Club History
Rotaract Club of Brisbane Rivercity Charter
Charted on the 30th July 2015, when the Brisbane Rotaract scene was very different to what it was today, the Rotaract Club of Brisbane Rivercity has since had multiple Presidents representing the club and its members, achieving many milestones throughout the years. Each President is elected at the club’s AGM, with each President serving for a year. Here is a list of the Rivercity Presidents, as well as some of the major achievements during their year.
Charter Night
Charter Board 2015/2016
David Stevens, Secretary
Joshua Cunningham, Treasurer
Uday Piyaratne & Kenina Ingram, Social Director
Lara Beattie & Katelyn Winkworth, Intl & Comm Service Director
Alexandria Moore & Jeremy Houghton, Vocation & Meeting Director
Riley Thornton
Charter President 2015/2016
Feb ‘15: Information Session ushers in the beginning of Rivercity.
Aug ‘15: The Rotaract Club of Brisbane Rivercity is chartered with 19 members.
Nov ‘15: Rivercity hosts its first Harry Potter trivia night to a sell-out success.
Jan ‘16: The tradition of Rivercity’s ‘Weekend Away’ is born at Stradbroke Island.
Feb ‘16: The first edition of the Rivercity Monthly newsletter is published.
Changeover 2016/2017
Board Members 2016/2017
Nicholas Elsworth, Vice President
Riley Thornton, Past President
Sasha Paterson, Secretary
Ramon Cayamanda, Treasurer
Kenina Ingram, Social Director
Katelyn Winkworth, Intl & Comm Service Director
Dean Heckscher, Vocation & Meeting Director
Joshua Cunningham
President 2016/2017
July ‘16: Rivercity's first Changeover night, with the title of President handed over to Josh, with Riley stepping up to become District Rotaract Representative (also known as DRR).
Oct ‘16: Rivercity co-hosts and co-organises the Australian Rotaract Conference (ARC) with other Rotaract clubs across multiple districts to a raging success.
Nov ‘16: Harry Potter trivia returns, again selling out a full house across multiple nights.
Changeover 2017/2018
Board Members 2017/2018
Natasha Dobson, Vice President
Joshua Cunningham, Past President
Tiarna Cao-Kelly, Secretary
Gareth Seeto, Treasurer
Róisín O'Neill, Social Director
Jennifer Ross, Intl & Comm Service Director
Jane Hillyard, Vocation & Meeting Director
Kim Elston
President 2017/2018
July ‘17: Rivercity hosts another Changeover night, with Kim taking leadership of the club.
Oct ‘17: The Rivercity Monthly newsletter is rebranded to become ‘The Churchill Room’.
Mar ‘18: Rivercity hosts its first ‘Shine for ShelterBox’ cocktail event, hosting local Brisbane entertainment and raising money for ShelterBox.
May ‘18: Rivercity heads a cluster-driven Professional Development series to help develop member’s skills to translate into personal and professional lives.
Changeover 2018/2019
Board Members 2018/2019
Tiarna Cao-Kelly, Vice President
Kim Elston, Past President
Jeseyka Kelly-O’Brien, Secretary
Brenton Cuthbert, Treasurer
Laura Barber, Events Director
Kim Dowling, Community & Social Director
Jane Hillyard, Vocation & Meeting Director
Róisín O'Neill
President 2018/2019
July ‘18: Rivercity Changeover sees Róisín take over as President.
Nov ‘18: Rivercity rebranded their annual trivia night, hosting ‘True Blue Trivia’ and raising money for Australian farmers experiencing hardship from drought.
Jan ‘19: Club member and DRR Riley Thornton is one of the first Rotaractors to ever be invited to the Rotary International Assembly, helping to usher in equal say for Rotaractors.
Feb ‘19: Rivercity is nominated for two award categories at the Australian Rotaract Conference.
Mar ‘19: The club collaborated again with local Rotarians to deliver a series of Professional Development Events for members.
May ‘19: Our second annual Shine for ShelterBox event was held, with over three times as many tickets sold than the previous year.
