How proud can we be as a community when we see young champions like our Young Ambassador Amber Perry? 

We are very privileged Rotarians to get to hear stories from our local young persons, and to actively contribute as Rotarians to young lives through our youth programs. Amber's enthusiasm and persistence in her field were certainly impressive to hear. Perhaps helping get her Community Centre idea off the ground is something we as a club may explore?

Amber said to me early in the evening, "Did you walk in the parade this year?" As a kind of "where do I know your face from" question. It was only after her speech hearing about her ongoing work at Barossa Valley Estate, she realised I was the chap who did the hedges and topiary balls there, but she didn't recognise me without my hat and face covered in dirt and dust. We had a good laugh about that. 

 

This Rotary International's presidential theme for 2025-2026 is "Unite for Good". This theme emphasises collaboration and unity within Rotary and the wider community to achieve positive change. As Rotarians and Barossa Valley Community members we've made great strides to collaborate with other local Rotary clubs and service clubs such as the Lions and Kiwanis to Unite For Good on projects such as the Air Show. We are all here to make the world a better place in our own way and Rotary, I believe, helps us to do that. Uniting for Good many small contributions can make a HUGE impact.

 

I'm excited for a great year ahead. We have a wonderful cohort of members, friends and partners who make this club fantastic, and I look forward to working with all of you. There is space in our calendar to fill with some more fundraising and community helping efforts and I'm all ears for any ideas or charity partners we may help. 

 

There's been more than 50 millimetres of rain or as the Spanish would say 50litres per square metre of rainfall this week! Let's hope it continues!

 

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your President this year. I look forward to helping maintain and continue to build upon the wonderful contributions our club makes to our local, regional and international community. 

 

Guest Speaker 7th of July                   Amber Perry – 2025 Barossa Young Ambassador An inspiring young Barossan with a promising future! Amber told us about her involvement with various sections of the Barossa community, including sports and mentoring other young people through Foundation Barossa. While Amber’s initial career choice was journalism, her interest in the wine industry was escalated while “filling in time” at Barossa Valley Estate. The combination of interests – community and wine industry - led Amber to enter the 2025 Barossa Young Ambassador program. The nine months of that program included road trips and workshops covering key focus areas: arts and culture, history, goal setting and networking, Indigenous culture, food and wine, and public speaking. During the 2025 Barossa Vintage Festival, participants in the Young Ambassador program were involved in organising Festival events, including the Barossa Vintage Festival Parade, the Ziegenmarkt, the Scarecrow competition and the Festival finale, the Great Vintage Picnic at Lyndoch. A key criteria for selection of the 2025 Barossa Young Ambassador is the Passion Project, and Amber’s was “Barossa Community Centre”. This involved conducting a survey to find out whether a community centre is needed, what services should be incorporated, and where it could be located. The results indicated that a Barossa Community Centre would be a valuable resource for many individuals and groups, and that establishing such a resource is a practical and realistic goal. Amber felt very privileged to be part of the program, and to work with other young community members. Being selected as the 2025 Barossa Young Ambassador was a great honour and provides even more opportunities to contribute to her community, and during her visit in September to Grapevine, Texas, with The Barossa Council Sister Cities program. While in Grapevine, Amber will meet and learn from experts in the fields of the food and wine and tourism industries. A trip to the Napa Valley in California will provide even more opportunities to absorb and learn, and Amber is keen to use all those experiences to enable her to give back to the Barossa Valley.            We look forward to hearing from Amber on her return from                                   Texas and California.     Secretary Sandie, Amber, and President James. This very good picture has been touched up by Keith M. with a pleasant backing from his own yard.                                                      ............................................................................................................      Meeting 3353.  July 7th 2025                        Attendance      Members     22      Friends        1      Partners      1      Guests         3      Honorary       1           Total          28      Apologies/LOA  10     Birthdays for July  Peter Sich   July 27th   Date Joined Rotary Peter Sich         1/7/83    42 years Peter Thomas    1/7/84     41 years Brian Barnett   16/7/97   28 years     .......................................................................................................... Holiday time Sent in by Marie - Thank you.                           JUST A THOUGHT       By the time you've accumulated enough knowledge to get by, you're too old to remember it. ...........................................................................................................       Mitre10 Sausage Sizzles        Please let Brian Barnett know at a meeting if you are                                       available for one of these dates:   Saturday, 12 July 2025 Saturday, 26 July 2025  -   for Grapevine Texas Study Exchange Saturday, 23 August 2025 Sunday, 21 September 2025 Sunday, 26 October 2025 Saturday, 29 November 2025 December TBA

Duty Roster     Meeting3354      Vine Inn      July 21st 2025       Meeting 3355  Vine Inn  August 4th 2025   Invocation Ray Duance  Brian Eckermann   Loyal Toast  James Dunn  Ray Fiebiger  Sergeant Rick Kessner  John Semmler 4-Way Test  Julie Weckert  James Mitchell          Chairperson         Sandie Simons      Sandie Simons Speaker   Michelle Knynenburg    Angela Ellis Subject  Barossa Libraries Services & Activities   Backpacks - chn     escaping DV   Bulletin Robert Brookes Robert Brookes Setting up Phil Graetz and Peter Sich Phil Graetz and Peter Sich Cashiers Mark Graetz Sue Graetz Mark Graetz Sue Graetz Clothing Bins     17/7/25-31/7/25  31/7/25-14/8/25 Angaston  P. Haydn  M. Graetz  Nuriootpa  M. Connors  R. Duance      Tanunda            W. Simons                G. Schrapel              Website, Social Media: Keith Millington Public Image / Marketing: Sandie Simons, Steve Ahrens Grants (District Foundation and Other): Peter Thomas,  Sergeants: Sandie Simons, John Semmler, Keith Millington, Rick Kessner, Sue Graetz, Peter Sich, Mike Connors.  PHF Recommendations: Peter Sich, John Little, Keith Adams, President (Steve) Friends of the Rotary Club of Barossa Valley: Sue Graetz  Police Checks and Child Protection Officer: Prue Maitland  Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA): Sue Graetz, Chair; Mark Graetz, Treasurer; John Semmler, Secretary; Brian Eckermann; Peter Thomas; Bill Simons; Sandie Simons Clothing Bin Roster: Peter Thomas Club History: Grant Schuyler Great Revival Shop Rep: Bev Stephenson Ring Pulls: Bryce Lillecrapp, Bill Simons, Peter Thomas Shed and Trailers: Mark Graetz, Peter Sich, John Semmler, Mike Connors Local Government Liaison: Bill Simons                  Another from Marie Rothe  - Thank you.   Please remember the club bulletin is produced for your benefit. The Editor is often looking for items, stories etc. that readers might enjoy reading(new or old). There is always room for any article that you might like to share.