The Rotary Club of Barrie recently welcomed two new members, Martin Rochon and Meghan Oliver, during a member induction led by Jim Williams. While Jim shared a brief overview of Rotary’s purpose and values, the focus of the evening was on getting to know the individuals joining our Club and the experiences they bring with them.

Martin Rochon

Martin Rochon was inducted by Marshall Green and will be serving on the Program and Information Committee. His Rotary classification is Social Innovator, reflecting his interest in creative problem-solving and community impact.

Martin thanked the Club for the warm welcome and shared his enthusiasm for becoming involved. He expressed a strong interest in contributing his ideas and skills in meaningful ways and is looking forward to learning more about Rotary projects and initiatives as he settles into his role within the Club.

Meghan Oliver

Meghan Oliver was inducted by Lawrence Vindum and joins both the Evening Club and the Membership Committee. Her classification is Investment Banker, and she currently works at BMO.

Meghan shared her lifelong connection to Rotary, having grown up in a family where service and community involvement were strongly valued. Her background is both diverse and global. She is a former hairstylist and makeup artist, and she previously participated in a student exchange program that took her to Australia, an experience that deepened her appreciation for service, culture, and connection.

Meghan spoke about her passion for giving back and her excitement about becoming actively involved in Rotary, continuing a tradition of service that has been part of her life for many years.

A Warm Welcome

The Rotary Club of Barrie is pleased to welcome Martin and Meghan and looks forward to the perspectives, energy, and commitment they bring to the Club. We are excited to see how their experiences and interests will shape their Rotary journey and contribute to our shared work in the community.

The Rotary Club of Barrie recently welcomed guest speaker Leah Zecchino, introduced by Aaron Hesson, whose story reminded us of what can happen when curiosity outweighs comfort.

Leah is a professional freelance photographer and visual storyteller whose work blends travel, environment, and personal growth. A solo, nomadic traveller, she has built a life on the road, quite literally, living and working out of a van as she travels the world. Through photography, YouTube, and social media, Leah documents not only where she goes, but what it means to choose an unconventional path.

Her journey is rooted in a desire for freedom and a willingness to step outside familiar boundaries. With support from her father, who helped convert vans for long-distance travel, Leah designed a lifestyle that allowed her to pursue education and adventure side by side. She attended both Limerick University and Wilfrid Laurier University, proving that learning does not need to follow a single, fixed route.

Leah spoke about resilience, independence, and defining personal limits, mentally and physically, on her own terms. She shared how challenging convention has shaped her confidence and worldview, and how growth often begins the moment comfort ends.

In addition to her creative work, Leah is also deeply committed to environmental stewardship. She has already planted over 800,000 seedlings and is on track to reach one million trees planted within the next two years. This commitment to the planet runs parallel to her travels, reinforcing the idea that exploration and responsibility can go hand in hand.

Later this month, Leah will once again be stepping beyond her comfort zone as she heads to the French Alps to photograph a wellness ski retreat. It is another chapter in a journey defined by courage, adaptability, and an openness to new experiences.

We thank Leah for sharing her story and inspiring us to reflect on the paths we choose, and the possibilities that open when we dare to walk them.

The Rotary Club of Barrie is thrilled to announce Oaklyn and Ivy as the winners of this year’s Apple Dumpling Baking Contest. What began as an after-school baking activity quickly turned into a heartwarming family moment, complete with gluten-free apple dumplings so Ivy could safely enjoy every bite. According to the young bakers, they were “the best thing they ever tasted,” and we hear the recipe has already earned a spot on their family’s Christmas dinner menu.

We would like to extend a sincere thank you to everyone who participated in this year’s contest. The creativity and enthusiasm shown in the submitted entries truly made judging a challenge. It was wonderful to see so many families baking together and sharing their experiences with us.

More Than a Contest: Supporting Literacy in Our Community

The Apple Dumpling Baking Contest is part of a larger literacy initiative led by the Rotary Club of Barrie. Each November, Rotary Book Day brings the joy of reading to over 1,350 Grade 2 students across the Simcoe County District School Board. Through this program, students receive a copy of Andy & Elmer’s Apple Dumpling Adventure, a story that highlights important values such as honesty, fairness, goodwill, and teamwork.

Rotarians visit local elementary schools to read the book with students, often joined by community leaders and local celebrities. During the years when in-person visits were not possible, students still took part by watching a special reading video featuring Rotary’s mascot, Sprocket.

