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.
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.
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 March 2026 please click read more below.
We need you! - Signup and Make a Real Difference
At Donations in Kind in West Footscray – One day only
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.
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.
Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for Rotary and Rotaract members to volunteer at our Melbourne STEM Hub, April 7-10, 2026.
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.
Master of Ceremonies – Peter Davis
Thank you to Adrian Nelson for last week's reflection on Wednesday 25 February 2026.
On Duty: Sue McDonald (Reception), Barbara Yerondais (Raffle), Bob Glindemann (MC), Robert Fisher (Reflection), Bill Pickett (Photos).
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).
Membership Anniversary Peter Hanlon (8), Tristan Kennedy (1), Jim Orchard (9).
Happy Birthday Deb Yin Foo.
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.
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.
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.
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
Also this Wednesday 25 February 26 we will be hearing from a 2021 Young Achiever James Holland, Senior Advisor, National Association of People With HIV Australia (NAPWHA). James Holland is an Australian community leader and advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights.
James will be speaking on the Award and how it has created job opportunities and encouraged his service to the community.
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.
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).
Membership Anniversary David Carruthers (24), Sam McLarty (2), Robert Klupacs (3), Robert McGuirk (33).
Happy Birthday Susan Barton, Grahme Bond.
On Duty: John Peberdy, Sandra Hills (Reception), Rosemary Nixon (Raffle), TBD (MC), Adrian Nelson (Reflection), John Peberdy (Photos).
Thank you to Peter Dakin for last week's reflection on Wednesday 18 February 2026.
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.
