Service Above Self

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Rotary Club Of
Devonport North Inc

Upcoming Events

Thu, Sep 26
Club Weekly Dinner Meeting
Central Bar & Restaurant
Multiple Dates
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Sep 26, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Central Bar & Restaurant, 82 Formby Rd, Devonport TAS 7310, Australia
The Rotary Club of Devonport invites you to join us at our weekly Dinner Meetings, held every Thursday at Central Bar and Restaurant. Enjoy a delicious meal while engaging in thought-provoking discussions led by our guest speakers, who bring a range of topics and insights to inspire.
Sun, Oct 27
Annual Prostate Cancer Charity Golf Day
Devonport Country Club
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Oct 27, 2024, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Devonport Country Club, Woodrising Ave, Spreyton TAS 7310, Australia
22nd Annual Charity Golf Day held at the Devonport Country Club, Woodrising Avenue Spreyton. 4 person Ambrose event, $140 entry per team, includes lunch.

Active Members

A worldwide organisation of over 1.2 million members

Members of Rotary clubs, known as Rotarians, provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.

Members of are actively involved in a variety of charitable and community projects, both locally and overseas, raising funds and providing support services to those less fortunate.

Club members enjoy great fellowship working together at club projects, programs and dinner meetings.

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Supporting our local & global communities

Our Projects

Food Plant Solutions

This program is an initiative of The Rotary Club of Devonport North to address malnutrition throughout the world by developing a program to grow the best local foods to meet nutritional needs.

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Golf Day

A Charity Golf Day is held each year with the proceeds being donated to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia for research purposes.

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Breakfast in the Park

This program is an initiative of The Rotary Club of Devonport North to address malnutrition throughout the world by developing a program to grow the best local foods to meet nutritional needs.

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Devonport Motor Show

This great motor enthusiast, club and family day has gained recognition throughout Tasmania as one of the major auto shows. The automotive industry and business is a great financial supporter of this event and money raised is used for Rotary projects.

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Rotary Youth Drive Awareness Program (RYDA)

This program targets “awareness” and “attitudinal change” and seeks to encourage year 10 students, who are on the verge of driving or at least are actively thinking about it, to take a more responsible attitude to motoring.

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Would you like to know more about Rotary Devonport Norths Projects? We'd love to speak with you!

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The Four Way Test

THE FOUR WAY TEST
of the things we think, say or do

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

International service organisation

What is Rotary?

Rotary is a worldwide organisation of more than 1.2 million business, professional, and community leaders. Members of Rotary clubs, known as Rotarians, provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.

Interested?

We'd love to tell you more!

Projects

Members of Rotary Clubs are actively involved in a variety of charitable and community projects, both locally and overseas, raising funds and providing support services to those less fortunate. Club members enjoy great fellowship working together at club projects, programs and dinner meetings.

Last Thursday's guest speaker as our very own Rotarian, Seelan Nair, who gave us a deep and eye-opening look into life in South Africa. Seelan shared his insights on the systemic challenges the country faces, from racism and corruption to the impact of nepotism within the government.

His presentation was both thought-provoking and informative, shedding light on the complexities of the current state of affairs. Despite these challenges, Seelan reminded us that South Africa remains a stunning holiday destination with so much beauty to offer. 🇿🇦

Thank you, Seelan, for such an engaging and insightful presentation!

📸 - Dinner chairman Suren with guest speaker Seelan

Check out Aiden Johnston filling in as Lance Corporal! Aiden is the son of Rotarian Shaun and regularly joins us at meetings. He's great company and we love having him as part of our club!

Aiden is a great example of a "Friend of Rotary" happily coming along and generously giving his time to support at some of our fundraisers, including the Devonport Motor Show.

We appreciate you Aiden!

At our latest Rotary Club of Devonport North meeting, we had the pleasure of hearing from our incredible exchange student, Lisa!

Lisa shared her experiences of settling into life here in Tasmania and gave a wonderful presentation about her life back home in Sweden. She highlighted the interesting differences between the Swedish and Tasmanian education systems, as whilst she is here is attending St. Brendans Shaw College.

Lisa shared her love for the great outdoors—camping, fishing, and bushwalking are just a few of her passions!

Lisa's love for animals and her experience helping on her family farm back home truly shone through. It’s clear that she’s making the most of her time here and embracing all that Tasmania has to offer!

Why Become an Exchange Student?
For young people aged 16 to 18, becoming an exchange student offers an incredible opportunity to:

✅ Develop lifelong leadership skills

✅ Learn a new language and culture

✅ Build lasting friendships with peers from around the globe

✅ Become a true global citizen

Alternatively, consider becoming a host family!

