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 guys,
I'm in Chefchaouen, Morocco and I met this local man and gave him some money, he told me that he had polio since birth. This certainly sheds a different light on Polio when you see it like this.
This photo shows the need for Rotary's continuation of the eradication polio with our END POLIO campaign.
John
Last Week's Meeting
8th April 2025
Club Meeting How Rotary is Saving Lives: Alan Lunghusen’s Story
Special Presentation: Alan Lunghusen Shares Powerful Rotary Projects
At our most recent meeting, we had the pleasure of hearing from Alan Lunghusen, a dedicated member of the Rotary Club of Rowville–Lysterfield. Alan shared two inspiring stories that truly captured the essence of Rotary’s ability to create meaningful change both locally and globally.
The first was the story behind a recent initiative that Alan led—one that provided an outboard motor for a rescue boat on the island of Kiriwina in Papua New Guinea. Our club proudly contributed funds to this project, which has already made a real difference. In fact, the motor was recently used in a life-saving operation that rescued seven people—an incredible outcome that underscores the power of Rotary's global reach and collaboration.
Alan also spoke passionately about his leadership in another project close to home: supporting Backpack4vickids. He played a key role in the purchase and fit-out of a shipping container to help the organisation better store and distribute essential items to vulnerable children. Inspired by his efforts, our club is now exploring the opportunity to take on a similar project ourselves.
Alan’s dedication and impact serve as a powerful reminder of what’s possible when we combine leadership, vision, and Rotary’s spirit of service.
PAST PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
We had a total of 14 attendees to hear Alan Lunghusen, the international chair from Rowville - Lysterfield present details of two of his club’s projects:
Kiriwina Island is a remote island off the coast of Papua New Guinea, where the people have a struggle for survival due to lack of water and resources.
This project has been long-standing and has involved many different projects, led by Alan, who has visited the island and worked with the locals on a dozen occasions.
These projects include:
- Providing running water to the island hospital
- Building desks for several schools
- Teaching local men how to build school desks using battery power tools
- Dispatching a container of hospital equipment from Donations-In-Kind
- Building a composting toilet for a school providing a total of 6 cubicles
- Ensuring a program of toilet maintenance is sustained
- Replacing the batteries and fans for the composting toilets on a regular basis.
- Replacing on outboard motor on a rescue boat which was subsequently used to rescue 7 fishermen from rough seas due to Cyclone Alfred.
Our club contributed $1,500 to assist in the purchase of this outboard motor.
Backpack4Vickids. This organisation aims to provide crisis packs and gift packs to vulnerable children, aged from birth to seventeen years. The children have been taken into out-of-home care and often have no possessions such as toiletries, toys, underwear or other clothing. The backpacks provided to them are age, gender and season appropriate and provide not only practical items but comfort items such as a cuddly toy. These backpacks then belong to the children and become a symbol of care as they move from home to home.
Rowville-Lysterfield sourced an old shipping container and proceeded to renovate by repainting, installing insulation, lighting and shelving. Police and Emergency Services are then given access to the container.
Email from Kate and images from ASRC Foodhub - Wednesday the 2nd April:
Hi Phil,
Thanks again for facilitating, as requested her are a few stats:
Rotary purchased 720kg basmati rice
Rotarians packed 360kg rice into 2kg bags to go directly onto foodbank shelves
this is enough rice for approx. 3-4 weeks at ASRC Dandenong Foodbank
currently providing food for approx. 430 individuals per month from 165 households,
average visits to the Foodbank is 353 visits per month
Members of the Dandenong and Endeavour Hills Rotary Club are legends!
Photos [below]
I am really enjoying this partnership Phil, you are an exceptionally kind bunch of humans!
As we had a Scatter-night (visit to other clubs) on the 25th March, we heard from John T who visited Casy, Terry went to Mordialloc - Mentone and John P, Peter F and Kam went to Rowvilee-Lysterfield.
All expressed the friendly welcome, the diverse events and projects each club undertakes.
Reminder: Cindy from Team Sports 4 All on Tuesday the 15th – it is an amazing story. A wonderful presentation at our District conference.
Cheers, PP Phil
Rotary Club of Greater Dandenong and Endeavour Hills Inc.
The 2025 Senior Australian of the Year Brother Thomas Olly Pickett AM from Western Australia was hosted this week by District 9815.
On Tuesday night, Colin and Leanne, along with members from 6 other clubs attended the Rotary Club of Manningham City to hear the heartwarming success story of Olly Pickett, co-founder of the amazing Wheelchairs for Kids.
