As we turn the calendar page to June, we enter the final month of this Rotary year—and the closing chapter of my time as steward of our great District 9800. It’s a moment of reflection, gratitude, and anticipation.As we turn the calendar page to June, we enter the final month of this Rotary year—and the closing chapter of my time as steward of our great District 9800. It’s a moment of reflection, gratitude, and anticipation.
Atop the 100 Steps of Federation at Truganina Park, watched over by the “Time Beacon” artwork (Cameron Robbins), Rotary Altona City’s Hobsons Bay Millennium Time Capsule lay buried for 25 years, safely holding the messages from over 12,000 people. The Time Capsule will be exhibited during the Hobsons Bay Heritage Festival, which has the theme “Unearthed.”
What an unforgettable experience the Inaugural Multi-District Impact Summit has been. Held at the Morphettville Racecourse in partnership with District 9510, this weekend was not just a conference—it was a celebration of connection, purpose, and Rotary’s power to transform lives.
The Rotary District 9800 Australian Rotary Health (ARH) Committee invites Rotarians and others interested in mental health to an Online Blended Mental Heal First Aid Zoom course. There will be two opportunities to participate: one on 16 August and the other on 23 August. Check the District Events page for details. For more information contact: ARH via the attached flyer.
The Council on Legislation (COL) was created at the 1933 Rotary International Convention to serve as an advisory body to assist with the review of enactments and resolutions proposed at the annual convention. It first convened as part of the 1934 convention. In 1970, it was decided that the Council should no longer serve in an advisory capacity but instead be Rotary International’s official legislative body, considering proposals to amend the RI Constitution and Bylaws and the Standard Rotary Club Constitution.
In early 2025, Rotary Chadstone East Malvern (RCEM) members Paul Rake, Tania Aisbett, Kathryn O'Connor & friend of the club Sue Perriman headed to Cambodia for two weeks to continue the ongoing volunteer works in collaboration with Balwyn Rotary and Rotary Foundation. This recent trip was to finalise the completion of a three-year project: 307 washroom toilet facilities in the village of Tapoeur.
For over 37 years Rotary has been a significant cause for good in Flemington and Kensington. In recent years, members have operated the Op Shop, providing a focus on recycling and repurposing and providing goods at a low cost to the community. Additionally, funds raised have supported Mental Health First Aid training programs, youth driver safety education, the L2P project with MVCC and research into mental health for children. 
The weather conditions early on Sunday March 03, 2025 could only be described as one cheeky Rotarian put it when the sky opened and everybody took cover under the marquee, it's“great weather for ducks” But the sun shone through for the start of the race of bright yellow rubber ducks along the Maribyrnong River, The inaugural Great Essendon Rotary Duck Race began. Only outshone by the kids wearing their feathery duck hats, the racing ducks brought together kids of all ages for a day of fun.Atop the 100 Steps of Federation at Truganina Park, watched over by the “Time Beacon” artwork by Cameron Robbins, Rotary Altona City’s Hobsons Bay Millennium Time Capsule lay buried for 25 years, safely holding messages from over 12,000 people. During the last 18 months, a team from Rotary Altona City and the Hobsons Bay Council worked collaboratively to open the capsule and re-connect with the 30 schools and contributors involved 25 years ago.
If you missed the Rotary SAFE Families MEGA-Meeting via Zoom on 7 March, you missed a great presentation from speakers highlighting the issue of family violence. Fortunately, the MEGA-Meeting was recorded and Rotary SAFE Families is happy to share the event via the YouTube link. The hour-long broadcast attracted more than 200 people from at least 48 countries, including Kosovo, Peru, Mongolia, Timor Leste, Tunisia, Mexico, Finland, India, USA and a number African nations.
Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC) is the Rotary Zone 8 project dedicated to providing life-saving and dignity-restoring medical treatment to children from 12 countries in our region. Run entirely by volunteers, ROMAC ensures 100% of donations go directly to patient care—our administrative costs are covered by investment income. It supports children and families from our island neighbours across Oceania who cannot access the medical treatment they need in their home countries.
District 9800 is proud to be a valued partner and sponsor of Victoria RESCA and happy to advise that the 2025 Award nominations are now open. The organisers are keen to promote the event as widely as possible to encourage and invite as many nominations from all the emergency services agencies as possible.Looking for past stories
