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.
Special Presentation: Michelle, Find a Penny Foundation
At our Club meeting on Tuesday, 11th March, we had the pleasure of hearing from Michelle from Find a Penny Foundation, a local charitable organization dedicated to providing food and support for those in need within our community.
With the rising cost of living and increasing hardship faced by many families, Find a Penny Foundation plays a vital role in ensuring that vulnerable individuals have access to essential food and resources. Their work is driven by the belief that small acts of kindness—whether through food donations, fundraising, or community support—can make a significant impact on those struggling to make ends meet.
Michelle shared insights into the foundation’s work, the growing demand for food assistance, and the importance of community involvement. Her passion for helping others was truly inspiring, reminding us all of the power of grassroots initiatives in making a difference.
To learn more about Find a Penny Foundation and how you can support their efforts, visit their Facebook page:
A big thank you to Michelle for her time and for shedding light on the crucial work being done to support those in need in our local area.
In addition to the Penny Foundation presentation, we also enjoyed a compelling talk from Alan Roberts, who shared his story as part of our Behind the Badge tradition.
Alan’s talk gave us a deeper understanding of his background, experiences, and the journey that led him to Rotary. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn more about one of our fellow members and appreciate the diverse paths that bring us all together in service.
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.
Upcoming Scatter Meeting
In place of our regular club meeting on Tuesday, 25th March, we encourage all members to participate in our Scatter Meeting. This is a fantastic opportunity to visit other Rotary clubs, exchange ideas, and strengthen our Rotary connections.
You can choose to attend one of the following clubs:
Rotary Club of Berwick – Wednesday, 6:30 PM
Rotary Club of Casey – Monday, 6:00 PM
Rotary Club of Cranbourne – Tuesday, 6:30 PM
Rotary Club of Narre Warren – Wednesday, 6:30 PM
Rotary Club of Noble Park/Dingley – Tuesday, 6:30 PM
Rotary Club of Rowville-Lysterfield – Tuesday, 7:00 PM
Rotary Club of Springvale City – Thursday, 6:00 PM
Please RSVP to confirm which club you’ll be visiting. After the meeting, we’d love for you to share any insights or experiences at our next gathering!
LEANNE'S PARTNER PROJECT
Join us for a special Fundraiser supporting Apheresis Therapy at Monash Children's Hospital
Enjoy a delicious meal and wonderful fellowship while making a meaningful impact!
We invite you, your family, and friends to join us for a DG Partner Project fundraiser at Shangri La Restaurant, Forest Hill in support of Apheresis Therapy at the Monash Children's Hospital Cancer Centre.
As featured in last week’s newsletter, Ada’s Journey highlights the challenges young patients face when undergoing treatment. While Ada recently celebrated her remission, many children are still battling through this difficult journey, often having to travel to the Royal Children’s Hospital or Peter Mac for life-saving procedures.
Funds raised from this event will help provide crucial support to these young patients and their families.
Date: Wednesday, 30th April Venue: Shangri La Restaurant, Forest Hill RSVP & Payment: Due at the time of booking (please include dietary requirements)
We hope to see many of you there for this important cause. If you’re unable to attend, donations are warmly welcomed and greatly appreciated.
For full event details, please see the flyer below:
DISTRICT EVENTS
Saturday 15th March 2025
For event details click here
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.
Rotary International President Stephanie A. Urchick with district governors-elect and Rotaract leaders at the International Assembly in Orlando, Florida, USA. 11 February 2025.
On 8 March, as we celebrate International Women’s Day, we honor women’s achievements and renew our commitment to advancing equality. Together, we can promote peace, build environments where girls feel empowered, and create lasting change.
A motto that has guided me is: “Life is always more interesting on the other side of yes.” When I said yes to Rotary in 1991, I had no idea the impact it would have on my life — or the lives of those we work with. From Rotary leaders and mentors like past RI President Charles Keller and past RI Vice President and Rotary Foundation Trustee Louis Piconi, I learned the importance of stepping forward to serve.
When you think about International Women’s Day, I encourage you to say yes and to give others the opportunity to say yes as well. You can:
Volunteer for a local project with members of the Rotary Club of Greater Dandenong and Endeavour Hills
Collaborate with clubs worldwide to bring clean water or education to communities in need
Donate to The Rotary Foundation to support member-led projects
Register for our online International Women’s Day discussion, Advancing Women, Building Peace
Your support makes possible the projects that improve people’s lives — from creating environments where women and girls feel empowered to building peace, providing clean water, and supporting education. When we all participate, we amplify our impact to make the world a better place.
Let’s keep saying yes to Rotary and working together to create a brighter, more peaceful future.
Thank you for your generosity and commitment to Doing Good in the World.
Sincerely,
Stephanie A. Urchick
2024-25 President
Rotary International
World Water Day - March 22
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.
Drilling a borehole and putting in a pump is not what makes a successful WASH project. A lot of education has to happen to teach about handwashing, water conservation, and so much more.
That is where an organization like Project WET https://www.projectwet.org/ can offer so much assistance. They have excellent resources on a variety of WASH topics available for students, teachers, and adults.
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.
lling a borehole and putting in a pump is not what makes a successful WASH project. A lot of education has to happen to teach about handwashing, water conservation, and so much more.
