Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) is delighted to announce that Her Excellency the Honourable Ms Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of the commonwealth of Australia, has graciously accepted the role of Patron of RAWCS.
Article courtesy of Rotary Down Under May/June 2026 – A New RAWCS Patron – page 10
THIS is a landmark moment for RAWCS and for Rotary across Australia. The Governor-General is a passionate supporter of Rotary and its values, and her patronage represents a powerful endorsement of the work carried out by Rotarians – work that continues to change lives both at home and around the world.
Established in 1966, RAWCS has enabled Australian Rotary clubs to deliver thousands of humanitarian, development and disaster relief projects. Over 60 years, this collective effort has generated more than $0.5 billion in aid, responding to urgent needs, restoring hope and building long term resilience in communities across Australia and internationally.
RAWCS has been there for Australians during bushfires, floods and droughts, while also supporting communities overseas through projects in health, education, clean water and sanitation, child welfare, economic development, environmental protection, peacebuilding, and disaster response. Throughout its history, RAWCS has upheld human dignity, accountability and the highest standards of governance – values strongly alighed with Rotary’s ethos and with Her Excellency’s own commitment to community service.
RAWCS Chair Heather Chong welcomed the appointment with enthusiasm.
“We are deeply honoured by Her Excellency’s acceptance of patronage”, Heather said. “The Governor-General is a strong supporter of Rotary and its service to the community, and her patronage is a tremendous source of encouragement for Rotarians across Australia. We look forward to working together to further our mission of enabling global good”.
Demonstrating her genuine commitment to Rotary and RAWCS, one of the first initiatives Her Excellency has kindly agreed to undertake as Patron is to host a special event at Government House this year. The event will celebrate the 60th anniversary of RAWCS, recognising six decades of Rotary Service, partnerships and impact – both locally and globally.
The occasion will bring together Rotarians, partners, supporters and community leaders to honour the people behind the projects and the communities whose lives have been transformed through Rotary compassion in action. It will be a proud moment for Australian Rotary.
Adding to the significance of the celebration, Her Excellency will also officially launch a new commemorative book on RAWCS, capturing powerful stories from the organistation’s past 60 years