Baking Brings the Story Home

Since 2020, the Apple Dumpling Baking Contest has encouraged children to take the story home and turn reading into a hands-on family experience. The book conveniently includes an apple dumpling recipe at the end, inviting families to bake together and submit photos of their creations.

Each year, one participating family is selected to win a Chromebook, adding an exciting incentive while also supporting learning at home. The contest has become a joyful extension of Rotary Book Day, helping families connect literacy, creativity, and time spent together.

Thank You to Our Community

We are incredibly grateful to all the families who entered, shared their stories, and helped make this initiative such a success. Your participation helps us continue our mission of supporting literacy and strengthening community connections.

Congratulations again to Oaklyn and Ivy, and thank you to everyone who baked, shared, and celebrated with us. We cannot wait to do it all again next year.

This week, Rotarian Jason McArthur introduced Laura Slingerland, a Nurse Practitioner with a decade of pediatric experience who now provides affirming, comprehensive care for trans and gender-diverse individuals, along with Emily West, a Registered Social Worker specializing in social transition support. Both work in Trans Health Services at the Couchiching Family Health Team in Orillia.

Laura and Emily offered an eye-opening and accessible presentation on the foundations of gender diversity. They explained the distinctions between sex assigned at birth, gender identity, gender expression, and the various pathways a person might take when transitioning. They reminded us that getting terminology wrong is human — what matters is kindness, respect, and a willingness to listen. Stigma remains a major barrier, and they emphasized that accurate information and gender-affirming care genuinely save lives, while supportive communities make all the difference.

Their talk explored the three main forms of transition:

• Social transition, such as names, pronouns, and presentation
• Legal transition, including identification documents
• Medical transition, when desired and appropriate

They also addressed several common myths and provided clarity rooted in evidence and lived experience. The presentation included a short clip from Will & Harper, Will Ferrell’s documentary about a 17-day road trip with a close friend who was transitioning — a warm, human reminder of what true support can look like.

To close, they offered practical guidance for being an ally: ask for pronouns, respect each person’s identity, create safety, stay informed, and support people in the choices they make for their own wellbeing. Julia Goldstein offered heartfelt thanks on behalf of the Club for helping us better understand how to support gender-diverse individuals. President Todd also thanked the speakers, who were pleased to hear that a donation to Youth Haven was made in recognition of their presentation.

At a recent Rotary Club of Barrie meeting, Past President Ian Pavlik proudly presented three cheques on behalf of the Charitable Foundation, supporting a variety of important community and international initiatives.

The Foundation has been providing matching grants for projects brought forward by Club committees, multiplying the impact of their efforts. This round of funding included:

• $1,850 – International Service project for a firefighting water system
  
• $1,695 – Community Service project to provide iPads to the IOOF Home
  
• $2,500 – Community Service project to assist the Barrie Food Bank with their “School Fuel” program

These contributions demonstrate Rotary’s ongoing commitment to improving lives both locally and globally. From enhancing safety and education to supporting food security for children, each donation reflects the Rotary spirit of Service Above Self.

The Rotary Club of Barrie is thrilled to announce that the 2025 Barrie Fun Run Committee presented a cheque for $25,000 to Past-President Brian! This generous contribution comes from the success of this year’s 38th Annual Barrie Fun Run and will go directly to support local initiatives and charities in our community.

Despite rain showers, the event was full of energy, smiles, and community spirit. From runners and walkers to our amazing volunteers, cheer squads, and of course, crowd favourite Sprocket, the Barrie Fun Run was a true celebration of giving back.

These funds will help The Rotary Club of Barrie continue its work across various community programs, supporting initiatives that make a meaningful impact in Barrie and beyond.

A huge thank you to all participants, volunteers, and sponsors for making the 2025 Barrie Fun Run a tremendous success! Your energy, dedication, and heart truly make a difference.

As July draws to a close, so too does a very special chapter at Rotary Barrie. Our incredible Rotary Youth Exchange student, Petra Hoffman, is heading back home to Hungary after a remarkable year of learning, connection, and unforgettable memories.

While we’re sad to see her go, we are so proud of the bright, confident young woman she is and the impact she’s made on our club and community. Petra brought energy, curiosity, and warmth to every Rotary event she attended, and reminded us all why the Youth Exchange program is such a powerful experience, not just for students, but for everyone they meet along the way.

