Thank you to Cheryl Lacey for your reflection on Wednesday 3 September 2025.
Immediate Past President Catherine Baxter presented the David Wittner Mentoring Award to Quin Scalzo, recognising a Rotarian who has excelled as a mentor and advocate for Rotary, and honouring the memory of Past President David Wittner AM.
This month, Rotary shines a light on one of our core causes: supporting education and literacy around the world. More than 775 million people worldwide over the age of 15 still cannot read or write. Rotary believes that literacy is not just about reading books – it’s about unlocking opportunity, breaking cycles of poverty, and empowering individuals to build better futures.
Tangly Ton, a Cambodian scholar supported by Rotary Melbourne and President Rotaract Club of Siem Reap, has provided an update on his move to Phnom Penh and working as the training coordinator at the Happy Return Center of Cambodia, which is the Korean government-funded center inside the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training. He also expressed his warm and sincere gratitude for the trust, love, care and support to make his life goals come true via the support of Rotary Melbourne.
We are saddened by the death of Dr Marie Fels wife of Bob Fels, who died on Sunday 31 August 25, after a brief illness. Marie was a great supporter of Bob and his Rotary activities.
The funeral Mass for Marie Helen Hansen Fels will be offered at The Chapel of the Holy Spirit, Newman College, 887 Swanston Street, Parkville on Thursday 11 September at 1:00pm. The Mass will be webcast live. Click read more for information.
August Board Rasmussen was born on 8 August 2025 in Denmark – first time grandparents Russell and Narelle Board are chuffed.
Join Rotary Richmond for their Business Breakfast on Wednesday 15th October at Amora Hotel featuring Jodie Rowlands, IDector of Supply Technology and Innovation at Treasury Wines Estates, as she explores how cutting-edge innovation, including AI, is tranforming the wine industry.
Rotary Melbourne's Stephen Rando is proud to share a milestone moment: the My Room Children’s Cancer Charity Ball raised a record $1.8 million in one night - fueling research, care, and hope in the fight against childhood cancer. Together, they’re moving closer to a 100% cure rate for every child.
President Philip reflected on the remarkable centenary of the Rotary Club of Bendigo at its 100 Year Celebration. He honoured its origins under our charter President W.A. Osborne and Rotary Melbourne’s role in its founding. He highlighted Rotary’s enduring commitment to service, fellowship, and leaving the world a better place—values as vital today as in 1925. Click read more to read his speech.
Rotary Melbourne proudly recognises former Honorary Member Professor Hugh Taylor AC, who has launched his autobiography Opening Eyes: Preventor of Blindness. He has also received the prestigious 2025 Laureate Recognition Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, honouring his global leadership in blindness prevention and Indigenous eye health.
The Australian Rotary Health August 2025 Newsletter features upcoming events and feature articles. Click read more below to read the newsletter.
Rotary Melbourne's Past President Robert Fisher is again challenging himself to walk 300km during the month of October to raise $5,000 vital funds that will help eradicate and prepare us for a Polio free world. Every $1 that we raise becomes $3 thanks to the generosity of the Gates Foundation. Please help support us to End Polio Now by clicking Read More below.
Guests of the Club Anna Schulze (Speaker).
Visiting Rotarians Michael Lapina (Wyndham).
Guests of Members Sajjad Ahmad (Bernie McIntosh), Brett Lombardi (Cheryl Lacey), Denis Hallissey (Chris Wang).
Membership Anniversary this week: Cas Burr (5), Bob Glindemann (32), Bernie McIntosh (20), Quin Scalzo (24).
Happy Birthday this week: Stephen Rando.
Learning from History and from the Next Generation of Peacebuilders - you are welcome to this seminar that will take place at Bangårdsgatan 13, Uppsala and via a ZOOM-meeting on Sunday September 21 at 11:00-15:00.
Click on read more to REGISTER and see the entire agenda.
September is Rotary International Education & Literacy Month, and our unstoppable Ruth Carlos-Martinez has just pulled off another inspiring mission. She personally collected 18 boxes of books from Brighton Library to be sent to Dangan, Philippines.
Our Community Welfare Committee created and implemented the 2025 Cynthia’s Gift Mentoring Awards through partner organisations. The Inaugural Cynthia’s Gift presentation 20th August 2025 was led by PP Kevin Sheehan,
Rotary Melbourne members recently joined District 9800’s Polio Plus Society Afternoon Tea, reaffirming Rotary’s commitment to eradicating polio worldwide and hearing the latest updates on progress, challenges, and upcoming fundraising initiatives.
Central 1 met for dinner on Thursday 28 August 25. It was a truly enjoyable night of fellowship, shared stories, and Rotary spirit. Members presence made the evening special, and it was a pleasure to connect with everyone in such a welcoming setting.
Rotary Melbourne members are invited to Rotary Central Melbourne's 33rd Paul Harris Breakfast at the Windsor Hotel on Tuesday 18th November from 7:30-9am with guest speaker Prof Ross Garnaut AC. The breakfast seeks to increase the awareness of the good work that the Rotary Foundation enables and raise funds. Click read more to book.
For the 25th edition of District 9800 August 25 Networker for 2025-2026, please click on Read More below. In this issue they cover articles from around District 9800.
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 August 2025 please click read more below.
We have been advised by members of the Kew Group that former member Roger Hall has died on 19 August 2025 aged 91 years.
A distinguished Paediatric Dentist, Roger was a pioneer of this field in Australia and globally. He was recognised by his colleagues and with the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to Paediatric Dentistry.
Roger resigned in 2017 for medical reasons after almost 20 years of membership where he served as Chair of the International Services Committee and Captain of the Kew Group for a number of years and with Second Bite for several years at Prahran Market.
Vera and their five children advise a funeral service is being held at St. Peter’s Eastern Hill at 10.30am on Tuesday 2 September.
Guests of the Club Peter Shepheard (Speaker), Garry Goldsmith, Charlotte Arndt, Kylie Arndt, Kevin Millstein.
Visiting Rotarians Rosemary Monahan, Jessica Palti, Maria Hicks (Passport Melbourne), Ian Riseley – online (Sandringham).
Guests of Members Nick Hatzoglou (Yidan Xi), Tom Roth (Peter Rogers).
Rotary Melbourne’s ninth meeting of the year welcomed District Governor Peter Shepheard and guests, celebrated member milestones, and honoured past contributions. A highlight was presenting the 2025 Student Community Service Award to Charlotte Arndt for her inspiring “Play It Forward Vic” project, demonstrating youth leadership and Rotary’s impact in action.
