Rotary Melbourne welcomed and inducted Alberto Balbo on 20 November 2024 with the classification Energy – Decarbonization & Transition. Alberto has also contributed to Decarbonizing Asia – Innovation, Investment and Opportunities, published by World Scientific and unveiled at COP27.
As a Rotary leader, the 2025 Rotary International Convention is an exceptional opportunity for you to discover fresh viewpoints, learn best practices, and immerse yourself in the global scale of Rotary. From 21-25 June in Calgary, Canada, you can gather ideas and perspectives that will enhance your service projects, invigorate your meetings, and inspire you to create positive change in your club and community. Learn more and register today at convention.rotary.org
On 2nd February 25, I had the privilege of becoming a Rotary Melbourne volunteer for SecondBite, an incredible organisation dedicated to rescuing and redistributing surplus fresh food to people in need.
Footy Tipping Kicks Off March 7 – Join the Fun!
Footy season is here! 🎉 The 2025 Rotary Melbourne Footy Tipping Competition is back, and we want YOU in!
Members at lunch this week paused for a moment of silence in honour of Past President and Honorary Life Member David Jones who passed away on Monday 24 February 2025.
The Rotary Give Every Child A Future (RGECAF) Report (2025-2026) on strengthening systems for introducing a new HPV vaccine in Kiribati reveals promising progress. By the end of 2025, 140,000 children are expected to be vaccinated, exceeding the original target of 100,000. The report also covers an add-on HPV program in Kiribati and notes that four out of nine countries have integrated the immunisation program into their national schedules.
A group of 30+ people comprising Rotary Melbourne members, partners and guests joined Barb Yerondais for an architectural walking tour around the Streets of Fitzroy on Friday 28 February 2025.
The Rotary Melbourne Meeting on Wednesday 26 February 25 was the Member Meeting which included presentations from Dr. Dimitris Salampasis on DAVOS and Mary Barry on the Cynthia's Gift. Click on read more to get the full story and view photo gallery.
In March, Rotary International celebrates Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Month. Rotary Melbourne believes access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene is vital for healthier communities. Our WASH initiatives go beyond infrastructure, partnering with local leaders and educators to ensure lasting impact. From rural villages to disaster-hit areas, we create sustainable solutions that improve lives for generations.
Thank you to Tony Battaini for your reflection on Wednesday 26 February 2025.
It started with an idea: a Rotary lounge at Zurich Airport. As a long-time Rotarian and founding member of Rotary Club Zurich Circle International, Hermann Delliehausen envisioned a welcoming space for members to connect while in transit.
Rotary Melbourne, alongside key partners, has enhanced water and sanitation facilities at Tuek Chum Secondary School in Cambodia. This WASH initiative includes a biosand water filtration system, a rubbish incinerator, and educational workshops to promote hygiene and health awareness among students and the local community.
Guests of the Club: Jason Gribble, Dildar Begum, Humaira Begum, Rade Pajic, Marina Celebic, Emma Soloai, Margaret Ross.
Visiting Rotarians: Soula Drummond (Manningham)
Visitors & Guests of Members: Debbie Cottier, Hamidullah Hamidullah, Jana Hovic, Julianne Gardiner, Mohammed Shah, Julie Raciti, Rebecca Kotow, (Visitors - Comm Service), Betty Langat, Sharon Ngetich & Sandra Boinet (Getrude Matshe).
Member Anniversaries: David Carruthers (23), Sam McLarty (1), Robert Klupacs (2), Rob McGuirk (32), Celina Yu (7).
Member Birthdays this week: Susan Barton, Grahme Bond.
On Duty: Robert Fisher Tony Battani (Reception), Peter Addison (Raffle), Philip Endersbee (MC), Bill Pickett (Photographer), Tony Battani (Reflection).
A generous bequest set up on behalf of the late Cynthia Edgell is the Cynthia Edgell Empowerment Opportunity Gift. It will be used to support women and girls, allowing Rotary Melbourne to continue embodying Cynthia’s spirit of service and leadership.
MITS (Melbourne Indigenous Transition School) has shared their latest newsletter. Edward Tudor, Executive Director noted 'In this edition,The school year is well and truly underway as we welcome our newest cohort of Year 7s, who join a community of 85 MITS boarders on Wurundjeri Country here in Richmond. Click on read more to read the newsletter.
Footy Tipping Kicks Off March 7 – Join the Fun!
Footy season is here! 🎉 The 2025 Rotary Melbourne Footy Tipping Competition is back, and we want YOU in!
On the 12th February 25, Peter Addison together with Sumeer Bhandarkar, Anthony Battaini and Christina Boys, members of the International Programs Committee, met with three visiting Rotaractors from Siem Reap Cambodia, who were on a two week visit to Melbourne.
Western Chances conducts a Winter Internship Program and they are inviting Rotary Melbourne employers to open their doors to exceptional young talent. EOIs close Friday 28 February—don’t miss out! Click on read more.
Rotary International President-elect Mário César Martins de Camargo is asking members to Unite for Good by embracing growth, service, and connection. He outlined a plan to expand “the best-qualified team of volunteers on the planet.” De Camargo feels Rotary’s greatest asset is not our history, our project, or even our unmatched global reach: It is our members.
In his op-ed for the Chicago Tribune, Rotary General Secretary and CEO John Hewko talks about Rotary’s ability to help people make connections and combat isolation. Rotary was formed in 1905 by Chicago Lawyer Paul Harris to help overcome his feelings of alienation. Read more about how Rotary is helping to combat the loneliness epidemic.
Rade Pajic, joint winner of the 2025 Sir John Reid Community Service Award with Dildar Begum, is recognized for his dedication to supporting and connecting isolated elderly individuals within the Serbian Community and the Southern Migrant Refugee Centre.
Dildar Begum is joint winner of the 2025 Sir John Reid Community Service Award with Rade Pajic. Dildar, a Rohingya refugee, is honoured for her community service, mental health advocacy, and cultural contributions, inspiring resilience and empowerment in Springvale’s refugee community.
Thank you to Robert Fisher for your reflection on Wednesday 19 February 2025.
