Guests of the Club: Peter Shepheard, David (inductee) & Roswitha Horgan, Nic Sutherland & Helen Durham (Inductees), Will Brown, Sara Deeb, Tilly Borwn, Tania Watson-Leishman.
Visiting Rotarians: Mikaela Stafrace (Southbank), Antonio Parsons, Santiago Aubone-Parsons (Buenos Aires).
Guests of Members: Robert Frost, Angelo Marasco (Stephen Rando), Sajjad Ahmad (Deb Yin Foo), Chrysanthe Pragastis (Sue McDonald), Millicent Nink (Trevor Nink), Michale Cassar (David Horgan), Jan Fowler (Garry Fowler), Julie Gleeson (Peter Hollingworth), Vanessa Hall (John Peberdy), Clare Kaczkorski, Noelene Linard (Christina Boys).
Membership Anniversary 1-21 January 26: David Hayes (12), Bill Pickett (33), Charles Qin (9).
Happy Birthday 1-21 January 26: Jim Barry, Chad Brendish, Philip Cornish, Alan Finkel, John Green, Trevor Hill, Andrew Morrice, Puja Roy Gangopadhyay, Antonio Pajovic.
The Mornington Peninsula Group had a most enjoyable luncheon party with 21 present on Sunday 7th December. Usually held at Phil and Jane Endersbee’s home with Lisa and Kevin Sheehan assisting, but Phil is rebuilding, so it was held at the Sheehan’s home with Phil and Jane assisting.
The First 6 months
Well 6 months of this Rotary year have gone, indeed a quarter of this century has gone. How’s it been then?
In a short review of these 6 months we can’t include everything, but at our regular meetings with their varied group of informed speakers, a special privilege has been hosting a number of club awards.
We’re delighted to welcome James Scuderi who was formally inducted as a member on 30 July 2025 with the classification of Business & Trade - International. Jame’s is Founder and/or Company Director of several local and international businesses, across fields spanning project supply, manufacturing, human life-sciences, agricultural sciences and funds management.
This Sunday’s SecondBite collection at Prahran Market was another special experience. Reg & Sue Smith, Gertrude Matshe and Trevor Nink providing hands on assistance collecting surplus food from the Market’s generous vendors for delivery to the Salvation Army at 69 Bourke Street, Melbourne.
21 Melbourne Rotarians and partners participated in a vibrant night of fellowship and games at the Malvern Hotel on Thursday 4 December 25.
Little Green Panda has secured a strategic growth investment from Everkind, a newly formed sustainable investment vehicle backed by entrepreneurs in the packaging industry and owners of Queensland-based Shawparth Food & Packaging.
The 2025 RM Festive lunch will feature anecdotes and music performances coordinated and led by Arts Committee Chair David and Music Scholarship Champion Karen. The program will range from piano pieces by Debussy played by Monash University student Sara Deeb to the ever popular singalong, with Tilly Jones’ special rendition of Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire on cello and computer.
Rotary Melbourne’s crowded conference room on a balmy summer evening was the venue for our final evening conversation for the year.
Hosted by President Philip, this gathering of Rotary Melbourne members and guests exemplified what we do best: convivial conversation amongst ourselves. Formalities were restricted to a brief address by President Philip who reflected on his first 6-months as President, thanked everyone for their support, and wished us all well for a happy and relaxed festive season.
It was a fitting end of year event and a jolly good time was had by all.
Inspired by Japan’s unique ‘trash-picking sport,’ discover how Australia’s first spogomi World Cup qualifier turned waste collection into a fun and eco-friendly competition.
For the 5h edition of District 9800 October 25 Networker for 2025-2026, please click on Read More below. In this issue they there is an article on Call to Action: Be Part of a Life-saving project in Cambodia.
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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 December 2025 please click read more below.
On Thursday 4 December 25, Richard Parker, Trevor Nink, Jim Orchard, Jan Moffatt, Deb Yin Foo and Sue Smith picked up car loads of toys from Launch Housing HQ in Collingwood. The donated toys were delivered to their facilities in Dandenong, South Melburne, East St Kilda and St Kilda, bring cheer and happy faces to those less fortunate.
If you are interested in keeping up to date with all that’s been happening with volunteers, donations, welfare agencies & clients, and the many exciting things ahead at RIMERN please click on Read More for Issue 17: October/November 25. This issue advises that Corporate Volunteers – Always Fun & Effective.
Vale our Honorary Member Bill Pratt who died peacefully in his sleep on the 1st of December 25. Bill had recently celebrated his 100th birthday having led a life of achievement, service and innovation. The family has chosen to hold a private funeral.
BIKE RAFFLE IN TIME FOR GIFT GIVING
This is your final reminder to support Rotary Melbourne’s Raffle for The Smith Family — with ticket sales closing at 1:00 pm tomorrow (Tuesday 9 December).
🎟 Tickets: $5 each – or a book of 10 for $50📅 Draw date: Wednesday 10 December 2025, 1:55 pm, Sofitel on Collins
Every ticket purchased brings us closer to giving more young Australians the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive.
This month the Environmental Sustainability Rotarian Action Group (ESRAG) newsletter ESRAG December 2025 Volume 11 Issue 5 features an article titled 'COP30: Belém Forced the Climate World Out of Its Comfort Zone'. Click on read more below.
It has been an extraordinary past 12 months. Our team at Rotary SAFE Families is delighted to convey their achievements at this time of the 2025 end of year.
The Central 1 Group convened yesterday at the Australian Club for a distinguished and celebratory evening of Rotary fellowship, joined by our President and partners. The occasion offered an exceptional setting for meaningful conversation, renewed connections, and an energising exchange of ideas.
Membership Anniversary this week: Irena Bauer (2), Will Brown (2), Shailesh Dangle (11), Cheryl Lacey (21), Nick Pelham (19), Sue Smith (4), Prabal Soans (4).
Happy Birthday this week: Bruce Davidson, Ted Garland, Christine Johnson, Matthew Karakoulakis, Tristan Kennedy, Iqbal Reta, Chris Rodd, Ross Scholes-Robertson, Reg Smith.
On Duty: Marg Leser, Rosemary Nixon (Reception), Chris Wang (Raffle), Bob Glindemann (MC), Quin Scalzo (Reflection), Bruce Davidson (Photographer).
Did you see Rotary Melbourne member Bernie McIntosh on the ABC Gardening Australia program down on his peony farm in the Macendon Ranges on Friday 14 November 25. You can catch up on ABC iview or click on this LINK for more info.
