Membership Anniversary Neville Barwick (44).
Happy Birthday Mev Connell (TODAY!), David Kram.
Club Guests Prof Christopher McDevitt (Speaker), Jessie Harman AM.
Visiting Rotarians: Ryusuke Yokoyama & Shinji Higuchi (Osaka), Pat Armstrong (Manningham City).
Guests of Members: Jane Bourke (Bruce Livett), Misha Coleman (Peter Rogers), Lily Shea, Nick Brown (Nick Batrouney).
On Duty: John Peberdy, Bob Glindemann (Reception), Jan Moffatt (Raffle), Philip Endersbee (MC), Tony Battaini (Reflection), Bruce Davidson (Photos).
The following information has been received from District 9800.
Hi, my name is Ross. I am retired and living in Melbourne. I recently decided to volunteer for BlazeAid, after seeing the news and discovering the enormity of the task, facing the farming & community of this region, after the recent Longwood/Euroa fires.
Thank you to Robert Fisher for your reflection on Wednesday 11 February 26.
On behalf of Walking Football 4 Health Victoria and the Soccer for Peace Foundation, we are delighted to warmly invite you, your Rotary members, and Friends of Rotary to attend and support the 2026 Harmony Week – 10 Hour Walking Football Game, a landmark multicultural sporting and community celebration taking place during Harmony Week in Melbourne.
In 2026, Melbourne Indigenous Transition School (MITS) is celebrating 10 years of Confident Learners, Proud Communities and Strong Futures. Since 2016, nearly 270 young people have come to MITS from the Top End of the NT and from Regional Victoria, each pursuing their unique aspirations and passions through a Melbourne opportunity.
Parents and carers often spend extended periods at RCH and need somewhere to relax, make a cup of tea, feed the baby, catch up on emails, seek information, find activities for the other kids, or just read a book. The Hub https://www.rch.org.au/frc/ is a home away from home for families and visitors to the hospital. Amanda Battaini has volunteered at the Hub since its inception 23 years ago.
Prof Chris McDevitt's presentation is a must see because Sepsis is one of the leading causes of death worldwide.
MC for the day was Past President Bob Glindeman
Reflection was delivered by Past President Robert Fisher.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for Rotary and Rotaract members to volunteer at our Melbourne STEM Hub, April 7-10, 2026.
We need you! - Signup and Make a Real Difference
At Donations in Kind in West Footscray – One day only
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.
Master of Ceremonies – Peter Davis
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.
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).
