Many thanks to everyone who took part in the Kieser Great Bayside Swim for 2026. It was another amazing event thanks to all that swam, sponsored and supported. A huge heartfelt thank you to the efforts of the swimmers who raced in the various open water events and the Junior Dash and over 140 volunteers who served from theRotary Club Of Brightonand friends, Brighton Life Saving Club and Holloway Bend Scout Group!
A massive shout out to the organising committee who have worked tirelessly for months in the lead up to ensure all aspects of this iconic community event and fundraiser come together. Thank you to event Chair Stuart McIntyre and committee members (Keiran, Seng, Anthony, Geoff, Roger C and Max)
for the countless hours you’ve contributed behind the scene to ensure the events’ success.
Six of their group travelled via boat but there were eight of them competing. The boat is moored at Blunts boatyard Williamstown which has been operating since 1858 and still run by one of the Blunts. They left at 7.10am and the journey took exactly one hour. Their captain had booked a mooring at the Royal Brighton Yacht Club. Four of their guys won medals and all of them finished in the top ten. Six of them did both the 2.4. & 1.4 swims. When they left, their captain asked someone that was fishing on the pier for a couple of blue baits and halfway back they dropped a line and had a flathead in the boat within 5 minutes! Well done guys.
Pictured top left: Leaving Hobsons Bay;
Top right: On the Jetty just before the 1.4K swim;
Bottom Left: The Willy Dolphins;
Bottom Right: Bob Willis, Tom Cannon (boat captain) Warren May, Justin Almering & Chris Lynch.
Holloway Bend Scout Group Trailer
The Holloway Bend Scout Group were at the Kieser Great Bayside Swim at Middle Brighton last Saturday with their beautiful brand new trailer which the Rotary Club of Brighton have sponsored with the support of a Rotary Foundation - Rotary District 9800 grant. As one of Scouts Victoria’s fastest growing scout groups they have needed this trailer so this Bayside group’s young people can make a difference, go on their adventures with the help of the dedicated volunteers and support their scouting experience. Thanks to everyone who help us fundraise - together, you help us make a difference!
Good news: Regionalisation Pilot extended to 2028!
On 16 January 2026, the Regional Council and Steering Group of Rotary South Pacific put forward four requests to Rotary International’s (RI) Board related to the future of the Zone 8 Regionalisation Pilot.
The Board approved all four of the following items:
agree to extend the Zone 8 Regionalization pilot through 2027-28;
direct the districts in Zone 8 to pause elections for District Governor 2028-29 to allow Director Scott to convene a working group that will propose new districts starting 1 July 2028;
by a three-quarters vote, approve funding from RI Reserves to fund dedicated pilot staffing in Australia for 2026-27;
agree to reallocate a portion of the district funding in fiscal year 2026-27 to the Zone 8 Regional Council.
Redistricting in the South Pacific
In short, the specific impact of redistricting efforts for each district is not yet known – some districts may not be impacted, some will receive new clubs, and some districts will be merged. The Rotary South Pacific leadership team aims to provide appropriate transitional support and updates to navigate the changes. Your club will not immediately be impacted and can continue operations as normal. We will inform your club of any changes and if/when they will impact you.
Jennie Herring,
Chair, Regional Council
Rotary South Pacific
