District Awards

The following awards were announced at the District Conference in Dunfermline on 25th October 2025. Congratulations to the winners:

Scotland North – District Awards 2024-25

The Service Project Centre has a wealth and variety of projects from across our district, and we should all feel proud of that. Many showed great imagination.

There was a big focus on collecting funds and also things like clothing and food to support families in need. All of these activities are extremely valuable.

Best international project

The award for this year’s best international project has to go to a club which has been collecting, refurbishing and shipping wheelchairs and walking aids for injured Ukrainians. The award goes to Inverness Culloden.

Best youth/Rotakids/Interact project

There is a lot going on in our clubs to support youth. We’ve created several more Rotakids clubs, and the youth competitions showcase talent and allow us to engage with parents and guardians. Rotarians are going into schools to support young people with craft projects.

I’m stretching the terms of reference for this award, but I feel strongly that the work done to set up Kids Out/Fun days should be recognised. The Aberdeen clubs and others work together to give a fantastic experience for around 400 children and young people with a range of additional support needs, so the award this year goes jointly to Aberdeen; Aberdeen St Machar; Aberdeen St Fittick; Aberdeen Balgownie; Aberdeen Bon Accord; Aberdeen St Nicholas;  Aberdeen Deeside; Banchory;  Dyce; Westhill; Oldmeldrum; Inverurie; Ellon; Portlethen & District; Stonehaven and Kintore, Blackburn & Kemnay club.

Best Foundation project

There were a few projects showcasing events which raised money for Foundation or for End Polio Now, but the award goes to a club which has an ongoing commitment through collecting loose change in its Fill a Pig for Polio. The award goes to Buckhaven and Methil.

Best environmental project

Several excellent projects were centred around local schools, ably supporting young people’s interest in their environment.

But the award goes to a major project where a club worked with the Community Council and the RAF, and used recycled Christmas trees to prevent coastal erosion in Lossiemouth. The award goes to Rotary Elgin.

Top increase in Membership

Several clubs are up there, but this year’s winner with an increase of 7 members is Cupar.

Best club PR

This year’s award goes to a club doing something really different. A club member has a weekly 2-hour programme on local radio where she talks about community and Rotary activities. The award goes to Arbroath Rotary.

Innovation in Recruitment

We know that several clubs routinely talk about Rotary rather than keeping it secret, but this year’s award for ongoing and relentless promotion of Rotary and what the club does in order to bring members in goes to Buckhaven and Methil Rotary.

Best community project

This was a very crowded field with a whole host of worthy and imaginative projects going on across the district – great to see. These projects include events to support people’s wellbeing, events to raise money for the community, projects to support vulnerable families such as with foodbank or clothing bank donations or visiting care homes, and events which are simply fun for the community to enjoy.

This award could be given several times over, but it’s being given to a club which has committed to weekly events with members cooking and serving meals to local people, and also offering entertainment. This project offers warm spaces, and alleviates social isolation and food poverty. It’s an example of Rotarians taking regular, direct action in their community. The award goes to Buckhaven and Methil Rotary.

Rotary International Excellence awards

Aberdeen St Nicholas
Buckhaven & Methil
Elgin
Ellon
Forres
Inverness Culloden
Kilrymont St Andrews
Spey Valley
Thurso.