Welcome to this week's edition of the Gateway Bulletin!
We're here to provide you with the latest updates, events, and stories from our Rotary community. Whether it's new initiatives, upcoming meetings, or opportunities to get involved, we'll ensure you're kept informed and up to date.
Our Facebook page is also an excellent way to stay updated on our club's activities. If you haven't connected yet, click here to follow.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
We had Stephani Joseph attend our meeting from Dandenong Community Learning Centre located at 34 King Street. They offer some great resources for our local immigrants. English classes, cooking, and local business involvement for potential employment. They are having an open day next week (see flyer): https://www.dandenongclc.org.au/
Leanne and myself were invited to the opening of 4 units, built by Margo Hartley and the land had been provided by the council. This is housing for homeless women with children and today 4 women and 11 children will be moving into the units. This project is being managed by WAYSS. Margo has certainly continued to support the local community, what a wonderful person she is.
More good news - A few months back we supported a project to help purchase an outboard motor and just received the following email below:
"Just an update on the Rescue Boat that your club donated $1500 to for a replacement motor
Cyclone Alfred started up near PNG and Kiriwina Island was hit severely.
7 men in dugout canoes were swept out to sea when the strong wind hit the area.
Our Rescue boat with its new motor saved 7 lives
Here are the waves of thank you from the survivors."
Our Community Leader Murray Wilson - who is visiting our club on the 18th
has just been nominated as DGN (District Governor Nominee ) 2017-18. Look forward to his visit, this will be a partner's night so we would like a good attendance
Pictures Margo Hartley and Mayor of Greater Dandenong Jim Memeti
Have a great long weekend, I don't suggest you travel north.
Murray Wilson, District Governor Nominee Designate
Club Meeting - 4th March
Special Presentation by Stephanie Joseph, Dandenong Community & Learning Centre
At Tuesday’s Club meeting, we had the pleasure of hearing from Stephanie Joseph of the Dandenong Community & Learning Centre. Stephanie shared the incredible work the centre does to support individuals from diverse backgrounds through education, skills training, and community programs.
Her presentation highlighted the centre’s commitment to empowering people by providing opportunities for learning, social connection, and employment pathways. Members were inspired by the impact of these initiatives and the difference they make in strengthening our local community.
A big thank you to Stephanie for her insightful presentation and for the vital work she and her team continue to do.
We’d also like to extend our appreciation to Hans Van Dyk for supplying some photos of the presentation for the newsletter
Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds:
A Full Day's Effort for a Worthy Cause
Last week, a dedicated team of Rotarians, including Terry, Ken, and Hans, along with two fellow members, took part in another Rotary Overseas Recycled Playground (RORP) removal in Noble Park. While these dismantling efforts typically go smoothly, this particular removal presented unexpected challenges, turning what is usually a half-day task into a full day's work.
Despite the hurdles, the team persevered, ensuring the playground was successfully dismantled and prepared for shipment. This playground, along with others, will soon make its way to communities in developing countries, where it will provide children with a safe and joyful space to play.
A huge thank you to our dedicated volunteers for their hard work and perseverance in making a difference.
And, a special shoutout to Hans Van Dyk for capturing this initiative in action and providing these photos!
District Governor for 2027-2028 Announcement
Dear D9815 Rotarians,
You will recall that on the 18th December 2024, we called for District 9815 Governor nominations.
The joint nominating committee met on Saturday 1st March 2025 to conduct interviews.
It is with great pleasure that we announce the D9815 Nominating Committee nomination for District Governor Nominee Designate (DGND) to fill the role of District Governor for D9815 in 2027-2028 is Murray Wilson from the Rotary Club of Rowville-Lysterfield.
Murray's Rotary journey started as a Charter Member of the Rotary Club of Rowville - Lysterfield in 2004.
He has been the Club President twice, in 2006-2007 and 2021-2022. He has been Club Vice President, Foundation Chair and has served on the Club Board for 16 of the 20 years.
He has also held various District Roles including District Conference Committee Member (Secretary), D9810 Rotary Against Malaria Supervisor and most recently as the inaugural Rotary Community Leader (RCL) for Community Group 3 comprising 13 District Clubs.
In terms of the Rotary International ByLaws -Article 12.030- Nominating Committee process, this nomination is subject to a 14 day challenge period. This challenge period will therefore end on Sunday 16th March 2025.
Best regards,
Club Meeting - 18th March
Special Presentation by Murray Wilson
We are pleased to announce that Murray Wilson, recently nominated as the District Governor Nominee Designate (DGND) for D9815 in 2027-2028, will speak at our Club on Tuesday, 18th March.
