Baby William (Billy) Berkeley Belfield was born at 3.59pm on 30th April. Baby and Mum Katherine are doing well. His parents are pretty smitten with him.
On Duty: Bob Glindemann (MC), Sandra Hills, Tony Battaini, Deb Yin Foo (Reception), Peter Dakin (Reflection), TBD (Raffle), John Peberdy (Photos).
Member Anniversaries: Arjang Taylor, Chad Brendish, Nicholas Batrouney (8), Luke Belfield (1), Russell Board (12), Suresh Marcandan (6), Dean McIntyre (12), Trevor Neroy (1), Kevin O'Flaherty (33), Ian Riseley (2), Chris Rodd (9), Ahmed Tohow (4).
Member Birthdays this week: none
Last week’s meeting, chaired by Hon Sec John Saunders in the absence of President Catherine, featured a compelling keynote address from urban design expert Mark Allan. With Melbourne’s population expanding at unprecedented rates, Mark explored the critical role of smart planning, green public spaces, and cutting-edge digital twin technology in shaping sustainable, people-centred cities.
Rotarian Jessie Harman - a friend to many of us at Rotary Melbourne and the first female Rotary International Board Member from our zone - has reached base camp at Mt Everest as she treks to raise funds to end polio.
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 April 2025 please click read more below.
Thank you to Robert Fisher for your reflection on Wednesday 30 April 2025.
Guests of the Club: Andrew Laidlaw (Speaker), Julie Hindkaer.
Visiting Rotarians: Pam Dittmer (Port Philip), Jennifer Foster (Change Makers).
Guests of Members: Maggie Jacobs (Bruce Livett), Bernie McInerny (Rob McGuirk).
Member Anniversaries: Mev Connell (38), Tim Conolan (5), Tony Greenwood (15).
Member Birthdays this week: Peter Habersberger, Sam McLarty, Stewart Stribling, Jenny Taing.
On Duty: Rosemary Nixon (MC), Robert FIsher (Reception), Philip Cornish (Reflection), Trevor Nink (Raffle), Gerald Ashman (Photos).
Don't miss this rare opportunity to witness an extraordinary fusion of musical heritage, vocal ingenuity, and cultural creativity. For one night only, this ensemble—deeply rooted in the classical Arabic music tradition—is breaking new ground.
Click on Read More below to book.
Burringilly Aboriginal Corporation is one of our largest partners in Queensland, distributing thousands of FareShare meals and nearly 130,000kg of SecondBite food since 2018 to communities across Bayside, Logan, and Southside.
As a trusted local hub, Burringilly supports about 20 community groups and steps up in times of crisis. Ahead of the recent cyclone, we stocked them with 72 emergency hampers, in collaboration with Foodbank QLD, helping them deliver vital food and meals to families and schools hit by floods and power outages.
Click Read More to learn about our partnership .
On Saturday, April 26, Rotary Melbourne members and guests were treated to a rare and enriching experience—an afternoon that seamlessly blended history, music, geography, architecture, and conviviality.
President Catherine Baxter welcomed members and guests, including former exchange student Julie Hindkaer. Guest speaker Andrew Laidlaw, Royal Botanic Gardens Landscape Architect, delivered an interesting talk on the Gardens’ evolving role in urban resilience and wellbeing. Members were also reminded to update directory details and book for the Thomas Baker Oration.
This week we hosted a very special guest - our 2014 Danish Youth Exchange Student, Julie Hindkaer. Much has happened in Julie's life over the last decade after returning to Denmark.
May is Rotary’s Youth Service Month. Rotary Melbourne empowers young people through scholarships, leadership programs, mentoring, education support, science initiatives, and more. Join us in shaping brighter futures with projects like BioEYES, RYLA, The Smith Family, Western Chances, and Afri-Aus Care. Together, we inspire the next generation.
Last week was World Immunisation Week. Rotary’s fight against polio proves what's possible. By closing immunisation gaps, we can save millions more lives - and Rotary members are leading the charge to protect communities worldwide.
Over 400,000 mostly female community health workers, recruited locally in Pakistan, are crucial to polio eradication efforts. They vaccinate children, build community trust, and promote health, often in remote areas. These women are trained regularly, paid about $150 monthly, and conduct multiple vaccination campaigns annually, reaching millions of children.
Pope Francis was the first Pope to be a Rotarian, joining the Rotary Club of Buenos Aires as an honorary member prior to his papacy in 1999. Following his funeral on Saturday, we also reflect on the Pope's hosting of the 2016 Jubilee of Rotarians at the Vatican, with over 9000 Rotarians from around the world attending. Read more below.
Nominations closing soon! Do you know a Melbourne secondary student leading the way in environmental sustainability? Rotary Melbourne’s 2025 Environment Award offers $3000 for the winning project. Submissions close 14 May - don’t miss this chance to inspire change and be recognised!
Member Anniversaries: Susan Barton (20), Matthew Karakoulakis (10), Yidan Xi (5)
Member Birthdays this week: Peter Addison (TODAY!!)
Guests of the Club: Elias Munshya (Speaker), Ashley Chandler.
Visiting Rotarians: Margaret Brett (Yarraville), David Fernee (Packenham), Ronald Moss (Caroline Springs (online).
Guests of Members: Stephen Todd (Deb Yin Foo), James Scuderi, Minty Tafesse, Duncan Harris, Fred Alale, Bill Cole (Stephen Rando), Julie Gleeson (Peter Hollingworth), Robert Grove, Frank Opray, Rebecca Tamusuza.
On Duty: VACANT (Reception), Stephen Mandie (Raffle), Tony Battaini (MC), Bill Pickett (Photographer), Robert Fisher (Reflection).
The new annual Rotary Melbourne Music Scholarship supports talented emerging Victorian musicians who need assistance to further their careers or studies in music. Our mission is to nurture the next generation of musical leaders, ensuring they have the resources and opportunities to thrive. Applications close Wednesday 30 April 25 for people under 30 years of age.
