Stories

The Great Duck Race 2025

The excitement is building and the ducks are all in a row so it is time to start getting involved in the 2025 Great Duck Race to be held on Sunday 30 November 2025 in the Strathalbyn Soldiers Memorial Gardens.  (Check out the video below to see what all the excitement is about.)  There are several ways to be part of the day.  Of course the first is to buy your duck in the great race by purchasing a ticket that will match the number on a duck.  You can visit the website https://www.raffletix.com.au?ref=rkmzx or scan the QR Code.

RAFFLE TICKET CODE

There is the Best Corporate Duck and Corporate Duck Race for businesses in the area.  If you own a business and would like to be involved then follow this link to register and we will be in touch.

And now a new and exciting addition to the day. THE BEST DRESSED FAMILY DUCK.  50 spots for a family to dress a duck and have their own race.  You will need a naked duck ($15) which we will supply and $20 to enter and then just your crafty imagination.  Follow this link to register and we will be in touch.

And of course come along on the day for a great day of free family fun which includes the Christmas Market.  And you can also browse the picturesque town of Strathalbyn and check out all the local businesses.

If you are coming from the city the Steamranger will be leaving Mt Barker on the day to bring you to Strathalbyn.  The timetable and bookings will open soon so keep checking the Steamranger website.

We can't wait to see you on 30 November 2025.

 

 

 The Great Duck Race 2025 Viv 2025-10-26 13:30:00Z 0

Community Grant Applications

ROTARY CLUB OF STRATHALBYN COMMUNITY GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

The Rotary Club of Strathalbyn encourages community groups and organisations to apply to the club for small grants.

The club will consider applications from those groups in the local Strathalbyn district and surrounds (Langhorne Creek, Milang, Clayton Bay, Ashbourne and Woodchester) requiring funding of up to $1,000 for small projects where they are unable to meet the total cost.  This could be for administrative things such as computers, or an event or larger project which has supporting funds from elsewhere.  Groups are encouraged to provide cash and in-kind support for their projects. 

Applications are assessed on their merit by the  Rotary Club of Strathalbyn Board and must meet the following criteria:

Applications will be considered from:

  • Voluntary organisations
  • Not for profit organisations
  • Community Groups/Organisations
  • Educational Institutions

Priority will be given to projects or activities that:

  • Attempt to meet needs within the local community.                                        
  • Have a positive, social, economic, and environmental impac.t
  • Stimulate community interest and enthusiasm.
  • Assistance in kind.
  • Assistance with event organisation.

For further information please email secretary@strathrotary.org.au 

To submit an application please fill in the application form https://forms.gle/zeRiJQCv8SEHdXrd7

 Community Grant Applications Viv 2025-08-20 14:30:00Z 0

2025 Strathalbyn Antique Fair & Treasure Market

The Rotary Club of Strathalbyn is once again teaming up with The Strathalbyn Tourism Association to bring the 2025 Strathalbyn Antiques and Vintage Fair & 2 day Treasure Market Weekend on the 16th and 17th of August 2025.

The event will once again be held at the Strathalbyn Oval, where the Carruthers (Show) Hall, Coronation Road and the Oval Function Centre, Ashbourne Road Strathalbyn will be the place to find those hidden gems.  Enter via either street entrance.

The Strathalbyn Tourism Association is coordinating the fair with an exceptionally good value entry cost of $5 per day (U12 free). This will give you entry to both halls and the Rotary Treasure Market. The Gilberts Motor Museum in High Street will also have a 2 day market with Strathalbyn retailers selling their antiquies, collectables, crafts and great coffee and food.   

The Rotary Club of Strathalbyn is excited to be hosting the ever-popular Treasure Market on both Saturday and Sunday at the Strathalbyn Oval, Coronation Rd Strathalbyn.  

There will be more than 50 stall holders for visitors to browse through.

Spend a day or the whole weekend in beautiful Strathalbyn. Enjoy the halls and Gilbert’s Motor Museum, the antique, homewares and specialty shops and the cafes and pubs. Come along and Find Something Fabulous!

If you would like to participate as a stall holder at the Trash & Treasure please email strathtreasuremarket@gmail.com  or 0400 279 297, registration is now open - but you must be quick.

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2025 Strathalbyn Antique Fair & Treasure Market Vivienne Goodenough 2025-08-15 14:30:00Z 0

Back to School Vouchers

Families in Strathalbyn sometimes need help with getting the things students need for their schooling.
 
The Fleurieu Community Foundation has provided school vouchers to students in need across the Fleurieu for many years.  This has been made possible with grants from the Sidney Myer Foundation.  For the 2025 school year, the Foundation decided to put its funds elsewhere.  However The Fleurieu Community Foundation committed to continuing this support so the Rotary Club of Strathalbyn decided to take action to ensure schools in our area would still benefit.  Teaming up with the Strathalbyn Lions Club, three great NFP groups have made that happen. 
Back to School vouchers for families at all campuses of the Eastern Fleurieu School and Tyndale School were presented by volunteers from all three groups. Working with the Fleurieu Community Foundation, we provided over 100 vouchers. Well-being staff at the schools help target the vouchers to meet the needs. Early feedback has been very positive about how this is helping students.  This will be a focus for our club in the coming years.
 
