Year in Review
2025 – 2026
A year of service, community connection, youth development, and celebrating two decades of making a difference in Macquarie Park and beyond.
$28k+
Donated & raised for community
260+
DV care packs delivered
5
Youth programs sponsored
20
Years serving our community
Joint Presidents
Dr Heather Knox & Trina Phillips
Secretary
Lidia Scuglia
Treasurer
Paul Williamson & Ross Rocca
Incoming Presidents 2026–27
Craig Blissett & Dr Heather Knox
Foundation & Vocational Service
Sean Anzai · Lidia Scuglia · Roseanna Gallo
Youth & Community
Louis Jacquot · Arthur Murgatroyd · Trevor Madden
The club marks a remarkable milestone: two decades of Rotary service in Macquarie Park. The Changeover Night and 20th Anniversary Celebration at Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club brings together current members, past presidents, and the wider community to celebrate everything the club has achieved since its founding. The evening includes Pride of Workmanship Awards for four outstanding individuals, proposed community donations totalling $10,000, and a presentation of photos and stories spanning two decades of service.
On Saturday 2 May 2026, the club coordinated one of its most ambitious community projects: assembling hundreds of domestic violence care packs at the West Ryde Community Centre alongside Macquarie University medical students, members of other Rotary clubs, and local community volunteers. The project was funded by a $2,500 City of Ryde Council Grant, with Lidia brilliantly sourcing 200 backpacks from the travel industry — an outstanding contribution.
Packs Delivered To
Total: 260+ individual packs reaching victims across 6 agencies
Throughout the year the club continued its long-running food donation programme in partnership with Coles Lachlan's Line, collecting weekly food donations for the Community Care Association (CCA) in Eastwood. Trina, Ross, Shane and volunteers collected items each week, with Heather coordinating deliveries to CCA — a quiet but consistent act of service that supports families in crisis.
The club also participated in the Make A Stand Walk on 26 November 2025 through the Macquarie Park precinct, and collaborated with the Ryde Community Action Group on a long-term strategic plan to address domestic violence across the region.
Also Supported
Transitional Community Housing received a $1,500 donation from Carols profits — enough to house a family for over two months, according to Ian Thomson from the organisation.
The club's Tree of Joy at Lachlan's Line brought the community together in the spirit of giving. Members negotiated the spot, sourced the Christmas tree, created signage and decorations, and collected donated gifts for families in need. The initiative drew real pride from both past President Lydia and the wider membership — a true team effort full of enthusiasm and generosity.
On Sunday 1 March 2026, club members joined the Rotary Club of Epping to clean up Terrys Creek at Vimeira Park, Epping — part of Clean Up Australia Day. Volunteers including Heather, Trina, Craig, Arthur, Shayne and Leo rolled up their sleeves to care for the local waterway.
The club also committed a $384 donation to the Fellowship of the Trees' One Billion Trees project — contributing to global reforestation efforts as part of Rotary's environmental focus area.
The club's annual Carols on the Common brought festive joy to the community on Sunday 14 December 2025. Members coordinated months of preparation including planning meetings at Crowne Plaza, flyer distribution across Marsfield, Macquarie Park and surrounding streets, volunteer recruitment, banner production, and raffle prize collection.
The event was a genuine neighbourhood collaboration — North Ryde Rotary Club joined forces for flyer distribution, covering East Ryde, Epping, Lane Cove Road and surrounding areas. Macquarie Park Rotary covered Herring Road, Trafalgar Place, Quarry Road and nearby streets. The proceeds helped fund the $1,500 Transitional Housing donation.
Bunnings Sausage Sizzles are the club's bread and butter — and the 2025–2026 year saw multiple successful events at Bunnings Pymble and other stores. Members in purple "Say No to Domestic Violence" shirts, alongside Macquarie University medical student volunteers and RYLA candidate Barbod Beheshti, staffed two-shift days running from 7:15am to 4pm.
The April 2026 Pymble BBQ alone netted a profit of $1,586.40, and across the year the BBQs raised money for NSW Police Legacy, End Polio Now, youth programs (RYLA/RYPEN), the Rotary Foundation, and domestic violence organisations.
$1,586
Profit from April 2026 Bunnings BBQ alone
700+
Attendees served at the Macquarie Uni Park Run BBQ — May 2026
Saturday 18 April 2026 at Holy Spirit Hall — the club's Trivia Night doubled as a Compassion Pack donation drive. Guests were asked to bring backpacks, tote bags, nappies or toiletries for DV victims. Lidia organised the flyer, Craig managed the logistics, Trina and Roseanna wrote the questions, and the night brought together supporters, sponsors and community members for a fun evening with a purpose.
In partnership with Rotary Club of North Ryde and the Centre for Emotional Health at Macquarie University, the club ran a fundraising BBQ on Wally's Walk to serve 700+ Park Run participants. Members including Trina, Craig, Heather, Ross and Lidia were on-site from 6:30am, raising money for youth mental health research. The event was tied to the North Ryde eFun Run campaign and built a strong cross-club partnership that will continue in future years.
7 May 2026
Ryde-Parramatta Golf Club
The Healthcare Awards Night was one of the year's standout events, celebrating excellence in healthcare across the Ryde and Macquarie Park region. Judging was conducted by Heather, Roseanna and Lidia. Veronica Sharma prepared the beautiful event program and finalist certificates, Paul built the event website at rotaryawards.healthcare, and Trina secured an exceptional guest speaker.
Guest Speaker
Louisa Hope
Survivor of the Lindt Café siege · Co-founder, Victims of Terrorism Australia (VOTA)
The District Governor Michele Ellery and the Mayor of the City of Ryde attended, reflecting the event's significance to the wider district.
