On the eve of the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine, John Hewko, General Secretary and CEO of Rotary International, took part in a panel discussion on “Healing the Wounds of War – Visible and Invisible”. Hewko, whose parents fled Ukraine during World War II, visited Ukraine in 2023 and met with fellow Rotarians, observing the profound challenges faced by its people, as well as spending time with relatives. Hewko reflects on the scale of recovery needed in Ukraine.
Jeju Air flight 7C2216 from Bangkok crashed into a runway barrier at Muan International Airport in Korea on 29 December. The crash claimed the lives of 179 passengers, including a Rotary member. One district in Korea organized 2,000 meals a day for emergency first responders. Read how Rotary members responded.
Rotary Melbourne is excited to announce our new partnership with Run The Tan, reinforcing our commitment to mental health advocacy. This iconic event is more than just a race - it’s a movement dedicated to raising awareness and funding vital mental health initiatives. We’re calling on our Rotary Melbourne community to get involved! Whether you’re running, walking, or volunteering as a marshall or at our Rotary Melbourne Marquee, every step you take helps break the stigma around mental health.
Learn about some of the latest Rotary projects around the world this February from Mexico to Nigeria, from Jamaica to the Netherlands.
Friday 16 to Sunday 18 May 2025
The Multi-District Impact Summit is more than just another meeting – it is a summit designed to:
1. Ignite Inspiration: Hear from dynamic speakers who are making a difference in our communities.
2. Foster Collaboration: Network with fellow Rotarians from Districts 9800 & 9510, exchange ideas, and create connections that lead to meaningful partnerships.
3. Enhance Skills: Participate in workshops and breakout sessions tailored to develop leadership, innovation, and community service strategies.
Rotary Melbourne (RM) supports Rotary Hawthorn in the important work of Rotary SAFE Families (RSF) on Domestic Violence in funding its educational and information messaging program along with the representation of 5 Club members on the RSF leadership team which most recently has been involved in a project taking RSF into local Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities.
This month the Environmental Sustainability Rotarian Action Group (ESRAG) newsletter ESRAG February 2025 Volume 9 Issue 8 features an article titled 'Looking Ahead to COP30: Rotary’s Role in Tackling Climate Change'. Click on read more below.
The Rotary Melbourne Meeting on Wednesday 5 February 25 was the Annual State of the City Address with Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece. Click on read more to get the full story and view photo gallery.
Member Anniversaries: Rob Helme (28), Ron Cullen (42), Philip Endersbee (31), Peter McCall (24), Rodney Smith (41).
Member Birthdays this week: Steph Hunt, Bob Burgess.
Club Guests: Nick Reece, Sarah Gosper (Inductee).
Visiting Rotarians: Michael Lapina (Wyndham), Peter Shepheard (Altona), David Fernee (Pakenham), Jenny Foster (Rotary e-Club of Change Makers), John McCaskill (Canterbury), Viraj Patel (Unimelb Rotaract)
Visitors & Guests of Members: Patricia von Matuschka (Bernie McIntosh), David Iza (Deb Yin Foo), Dorothy Minchin, Mark Forytarz, Tom Minchin (Cheryl Lacey), Fleur Maidment (Jenny Foster), Michael Bentley, Gab Pascuzzi, Richard Marshall, David Scalzo, Samantha O'Shaughnessy (Quin Scalzo), Jessie Harman (Peter Rogers), John Kananghinis, (Stephen Rando), Judith Parslow, Liz McCaskill (Peter Berg), Kenoll Wilson, Kumari Fernando (Reg Smith), Guest of Cheryl Lacey, Rebecca Waters, Roland Jabbour (Will Abdo), Theo Zographos, Mark Forytarz (Sana Malik), Tirimanne Randan.
Help promote peace in the world by encouraging peace and development leaders in your community to apply for the Rotary Peace Fellowship. Applications for the 2026 Rotary Peace Fellowships are open until 15 May.
Rotary Melbourne welcomed and inducted Dr Sarah Gosper on 5 February 2025 with the classification Universities – Global Education. As Deputy Director of Monash University's Global Immersion Guarantee Program, Sarah works closely with a diverse set of stakeholders in the Pacific who are committed to climate action and social impact.
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 12 December/January 25. This issue is full of ways in which you can support RIMERN and the great work they do in supporting our community.
Continuing a long time tradition in our Club, President Catherine had great pleasure in conferring Honorary Membership on Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece for his term of office as Lord Mayor of Melbourne. The values and commitment to community and service are aligned in both Rotary and the office of the Lord Mayor.
Rotary Melbourne is proud to support Nourish, a fantastic initiative first launched in 2016 by Temple Beth Israel and Father Bob's Foundation that provides hot meals to those in need every Monday night. We're helping Nourish go green by providing reusable tote bags for their delicious meals! 
Thank you to Trevor Nink, for reading out Ruth Carlos-Martinez's reflection on Wednesday 5 February 25 about 'Using an unknown path towards resolution'.
On Duty: Tony Battaini (MC), Ruth Carlos Martinez (Reflection), Bruce Davidson (Photography), Bruce Davidson (Raffle), Marg Leser, Karen Kim (Reception).
Member Anniversaries: None
Member Birthdays this week: John Shaw.
PP Robert Fisher has provided some background to the award of an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) on 26 January 2025 to Selba-Gondoza Luka, founder and CEO of Afri-Aus Care and Rotary Melbourne's involvment with Afri-Aus Care.
For the 5th edition of District 9800 January 25 Networker for 2024-2025, please click on Read More below. In this issue they cover articles from around District 9800. You can also read about DG Michael's Monthly Musings - January.
On 24 January 25 at President Catherine met Ian Balcombe,
The Brighton Classic Car Show is to be held on 30-March 2025, at Firbank Grammar Oval, presented by the Rotary Club of Brighton. Cars must be at least 25 years old to enter.
Thank you to Peter Dakin for your reflection on Wednesday 29 January 25 about January being Rotary's vocational service month.
Club Guests Mamum Haque (Inductee), Violetta Fallon.
Visitors Ross Nicholson, Julie Gleeson (Peter Hollingworth), Patricia von Matuschka (Deb Yin Foo).
As a humanitarian organisation, peace is a cornerstone of Rotary Melbourne's mission. Rotary creates environments where peace can happen. By carrying out service projects including this year's South Sudan Peace Leadership Program, and supporting peace fellowships and scholarships, our members take action to address the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, discrimination, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources.
