2025-26

Edition 31

 6th March 2026


Welcome to this week's edition of the Gateway Bulletin!
 

We're here to keep you informed with the latest updates, events, and stories from our Rotary community. Whether it's new initiatives, upcoming meetings, or ways to get involved, we'll keep you informed and up-to-date.

Don’t forget — our Facebook page is a great way to follow what’s happening in real time. If you haven’t connected with us yet, click here to follow us.

PRESIDENT'S UPDATE

Final numbers are in! Kam and Christine’s last Chinese New Year fundraiser raised over $18,000 for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

Over the years, they have played a key role in this community event, helping raise funds for an important cause while bringing people together in true Rotary spirit. It was fitting to see them recognised on the night with the PDG Ken MacDonald Service Award, acknowledging their long-standing contribution to the community.

Thank you to everyone who attended and shared in the celebration with one last “Yum Seng!” for a great cause. 🥂

A big thank you also to our club members and volunteers who helped run Saturday’s Bunnings BBQ at Narre Warren. Thanks to the team effort on the tongs, serving and setup, we raised just shy of $2,000 after expenses for the club’s community projects. Excellent work, everyone! 🌭🔥

We’ll be discussing which charities these funds will be donated to at next Tuesday night’s meeting, so please come along and be part of the decision.

It was also great to hear about the strong community support for the Monash Children’s Hospital Walk on Sunday, with thousands of people coming together to raise much-needed funds for the hospital’s important work. It’s inspiring to see the community rally behind a cause that supports so many children and families.

Sincere thanks to our Satellite club ‘Impact Collective’ members for your dedication and support. 💖

🌭 Bunnings BBQ Success

Our recent Bunnings BBQ at Narre Warren was a great success, raising almost $2,000 for our club’s community projects.

Thanks to the efforts of our volunteers, we cooked up 60kg of snags and went through 50 loaves of bread! A big thank you to everyone who volunteered their time — cooking, serving, setting up, and packing down. Events like this are a wonderful reminder of how teamwork makes Rotary projects possible.
 

💖 Monash Children’s Hospital Walk

It was wonderful to see the strong community support for the Monash Children’s Hospital Walk on Sunday, with thousands of people turning out to help raise much-needed funds for the hospital and the incredible work it does for children and families.💖

Sincere thanks to our Satellite club ‘Impact Collective’ members for your dedication and support. 💖

Rotary’s Got Talent – Save the Date! 🎤✨

Mark your calendars for Saturday, 2 May 2026, as Jonathan Usher takes the stage live at the Lyndale Secondary College Theatre for what promises to be an incredible night of entertainment.

Rotary’s Got Talent will showcase fantastic performances, plenty of laughs, and a wonderful community atmosphere — all while raising funds for the Monash Children's Hospital Cancer Centre Apheresis Therapy, supporting vital treatment for young patients.

📄 See the flyer in this newsletter for full details.
🎟 Registrations will be opening soon, so keep an eye out.

Save the date and get ready for a brilliant evening of talent, fun, and fundraising for an important cause.

🚗 Dandenong All Holden Car Show – Excitement is Building!

With just over 2 weeks to go, we’re getting closer to the 16th Dandenong All Holden Car Show on Sunday, 22 March 2026.

Registrations are already rolling in, with 140 online tickets sold in total.

In preparation for the big day:
📅 Tuesday, 10 March 2026 – Show update covering car entry bookings, food, and stall holders
📅 Tuesday, 17 March 2026 – Virtual show run-through at the Dandenong Club
📅 Saturday, 21 March 2026 – Site walkthrough to familiarise ourselves with the venue, marshalling, vendor placement, and car club parking

📚 Exercise Book Appeal – Extended

The exercise book collection deadline has been extended to Tuesday, 24 March 2026. Alan Collier is coordinating the collection and ensuring delivery to Donations in Kind (DIK) at the end of March for distribution to children in developing nations.

This extension allows contributions from other clubs, including as far away as Traralgon. Thank you to everyone who has already contributed—please ensure your books are submitted by the revised date to ensure timely delivery.

