Rotaract without borders

PICTURED: By operating online, Rotaract DownUnder gives members the flexibility to contribute to their communities while connecting with like-minded people across geographical boundaries.Meet the Rotaract e-Club DownUnder.

Rotaract DownUnder is breaking down geographical barriers to service, creating a flexible online community where members across Australia and Oceania can connect, collaborate and make a difference.

Words Sarah Atkins. Immediate Past President. No Borders Rotaract.

What if distance didn’t have to stand between someone and the opportunity to make a difference?

That question inspired the creation of the Rotaract e-Club DownUnder – or Rotaract DownUnder for short – which chartered in April 2026 with a vision for a more accessible model of Rotaract across Australia and Oceania.

The club was created for people who want to be part of the Rotaract and Rotary community but may not have access to a physical club nearby, or whose work, study or lifestyle makes regular in-person participation difficult. By operating online, Rotaract DownUnder gives members the flexibility to contribute to their communities while connecting with like-minded people across geographical boundaries.

The club’s structure is designed to extend this idea beyond Australia. Its main club is registered in District 9685, while Local Impact Teams (LITs) allow members in other countries to work together on projects within their own communities. The club’s Papua New Guinea LIT, for example, provides a way for members to create local impact while remaining connected to the wider Rotaract DownUnder community.

At the heart of the club is service. Members can participate in humanitarian initiatives from wherever they are, whether through projects organised by the club or collaborations with Rotaract, Rotary and Interact clubs internationally.

One example was the Intercontinental Environmental Challenge, undertaken alongside the Rotaract Club of Kitante, Uganda, Rotary e-Club of Southern Scotland and the District 9685 Interact Club of RYPEN Alumni. Members across different locations took action in their own communities through activities such as rubbish clean-ups and tree planting, while collectively raising awareness of environmental stewardship.

Service is only one part of the experience. Rotaract DownUnder also brings members together through online social activities, including trivia nights and home scavenger hunts. These events provide an opportunity to meet people, have some fun and build friendships, while also raising funds for causes and organisations aligned with Rotary and Rotaract’s Areas of Focus.

As a new club, Rotaract DownUnder is still growing its membership and establishing its foundations. It is supported by a dedicated Board, led on an interim basis by Rotaract Australia, alongside Vice President Jonothan Gaukroger and Membership and Marketing Director Alexandra Trakula, with the support of several experienced Australian Rotaractors and Rotarians.

One of the club’s biggest learning curves so far has been building an active membership base. They have had encouraging results from Meta advertising, particularly by positioning Rotaract Down Under as a way to find your community while giving back, as well as through word-of-mouth referrals across Rotary and Rotaract networks.

The club is also connecting with RYLA participants and alumni, introducing them to Rotaract as a natural next step after RYLA and an opportunity to continue their connection with the Rotary family. The club is still learning how best to turn that initial interest into long-term engagement, but it has been encouraging to see people from different locations and backgrounds connect with the idea of a Rotaract club without geographical boundaries.

This year, the club aims to build a strong and active membership, deliver at least one international joint project, and continue creating opportunities for members to give back to their local communities. Supporting mental health and raising funds for organisations working in this space will also remain an important focus for the club.

Ultimately, Rotaract DownUnder is about making participation in service more accessible. Whether someone lives in a major city, a regional community or another country in Oceania, the club provides a way to connect, contribute and create positive change without geography being a barrier.

• Rotaract E-Club DownUnder meets online on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 pm AEST via Google Meet.
• To follow the club’s activities, visit @rotaract_eclub_downunder on Instagram or RotaractEClubDU on Facebook.
• To learn more about joining or to refer someone who might be interested, contact eclubdownunder@rotaract.org.au