ROMAC provides surgical treatment for children in Australia and New Zealand from developing countries from our Pacific Region in the form of Life Giving and/or dignity restoring surgery not accessible to them in their home country.
If you would like to read the latest ROMAC articles on successful medical cases for June 2026 please click read more below.
MITS marked a decade of impact last Friday, welcoming over 230 guests to a transformed Biderap for an evening honouring the 268 students who have passed through the school. Music from Emma Donovan, words from students, alumni and family, and a retrospective film brought the milestone to life.
The evening also launched Woven Strong, the MITS 2027 strategy, committing to growing the school by up to 50% to meet surging demand. Read the full update, including a leadership transition for Semester Two while CEO Neil Gladwin and family take long service leave in France.
Rotarian Peter Manger and his wife Jo have chosen to donate to Center for Eye Research Australia (CERA) now, rather than wait for a bequest, so they can witness the impact of their generosity firsthand. Peter, known for his work coordinating construction of the MCG's light towers and Great Southern Stand, and for volunteering with Rotary to build a roofing factory in Timor-Leste, says philanthropy is a duty for those who are able.
The decision followed a meeting with CERA's Professor Robyn Guymer AM, whose macular research resonated deeply with the couple after Jo's own experience with age-related macular degeneration, following successful cataract surgery that restored her vision in one eye.
"We wanted to witness the impact we could make," says Peter.
Thank you to Barbara for last week's reflection on Wednesday 1 July 2026.
Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Network (RIMERN) a warehouse in Brunswick needs more volunteers on the first Monday of each month for the Rotary Melbourne's volunteering day. Volunterring involves collecting, storing, sorting and delivering household goods for rehomed refugees, family violence victims and homeless.
John Nauka from Tanna Island Vanuatu is 4 yrs old and has a club foot which needs correction. He will be accompanied by Mary who has good English.
John’s arrival has been delayed due to an injury to the foot needing surgery. The surgeon has finally agreed that the foot is now healthy enough to operate on.
We are delighted to provide our own Rotary SAFE Families success of the TRR Program here in Melbourne. Thank you Ginny for designing this fantastic opportunity for Year 10 students to share and work with their peers, highlighting the importance of respectful relationships versus the horrid impact of abuse and violence.
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.
Speaking in the House, MP Dr Monique Ryan (a Rotarian) praised Rotary District 9800 after its Melbourne changeover, highlighting Robert McGuirk's leadership in eliminating trachoma in Australia (confirmed by the WHO this April), Chris Wang's cold-chain immunisation project across nine Pacific nations, and Kevin Love's 17 years mentoring Victoria Police officers. She urged all levels of government to partner with Rotary.
A container of medical equipment and supplies bound for the Children's Surgical Centre in Phnom Penh has arrived in Cambodia and is awaiting customs release, thanks to a District 9800 joint club project spanning eighteen clubs and organisations, including RC Melbourne. Surplus funds have gone to RC Phnom Penh for local logistics and priority purchases, with DIK Inc and project coordinator PP Bronwyn Stevens acknowledged for their work. A final report with photos will follow once the goods reach the hospital. This is a great example of multi-Club cooperation. Rotary Melbourne's contribution was $5,000.
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.
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.
Club Guests: Ian Hamm (Speaker).
Guests of Members: Dan Durik (Susan Barton), Benjamin Tria (Deb Yin Foo), Arshad Samsudeen (Mary Barry), Prasanna DeSilva (Philip Cornish), John Ferguson (David Kram),
Membership Anniversary
Gerald Ashman (41), Trevor Nink (22), Michael Selth (21).
Happy Birthday Joe Balci.
The 0808 Committee is seeking nominations for the 2026 Monash Medal.
The Monash Medal is awarded for Leadership, Integrity and Service Values of Sir John Monash and of Rotary to an outstanding Australian who has made a significant contribution to the Australian community and beyond.
Nominations should be submitted on the attached by Monday 13 July 2026
Club Guests: Peter Shepheard, Graeme Hope, David Chauhan (inductee), Saari Frochot-Ryan.
Visiting Rotarians: Aviv Palti, Jessica Palti, Maria Hicks (Passport Melbourne), Sophie Shen, Amy Yan (End Forced Organ Harvesting Satellite Club), Norman Taralrud-Bay (EClub Melbourne), Michael Stillwell (Kew & Community Group Leader).
Guests of Members: Fabrizio Ranzani (Karen Kim), Mursal Rezai, Janet Jane (Yidan Xi), Rachel Cameron (Irena Bauer), Jo Star, Tully Smith, Tracey Cain (Stephen Rando), Duncan Cameron (Dimitrios Salampasis), Vanessa Hall (John Peberdy).
Another successful haul by our SecondBite team at Prahran Market, to support the Salvos. We welcomed Yolanda, an exchange student from Colombia. As ever, there's room on the roster for a few more volunteers on a Sunday afternoon for a couple of hours to assist in collecting food to feed the homeless.
This week’s duties: Marg Leser (Reception), Chris Wang (Raffle), Peter Dakin (MC), Barbara Yerondais (Reflection), Gerald Ashman (Photographer).
Membership Anniversary Margaret Gardner (2), Jeremy Oats (29), Robert Read (19).
Happy Birthday Peter Dakin, Richard Dent, Jan Moffatt, Bill Pickett, Michael Selth.
District 9800's Foundation Committee shares highlights from a productive year: grants supporting projects from drought-affected farming families to youth scholarships in Cambodia, and an impressive US$80,268 raised for the End Polio appeal. Looking ahead to 2026/27, clubs are invited to submit Grant Intention forms by mid-July and consider joining the Polio Plus Society. As the District moves into its new theme — Create Lasting Impact — the Foundation team is ready to help turn your ideas into action. Read more 2026-foundation-newsletter-no-4-june.pdf
