Rotary Melbourne is backing RIMERN’s Spring Cleaning with RIMERN campaign to raise $5,000 by 30 Nov 2025.
RIMERN provides essential furniture and household goods to families starting over after crisis. Some items - like basic cleaning kits - must be purchased new to meet our quality standards.
A $50 gift sponsors a complete kit, but every dollar helps us deliver 10+ kits each week. Click read more below to change lives, one household at a time.
It is ten years since the purchase of the "New" Office by Rotary Melbourne. Peter Rogers, President 2015-16 recalls its story and photos.
Be inspired, challenged and motivated by a Trailblazer in Social Change - Dr Jennifer Fitzgerald AM, one of Australia’s most dynamic voices in philanthropy, human services and policy reform.
With decades of boardroom and frontline leadership, Jennifer is a purpose-driven changemaker who has shaped national strategy as Chair, CEO and Director, and advised State and Federal governments on disability, public policy and community wellbeing. Her insights into visionary leadership and sector transformation are not to be missed.
Her impact has been recognised with the Order of Australia Medal for exceptional service to the disability sector, a place on the COVID-19 Honour Roll for outstanding crisis leadership, and the title of Telstra Business Woman of the Year (Victoria, 2016) along with the Telstra For Purpose & Social Enterprise Award.
Rotary Melbourne have been using the Around the Bay bike event to raise funds for The Smith Family for over 20 years. This year we are looking to diversify our activities - instead of focusing our volunteer activities we are asking members to pledge financial support to the riders.
Guests of the Club Jennifer Fitzgerald (Speaker), Charlie Spendlove, Anna Tran, Tim Halliburton, Pam Hargreaves.
Visiting Rotarians Surhuda Kulkarni (Pune Baner, India), Angus Scott-Walker (Footscray), Natalie Au (Preston), Maria Hicks, Aviv Palti (Passport Melbourne).
Guests of Members Nina Muhleisen, Mia Uy, Althea Weeratunga (Deb Yin Foo), Jessica Ziersch (Bernie McIntosh).
Happy Birthday this week: Peter Bailey, Austen Burleigh, Sana Malik, Nick Pelham.
On Duty: Gerald Ashman (Photos), Karen Gornalle (Reception), Trevor Nink (Raffle), Peter Dakin (Reflection), Rosemary Nixon (MC).
Immediate Past President Catherine Baxter presented the David Wittner Mentoring Award to Quin Scalzo last month, recognising a Rotarian who has excelled as a mentor and advocate for Rotary, and honouring the memory of Past President David Wittner AM. This article includes Quin's moving & informative response.
Rotary Melbourne's Past President Robert Fisher has been overwhelmed by the response from Rotarians, family and friends to his appeal after reaching $5,340. The campaign remains open and let’s just keep going, remembering that whatever Robert raises will be tripled by the Gates Foundation. Please help support us to End Polio Now by clicking Read More below.
Rotary Melbourne Central 2 group met for lunch on Friday 26 September 25 at celebrity chef Adrian Richardson's restaurant Bouvier Bar.
Australia is taking a major step towards responsible battery recycling today with the launch of the world’s first ‘battery-in-devices shredding’ (BIDS) plant. The new facility, operated by EcoBatt (a subsidiary of the EcoCycle Group), is designed to tackle one of the fastest-growing and most dangerous waste streams in the country: batteries embedded in everyday products.
At our Annual AFL Grand Final Lunch, David Parkin OAM shared career insights in a lively discussion moderated by Philip Endersbee. Highlights included the annual footy quiz, AFL tipping winners, and other prize winners, including best dressed!
A patch of cement was a launchpad for a Rotarian who brought women’s soccer to Palestine. Honey Thaljieh and a handful of young women played on the makeshift pitch more than two decades ago in college in the West Bank. The effort led eventually to a national women’s team that she captained for years. Thaljieh ascended to a job at FIFA, the international soccer governing body, spreading the message that the sport is for everyone. Click Read More below to read how this soccer pioneer found Rotary.
Thank you to Tony Battaini for your reflection on Wednesday 24 September 2025.
MITS (Melbourne Indigenous Transition School) has shared their latest newsletter. Edward Tudor, Executive Director noted 'TMITS students returned home last week for a well-earned Term 3 break, reuniting with their families across the NT and Victoria. Term 3 was packed with highlights, including the vibrant Celebration of the Arts and multiple premiership wins in the Yarra Junior Football League, while our Year 12 students completed their final full term on Wurundjeri Country in Melbourne.' Click on read more to read the newsletter.
Membership Anniversary this week: Shiren Anwar (1), Peter Dakin (37), Stanley Ho (1), John Shaw (29), Barbara Yerondais (15).
Happy Birthday this week: Rob Helme, Stephen Mandie.
On Duty: Bill Pickett (Photos), John Peberdy, Marg Leser (Reception), John Saunders (Raffle), Robert Fisher (Reflection), Carol Bond (MC).
Guests of the Club David Parkin (Speaker).
Guests of Members Mark Forytaz, Anastasia Malishev (Stephen Rando), Michael Watts (Mimie Watts), Conor Weeks (Clive Weeks), David Tenenbaum, James Manger (Peter Manger), Mike Gornalle (Karen Gornalle), Susan Francia (Chris Sotiropoulos), Judy Smith (Bruce Livett).
Mary, Sana, Anthony and Deb attended the WEHI's 2025 Art of Science exhibition on 11 September 2025 on behalf of the Rotary Melbourne. Our relationship with WEHI involves our participation with Malaria research and the donation of funds for equipment in the laboratory.
This month the Environmental Sustainability Rotarian Action Group (ESRAG) newsletter ESRAG September 2025 Volume 10 Issue 3 features an article titled 'Pollution is personal, preventable, and solvable'. Click on read more below.
Thank you to Robert Fisher for your reflection on Wednesday 17 September 25.
The SecondBite team was excited to be part of the Fine Food Australia show in Sydney last week, strengthening our ties with the food industry and exploring new opportunities.
Robert attended the 'Gon-Bae!' [Cheers!] Korean Festival on Thursday 18 September 25 at the Immigration Museum, celebrating 75 years of friendship between Korea and Australia.
Click Read More below for the first District 9800 Foundation Newsletter for the 2025-2026 year.by the District Foundation Chair and the Foundation Committee Don't forget to sponsor Rotary Melbourne member Robert Fisher who is participating in 'Walk with us 25' in support of the End Polio Now Campaign.
