District 9640 are the champion District in Zone 8 (Australia and New Zealand). Our net growth is +144. Our membership is 1321, with a 12% growth. 476 of our members are female. 115 are under 40. Our membership retention is 94%.

Congratulations to the 30 clubs in our district that increased members and the 14 clubs that retained members. Today D9640 is the 7th largest Rotary district out of the 19 districts in Australia. 238 new members have joined our clubs in the last 250 days. 89 joined the 4 new clubs we chartered. 149 joined our existing 53 clubs.

Last December, on the way back from Stanthorpe Rotary after my last official club visit, I stopped in a small farming town in Queensland for a breakfast chat with Allora Rotary President Norm and charter member Bill. 

Allora lost 4 members last July and became the 2nd smallest club in our district with 6 members. 

They shared with pride the great work the club had done for over 55 years in the community, especially sponsoring teenagers from the local high school to attend Rotary youth programs. 

In a light bulb moment, I suggested to President Norm, if he would like to personally write to each of these young people who benefited from the club to come forward and “help save the Rotary Club of Allora!” 

Last Christmas President Norm did exactly that. 

6 out of the 10 young people he wrote to responded with a YES. 4 young ladies all under 25 years who had attended RYLA and RYPEN a few years ago, joined the Allora Rotary Club this February. 2 others are ready to join in April. 

The club decided to waive off Rotary dues for these under 30’s for next 24 months as they are students. Charity begins at home ha! 

The club moved to a monthly hybrid meeting style of face to face and zoom, so that these young members studying in Universities far away in Brisbane & Toowoomba could join them. 

I joined their Zoom meeting on 8th March together with my district Club Development Chairman David Baguley. It was a high energy zoom meeting with so much enthusiasm, with these young people being part of the Rotary experience. 

Allora Rotary grew from 5 to 9 members in 30 days!