Fifteen-month-old Michael Rahurou (15 months old) has had initial medical appointments including an assessment at the Pediatric Cardiology registrar at Auckland’s Starship Children’s Hospital.
He has a large ventricular septal defect (VSD), a hole in the wall separating the heart’s lower chambers, which an allow oxygen-rich blood to flow back into the lungs instead of out to the body. This is complicated by Down syndrome, a genetic disorder which leads to developmental delays.
Samantha Cristoforetti, a member of the Rotary Club of Cologne am Rhein, is a European Space Agency astronaut, engineer and former Italian Air Force fighter pilot. She has flown two missions to the International Space Station, in 2014 to 2015 and again in 2022, when she served as the first European woman to command the station. On her second mission she also became the first European woman to complete a spacewalk.
After welcoming remarks to Rotarians, visitors and guests, (see details later in this bulletin), President Carolinvited Ahamed Sumsudeen join her on the podium with Sponsor, Past President Mary Barry to introduce Ahamed to the Club and induct him as a member. After delivering the induction charge Ahamed spoke briefly of his delight in joining Rotary Melbourne.
The 2027 Rotary International Convention takes place 26 to 30 June in Barcelona, one of the world's top tourist destinations, known for its street life, architecture and Catalan cuisine. The city is also a strong base for exploring further afield.
This month's roundup from Rotary International highlights four club projects worldwide:
Full story: rotary.org
Membership Anniversary Bob Fels (42), Colin Honey (23), Abdullah Saeed (17), Ross Scholes-Robertson (40), Yiannis Ventikos (2), Clive Weeks (28) - TODAY!
Happy Birthday Alberto Balbo (TODAY!), Timothy Conolan, Philip Endersbee, Stephen Lake.
This week’s duties: Karen Gornalle, Dores Schembri, Chrysanthe Pragastis (Reception), Bruce Davidson (Raffle), Philip Endersbee (MC), Adrian Nelson (Reflection), Joseph Ebbage (Photographer).
Club Guests: David Norman (Speaker), Arshad Samsudeen (Inductee).
Visiting Rotarians Madhu Jain (Mumbai Versova, India).
Guests of Members: Daniel Durik (Reg Smith), Laura Taylor (Deb Yin Foo).
How do we live well together through a climate of change? RMIT's new free program, Community Leadership for Regenerative Placemaking, invites members into a hands on studio blending live action role play, urban play and design to explore creative placekeeping and regenerative neighbourhoods. Induction is 31 August 26, with sessions through September and an experience day on 3 October. Places are limited, so register soon. Register here
Thank you to Ruth Carlos Martinez for last week's reflection, delivered by Tony Battaini on Wednesday 29 July 2026.
Owen Parnaby's book Australia's First Rotary Club tells the story of Rotary Melbourne since our 1921 foundation, its influential members, and the projects that shaped Victoria. It has long been part of the new member joining pack, giving every new Rotarian a direct line to the Club's history and figures such as General Sir John Monash.
Copies have now run out. A reprint would take time and come at real cost.
If you have a copy at home, please bring it along to a lunch or drop it at the office. Your donation helps ensure new members can still discover the story that connects us all.
