Learn about some of the latest Rotary projects around the world this May from Australia to Mexico, from the USA to Austria.
Mark your diaries for our annual night at the National Gallery of Victoria's Winter Masterpiece Series on Friday 1st August from 6pm. This year features French Impressionism from the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. The night will include an introductory talk and exhibition.
Save the date and book now for our annual Environment Lunch on 11 June with Fiona Simon, CEO of the Australian Hydrogen Council—the peak body for the hydrogen industry. Representing the full hydrogen value chain, the Council advocates for a clean energy future. Invite colleagues and friends with an interest in sustainability.
Member Amanda Wendt shares insights from the Global Philanthropy Seminar in Chicago and her new role as End Polio Now Coordinator for our region. Discover how global collaboration is shaping Rotary’s impact - and what it means for our club.
Scams are everywhere, targeting people from all walks of life and costing Australians billions of dollars each year. Whether it’s fake emails, unexpected phone calls or online schemes, scammers always find new ways to gain your trust and steal your money or personal information.
Guests of the Club: Mark Allan (Speaker).
Visiting Rotarians: David Fernee (Packenham).
Guests of Members: Ailesh Dupate (Bernie McIntosh), Christos Papadimitriou, Karan Satchell (Bruce Livett), Stephen Todd.
Thank you to Philip Cornish for your reflection at last week's meeting Wednesday 7 May 2025.
This month the Environmental Sustainability Rotarian Action Group (ESRAG) newsletter ESRAG May 2025 Volume 9 Issue 11 features an article titled 'Why Biodiversity Matters—And How You Can Help Protect It'. Click on read more below.
Have you ever thought about the great network that you could advertise your company to. Rotary Melbourne is currently seeking advertisers for the next edition of the members Directory 25-26. The cost to advertise is $880 for colour and $440 for B&W full page advert. Contact Jo at the office if you are interested.
Baby William (Billy) Berkeley Belfield was born at 3.59pm on 30th April. Baby and Mum Katherine are doing well. His parents are pretty smitten with him.
On Duty: Bob Glindemann (MC), Sandra Hills, Tony Battaini, Deb Yin Foo (Reception), Peter Dakin (Reflection), TBD (Raffle), John Peberdy (Photos).
Member Anniversaries: Arjang Taylor, Chad Brendish, Nicholas Batrouney (8), Luke Belfield (1), Russell Board (12), Suresh Marcandan (6), Dean McIntyre (12), Trevor Neroy (1), Kevin O'Flaherty (33), Ian Riseley (2), Chris Rodd (9), Ahmed Tohow (4).
Member Birthdays this week: none
Last week’s meeting, chaired by Hon Sec John Saunders in the absence of President Catherine, featured a compelling keynote address from urban design expert Mark Allan. With Melbourne’s population expanding at unprecedented rates, Mark explored the critical role of smart planning, green public spaces, and cutting-edge digital twin technology in shaping sustainable, people-centred cities.
Rotarian Jessie Harman - a friend to many of us at Rotary Melbourne and the first female Rotary International Board Member from our zone - has reached base camp at Mt Everest as she treks to raise funds to end polio.
President Catherine Baxter welcomed members and guests, including former exchange student Julie Hindkaer. Guest speaker Andrew Laidlaw, Royal Botanic Gardens Landscape Architect, delivered an interesting talk on the Gardens’ evolving role in urban resilience and wellbeing. Members were also reminded to update directory details and book for the Thomas Baker Oration.
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 Chairman's Message and articles on successful medical cases for April 2025 please click read more below.
Thank you to Robert Fisher for your reflection on Wednesday 30 April 2025.
Guests of the Club: Andrew Laidlaw (Speaker), Julie Hindkaer.
Visiting Rotarians: Pam Dittmer (Port Philip), Jennifer Foster (Change Makers).
Guests of Members: Maggie Jacobs (Bruce Livett), Bernie McInerny (Rob McGuirk).
Member Anniversaries: Mev Connell (38), Tim Conolan (5), Tony Greenwood (15).
Member Birthdays this week: Peter Habersberger, Sam McLarty, Stewart Stribling, Jenny Taing.
On Duty: Rosemary Nixon (MC), Robert FIsher (Reception), Philip Cornish (Reflection), Trevor Nink (Raffle), Gerald Ashman (Photos).
Don't miss this rare opportunity to witness an extraordinary fusion of musical heritage, vocal ingenuity, and cultural creativity. For one night only, this ensemble—deeply rooted in the classical Arabic music tradition—is breaking new ground.
Click on Read More below to book.
On Saturday, April 26, Rotary Melbourne members and guests were treated to a rare and enriching experience—an afternoon that seamlessly blended history, music, geography, architecture, and conviviality.
Burringilly Aboriginal Corporation is one of our largest partners in Queensland, distributing thousands of FareShare meals and nearly 130,000kg of SecondBite food since 2018 to communities across Bayside, Logan, and Southside.
As a trusted local hub, Burringilly supports about 20 community groups and steps up in times of crisis. Ahead of the recent cyclone, we stocked them with 72 emergency hampers, in collaboration with Foodbank QLD, helping them deliver vital food and meals to families and schools hit by floods and power outages.
Click Read More to learn about our partnership .
This week we hosted a very special guest - our 2014 Danish Youth Exchange Student, Julie Hindkaer. Much has happened in Julie's life over the last decade after returning to Denmark.
May is Rotary’s Youth Service Month. Rotary Melbourne empowers young people through scholarships, leadership programs, mentoring, education support, science initiatives, and more. Join us in shaping brighter futures with projects like BioEYES, RYLA, The Smith Family, Western Chances, and Afri-Aus Care. Together, we inspire the next generation.
