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Rotary Melbourne’s Robert Fisher is lacing up again - challenging himself to walk 250 kilometres during October to help create a polio-free world. Since 1988, wild polio cases have fallen by more than 99.9%, but until transmission stops everywhere, children remain at risk. Every dollar raised through Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign is matched 2:1 by the Gates Foundation, tripling its impact. We are incredibly close - but close isn’t finished. Click read more below to support Robert’s challenge and help Rotary finish the job.
For 20 years, Empowering Youth Cambodia (EYC) has been opening doors for young people growing up in some of Phnom Penh’s most disadvantaged communities. Through education, encouragement and opportunity, EYC is helping a new generation build brighter futures for themselves, their families and their communities.
Our club's Sarah Gosper shares the story in this article from Rotary Down Under.
One-off volunteering opportunities are a great way to get involved in Rotary - particularly for newer members seeking an easy and enjoyable way to meet fellow members while supporting a worthwhile cause.
Our Around the Bay volunteer team at Albert Park Reserve on Sunday 18 October is now full, with all eight places filled. Thank you to everyone who has put their hand up.
We still need volunteers for the Melbourne Marathon on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October 2026. If you can help, we would love to hear from you.
Have you seen our latest Rotary Melbourne Minute on our club socials? German-Bolivian violinist Rosa Matos joined David Kram at rehearsal to discuss her musical journey and the international Rotary partnership bringing her to Melbourne.
Click read more below to visit the Rotary Melbourne YouTube channel for the full-length interview.
This month’s roundup of Rotary projects around the globe spotlights clubs in Mexico, Spain, Taiwan, Uganda, and the United States. Their activities range from a sporting event that benefits military veterans to a contest that challenges young people to find solutions to societal problems.
We have all seen the amazing images from Nepal. Many of our Rotarians spend considerable time in the country and District 9800 has much involvement in the country.
Rotary Melbourne's International Programs Committee has agreed to contribute the amount of $2,500 from our disaster relief budget to Shelter Box Australia, to aid victims of the flood disaster in Nepal.
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
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.
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.