Hosting an exchange student is a fantastic way to learn from them and experience another culture right here at home.

We’re proud to support Lisa on her journey with a small monthly sponsorship to help cover her personal costs. It’s a rewarding experience for everyone involved!

Interested in learning more about becoming an exchange student or a host family? Get in touch with us today!

We were delighted to welcome Ben Brockman, an exercise physiologist based in Devonport, as a recent guest speaker. Ben specialises in providing exercise advice and support for degenerative diseases and is also an avid ultra-marathon runner. His passion for fitness and community is evident through his role as the instigator of Park Run in Devonport—a fantastic free event held every Saturday morning, synchronised with locations worldwide, all covering the same distance.

Ben’s presentation was very encouraging , reflecting the high calibre of expertise and enthusiasm he brings to our community. The Devonport area is fortunate to have such a dedicated professional living and working here.

📸 Ben is pictured here with Chair, Rotarian Peter.

As you are aware, we're a modern club, embracing technology to make our meetings accessible to all of our members... but we might need to have a word with our Membership committee about this recent pooch who joined in on Teams to listen to Kevin's presentation! 🐩

Once again we are appreciative of the outstanding quality of speakers that we are fortunate enough to have attend our dinner meetings, and it really does contribute to an enjoyable meeting for our members.

Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting Craig Redman as our guest speaker, and his presentation was fantastic. Craig shared his journey, from growing up in Ulverstone to becoming a triathlete, professional coach, and eventually serving as a board member for the Australian Sports Commission.

Craig and his family now own the Railway IGA in Ulverstone, and he spoke passionately about the joy of returning to small business in his hometown. He emphasised the deep connection he’s rekindled with the community and underscored the importance of shopping locally.

According to Craig, local businesses are the lifeblood of our communities, playing a crucial role in supporting both individuals and community groups.

Pictured is Rotarian Leigh who chaired our meeting and Craig.

We appreciate them every week but we really wanted to give a huge shoutout to The Central Restaurant in Devonport, where our Rotary club holds its weekly meetings.

We are incredibly grateful for the outstanding service we receive and the staff who never fail to impress us with their warm hospitality and efficiency, ensuring our meals are always delivered on time and are absolutely delicious.

We also have access to facilities that allow us to have a modern and accessible meeting, like the big screen, (as demonstrated in this photo of Kevin announcing the winners of recent footy tipping rounds) and it's a place we can comfortably invite our guests to and know they will also enjoy themselves.

Always a highlight from our meeting room, is watching the Spirit of Tasmania depart with a toot of its horn, it always adds a special touch to our meetings as we often get an amusing response from that evening's guest speaker who was not expecting it to be so loud!!

The rapport we have built with the staff makes each gathering feel welcoming and enjoyable. Thank you, Central Restaurant, for consistently providing us with an excellent dining experience. We look forward to many more meetings and delicious meals with you!

We are excited to announce that fundraising efforts made last year to establish a Water Bore in Tanzania have been successful. This project was initiated by James Roberts-Thomson, with the RCDN agreeing to underwrite the initial cost of $12,000. However, the actual cost, including Tanzania's 18% GST and additional expenses, amounted to about $15,000, prompting a quick fundraising effort by our club.

To address this, the two Leighs organised a fundraising event; a spit roast lamb function at the Don River Railway. Members and friends gathered to support the cause, with Leigh M arranging the lamb and the spit, and Leigh T handling the cooking. Members and partners contributed salads. Additionally, an auction was held with Esley as the auctioneer. We thank Rotarian David Russell for donating many turned timber items. The event at Don River Railway raised $8,740.

Leigh T also used his climb of Mt Kilimanjaro to raise further funds through sponsorships and donations, collecting $8,850. In total, our fundraising efforts brought in an amazing $17,590.

Before the bore's installation, most people collected water from a seasonal dam and puddles, shared with animals, containing high levels of E. coli and typhoid. The nearest reliable water source was a strenuous 4-hour round trip. Now, with the bore in place, community health has improved, and members spend less time collecting water. The bore also provides water to Sombanyasoko Primary School, benefiting 540 students and supporting the school breakfast program, compensating for the non-functional bore at the school. This has improved the students' health and contributed to their overall well-being and educational experience.

This accomplishment highlights the dedication and collaboration of our club, with special thanks to the International Services Committee for their leadership and support. This bore has had a tremendous impact, ensuring safer water access and contributing to better health and educational support. We celebrate this achievement and the collective effort of our members, whose commitment and generosity have made a significant impact.
#rotaryinternational #waterbores

PP Kelly Hicks provided us with a fantastic overview of the next National Youth Science Forum to be held in January 2025.

