Next Thursday, 10 September, is World Suicide Prevention Day - a reminder that the right words can make an enormous difference. Rotary Melbourne member and psychiatrist Associate Professor David Horgan is bringing his suicide-prevention expertise by joining the board of Rotary’s Global Mental Health Initiatives Action Group (RAGMHI). His award-winning free resource offers more than 500 medically approved messages to help families and friends support someone at risk. Click read more below to discover how it helps ordinary people act when it matters most.
Please keep an eye out for your Rotary Melbourne 26-27 Directory. These have been mailed to members. Your editor apologises for the delay this year.
Last week at Rotary Melbourne brought together service, celebration and a fascinating look at Victoria’s future. Trevor Nink rallied members behind our upcoming fundraising for The Smith Family, before the Club celebrated an extraordinary milestone — Bob Burgess’s 50 years as a Rotary Melbourne member. Guest speaker Simon Westaway then turned our attention to Victoria’s aviation and tourism future, exploring the opportunities and challenges ahead for our airports and visitor economy. Click read more below to read the full meeting report and enjoy the photos from a memorable afternoon.
The pair of Melbourne Peregrine Falcons, considered to be the fastest bird in the world, have returned to their window ledge nest at 367 Collins Street Melbourne, laying 4 eggs over the last week. The peregrine Falcons have been living in the nest boxes on the building's ledge since the early 1990s, In 2020 high-resolution camera was installed to monitor and to share the livfe of the Falcons to the world.
On Saturday 5 September, 26 the Polio Plus Society of District 9800 held its annual Afternoon Tea in the hall of Camberwell Uniting Church, attended by some 30 Rotarians including two Rotary Melbourne members: Polio survivor Prof Bruce Livett and Past President Robert Fisher.
Rotary Melbourne Central 2 Group swapped the meeting room for the studio floor, joining the live audience of Channel 9's Tipping Point at Docklands Studios. Tennis legend and Logie winner Todd Woodbridge kept the energy high as contestants battled through cheers, laughs and a few nail-biting rounds. A behind-the-scenes look at how a game show comes together rounded off a day of great company and even better stories.
Three Rotary Melbourne members: David Kram, Tony Battaini and Karen Kim are bringing internationally acclaimed soprano Sumi Jo to Melbourne for a special masterclass at Sofitel Melbourne On Collins on Sunday, 4 October 26.
Rotary members and friends are warmly invited to attend the masterclass and a Welcome Reception for Sumi Jo, and witness these talented young singers being coached by a true international icon.
Click read more for information and tickets.
Club Guests Simon Westaway (Speaker).
Visiting Rotarians Michael Jordan (Knoxville Volunteer Club, Tennessee US), Shinji Higuchi (Osaka, Japan), Neha Kaur (Everett Washington, US ), Ajay Sing (Calcutta Changemakers India), Teresa Mitchell (Warragul).
Inducted on 8 September 1976 under the classification of Actuarial Services, Bob Burgess this week marks half a century with Rotary Melbourne. Board Director, four years as Chairman of the Reception Committee, Group Captain for the Malvern Group and a Ruby Paul Harris Fellow, he has seen close to 50 Presidents come and go while remaining a constant at our lunches. His father Sam was a member for 41 years before him, and his wife Jean has shared the journey throughout. The Club marked the occasion with warm thanks and a pair of 50 year Rotary socks. Congratulations, Bob.
Thank you to Reg Smith for last week's reflection, on Wednesday 2 September 2026.
Rotary Melbourne's newly established Jazz Group met this week. We'd like to draw to people's attention that the Melbourne International Jazz Festival starts next month and runs from the 16th Oct and runs until the 25th Oct 26. The group is looking to collaborate with a couple of Home Groups to have some activities later in the year. And perhaps some other events. Stayed tuned.
You may have seen our latest Rotary Melbourne Minute on our club socials this week - aviation and tourism leader Simon Westaway joined Sana Malik to explore what Victoria must do to remain connected, competitive and attractive to visitors from Australia and around the world.
Click read more below to visit the Rotary Melbourne YouTube channel for the full-length interview.
Membership Anniversary Peter Bailey (26), Caz Burr (6), Bob Glindemann (33), Bernie McIntosh (21), Quin Scalzo (25).
Happy Birthday Peter Berg, Stephen Rando.
Victoria – What Is Its Aviation and Tourism Future? Join us this Wednesday as we welcome Simon Westaway, an experienced corporate leader with more than 30 years across aviation, tourism, government and public affairs. Most recently CEO of the Australian Airports Association, Simon has also held senior roles with Tourism Australia, the Australian Tourism Industry Council and Jetstar Airways.
With Victoria competing for visitors, investment and airline capacity in a rapidly changing global market, Simon will explore what lies ahead — and what the State needs to get right to stay connected, competitive and compelling.
Mission Accomplished this Saturday morning (29.8.26) - 2 DIK trucks loaded with furniture from Tarneit Kindergarten, to avoid going to landfill, as led by Colleen D'Offay from DIK and plenty of help from Rotary Club of Hoppers Crossing and several other clubs. Cheers, Peter Clements.
Volunteer now. have some fun and help change a young life. Rotary Melbourne is stepping up its support for The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program this October, with several opportunities for members to get involved. From the Melbourne Marathon to Around the Bay, every volunteer helps raise vital funds supporting education for disadvantaged young Australians. A new Around the Bay opportunity is now available at Albert Park Lake — but be quick, volunteers are needed now!
Rotary Melbourne's longstanding support for the PNG Snakebite Partnership continues to bear fruit, from a new rescue ambulance funded by Port Moresby RC to the tenth AED donated to St John PNG, deepening a partnership St John's new CEO Kai Tane calls essential to saving lives across PNG.
Recent flooding in Nepal has left families without homes, possessions, and livelihoods, while damaged water and sanitation infrastructure raises the risk of waterborne disease. RAWCS National has launched a fund to support Rotary Clubs and partner projects helping affected communities recover, with a goal of $2,000,000. Every contribution, however small, helps rebuild lives and restore essential services on the ground.
Click Read More below to support the Nepal Flooding Disaster Relief Fund
Robin Whyte was inducted on 26th August 2026 with the classification Executive Leadership – Healthcare. Robin grew up in Melbourne where she attended Methodist Ladies College and completed a Pharmacy Degree at Monash University.
She lived in the UK for 10 years where she worked in the pharmaceutical industry and completed a Masters of Business Degree at the London Business School.
Rotary Canterbury is hosting a fundraiser in support of RIMERN, pitting a panel of seasoned Rotarians against the champion debating team from Canterbury Girls' Secondary College on the motion "Life is Better Now Than It Was 50 Years Ago". Moderator and guest speaker Elida Brereton will also address generational change, artificial intelligence and the future world.
Join us Monday 14 September, 6.30pm for a 7.00pm start, at Auburn Bowls Club, 2B Munro Street, Hawthorn East. Tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for students, including debate and supper, with all proceeds supporting RIMERN. Click Read More below to book.
Thank you to Robert Fisher for last week's reflection, on Wednesday 26 August 2026, which was delivered by Reg Smith.
