc. students to travel to Panglao, to be hosted by Rotary and the Municipality of Panglao in 2018 and 2020. This International Sustainable Development Program focussed on conservation, resource management, geochemistry, food security and sustainable agriculture. These ongoing tours have proven to be outstandingly successful programs.

Two major projects of Panglao Island Rotary Club that have been supported by Richmond Rotary over the past 14 years have been the Little Angels Orphanage and the Nutrition ‘Feeding of the Children’ Program. The Nutrition program targets malnourished 6-year-olds in elementary schools operating in nearby poverty-stricken coastal villages. With funds raised through Rotary and private donations, an additional bedroom and toilets were constructed at the Orphanage. The Feeding Program involved liaison with the Municipal Community Nurse who identified children for a 100-day program. The sponsoring Rotary Club (Panglao Island) supplied the food protein and the training and recruitment of parents and grandparents to help feed the children. Each child must gain weight before ‘graduating’ from the program. The touring party were privileged to visit the Orphanage and participate in the Feeding program during the recent visit. Both experiences were emotional and heart felt.

Our hosts welcomed the visiting Rotarians and friends with extraordinary hospitality, meals and accommodation in local Rotarian homes with travel support each day. A combined Rotary meeting was held which included a renewal and resigning of our sister club agreement.

The current International Rotary theme is ‘The Magic of Rotary’.

The reach of influence and the actions and beliefs emanating for the Rotary ideal of trying to do ‘a little bit of good’ is the ‘Magic’ which resulted in this visit and prior initiatives.  (contact@rotaryrichmond.com.au)

 Congratulations to all involved since 2011.

International Projects

Community Projects

The Rotary Club of Richmond are very active in the Community Service space and do many projects each year.

For example:

  • Christmas Carols at the Richmond Park each year. We call on local businesses and members of the community to assist in sponsoring the event. It is a great free family event which has been an ongoing for many years and has high attendance each year.

  • Gate keeping at the Hawkesbury Show & Antique Machinery Show. In addition to gate keeping at the Hawkesbury Show we also sell some yummy food from the Rotary Canteen.

  • Raffles at the Richmond Golf Club on a Friday Night

  • Say no to Domestic Violence - Event that the Rotary Club of Richmond support to provide public awareness to highlight this intolerant behavior

  • The Sydney Super Swap Meet is an annual event with over 170 stallholders attending each year to sell their wares. Also at the same time as the Swap meet is a Show and Shine event which attracts many car enthusiasts with many makes and models of vehicles. This event is held in February each year and if you would like to be involved please reach out to us for more information. This event is a major sponsorship event for the Club and allows the opportunity to assist those in need both locally and further afield.

  • Breakfast BBQ’s at the Richmond Golf Club each weekend to raise funds to support our Community

  • School & Fete BBQ’s as requested

  • Bunnings BBQ’s

  • Special Community Event BBQ’s

  • Placing flags on gravestones of the fallen VETS for ANZAC Day each year

  • Winter Appeal - Receiving donations of clothes, blankets, shoes, socks, quilts etc to provide to those in need

  • San Miguel Project - For information click on San Miguel page

Vocational Projects

Vocational Service calls on every Rotarian to work with integrity and contribute their expertise to the problems and needs of society.

The concept of vocational service is rooted in the Second Object of the Rotary, which calls on Rotarians to “encourage and foster”:

  • High ethical standards in business and professions

  • The recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations

  • The dignifying of each Rotarian’s occupation as an opportunity to serve society 

    The Pride of Workmanship Award is one way that we acknowledge employees who display outstanding qualities in terms of approach, attitude, dedication & commitment to their job. The recipient does not have to be working in emergency services they can also be from any local business.

Youth Projects

The Rotary Club of Richmond are involved in many Youth Projects:

  1. Art Awards where we recognise young people for their talent, development and encouragement. This is an annual event and we receive many entries and welcome school age students to participate. If you are interested in this event please contact us for more information.

  2. R U OK Day - School Support Program

  3. Sam Pearce Memorial Scholoarship - This Scholarship was named after Sam Pearce who served as a Rotarian, giving over 40 years of service to the Rotary community. Student is selected by a group educators for being an outstanding citizen.

  4. Tafe Awards - Three Scholarships are awarded annually to Tafe students who achieve outstanding success in their course of study. The awards are not only assessed on academic achievement, as attitude and commitment are equally important in the selection criteria set by teachers.

  5. Junior Citizenship Awards - presented annually to students of local Primary Schools who demonstrate the attributes of being an excellent citizen in their school environment.

  6. Dream Cricket - The three Rotary Clubs in The Hawkesbury Region, combined their resources to support this outstanding project. Children with disabilities are encouraged to participate in the wonderful game of cricket. They learn very quickly to navigate the skills needed to enjoy this fabulous exercise

  7. The Western Sydney University Scholarship - Is awarded to a Year 12 student advancing to University Studies. This scholarship provides financial support during their course, enabling them to reach their potential in all facets of their course.