Hello, it’s great to be back in touch after what I hope was a restful and recuperative break with family and friends. That said, Rotary’s work never ceases, as work for our clubs’ flood-affected communities and Australia Day events continued. I’m also excited for this back nine of 2022-2023, as it is looking to be among the biggest our district has experienced. Buckle up for a big five months!
Posted by President Heather Watson on Feb 04, 2023
Rotary Club of Rochester President Heather Watson takes a moment out of packing 11,000 relief meals at the Goldfields North and South Cluster Visit to provide an update on how the community is going in Rochie, and that the best way for clubs to help – for now – is to donate funds.
In the meantime, District 9800 is initiating an insurance advice service, staffed by volunteer insurance professionals, to help families and businesses get back into their premises. Thanks to PDG Ross Butterworth, Mark Perree and many others for leading such an innovative initiative.
A huge thank you to all our members from clubs in Goldfields North and South for an absolutely ripper Official DG Cluster Visit on Saturday!
We packed 11,000 nutritious For a Meal meals for clubs to distribute to their flood-affected communities, came together midway for lunch, and even celebrated with a cheeky Rotary-appropriate beverage afterwards.
Applications for the first round of 2023 Balwyn Rotary Centenary Grants close on March 31. For more information and to download the application form, go to: www.balwynrotary.org.au/centenary-grants
Reflect on what our First Nations people have done in keeping our lands in pristine condition for 60,000+ years Respect how the First Nations people achieved…
Rotary Southbank ESG Group's central event was livestreamed across Australia on January 26th. You can view it now.
Rotary’s highest honor recognizes Rotarians who demonstrate Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self, by volunteering their time and talents to help others. The award is internationally competitive, and is granted to no more than 150 Rotarians worldwide. Professor Jeremy Oats AM from Rotary Melbourne was confirmed by the January RI Board as being one of this year’s recipients.
Posted by Alison Jones, Event Manager on Jan 28, 2023
The Melbourne Celtic Festival is back on St Patrick’s Day, Friday, March 17 2023 from 12pm to 11pm at Melbourne’s iconic Mission to Seafarers, 717 Flinders Street.
100% of ticket proceeds go to Rotary Foundation Australia and Australian Rotary Health Mental Health Support and Research Programs.
Posted by Jane Pennington, Polio Plus Co-ordinator on Jan 28, 2023
The Polio Plus Society, a fundraising and recognition program specifically to support the worldwide effort to eradicate polio, is now open to District 9800 Rotarians.
Members pledge to donate at least US$100 annually to the PolioPlus Fund until polio is gone from the world.
The Citation for Meritorious Service recognizes one individual Rotarian per district per year who have demonstrated outstanding active service to The Rotary Foundation for more than one year.
This year PDG Murray Verso has been recognised due to his service to Rotary and The Rotary Foundation for a number of decades.
Over 1,000 mozzie candles donated to Rotary Echuca Moama via RAWCS (Rotary Australia World Community Service) will be free to the flood-affected Echuca-Moama community.
It has been a busy first 6 months of the Rotary year in the Foundation space with lots of activity. The Foundation Newsletter has a summary of these activities and an update of what is important in the coming months.
In April 2022, Rotary Club of Richmond received a call for assistance and financial support from Thomas Williams, Head of Music at Richmond High School. The request was for funds to purchase a much needed baritone saxophone for the school, an item not provided to State Schools by the Ministry of Education.
Pictured are Thomas Williams, Principal Lars Andersson, Mark Dwyer, and Maria Makris with the baritone sax.
In 2020 Rotary Club Chadstone/East Malvern introduced their “Sleeping out Rough Night” program, to raise not only funds, but awareness that there are people every night who only have the street to call home.
This year the ‘Sleeping Out Rough Night’ will be held in Central Park East Malvern, on the 17 March. We would love to see Rotary Clubs across District 9800 come and join us to make this year even more successful. Funds we raise this year, will go toward continuing to assist people experiencing homelessness; and also, to assist women and children escaping domestic and family violence.
Applications for the first round of 2023 Balwyn Rotary Centenary Grants close on March 31. For more information and to download the application form, go to: 
The Melbourne Celtic Festival is back on St Patrick’s Day, Friday, March 17 2023 from 12pm to 11pm at Melbourne’s iconic Mission to Seafarers, 717 Flinders Street. 
The Polio Plus Society, a fundraising and recognition program specifically to support the worldwide effort to eradicate polio, is now open to District 9800 Rotarians. 
Over 1,000 mozzie candles donated to Rotary Echuca Moama via RAWCS (Rotary Australia World Community Service) will be free to the flood-affected Echuca-Moama community. 
It has been a busy first 6 months of the Rotary year in the Foundation space with lots of activity. The 
In April 2022, Rotary Club of Richmond received a call for assistance and financial support from Thomas Williams, Head of Music at Richmond High School. The request was for funds to purchase a much needed baritone saxophone for the school, an item not provided to State Schools by the Ministry of Education.
In 2020 Rotary Club Chadstone/East Malvern introduced their “Sleeping out Rough Night” program, to raise not only funds, but awareness that there are people every night who only have the street to call home. 
Rotary Members are invited to register for the next Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) program in March 2023.