About Rotary Club of Canberra Sunrise

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Who we are

We are an active group of 40 men and women committed to community service within our local community, across Australia and overseas, while at the same time having fun.

Our club started in 1993 and was the first Rotary breakfast club in the ACT and south eastern NSW region. 

What we do

Youth service has been the strong focus for our club since its inception.

We have provided financial and volunteer support for local high schools, many participants in the youth programs of Rotary in Australia and Rotary International, provided community membership for school boards and supported a wide range of other local and international youth programs.

A major activity, run annually since 1997, is the national Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) at Old Parliament House, primarily for senior secondary students around Australia.

One of our proudest achievements was the raising of over $150,000 in 2004 and 2005 for the re-construction of a larger building facility, following the 2003 Canberra bushfires at the Galilee School which cares for disadvantaged youth.

However we have a broad based program of activities to provide physical and financial support to the community. Some of the causes and activities in which our club has been involved over the years

include:

Locally

• Canberra Hospital - construction of planter boxes for the Rehabilitation Independent Living Unit
• Handy help - home and garden assistance for handicapped and/or the aged.
• Annual fundraising events - Great Debates and dinners - for specific local community/educational projects, such as the Galilee School.
• BBQ fundraising - to support various community activities, eg Wheelchair Foundation, Southcare Helicopter, Night Patrol Van
• Canberra Hospital Oncology Ward - financial support for plant hire to beautify surroundings.
• Soup kitchen in Garema Place run by Mrs Dabrowski - monthly financial support, for many years.
• National Youth Science Forum - financial support for gifted science and engineering secondary school students to attend Australian and overseas summer schools.
• Youth program sponsorships - for local youth to attend Rotary programs - Group Study Exchange, Young Aboriginal Rotary Networks, Rotary Youth Leadership Award, Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment.

Nationally

• Australian Rotary Health Foundation - financial support for medical research
• Disaster relief - fundraising for victims
• National charity fundraising appeals - doorknocking by Club volunteers
• Australian organisations - direct donations, eg Royal Flying Doctors Service

Internationally

• Polio Plus program - raising funds for the global elimination of polio.
• Malaria eradication - provision of mosquito nets in Pacific countries.
• Various overseas projects - water wells and assistance to street children in Mongolia, disability accommodation in East Timor, mine clearance.
• Literacy projects in developing countries - providing serviceable equipment, children's toys, books, school desks and materials to assist various Rotary projects.
• Disaster relief - fund raising for Tsunami victims.
• Youth exchange and Ambassadorial Scholars - hosting and sponsoring international high school student exchanges and university scholars sponsored by Rotary International.

More information?

If you are interested in finding our more about our club please contact us.