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
Hi Rotarians
I have made my way back to Melbourne after 4 weeks of touring Morocco and
Duro river in Portugal and we had a wonderful time.
It's good to see that lots of good things have been happening during my absence with Leanne organizing the formation of a Satellite Club who had their first meeting last night and discussed some impact projects they could be involved with.
Also Leanne's Partner Project has exceeded the target of $100,000 and gone past the $130,000 mark, thanks to the support of many Rotary Clubs in our District.
What a great result for Leanne's hard work.
Thanks John Ternel for laying a wreath on Anzac day on behalf of our club.
I wish a speedy recovery to both Peter Buck and Lynn Tam who both recently have had operations.
We’re excited to share that our Club has officially begun the process of establishing a Satellite Club—an initiative aimed at growing our membership, enhancing diversity, and increasing our impact in the community.
This development has been approved by our Board and discussed at recent meetings. The new club, provisionally titled Impact Club: Empowering Diversity and Inclusion, will operate as part of our club, but with a different meeting time and format. It’s a great opportunity to reach people who may not have been able to join our traditional meetings, offering flexibility through Zoom, in-person, or hybrid gatherings.
On Wednesday, April 23, an Information Night was held at the Dandenong Club. The session, led by Leanne Byron and President John Ternel, was a resounding success, full of energy, thoughtful discussion, and enthusiastic contributions from all who attended. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with 10 people already committed to joining and another 4 expected to come on board before the end of the Rotary year.
This new format will help us grow in numbers and open doors to new ideas, community projects, and stronger engagement with the next generation of Rotarians.
The goal is to have everything in place by June 30. We look forward to keeping you updated as the Satellite Club takes shape and extends Rotary's reach in our local area.
Rotarians Unite for Monash Children's Cancer Centre Fundraiser
Another successful fundraiser was held on Wednesday, 30th April in support of Leanne’s partner project for the Monash Children’s Cancer Centre, bringing together 40 Rotarians and partners from 14 Rotary Clubs across District 9815.
Guests enjoyed a delicious Chinese meal, sharing great food, conversation, and a shared commitment to supporting children and families facing cancer. A big thank you to Mary, the generous restaurant owner, for her wonderful support in making the evening such a success.
It was a heartwarming reminder of the strength of Rotary’s network and the power of coming together for a good cause.
Urgent call for Volunteers: RYDA Event, Tuesday 20th May
Once again, we’ve been invited to support the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA) program, a fantastic local initiative focused on educating young drivers and promoting road safety.
We’re looking for sixvolunteers to assist on the day:
Location: Sandown Dog Track Date: Tuesday, 20th May School Participating: Dandenong High School
This is a meaningful opportunity to engage with local youth and contribute to a program that truly makes a difference in our community. Morning tea and a hot lunch will be provided to all volunteers.
If you’re available and keen to help out, please get in touch with Alan Collier as soon as possible on 0418 355 607.
Grow, lead, inspire Join us for an Unmissable Rotary D9815 Learning District Assembly
Are you ready to energize your Rotary journey, sharpen your leadership skills, and connect with like-minded changemakers?
Join us for inspiring Rotary Learning Sessions at this year’s District Assembly – designed to ignite ideas, foster collaboration, and equip you with tools to make an even greater impact in your club and community.
📅 Date: Saturday 17th and Saturday 24th May 📍 Location: All sessions are online via Zoom ⏰ Time: starts from 9.00am and each session goes for 45 mins.
Whether you're a member eager to learn more about Rotary, a newly appointed President, Secretary or Treasurer stepping into leadership, or a seasoned Rotarian looking to expand your knowledge and impact, these sessions are designed to inform, inspire, and equip you with the tools you need to thrive.
Dynamic sessions led by experienced Rotarians and session leaders
Interactive workshops on leadership, service, and club innovation
Networking opportunities that spark lasting partnerships
Let’s come together to learn, lead, and inspire—because when Rotarians grow, our communities thrive.
🎯 You can Register today for as many sessions as you would like to attend. Just choose which ones you would like to reserve your spot today!
There will be brand new sessions such as learning about AI, new projects, how to take even better pics, social media, all you wanted to know about Finance, Leadership, among many other first-class sessions.
Please note delegates will need to use the ‘Access Conference Rates Here’ button at the bottom of the screen and not the ‘search availability’ function at the top of the screen, otherwise they will not gain access to the discount rates!
If any delegates have any questions or concerns about the link, please feel free to reach out to the hotel directly.
Years of clashes over the Klamath River, which flows through Oregon and California in the northwestern United States, led to an agreement to remove four hydroelectric dams that had scarred the river and destroyed the native salmon population. But the agreement threatened to unravel in 2016, when the U.S. Congress failed to pass legislation to implement the project. Oregon Rotary members, including Jim Root, president of the Klamath River Renewal Corp., used their diplomatic skills to break the logjam and move the project forward. Their efforts resulted in the world’s largest dam removal project and the reemergence of a sacred river.
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 April.
This issue also gives a glimpse of the thoughts and emotions of leaders, projects from clubs, Rotaract and Interact news, RFE tours, TRF recognition dinners, 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.
Each May, Rotary International shines a spotlight on one of the most dynamic and impactful areas of service – our youth. Youth Service Month is a time to recognise, celebrate, and actively support the young people in our communities, empowering them to become confident, capable leaders of tomorrow.
Our club is proud to support and engage with youth through meaningful programs and initiatives. Whether it's supporting Rotaract, Interact, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) or Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN), our club is committed to offering opportunities for young people to develop leadership skills, build confidence, and connect with mentors who care about their future.
Youth Service is more than just investing time – it’s about building hope and resilience in a rapidly changing world. By offering guidance, platforms for expression, and a sense of belonging, we help shape not only better individuals but stronger communities.
As part of Youth Service Month, we encourage all members to reflect on the role we play in shaping the next generation. Whether it’s through school-based projects, scholarship programs, career mentoring, or simply being a positive influence, our involvement matters.
Let us continue to lead by example – inspiring, supporting, and standing beside our youth as they take bold steps towards creating a better tomorrow.
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.
