About Rotary Phillip Island & San Remo

Penguin Parade Visitor Centre - credit: Wee Ping Khoo

The Rotary Club of Phillip Island and San Remo

The Rotary Club of Phillip Island and San Remo was originally chartered on the 4th of May 1977. We are a small Island and village community at the entrance to Western Port Bay. We are surrounded by an amazing number of wildlife attractions and magnificent scenery.

Our enthusiastic members are all committed to having fun and fellowship whilst networking and providing humanitarian community service; both locally, Australia wide and internationally.

We enjoy great diversity within our Club, which is an important asset for us as we engage with many diverse communities in need.

The Rotary Club of Phillip Island and San Remo provides:

  • Service opportunities – the satisfaction of giving back to your community.
  • Friendship – enjoying fellowship and camaraderie with like-minded people
  • Good Citizenship – meetings inform us about what is taking place in our local community, the nation and internationally
  • Professional networking opportunities – membership represents a cross section of our community
  • Youth Development – we sponsor a wide range of Youth Development Programs including Youth Exchange
  • International Awareness – the opportunity to build goodwill and peace throughout the world
  • Leadership development – team building, fundraising, public speaking, planning, organization and communication are some of the skills that club members have the opportunity to develop.
  • Diversity in membership – we represent a wide variety of the communities professional men and women, including leaders in business, industry, primary producers, the arts, government and education.
  • Ethical Environment – Rotary encourages high ethical standards in one’s profession and respect for others. Rotarians abide by THE FOUR-WAY TEST for the things we think, say or do:
  • Is it the TRUTH?
  • Is it FAIR to all concerned?
  • Will it build GOODWILL & BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
  • Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Meetings

Our club meets every Monday from 6:00 pm until about 8:00 pm.

Every meeting follows roughly the same format and traditions are respected. However, as a rule, meetings have both formal and informal elements and fun and fellowship are a priority. The opportunity to enjoy a meal with members is provided every week. This rotates from semi-formal to informal each week, although not everyone participates in the dining opportunity every week. Again individual member choice is respected.

Guest Speakers & Visitors Welcome

Most meetings include the opportunity to hear from a speaker. We are very fortunate that we have some interesting and esteemed members of our community that are willing to share their achievements, challenges and lessons with us.

We also hear from travelling speakers and invited guests from around the world, as well as Rotary members reporting back on humanitarian work they have been involved in.

Visitors are always welcome and if you would like to learn more about our Club and attend any of our meetings as a visitor you will always be welcome, and made welcome!

Phillip Island and San Remo Stories


Club 2024 Change Over Dinner

Jun 2024

The Rotary Club of Phillip Island and San Remo held their annual Change Over Dinner on Monday night, celebrating a year of community service and welcoming new leadership at the Foreshore Bar and Restaurant in Rhyll. The outgoing President, Rob Robertson, highlighted the club's achievements, including the Rotary Rehabilitation Garden, support for Change For Sam, clean water projects in Timor-Leste, collaboration with St John's Church for Community Meals, and various local school projects.

Rob praised the revenue from the Cowes Op Shop, which supports local, national, and international projects, and thanked the volunteers, especially Diane Thomas, the shop manager. Incoming District Governor Colin Byron lauded the club's dedication and range of activities.

Awards were presented to Judy Lawrence and Peter Buitenhaus (Paul Harris Fellow) and Keith Gregory (Honorary Membership).

Guests enjoyed a locally sourced dinner and live music by Tom Green, a versatile singer and musician from Bass Coast.

The new president, Gea Lovell, shared her vision for expanding youth programs and enhancing environmental and community projects.