An article from PDG Murray Verso, Rotary Club of Williamstown
Rotary Melbourne member Ruth Carlos Martinez has eported that Persie Torregoza, RC Lubang Island passed away on 10 My 26. Persie was President of the club in 2011 and worked closely with Ruth Martinez Carlos 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/
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 Pres. Philip if you are interested in joining this.
Before the Rotary Melbourne Thomas Baker Oration, Presented by Prof John Greenwood, Director, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institue, several articles appeared in The Age newspaper on Monday 11 May 26.
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.
Rotary Melbourne partner, the Melbourne Arboretum is excited to have received 21 Bird boxes, made by the Mernda Men's Shed. Theses boxes have been well crafted from weather proof marine ply, with specific native bird's needs given to to the Arboretum by Bird Life Australia.
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 Baker Oration last week (wednesday 13 May 26), Rob McGuirk, the Chair of the National Rotary EndTrachoma project outlined how the Baker Foundation enabled Rotary Australia to contribute to a landmark national health achievement: the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem in Australia.
Thank you to Tony Battaini for your reflection on Wednesday 13 May 26.
Membership Anniversary Marg Leser (7), Kevin O’Flaherty (34) – TODAY!, Reg Smith (18), Chris Wang (38).
Happy Birthday Peter Hanlon, Stanley Ho.
Club Guests: John Greenwood (Speaker), Sharon Lewin, Ziggy Switkowski, Elizabeth Delahunty, Kate Metcalf.
Visiting Australian Rotarians: Quentin Parker (RC Kunanarra)
Guests of Members: Carlos Castillo (Mary Barry), Rosemary Syme ( Robin Syme), Vicki Kharucky (Chris Sotiropoulos), Dores Schembri (Deb Yin Foo), Kate Hoy, Anne Johnston, Tom Kay (Gerry Johnston), Thomas Spurling (Jim Barry), Hila Barzilai-Tutsch, Renee Chow, Peter Currie, Nir Eynon, Roger Flynn, Fabrice Jaffre, Bernadette Jones-Freeman, Edwina McGlinn, Meroula Richardson, William Roman, Nathalie Saurat, Jennifer Zenker (Peter Rogers), Alexander Bobik, Anthony Cavanagh, Robert Daly, Megan Douglas, Pierston Hawkins, Melissa Hilton, Millicent Nink, Lloyd Hollenberg, Jane Dinn, Alexandra Griffiths, Baker IDI (Trevor Nink), Prasanna De Silva, Jesus Gary Domingo (Philip Cornish).
On Duty: Sandra Hills, Marg Leser, Marg Leser (Raffle), Karen Kim (MC), Peter Dakin (Reflection), Gerald Ashman (Photographer).
For 34 years, the Rotary Melbourne has conferred Young Achiever Awards to high achieving young people to encourage their career development and endorse their commitment to community service. In our current social media age of ‘selfies’ and ‘self-centeredness’. The 2026 presentation will be made by Nick Pearce following a short address. On the day we will hear from the awardees of their ambitions and hopes for their continuing service to the Community. This year Rotary Melbourne with generous support from Untapped Talent is pleased to announce a supplementary award for Emerging Talent and Future Impact.
The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) has released new guidance with international partners to support the careful adoption of agentic artificial intelligence (AI) systems.
The 2nd Cynthia’s Gift Awards are being presented on Wednesday 27th May 26 by President Philip to four most worthy Awardees who we will jointly mentor with their respective Sponsor Organisations as they pursue their career goals.
Cynthia’s Gift will offer annual funding of up to $10,000 to empower women and girls from underprivileged backgrounds to transform their lives by providing the necessary support to unlock opportunities in critical areas such as education, employment, and financial independence. This will equip recipients with the tools and resources to build a brighter and more secure future.
Central Group 1 recently gathered at the Courthouse in North Melbourne for an enjoyable evening of fellowship. Members had the opportunity to connect in a relaxed setting, share insights, and further strengthen relationships across the group.
This week’s regular Rotary Melbourne meeting took the form of a round-table discussion focusing on Peace, led by our esteemed member Rob McGuirk, who has been involved over the years in a number of peace initiatives both in Rotary and elsewhere.
Rotary Melbourne’s annual Vocational Service Award recognises significant vocational service of community leaders in the community who have achieved distinction in their chosen career and have demonstrably used their vocational skills to selflessly make significant contributions to the community. Nominations for the 2026 Award close on Friday 5 June 2026.
Club Guests: Rob McGuirk (Speaker), Reggie Chan.
Guests of Members: Carlos Castillo (Mary Barry).
Membership Anniversary Timothy Conolan (6), Mev Connell (39) - (Today), Russell Board (13), Dean McIntyre (13), Suresh Marcandan (7), Luke Belfield (1), Trevor Neroy (1), Ian Riseley (3), Nicholas Batrouney (9), Chad Brendish (9), Arjang Taylor (9).
Happy Birthday Stewart Stribling (TODAY!), Rob McGuirk.
