What we've been up to
Winter Gala
 
 
 

Winter Masquerade Gala - A Night of Elegance and Fun!
Great news! Earlybird price extended to June 11th

The Rotary Club of Bairnsdale Sunrise cordially invites you to step into a world of mystery and celebration at our Winter Masquerade Gala! This spectacular event promises an unforgettable evening of exquisite music, delectable food, and great company, all in support of a wonderful cause.

Date: June 21 2025
Time: 6pm- midnight
Venue: Club Eastwood 117 Great Alpine Road. Lucknow

Event Highlights:

  • Music by The Jimmy’s: Get ready to dance the night away to the lively tunes of The Jimmy's, a local band known for their infectious energy and great vibes.

  • 2-Course Meal Featuring Local Produce: Indulge in a delicious two-course meal crafted from the finest local produce.

  • Complimentary Sparkling Wine on Arrival: Begin the night with a glass of Sparkling Wine, generously provided by Lightfoot Wines, setting the perfect tone for an evening of celebration.

Ticket Details:

  • General Admission: $150 per person (Tables of 8)

  • Early Bird Special: $120 per person (Available before 6 June)

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Bin Fairies to the Rescue: Young Volunteers Help Slash Market Waste


The Howitt Park Market in Bairnsdale is turning heads—not just for its vibrant stalls and community spirit, but for its groundbreaking approach to waste management. Thanks to the Rotary Club of Bairnsdale Sunrise, the market has achieved an impressive 90% waste diversion rate, significantly reducing landfill contributions.

This success stems from a comprehensive, color-coded waste-sorting system: red for landfill, yellow for recyclables, dark blue for container deposit items, green for compostables, and a separate collection for single-use coffee cups. Clear signage and regular announcements guide visitors, while dedicated volunteers assist in proper waste disposal.

Leading the charge is Carlye Laws from The WasteNot Movement, affectionately known as the "bin fairy." Her monthly presence educates attendees on composting and recycling, making sustainability approachable and engaging.

The initiative has also inspired local youth. Nagle College students, including Lily Seymour, have joined as volunteer "bin fairies," bringing enthusiasm and a fresh perspective to the cause. "It's great to see young people wanting to get involved," says Club President Clare Marriott Smith. "They bring energy and enthusiasm, and they’re really passionate about the environment."

With support from the East Gippsland Shire Council and active participation from stallholders and visitors, the market's waste reduction efforts have become a model for community-driven environmental action. As Clare notes, "It’s amazing what can happen when people work together."

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Bike Education Track

The Sunrise Rotary Group is excited to announce a community-driven initiative to create a Bike Education Track in East Gippsland. The track will be among the beautiful trees in the park and conveniently located near Lucknow Primary School, kindergarten and childcare centre as well as near Eastwood Retirement Village. This project is driven by the desire to provide a local, safe space for bike education and mobility training for all ages and abilities.

How you can help

We’re offering a unique way for you to contribute to this important cause by purchasing personalised pavers that will become part of the very foundation of our new track. Your donation will go directly toward funding the construction and maintenance of this valuable community resource.

Why Buy a Paver?

  • Leave Your Mark: Each paver can be engraved with your name. This is a lasting way to be part of the project and show your commitment to enhancing local education and recreation.

  • Support a Great Cause: The funds raised from the sale of these pavers will help cover the costs of construction, safety features, and ongoing maintenance of the track. Every contribution makes a difference.

  • Make a Lasting Impact: The Bike Education Track will serve as a community hub for years to come, offering a safe space for people of all ages to learn and practice bike safety. Your support will help ensure it is a place of growth, learning, and enjoyment for generations.

  • To find out more and purchase a paver head to page/bike-education-track

Oncology Bags

‘TOGETHER -WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE’

‘TOGETHER -WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE’
(left to right - Melissa Hopley (President of Riviera Quilts), Ashley Leach (prostate cancer specialist nurse) Simone Wake (oncology nurse), Wendy Whitchurch (Oncology Num), Anthony Kuick (Managing Partner Chemist Warehouse Bairnsdale), Jodie Campain (Cancer nurse Coordinator), Clare Marriot-Smith (President Rotary Club of Bairnsdale Sunrise).