🧠 Rotary Challenge – Famous Rotarians

Rotary has attracted leaders, innovators and humanitarians from around the world. Here are a few well-known figures connected to Rotary and what they are known for:

1️⃣ Which U.S. President and Rotary member strongly supported global humanitarian and health initiatives including polio eradication?
Answer: Jimmy Carter

2️⃣ Which technology pioneer partnered with Rotary to significantly increase funding for the fight against polio?
Answer: Bill Gates

3️⃣ This internationally recognised philanthropist and technology leader has supported global health and education initiatives and has addressed Rotary conventions.
Answer: Melinda French Gates

4️⃣ Which Australian Prime Minister was also a Rotarian before entering national politics?
Answer: John Howard

 

🔎 Next Week’s Puzzle — Famous Rotarians

Can you identify these well-known Rotarians?

1️⃣ This legendary American astronaut, the second person to walk on the moon, was a proud Rotarian.

2️⃣ This famous American business leader and media personality, known for hosting The Apprentice, has been associated with Rotary.

3️⃣ This internationally recognised philanthropist and technology leader has supported global health and education initiatives and has addressed Rotary conventions.

📅 Upcoming Events

Dandenong All Holden Car Show – Lead-up Meetings:

📅 Tuesday, 10 March – Show update
📅 Tuesday, 17 March – Virtual run-through
📅 Saturday, 21 March – Site walkthrough
🚗 Sunday, 22 March 2026 – 16th Dandenong All Holden Car Show
📚 Tuesday, 24 March 2026 – Exercise Book Collection for DIK
💃 Saturday, 16 May 2026 – Dinner Dance (Theme TBC)

📅 Upcoming Meeting

📍 Tuesday Night Club Meeting

Agenda highlights:

  • Holden Car Show planning update

  • Scatter Meeting feedback

  • Club members to nominate charities for BBQ fundraising donations

  • General club updates

Make sure you come along and be part of the conversation

Service Above Self 🌏

 
 
Yours in Rotary Service,
 
This Week's Meeting
3rd March 2026
 

Scatter Meetings

 
Next Week's Meeting
10th March 2026
 

Club Meeting
Dandenong All Holden Car Show Update

 

Scatter Meeting feedback

Club members to nominate charities for BBQ fundraising donations

General club updates


 

IMPORTANT DATES

 

13th March - 15 March 2026
Rotary 9815 & 9830 District Conference
Come along, be inspired, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

📅 Further details  and registration at:- https://rotary9815.org.au/page/district-conference-2026

Sunday, 22nd March
🚗16th Dandenong All Holden Car Show
The iconic Dandenong All Holden Car Show is back!
 

***

CLUB MEETINGS
Where Club meetings are listed as TBC, please refer to the Events Calendar on our club website for the latest updates.
 

ATTENDANCE
We’d love to see you at our meetings! Please use ClubRunner to let us know if you’ll be attending, and feel free to include any guests — especially for special events or partners’ nights.

To help us plan with the Dandenong Club, please update your attendance by 5 pm on Monday. This ensures we can confirm numbers and make the most of our time together.
 
 
CLUB EVENTS
 
 
 
DISTRICT EVENTS
 
 
 
Rotary 9815 & 9830 District Conference 
13th -15th March 2026 
Hobart, Tasmania
 
 
RIDE FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH
 
The Ride for Medical Research is organised by the Rotary District 9815 Ride for Medical Research Team. Over the past 40 years, Rotary Districts 9810 and 9820 have raised an incredible $2,476,285 for Australian Rotary Health, supporting vital medical research across the country.

The next annual ride will be held 22–27 March 2026, marking 40 years of dedication to funding life-changing research. Riders will cover approximately 578 km, setting out each day from the Bendigo base and spending six days exploring the surrounding countryside.

Learn more or get involved: https://bit.ly/3MoEHZR
 
 
 
 
 
🎥 Stay Inspired! Subscribe to Rotary District 9815 on YouTube to see our latest videos, stories, and community highlights.
Click Subscribe to stay up to date!

