Congratulations to Rotary Melbourne member Sap De and Alison on the arrival of Baby Lillian, a future Rotarian. She was born on 5 June 26. Sap noted 'Mum and baby are doing amazing and we're getting used to our new sleep routine.'
Investing in the next generation of health leaders
Australian Rotary Health has spent four decades funding scholarships and research that change lives — not just for individuals, but for the families and communities around them. Chloe Price, a proud Yamatiji woman and medical graduate, is one powerful example: her 2020 Indigenous Health Scholarship opened a pathway she could see herself walking, and she has since mentored other Aboriginal students, volunteered in health programs, and advocated for culturally safe care. As the financial year draws to a close, donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible and go directly toward keeping these pathways open. Visit australianrotaryhealth.org.au to support the next generation. You can Support the their projects here.
What’s happening across District 9800
From a first-time PELD attendee reimagining how clubs welcome new members, to a Footscray stalwart approaching 50 years of service, this edition of the District newsletter captures Rotary at its most human. Stories this month also include sleeping bags for Melbourne’s homeless, computer training rescuing girls from trafficking in Nepal, an inclusive football league in Hawthorn, and an eye program on the Indonesian island of Sumba now in its second decade. Governor Shep reflects on the final stretch of his Rotary year read on.
Appreciation to Plan International Philippians, Rotary Club of Lubang Island and Rotary Club of Melbourne Inc. Australia.
Ilin San Jose people lived through disasters, typhoons, rain or heat and on a daily basis we use small boats, walk and use habalhabal to get buckets of water from springs/wells.
Appreciation to Plan International Philippians, Rotary Club of Lubang Island and Rotary Club of Melbourne Inc. Australia.
Among the 3,372 residents of Barangay Burgos, people have endured disasters, typhoons, extreme rains, and intense heat. On a daily basis, many residents had to fetch water from the river or from distant springs and wells, often carrying buckets of water back to their homes.
In this years Kings Birthday Honours 2026 Rotary Melbourne member Dr Celina Ping Yu, was awarded Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the General Division for service to business education, and to international trade.
It’s close at the top of the Rotary Melbourne footy tipping competition, but we had a clear Round 12 winner, John Peberdy , who receives $100. John had tipped 81 winners at the end of Round 12, leading by the slimmest possible margin from Andrew Weeks on 80, followed by Will Abdo, Linda Holmes and Reg Smith on 79.
This month’s Evening Conversation took us somewhere a little different — the bustling Winter Night Market at Melbourne’s iconic Queen Victoria Market.
Guests of Members: Robin Whyte, Helen Chaudhuri, Arshad Samsudeen (Deb Yin Foo), Debra Sonin (Philip Cornish), Amanda Battaini (Tony Battaini), Philip Whelan (Mary Barry).
Membership Anniversary: Christina Boys (6) - Today!, Sana Malik (5), Ramona Martinovici (5).
Happy Birthday: Suresh Marcandan.
Mark your diaries for our annual night at the National Gallery of Victoria's Winter Masterpiece Series on Friday 28 August 26 from 6pm. This year features Experience the elegance and exhilaration of CARTIER The night will include an introductory talk and exhibition.
Rotarians, we need your nominations. Let’s find an outstanding volunteer worthy of the Sir John Reid Community Service Award. We all hear about or come across dedicated volunteers who fly under the radar, who do not receive due recognition, despite years of unstinting effort.
Thank you to Presidet Philip Cornish for last week's reflection on Wednesday 3 June 2026.
Rotary Melburne member Cheryl Lacey paid a visit to RC Seminyak on 3 June 26. The club consists mainly ex-pats. There are only 4 English speaking clubs in Bali. This club is working with RC Perth and Woodend on ‘plastics in bali’. But, naturally the highlight was learning from President Patrick on matters of education in Bali. Clifton and I have been invited to join him for lunch on Saturday in Ubud.
After nearly three decades with the Hamilton Police Service, Joanne Serkeyn was burning out — until her commander suggested she join Rotary. Attending her first Rotary International Convention, she was "gobsmacked" by the scale of good happening in the world.
Her forensic work connecting missing persons cases to human trafficking led her to the Rotary Action Group Against Slavery. In July she becomes Governor of District 7090 (southern Ontario and western New York), with a districtwide anti-trafficking initiative at the heart of her plans. Her message: "Together, we can move the needle." From the May 2026 issue of Rotary magazine.
The June issue of Rotary magazine showcases this year's 13 award-winning photographs — all taken by Rotarians and Rotaractors around the world. The collection ranges from a solitary child lost in thought beside spring flowers in Vienna (overall winner Luca Venturi, Italy) to a tearful woman clasping her hands in gratitude at a free medical camp in India, a moonrise over an Antarctic iceberg, and a golden child framed in a sunny Oregon doorway.
What unites the images is an eye for the magic hiding in everyday moments. The next photo contest opens in October — worth keeping in mind for any budding photographers in the club. From the June 2026 issue of Rotary magazine.
Robert Fisher has now taken over the Clubs role as Team Leader responsible for the roster of weekly reflection speakers. The relections involve a one-minute piece once or twice every six month period. Robert is inviting members to consider volunteering for this important speaking role. Please contact Robert .
In honour of the late PP Peter McCall, the Canterbury Waverley group invite all members to a special sale of Peter's extensive personal book collection, available exclusively to fellow members. Peter and his wife Kaye had a lifelong love of literature — so much so that during Peter's time as Mayor, they donated his entire mayoral wage to purchasing books for local government schools.
Barbara Yerondais, chair of the Rotary Melbourne 2026 Environmental Sustainability Award presented the awards at the luncheon which celebrated young environmental leaders.
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.
This month ESRAG celebrates World Environment Day (June 5) and World Oceans Day (June 8). Azerbaijan hosts this year's Environment Day with a focus on climate change, while World Oceans Day carries the theme Reimagine — a new relationship with our ocean.
From the field: the Adopt the Nile project in Assiout, Egypt is combining new fishing boats, a childcare centre, and a plastic-collection incentive scheme to simultaneously clean the river and lift community livelihoods. In Nepal, a Zero Waste Exhibition drew over 600 visitors. In Canada, the Rotary Club of Canmore ran the country's first Rotary-led Vegan Chef Challenge — 14 restaurants signed up, and social media posts surpassed 10,000 views. To read more click ESRAG_Issue_6_Volume_16-3_1.pdf
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.
Advance to Zero now operates in 9 Melbourne communities - with more LGAs to be announced soon - and has supported more than 745 people into stable housingso far.
Independent economic modelling commissioned by Launch Housing shows aVictoria-wide roll out of the approach would save $88 million by 2035 across health, justice and homelessness systems.
