By David Kenny
New Club Start Up Team, Rotary Club of Scenic Rim Sunrise, Qld
In January 2024, while at home recovering from an illness, I reflected on the plan to increase membership by starting new style clubs, as shared by PDG Andy Rajapakse and PDG Michael Buckeridge from Rotary Pacific’s Membership Team.
I started to look at cause-based clubs and realised I had several contacts in Flagstone, a satellite city 50km south of Brisbane in Queensland, which was being developed by property developer Peet, and which was expected to grow to 120,000 people by 2050.
As then Assistant Governor for the area, I met with several people in this new city and asked them what their community needed. Their main concern was the injured wildlife caused by urbanisation of a wildlife conservation area. I spoke to Andy, our Rotary Pacific Membership Director, and arranged for him to visit Flagstone to meet the community in March.
PICTURED: Ukrainian Youth Exchange Student Eliz Navrotska holding Amber, an eastern grey joey that has been in care in Flagstone since June.
During our meeting with community leaders, they asked us to help them establish an international organisation to join them in saving injured wildlife. Andy suggested we start a Rotary club in Flagstone. They were surprised that Rotary would engage with wildlife rescue causes. I explained that the environment is one of Rotary’s seven areas of focus. They were more than happy and said yes to starting a cause-based Rotary club.
Andy then asked for a community champion to help us promote the concept and attract 20 members to start a club.
PICTURED: Two twin squirrel gliders were rescued in the Scenic Rim in October 2023 and were released into their colony in March.
Bob Wiley, a trained and passionate wildlife rescuer who I had met on a previous visit, volunteered to be our community champion.
During the day we met with several other wildlife carers and potential members who were enthusiastic about starting a Rotary club to rescue wildlife in their city. On Andy and Bob’s advice, I set May 15 as the launch date for the new Rotary club.
During the weeks following the community assessment in March, I connected with the developer Peet, who was fully supportive of our idea. They offered their sales office for our launch and as a meeting place for the new club. I also met with a small local public relations company, who shared our vision to bring Rotary to the city. They voluntarily agreed to help with Facebook designs and marketing to attract members for the launch.
With the support and financial backing of then District 9640 Governor Dave Harmon, we held our evening cocktail launch in May. Twenty-one prospective members attended the event due to the excellent Facebook marketing by the PR company.
PICTURED: Then District Governor Dave Harmon, centre, at the formal charter of the Rotary Club of Flagstone Wildlife Rescue on June 19, when 28 members were inducted into the club.
After welcoming attendees, I invited Bob to give a presentation on the plight of the wildlife and the need for a community organisation to help with rescue work. Andy joined me at the launch and did his popular 10-minute Rotary pitch, asking: “Do you want to start a Rotary Club in Flagstone?” Sixteen of those present raised their hands to say ‘yes’ and signed up to be members.
Since our launch, I have invited developer Peet, PR company Artifex Marketing Studio, local motor car dealer Scenic Motors, wildlife group Barn, Flagstone Blokes, and Greenbank Services Club to join the club as corporate members.
It was motivating to see how fast the word spread about us starting a cause-based Rotary club and how many wanted to join. By June 1, we had 28 members. On June 19, then District Governor Dave Harmon and wife Robyn presented the charter and inducted charter President Bob Willy at the Peet office in Flagstone, witnessed by 35 people.
For more information, visit the Rotary Club of Flagstone Wildlife Rescue Facebook page.
MAIN PICTURE: The Rotary Club of Flagstone Wildlife Rescue currently has more than 110 rescued babies and animals in rehabilitation, which will be released when ready. These three eastern grey joeys were rescued in autumn and are currently still in care.