Last Thursday, 13 November 2025, nearly 30 Rotary Melbourne members, friends, and partners attend the special evening gathering in celebration of World Kindness Day and the 25th anniversary of the Hush Foundation.
BIKE RAFFLE IN TIME FOR GIFT GIVING
Help Rotary Melbourne Support The Smith Family’s Learning for Life Program
Rotary Melbourne invites members and friends to take part in a simple but powerful act of kindness — and perhaps be rewarded with a very special Christmas present for the winner, their kids/grandkids, and maybe special friends.
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 October 2025 please click read more below.
This Thursday, 13 November 2025, we invite members, friends, and partners to a special evening gathering in celebration of World Kindness Day and the 25th anniversary of the Hush Foundation. Hosted at Wingate Capital, Level 48, 101 Collins Street, Melbourne, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, this event will bring together leaders from Melbourne’s healthcare community to honour Hush’s inspiring work in fostering kindness and wellbeing across hospitals and care settings.
Enjoy music, engaging conversation, and light refreshments high above the city as we reflect on the power of compassion in healthcare and beyond. There is no charge to attend; however, a tax-deductible donation of $35 or more to the Hush Foundation is encouraged, with all proceeds going directly to support its programs.
Thank you to Philip Endersbee for last week's reflection on Wednesday 5 November 2025.
We’re delighted to welcome Mark Allan who was formally inducted as a member on 5 November 2025 with the classification of Urban Planning – General. Mark’s career progression was notably marked by key positions and significant projects, including his contributions to the Urban Design Brief for Federation Square and the resultant international design competition.
The Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) recognition is one of the highest honours Rotary can bestow upon a member or friend of Rotary. It is named after Rotary's founder, Paul Harris, and celebrates those who have made outstanding contributions to the ideals and work of Rotary — whether through generous financial support or through exceptional service.
Past President Bob Glindemann explained the structure and purpose of the Rotary Foundation, recognised as one of the world’s top charities for accountability and transparency. He detailed the four major funds: Annual Fund - Polio Plus Fund - Endowment Fund - Disaster Response Fund.
Adrian Nelson then opened the panel discussion noting that November is Rotary Foundation Month—an appropriate time to showcase the new Growing Futures in Timor-Leste project.
The Australian Rotary Health October 2025 Newsletter features an article by the Rotary Club of Carlingford and the Rotary Club of Environment and Habitat who hosted a special fundraising event, “The Life and Rhymes of Banjo Paterson,” at the historic Parramatta Town Hall. Click read more below to read the newsletter.
At this meeting, we’ll be introduced more fully to the Club’s newest international, economic, and environmentally empowering project - Growing Futures in Timor-Leste. This inspiring Rotary initiative partners with Rai Matak’s 50-year plan to plant 10 million trees across Timor-Leste - generating certified carbon income for farming families, restoring deforested land, and building sustainable rural livelihoods. It’s a practical, scalable model that turns climate action into lasting community benefit.
Our expert project panel will share what the project involves, how it’s funded, and the complex Rotary Foundation Global Grant process - following the model of our Centenary Project Give Every Child a Future:
* Amy Stevenson, CEO, xpand Foundation
* Past President Bob Glindemann OAM, Recipient of Rotary International Service Above Self Award for his work in Timor-Leste
* Peter Chou, Data Scientist, Monash University & xpand Foundation
* Moderator Past President Adrian Nelson
Join us to celebrate the launch of Growing Futures in Timor-Leste - and be part of Rotary’s next great story of global impact.
Solar energy has reached an exciting milestone: it’s now the most cost effective means of producing electricity in the world.
A recent study from the University of Surrey shows that in the sunniest countries, solar electricity can cost as little as €0.023 ($0.041) per unit, making it cheaper than coal, gas and even wind power.
On Duty: Robert Fisher (Reception), Marg Leser (Raffle), Karen Kim (MC), Ruth Carlos Martinez (Reflection), John Peberdy (Photographer).
Membership Anniversary this week: Sue McDonald (19), Iqbal Reta (17 TODAY!), Amanda Wendt (8).
Happy Birthday this week: Nick Batrouney, Trevor Neroy, Branko Panich, Kevin Sheehan (TODAY!).
Guests of the Club Amy Stevenson, Jijia Huang, Xuan Zhu, Mark Allan, Barbara Yerondais, George Kokovas.
Visiting Rotarians Peter Shepheard (Altona), James Allen (Sydney), Nicky Chung (Bentleigh Moorabbin Central), Lesley McCarthy (Flemington Kensington), Pamela Dittmer (Port Philip).
Guests of Members Roswitha Horgan (David Horgan), Chris Begg (Sue McDonald).
We’re delighted to welcome Ailesh Dupate to Rotary Melbourne. Originally from Mumbai, Ailesh brings a strong background in finance and a lifelong commitment to community service, shaped by six years in Rotaract. Now a Business Development Manager at India Growth Funds and a Master of Financial Analysis student at La Trobe University, Ailesh is eager to contribute his skills in youth mentorship and international collaboration.
Rotary Melbourne's Past President Robert Fisher on Friday 31 October 25 completed his Walk With Us to End Polio 25. Thanks to all his generous 41 supporters – together they have raised $8,918 for Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign. With the Gates Foundation’s amazing x2 matching, this becomes $26,754, a two-thirds increase on last year. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
For the 4h 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 End Polio.
The Rotary International Fellowship page has an interesting collection of Rotarians having hobbies together. Notably, there is a Peace Fellows Fellowship open to all Rotarians who support the Rotary Peace Fellows program. There are so many other interests to join in which assists Rotarians to connect with the larger Rotary International family.
Tony Battaini, seen here with Rotary International President Elect Olayinka Hakeem Babalola, has been on the Gold Coast this week for the Rotary Zone 8 Conference. He reports that it has been a revelation. There are so many high impact projects underway and evolving that will benefit communities across the region.
Dr Tania Miletic, Rotary Melbourne and District 9800's first Peace Fellow, last week launched her cookbook PEACEMEAL - Nourishing Hope Through Culinary Stories of Peacebuilding in Times of Conflict. Tania attended the International Christian University (ICU) in Tokyo in 2002.
Rotary members across Australia have the chance to win one of 20 double passes (valued at $44 each) to THE CHORAL, opening in cinemas New Year’s Day 2026. From the award-winning team behind The History Boys, this inspiring film celebrates the power of community and music in times of hardship.
This special giveaway, proudly supported by Sony Pictures and Rotary Foundation Australia, is open to all current Rotary members.
Click Read More below and enter the draw today! Let’s make Foundation Month one to remember.
With just four weeks to go before the start of our 2025 Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) program, Rotary District 9800 is calling on all Youth Directors and RYLA supporters to help us find more outstanding young leaders!
So far, we’ve received 20 applications - but there’s still room for more. If you know someone who could benefit from this life-changing leadership experience, please encourage them to apply. Click read more below for the application form.
In Papua New Guinea, a Rotary-led Buddy Program pairs Australian and PNG midwives to build leadership, confidence, and care capacity. Together, they’re tackling one of the world’s highest maternal mortality rates — ensuring safer births and stronger futures for women and families.
