October: An action filled month starting with “Paws for Polio” at Elsternwick Park in Melbourne on Sunday 4 October, two Rotary Clubs (Point Gellibrand and Camberwell) celebrating milestone anniversaries, Rotary North Melbourne hosting their Phonse Tobin Community Awards, ten Club visits and finishing with the Rotary South Pacific Zone 8 Conference at MCEC.
Supplied by RC Camberwell, Club's tribute in The Age of 06 November 2026 and tribute from PDG Bronwyn Stephens
The President and Members of the Rotary Club of Camberwell extend their sincere and heartfelt sympathies to the family of Donald Jago OAM, a much-loved member and friend of our Club and the global family of Rotarians for more than 36 years.
An article from Julie Mulhauser, Balwyn Rotary
A video commissioned by Balwyn Rotary and premiered at the 2026 Rotary South Pacific conference #PeoplePlacePlanet shares messages of gratitude and solidarity from the Nepalese Association of Victoria (NAV).
An article provided by Paul Horton, Collingwood Rotary from a letter from a Challenge participant
Each year, a number of Rotary Clubs in District 9800 sponsor young people to take part in the Enterprize Youth Sailing Challenge on the Tall Ship, Enterprize. The following is a letter of thanks to Collingwood Rotary from one of this year's participants, Leni Edwards, on the experience of crewing a Tall Ship on Port Phillip Bay on 26 September, the day of the AFL Grand Final.
An article from Mike McFarlane, Kew Rotary
Fellowship is a word very frequently used in Rotary circles, but how many new, or even long-term. Members are aware of the many “Rotary Fellowships” available; some 100 at last count! Another one of Rotary’s best kept secrets? Rotary Fellowships are friendly, independent social groups that share a common passion. Being part of a fellowship is a fun way to extend your Rotary friendships both here and abroad.
An article from Jo Kwok OAM, Brighton Rotary
Massive congratulations to Auburn High School who have achieved First place in The National Science and Engineering Challenge for 2026 which held last month at Old Parliament House in Canberra.
An article from Paul Rake, RC Chadstone East Malvern
Why do Aboriginal families make up 10.2 per cent of the homeless population in Victoria when they only make up 0.8 per cent of the wider community?
An article from Craig Pett, Keilor Rotary
In 2022, Keilor Rotary was asked to undertake a project that it initially did not understand. The Holloway Aged Care Centre asked it to build a bus shelter. It was not to be on a nearby footpath. It was not even to be beside a bus stop. It was to be within the grounds of the Centre itself. Why? So that ‘escapees’ could feel that, once they had made it to the bus shelter, they were on their way to freedom.
September! An exceptionally busy and interesting month. DG Club visits (16) in full swing from Brighton to Wyndham Harbour to Footscray to the Goldfields, RYPEN camp, Installation / dedication of New Peace Poles (12) Camberwell Sunday Market celebrated its 50th Anniversary, Hoppers Crossing its 47th birthday, Bacchus Marsh member Russell Gilbert his 40th Anniversary (see separate article in Networker) and three Clubs presented with their Foundation Club Annual Donor Certificates.
Article by journalist, Evie Lamb entitled “Four Decades of Helping Out” which appeared in the Moorabool News, Times News Group
Image: Evie Lamb, Moorabool News
Russell Gilbert is an example of what can be achieved with a zest for giving back, a mind for figures, and a sense of balance. The retired accountant is marking 40 years of service with Bacchus Marsh Rotary, and has been congratulated not only by fellow Rotarians across District 9800 but by the president of Rotary International. [edited from original]
