Thank you to Adrian Nelson for last week's reflection on Wednesday 15 April 26.
Sambun Sambath, a Cambodian scholar supported by Rotary Melbourne and Member of Rotaract Club of Siem Reap, has provided a March 26 update where he completed his 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.
Club Guests: Don Farrands (Speaker), Caroline Pilot (Inductee), Abiola Akinbiyi.
Visiting Australian Rotarians: Quentin Parker (Kununurra, WA).
Guests of Members: James Panagiotopoulos (Deb Yin Foo).
Membership Anniversary Ian Hamm (12), Deb Yin Foo (20).
Happy Birthday Will Abdo, Peter Addison, Kenza Dairi, Kelton Dennis.
On Duty: Robert Fisher (Reception), Jan Moffatt (Raffle), Carol Bond (MC), Peter Hollingworth (Reflection), Joseph Ebbage (Photos).
President Philip especially welcomed Guest speaker, Charlie Thomas, CEO of the Victorian Farmers’ Federation, and Club Guest Catherine Freeman to be inducted as a Rotary Melbourne member at this meeting.
From the Frontline to the Forefront of Mental Health Research
What happens when a firefighter with nearly two decades on the frontline turns her lived experience into a PhD - and then into a national leadership role? Dr Tara Lal AFSM, supported by a Rotary Clubs of NSW PhD Scholarship, spent five years researching PTSD and the hidden toll of suicide exposure on emergency services workers.
Who says Rotary Melbourne doesn’t try to do things differently?
Some 20 members and guests met on Thursday for an evening ‘meeting’ at the Paris Cat Jazz Club in the city.
This month the Environmental Sustainability Rotarian Action Group Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands (ESRAG) newsletter ESRAG ANZPI April 2026 features two Rotary Melbourne articles titled 'EnviroClub GOLD: Rotary Club of Melbourne' and 'Growing Futures in Timor-Leste'. d9800-sustainability-news-april-2026.pdf
Get ready for a day full of classic cars, live music, food, family fun, and FREE kids activities! Join us on Sunday, 26th April 2026, from 11 AM – 4 PM at Wyndham Harbour Quay Blvd, Werribee South.
This is more than just a fun day out, we’re coming together as a community to raise awareness for the prevention of family violence and isolation.
We are delighted to invite you to a special Rotary Melbourne event featuring one of Australia’s most influential public policy leaders, Professor Graeme Samuel AC.
As many will know, Graeme led the independent review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act—work that ultimately shaped Australia’s most significant environmental reforms in a generation.
On the afternoon of 9 May 1901, Australia’s first Parliament was opened in Melbourne before 12,000 invited guests — a defining moment in the birth of a democratic nation. On the 125th anniversary of that historic occasion, it is time to take stock, assess Australia's current predicament, place it in the deeply troubling global context, and reimagine and plan for a promising future.
Membership Anniversary Baz Tareen (4).
Happy Birthday Catherine Baxter & Ailesh Dupate (TODAY!).
Guests Rotarians: Janet Wang (Chris Wang), Greg Smith (Marg Leser), Mike Gornalle (Karen Goralle) Kristine Hayes (David Hayes) Monita Fu (Yidan Xi).
Congratulations to Rotary Melbourne member Tita von Matuschka on completing the Canberra Marathon in a time of 3:43:33, on Sunday 12 April 26.
Five years in, Rotary's malaria mission in Zambia is delivering results.
What began in 2021 as a $6 million partnership between the Rotary Foundation, the Gates Foundation, and World Vision has grown into one of Rotary's most compelling public health success stories. Over 2,500 community health workers were trained to test and treat malaria closer to people's homes - reaching more than 1.25 million people and achieving a remarkable 94% retention rate among health workers. Community health workers now detect 60% of malaria cases in the target districts - cases that would otherwise have been missed or caught only at a severe stage.
Fighting polio one conversation at a time.
Diana Maria Pirga's Rotary journey began in Romania, when a Rotaract social media post led to a donation and then a career. Today she works as a digital community engagement specialist for UNICEF Pakistan, where her mission is tackling vaccine hesitancy around polio. Most parents vaccinate willingly, but a small group carries real concerns about side effects or the need for repeated doses - and when those concerns go unaddressed, hesitancy can take root.
At the opening reception for the Multi-District Summit 26 in Horsham Sana Malik was presented with the District 9800 EnviroClub Award - Gold for continued achievement in enviroment and sustainability, covering the following projects The Melbourne Arboretum, Growing Futures in Timor-Leste, Carbon Social Certification, Sustainability Awards, Environment and Sustainability Lunches, World Environment Day raffle, SecondBite volunteering and 5000 Acts of Kindness indigenous seedling project.
Thank you to Barbara Yerondais for reflection for last week's reflection on Wednesday 1 April 26.
For 95 years, the spirit of giving has illuminated Melbourne through the extraordinary tradition of the Good Friday Appeal—a moment where a city unites, not just in generosity, but in purpose. At the heart of this enduring legacy stands Rotary Melbourne, a community bound by action and defined by its unwavering commitment to Service Above Self.
For the 9th edition of District 9800 March 26 Networker for 2025-2026, please click on Read More below. In this issue there is an article on A “Love Letter” to the Unite for Good Multi-District Summit
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Rotary Melbourne is running out of Club History Books and until we decide whether to reprint them if members no longer want their copies could you please bring them to a Rotary Melbourne meeting luncheon and pass them to Jo.
Rotary Melbourne has been supporting the five Black Rhinos basketball teams in various ways over the past four years. They were founded in 2007 by Afri-Aus Care and have been coached by Ryan Rooney.
Warm congratulations to Jim Orchard who on Tuesday 24 March 26 was presented with a PHF level 8 from a grateful District for his service to DIK. PRIP Jennifer Jones and Rotary Foundation Director Dennis Shore were at DIK to make the presentation. The award was in in recognition of Jim's dedicated service to DIK over many years.
On 20 March 26 David Kram visit Rotary Todi, Province of Perugia, Italy and exchanged banners.
