Guests of the Club:
Visiting Rotarians:
Guests of Members:
The Rotary Peace Fellowships were inaugurated in 2002 between Rotary International and prestigious universities around the world. Each year, 170 fully funded fellowships are awarded to encourage master’s level students to dedicate their lives to peace and humanitarian service.
Rotary Melbourne’s partnership with the Cambodian Rural Student Trust is creating lasting change through education, service, and leadership. Carol Bond shares how dedicated students and Rotary support are helping rural Cambodian communities break the cycle of poverty - seen first hand during a recent visit to Siem Reap.
Thank you to Robert Fisher for your reflection on Wednesday 4 February 26.
This month the District 9800: Environment and Sustainability News February 2026 features articles tfrom around District 9800. Click here to read.
Sambun Sambath, a Cambodian scholar supported by Rotary Melbourne and Member of Rotaract Club of Siem Reap, has provided a January 26 update on learning Chinese. He also expressed his warm and sincere gratitude for the trust, love, care and support to make his life goals come true via the support of Rotary Melbourne.
Iqbal advised that one of our long-standing members, Colin Honey, has been unwell and is currently admitted at Epworth Hospital in Richmond. Iqbal visited Colin on 1 February 26, and he shared that he is awaiting a heart bypass procedure prior to undergoing knee and hip replacement surgeries. While he appeared a little weak, he was in good spirits.
Last week’s meeting highlighted the annual Vocational Panel, showcasing how members use their professional talents to serve society. Insightful reflections from our panellists sparked strong discussion on manufacturing, creativity, and the challenges and rewards of building purpose-driven careers in Australia.
Rotary Melbourne member John Peberdy and Vanessa Hall visited (in early February 26) the Rotary Club of Waikīkī is one of three in Honolulu. Whilst there is relationship at an individual level, they were very impressed when I told them 22 clubs were members of RIMERN. Their slogan is “the friendly club” and that was our experience. We were introduced to many members including the President and President-elect.
Guests of the Club: Chrysanthe Pragastis (Inductee), Christina Pragastis, Jack Howes, Mamum Haque.
Visiting Rotarians: Andy Rajapakse (Burleigh Heads - Gold Coast), Christine Zavod (Toorak), James Allen (Sydney).
Guests of Members: Emerie Agunwah (Mimmie Watts), Kate Datson (Tony Battaini), Penne Ebbage (Joseph Ebbage), Janet Huynh (Deb Yin Foo).
Membership Anniversary Rob Helme (29), Ron Cullen (43), Philip Endersbee (32), Peter McCall (24), Rodney Smith (42).
Happy Birthday Bob Burgess, Steph Hunt, John Shaw.
Join Rotarians and friends for a casual evening of friendship. BYO Picnic and seating. It's a great opportunity to visit our very own Rotary Melbourne Peace Park, celebrate its history and ring the beautiful Peace Bells.
Please note there are plenty of options to buy drinks and food nearby if you just want to bring a rug.
Also note you can continue from 7.30 a free concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl nearby is on featuring the Australian Youth Orchestra more information at: 2026 Sidney Myer Free Concerts | Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
On Duty: Karen Gornalle (Reception), Bruce Davidson (Raffle), Tony Battaini (MC), Robert Fisher (Reflection), Joseph Ebbage (Photos).
Following our earlier notices, plans for the Rotary Melbourne On to Conference (OTC) Road Trip to Horsham in March 2026 are now well underway, and there’s still time to join us. The trip runs from Wednesday 25 to Friday 27 March via Ballarat and Stawell, with flexible options to take part in all or part of the journey or simply meet the group for the Friday night club dinner in Horsham.
As we are all well aware, the past two weeks in Victoria have been devastating, with fires impacting communities across the state.
Many of us are keen to help by providing assistance and donating items. However, it is critical that any support offered aligns with what affected communities can realistically manage and genuinely need. These needs will also change over time.
The Rotary Club of Melbourne Young Achievers awards recognise and honour annually up to three outstanding young Victorians with an award of $1,500 each. Nominations are now open.
For the 7th edition of District 9800 January 26 Networker for 2025-2026, please click on Read More below. In this issue there is an article on Rotary Castlemaine's Harcourt Bushfire Assistance.
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To see what projects Rotary Clubs around the globe are undertaking click on the link below. For example the Rotary Club of Saigon International participated in two global grant projects with District 3740 in Korea that have corrected congenital heart disease for 100 Vietnamese children since 2023.
To provide access to Water and Sanitation to the indigeneous Taubuid-Mangyan fishing communities of Ilin Island, San Jose and Burgos, Sablayan who have nil to water shortages, that result in water borne illnesses.
Membership Anniversary Sarah Gosper (1).
Happy Birthday Bob Burgess, Sarah Gosper, Mamum Haque, John Shaw.
Dave Chauhan, Janet Huynh (RC Interact Club), Sebastian Immaraj, Christos Papadimitriou, Caroline Pilot, Dores Schembri, Catherine Watt, Althea Weeratunga, Jessica Ziersch (Deb Yin Foo), Manon Beauchamp-Tardieu (Peter Berg), Jarrod Rubenstein (Philip Cornish), Anthony Hyett (Visitor), Rohan Sachdeva (Visitor), Kristina Schwarze-Kelso (Visitor).
A warm evening of fellowship at Good Heavens
Around 40 Rotary Melbourne members and guests gathered at the Good Heavens Rooftop Bar on a beautifully warm, balmy Melbourne evening for an informal night of connection and conversation.
Membership Anniversary Garry Fowler (18), Mamum Haque (1), Sharann Johnson (32).
Happy Birthday this week: Sandra Hills, Bob Glindemann, Jeremy Oats, John Shaw.