The Australian National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) is a program designed to inspire young Australians interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Aimed at Year 12 students, the NYSF offers hands-on experiences, workshops, and visits to science facilities, giving participants a glimpse into potential STEM careers.

Rotary is a founding partner of the NYSF and plays a crucial role in its success.

Rotary clubs across Australia support the program by sponsoring students to attend the forum, offering financial help, and providing mentorship. This partnership highlights Rotary's commitment to nurturing future leaders and innovators in the STEM fields. Through this collaboration, the NYSF and Rotary empower young Australians to explore their passion for science and contribute to a better future.

Applications have been extended, so if you, or a young person you know are currently in year 11 and would like to be involved, please contact our club through our socials, or the contact page on our website; rotarydevnorth.org.au

Photo credit is the @National Youth Science Forum (NYSF)

A huge Rotary welcome to our newest member, Rotarian Tony Jones who presented his autobiography in recent weeks.

Tony was born in the Campbell Town hospital and did his first five years of schooling at the Campbell Primary School. Tony said that one of the highlights of his primary school days were the trips in the “School Bus”, a HJ Holden sedan which mostly carried 10- 12 children. Following school Tony back to work on the family farm at Campbell Town where the farming included half cattle, one quarter sheep and one quarter cropping.

A Contiki trip to New Zealand was another of Tony’s pursuits and he regaled us with his death-defying ride in a light plane, which he says has cured his enthusiasm for light aircraft.

Tony has a real love of volunteering, which makes him such a valuable member of our club. Not only Rotary, he also volunteers for his local tennis club and is part of a Landcare group. A past member of the Deloraine Rotary Club, he also played a major role in the organisation of the Deloraine Craft Fair.

Welcome Tony, we are so pleased to have you and welcome you as a member and a friend to our wonderful club.

At last weeks meeting, Rotarian Leon Peck shared some fantastic insights about one of our guests, Carolyn Jamieson. Back in 2022, our club formed an alliance with the Vintage Japanese Motor Cycle Club for the Devonport Motor Show. Although Carolyn isn’t a member, she is absolutely a Friend of Rotary and she quickly became an indispensable ally. Carolyn, the passionate owner of Tasmanian Motorcycle Transport, went above and beyond by transporting bikes from Victoria, including the feature jet bike, and bikes from all around Tasmania.

Despite some logistical challenges, Carolyn pulled it off brilliantly. For the 2023 Motor Show, Carolyn’s enthusiasm was unwavering and to top it off her amazing Drysdale V8 ended up winning ‘Bike of the Show.’

Carolyn transported these bikes to and from the mainland and around the state at no cost to the club, showcasing her remarkable character. In 2024, she again played a pivotal role, transporting 30 bikes from Melbourne, Hobart, and Launceston. By herself, Carolyn loaded her truck with bikes worth around $3 million and ensured their safe delivery, starting her day at 5:30 am and finishing at 9:30 pm!

Leon could have spoken endlessly about how lucky we are to have a relationship with Carolyn and her business. The respect she commands within the motorcycle community is evident by their trust in her to transport their prized possessions, enhancing the experience for our Motor Show patrons.

We are grateful to Carolyn for her incredible support and dedication.

Pictured is our Devonport Motor Show Chairman Glenn O’Halloran, Past President Leon, Carolynn Jamieson and President Leigh who by the looks on their faces obviously enjoyed the meeting!

We were honoured to have Gavin Stoesigger, owner of Leaping Goat Coffee Company, as our guest speaker recently. Gavin shared his journey from growing up in Geeveston, overcoming family challenges, to finding camaraderie in rugby with the Hobart Harlequins.

Starting his career with McDonald’s in Southern Tasmania, Gavin later pursued Maritime Logistics in Launceston, where he met his wife in 2009. Together, they moved to Devonport and actively participate in the Port Sorell Surf Life Saving Club.

In 2021, Gavin and his wife took on the challenge of building Leaping Goat Coffee from scratch. Their hard work paid off, transforming it into a multi-faceted business with four main sales channels; instore, wholesaling to cafes and retail outlets, and online. Gavin has initiated a fifth element being business to business with the growing trend for business to house coffee machines in or on their premises.

Gavin’s story of resilience and dedication is truly inspiring. Thank you, Gavin, for sharing your journey with us!

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Service Above Self

Rotary Club Of Devonport North Inc

​Upcoming Events

A worldwide organisation of over 1.2 million members

Supporting our local & global communities

Our Projects

Food Plant Solutions

Golf Day

Breakfast in the Park

Devonport Motor Show

Rotary Youth Drive Awareness Program (RYDA)

The Four Way Test

International service organisation

What is Rotary?

Projects

​

Rotary Club Of
Devonport North Inc

Upcoming Events