The Rotary eClub of Brindabella meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month at 8pm Canberra/Sydney time. Our meetings include speakers, club business, project planning and more. Visitors are welcome.
Please note: this Zoom meeting is scheduled weekly, but the club will only meet scheduled nights.
Our recently returned Youth Exchange Student Lucy Noakes will join the club meeting tonight, Thursday March 26, to tell us about her year in France.
Meeting Recap: March 12
Chief Inspector Gary Raymond shared his 25-year journey as a Rotarian and emergency services working, starting after helping a horse injured in a car accident and meeting Dr. Russ Dickens, who became his Rotary sponsor. He described his career progression from ambulance paramedic to police rescue specialist, where he conducted over 1,500 rescues including 200 cliff rescues and 200 suicide crisis negotiations. Gary concluded by recounting his involvement in the high-profile Anita Cobby homicide case in 1986.
Following this case, Gary worked with Martha Jabour and Mayor Stephen Barley to establish a residential facility for children and adults affected by homicide, which has since counselled 4,000 people and provided support for recent incidents including the Bondi Junction stabbing and Bondi Beach shooting.
Gary presented an overview of Grace's Place, a world-first residential facility for children after a homicide. The facility provides 24 beds in motel-style rooms with counseling services, therapy rooms including a music room and art space, and various recreational areas. Gary explained that the facility is funded by the government with approximately $1 million annually for salaries and utilities, and operates with a team of detectives, counselors, and volunteers. The facility has received inquiries from around the world about replicating their model, though they require any new facilities to be named Grace's Place after Anita Colby's mother.
The Canberra Sundowners are inviting us to join “for a fun, friendly and slightly competitive trivia night on Wednesday, 15 April. All funds raised will support the Sundowners’ community service projects that are making a positive and lasting impact across our region.”
The details are:
📅 Wednesday, 15 April 2026 🕡 6:30pm start (doors open at 6:00pm) 📍 Hellenic Club, Woden (1 Matilda Street, Phillip) 👥 Tables of 10 💵 $45 per person (includes a shared platter of food per table) 🎟️ Tickets can be purchased here