Wheelchairs for Kids is supported by the Rotary Club of Scarborough where they are made by volunteers.
The wheelchairs are custom built in the Scarborough factory for children in developing countries.
Without a wheelchair, many children living with disabilities are carried by family members- or worse, left lying on the ground, excluded from school, play and the life every child deserves.
Olly developed an innovative, low cost wheelchair, which meets WHO standards and is adjustable to accommodate a child's growth - a world first design.
The organisation has delivered more than 60,000 wheelchairs to children across 80 countries.
A big thanks to our D9815 Wheelchairs for Kids co-chairs Grant Klaaysen and Russell Hayes.
Our Club's Interact Club at Lyndale Secondary College raised money for WFK by hosting a very successful Wheelathon last year at the school.
Vocational Visit to ASRC Dandenong
On Wednesday, 2nd April, members of the Rotary Club of Greater Dandenong and Endeavour Hills took part in another hands-on vocational visit to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) in Dandenong. Our team packed rice into 2kg bags from 20kg bulk supplies, ready for distribution to individuals and families in need.
We were delighted to be joined by Murray Wilson, DGND—thank you, Murray, for your support and involvement.
The evening concluded with dinner at a nearby restaurant, providing a chance to connect, reflect, and enjoy good company after a rewarding evening of service.
Life Lessons at Dandenong Learning Centre
The Dandenong Community and Learning Centre recently opened its doors to the public, offering a glimpse into the life-changing programs that are helping refugees and vulnerable community members build confidence, skills, and independence. From a thriving community garden to hands-on training in the woodworking shed, the centre is making a real difference.
Comedy for a Cause will feature some of the best comedians from the Sydney and Melbourne International Comedy Festivals. Best of all, 100% of proceeds from this event will go directly to supporting the life-changing work of Rotary Disaster Aid Australia.
Event Date: Thursday, May 8, 2025 Doors Open: 7:00 PM | Showtime: 7:30 PM (Approx. 2-hour runtime) Venue: The Dandenong Club – 1579 Heatherton Rd, Dandenong North
Tickets: $45 per person (General Admission – first in, best dressed!)
Drinks at bar prices.
Tea, coffee, and a light supper will be served at the interval
Please Note: This is an 18+ event and may contain some low-level coarse language.
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.
No one feels good about wasting food. But once tossed, it is easy to forget about. Rejected food piles up in landfills, where it releases methane, the supervillain of greenhouse gases. Shorter-lived than carbon dioxide, methane is far better at trapping heat during its 10 or so years in the atmosphere. For this reason, reducing food waste is one of the single most effective ways we can slow our planet's heating. Learn how Rotary members are working on the issue and what can be done to reduce our food waste.
A close shave for polio eradication
Jide Ogunleye, president of the Rotary Club of Omole-Golden, Lagos, Nigeria, is known for his iconic beard. But he was recently willing to part with it to raise money to help end polio. The impact of this creative fundraiser goes beyond the amount raised, as Ogunleye explains in his blog post for Rotary 360.
BRAND NEWS
Rotary Youth Exchange reaches milestone
In 2025, Rotary Youth Exchange is celebrating a half-century as an official Rotary International program. Look for historical highlights, testimonials from members and volunteers, and more on the new Rotary Young Leaders Instagram page and Rotary International social channels and then share them on your club and district channels. This 50th anniversary observance is a unique opportunity to inspire future generations of volunteers and participants, promote Rotary to your community, and reach new audiences.
April is Environmental Month in the Rotary calendar, a time to raise awareness and take action to protect our planet for future generations. As environmental challenges continue to grow, Rotary International recognises the urgent need for sustainability and conservation efforts worldwide.
Rotary clubs around the globe are actively engaged in projects that promote environmental stewardship. From tree planting initiatives and waste reduction programs to clean water projects and climate action efforts, Rotarians are committed to creating a healthier planet. These initiatives not only help combat climate change but also improve the quality of life for communities everywhere.
Here in our local community, our club continues to support initiatives that promote environmental sustainability. Whether through clean-up events, educational programs, or partnerships with organizations dedicated to environmental conservation, we play a role in making a difference. By working together, we can help protect natural resources and foster a greener, more sustainable future.
As we observe Environmental Month, let’s take this opportunity to reflect on how we can contribute to this critical cause. Whether by supporting global projects or making an impact right here in our own community, every effort counts. If you have ideas or would like to get involved in initiatives supporting environmental sustainability, we encourage you to reach out and join us in this important work.
Together, we can help build a cleaner, greener future for all.
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.
