A Rotary International record?

PICTURED: Five-year-old Mason gave an enthusiastic presentation on dinosaurs during a recent Rotary Club of Norwest Sunrise meeting.

From joining Zoom meetings as a newborn to presenting on dinosaurs at five, Mason’s Rotary journey shows how welcoming children can strengthen clubs and keep young families engaged.

During COVID lockdowns, when clubs were forced to meet online, the Rotary Club of Norwest Sunrise, NSW, gained an unexpected new participant, when the two-week-old son of a member started attending club Zoom meetings. And thus began his Rotary journey.

“When meetings eventually went back to being in-person, we realised that to appeal to a younger demographic, their children needed to be welcome to attend meetings and events too,” said Rotary Club of Norwest Sunrise Co-President Robert Bredin. “Mason was welcomed to club meetings by all members, who became his extended family.

Yes, he occasionally started babbling when a guest speaker commenced, but we managed.”

Subsequently, Mason became the club treasurer’s favourite person. She calculated that when he accepted the fines at the end of the meeting, income went up by at least 50 per cent. He smiled so beautifully that members gave him more money.

By age two, Mason was on stage with his mother, who MC’d the District Conference dinner. He impressed everyone in attendance.

Fast forward to 2026 and the club’s youngest ‘member’, having just turned five, was guest speaker on the topic of dinosaurs during one club meeting. With a PowerPoint presentation and incredible enthusiasm, he left members both impressed and more knowledgeable.

“In fact, I suspect he became the youngest ever Rotary club guest speaker,” said Robert. “Can anyone beat this?

“I think we at Norwest Sunrise Rotary proved that it takes a club to raise a child and it was this approach that made his mother continue to feel welcome at meetings, even with a baby and then a toddler. This allowed her to continue her Rotary journey.”

Mason later delivered the same presentation at two neighbouring clubs to thunderous applause.

“Obtaining a quality, non-blurry photo was difficult as he was jumping up and down with excitement throughout,” said Robert.

“Members who had any doubt about supporting youth initiatives developed a much better appreciation of the capacity of young people to rise to any occasion given the opportunities that Rotary provides so well.”