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 the icon to follow:
This month, we're in the beautiful town of Emerald, home of the Rotary Club of Emerald and District. October was Economic and Community Development Month.
October also brings a focus on World Polio Day (Oct 24) and Hat Day for the Lift the Lid campaign, supporting mental health awareness. A huge thanks to our clubs for their contributions toward these causes and for multiple raising over US $1,500 each toward polio eradication! 👏
We’re thrilled to announce 32 new members district-wide, with exciting growth in companion clubs and Interact clubs, including our soon-to-be 22nd Interact club at Balcombe Grammar! 🎉
Watch the full episode for these updates and more, and let’s keep building a stronger, service-focused community together! 💪
Dress Code: After Five or Cocktail – wear whatever makes you feel your best!
Join us for an evening of fun, laughter, and heartfelt support for the Monash Children’s Cancer Centre.
Don’t miss out—book today, and let’s make a difference together!
Leanne Byron District Governor Partner D9815
Invitation to District 9815-3 Rotary Club of Casey Monday, 18th November
We are very pleased to have accepted an invitation from Harpreet Kandra Singh (Cardinia Citizen of the Year in 2019) on behalf of the Gurdwara Sri Guru Nanak Darbar Officer (Sikh Temple Officer) to join them on the evening of Monday, 18th November 2024.
The meeting will commence at 6:00 pm and will be an interactive session followed by a complimentary vegetarian meal.
This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the sustainable projects undertaken by the Gurdwara and gain insights into the significant community work being carried out.
Harpreet has shared some background information on their community efforts, which will guide our discussions for the evening. You can explore more about their activities here.
No alcohol or tobacco is permitted on the premises.
Kindly cover your head and remove your shoes when inside the Temple.
We look forward to this enriching experience!
Annual General Meeting
Our Annual General Meeting will be held on 26th November at the Dandenong Club.
We are now calling for nominations for the following vacant positions on our 2025/2026 Board:
President-Elect
Secretary
Treasurer
Vocational Services Director
Community Service Director
International Service Director
As per our Club constitution, nominations must:
Be submitted in writing, signed by two members of the Club, and accompanied by the candidate's written consent (this may be endorsed on the nomination form).
Be delivered to the Secretary of the Club no later than 7 days prior to the 26th of November.
This is a wonderful opportunity to contribute to the future direction of our Club. We encourage members to consider nominating!
Rotary Club of Casey ThermoMix Raffle Support Their Fundraiser!
The Rotary Club of Casey is hosting a ThermoMix raffle, with all proceeds supporting their community projects. This popular kitchen appliance, valued at over $2,000, could be yours!
Tickets are limited, so don’t miss this opportunity to win and make a difference in the lives of those in need. Show your support by purchasing a ticket today.
I am delighted to provide the following update regarding our clubs' shared project in bringing Malaysian Specialist Education Teachers to Australia, their efforts upon returning home and the next opportunity to support Specialist Education in Malaysia.
Reports
Please use this link to access the SEE ME in AU 2024 Report that was compiled by the teachers and Rotarians upon the completion of the teachers' 5.5-week tour of Echuca, Bendigo and Western Melbourne. The comprehensiveness is beyond anything that we had requested or imagined, and is testament to how much was gained from the experience. They have certainly ensured that no moment was wasted.
The Australian working group also released a report and the financials that is attached (below).
What Has Happened in Malaysia Since
Teachers have taken their learning back into bother their own classrooms and schools and taught their peers how to implement various new methodologies and resources. Teachers have even combined (and been supported by their schools) to visit each others' schools to assist in delivering seminars and workshops. Given each of the eight teachers came with slightly different knowledge, focus and interests, combining to deliver sessions has offered more to their peers than going alone.
Where to Next
Our Rotarian partners in Malaysia have also supported the teachers to present their findings to local and state levels of the Ministry of Education. This has had such a profound impact on the Ministry of Education in Kuala Lumpur that they have decided to fund an international conference in early 2025 to showcase the knowledge of both the Malaysian and Australian educators. They have approached our working group in Australia to gauge the interest of our Echuca and Bendigo schools in sending teachers to present at the conference - to which our schools have not only wholeheartedly endorse but even gone so far as selecting teachers to present.
It has been requested that Australian Rotary Clubs support the payment of flights and some spending money for two teachers to attend and present at the conference with a two-week block of school presentations built around it. Malaysian Rotary Clubs in partnership with the Ministry of Education in Kuala Lumpur have agreed to cover all of the in-country costs regarding accommodation, transport, and hospitality.
We estimate that the cost of the flights with some spending money to be approximately $1,100 per Australian teacher ($2,200) to attend. Divided by 9 clubs, if all clubs are willing to commit to this, the contribution of each would be approx. $250. This figure will reduce if the five clubs in our community who were not part of our program earlier this year decide to get involved.
Our working group will provide clearer costings as we formalise the agreement with Malaysia. We hope that you will support the growth of this program.
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.
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 lock downs, 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.
Kiriwina Aid Project - Rescue Boat Support A RAWCS Project
Originally intended to provide a source of protein for local villages, our project has unexpectedly saved 28 lives.
On Kiriwina Island, the primary source of protein is fish, caught daily by locals using traditional dugout canoes—a practice passed down through generations. These canoes, while effective in calm waters, are barely seaworthy. Since the island lacks refrigeration, fishing is a daily necessity to provide fresh food.
The fishing dinghy we supplied has become essential in the northern part of the island, feeding many villagers. Yet, despite the daily risk, fishers in dugout canoes venture out even when the weather appears clear. When sudden southerly winds pick up, these small canoes are often blown out to sea. Fortunately, our fishing dinghy has also served as an emergency rescue boat, bringing fishers safely back to shore. With no other rescue boats within two hours of the island, our dinghy has saved 28 lives so far.
This remarkable outcome was not originally planned but has become a vital aspect of our project. Unfortunately, the outboard motor has now failed, and we need an additional $3,000 to cover the shortfall for a replacement engine.
If you can support this essential effort, please contact Alan Lunghusen, RAWCS 9815 Chair, at alan@lunghusen.com.
ROTARY IN REVIEW
Rising from the ruins in Turkey
More than a year after powerful earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria, Rotary magazine’s JP Swenson and social media specialist Hannah Shaw went to Turkey to learn about Rotary’s relief efforts firsthand. Find out how “the whole Rotary family in Turkey acted as one.”
World Polio Day livestream reveals continued progress toward eradication
Rotary International President Stephanie A. Urchick and public health experts commemorated World Polio Day in the city where the vaccine was developed. “I know it is a question of when polio will be eradicated, not if,” Urchick told the audience in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Read more and watch the recording of the event.
ROTARY: GIVING & GRANTS
Rotary supports earthquake relief for Turkey
The relief efforts and funding that Rotary provided after last year’s devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria show that our members create hope where it is needed, said 2023-24 RI President R. Gordon R. McInally during a visit to the country in April. Since the earthquake and aftershocks in February 2023, Rotary has distributed more than US$4 millionthrough disaster response grants and global grants, to support affected communities.
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 lock downs, 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).
