Rotary Fellowship of Gin

By Anne Matthews
D9560 Passport Rotary Club

The Rotary Fellowship of Gin (RFOG) was formed in 2020 following the meeting of Robert Breton and Raquel D Juncal at the Rotary International Convention in Toronto, Canada, where they noticed an opportunity for a fellowship for gin lovers.

Since that initial thought, the fellowship has been holding regular gatherings on Zoom as ‘Gintastics’ and is expanding to start regional events with board members spread throughout the world.

Today, following the Singapore Convention last year, where Gintastics were seen consuming Singapore Slings, the fellowship has more than 150 members and 500 followers on Facebook.

The online meetings generally involve a guest distiller, who speaks about their process and products. The time of the meeting is rotated each month so that different time zones can participate. So, you might join the meeting at night in time for gin o’clock or be making gin pancakes for breakfast!

They also have an active Facebook group where they share discoveries and information about gins, different craft gins from all over the world, gin cocktail recipes, favourite botanicals, how to make a compound gin and how to cook with gin.

Since gin production and consumption depend on clean water, the fellowship supports water, sanitation and hygiene programs by raising funds and supporting projects worldwide. In 2022-23, they supported Aquabox with its project to provide clean water filters for Ukraine. Funds are raised from events and from part of the membership fees.

In the UK, members sell Purple Passion gin in partnership with a local distiller to raise funds
for PolioPlus.

Serving on the Gin Fellowship Board is our very own Teresa Mitchell from the Rotary Club of Warragul, Vic. Teresa, together with Ted Faigle from the US, Ashley Gray from England and David Harrison from Scotland, are directors and mixologists.

The Rotary Fellowship of Gin is a wonderful group to be part of, and not just for gin lovers,” says Teresa.

“It’s the connections you make in a fun way – social gatherings both online and face to face. But it’s also our fundamental purpose of providing access to clean drinking water facilities, which aligns our service to others, particularly in emergency and conflict situations.

“It’s a fun way to connect with others around the world using a product that is made around the world.”

The fellowship will be holding events at the RI Convention in Calgary, Canada, this month; at the South Pacific Zone 8 Conference on the Gold Coast, Qld, in October; and at the Combined District 9815 and District 9830 Conference in Hobart, Tas, in March 2026.

Follow the Gintastic adventures on Facebook and register as a member via www.ginfellowship.org