2025 Rotary Annual Conference

The 2025 Rotary Annual Conference took place in Portrush between 26th-28th September, hosted by the Rotary Club of Ballymoney.I was honoured to represent our club at Portrush.

Proceedings opened on Friday at 13.30 with a welcome from Club president John Pinkerton, followed by the introduction of guests by DG Michael Fleming. The RI president rep Peter King BEM TD passed on best wishes from the RI president Francesco Arezzo, Rotary Club of Ragusa, Italy.

We then had presentations from The Marie Keating Foundation and Cancer Research UK, DG Michael’s chosen charities. This was followed by a fantastic presentation by Prof. Joe O’Sullivan on advances in prostate cancer treatment. This was the most enlightening talk on this subject that I have ever heard.

After coffee we had a presentation on youth services, past and present, chaired by Marie Mullooly.

Ronan Harbison brought us up to date on Lend with Care project. This is a great project supporting small businesses and farming projects in third world countries with small loans. We are involved in this project and it is working very well.

Donal Magner spoke about the Treekly Project “Steps for Trees”. This was followed by a talk by 

Dr. David McKeown OBE “It’s all about the Vagus”

We enjoyed a fellowship night with Traditional music and Irish Dancing.

Saturday morning had an early start at 09.00. We had a presentation by Janet Schofield of Compass Advocacy Network, www.compasspeople.org . She spoke on her work, helping people with learning disabilities, autism, and other neurodiversities, to be the best they can be.  Ken Nixon spoke on the Corrymeela Project, www.corrymeela.org .

PDG Sean Fitzgerald spoke on Mercy Ships. A new ship is to join the project.

PDG Seamus Grant brought us up to date on The Rotary Foundation.

I was presented with a Foundation award by RI President rep Peter King BEM TD.

Ian McGlade “what holds you back?” Marathon des Sables 150mileson foot - Sahara Desert, 7 days.

Yukon 300 – on foot in 8 days, Atlantic Rowing Race – La Gomera to Antigua, 73 days.                                                

Lord Alderdice gave a great delivery “Conflict, complexity and cooperation”

Dr. Peter Wilson “A coastline at crisis point”, dealt with costal erosion – global warming.

Steve Sarowitz, Founder and Chairman of Paylocity, and co-Chairman of Wayfarer Studios, and founder with his wife, Jessica of the Julian Grace Foundation. He spoke on how spiritual principles can help us succeed in the business world.

DGE George Roche invited us to Cork for next years Conference.

The evening finished with The District Governor’s Ball, a formal Dinner and dancing.

Partners had trips to Ballymoney town centre, Bushmills tour, Giants Causeway Tour, and a  Corrymeela project visit.