Michael's On The Move
This Christmas, the greatest gift under the tree isn’t wrapped in paper — it’s wrapped in community spirit.
Michael and Vesna’s long-held dream of accessible transport has become a reality, thanks to extraordinary local support.
Michael and Vesna’s long-held dream of accessible transport has become a reality, thanks to extraordinary local support.
Community Success: Michael Cook Receives Wheelchair-Accessible Vehicle as Michael has taken delivery of a Toyota HiAce bus specially fitted for wheelchair access, marking the successful completion of a remarkable community project.
The vehicle was delivered to Big River Toyota on 31 October 2025 before being sent to Start to Finish Mobility in Adelaide for installation of a wheelchair lifter. Final adjustments will be completed on 22 December, allowing Michael and his wife Vesna to return to the Riverland with the vehicle just in time for Christmas
The project reached its fundraising target of $102,276 by mid-October 2025, reflecting the extraordinary generosity of donors and supporters across the community.
This purpose-built vehicle will enable Michael to travel freely throughout the Riverland and to Adelaide for medical appointments, while supporting greater independence, spontaneity and improved wellbeing.
Michael and Vesna have expressed their heartfelt thanks to the Rotary Club of Berri, the Berri Bike Boys, Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS), and all community donors who made this project possible.
✨ A Powerful Rotary Story You Need to Hear!
What drives someone to spend half of every year in a war-torn country, helping strangers rebuild their lives?
Coast FM 88.7 listeners recently heard the answer when Rotarian Rob McLennan interviewed Maurice O’Connell — and it’s one of the most inspiring Rotary moments you’ll come across.
🎧 Listen to the interview:
CLICK HERE
In the interview, Maurice talks about his work with Rotary District 9510 and the seven dedicated Rotary Clubs — Adelaide, Campbelltown, Morialta, Mount Barker, Gawler, Gawler Light and Northern Yorke Peninsula — all supporting the New Dawn project, which is restoring hospitals, schools, and essential community facilities in Ukraine. His on-the-ground insights show exactly how Rotary ensures help reaches the people who need it most.
Maurice O’Connell, a South Australian and a retired British Army veteran, has turned his retirement into a mission of service. For the past four years he has spent six months each year in Ukraine, offering practical humanitarian support to communities impacted by the Russian invasion. Working mainly across eastern and southern Ukraine, he has become a trusted presence — coordinating supplies, assisting with rebuilding projects, and supporting local leaders and volunteers with steady, compassionate dedication.
For Maurice, this isn’t simply volunteering. It’s a continuation of a lifetime of service, helping communities rebuild their future with dignity, resilience, and hope.
🔗 Learn more about the New Dawn Rotary project in Ukraine go to: https://rotary9510.org/sitepage/ukraine--new-dawn-project
🔗To make a donation to this impactful project go to: https://directory.rawcs.com.au/58-2022-23
Morialta Midwifery Support
About 830 women and 7,000 newborns, mainly in low- and middle-income countries, die each day because of complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. These deaths are mostly preventable. Midwives are key to preventing them, so an initiative organized by Rotary members is supporting the essential work of midwives in Papua New Guinea and Australia.
The program is rooted in collaboration. Australian midwives are paired with midwives from Papua New Guinea for five-day leadership workshops. The process culminates in a yearlong community health project designed and led by the midwives in Papua New Guinea, with continued support from their Australian counterparts.
Project organizer Judith Brown, a retired midwife and past president of the Rotary Club of Morialta, South Australia, says the exchange between the midwives is reciprocal and prioritizes learning from one another’s strengths. The partnership enables midwives to learn about other cultures and develop their professional skills, Brown says, but the primary focus is “trying to help women just have a voice in both countries.”
A Walk for Respect
United for a Safer, More Respectful Community
Recently hundreds came together in Adelaide for Rotary District 9510’s (South Australia, Alice Springs, Broken Hill & Sunraysia) Walk for Respect, taking a powerful public stand against domestic and family violence.
It was a morning filled with purpose, compassion, and community spirit — a visible show of unity for those who deserve safety, dignity, and respect.
This walk also shone a light on the remarkable organisations who work tirelessly every day to support individuals and families affected by domestic violence. Their dedication changes lives, builds hope, and strengthens our communities
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Ukraine New Dawn & Rotary Project
April 2026 Update
Read our latest newsletter
CLICK HERE to read
Listen to a radio interview with Maurice O'Connell, one of our Rotary Ukraine Project Team members
CLICK HERE
Click the menu link above to see the latest news or CLICK HERE
Please support our Ukraine projects with a donation via this link.
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