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.
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MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR
Our annual conference is one of the most important events in a Rotary Year.
I encourage every member to attend; it is an opportunity to have some fun—playing golf, joining the wine tour, attending the Pre-Conference Cocktail event, and enjoying the Saturday night Gala Dinner, which has this year’s theme, 'Rotary Rocks.
This is a chance to meet with other fellow Rotarians in District 9815, to learn about the work of Rotary, both locally and internationally, to visit the Rotary Expo to see and personally meet the Rotarians behind the many local and international Rotary Projects.
The District Conference gives you the opportunity to learn and become involved in the work Rotarians and Rotary Clubs do around the world to make our world a better place.
Five members of our Club are on the Conference Committee, including District Governor Colin, they deserve our collective support. Further information on the District Conference is included in this edition of the Gateway Bulletin.
Special Presentation by Stephanie Joseph,
Dandenong Community & Learning Centre
Club Meeting 18th February 2025
Special Presentation: Rotary Foundation & Global Grants with Alma Reynolds
At our meeting on Tuesday, we had the privilege of welcoming Alma Reynolds, who delivered an insightful presentation on The Rotary Foundation and Global Grants. Alma shared how Rotary Foundation transforms donations into service projects that create lasting change—both locally and globally.
She explained the impact of Global Grants, which support large-scale, sustainable projects in areas like education, disease prevention, and economic development. Through these grants, clubs can collaborate on international initiatives that make a real difference in communities in need.
Alma’s presentation was a great reminder of the power of Rotary’s global network and how we, as a club, can contribute to meaningful projects that align with our mission of service above self.
A big thank you to Alma for sharing her knowledge and inspiring us to explore new opportunities to engage with Rotary’s global initiatives! We’d also like to extend our appreciation to Hans Van Dyk for sharing photos from the meeting—thank you, Hans!
International Projects Zoom Meeting
Sunday, 23rd February
Rotarians with an interest in international projects may wish to attend the upcoming International Projects Zoom Meeting on Sunday, 23rd February, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM.
This session will provide insight into what our District is doing in the international space and offer a chance to connect with clubs that have experience running overseas projects.
The meeting will include presentations on:
Days for Girls
Timor Rotary Consortium
Birthing Kit Foundation of Australia
Sabu Project Indonesia
Ukraine Battery Packs (Global Grant)
The session will be recorded, and relevant links and contacts will be available in the International section of the website.
Anyone interested in attending should contact Janne at international@rotary9815.org.au by Saturday, 22nd February, to receive the Zoom link.
Are you ready to help make history!?!
[The] inaugural District Conference is just 1.5 months away! Local and international speakers, entertainers, exhibitors, and the Rotary International President's Personal Representative are locked in, and finishing touches are now being made to the experience that awaits you in Bendigo!
Read more in the attached Conference Newsletter...
Inaugural District 9815 Conference 8 - 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 out the menu on the left-hand side 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.
Meet your 2025-26 Rotary president, Mário César Martins de Camargo
After a day of interviews with the committee vetting candidates for 2025-26 Rotary International president, Mário César Martins de Camargo returned to his hotel and waited. And waited. “It’s an elimination process,” he says. “The anxiety level reaches sky high.” When he got a call asking him to return to Rotary headquarters in Evanston, his first thought was that he’d made some sort of mistake. As he walked the few blocks to the building, he mentally reviewed everything he’d said. When he finally realized why he’d been called back, it was an emotional moment, he says. “The nominating committee stands up and applauds you, and you are invited to say your first words as president. Mine were, ‘Are you guys sure?’”
The RI president-elect speaks about the power of Rotary’s members
By Etelka Lehoczky
Rotary International President-elect Mário César Martins de Camargo asked members to Unite for Good by embracing growth, service, and connection as he outlined a plan to expand “the best-qualified team of volunteers on the planet.”
“Rotary’s greatest asset is not our history, our projects, or even our unmatched global reach. It is our members,” de Camargo said at the organization’s International Assembly in Orlando, Florida, USA, on 10 February. He noted praise from one of Rotary’s partners about “the extraordinary dedication” of Rotary members. “That recognition from an outsider deepened my understanding: Rotary’s greatest gift to the world is its people.”
De Camargo, a member of the Rotary Club of Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil, emphasized the importance of seeking out new perspectives and strengthening Rotary’s service to communities around the globe. He outlined three “essential pillars” for growth: innovation, continuity, and partnership.
Penrith, a lively suburb in Greater Western Sydney, NSW, is home to more than 200,000 residents, bustling shopping centres, multi-lane highways, and a reliable transport network. But for one young resident, Christo Joseph, the city’s buzz was just the start of a remarkable journey toward a quieter, yet profoundly impactful path in rural healthcare.
In 2024, Christo, an aspiring medical student, received the prestigious Rural Medicine Scholarship from Australian Rotary Health, allowing him to pursue his studies in Bathurst – a small rural town in Western NSW known for its peaceful landscapes and tight-knit community spirit.
Christo’s first year of the scholarship has been filled with meaningful experiences, backed by support from the local health district, which has deepened his commitment to rural healthcare. Inspired by hands-on experiences and community involvement, Christo and his peers have found a new sense of purpose and connection in Bathurst, affirming their dedication to becoming rural medical officers.
Participants in From Pain to Hope join hands in a powerful symbol of the program’s motto: “We are not alone.”
Empowering victims of gender-based violence in Argentina
By María Julia Moreyra —
As a lawyer in Argentina who specialized in the fight against gender violence, I have been grieved by recent developments in my country. Argentina has a history as a pioneering country in addressing gender issues and had even made significant legal advances to protect women and promote diversity. But recently, the country has taken several steps back with the closing of the Ministry of Women (at national level), the elimination of subsidies for victims of gender-based violence, and the shrinking in size of the number of people manning hotlines by which victims of violence or human trafficking can report their situation or seek help.
February marks an important time in the Rotary calendar as we focus on one of our key areas of service—Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution. In a world where tensions and disputes can arise at every level, from local communities to international relations, Rotary plays a critical role in fostering peace and understanding.
Rotary International has long been committed to creating environments where peace can thrive. Through initiatives such as the Rotary Peace Fellowship program, we empower individuals with the skills needed to become effective peacebuilders. These fellows go on to work in areas such as diplomacy, conflict resolution, and humanitarian efforts, making a tangible difference in communities worldwide.
This month, we encourage all members to reflect on how we, as individuals and as a club, can contribute to a more peaceful world. Whether through small acts of kindness, fostering inclusive conversations, or participating in Rotary peace projects, every effort counts.
As Rotarians, we have the opportunity to be catalysts for change, promoting peace not just in February but throughout the year. Let’s continue working together to build a more harmonious and understanding world, one step at a time.
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.
