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.
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.
David Langworthy
Editor
The Musings of Socrates 470-399BC
When men speak ill of thee, live so as nobody may believe them.
February 4th: Projects Meeting
All members are required to attend to kick-start 2025
February 11th: Club Meeting
Guest Speaker - Sally Baird, Backpack for Kids
February 25th: Board Meeting
No club meeting
March 4th: Club Meeting
Guest Speaker - Stephanie Joseph, Dandenong Community & Learning Centre
Rotary Efforts Deliver Vital Aid to the Philippines
Members of Rotary Greater Dandenong and Endeavour Hills are making a significant impact through their ongoing support for disaster relief efforts in the Philippines. Brian Ashworth, one of our members, is currently conducting a review of the aid delivered to the region over the past three years. This important work ensures that the assistance provided meets the needs of local communities and has a lasting impact.
Disaster Aid Australia (DAA), in collaboration with Safe Water For Every Child Philippines Inc. and Donna Celeste Banaynal, recently handed over a SkyHydrant GEM Rapid Response Pack in Cagayan de Oro. The unit, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Youngtown in Tasmania, will provide clean water to communities affected by disasters.
Volunteers Brian and David from DAA facilitated the delivery of this life-saving equipment. Their efforts are a testament to the spirit of Rotary’s commitment to making a difference where needed most.
Supporting Youth Mental Health Through Music: Knox Rocks Concert
The Rotary Club of Boronia has been running an inspiring youth program called Knox Rocks, which teaches young people the art of songwriting as a means of self-expression. Participants not only learn how to write songs but also have their creations professionally recorded—giving them a lifelong keepsake while boosting confidence, self-belief, and mental well-being.
Previously funded by grants and club contributions, this year the program is taking a new approach by hosting a live concert to showcase the original songs written by participants. The event will feature an evening of music with six different acts, alongside the debut performances of the Knox Rocks songs.
Ticket sales from the concert will help fund future programs while also promoting Rotary in an exciting and progressive way. The Rotary Club of Greater Dandenong and Endeavour Hills is proud to support this initiative, with the Board recently approving a $500 donation to the cause.
We encourage all members to attend, share the event with friends, and help fill the venue for what promises to be a fantastic night of entertainment and community spirit.
For more details, please refer to the flyer below or contact Mark Smith from the Rotary Club of Boronia.
Let’s support this wonderful initiative and make a real difference in the lives of young people!
DISTRICT EVENTS
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.
Photographs from [the] SkyHydrant installation in the Bangsamoro region of the Philippines.
Formal Ceremony
The SkyHydrant sponsored by the Rotary Club of Monash was installed on the 9th January by our partner Safe Water for Every Child-Philippines.
Additional funds contributed from Oxfam-Philippines and the local Barangay have resulted in this very impressive building as can be seen from the below photograph.
Having a facility that the community is proud of is just one of the things we do to ensure our projects are well looked after and deliver ‘Safe Water For Every Child’ for many years.
AUSTRALIAN ROTARY HEALTH
NEW BOARD MEMBERS
Introducing our new board members for 2025 - PDG Ron Degenhart District 9560, PDG Jeff Neale District 9510. DGE Renga Rajan District 9675 and DGE Paul Miegel District 9790. Read more about our board here.
"Ask the Experts" forum:
In 2023, ARH in WA partnered with PhD students from the Perron Institute to raise awareness about the research being conducted by both of these organisations to the Rotary and broader communities.
In November last year, ARH held an "ask the experts" forum, where researchers shared updates and answered questions. The CEO of the Perron Institute spoke about the collaboration and ARH highlighted its successes, future focus and research on young Australians (0-12 years old).
Director PDG Paul Mee shares the importance of ARH
Director PDG Paul Mee presented at Rotary Club of Mount Martha, where he shared the inspiring work of ARH, highlighting the significant strides taken, particularly in the area of mental health for children aged 0-12.
ARH is one of Australia's largest independent funders of mental health research, supported by Rotary clubs, individuals, and businesses. It focuses on advancing research for various health issues, and is dedicated to improving the well-being of future generations while fostering healthier, more resilient communities. To make your contribution, click here.
As members of Rotary, we dedicate January to Vocational Service, one of the foundational avenues of service in Rotary International. This month presents an opportunity to reflect on how our professional lives can embody the Rotary motto, “Service Above Self.”
Vocational Service calls on Rotarians to leverage their unique skills, talents, and expertise to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond. It is about using our professions as platforms for ethical conduct, mentorship, and community betterment.
What Does Vocational Service Mean?
At its core, Vocational Service encourages:
Adhering to High Ethical Standards: Rotarians uphold integrity in their personal and professional lives. By living out the Four-Way Test, we ensure our actions promote truth, fairness, goodwill, and benefit to all.
Recognizing the Value of All Professions: Every occupation plays a vital role in the fabric of society. Rotary celebrates and respects the diversity of vocations represented in its membership.
Serving Others Through Expertise: Rotarians can use their professional skills to meet community needs. This might include offering pro bono services, organizing career guidance programs, or supporting vocational training for underserved populations.
Rotarians around the world are making a difference through vocational service. From providing technical training in underserved areas to mentoring future leaders, these initiatives highlight the profound impact of combining professional expertise with a heart for service.
Let us use this month to reaffirm our commitment to vocational service and inspire others to do the same. Together, we can continue to create meaningful change through our professions, living out the Rotary ideals every day.
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.
