Rotary Southern Districts

ROTARY DOLLARS AT WORK – Sewing a Better Future
The sewing machines donated through Rotary are changing lives.
Thirty refugee women and young people completed tailoring training.
The outcome?
🧵 10 have started their own tailoring businesses
🧵 12 have secured employment
🧵 Families now have a reliable source of income and renewed confidence for the future
A sewing machine may seem like a simple gift.
For these families, it is a pathway to dignity and independence.

💙 Changing Lives Through Community Support
Recently, the Rotary Club of Southern Districts had the privilege of helping a local family by providing an Ipad computer that will assist a young student living with dyslexia.

When his mother approached our club seeking support, members recognised how important access to the right technology can be in helping a child communicate, learn, and build confidence.

President-Nominee Petch Folvig was delighted to present the laptop on behalf of the club, knowing that this simple device can make a real difference to a young person's educational journey.

At Rotary, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, and sometimes a single act of support can help open that door.

To protect the family's privacy, the recipient is not shown

A Rotary Community Grant Helping Save Threatened Black Cockatoos
We were delighted to receive this update from the Black Cockatoo Preservation Society and the team at Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre.
In 2025, the Rotary Club of Southern Districts provided funding towards the construction and installation of three artificial nest boxes for threatened black cockatoos.
The nest boxes were installed by Simon Cheeriman from Re-cyc-ology and have served a dual purpose—providing valuable educational opportunities for visiting school groups while also creating safe breeding sites for some of Western Australia's most iconic bird species.
The results have exceeded expectations.
In their very first breeding season, two of the three nest boxes were successfully occupied:
🖤 A pair of Endangered Carnaby's Black Cockatoos raised a chick.
🖤 A pair of Vulnerable Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoos also successfully raised and fledged a chick.
Every chick successfully raised helps strengthen the future of these threatened species and demonstrates the value of community organisations, volunteers and local partnerships working together.
We are proud that a Rotary Community Grant has played a small part in helping protect Western Australia's unique wildlife.
A huge thank you to the Black Cockatoo Preservation Society for the incredible work they do every day.
To learn more about the incredible work being done to protect Western Australia's threatened black cockatoos, visit Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre.
Or their page here https://www.facebook.com/kaarakin

ROTARY DOLLARS AT WORK – Creating Opportunity in Uganda
What happens when Rotary provides practical tools instead of handouts?
In Uganda's Nakivale Refugee Settlement, support from the Rotary Club of Southern Districts has helped establish vocational training programs in tailoring, computer skills, baking and soap-making.
The results so far:
✅ 58+ refugees trained
✅ 22 people now employed or self-employed
✅ 16 new small businesses established
✅ 58 new students currently enrolled in training programs
Every sewing machine, laptop and training opportunity is helping families move from dependence to independence.
This is Rotary in action. 🌏💙

Tonight we heard from Darren from every daughter matters, talking about human trafficing.
Darren Reynolds, he is the Western Australian engagement representative for Every Daughter Matters, an Australian charity focused on preventing the trafficking of women and girls from Nepal into India. Darren regularly speaks at Rotary clubs across Western Australia about the charity's work and the fight against human trafficking

💻 From Refugee to Community IT Specialist
When Joseph arrived at Uganda's Nakivale Refugee Settlement after fleeing violence in Congo, he had never used a computer and had little hope for the future.
Thanks to computer training provided through Grapes of New Hope and supported by the Rotary Club of Southern Districts, Joseph completed six months of digital skills training and now operates a small computer services business in the settlement. He helps local residents with typing, printing, photocopying and online applications while earning an income to support himself.
"When anyone needs help with a computer, they come to me."
One laptop, one opportunity, one life transformed. 🌏💙

If you need a reason, here's 10!

June Challenge for market buyers

🌧️ Fingers crossed the rain stays away and the markets go ahead this Sunday! But if the weather beats us this week, don’t worry — the challenge runs for the whole month of June, so there’s still plenty of time to join the fun.

🎯 Introducing the Maddington Markets “$5 Treasure Challenge!”

Can you find the most unusual, interesting, useful or unbelievable bargain at the markets for just $5 or less?

Each week during June, we’re challenging our visitors to hunt for hidden treasures, quirky finds, vintage bargains, collectibles, tools, toys, books, kitchen gadgets — anything that makes you say:
👉 “I can’t believe I found this for five bucks!”

📸 Here’s how to join in:
✅ Find your treasure at the markets
✅ Take a photo of it
✅ Post it in the comments or on your page and tag the markets
✅ Tell us what you paid and why it’s a great find

🏆 At the end of June we’ll feature some of the best finds, with People’s Choice bragging rights going to the post that gets the most likes and attention.

One person’s junk really is another person’s treasure — and Maddington Markets is full of them!

📍 Maddington Markets
🕔 Every Sunday morning
💰 Bargains, fun, coffee, food and treasure hunting all in one place.

Tonight we were privileged to hear from Emma from Mumma Respond.
Emma shared the inspiring story of how Mumma Respond supports mothers and families facing difficult circumstances, providing practical assistance, dignity and hope when it is needed most.
Her passion and commitment to helping others was evident throughout her presentation and was a powerful reminder of the difference community organisations can make in people's lives.
Thank you, Emma, for taking the time to share your story with us and for the important work being carried out by the Mumma Respond team.

On Tuesday, May 19, we celebrated our annual Community Grants presentations with over 70 guests. On the night, 27 community groups were presented with individual grants totalling $40,000. Each grant is used by these community groups to finance a project which we believe will create a more caring community for our local area. A great night was had by all and clearly displayed the generosity of the Rotary Club of Southern Districts and the willingness of local community groups to develop our community further.
Well done to all those who helped make the night a success, particularly PDG Malcolm Kerr and Rotarian Susan Howlett.