Changeover 2019/2020
Board Members 2019/2020
Laura Barber, Vice President
Róisín O'Neill, Past President
Brenton Cuthbert, Secretary
Crispin Scott, Treasurer
Rosie Starr, Events Director
Lachlan Murray, Community & Social Director
El Eldridge, Vocation & Meeting Director
Dean Heckscher
President 2019/2020
July ‘19: Another Changeover event sees Dean ushered in as President.
Oct ‘19: Rivercity continues the trivia tradition, hosting a Stranger Things & Spooky trivia night on Halloween in support of The Smith Family.
Jan ‘20: Club member and DRR Kim Elston is one of few chosen to represent Rotaract at the Rotary International Assembly in San Diego.
Feb ‘20: Rivercity is nominated for two awards at the Australian Rotaract Conference, with club member Jane Hillyard nominated for Rotaractor of the Year.
Mar ‘20: COVID-19 hits, forcing many into isolation, with Rivercity hosting its first online meeting.
Changeover 2020/2021
BoARD MEMBERS 2020/2021
El Eldridge, Vice President
Dean Heckscher, Past President
Ryan Branch, Secretary
Gareth Seeto, Treasurer
Lachlan Murray, Events Director
Eliza Harry, Community & Social Director
Melody Dobrinin & Sheyaan Manricks, Vocation & Meeting Directors
Laura Barber
President 2020/2021
July ‘20: A COVID-safe Changeover sees Laura being handed the mantle of President.
August ’20: Rivercity hosts its inaugural Wine Tasting Social Event, with plenty of drops tasted and rated.
November ’20: Rivercity swaps its usual trivia night for a movie night, raising $1,200 in support of Beyond DV.
February ’21: The Rotary R100 Baton passes through Brisbane, making its way to one of Rivercity’s meetings, bringing together Rotary and Rotaract clubs in Brisbane.
April ’21: Our annual Professional Development Series wrapped up for another year, with members learning about negotiation, networking and strategic planning.
June ’21: Shine for ShelterBox returns for another night of live entertainment and fairy lights, with Rivercity able to donate $5,400 to ShelterBox.
Changeover 2021/2022
BoARD MEMBERS 2021/2022
Catherine Campbell, Vice President
Laura Barber, Past President
Jane Hillyard, Secretary
Lewis Campbell, Treasurer
Alexandra Simmons, Events Director
Kim Elston, Community & Social Director
Gareth Seeto, Vocation & Meeting Director
Brenton Cuthbert
President 2021/2022
July ‘21: The new year brings Districts 9600 and 9630 together to create District 9620
Aug ‘21: COVID lockdown ended and unbeknownst to us at the time, it would be the last
Sept ‘21: The clubs Past Presidents are invited to a Civic Reception held at city hall by the Lord Mayor to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of Rotary in Australia
Oct ‘21: Screening the Rocky Horror Picture Show raises $1,500 for Womens Legal Service.
Feb ‘22: A new scavenger hunt event leads us to a weekend away in Kingaroy, with Immediate Past District Governor Neil Black.
Mar ‘22: Brisbane Floods put the Pig N’ Whistle underwater, and meetings online; but the mud army assembles and with Clean Up Australia Day, our community is sparkling again.
Mar ‘22: Club Members talk about Rotaract events at the District Conference at Caloundra
May ‘22: Shine for Shelterbox is reinvented to Sprinkle Kindness and with the magic of Fairy Bread it becomes our biggest fundraiser to date, donating $8,000.00 to ReachOut!
Changeover 2022/2023
BoARD MEMBERS 2022/2023
Amy Parikka, Vice President
Brenton Cuthbert, Past President
Dean Heckscher, Secretary
Ryan Kenny, Treasurer
Melanie Cowan, Events Director
Susita Das, Community & Social Director
Bronwyn Janet & Tiana Ling-Stuckey, Vocation & Meeting Directors
Jane Hillyard
President 2022/2023
Changeover 2022/2023
BOARD MEMBERS 2023/2024
Alexandra Simmons, Vice President
Jane Hillyard, Past President
Rowan Telford, Secretary
Julio Pimentel, Treasurer
Susita Das, Events Director
Jack Hansen, Community & Social Director
Justin Ramsay, Vocation & Meeting Directors
Amy Parikka
President 2023/2024
Paul Harris Fellows
While Rivercity has a rich history of its own, there’s plenty of history within Rotary as well. One such part is the Paul Harris Fellowship award. Named after Rotary’s founder, the Paul Harris Fellowship award - known simply as a Paul Harris Fellowship, or even just a Paul Harris - is a highly regarded award within Rotary, given to those who are recognised by their peers for having demonstrated and upheld the values that Rotary is built on, or made a significant difference in the community around them.