This is a fantastic opportunity to hear from Murray firsthand, so we encourage all members to attend and show their support.
LEANNE'S PARTNER PROJECT
Ada's Journey: A Story of Hope and the Need for Local Apheresis Therapy
Just before Christmas, young Ada received the best news imaginable—she was officially announced as ‘in remission.’ This incredible milestone is a testament to the resilience of Ada and her family, as well as the life-saving medical care she received throughout her journey.
As part of her treatment, Ada underwent numerous Apheresis therapy sessions, which were essential in her fight against illness. However, these treatments could only take place at the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) or Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, requiring frequent travel and adjustments to new hospital environments, doctors, and nurses.
Ada’s story highlights the pressing need for Apheresis therapy to be available at Monash Children’s Hospital. Having this critical treatment closer to home would ease the burden on families, reduce stress for young patients, and allow for a more seamless continuity of care.
To see more about Ada’s journey, watch the 7NEWS feature on her story here.
As a community, we must continue advocating for accessible medical treatments that bring hope and healing closer to those who need it most.
If you would like to contribute to making Apheresis therapy more accessible, tax-deductible donations can be made to the Monash Health Foundation, specifically for the Partner Project ‘Apheresis Therapy.’ Your support can make a significant impact on the lives of children and families in need.
Hans Van Dyk takes on the 580km Rotary Ride for Research
Once again, Hans Van Dyk is challenging himself by participating in Rotary’s six-day, 580km bike ride, starting on 17 March. Determined as ever, Hans will be riding his conventional bike and doing his best to keep up with the front runners—some of whom have now switched to electric-assist models!
Thanks to the generous support of fellow club members, the club itself, and many sponsors outside of Rotary, Hans was able to cross the finish line last year. He is incredibly grateful for this continued encouragement and support.
For those who are interested in contributing, tax-deductible sponsorships are greatly appreciated. Donations can be made easily via the well-laid-out website: Rotary Ride for Research - Hans Van Dyk.
And for those wondering about the photo on the website—don’t be alarmed by the cyclists riding more than two abreast! The ride takes advantage of very quiet roads, with support vehicles positioned at the front and back of each of the three riding groups to ensure safety.
Let’s get behind Hans as he takes on this impressive challenge!
INTERACT UPDATE
The Lyndale Secondary College Interact Club now has another new member and are currently working on a 'recruiting drive'.
The Interactors are now in Year 12, they are very passionately invested in the club and are coming up with amazing ideas on how to recruit Year 11 students as well as younger students.
The Wheelchairs for Kids 'Wheelathon' in September was a huge success, starting with their initial presentation by Russell Hayes and Grant Klaaysen, leading into the planning and delivery of the event. They were very pleased to have a group of our club Rotarians providing the 'Sausage sizzle' lunch at the event. They have scheduled another wheelathon for September this year.
The local project they came up with was 'Connecting generations in the Community' by visiting Lyndale Greens Primary School and working with Year 5 students who were asked to write stories about their lives and family or draw pictures. The excitement in the room was electric! Thanks to this visit, the Primary School has expressed interest in setting up an Earlyact club.
The Interactors followed up a couple of weeks later with a visit to a local Aged Care facility where they shared the stories and pictures of the Yr 5 students with the residents and spent quality time sitting and chatting with them.
The joy they brought to the elderly was inspirational, one Bosnian lady who doesn't speak English was thrilled to be able to speak with a student in her own language . It was the very first time she had been able to communicate and be understood by another person. It was an absolutely moving morning for all of us. It made her day and the young man involved was empowered by the experience.
It would be wonderful to have some of our Rotarians join me at some of the Interact sessions on a Monday from 12.20 - 1.20pm. Please contact Leanne if you are interested.
Leanne Byron
YOUTH CHAIR
Rotary Club of Greater Dandenong & Endeavour Hills
District Governor Partner
Rotary D9815
To all D9815 Rotarians and Rotaractors,
With less than a month until our inaugural Conference and less than two weeks until bookings close, we are delighted to share the final 2025 District 9815 Conference newsletter featuring the remaining optional activities and most of the remaining guest speakers yet to be showcased. Also, check out the useful nuggets of knowledge and the Rotary Expo exhibitor list.
Comedy for a Cause will feature some of the best comedians from the Sydney and Melbourne International Comedy Festivals. Best of all, 100% of proceeds from this event will go directly to supporting the life-changing work of Rotary Disaster Aid Australia.
Event Date: Thursday, May 8, 2025 Doors Open: 7:00 PM | Showtime: 7:30 PM (Approx. 2-hour runtime) Venue: The Dandenong Club – 1579 Heatherton Rd, Dandenong North
Tickets: $45 per person (General Admission – first in, best dressed!)
