Bulletin 4 March 26 - {FIRSTNAME}

Bulletin 4 March 2026

Highlights

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

This Week Wednesday 4 March 2026
No 5114 in the Club's 105th Year

Lunch with Prof. Christopher McDevitt
March 4, 2026, 12:45 pm to March 4, 2026, 2:00 pm

No 35, Sofitel on Collins 15 Collins Street Melbourne VIC 3000

Doherty Institute & Melbourne University

Topic: Sepsis - When Infection Turns Deadly
Wednesday 4th of March 2026
12:45 PM to 2:00 PM
No 35, Sofitel on Collins
Also Online via Zoom

CLICK READ MORE TO BOOK

This Week's Duties - 4 March 26

On Duty: Sue McDonald (Reception), Barbara Yerondais (Raffle), Bob Glindemann (MC), Robert Fisher (Reflection), Bill Pickett (Photos).

Member News

Legacy in Action: Intergenerational Philanthropy and the Power of Family Giving

WEBINAR INVITATION
The Rotary Foundation are thrilled to announce an upcoming webinar that promises to provide invaluable insights for Rotarians across our region into family philanthropy and intergenerational giving. This event will feature Rotarian Quinto (Quin) Scalzo AM FAICD, Founder and Executive Chairman of Scalzo Food Industries, and his daughter Cathy Scalzo, CEO of Scalzo Family Office.

A Year of Travel, Service, and New Beginnings

Rotary Melbourne member Antwan Malouhi has provided an update on his travels over the last 12 months. The past year has been one of the most eventful of his life — taking him across four countries, through personal challenges, and into an entirely new chapter for his business.

Combating racism in community sport

Rotary Melbourne member Ian Hamm was recently interviewed on ABC radio Conversation House on 26 February 26 on 'Combating racism in community sport'. Set The Standard is a Vic Health initiative designed to help local sports clubs fight racism by helping coaches and club leaders build culturally inclusive spaces.

Club News

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

CLICK READ MORE TO BOOK

Rotary Melbourne Planning Day

On Saturday 21 February 26, members of the Rotary Melbourne Boards for 25-26 and 26-27 met to discuss the future for Rotary Melbourne. Stay tuned for more exciting strategic information on the Club going forward.

Donations in Kind (DIK) Volunteer 5 March 26

We need you! - Signup and Make a Real Difference
At Donations in Kind in West Footscray – One day only
Volunteers are need on just one day Thursday 5 March 26 from 9.30am at DIK Warehouse to process a large outgoing consignment.

At RIMERN in East Brunswick – Regular Volunteering

We are looking for volunteers to join the Club roster to assist in the RIMERN Warehouse as the club takes on a monthly Monday slot.

Duties can include meeting with clients, sorting, admin, deliveries, cleaning of donated items, folding etc. It is all dependent on you.

Contact John Peberdy to find out more and click READ MORE for the current RIMERN newsletter.

Bionics Institute recent Preview Event into Women's Health

Several members of Rotary Melbourne attended the Bionics Insitute Preview Event on research into Women’s health — focused on treating perimenopausal brain fog, endometriosis and chronic pain.

Sambun Monthly Email in February 2026

Sambun Sambath, a Cambodian scholar supported by Rotary Melbourne and Member of Rotaract Club of Siem Reap, has provided a February 26 update where he completed hus first foundation-year subject, Cultural Anthropology. He sincerely appreciates you taking the time to read his update and for the continued support of Rotary Melbourne.

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.

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 25 February 2026

Master of Ceremonies – Peter Davis
Reflection: Adrian Nelson – transcript included later in this bulletin
President Philip welcomed visitors, guests and members to the Club’s 30^th meeting of the Rotary year, and the 5113^thmeeting on our 105^th year.

Reflection Adrian Nelson 25 February 2026

by Adrian Nelson

Thank you to Adrian Nelson for last week's reflection on Wednesday 25 February 2026.

Club Guests James Holland, Alberto Balbo, Joseph Alkarra, Billy Chen.

Visiting Rotarians: Shinji Higuchi (Osaka), Giji Gya (Geneva International, Switzerland).

Guests of Members: Julian Rood (David Kram), Jennifer Anderson (Deb Yin Foo), Mike Gornalle (Karen Gornalle).

Other News

What if Rotary was founded in 2026?

by Artie Fischer

On February 23 1905, Rotary was founded in Chicago. We asked AI what would our founders look like today and who would they be if they were founding Rotary at the same age in 2026.

Melbourne STEM Hub - The NYSF Needs You!

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for Rotary and Rotaract members to volunteer at our Melbourne STEM Hub, April 7-10, 2026.
NYSF STEM Hubs are an opportunity for former and current NYSF Student Staff volunteers to return to NYSF, engage with students passionate about pursuing STEM studies and careers, and help them navigate the program. You can learn more about the program here. Interested? If you are keen to be involved, please read the position description and complete the Volunteer Expression of Interest below.

MITS February 26 Newsletter

MITS (Melbourne Indigenous Transition School) has shared their latest newsletter. Edward Tudor, Executive Director noted 'It's been an exciting start to the 2026 school year as we welcome our new cohort of Year 7 students along with our returning senior students. MITS has introduced new place names inspired by Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung seasons, marking a renewed focus on growth and connection to Wurundjeri Country. The school is also celebrating its 10 year milestone, announcing new student leaders and staff appointments, including Lia Bartholomew as Deputy CEO (Students).' Click on read more to read the newsletter.

Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children Newsletter February 26

ROMAC provides surgical treatment for children in Australia and New Zealand from developing countries from our Pacific Region in the form of Life Giving and/or dignity restoring surgery not accessible to them in their home country.

If you would like to read the latest ROMAC Chairman's Message and articles on successful medical cases for February 2025 please click read more below.

ShelterBox Update

Rotary has been part of the DNA of ShelterBox since day one, and today, I'd like to say thank you to Rotarians everywhere. Thank you for your ongoing financial support Thank to the Rotary volunteers who help promote the work we do.

Zone 8/Pacific Regionalisation Pilot Update

The pilot has been extended until June 2027. https://www.rotarysouthpacific.org/
Zone 8 will become Zone 9A.
A committee has been established to review the structure of the districts,
Currently, there are 19 districts, and this will be reduced to approximately 12.
The implementation of the replacement structure is likely to begin in July 2028.
The Rotary South Pacific image will be promoted, with its own website.
There are 106 Rotary Community Group Leaders, and this will likely increase to 130.
Effectively, Regional Council and the Districts will merge.