Bulletin 25 February 26

Bulletin 25 February 2026

Highlights

This Week
Member News
Club News
Last Week's Meeting
Other News
Upcoming Events

This Week Wednesday 25 February 2026
No 5113 in the Club's 105th Year

Lunch with Alberto Balbo
February 25, 2026, 12:45 pm to February 25, 2026, 2:00 pm

No 35, Sofitel on Collins 25 Collins Street Melbourne VIC 3000

Topic: Renewable Energy
Wednesday 25th of February 2026
12:45 PM to 2:00 PM
No 35, Sofitel on Collins
Also Online via Zoom

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This Week's Duties - 25 February 26

On Duty: John Peberdy, Sandra Hills (Reception), Rosemary Nixon (Raffle), TBD (MC), Adrian Nelson (Reflection), John Peberdy (Photos).

Member News

A Tribute to my Uncle John and the Spirit of Rotary

Rotary Melbourne member Stephen Rando wanted to share something that his family has recently been interviewed by the ABC on a reflection on dedication, community and the legacy of service that people like his Uncle John lives every day.

Members Anniversaries & Birthdays - Week 25 February 2026

Membership Anniversary David Carruthers (24), Sam McLarty (2), Robert Klupacs (3), Robert McGuirk (33).

Happy Birthday Susan Barton, Grahme Bond.

Club News

Smith Family Learning for Life program Update

Rotary Melbourne raised $20,400 this year through volunteer work of Team Rotary bike riders and SAG Wagon driving at Around the Bay, drink station volunteers at Melbourne Marathon and the funds provided by members to sponsor the bike riders and from purchase of raffle tickets. We hope to create even better opportunities in October 2026. Read more about the gratitude of The Smith Family to the support and funding from Rotary Melbourne members for the Learning for Life program.

2025 Cynthia’s Gift Awardee, Elena Suprihartono

Rotary Melbourne's 2025 Cynthia’s Gift Awardee, Elena Suprihartono attended last week’s meeting to hear our Guest Speaker, Professor Jeremy Oats AM who has since her Award was conferred last August, has mentored Elena as she prepared and then sat her Medical School interviews.

SecondBite at Prahran - Sunday 15 February 26

This Sunday’s SecondBite collection at Prahran Market was another special experience. Robert Fisher and Trevor Nink providing hands on assistance collecting surplus food from the Market’s generous vendors for delivery to the Salvation Army at 69 Bourke Street, Melbourne.

His Majesty the Emperor of Japan

Honorary Member Consul-General Tokuro Furuya kindly invited a number of Melbourne Rotarians to attend a reception at his home on 17 February to celebrate the Emperor's 66th birthday. It provided an opportunity to engage in conversation, and share experiences, with many people from multiple cultures, backgrounds and professions.

Architecture Walk 2026
March 20, 2026, 5:45 pm to March 20, 2026, 7:30 pm

ANZAC Station, Exit 1 St Kilda Road Melbourne VIC 3000

March Evening Meeting

Annual Rotary Architecture Walk

Friday 20th of March 2026
5:45 PM to 7:30 PM
ANZAC Station, Exit 1

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FOOTY TIPPING 2026 – sign up now!

Only a few sleeps until the start of the AFL season on Thursday March 5 between Sydney and Carlton! If you haven’t already now is the time to enrol for the 2026 season by transferring $50 to Rotary and raise money for club projects.
Open to colleagues, friends, family – the more the merrier.

If you have previously participated on the ESPN platform, all you need to do is transfer funds, as you will be automatically re-instated.

FOOTY FANS - Go Pies

by Branko Panich

As the start of the 2026 footy season approaches quickly, we turn our mInds to all things AFL. If you're lucky enough to barrack for the mighty Magpies but are not yet a member of the GO PIES group/team please reach out to Branko on email to be added to this mighty team. If you don't barrack for Collingwood, consider setting up your own coterie group.....

Young Achievers Awards 26 - Call for Nominations

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.

Last Week's Meeting

Last Week's Meeting 18 February 2026

At this Rotary Melbourne meeting Professor Jeremy Oats AM, a Rotary Melbourne member and highly respected and acclaimed Obstetrician was the guest speaker.
Jeremy then proceeded to deliver an insightful and evidence-based address examining the growing phenomenon of “free birthing” — where a woman chooses to give birth without the support of a registered midwife or doctor. His remarks were framed by a recent maternal death in Melbourne that has drawn renewed public attention to the risks associated with unsupervised birth.

Reflection Peter Dakin 18 February 2026

Thank you to Peter Dakin for last week's reflection on Wednesday 18 February 2026.

Visiting Rotarians: Shinji Higuchi (Osaka), Dores Schembri (Kensington & Chelsea, UK) , Gerhard Otto & Elisabeth Walther (Salzburg Land).

Guests of Members: Wendy Dalziel (Robert Fisher), Elena Suprihartono (Kevin Sheehan), Julian Carr (Peter Rogers). Caroline Pilot (Deb Yin Foo).

Other News

Paul Harris - Peace Builder

Paul Harris (April 19, 1868 – January 27, 1947) was a Chicago, Illinois-based attorney. He founded the club that became the humanitarian organisation Rotary International in 1905. Paul Harris said that:
“The way to war is a well-paved highway and the way to peace is still a wilderness” and he could very well be talking about the world today.

The Great Essendon Rotary Duck Race

You are invited to the Rotary Club of Essendon's annual duck race on the Maribyrnong River on Sunday 1 March 2026. Bookings https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1502455