Drinks at bar prices.
Tea, coffee, and a light supper will be served at the interval
Please Note: This is an 18+ event and may contain some low-level coarse language.
Inaugural District 9815 Conference 28 - 30 March 2025
The Inaugural District 9815 Conference will be held in Bendigo from 28 to 30 March 2025. Partners, family, friends, potential members, supporters, and alumni are welcome.
Individual session details and costs are outlined on the booking site.
Please check the menu on the left for useful links including FAQs, Accommodation, Tourist Information, Exclusive Winery Tour details, and Committee information.
We look forward to collaborating and celebrating with you in Bendigo.
Conference Volunteering Opportunities
To help ensure a smooth running and successful Conference, we require the assistance of volunteers to provide support in several areas.
A range of volunteering opportunities are available, including logistical assistance, coordinating, or packing Delegate bags, speaker/performer minders, reception/welcome desk, traffic control, set-up/pack-down crew, greeters, and ushers, to name a few.
If anyone is interested in volunteering, please get in touch with Tony Monley OAM (acmonley@gmail.com) and advise which dates/times you would be available. He will then explore your options with you.
The Annual Ride for Medical Research 2025
The next annual “Ride For Medical Research” will take place March 16 - 21, 2025, celebrating 40 years of fundraising. Having now raised over $1.32 million for Australian Rotary Health, we look forward to pushing this to over $ 1.4 million in the near future.
This will be the first ride organised under the banner of D9815.
Registration for this popular fundraising event will open in November 2024, with strictly limited places, so get in early to secure your place. (Cost for riders is $998.00, support crew/drivers $800.00)
For early bird registration, please pre-register your interest, in either riding or driving, please send an email to Stephen Spiers: - jsthecrest3154@outlook.com
(Registration will open approximately 2 weeks prior November for those who have pre-registered.)
Join us for the “Ruby Ramble” 2025, Baddaginnie to Benalla.
Approximately 580km over 6 days
Day 1: Baddaginnie - Wangaratta -76km
Day 2: Wangaratta-Chiltern-Rutherglen Loop-98km
Day 3: Wangaratta-Yackandandah-Myrtleford Loop – 125km
Day 4: Wangaratta-Yarrawonga Loop - 115km
Day 5: Wangaratta-Milawa-Eldorado Loop - 100km
Day 6: Wangaratta-Glenrowan-Benalla - 64km
(Distances subject to change due to road/traffic conditions.)
The ride this year will be centered around the greater Wangaratta region, taking in many of the towns in the area. See the website for more information and registration details: - https://rotaryrideforresearch.raisely.com
If you can’t make it why not consider joining in with the Mad March Cycle challenge which will run in conjunction. Details of this will be released closer to the date. https://madmarchcyclechallenge.raisely.com/
Please note, we are also seeking support drivers for the ride, if interested please see the website for contact details Stephen Spiers on: - 0411 675 330 (Cost for Support crew is $800.00)
Begun in 2021 as a way of helping to raise funds for Australian Rotary Health during Covid-19 lockdowns, it continues now as a compliment to the annual bike ride.
In the spirit of supporting healthy minds, bodies and communities, it allows anyone to take part in a manner that suits them anywhere in the world. (In fact, over the last 4 years we have had people join in from not only other parts of Australia, but also America, India, Indonesia and South Africa).
Participants can challenge the riders on the Annual Ride and see if they can cover 580km over the month of March, the Annual ride participants have to do it in 6 days, or they can choose their own form of exercise and set their own goals.
It is Free to join in, although not compulsory, all we ask is that participants try and raise some funds, via sponsorship, for Australian Rotary Health. The typical goal participants set is $200 and all donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible.
All funds raised go direct to Australian Rotary Health.
So go on, challenge yourself, your Club and friends, join in the fun and Make A Differfence, to not only your health, help Australian Rotary Health make a difference to everyones health.
March is here, and for Rotary International, that means celebrating Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Month — a time to shine a spotlight on one of the most transformative areas of our work.
This month is an opportunity to reflect on The Magic of Rotary and the profound impact we create when we come together with determination and purpose.
Years ago, I experienced this magic firsthand in the Dominican Republic. When a group of members helped people install water filters, three children watched with amazement as dirty water entered one end of a filter and clean water emerged from the other. When we paused the demonstration, one child tugged at my sleeve and pleaded, “Show me the magic again.”
To them, it felt magical. It was also the result of countless hours of effort — planning, transporting, and installing the filters — alongside local partners who were dedicated to making clean water accessible. In that moment, I realized that what seemed like a small act could change residents’ lives. That is The Magic of Rotary.