While more commonly found within Rotary clubs and circles, Rivercity has a number of members who have been recognised by those around them for their efforts towards Rotaract, Rotary and its affiliate programs. Rivercity is extremely proud to have such members who are held in such regard.
Riley Thornton
18TH NOVEMBER 2018
“Riley’s commitment to Rotary’s humanitarian and educational programs, and dedication to the objectives of the Rotary Foundation is extremely commendable.”
- Wendy Protheroe, Incoming District Governor
Jane Hillyard
27th June 2019
“Jane’s service to Rotary and in particular RYLA has been outstanding and helped many young people on their personal development journey. We are really pleased to have her in our Rotary family”
- Rotary Club of Brisbane High-Rise
Róisín O'Neill
21st May 2020
“For great leadership in linking Rotaract and Rotary and showing how Rotaract can lead and help Rotary”
- Darryl Iseppi, District Governor
Laura Barber
10th July 2020
“For her outstanding contribution to fundraising for Shelterbox. Raising over $4000 in one evening, providing valuable resources to distribute Shelterboxes for disaster relief.”
- Rotary Club of Brisbane Mid-City
Kim Elston
24th July 2021
“Kim Elston is the epitome of Service Above Self, and everything Rotary stands for. I cannot think of anybody else her age who has more selflessly given back to Rotary, Rotaract, and the community, so consistently, and for so long. Kim lives and breathes the four way test and all of Rotary's guiding principles.”
- Neil Black, District Govenor
Jane Hillyard
17th May 2023
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Rivercity Fellowship Award
In addition to Rotary awards, Rivercity has its own way to recognise members for their efforts. Commissioned in 2020, the Rivercity Fellowship Award is given in recognition to those who embody the values and message of the Rotaract Club of Brisbane Rivercity. The award is given every year to a member who has proven to be a valuable part to the club and its associates, as well as showcased what Rivercity hopes to achieve in the wider community.
Created as a way to recognise Rivercity’s most involved members, the Fellowship Award is a small way for the club to officially acknowledge those who make the club what it is today, both in the eyes of its members, and the Rotary community.
Gareth Seeto
inaugural Recipient
“Gareth’s commitment to the club since its inception has been outstanding, involving himself in every aspect of the club, helping to not only make sure the club’s events and volunteering run smoothly, but that everyone who comes through our door feels welcome. Without Gareth, Rivercity wouldn’t be what it is today, and is the inspiration behind this award.”
- Dean Heckscher, President 2019/2020
Troy Fullerton
2019-2020 Recipient
“While he’s only been around the club for under a year, it’s hard to imagine Rivercity without Troy. He throws himself into anything and everything that the club does, with his actions and attitude no doubt set to inspire others down the line.”
- Dean Heckscher, President 2019/2020
Ash Price
2020-2021 Recipient
“Ash has been one of our most involved and hard working members, although often behind the scenes. Her work with Beyond DV for the movie night and her preparation for Shine 2021 has been so valuable. Ash has balanced her busy corporate life and still found time to dedicate herself to meetings, both club and committee, and completing a huge amount of tasks to ensure our events achieve our goals in the wider community.”
- Laura Barber, President 2020/2021
Melanie Cowan
2021-2022 Recipient
“Melanie has truely seized every opportunity given to her throughout the year, and has been there to support their peers in countless different ways. She has been an active and involved member of the club, and speaks very highly about it whenever she can. She has absolutely smashed it out of the park this year, and for all their help and support, I say thank you.”
- Brenton Cuthbert, President 2021/2022