Search through our archive for our historic meetings and events, including photos, videos and reviews.
'When Housing Comes First: Compassion, Courage and the Pathways to Ending Homelessness'
Rotary Melbourne’s guest speaker, Sherry Bruinhout, CEO of Launch Housing, delivered a powerful and ultimately hopeful address on homelessness in Victoria.
'When Housing Comes First: Compassion, Courage and the Pathways to Ending Homelessness'
Rotary Melbourne’s guest speaker, Sherry Brunholt, CEO of Launch Housing, delivered a powerful and ultimately hopeful address on homelessness in Victoria.
Andrew introduced Dr David Horgan as “a man on a mission”, observing that David would probably have preferred to forgo his introduction altogether in order to spend more time speaking about suicide prevention. A recently inducted member of the Rotary Club of Melbourne, Dr Horgan is a retired Clinical Associate Professor of Psychiatry who trained in Dublin and Edinburgh before establishing a distinguished career in Australia.
This link will take you to the images taken at the Rotary Melburne Chngeover meeting on 24 June 26 kindly provided by Janet Jane Media Photos by clicking on READ MORE BELOW.
Ian began with an Acknowledgement of Country, paying respects to the Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung peoples. He framed his address as a reflection on “Aboriginal Australia: where to from here?”, noting how much had changed since he last spoke to Rotary Melbourne.
Rotary Melbourne’s final meeting of the Rotary year, its 5,130th meeting, was also the 2026 President’s Changeover Lunch — a fitting occasion to reflect on a year of service, recognise outstanding contributions, welcome a new member, and formally induct Dr Carol Bond as the Club’s 110th President.
Vice President Branko Panich then began the Vice President’s reporting session with a note of apology from Vice President Carol Bond who is attending the Rotary International convention in Taipei. The report delivered by Branko, with help from Club Directors, provided members and guests with a comprehensive overview of the Club’s activities, achievements and priorities across 2025/26.
This month’s Evening Conversation took us somewhere a little different — the bustling Winter Night Market at Melbourne’s iconic Queen Victoria Market.
Rotary Melbourne marked World Environment Day 2026 with a thoughtful and inspiring luncheon focused on environmental stewardship, youth leadership, practical action and public policy reform.
One lunch. One extraordinary speaker. Three premium wines. Two outstanding charities.
On Wednesday 3 June, Rotary Melbourne’s World Environment Day Luncheon at the Sofitel on Collins will feature one of Australia’s foremost environmental reformers, Professor Graeme Samuel AC.
A highlight of the meeting was the presentation of the 2026 Cynthia Edgell Empowerment Opportunity Gift, introduced by Past President Kevin Sheehan. Kevin recalled Cynthia Edgell as a distinguished Rotary Melbourne member of more than 15 years, a certified life coach, mentor and passionate supporter of young women.
President Philip paid tribute to the late Right Reverend Honourable Dr Peter Hollingworth AC OBE, former Governor-General, Anglican leader, social justice advocate, Australian of the Year and long-serving Rotarian. His decades of service to the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Indigenous Australians, refugees, the homeless, unemployed and disadvantaged were acknowledged, followed by a moment’s silence.
The Rotary Club of Melbourne marked a milestone occasion with the 10th Thomas Baker Oration, held during the centenary year of the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute.
This week’s regular Rotary Melbourne meeting took the form of a round-table discussion focusing on Peace, led by our esteemed member Rob McGuirk, who has been involved over the years in a number of peace initiatives both in Rotary and elsewhere.
On Wednesday May 13th 26 we will once again be celebrating the life of our esteemed 8th President, Thomas Baker, in the 10th year at the Oration in his name. Each year we seek an orator that embodies leadership in medicine, science, technology, entrepreneurial or philanthropy. This year we are honoured by Professor John Greenwood, Director of Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, as our orator in the centenary year of the Institute's formation. Thomas Baker was instrumental in establishing the organisation which has become the Baker HDI.
President Philip welcomed members and guests, highlighting Guest Speaker Alan Oster who would later be introduced by Vice President Branko Panich, and Visiting International Rotarians: Chris Gasteier (D6600, Northwest Ohio, USA) ,Dores Schembri (Kensington & Chelsea UK).
President Philip Cornish welcomed Members, visitors and guests to the 38th Meeting of Rotary Melbourne for 2025-26 on Wednesday 22 April 2026. In particular, he welcomed Caroline Pilot, to be inducted as a Member at this meeting, and Guest Speaker Don Farrands KC, to speak on the topic Life on the Western Front – a Stretcher Bearer’s Perspective.
President Philip especially welcomed Guest speaker, Charlie Thomas, CEO of the Victorian Farmers’ Federation, and Club Guest Catherine Freeman to be inducted as a Rotary Melbourne member at this meeting.
Who says Rotary Melbourne doesn’t try to do things differently?
Some 20 members and guests met on Thursday for an evening ‘meeting’ at the Paris Cat Jazz Club in the city.
After welcoming members and guests, President Philip Cornish outlined a membership-focused meeting featuring: Dr Dimitrios Salampasis on Davos 2026; Past President Mary Barry on the “For a Meal” volunteering program; Patricia Matuschka reflecting on her first year of membership; and Past President Reg Smith with an update on the Melbourne Arboretum, where he serves as Board Chair.
Master of Ceremonies: Karen Kim
Reflection Delivered by Ruth Carlos Martinez (See transcript later in this bulletin)
As meeting chair for the day, President Philip then introduced PRIP Jennifer Jones to address the meeting on Building Peace Through Action: Her address challenged us to think boldly about our role in building peace through action.
Architecture Walk 2026, Friday 20th March, Metro Tunnel stations by Barbara Yerondais.
40 Rotarians and friends gathered at the new ANZAC Station for an informative and interesting tour of the new Metro Tunnel project.
Master of Ceremonies: PP Philip Endersbee
Reflection Delivered by Tony Battaini
After welcoming visitors and guests, and making our Guest Speaker, Walter Lee, AFL Executive General Manager Strategy, Data & Analytics, and Investments to speak on Playing the long game, to be fully introduced later in the meeting by VP Branko Panich.
Prof Chris McDevitt's presentation is a must see because Sepsis is one of the leading causes of death worldwide.
MC for the day was Past President Bob Glindeman
Reflection was delivered by Past President Robert Fisher.
Master of Ceremonies – Peter Davis
