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The Multi-District Impact Summit took place over the weekend in the Wimmera Region city of Horsham. It brought together some 400 people from Districts 9800 (ours), 9510 and 9780. Six of those present were associated with Rotary Melbourne. At the opening reception 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.
What a terrific few days on the road for our 2026 OTC/Fellowship group, travelling from Melbourne through regional Victoria and finishing in Horsham, enjoying good company, great food and visits to some iconic historic sites along the way.
You may recall the call we made recently for volunteers for a small task at DIK to take lots of children’s shoes out of their packaging before they were sent to schools in Timor as part of the latest consignment of desk and chairs for several new schools being built by Spend it Well. Despite not being rushed with volunteers, a working bee of one (Bob) almost got the task done in the allotted time but there were still many cartons to do before the container was collected.
The 2025-26 Sir John Reid Community Service Award recipient, Fartun Farah, recently updated Rotary Melbourne on an important program funded by the award. On behalf of the East African Women’s Foundation, Fartun writes, “We sincerely thank Rotary Melbourne members for your ongoing support and partnership. Your contribution plays a vital role in enabling us to deliver impactful programs and create safer, stronger and more connected communities.”
No cost No waiting ..all it needs now is publicity by you.
Attempted suicide in Australia equates to a full plane crashing every day, injuring 95% of the passengers, (mainly our healthy young women) and killing 5%. 3-5% call crisis lines, but 70-80% hint or warn friends and family. Most people freeze. MessagesHelp.Org is an Australian pilot launched by the Australian Suicide Prevention Foundation with Rotary in Sri Lanka and RC Melbourne.
The Rotary Foundation Webinar: Legacy in Action with Rotarian Quin Scalzo AM and his daughter Cathy Scalzo is now available for viewing if you missed it on Monday 16 March 26. Please note that while the live video was showing correctly, the recording did not capture one of the panellist's video - apparently a technical glitch in zoom.
Master of Ceremonies: Karen Kim
Reflection Delivered by Ruth Carlos Martinez (See transcript later in this bulletin)
As meeting chair for the day, President Philip then introduced PRIP Jennifer Jones to address the meeting on Building Peace Through Action: Her address challenged us to think boldly about our role in building peace through action.
The East African Women’s Foundation invited Peter Berg, Amanda and Tony Battaini to Harmony Through Eid 2026 on Sunday 22 March, at the North Cyprus Turkish Community Centre in Albion.
On Sunday 22 March 26 we loaded Reg & Sue Smith's cars to the gunnels at Prahran Market! Reg & Sue, along with Tony Battaini volunteered with Victoria, a student from Melbourne Girls College. We’re always after additional help, so anyone willing to give a couple of hours on an occasional Sunday afternoon please contact Robert Fisher by email.
Rotary Melbourne is holding an Evening of rewarding volunteer effort, creating food packs for FORaMEAL together on Thursday 23 April 26, 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm at RMIT Melbourne. MARK YOUR DIARIES NOW!!! ALL ARE WELCOME! Rotary Melbourne has partnered with the Rotary Club of Canterbury to host a relief-meal packing event. RMIT staff, students, and Rotarians will convene for 90 minutes to pack roughly 12,000 meals that are air dropped by the ADF to people living in temporary housing in war zones, disaster zones, and refugee camps.
For the 8th edition of District 9800 February 26 Networker for 2025-2026, please click on Read More below. In this issue there is an article on Rotary Melbourne's Sustainable Alliance Gives Life (and Water) in Philippines.
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Lesley McCarthy, Donations in Kind, is asking for Rotary Melbourne's assistance with a couple of different projects, including an Indigenous Op Shop Project and collecting tools to assist with the recent bushfires in Victoria.
On Sunday 8 March 26 we loaded founder Simone Carson’s Tesla to the gunnels at Prahran Market! Her she is with volunteer Victoria, a student from Melbourne Girls College. We’re always after additional help, so anyone willing to give a couple of hours on an occasional Sunday afternoon please contact Robert on robertwfisher1@outlook.com
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This Sunday’s SecondBite collection at Prahran Market was another special experience. Robert Fisher 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.
Rotary Melbourne Honorary member Dr Alan Finkel AC was honoured on 11 February 26 with a Monash building named after him at their Clayton Campus. Monash University Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Sharon Pickering today announced the Alan Finkel Building for Technology and Design as the new name of Building 94, alongside Chancellor Megan Clark AC at an unveiling on the Clayton campus.
The Rotary Club of Melbourne Young Achievers awards recognise and honour annually up to three outstanding young Victorians with an award of $1,500 each. Nominations are now open.
President Philip Cornish gives a special message of peace and goodwill following the recent events at Bondi Beach.
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.