This story is a testament to the incredible potential of our global family to create change. Water projects exemplify our reach, our partnerships, and our unwavering commitment to improving lives. Consider Rotary’s work with USAID. That partnership has enabled us to work with communities and governments to improve access to sustainable water and sanitation services for thousands of people in the Dominican Republic, Ghana, the Philippines, and Uganda.
Thank you for the support and great work that you all are doing, for Rotary and for the community. Together we will make 2024-25 an extraordinary year of service.
I am delighted to share with you the activities and events of our District which were undertaken through the month of February.
This issue also gives a glimpse of the thoughts and emotions of leaders, projects from clubs, Rotaract and Interact news, RFE team Peru tour of 3060, recognitions, new members, achievements, future events and a lot more.
I hope you enjoy reading this issue prepared in great detail. Do keep contributing your good work for the GML.
Best Regards, DG Tushar V. Shah
District Governor 2024-25
Since 1993, the United Nations has recognized March 22 as World Water Day, to bring attention to the importance of clean water. The theme this year is "Save Our Glaciers."
At first, you may not think that relates to the activities of the WASH Rotary Action Group. However, it might.
WASH Ambassador, Asher Ali, District 3271, Pakistan, provides a story about how 40,000 people have cool, clean water through Community-Driven solutions.
If you have a story about a successful WASH project, or even better, a project that failed, as we have to learn from our mistakes, contact info@wash-rag.org.
March is Rotary’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Month, a time to focus on one of the most critical areas of need around the world. Access to clean water and adequate sanitation is a fundamental human right, yet millions of people still lack these basic necessities.
Rotary International has made water and sanitation a priority, recognizing that safe drinking water, proper sanitation, and hygiene education can transform communities, prevent disease, and improve overall quality of life. By ensuring clean water access, Rotary helps reduce child mortality rates, increase school attendance—especially among girls—and support economic development.
Rotary clubs worldwide participate in projects to provide sustainable water solutions, such as:
Installing wells, boreholes, and rainwater harvesting systems in water-scarce areas.
Building and maintaining sanitation facilities in schools and communities.
Providing hygiene education to ensure lasting behavioral change.
Partnering with organizations to develop long-term water management systems.
Through these efforts, Rotary creates lasting change by addressing the immediate need for clean water and the long-term sustainability of water and sanitation systems.
By focusing on water and sanitation this March, Rotarians continue to make a meaningful impact, bringing hope, health, and opportunity to communities worldwide.
Clean water changes lives—let’s be part of the solution!
Attendance and Participation: Regularly attend club meetings and participate actively in club activities and projects.
Service Projects: Engage in community service projects, both locally and internationally, aimed at addressing humanitarian needs, promoting goodwill, and fostering peace.
Fundraising: Contribute to fundraising efforts that support Rotary's service projects and charitable activities.
Vocational Expertise: Share their professional skills and expertise to benefit others within the club and in service projects.
Ethical Standards: Adhere to high ethical standards in their personal and professional lives, reflecting Rotary's commitment to integrity and ethical behavior.
Networking and Fellowship: Build relationships and network with other Rotarians and community leaders, fostering goodwill and understanding.
Membership Growth: Support efforts to grow Rotary's membership and extend invitations to prospective members who embody Rotary's ideals.
Rotary Foundation: Contribute financially to the Rotary Foundation, which funds international scholarships, humanitarian projects, and other charitable efforts.
Public Image: Promote Rotary's mission and achievements within the community and advocate for Rotary's values and initiatives.
Leadership: Serve in leadership roles within the club or district, providing guidance and direction to advance Rotary's goals.
Overall, Rotarians are dedicated to making a positive impact in their communities and the world at large through service, fellowship, and ethical leadership.
All members are invited to contribute to our newsletter.
If you have an interesting article or some great pictures, please share them with us by Thursday so we can include them in Friday's edition.
Send all articles and notifications to our Editor, David Langworthy, at david@bevmarks.com.au.
The next annual “Ride For Medical Research” will take place March 16 - 21, 2025, celebrating 40 years of fundraising. Having now raised over $1.32 million for Australian Rotary Health, we look forward to pushing this to over $ 1.4 million in the near future.
Begun in 2021 as a way of helping to raise funds for Australian Rotary Health during Covid-19 lockdowns, it continues now as a compliment to the annual bike ride.
Stephanie A. Urchick
WASH Ambassador, Asher Ali, District 3271, Pakistan, provides a story about how 40,000 people have cool, clean water through Community-Driven solutions.
