Rotary Down Under is offering two $10,000 scholarships for budding journalists in the name of RDU founder Paul Henningham and his successor Bob Aitken.
On Duty: Bill Pickett (Photos), Bob Glindemann (Reception), Peter Addison (Raffle), Barbara Yerondais (Reflection), Karen Kim (MC).
Membership Anniversary this week: Jo Crowston (2), Stewart Stribling (24), Stephen Rando (4).
Happy Birthday this week: Clive Weeks & Bruce Livett (TODAY!), Dean McIntyre, Chris Wang, Sue Smith.
Adam Zaccaria, Board Chair, Launch Housing has announced the appointment of Sherri Bruinhout as the new Chief Executive Officer of Launch Housing. Sherri brings more than 30 years of experience in driving innovation and challenging the status quo and within the housing, homelessness, and justice sectors, across both government and community services.
Our club member Getrude Matshe,Global Curator & Founder – HerStory Circle and the DiversityConnector, shared her own African-Australian perspective on last week's meeting with guest speaker Duncan Harris.
Congratulations to the inaugural recipients of the Cynthia Edgell Empowerment Opportunity Gift:
Guests of the Club: Duncan Harris (Speaker), Victoria Taseska, Jade Applebee, Jasminka Taseska, Elena Suprihartono, Simone Tsantarlis.
Visiting Rotarians Emerie Agunwah (Diamond Creek), Tonie Thiel (Casterton, Vic.).
Guests of Members: Hassan Looky (Philip Cornish), Chrysanthe Pragastis, Thisby Lau (Sue McDonald), Frank Wyatt, Bill Cole (Stephen Rando).
Club Maestro David Kram returns to Melbourne to conduct a very special concert on Friday, 6 September in Caulfield South. From the Depths, a new cantata by young Israeli-Australian composer Alon Trigger. Based on the entire Book of Jonah from the Hebrew Bible, the work is presented in both Hebrew and English. David describes it as evocative, uplifting, and educational - a moving experience for all lovers of music.
The cantata is scored for chamber choir, trombone, and piano. The music is modern yet melodic, with Mediterranean colours that make it appealing to everyone. Click read more below for more information and to book.
Dubai has been officially selected to host the Rotary International Convention in 2027. It will be a convention focused on excellence and innovation. What's more, our club's own Amanda Wendt has been appointed Vice Chair of the Convention Committee. Save the date in your diaries now: 5-9 June 2027.
Rotary and the Gates Foundation are renewing their longstanding partnership to end polio, announcing a joint commitment of up to US$450 million to support the global polio eradication effort at the annual Rotary International Convention.
Australian water utilities companies are turning to floating solar panels to reduce evaporation, conserve water and generate renewable energy in response to climate challenges, reports Planet Ark.
Despite the wintery rainy night 50 Melbourne Rotarians, Melbourne University Rotaract and guests volunteered for meal packing, on behalf of FORaMEAL, at Melbourne University last Tuesday, 12 August 25, led by President Philip. Over 9,000 meals were packed in 1.5 hours.
Larry A. Lunsford, a member of the Rotary Club of Kansas City-Plaza, Missouri, USA, is the selection of the nominating committee to become Rotary International’s President for 2027-28. Larry visited our club in 2022 as a Trustee of the Rotary Foundation, and met up with us again during the Rotary International Convention in Melbourne in 2023.
Congratulations to our own Will Abdo on his award of Specialty Marketing CEO of the Year 2025 by APAC Insider.
Membership Anniversary this week: John Green (28 - TODAY!), Antonio Pajovic (10), John Peberdy (19), John Saunders (4).
Happy Birthday this week: Sumeer Bhandarkar, Adrian Nelson.
On Duty: Joseph Ebbage (Photos), John Peberdy, Robert Fisher (Reception), Chris Wang (Raffle), Ruth Carlos Martinez (Reflection), Philip Endersbee (MC).
STEM Sisters, the Club’s partner in the Future Me comic book series project, and Soapbox Science bring science to the Streets of Melbourne on Friday 15th August from 2-5pm. Soapbox Science is a global initiative that promotes and showcases the work of women scientists to break down the barriers that prevent women from entering and progressing in science careers. Click read more below for more information on this event.
We take this opportunity to thank Phil Endersbee for your valued service to Rotary. Your dedication and support over the years have made a lasting impact and truly reflect the spirit of “Service Above Self.” Today we celebrate not only your birthday but your outstanding service to the Rotary Club of Melbourne.
Professor Ken Smith, WEHI Director, warmly invites Rotary Melbourne to an evening where science meets art.
Join us for our annual cocktail event to explore 16 striking images from the frontlines of medical research. Meet the passionate scientists behind the work and hear how their research is helping solve today’s biggest health challenges – powered by cutting-edge technology.
STEM Sisters, the Club’s partner in the Future Me comic book series project is running a novel, creative event outside the Town Hall in the afternoon on Friday 15th August. It’s called Soapbox Science 2025.
It is with great pleasure that I extend to you and your club an invitation to attend the Charter Night of two vibrant new clubs within our Rotary family — the Rotaract Music Makers and the Rotary Club of Melbourne Manila on Sunday 17 August 2025.
The inaugural event by Pharmacycle aimed to transform a common but tricky waste stream into something meaningful. On 25 July 2025, blister pack recycling program Pharmacycle launched Australia’s very first National Blister Pack Recycling Day. The aim was to encourage Aussies to bring back their used medicine blister packs for proper recycling while helping their community in the process.
Donations In Kind (DIK) is currently in urgent need of extra volunteer support to help deliver on several important projects. If you, your members, or friends can spare some time, we’d love to welcome you.
Rotary Melbourne proudly awards the 2025 Monash Medal to Dr Robert Webster OAM, honouring his lifetime of leadership, integrity, and service. A Vietnam veteran, educator, and tireless advocate for veterans’ welfare, Dr Webster’s work in health, community, and the RSL reflects the enduring spirit of Sir John Monash.
Rotary Melbourne members and friends attended the 0808@0800 service at the Shrine on Friday 8 August 25. The service commemorated the 107th 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. Click read more below to see photos and video.
