Francesco Arezzo, a member of the Rotary Club of Ragusa, Italy, has been selected by the Board of Directors to become Rotary International’s president for 2025-26. Arezzo will become president on 1 July. Read more about his appoinment.
It has been a long tradition of Rotary Melbourne that the outgoing President introduces the incoming Rotary Melbourne President, and reviews their year in the company of Past Presidents and partners. On Sunday 15 June 25, out-going President (Catherine Baxter) outlined the achievements of Rotary Melbourne in 2024-25. Incoming President (Philip Cornish) outlined his plans for the coming year to his "Rotary Melbourne Hall of Fame". Here they are at Kingston Heath Golf Club yesterday having a jolly good time. It was a very chilly day but that didn’t dampen the convivial chatter in the room.
Our 2025 Environment Lunch celebrated sustainability and innovation with inspiring guests, including students from across Victoria. Highlights included a compelling keynote by Dr Fiona Simon on Australia’s green hydrogen future, a Sofitel-led discussion on sustainable cuisine, and the 2025 Environmental Sustainability Award presentation to St Monica’s College for their student-led eco-initiatives.
Read more and see all the photos by clicking link below.
Learn about some of the latest Rotary projects around the world this June from Canda to Uganda, from Palermo, Italy to Maryland, USA .
Mário César Martins de Camargo has stepped down as Rotary International President-Elect for personal and professional reasons on the eve of commencing as President. Read more about his decision.
Member Anniversaries: Peter Habersberger (36), Sandra Hills (15), Ruth Carlos Matinez (8).
Member Birthdays this week: Russell Board, Ian Hamm, Peter Manger, Peter McCall, Jim Orchard.
On Duty: Richard Dent (MC), John Peberdy, Marg Leser (Reception), Barbara Yerondais (Raffle), Gerald Ashman (Photos), Peter Hollingworth (Reflection).
Rotary Fellowships are international groups that share a common passion. Being part of a fellowship is a fun way to make friends around the world, explore a hobby or profession, and enhance your Rotary experience. Membership in a fellowship is open to any Rotarian.
Star of the Sea College impressed as the 2024 Rotary Melbourne Environmental Award winners with their creative campaign tackling fast fashion. Their student-led Clothes Swap and sustainability initiatives set a high bar - just in time for the 2025 award presentation at our upcoming Environment Lunch. Read more about their inspiring work and join us at this year's lunch!
SecondBite | FareShare will receive the proceeds from this year’s World Environment Day Raffle.
The prize list is attached but the headline prize is a Bottle of 2005 Penfolds Bin 95 “Grange” value at nearly $900. We chose the 2005 vintage in recognition of SecondBite | FareShare’s 20th anniversary this year.
Saturday 5th July 25 is the date for the District 9800 Changeover - starring Peter Shepheard and Michael Lapiña
Grand Star Receptions, 499 Grieve Parade, Altona North. 12 noon for a 12.30pm start. Click Read More to book.
An uplifting update from the Thailand–Myanmar border, where Rotaractors from Siem Reap delivered health kits, solar lights, and education to Karen students - part of a Rotary Melbourne-supported international project.
This is your last opportunity to update your Rotary Melbourne Members Directory entry in preparation of the 2025/26 printed Directory. Updates are required by this Friday 13 June 25. Please ensure you have checked both the hardcopy and online directory and advise any changes including updated photos. Please send your updates to the Directory Editor directory@rotarymelbourne.org.au Thank you to all of those members who have already responded.
Across the vast and scattered islands of Kiribati, a quiet but powerful transformation is underway - one that is saving lives, strengthening local health systems, and offering renewed hope to future generations. Dr Patricia Canning OAM shares a brief update on Rotary Melbourne’s Global Grant project, which is supporting the vaccination of the most disadvantaged and high-priority girls against HPV in partnership with UNICEF.
Experience the world through a lens in Rotary magazine’s 2025 Photo Awards. From fire-lit skies in Minnesota to quiet moments in Nepal, Rotarians capture unrepeatable instants - each a “decisive moment.” Discover the beauty, humanity, and surprise in these award-winning images
Member Anniversaries: Christina Boys (5), Jan Moffatt (19).
Member Birthdays this week: Ron Cullen, Madeliene McManus, Ian Ross (TODAY!), Dimitrios Salampasis, Rodney Smith, Arjang Taylor.
Guests of the Club: Fiona Simon (Speaker), Jenny Nam, Daniel Won, Simone & Ian Carson, Daniel Moorfield, Students & teachers from: Salesian College, Sunbury, Mt Lilydale Mercy College, Catholic Regional College Sydenham, MacKillop College Werribee, St Leonards College, Brighton East, Templestowe College, Kew High School, St Monicas College Epping, Beacon Hills College Berwick.
Visiting Rotarians: Alex Marshall (Glenferrie), John Burley (Nth Balwyn), Jo Kwok (Brighton), Patricia Armstrong (Manningham City), Pam Dittmer (Port Phillip), Shinji Higuchi (Osaka).
Guests of Rotarians: Manon Beauchamp-Tardieu, Claire Moore (Marg Leser), Amy Stevenson (Garry Fowler), Maggie & Hamish McDonell (Reg Smith), Kat Sayers, Sophia Bagatsing (Bernie McIntosh), Timothy Marjoribanks (Dimitrios Salampasis), Katerina Aleksoska (Peter Rogers), Sara Bice (Philip Cornish), Shane Nicholas (Jim Barry), Tim Harkin, Sushil Patil (Catherine Baxter), Nick Miller (Anthony Austin), Ioanna, Mary Svinos, Lia Zaparas (Barbara Yerondais), Kimberley Pierzchalski (Rob McGuirk), Tony Burchill, John Roiniotis, Robert Hogan, Clive Scott (Sofitel ).
Did you see our project in Rotary Down Under? Rotary Melbourne's End Trachoma initiative - featured in the June 2025 issue - continues working with Monash University and partners to eliminate trachoma in remote Indigenous communities through innovative water trailers and health education. Click below to read the article.
Rotary Melbourne welcomed and inducted Mimmie Watts on 28 May 2025 with the classification Public Health - Education & Policy. Mimmie's career embodies Rotary-aligned commitments to global impact, educational transformation, community advocacy, and inclusive leadership.
Guests of the Club: Brendan Nottle (Speaker), Mimmie Watts (Inductee), Tracy-Kate Watts.
Visiting Rotarians: Elizabeth Drozd (Footscray), Jennifer Foster (Changemakers), Fleur Maidment (Central Melbourne), Shinji Higuchi (Osaka, Japan).
Guests of Rotarians: Karen & Mike Gornalle, Marcu Pearl (Deb Yin Foo), May Gin.
Member Anniversaries: Vaideek Chaudhary (4), Steve DeBono (1).
Member Birthdays this week: Gus Nossal.
On Duty: Bob Glindemann (MC), Sandra Hills, Sue Smith, Marg Leser (Reception), Mary Barry, Tony Battaini (Raffle).
The community of Dangan Elementary School are deeply grateful to Rotary Melbourne and donors for the comprehensive multipurpose improvement project recently implemented at Dangan Elementary School. This initiative focused on provision of access to clean water, hygiene and sanitation, enhancing the learning environment, supporting environmental sustainability, and health improvement for learners and teachers.
The Rotary Club of Woodend is hosting its changeover on Saturday 12 July 25,12.00pm for a 12:30pm start, at the Glen Erin at Lancefield, 200 Rochford Road. Please see further details click read more below for the attached flyer.
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 May 2025 please click read more below.