 Back to School Vouchers Viv 2025-05-11 14:30:00Z 0

Hay for SA Farmers

South Australian farmers need Hay Heroes!
The Rotary Club of Strathalbyn has just donated a whole truck load of hay to our South Australian Farmers. The Rotary community around the state are helping out and you can also make a difference with a small donation. Please read on to see how you can help.
South Australian farmers need Hay Heroes!
Some 93% of South Australian crops failed last year and farmers are having a horrific time sourcing quality feed for their livestock. It’s not just the expense they are battling, it’s that there is precious little available for purchase locally.
Rotary has stepped up and, in partnership with Farmers Relief Agency, is purchasing 600kg bales of hay from Victoria, freighting it into SA and donating it to farmers in desperate need. It is being sourced from areas known to be snail, fruit fly and frost-burn free.
In the first four weeks our Drought Relief program purchased and delivered 242 tonnes of hay. Each bale costs $110. A truckload of 32 bales is $3,520. The SA Dept of Primary Industries and Regions is covering the freight charges.
Will you be a Hay Hero? Please donate so that Rotary can continue buying hay to keep SA livestock alive.
Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible and EVERY dollar helps.
 Hay for SA Farmers Vivienne Goodenough 2025-04-26 14:30:00Z 0
The Great Duck Race 2024 2025-01-04 13:30:00Z 0

The Great Duck Race -  1 December 2024

                               
The Great Duck Race 1 December 2024
Join us for the Raine & Horne Duck Race on Sunday 1 December 2024.  The Rotary Club of Strathalbyn will again bring you a fun filled, free family day in the Strathalbyn Soldiers Memorial Gardens. 
The fun starts at 10:00am where you can enjoy 3 heats of the race, and the great final event with 2500 ducks floating down the river for a shot at first place with the winning duck securing their raffle ticket holder a $1,000 cash prize.  There will also by the Corporate Duck Race where there will be over 70 corporate ducks fighting for the honor of winner and bragging rights.  Business's will also vie for the Best Dressed Duck trophy.
You can check out the program for the day https://strathrotary.org.au/Page/2024-duck-race-program
Raffle tickets to secure a duck in the race can be purchased by scanning the QR Code below or going to the Raffletix website.  There are only 2500 tickets and they sell out well before the day, so don't wait too long to purchase. 
PLEASE NOTE - There will not be paper tickets available on the day, however you will be able to purchase using the QR Code which will be displayed on the day.
 
You can also join in the fun by boarding the Steam Ranger Duck Train in Mt Barker. Go to https://www.steamrangerheritagerailway.org/event/the-great-strathalbyn-duck-race/
 
 
 
Major Sponsor - 
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The Great Duck Race - 1 December 2024 2024-11-30 13:30:00Z 0

The Great Duck Race -  November 2023

                               
The Great Duck Race 19 NOVEMBER 2023
The excitement is building as the plans for the Duck Race are taking shape.  Its now time for you to purchase your raffle ticket.  Every ticket gets you a yellow duck that matches your raffle ticket number and the chance to win a prize from the $2000 prize pool.  The major prize is $1,000.  Be quick so that you do not miss out.  There are 2,500 ducks up for grabs and once the tickets are sold the opportunity is gone.   Scan the QR code or go the the link to purchase. 
 
We are teaming up with the Adelaide Rally https://www.adelaiderally.com.au/strathalbyn who will be running their annual event through the Hills and Fleurieu with over 400 rally cars coming to Strathalbyn on the day.  There will be a time trial street circuit around the town and park, and you can enjoy the fun of the Duck Race in the Park.  There will be food vans, and a market run by the Strathalbyn CWA with lots of market stalls and plenty of fun for the kids.  The Steamranger will be running a Duck Race train from Mt Barker so you can go to https://www.steamrangerheritagerailway.org/event/strathalbyn-duck-train/   if you would like to catch the train.  
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The Great Duck Race - November 2023 2023-11-18 13:30:00Z 0
Greg Page talks about Rotary and Heart of the Nation Viv 2022-08-04 14:30:00Z 0

Rotary’s Response to the 1918 Flu Pandemic

An estimated 500 million people worldwide became infected. Many cities closed theaters and cinemas, and placed restrictions on public gatherings. Rotary clubs adjusted their activities while also helping the sick.

This is how Rotary responded to the influenza pandemic that began in 1918 and came in three waves, lasting more than a year.

The Rotary Club of Berkeley, California, USA, meets in John Hinkel Park during the 1918 flu pandemic.

Photo by Edwin J. McCullagh, 1931-32 club president. Courtesy of the Rotary Club of Berkeley.

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Rotary’s Response to the 1918 Flu Pandemic 2020-11-05 06:00:00Z 0

Rotary at the Start of the United Nations

Rotary and the United Nations have a shared history of working toward peace and addressing humanitarian issues around the world.

During World War II, Rotary informed and educated members about the formation of the United Nations and the importance of planning for peace. Materials such as the booklet “From Here On!” and articles in The Rotarian helped members understand the UN before it was formally established and follow its work after its charter. 

Many countries were fighting the war when the term “United Nations” was first used officially in the 1942 “Declaration by United Nations.” The 26 nations that signed it pledged to uphold the ideals expressed by the United States and the United Kingdom the previous year of the common principles “on which they based their hopes for a better future for the world.” 

 

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Rotary at the Start of the United Nations 2020-11-05 06:00:00Z 0

History of Women in Rotary

Women are active participants in Rotary, serving their communities in increasing numbers and serving in leadership positions in Rotary. The 1989 Council on Legislation vote to admit women into Rotary clubs worldwide remains a watershed moment in the history of Rotary.
 
 “My fellow delegates, I would like to remind you that the world of 1989 is very different to the world of 1905. I sincerely believe that Rotary has to adapt itself to a changing world,” said Frank J. Devlyn, who would go on to become RI president in 2000-01. 
 
The vote followed the decades-long efforts of men and women from all over the Rotary world to allow the admission of women into Rotary clubs, and several close votes at previous Council meetings.
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History of Women in Rotary 2020-11-05 06:00:00Z 0