Sponsors
7 November 2025
Hyatt Regency, Sydney
Club members attended this prestigious state-level Rotary awards ceremony honouring outstanding NSW Police officers. The club fundraised throughout the year to support this event, including selling police soft toy dogs at Bunnings BBQs and Craig Blissett completing the NSW Police Legacy Remembrance Ride. A three-course dinner with drinks, live auctions, silent auction prizes and raffle tickets made for a memorable evening.
6 August 2026
The Epping Club · North West Metro Region
The club organised and hosts the North West Metro Region Police Awards — a major community event. Trina and Craig met with Police Command to secure nominations, and the Epping Club awarded a $5,000 Community Clubs Grant toward the event. Allegiance Home Loans sponsored at the Silver tier ($1,200), and detailed planning included catering, judging committees, and cake supply logistics.
District Recognition
Heather nominated Professor Lucy Morgan for the RIWA and she was announced as a Finalist — a wonderful recognition of a remarkable woman and a proud moment for the club. Trina attended the Parliament House notification ceremony on the club's behalf.
RYLA
Candidate Barbod Beheshti from the Macquarie University MD program attended the RYLA camp at Knox Grammar School, 11–17 January 2026. He returned to speak at the February breakfast meeting, inspiring members with his experience. Barbod has since volunteered at the April 2026 Bunnings BBQ, giving back to the club.
RYPEN
Cayden Dosoruth attended Summer RYPEN at Narrabeen in February 2026 and had a terrific time — with Corinne attending to experience the programme. A Winter RYPEN in the Blue Mountains was also organised for June 2026, with Corinne identifying a new candidate.
Intergenerational Program
A unique 10-week programme pairing Macquarie University Medical students with residents at Shalom Nursing Home ran on Thursday afternoons, designed by Corinne Dosoruth. The initiative built intergenerational connections and gave future doctors insight into aged care and community service.
STEM
The club sponsored a student to attend the Macquarie University Science Experience — a 3-day immersive STEM programme — further demonstrating the club's commitment to supporting young people in education and career pathways.
Eleven club members attended the International Women's Day High Tea at Hornsby RSL Club, supporting Rotary District 9685's Educational Scholarship Scheme. The event raised over $10,000 for Rotary District DV appeals — a magnificent contribution to supporting women affected by domestic violence.
The club contributed $1,000 to RC Beecroft's Global Grant for solar water pumps providing clean water at a cancer centre in India — a collaboration with RC North Ryde and RC Beecroft, proposed by Niranjan Deodhar.
A $500 deposit was paid toward two RAWCS-administered projects: the School Uniform Support Program in Bangladesh, and Aussie Bangla Smile — supporting children with cleft lip and palate surgeries.
The club marked World Polio Day (24 October 2025) with donations to the Rotary Foundation. Members celebrated Africa being declared free of wild polio virus and joined the End Polio Now train ride, continuing Rotary's decades-long mission to eradicate polio worldwide.
A $2,000 donation was made to Australian Rotary Health in support of the DG Partner Project: a PhD scholarship researching mental health in children aged 0–12 years — addressing the crucial need for early intervention.
Following a club vote, $1,200 was donated to the Rotary Foundation Annual Fund (March 2026) — reaffirming the club's commitment to Rotary's global humanitarian work.
The club supported MHERV — a Rotary project administered by the Rotary Club of Warners Bay that takes health education to rural and remote men — with a $750 donation from Bunnings BBQ proceeds.
Trina, Craig, Heather and Arthur attended the joint District 9660 & 9685 Conference in Newcastle. Craig and Trina also attended the District 9675 conference, bringing back inspiration and ideas to the club. The next conference is in Mudgee in March 2027 — early bird pricing available.
Arthur Murgatroyd
Welcomed as new member, October 2023
Scott Yung
Formally welcomed back to Rotary, 2025
Veronica Sharma
Joined as Friends of Rotary member in 2026, transitioning to full membership. Veronica contributed significantly to the Healthcare Awards event.
In March 2026, the club participated in a collaborative membership drive across all Ryde Rotary Clubs, with events on 17 March (morning) and 25 March (evening). Members including Heather, Trina, Lidia, Trevor and Ross attended in professional attire to talk about Rotary with the public.
District Funding Approved
The club secured a $1,000 District Grant to support the evening membership event — testament to the District's confidence in the club's approach.
The Annual General Meeting was held on Friday 14 November 2025 at The Governor Hotel. The club updated its constitution in line with new NSW Fair Trading requirements for incorporated associations, with Paul lodging the documentation with the Department of Fair Trading.
District 9685 is also merging with District 9675 — a significant structural change for the wider Rotary landscape in NSW.
10 July 2026
Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club — celebrating two decades of service, Pride of Workmanship Awards, and welcoming Craig Blissett & Dr Heather Knox as joint incoming Presidents.
6 August 2026
The Epping Club — the club's signature police recognition event. $5,000 Community Clubs Grant secured. Nominations being gathered by NSW Police.
6 November 2026
Ilumina, 1 Elizabeth Street Sydney — the state's premier Rotary police recognition event, above Martin Place metro.
13 December 2026
Sunday community Carols event — now entering its annual cycle as one of the club's best-loved community celebrations.
12–14 March 2027
Parklands Resort Mudgee. Early bird pricing ($345) available until 30 September 2026.
Planned
Collaboration with Epping Rotary for Dogs Day Out at Riding for the Disabled Ryde. EPIC Day of Service to continue. Membership growth across Ryde Rotary clubs.