This week’s duties: John Peberdy, Bob Glindemann, Rosemary Nixon (Reception), Bruce Davidson (Raffle), Richard Dent (MC), Philip Endersbee (Reflection), Bruce Davidson (Photographer).
President Philip paid tribute to the late Right Reverend Honourable Dr Peter Hollingworth AC OBE, former Governor-General, Anglican leader, social justice advocate, Australian of the Year and long-serving Rotarian. His decades of service to the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Indigenous Australians, refugees, the homeless, unemployed and disadvantaged were acknowledged, followed by a moment’s silence.
Housing insecurity is keeping client numbers down - not for lack of need, but because caseworkers simply can't find affordable rentals to place people in. RIMERN remains busy regardless: new goods donors, four new referral agencies, and fresh volunteers have all joined the fold, while vital grant funding secured for the year ahead means fridges and washing machines continue to go to clients at no charge.
If you are interested in keeping up to date with all that’s been happening with volunteers, donations, welfare agencies & clients, and the many exciting things ahead at RIMERN please click on Read More for Issue 19: March/May 26.
Following her death in May 2023, long-standing Rotary Melbourne member Cynthia Edgell generously bequeathed to the Club a significant gift. As a result each year funds will be made available through the Cynthia Edgell Empowerment Gift to help women and girls from underprivileged backgrounds transform their lives.
We encourage members to attend this week’s meeting where we will make the Cynthia Edgell presentation for 2026.
We honour the life and service of Reverend Dr Peter Hollingworth AC OBE — priest, advocate, teacher, Governor-General, Rotarian, and above all, a man deeply committed to the dignity and wellbeing of others.
Thank you to Peter Dakin for last week's reflection on Wednesday 20 May 2026.
This week’s duties: Robert Fisher (Reception), Philip Endersbee (Raffle), Philip Endersbee (MC), Ruth Carlos Martinez (Reflection), John Peberdy (Photographer).
Club Guests: Nick Pearce (Speaker), Jessica Ziersch (Inductee), Mahsa Nabizada, Jack Benci, Mary Nguyen (Awardees), Janet Huynh, Emmanuel Phung, Billy Chen, Pailene Lim, Mursal Rezai (Young Achiever Alumni), Emma Amos, Lena Labizada,
Visiting Australian Rotarians: A K Tareen (Chennai).
Guests of Members: Wasi Abidi, Joseph Alkarra, Sebastian Antoine (Deb Yin Foo), Jacqui Garnsworthy, Jillian Anderson, Kate Lockyer (Marg Leser), Marnie Long (Carolyn Burr).
Members Anniversaries Mimmie Watts (1), Peter Davis (18), Vaideek Chaudhary (5).
Learning from Country, Community, and Family
What does brilliant education look like when it truly starts with listening? MITS CEO Ed Tudor reflects on a three-day learning journey through the Northern Territory — from Bulman in Arnhem Land to the Tiwi Islands — where school principals sat with families, walked on Country, and heard directly from communities about their hopes for young people. Among the highlights: catching up with MITS graduate Kenita Bush, now a Daluk Women's Ranger doing sophisticated conservation work in her home community, and meeting the Tiwi leaders building large-scale, community-controlled economic futures for generations ahead. A reminder that the best education doesn't just open doors — it knows which doors matter.
Guest Presenter Nick Pearce, Founder HOMIE
Topic: Young Achiever Awards 2026
Wednesday 20th of May 2026
12:45 PM to 2:00 PM
No 35, Sofitel on Collins
Also Online via Zoom
Event
An article from PDG Murray Verso, Rotary Club of Williamstown
Thank you to our valued partner, Rotary Melbourne, for their generous donation of $20,000 to enable us to evaluate our Model of Care across one or more Lighthouse programs.
Evaluations like these are crucial as they enable us to show the positive impact of our work, and also make improvements to strengthen our programs further. 
Rotary Melbourne is proud to continue our long term support of Lighthouse Foundation.
Rotary Melbourne member Ruth Carlos Martinez has reported that Persie Torregoza, RC Lubang Island passed away on 10 May 2026. Persie was President of the club in 2011 and worked closely with Ruth on the Renewable Energy water distribution pipeline project.
Some months ago Faye Waterman interviewed Susie Cole, RIMERN, in her studio and Nicola Tuhoro (both a Sacred Heart Mission Case Worker and until fairly recently a RIMERN saturday volunteer) at the warehouse, To view Susie's interview 'Beyond The Basics Rebuilding Lives With Care' click on the link below (24 mins).
https://ctvplus.org.au/episode/beyond-the-basics-rebuilding-lives-with-care-susie-cole/
An Epic Day activity packing T-shirts and caps destined for St John PNG’s Clinical Snakebite Trainer, Andrew Maru, and his colleagues. CSL’s Anna Schulze will deliver these RCM branded goods when she’s in Port Moresby for the upcoming PNG Snakebite Partnership annual meeting on 25 May 2026.
The most important moment in a mental health journey often arrives before anyone notices it. New research is showing how much can change when we act earlier — identifying patterns, building evidence, and turning that evidence into practical tools used every day. The Cool Kids Program is one example of research that became real-world support for children managing anxiety. As the financial year draws to a close, Australian Rotary Health invites you to invest in this long-term work. Donations over $2 are tax deductible.
Sambun Sambath, a Cambodian scholar supported by Rotary Melbourne and Member of Rotaract Club of Siem Reap, has provided a May 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.
Peace Poles Take Root in Kew: What began as a vision held by Canterbury Rotarian Elizabeth Shepherd has become a permanent feature of Victoria Park. Four peace poles now stand near the children's playground at Possum Corner, surrounded by a native pollinator garden designed by landscape architect Jen Martin and planted in April 2026 by members of the Rotary Clubs of Canterbury and Kew. Boroondara Council prepared the site, and the finished space — just off High Street near Adeney Avenue — is already drawing families who encounter Rotary's message of peace in multiple languages. A quiet corner of Kew now carries a universal one.
The Rotary Melbourne Board has supported the establishment of a Peace Interest Group in the Club. The group would support peace building projects already in the club and partners and promote new peace building projects and discussions. In this we note the example of PP Sir Angus Mitchell who led goodwill missions to Japan and the near East after WWII, and as President of RI strongly supported the re-establishment of Rotary Clubs in Japan and Germany. It is intended that this will be a light touch actvity. Please contact President Philip Cornish if you are interested in joining this.
Before the Rotary Melbourne Thomas Baker Oration, Presented by Professor John Greenwood, Director, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, several articles appeared in The Age newspaper on Monday 11 May 2026.
The Rotary Club of Melbourne marked a milestone occasion with the 10th Thomas Baker Oration, held during the centenary year of the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute.
At the start of the meeting President Philip asked all present to stand as we recognise Stewart Stribling on his birthday.
A member of our Club since 2001, Stewart is a retired barrister and a valued member of the Toorak 2 group. Over the years he has also chaired our Foundation Committee and made a significant contribution to the Club and the wider community.
Stewart is a familiar face at our lunches… except, of course, for the six weeks each year when he heads off to his beloved Lorne Surf Life Saving Club.
Stewart, thank you for your friendship, service and longstanding contribution to the community. We hope you had a very happy birthday and many happy returns.
