Grand Final fever comes to Rotary Melbourne this week for our annual AFL Grand Final Lunch. Wear your team colours - guernseys, scarves and creative football attire are all welcome - and brush up on your footy knowledge for our always-competitive Grand Final Quiz.
Our special guest is Rob Auld, AFL Executive General Manager of Game Development, who oversees the continued growth of Australian football from Auskick and schools through to community clubs, pathways, inclusion and participation.
Join us for football, fellowship and a lively lead-up to the biggest day on the AFL calendar.
Following the June 2026 Rotary International Board meeting, where the in-principle decision was made to modify the 19 current districts to the planned 9 districts, District 9800 proposes to redistrict with District 9780 and District 9790 with the district boundary of the SA border to the west, the district boundary of 9790 to the north, the district boundary of 9800 to the east, and the district boundary of 9800 and 9780 to the south, as of 1 July 2028.
From the uplifting sound of violinist Rosa Matos performing Elgar to the warm induction of new member Daniel Durik, this week’s meeting offered plenty to celebrate. Guest speaker Sandra Hills OAM then challenged members to consider whether Australians are truly prepared to age in place - and why planning early is essential to preserving independence, dignity and choice. Members also heard how they can support our Around the Bay riders and upcoming volunteering opportunities. Click through for the meeting highlights, photos and recordings.
Join Global Gardens of Peace and Andrew Laidlaw, in conversation with Professor Patrick McGorry AO, at an exclusive New York style rooftop venue, with panoramic Melbourne sunset views on Friday 23 October 26 @ 6pm - 10:30pm AEDT. They will celebrate their current projects with a gorgeous musical lineup, fabulous food from Cutler, and delicious local Victorian wine.
Click read more below for more information and to book.
Our club's new Jazz Group is heading to the Melbourne International Jazz Festival on Thursday 22 October 26 to hear a contemporary Japanese ensemble at Chapel off Chapel, Prahran. Members keen to join are welcome. Please contact Philip Cornish for details.
Rotary Melbourne is proud to support the Melbourne Indigenous Transition School. At MITS, care shows up in everyday moments: a student trying something new, a family sharing what their young person needs, a staff member making sure the right support is in place. In her end of term update, Acting CEO Lia Bartholomew highlights a term of growing confidence, with students exploring university and career pathways, joining cultural learning experiences and reaching sporting grand finals. Health partnerships remain central, including coordinated care through Richmond Access Health and Community and a recent visit from the Chompers dental van offering free check‑ups on site. Senior students, meanwhile, are sharing their experiences to help younger peers imagine what is possible.
Click read more below to read the newsletter.
We have received sad news of the death of our long time devoted member and friend Rodney Smith.
Rodney died peacefully on Tuesday September 15th, 26. His service to Rotary, District 9800 and our Club for more than 40 years was extensive and valued. A full obituary will be published next week.
A funeral service is planned for Tuesday, September 22, 2026, 11:00AM at St Joseph's Catholic Church, 140 Westbourne Grove, Northcote 3070.
Click read more for link to funeral details, including webcast.
One-off volunteering opportunities are a great way to get involved in Rotary - particularly for newer members seeking an easy and enjoyable way to meet fellow members while supporting a worthwhile cause.
Our Around the Bay volunteer team at Albert Park Reserve on Sunday 18 October is now full, with all eight places filled. Thank you to everyone who has put their hand up.
We still need volunteers for the Melbourne Marathon on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October 2026. If you can help, we would love to hear from you.
Thank you to Philip Endersbee for last week's reflection, on Wednesday 16 September 2026.
Sambun Sambath, our Cambodian scholar supported by Rotary Melbourne and Member of Rotaract Club of Siem Reap, has provided his September 26 update.
Sambun is nearing the end of his second term as an International Relations major, balancing English, the history of Cambodia and public policy alongside Chinese and French classes at CRST. Between lectures he drives for the Family Support Program, giving back to his community "even though my pocket is empty". His team also completed two new homes in late August and early September, one at Run Ta Ek and one in Angkor Chum District.
Click read more below to see the photos and his full update.
This week’s duties: Bob Glindemann, Karen Gornalle (Reception), Stephen Mandie (Raffle), Anthony Battaini (MC), Barbara Yerondais (Reflection), Bill Pickett (Photographer).
Membership Anniversary Sap De (4), Stephen Lake (26), John Levi (46), Graham O'Donnell (4).
Happy Birthday Anthony Austin, Christina Boys, Carolyn Burr, Bernie McIntosh, Robin Syme.
For 20 years, Empowering Youth Cambodia (EYC) has been opening doors for young people growing up in some of Phnom Penh’s most disadvantaged communities. Through education, encouragement and opportunity, EYC is helping a new generation build brighter futures for themselves, their families and their communities.
Our club's Sarah Gosper shares the story in this article from Rotary Down Under.
Have you seen our latest Rotary Melbourne Minute on our club socials? German-Bolivian violinist Rosa Matos joined David Kram at rehearsal to discuss her musical journey and the international Rotary partnership bringing her to Melbourne.
Click read more below to visit the Rotary Melbourne YouTube channel for the full-length interview.
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.