 
 
📘 Stay Connected! 👉 Follow Rotary District 9815 on Facebook for updates on community projects, events, and ways to get involved.
Click Like & Follow now!
 
 
 
 
 
International Women’s Day is 8 March, and we’re celebrating everyone who is committed to advancing the well-being of women around the world. When women have access to health care, education, economic opportunities, housing, personal freedom, and safety, communities thrive.

Our members are engaged in innovative service projects that promote women’s well-being:
 
  • Education programs in Central America, Papua New Guinea, and Australia help midwives develop skills that contribute to better maternal outcomes. In Sierra Leone, nurses, midwives, and other health workers have learned neonatal resuscitation to save infants struggling to breathe after birth.
  • Microloans for women in Ecuador and Uganda to start or expand businesses empower them with sustainable ways to earn a living. These projects help women support their families and also grow local economies. 
  • Menstrual hygiene education projects, distributing menstrual hygiene products, and building toilet facilities can prevent girls from missing or leaving school and women from missing work. Clubs and districts in places such as India have sponsored projects that enable girls and women to continue with their daily activities during their menstrual periods. 
  • Projects in Australia, New Zealand, and the southwest Pacific raise awareness about domestic violence and provide support to people who have experienced it. Districts and clubs have organized community marches and supported shelters and other organizations. 
 
Donate today to support more projects like these that change women’s lives. Every gift to The Rotary Foundation, no matter the amount, will advance peace and build a brighter future for communities near home and across the globe.

Thank you for your commitment to Doing Good in the World.

Sincerely,
The Rotary Foundation
 
 
 
 
Book Into a Meeting
🚗 Dandenong All Holden Car Show Update
Dandenong Club
Mar 10, 2026
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
📅Rotary 9815 & 9830 District Conference 13-15 Mar
Hobart
Mar 13, 2026 – Mar 15, 2026
 
🚗 Dandenong All Holden Car Show Run Through
Dandenong Club
Mar 17, 2026
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
🚗 Dandenong All Holden Car Show Venue Run Through
Gloria Pyke Netball Complex
Mar 21, 2026
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
 
🚗16th Dandenong All Holden Car Show
Greaves Reserve
Mar 22, 2026
6:00 AM – 3:00 PM
 
🚫 No meeting - Easter Break
Apr 07, 2026
 
🤹‍♂️ Rotary’s Got Talent – Save the Date! 🎤✨
Lyndale Secondary College Theatre
May 02, 2026
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
View entire list
Links
Rotary Ride for Medical Research
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Terry Valentine
March 14
 
Marty Pater
March 18
 
Geoffrey Brown
March 21
 
Alan Lachman
March 29
 
Joe Iellamo
March 29
 
Gus De Hoogd
March 30
 
Spouse/Partner Birthdays
Inger de Zylva
March 23
 
Anniversaries
Howard de Zylva
Inger de Zylva
March 1
 
Colin Byron
Leanne Byron
March 17
 
Peter Faulkner
Lois Faulkner
March 19
 
Join Date
Howard de Zylva
March 1, 2021
5 years
 
Geoffrey Brown
March 3, 1969
57 years
 
Club Information
Greater Dandenong and Endeavour Hills
Tuesdays at 6:30 PM
Dandenong Club Napoleon Room
1579 Heatherton Road
Dandenong North, VIC 3175
Australia
Send Email to Club
Most Tuesdays of each month 6.30 PM for 7.00 PM start
District Site Icon
District Site
Venue Map
Venue Map
Executives & Directors
President
John Ternel
 
President Elect
Leanne Byron
 
Immediate Past President
John Peck
 
Executive Secretary/Director
Alan Collier
 
Treasurer
Joe Iellamo
 
Community Vocational
Peter Faulkner
 
International Projects
Babar Jamil
 
International Fundraising
Ashton Ashokkumar
 
Community Service
Terry Valentine
 
Youth Chair
Leanne Byron
 
Sergeant
David Langworthy
 
Club Foundation Chair
David Langworthy
 

 
ROTARY INFORMATION
 
 
Rotarians have the following responsibilities:
 
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.
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