Stay connected with Rotary Melbourne across our different platforms.
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.
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.
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!
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
Last week was a busy one at Rotary Melbourne, as we welcomed new member Robin Whyte, heard from outgoing Youth Exchange student Cecelia “CeCe” Nam ahead of her year in France, and welcomed District 9800 Governor Graeme Hope. Graeme challenged members to keep Rotary moving forward through a great club experience, stronger connections with the next generation, membership growth and greater use of The Rotary Foundation. It was a meeting that celebrated new beginnings while looking firmly to the future of Rotary and how we can continue to grow our impact.
You may have seen our first Rotary Melbourne Minute on our club socials this week - District 9800 Governor Graeme Hope joined us to share his thoughts on belonging, making an impact and what makes the Rotary experience so special.
Click read more below to visit the Rotary Melbourne YouTube channel for the full-length interview.
After welcoming all to Rotary Melbourne’s 7th Meeting of the new Rotary Year and our 5137th Club meeting in our one hundred and sixth year, President Carol made special mention of Guest Speaker, Tony Aloisio, CEO, Australian Flexible Pavements Association, as well as Mr. Ryusuke Yokoyama, President of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and formerly of the Rotary Club of Osaka.
A number of Rotary Melbourne members attended the 0808 Battle of Amiens Service at the Shrine on Saturday 8 August 2026. The service commemorated the 108th Anniversary of the Australian Victory at the Battle of Amiens, 8 August 1918 by the Australian Army Corps led by Sir John Monash, Lieutenant-General, Commander Australian Corps.
On Friday 7 August 2026, the Spirit of Australia Foundation celebrated the Monash Commemorative Service at the Legislative Assembly Chamber, Parliament House hosting a broad collection of Victorian secondary schools, politians, senior members of the Victorian community and Rotarians from Rotary Melbourne to share in celebrating the legacy and ongoing impact of General Sir John Monash GCMG KCB VD.
A group of club members have ridden in the Around the Bay bike ride for the last decade. This is partly an opportunity to fundraise for the Smith Family's Learning for Life program but also a great fellowship opportunity for bike riding club members.
Last week, 75 chairs, 14 sewing machines and three overlockers arrived at Canossa PreEscola in Dili, with shipping funded through a Rotary Melbourne club grant. The chairs have already been put to good use at parent–teacher meetings, while the sewing equipment will support valuable learning and practical opportunities for the Canossian community.
The Rotary Club of Melbourne Mentoring Award recognises a Rotarian who has excelled as a mentor and advocate for Rotary. The award was inaugurated honouring the memory of Past President David Wittner AM. The Board recognised David’s extraordinary commitment to Rotary spanning 54 years until his sudden passing in 2018 and his willingness to mentor many members, and indeed beyond in the community at large. The perpetual trophy of multi-faceted design is a reminder of the breadth of character that was David Wittner.
Awarded to Marg Leser
Rotary Melbourne welcomed Dr David Horgan, founder of the Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation, who introduced WhatDoISay.org, a free resource offering over 500 medically approved phrases to help everyday people support someone at risk of suicide on 15 July 26. With most at risk people signalling distress to loved ones rather than crisis lines, this award winning tool removes the guesswork, and is now expanding internationally through Rotary networks.
If this topic raises concerns for you personally, Lifeline (13 11 14) is available anytime.
On Thursday 9 July 26, 11 Rotary Melbourne members volunteered at the Magpie Nest Café, helping the Salvation Army's Project 614 team serve 94 breakfasts and 180 lunches to people experiencing homelessness and hardship.
Rotary Melbourne’s final meeting of the Rotary year, its 5,130th meeting, was also the 2026 President’s Changeover Lunch — a fitting occasion to reflect on a year of service, recognise outstanding contributions, welcome a new member, and formally induct Dr Carol Bond as the Club’s 110th President.
Our new Rotary Melbourne short video was launched at last week's Changeover Lunch on 24 June 26. Thank you to Janet Jane for the production and to our members for the support and involvement.
Click Read More below to watch.
A $5,000 Rotary Club of Melbourne grant helped Docklands Yacht Club purchase a patient hoist that is now enabling people with physical disabilities — including stroke survivors — to access their sailing simulator.
This month’s Evening Conversation took us somewhere a little different — the bustling Winter Night Market at Melbourne’s iconic Queen Victoria Market.
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.
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.
We honour the life and service of Reverend Dr Peter Hollingworth AC OBE — priest, advocate, teacher, Governor-General, Rotarian, and above all, a man deeply committed to the dignity and wellbeing of others.
Thank you to our valued partner, Rotary Melbourne, for their generous donation of $20,000 to enable us to evaluate our Model of Care across one or more Lighthouse programs.
Evaluations like these are crucial as they enable us to show the positive impact of our work, and also make improvements to strengthen our programs further. 
Rotary Melbourne is proud to continue our long term support of Lighthouse Foundation.
An Epic Day activity packing T-shirts and caps destined for St John PNG’s Clinical Snakebite Trainer, Andrew Maru, and his colleagues. CSL’s Anna Schulze will deliver these RCM branded goods when she’s in Port Moresby for the upcoming PNG Snakebite Partnership annual meeting on 25 May 2026.
