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.
Rotary Melbourne member Rob McGuirk, Chair EndTrachoma is a Rotary Districts of Australia Project has provided a write up on this exciting project.
A wonderful Central 2 social evening at Tazio on Flinders Lane, with engaging conversations, great food, and a relaxed, social atmosphere. Thanks to Karen Gornalle for organising.
Image credit: Minum Barreng: Indigenous Eye Health Unit, The University of Melbourne, 2016. The photo is of a community mural in Warburton, Western Australia, featuring Clean Faces, Strong Eyes and Milpa the goanna, painted by Adnate in collaboration with community.
Australia is now the 30th country to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem, validated by the World Health Organization. For Rotary Melbourne, this milestone reflects one of our leading projects over the past decade alongside the National Rotary Trachoma initiative EndTrachoma.
Thank you to Robert Fisher for last week's reflection on Wednesday 29 April 26.
Membership Anniversary Matthew Karakoulakis (11), Yidan Xi (6) - TODAY! Trevor Hill (19).
Happy Birthday Peter Habersberger, Sam McLarty, Jenny Taing.
On Duty: John Peberdy, Rosemary Nixon (Reception), Peter Addison (Raffle), Rosemary Nixon (MC), Anthony Battaini (MC), Bill Pickett.
This month the Environmental Sustainability Rotarian Action Group (ESRAG) newsletter ESRAG April 2026 Volume 14 Issue 7 has an article by Chair Michael Terrelonge which opens with a focus on EarthX 2026 in Dallas (19–22 April), where Rotary will be prominently featured through "The RotaryXperience" — a 30,000 sq ft showcase area curated by Steve Bender, with a keynote from 2018–19 RI President Barry Rassin.
Following last week's article on David Wittner's Rotary Melbourne's 90th Birthday presentation President Philip received a lovely note from Past President Keith McNeil. Click read more to find out what he said.
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.
The Kew-North Balwyn group had a day out at the football, enjoying an excellent lunch and watching Melbourne just prevail against Brisbane, much to the delight of Deputy (Group Captain) Peter Dakin!
Australian startup Little Green Panda, co-founded by our member Manon Beauchamp-Tardieu, secured a partnership with 818 Tequila for its Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival activation after a series of creative videos on TikTok caught the brand’s attention. The Melbourne based sustainable packaging company, known for plastic free packaging made from food waste, turned an unconventional social media strategy into a major business breakthrough, highlighting how younger brands are increasingly building partnerships through direct digital engagement.
President Philip Cornish welcomed Members, visitors and guests to the 38th Meeting of Rotary Melbourne for 2025-26 on Wednesday 22 April 2026. In particular, he welcomed Caroline Pilot, to be inducted as a Member at this meeting, and Guest Speaker Don Farrands KC, to speak on the topic Life on the Western Front – a Stretcher Bearer’s Perspective.
Many women who live in poverty are forced to give birth in dirty places without professional medical help. Sometimes well-meaning friends or relatives will cut the umbilical cord with an unclean objects such as a piece of bamboo. Infection during delivery threatens the lives of both mothers and babies. These kits will be distributed to communities in need.
Somewhere far away, there is war and famine. Yet here we are, gathered together at RMIT on Thursday 23 April 26 - and perhaps we can make a small difference. Even a little can mean the world to someone. The next FORaMEAL will be held on Tuesday 29 September 26.
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.
It is with great sadness that Rotary Melbourne advises the death of our dear friend and colleague, Past President Peter McCall OAM. Peter passed away on Tuesday 21 April 2026.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