The Rotary Club of Bairnsdale Sunrise, Riviera Quilters and Chemist Warehouse Bairnsdale(Anthony Kuick & all partners) have joined together to provide much needed assistance to Oncology patients at Bairnsdale Regional Health Service (BRHS). “Wendy Whitechurch, head nurse in the Oncology Department at BRHS, was guest speaker at Rotary Sunrise in November and explained that, due to financial constraints within the health budget, the unit was no longer able to provide much needed care bags to new patients.” Rotary Sunrise president, Clare Marriot-Smith explained. “Our Rotary club decided to provide these bags for six months and to investigate ongoing funding and support for the care packs.” Each care bag contains a supply of skin creams, non-scented body wash, mouth washes and other necessary items that help to alleviate any side effects experienced during the patient’s chemotherapy treatment.
Chemist Warehouse Bairnsdale (Anthony Kuick and all partners), has agreed to provide ongoing funding to cover the costs of the bag contents, which will be purchased through BRHS. Riviera Quilters members have started making the bags, from their own or donated fabrics and have also donated a number of beautiful quilts for the use of the oncology patients. The quilts brighten the room as well as lifting the spirits of the patients, who keep the quilts after their
treatment.

Rotary Sunrise extends a huge thank you to all those involved in collaborating to make this happen, and to ensure that these care bags continue to be provided.
“Working together…we make a difference.”

ROTARY SUNRISE HOWITT PARK MARKET


Howitt Park Market – 4th Sunday of Every Month

Join us at Howitt Park Market, held on the 4th Sunday of each month from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM (9:00 AM start in May, June, July, and August).

The next market will be on Sunday, 27th July, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. It’s a fantastic outing for the whole family with a wide variety of stalls, including:

  • Unique clothes and jewellery
  • Toys, plants, and garden furniture
  • Fresh produce and pantry items
  • Indoor and outdoor plants, garden sculptures, and ornaments
  • Novelty items like Dungeons and Dragons merchandise, croc ornaments, toothpaste tablets, and more
  • Woollen socks, slippers, and hand-knitted jumpers for winter
  • Delicious food from various cuisines in our food court, plus ice cream and coffee 

Come for breakfast or lunch, and stroll around our maze of stalls.  You never know what treasures you'll find. Well-behaved dogs are welcome (please no peeing on or in the stalls!!!!, and there are stalls selling dog treats and merchandise.

For new stallholders interested in booking a site, visit the provided links for Food or Fresh Meat vendors or all other stalls.

For more information, contact Elaine Bryant at howittparkmarket@rotarysunrise.com.au or 0432 602 007. You can also follow us on Facebook: Howitt Park Market.

Come along and experience one of East Gippsland's premier country markets, organized by the Rotary Club of Bairnsdale Sunrise!

 
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Meeting Place
Wednesday Morning 6:45am for a 7am start (apart from the first Wednesday of the month which is an evening meeting. Please contact club for those details as the venue changes for that meeting)  

The Hub, BAIRNSDALE
27 Dalmahoy Street
Bairnsdale

Club MailPO Box 1361
Bairnsdale VIC 3875
 
 
 

Recent Guest Speakers

Ashrat Mallouk and Craig Chase have made a significant impact in the Bairnsdale community since Ashrat's arrival 10 years ago. Moved by the kindness they received from locals, they’ve dedicated themselves to helping integrate the 30-40 Muslim families now in the area.

 

Their charity, the Bairnsdale Sadaqa Foundation (BSF), is already making a difference, with recent donations to the Neighbourhood House. At a recent Rotary meeting, they shared their vision and received valuable ideas to further support the community.

 


 
President: Clare Marriot-Smith 

Secretary: Sue Chapman & Jenny Robertson 

Public Image: Carina Turner

Rotary Howitt Park Market
Market Manager: Elaine Bryant & Ray Rock
Phone: 0432 602 007
Please leave a message and allow 24 hours to reply
 
Bulletin Editor: Cathy Hindes

Community, Youth & Environment: Jenny Toye

Club Life & Memberships:  Luke McCaig & Anne Cross
 
Global & Foundation: Glenda Blessie 
 
President Elect & Club Service: Clare Marriot-Smith
 
Treasurer & Registration: Sue Griffiths
 
Event Liaison: Liz McConchie
 
Protection Officer: Ray Rock

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