Our club's International Service Committee met following last week's lunch, continuing to build on our existing and upcoming projects impacting peace, education, health, water & sanitation, and the environment, focusing especially on our South East Asian and Pacific neighbours.
President Philip was in Osaka, Japan last week visiting our Sister Club, the Rotary Club of Osaka. He attended a club meeting and also met with Osaka President, Yoshihiko Sano to extend our sister club relationship.
Sad news from his daughter Penny that Alan Trumble died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday 1st October. A memorial service will be planned and advised.
Alan was a much loved friend and colleague of two decades. He resigned from the Club in December 2022 due to failing health. His gentle but forceful way of selling was called upon for many of our wine fundraisers.
A perfect gentleman with a terrific humour he is survived by his wife Jann and his extended family.
Past District Governor Michael Lapina has released his annual report for the District for 2024-25.
On 1 October 2025, the world lost Dr. Jane Goodall, pioneering primatologist, conservationist, and advocate for peace. Rotary remembers her not only for her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees but also for her keynote at the 2009 Rotary International Convention, where she urged members to make a positive daily impact. Click on Read More below for her Q&A, first published in The Rotarian, that captures her wisdom, humor, and enduring call to action.
Thank you to Robert Fisher for your reflection on Wednesday 1 October 25.
Last week's lunch focus was on homelessness and community support, with powerful insights from Jennifer Fitzgerald, CEO of St Vincent de Paul Victoria. Updates included the Melbourne Marathon, Round the Bay, impact of our contributions to the Smith Family. A strong reminder of Rotary’s impact through collaboration with community partners.
Rotary Melbourne is backing RIMERN’s Spring Cleaning with RIMERN campaign to raise $5,000 by 30 Nov 2025.
RIMERN provides essential furniture and household goods to families starting over after crisis. Some items - like basic cleaning kits - must be purchased new to meet our quality standards.
A $50 gift sponsors a complete kit, but every dollar helps us deliver 10+ kits each week. Click read more below to change lives, one household at a time.
Be inspired, challenged and motivated by a Trailblazer in Social Change - Dr Jennifer Fitzgerald AM, one of Australia’s most dynamic voices in philanthropy, human services and policy reform.
With decades of boardroom and frontline leadership, Jennifer is a purpose-driven changemaker who has shaped national strategy as Chair, CEO and Director, and advised State and Federal governments on disability, public policy and community wellbeing. Her insights into visionary leadership and sector transformation are not to be missed.
Her impact has been recognised with the Order of Australia Medal for exceptional service to the disability sector, a place on the COVID-19 Honour Roll for outstanding crisis leadership, and the title of Telstra Business Woman of the Year (Victoria, 2016) along with the Telstra For Purpose & Social Enterprise Award.
Rotary Melbourne have been using the Around the Bay bike event to raise funds for The Smith Family for over 20 years. This year we are looking to diversify our activities - instead of focusing our volunteer activities we are asking members to pledge financial support to the riders.
Guests of the Club Jennifer Fitzgerald (Speaker), Charlie Spendlove, Anna Tran, Tim Halliburton, Pam Hargreaves.
Visiting Rotarians Surhuda Kulkarni (Pune Baner, India), Angus Scott-Walker (Footscray), Natalie Au (Preston), Maria Hicks, Aviv Palti (Passport Melbourne).
Guests of Members Nina Muhleisen, Mia Uy, Althea Weeratunga (Deb Yin Foo), Jessica Ziersch (Bernie McIntosh).
Happy Birthday this week: Peter Bailey, Austen Burleigh, Sana Malik, Nick Pelham.
On Duty: Gerald Ashman (Photos), Karen Gornalle (Reception), Trevor Nink (Raffle), Peter Dakin (Reflection), Rosemary Nixon (MC).
Immediate Past President Catherine Baxter presented the David Wittner Mentoring Award to Quin Scalzo last month, recognising a Rotarian who has excelled as a mentor and advocate for Rotary, and honouring the memory of Past President David Wittner AM. This article includes Quin's moving & informative response.
It is ten years since the purchase of the "New" Office by Rotary Melbourne. Peter Rogers, President 2015-16 recalls its story and photos.
Rotary Melbourne's Past President Robert Fisher has been overwhelmed by the response from Rotarians, family and friends to his appeal after reaching $5,340. The campaign remains open and let’s just keep going, remembering that whatever Robert raises will be tripled by the Gates Foundation. Please help support us to End Polio Now by clicking Read More below.
Rotary Melbourne Central 2 group met for lunch on Friday 26 September 25 at celebrity chef Adrian Richardson's restaurant Bouvier Bar.
Australia is taking a major step towards responsible battery recycling today with the launch of the world’s first ‘battery-in-devices shredding’ (BIDS) plant. The new facility, operated by EcoBatt (a subsidiary of the EcoCycle Group), is designed to tackle one of the fastest-growing and most dangerous waste streams in the country: batteries embedded in everyday products.
At our Annual AFL Grand Final Lunch, David Parkin OAM shared career insights in a lively discussion moderated by Philip Endersbee. Highlights included the annual footy quiz, AFL tipping winners, and other prize winners, including best dressed!
A patch of cement was a launchpad for a Rotarian who brought women’s soccer to Palestine. Honey Thaljieh and a handful of young women played on the makeshift pitch more than two decades ago in college in the West Bank. The effort led eventually to a national women’s team that she captained for years. Thaljieh ascended to a job at FIFA, the international soccer governing body, spreading the message that the sport is for everyone. Click Read More below to read how this soccer pioneer found Rotary.
Thank you to Tony Battaini for your reflection on Wednesday 24 September 2025.
MITS (Melbourne Indigenous Transition School) has shared their latest newsletter. Edward Tudor, Executive Director noted 'TMITS students returned home last week for a well-earned Term 3 break, reuniting with their families across the NT and Victoria. Term 3 was packed with highlights, including the vibrant Celebration of the Arts and multiple premiership wins in the Yarra Junior Football League, while our Year 12 students completed their final full term on Wurundjeri Country in Melbourne.' Click on read more to read the newsletter.
Membership Anniversary this week: Shiren Anwar (1), Peter Dakin (37), Stanley Ho (1), John Shaw (29), Barbara Yerondais (15).
Happy Birthday this week: Rob Helme, Stephen Mandie.
On Duty: Bill Pickett (Photos), John Peberdy, Marg Leser (Reception), John Saunders (Raffle), Robert Fisher (Reflection), Carol Bond (MC).
