We’re delighted to welcome Catherine Freeman who is engaged in fashion modelling, participating in editorial and runway events for a European fashion retailer based in Melbourne.
RCM’s Golf Special Interest Group was recently relaunched at Burnley Golf Course on a perfect autumn morning. Initiated by John Saunders, the inaugural group included Tony Battaini, David Carruthers and Peter Carmichael. With the course in excellent condition, the group enjoyed a great start and plans to continue with occasional 9 hole social games. Members interested in joining can contact Jo for details of future games.
A Small Jab, A Safer Future - Kiribati
UNICEF Australia and Rotary are working with Kiribati's Ministry of Health to deliver HPV vaccinations to girls across the remote Pacific island nation, where cervical cancer rates are significantly higher than in Australia. All 15 health facilities on the main island now deliver the vaccine through schools, community outreach, and fixed health sessions - made possible through Rotary's "Give Every Child a Future" program. unicef
A timely read for World Immunisation Week (24–30 April). Full article here.
Thank you to Rt Revd the Hon Dr Peter Hollingworth AC OBE for last week's reflection on Wednesday 22 April 26, which was delivered by Robert Fisher.
On Duty: Sandra Hills (Reception), Marg Leser (Raffle), Anthony Battaini (MC), Robert Fisher (Reflection), Bruce Davidson (Photos).
Membership Anniversary Susan Barton (21).
Happy Birthday Peter Addison.
105 years ago on the 21st April 1921 our club first met. The first steps towards Rotary in Australia was taken by Walter Drummond, a young Melbourne architect, on a visit to Chicago in 1913. Rotary International was established in Chicago on 23 February 1905.
Rotary Melbourne ticks over another year with our anniversary of first meeting on 21 April 1921.
On 23 May 2011 David Wittner delivered a moving Presentation on the 90th Anniversary of Rotary in front of Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, then Governor General and other distinguished Rotarians and guests.
Following the Club Jazz Night some members have asked about setting up a Jazz Interest Group. The genre encourages social interaction and there are venues across Melbourne. While a few ideas have been canvassed we need people to follow through. It has been suggested that some activities may be combined with Home Groups or stand alone. It isn't expected to be a large commitment. This should be about having fun. If you are interested please contact President Philip.
Today (19 April 26), Tony Battaini, Trevor Nink and Robert Fisher took a lighter than usual Second Bite load at Prahran Market today. Thank goodness because, in the absence of a delivery truck, we had to pile everything into Tony’s car…..!
Anyone interested in joining the Second Bite Sunday team should please contact Robert. Even once a month for a couple of hours would make a big difference!
Rotary Melbourne's Make a House a Home (MAHA) project provides new homewares to Launch Housing’s front line offices around Melbourne. We now need more volunteers to cope with the demands on homless housing.
Thank you to Adrian Nelson for last week's reflection on Wednesday 15 April 26.
Sambun Sambath, a Cambodian scholar supported by Rotary Melbourne and Member of Rotaract Club of Siem Reap, has provided a March 26 update where he completed his first foundation-year subject, Cultural Anthropology. He sincerely appreciates you taking the time to read his update and for the continued support of Rotary Melbourne.
Club Guests: Don Farrands (Speaker), Caroline Pilot (Inductee), Abiola Akinbiyi.
Visiting Australian Rotarians: Quentin Parker (Kununurra, WA).
Guests of Members: James Panagiotopoulos (Deb Yin Foo).
Membership Anniversary Ian Hamm (12), Deb Yin Foo (20).
Happy Birthday Will Abdo, Peter Addison, Kenza Dairi, Kelton Dennis.
On Duty: Robert Fisher (Reception), Jan Moffatt (Raffle), Carol Bond (MC), Peter Hollingworth (Reflection), Joseph Ebbage (Photos).
President Philip especially welcomed Guest speaker, Charlie Thomas, CEO of the Victorian Farmers’ Federation, and Club Guest Catherine Freeman to be inducted as a Rotary Melbourne member at this meeting.
From the Frontline to the Forefront of Mental Health Research
What happens when a firefighter with nearly two decades on the frontline turns her lived experience into a PhD - and then into a national leadership role? Dr Tara Lal AFSM, supported by a Rotary Clubs of NSW PhD Scholarship, spent five years researching PTSD and the hidden toll of suicide exposure on emergency services workers.
This month the Environmental Sustainability Rotarian Action Group Australia, New Zealand, Pacific Islands (ESRAG) newsletter ESRAG ANZPI April 2026 features two Rotary Melbourne articles titled 'EnviroClub GOLD: Rotary Club of Melbourne' and 'Growing Futures in Timor-Leste'. d9800-sustainability-news-april-2026.pdf
Get ready for a day full of classic cars, live music, food, family fun, and FREE kids activities! Join us on Sunday, 26th April 2026, from 11 AM – 4 PM at Wyndham Harbour Quay Blvd, Werribee South.
This is more than just a fun day out, we’re coming together as a community to raise awareness for the prevention of family violence and isolation.
We are delighted to invite you to a special Rotary Melbourne event featuring one of Australia’s most influential public policy leaders, Professor Graeme Samuel AC.
As many will know, Graeme led the independent review of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act—work that ultimately shaped Australia’s most significant environmental reforms in a generation.
Membership Anniversary Baz Tareen (4).
Happy Birthday Catherine Baxter & Ailesh Dupate (TODAY!).
Guests Rotarians: Janet Wang (Chris Wang), Greg Smith (Marg Leser), Mike Gornalle (Karen Goralle) Kristine Hayes (David Hayes) Monita Fu (Yidan Xi).
On the afternoon of 9 May 1901, Australia’s first Parliament was opened in Melbourne before 12,000 invited guests — a defining moment in the birth of a democratic nation. On the 125th anniversary of that historic occasion, it is time to take stock, assess Australia's current predicament, place it in the deeply troubling global context, and reimagine and plan for a promising future.
Congratulations to Rotary Melbourne member Tita von Matuschka on completing the Canberra Marathon in a time of 3:43:33, on Sunday 12 April 26.
