Daylesford Rotary’s annual Changeover on the 9th of July was a celebration of many achievements by the Club and by individual members. Mark Rak was inducted as the incoming Club President for the coming 6 months and also received Paul Harris Fellow recognition for his major contributions to our community and Rotary.
Outgoing President, Danny Moynihan commented: “Other highlights of the evening attended by 30 locals included induction of two new members: Peter Douglas and Sean Curlis and also Jan Ireland being awarded the Club’s Bing Baker award for her exceptional dedication and service over the past year.”
“I was honoured to have shared the role of President for three months each with: Victor Szwed; Andrew Littlejohn and Koos Hoolst.”
Danny added: “During 2025-26 Daylesford Rotary Club provided more than $22,000 in grants and support mostly to local groups. These included:
- $2,500 to assist the Daylesford Phoenix Cinema
- $1,500 for the Daylesford New Year’s Eve Parade
- $1,320 for several local school programs
- $1,000 each to the Good Grub Club and Club 5000 which provide meals to needy locals
- $1,000 to help the Daylesford Community Op Shop recover from their flea infestation
- $2,750 to our local “Days for Girls” group which makes up menstrual kits for young women overseas
- $1,000 sponsorship for Panda a horse used by Daylesford Riding for the Disabled
- $2,000 to the Rotary International “End Polio” program which has contributed to almost eliminating polio around the world
- $3,000 to Rotary International for various projects
Incoming President, Mark Rak stated: “Daylesford Rotary has run the Daylesford Art Show since 2010 when the Daylesford Lions folded and handed it over. Now into its 43rd year the Daylesford Art Show is the Club’s biggest fundraiser generating $13,774 profit in 2025 when Rotarian Jenny Hopkins managed it. In 2025 the Show provided more than $16,200 income for Artists from sales and $10,000 in Artist Awards through ten prizes. The 2026 Art Show will be held in the Daylesford Town Hall from 29th October to 3rd November.”
“We had a boost with a $2,300 grant from Hepburn Shire Council to improve and repaint our sixty display screens. This has been very much appreciated.”
Mark Rak had initiated the Window Wombats last year working with the Daylesford Men’s Shed and local Artists. Mark commented: “This year more Wombats are being painted by local artists and will be displayed and available for sale later in the year. The Wombats have been welcomed by local businesses and residents with a number of businesses which had missed out last year requesting that they be included in 2026. The Daylesford Men’s Shed is again producing the Wombat cut-outs and undercoating them ready for the Artists and receive a portion of the funds. Artists have the option of receiving part of the sale proceeds or donating to Rotary to use in the community.”
The passing of long-time Rotarian, Alan Harrison was acknowledged during the evening and attendance by his wife Kaye Harrison was very much appreciated.
For more information about Daylesford Rotary Club please visit: www.rotarydaylesford.com
