Final Presidential Address – Ben Brown


President’s Message – A Season of Connection and Contribution
Dear RSIN Members,
As we reflect on the first half of the year, I’m filled with pride and gratitude. RSIN continues to thrive as a space where passion meets purpose—and where service doesn’t require a postcode, just heart.
In June, we celebrated the magic of Rotary Fellowship, welcomed new and long-standing members, rolled up our sleeves for an EPIC Day of Impact, and received meaningful recognition from the broader Rotary community.
Thank you for showing up with your ideas, your energy, and your belief in what we’re building together. Let’s keep the momentum going—with kindness, creativity, and connection leading the way.
In service,
Ben Brown
President, RSIN 2024–25

 
Changeover Night – Celebrating Milestones & Momentum
Our 2025 Changeover Night was a joyful celebration of impact, community, and new beginnings.
• RSIN Turns 5!
Five years of meaningful service, bold innovation, and lasting connection.
• Welcome, New Members!
A warm RSIN welcome to Ian, Shant, Alice, Christian, and Andrew. We’re thrilled to have you with us!
• Outstanding Contribution Awards
Congratulations to Michelle, Amanda, Ethan, Sadaya, and Katharina for your incredible service and dedication to RSIN.
• Paul Harris Fellow Sapphire
Ben Brown was honoured with the Paul Harris Fellow Sapphire Pin—an esteemed recognition from Rotary International.
“The PHF Sapphire doesn’t just represent service—it represents every shared experience throughout my Rotary journey, every project brought to life, every act of service sparked by action, and every person who has inspired me along the way.”
– Ben Brown
A heartfelt thank you to all who attended—especially Ben’s mum, sister, and brother—for making the night truly special.

 
RSIN Recognised – Celebrating Club Excellence
We’re proud to announce that RSIN has received two significant recognitions:
• Best Website – Small Club Category
Celebrating our innovative, inclusive, and engaging online presence.
• Rotary Community Corps Certificate – Youth Enrichment
Honouring RSIN’s impact in empowering young people through leadership and advocacy.
These awards reflect the creativity, commitment, and heart of our members—thank you for being part of this journey.

 
EPIC Day of Impact – Rotary in Action, RSIN Style
RSIN showed up in a big way for Rotary’s EPIC Day of Impact:
• 6 members (plus friends) participated
• 2 blood donations – potentially saving up to 6 lives
• 3 community clean-ups
• 1 cancer fun run
To everyone who took part—thank you for making service visible, personal, and powerful. It truly was an EPIC day!

 
June is Rotary Fellowship Month
Fellowship is at the heart of Rotary—and in June, we celebrated what makes RSIN truly special: friendships across distance, connection beyond borders, and a sense of belonging in every interaction.
Whether in a Zoom breakout, a group chat, or a kind message—RSIN proves that Rotary is not a place, but a people.
As Fellowship Month concludes, let’s keep building a community grounded in kindness, curiosity, and care.

 
Wishing the Best of Luck to President-Elect Katharina
As we look ahead to a new Rotary year, we send our warmest wishes to President-Elect Katharina.
Your calm leadership, thoughtful presence, and service-driven spirit will guide RSIN into its next exciting chapter. We’re proud to support you on this journey.

 
 
RSIN – A Home for Today’s Rotarian
The Rotary Social Impact Network is more than a club—it’s a home for Rotarians seeking a flexible and meaningful way to stay engaged.
In the busyness of life—juggling careers, family, study, health, and change—RSIN is a space to stay connected to Rotary, purpose, and people.
• We are Rotarians.
• We are changemakers.
• We are people of action who believe service should fit life—not the other way around.
Whether you’re a lifelong Rotarian or just exploring, RSIN offers a way to keep making a difference—on your terms, in your time, and with a supportive community by your side.
Here, flexibility meets purpose.
Here, you still belong.
Here, you are still Rotary.

 
Final President’s Statement – Vision & Legacy
As I wrap up my term as President, I do so with a heart full of gratitude and a vision fulfilled.
My hope was to create a club where Rotary feels accessible, inspired, and alive—no matter where you are. A place where people can show up as they are and leave feeling more connected, more hopeful, and more empowered.
We’ve done that—together.
The legacy I leave is one of belonging, flexibility, and heart-led service. Every member, every moment, every spark of kindness adds to that story.
To our future leaders: lead with courage, listen deeply, and keep believing in what’s possible. The future of RSIN is bright—I thank each and every member for their ongoing commitment, dedication, and service to our club. I look forward to continuing to serve alongside you under the leadership of Incoming President Katharina.

With Rotary love,
Ben Brown
President, RSIN 2024–25

District Excellence Award – website

Kicking goals this year! Thanks to the support of @d9510online this year we finally set up our website and it’s pretty cool 🙌🏽❤️

Thanks for the recognition District 9685.

We’ve sponsored a Rotary Community Corps

We have acted as sponsor club for our home district’s (winter) Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment committee to form as a Rotary Community Corps – these means members of the committee are now formally recognized as an entity under Rotary.
More doing Rotary differently 😊

NSW Flood Relief – how you can help

As communities across New South Wales face one of the most devastating flood emergencies in recent memory, we are once again called to act with compassion and urgency.
In just two days, parts of the state have received four months’ worth of rain, triggering flash floods that have inundated homes, cut off entire towns, and tragically claimed lives. Over 50,000 residents have been warned to evacuate or prepare for isolation, with major flooding affecting areas such as Taree, Wingham, Dungog, and the Mid North Coast.

Emergency services are stretched thin, conducting hundreds of rescues while many residents remain stranded. The full scale of the disaster is still unfolding, and the need for coordinated support is growing by the hour.

Rotary District 9660 is mobilising to assist affected communities. Disaster coordinators are being appointed, and collaboration with local authorities is underway. As with the Queensland response, mental health support will be a critical focus in the recovery phase.

How You Can Help:

There are two trusted ways to contribute:
District 9660 Disaster Fund Account
(For immediate use by clubs and districts – not tax deductible) 
            Account Name: Rotary District 9660
            BSB: 082798
            Account Number: 599 583 002
 

                                         and/or
 
Rotary Foundation Disaster Response Fund
(Tax-deductible in Australia – ideal for individual donations, in support of the Disaster Response Grant application that is being prepared by the district)
DONATE HERE