Club Meeting
 

 

Please note that this week’s meeting will be held in the Board Room.
There will be no guest speaker – instead, we’ll take this opportunity to review the year so far and have an open discussion about upcoming events, projects, and community service opportunities.

We encourage all members to come along with an open mind, your ideas, and any passion projects you'd like the Club to consider. Your input is valued and vital in shaping the future direction of our work in the community.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 six volunteers 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.

 

A Call for Support:
Helping a Guide Realise Her Dream

 

At the heart of Rotary is the belief that small acts of kindness can have far-reaching effects. A request recently shared by Yeshey Dorji, formerly of the Rotary Club of Thimphu, highlights the ongoing impact Rotarians can have in transforming lives through opportunity and education.

Ms. Ugyen Tshomo, a certified Bhutanese tour guide and single mother, has long dreamt of becoming a German-speaking guide—a role that commands a higher income and opens up more professional opportunities in Bhutan’s tourism sector. Her journey began in 2018 when she guided Rotarians Steve and Nancy Laible (Rotary Club of Brooklyn Bridge, Minnesota, USA) during their visit to Bhutan. Impressed by her professionalism and warmth, the Laibles generously offered to fund further education to help her improve her career prospects.

Ugyen initially completed an intermediate German course locally, but the unexpected departure of her teacher and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted her progress. In early 2020, with the support of friends, the Rotary Club of Thimphu, and international donors, she travelled to Austria to continue her studies. Unfortunately, the pandemic forced her to return home early before she could attain the certification to lead German-speaking tours independently.

Fast forward to 2025: with her son now receiving full education support thanks to the Laibles' continued generosity, Ugyen is once again in a position to pursue her dreams. Plans are underway for her to resume her German language studies later this year. To cover the one-year course, including tuition, accommodation, and living expenses, approximately USD $17,000 is needed. So far, over $6,000 has been pledged by generous Rotarians and friends from Poland, Sweden, and the USA.

Yeshey Dorji is now reaching out to the wider Rotary community to help raise the remaining $11,000 needed to support Ugyen’s return to study and ensure she has the qualifications to lead German-speaking tour groups. This support would not only empower Ugyen but also help her build a more stable future for herself and her son.

If you or your club would like to learn more or contribute to this cause, please get in touch with Yeshey via email - yesheydorji@gmail.com.

Every contribution, no matter how small, brings Ugyen one step closer to her goal.

 

District 3060 Seeks International Partners for Three Transformative Global Grants
 

As the Rotary year 2024–25 draws to a close, District 3060 (India) is calling on international Rotary Clubs to partner in three important Global Grant projects that aim to significantly improve community health, education, and environmental sustainability. In his recent communication, District Governor Rtn. Tushar Shah highlighted the need for both collaboration and financial support through DDF and club contributions to bring these initiatives to life.

1. Rooftop Solar Power for Schools in Gujarat

This innovative project will install 30KW rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems at two schools in Gujarat—Shrimati Tapiben Mohanlal Rughnath Mehta School for the Deaf and Mute in Amreli, and N.D. Desai Sarvajanik High School in Vankal. The goal is to reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources, decrease electricity costs, and promote environmental education. The solar panels are expected to save each school approximately INR 23,000 to 25,000 per month, enabling the redirection of funds toward educational improvements such as computer labs. The project will also help avoid an estimated 45 tons of CO₂ emissions annually and includes training programs for staff and students on renewable energy. In total, 2,189 students will benefit from a more reliable and sustainable energy source.

2. Health Equipment for Underserved Communities: Mammography, Laparoscopy, and Dialysis

In collaboration with Kaka-Ba Hospital (Hansot), Shree Lallubhai Sheth Arogya Mandir (Savarkundla), and Satya Sai Hospital (Vankal), this project will fund critical medical equipment to support the economically disadvantaged:

• Digital Mammography Unit at Kaka-Ba Hospital to enhance early breast cancer detection among rural women.

• Laparoscopy Surgical Equipment for minimally invasive surgeries, improving recovery outcomes and reducing infection risk.

• Dialysis Machine at Satya Sai Hospital to provide subsidized care for patients suffering from End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

This multi-faceted initiative not only addresses Rotary's Disease Prevention and Treatment area of focus but also ensures that quality healthcare reaches some of India’s most vulnerable populations.

3. Sanjivani Dialysis Machines Project 2

Building on previous success, this District Managed Global Grant aims to expand dialysis services across Gujarat through a network of Rotary Clubs. The project addresses the growing burden of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), offering free or low-cost dialysis to underprivileged and middle-income patients. The comprehensive strategy includes need assessments, training for hospital staff, and long-term sustainability planning. With 2–3 dialysis sessions required weekly for patients and costs reaching INR 30,000 per month in private hospitals, this initiative is both timely and life-saving. The project will install new machines in high-demand areas, managed by capable local hospitals and supported by community donations and government subsidies.

If you are interested in partnering or would like more information, please contact District Governor Tushar Shah via email - tushardg2425@gmail.com.

 

 

 

 

 

District 9815 (rotary9815.org.au)

• Dynamic sessions led by experienced Rotarians and session leaders
• Interactive workshops on leadership, service, and club innovation
• Networking opportunities that spark lasting partnerships
•  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many of our WASH in Schools projects place an emphasis on providing facilities that encourage girls to stay in school when they are having their period. When girls stay in school longer, they become better educated, get better jobs, get married later, have fewer children, earn more over their lifetime, and become empowered.

May 28 is Menstrual Hygiene Day ( www.menstrualhygieneday.org ). It is the tenth year of highlighting the importance of good menstrual hygiene management. This month seemed like a good time to team up with the Rotary Action Group for Menstrual Health and Hygiene ( www.ragmhh.org ).

 

 

A Call to Action for Rotary Members

Imagine a world where no woman or girl is held back by her period. Unfortunately, this is far from reality for over 500 million women and girls globally who lack access to safe, affordable menstrual products. Period poverty is not just a health issue—it’s a barrier to education, economic opportunity, and dignity. End Period Injustice Now, is on a mission to change this by creating a sustainable, scalable blueprint that communities worldwide can adopt. Together, we can ensure that menstruation is no longer a source of inequality but a driver of empowerment.
 

 

 

 

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.