September Guest Speaker Night: Rotary Club of Southern Mitchell & Their Recycling Program
Our September guest speaker night was a great opportunity to connect with fellow Rotarians, share ideas and learn more about the fantastic work happening in other local communities.
We were delighted to welcome the Rotary Club of Southern Mitchell, with speaker Rose King sharing the story behind their Collect to Project initiative, which supports Lids4Kids, and how the project has grown over time.
Collect to Project: Giving Everyday Items a New Life
Since launching, the project has processed and donated an incredible 398kg of plastic lids!
What began as an initiative supporting Lids4Kids has continued to evolve, expanding to include the recycling of medicine blister packs, beer and wine bottle tops, and pull tabs. These everyday items are collected and given a new purpose rather than potentially ending up in landfill.
It's a great example of how a simple idea can grow into something meaningful through community involvement, persistence and a shared commitment to sustainability.
Supporting People in Their Local Community
But recycling was just one part of the story!
Rose also shared some of the other wonderful work happening through the Rotary Club of Southern Mitchell, including their local op shop and a thoughtful initiative at their community laundromat.
Every Wednesday between 9am and 12pm, club members pay for laundry loads for anyone who comes in and needs a helping hand.
It's a simple but meaningful way to support people doing it tough, helping ease the pressure of an everyday expense that can sometimes be difficult to manage.
We loved hearing how their club combines environmental sustainability with practical support for people in their community. It's a reminder that making a difference doesn't always require a huge project or a big budget. Sometimes, it's the small acts of kindness that have the biggest impact on someone's day.
Rock Paper Scissors Olympics!
Of course, we couldn't have a night of community connection without a few laughs!
We kicked off the evening with our very own Rock Paper Scissors Olympics and discovered that some of our Rotarians had never even played rock paper scissors before. Proof that you're never too old to learn something new!
Congratulations to David, a complete rock paper scissors newbie, who took home the title of champion!
It was a fun way to get everyone involved and start the evening with plenty of laughs before settling in for our guest speaker.
Sharing Ideas and Inspiring Each Other
One of the great things about being part of Rotary is the opportunity to connect with other clubs, hear what's working in their communities and take inspiration back to our own projects.
From recycling initiatives and environmental sustainability to supporting people through everyday challenges, the Rotary Club of Southern Mitchell showed us just how many different ways there are to make a positive difference.
A huge thank you to Rose and the Rotary Club of Southern Mitchell for joining us, sharing your stories and giving us plenty to think about!
We love seeing clubs support one another, exchange ideas and remind us all that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a lasting difference.