At her farewell meeting, Todd Armstrong presented Petra with a gift on behalf of the club, and Petra graciously gifted Todd with beautiful items from Hungary. She spoke about how welcome she felt and how much she learned through her time here. “I’m so grateful to Rotary for everything,” she shared, “This year has changed me. Thank you for making me feel like part of the family.”

Highlights from Petra’s Year:

• 🎂 Birthday Celebrations: Rotarians sang a proper birthday song (with enthusiasm!) and shared a delicious chocolate cake lined with strawberries.
  
• 🖼️ Fundraising Auction: Led by Todd Tuckey, a spontaneous auction raised funds to help Petra attend a Rotary conference in Calgary. Items included a Haitian painting and a vintage box of wine, and thanks to generous bids, a significant contribution was raised.
  
• 🤝 Conference Adventures: The Calgary trip gave Petra the chance to meet other exchange students, expand her Rotary experience, and represent Barrie proudly.
  

Petra’s warmth and enthusiasm left a lasting impression. Whether she was speaking at club meetings, volunteering at events, or simply sharing stories from home, she brought a global perspective and a genuine spirit of connection.

We wish her all the best as she returns to Hungary and look forward to hearing about her future adventures. Thank you, Petra, for being a wonderful part of our Rotary family. Safe travels — and don’t be a stranger! 💙

This month, the Rotary Club of Barrie received a truly special and heartfelt gift, a $30,000 donation to The Rotary Foundation made in memory of Past President Dave Brown (1994–95).

Dave was a dedicated Rotarian for 47 years, joining the club in 1974. Over nearly five decades, he exemplified what it means to live by Rotary’s motto: Service Above Self. He was a multiple Paul Harris Fellow and a steadfast contributor to the Rotary mission, always showing up with generosity, wisdom, and a quiet strength that made a lasting impression on everyone around him.

The donation was presented by Dave’s son Richard and son-in-law Mike, a gesture that speaks not only to Dave’s enduring commitment to Rotary but also to the deep impact he had on his family and community. In his Rotary life, Dave mentored many—including current member Ian Pavlik—offering guidance, encouragement, and a living example of leadership grounded in humility and service.

This legacy gift to The Rotary Foundation will help carry forward the causes that Dave championed throughout his life: strengthening communities, supporting youth, and creating lasting change both locally and globally. His presence is deeply missed, but his legacy will continue to shape our work and inspire future generations of Rotarians.

Thank you, Dave, for everything you gave to Rotary and to the people you touched along the way.

This week, the Rotary Club of Barrie held our annual Presidential Changeover, an important tradition where we reflect on the year past and set our sights on the path ahead. Outgoing President Brian Galbraith opened the meeting by sharing Rotary’s powerful vision:

“Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change, across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.”

Brian highlighted the Club’s incredible impact this past year, including raising over $400,000 in support of local programs and initiatives. He expressed deep gratitude to the Board and Club members for their contributions, earning a standing ovation for his steady and thoughtful leadership.

The spotlight then turned to incoming President Todd Tuckey—our 80th Club President. Introduced by PDG Peter Dean and PP Jody, Todd’s story reflected decades of service and deep connections to Rotary and the Barrie community. A meaningful moment came when PDG Jim, Peter, and Sgt-at-Arms Jacklyn presented Todd with the Chain of Office and President’s Pin in a multigenerational show of Rotary continuity.

PP Betty Ann shared heartfelt remarks recognizing Brian’s contributions, noting how his leadership strengthened the Club through collaboration, balance, and quiet determination. She then presented him with his Past President’s Pin and gavel.

Taking the podium as President, Todd thanked his new Board of Directors and outlined his vision for the year ahead: a renewed focus on member engagement, connection with families and the broader community, and highlighting the good Rotary continues to do every day.

A Barrie native, Todd’s service journey spans decades—from launching Tamarco Contracting in 1989, to chairing Kempenfest and the Barrie Chamber of Commerce, to surviving a life-altering aneurysm. Through it all, Todd has shown resilience, heart, and an unwavering commitment to making a difference.

Thank you, Past President Brian Galbraith, for a year of incredible leadership. And to President Todd Tuckey, we look forward to supporting you as we continue living Rotary’s values and making an impact together.

President Brian proudly presented this year’s Aber Award to our Treasurer, Chris Van Niekerk, recognizing his outstanding work behind the scenes keeping the Club’s finances in order. Chris’s quiet dedication and attention to detail have not gone unnoticed. In accepting the award, he shared his gratitude and humbly acknowledged that many others in the Club are just as deserving. Congratulations, Chris!