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.
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PRESIDENT'S UPDATE
Hello Rotarians,
🎗 October is Mental Health Month – “Lift the Lid Hat Day”
This October, our Rotary Club of Greater Dandenong & Endeavour Hills is looking to hold a Lift the Lid Hat Day at one of our club meetings to support Australian Rotary Health’s vital mental health research. A date is being finalised!
At the designated meeting, all members are encouraged to wear a hat and participate. Hat Day is a meaningful way to engage members, raise awareness, and show support for mental health. Members can also make a small donation to ARH.
Mental illness affects one in five Australians, and through initiatives like this, we help fund prevention, early intervention, and education programs that change lives.
For donations, please refer to the ARH account details on the attached brochure. Reference: D9815 and our Club name.
Let’s lift the lid, raise awareness, and make a difference—one hat at a time!
🚓 Crime & Scam Prevention – Victoria Police Presentation
We welcomed Brett Owen and Frank Williams from Victoria Police, who spoke about crime and cyber-scam prevention.
Key takeaways:
Many home and car thefts occur because doors and windows are left unlocked – a simple step can prevent becoming a statistic.
Be cautious with emails and messages – don’t click on unknown links as they can install software that records your passwords.
Trust your instincts. If an email or text feels suspicious, especially from financial or government institutions, call the organisation directly using a verified phone number.
🎉 90th Centenary Celebration – RSVP Reminder
We are celebrating 90 years of Rotary in Dandenong with a special function at the Dandenong Club on Saturday,4th October.
It will be a wonderful opportunity to:
Meet some of the former Rotarians of the Dandenong area
Learn about projects started by the Club and see some of our history on display
Hear from some of the clubs that were started by the Rotary Club of Dandenong
Discover more about the foundation of our own Rotary Club of Greater Dandenong & Endeavour Hills
On Tuesday, Leanne and Colin proudly represented our Club at the Operation NewStart Intake 67 graduation ceremony. This inspiring program celebrates the achievements of young people as they complete their career re-engagement journey.
🌭 Bunnings BBQ Fundraiser – Friday 26 September
Our next Bunnings Dandenong BBQ is coming up next Friday. Thank you to those who have already volunteered.
We still need helpers for the following shifts:
10am – 12pm
12pm – 2pm
2pm – 4pm
Your support makes all the difference – please put your hand up if you can.
🎲 Two Truths and a Lie
This week, Colin Byron entertained us with his edition of Two Truths and a Lie:
1. Was in the same cafeteria as Steve Jobs from Apple while working in Silicon Valley
2. While driving with his boss in Hungary, she was caught speeding but got out of the fine with a cash payment
3. When working in the USA for HP, he used the company car to visit Disneyland many times with his wife, Leanne (a huge Disney fan), and even received an award for the most visits in a company vehicle
The lie? Number 2 – Unfortunately, his boss did receive the fine.
Next week, it’s Allan Collier’s turn.
Fun Disney facts:
Disneyland has only closed fully a handful of times since 1955 — including after 9/11
Sleeping Beauty Castle appears taller than it really is thanks to clever “forced perspective” design
Walt Disney had an apartment above the firehouse; a lamp in the window still burns in his honour
Visitors devour more than 2.8 million churros a year at Disneyland
🌍 Rotary Foundation Month (November)
This November, we celebrate The Rotary Foundation — the engine that turns our compassion into lasting change. For more than a century, the Foundation has transformed gifts into life-changing projects:
Protecting children from polio
Bringing clean water and sanitation to communities
Funding scholarships and peacebuilding
Powering global grants that scale local ideas
David Langworthy will be dedicating some time at each meeting to provide updates on the Foundation and ways we can contribute.
📊 Next Week
We’ll be hearing from our committee leads on budgets and using feedback from the online survey to energise our Club with new joint projects.
The Board has also met this week – minutes will follow shortly.
That’s all for now – thank you all for your contributions and commitment. Together, we’re making a real difference.
Tuesday, 23rd September Turning Survey Feedback into Action We’ve reviewed the survey results together — now it’s time to roll up our sleeves and turn those insights into a clear, achievable plan.
Friday, 26th September Bunnings BBQ We have one more Bunnings BBQ (at this stage) scheduled for Friday, 26th September, which coincides with the Grand Final public holiday.
Plans for our 90th Centenary Celebration are well underway! We’re thrilled to announce that the Dandenong Club is booked. With special guests, great entertainment, and plenty of surprises in store, it promises to be an unforgettable evening. Save the date and celebrate this milestone in style!
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 pmon Monday. This ensures we can confirm numbers and make the most of our time together.
The true strength of Rotary is not found in projects, events, or even in the name itself — it is found in the people who choose to be part of it. Each member brings unique skills, perspectives, and energy that, when valued, enrich our club and amplify the impact we have in the community.
Asking ourselves whether we value our members, whether each member feels their value is recognised, and whether we create opportunities for everyone to contribute, is an important exercise. A club where people feel valued becomes a place of belonging — a place where individuals are encouraged to grow, give, and lead.
If we fail to value our members, we risk losing not only individuals but also the collective spirit that makes Rotary what it is. But when we embrace and empower one another, we build a culture where every person matters, every contribution counts, and together we achieve far more than we could alone.
Club Meeting - Tuesday, 16th September
Police Presentation: Crime and Scam Prevention
At our last Club meeting, we heard a valuable presentation from Victoria Police on Crime and Scam Prevention. The session highlighted practical steps we can all take to keep our homes, vehicles, personal belongings, and online information secure.
Victoria Police has compiled a series of fact sheets covering burglary prevention, motor vehicle and property theft, online safety, scams, and personal safety. These easy-to-read guides include checklists and tips to help reduce risks and protect yourself, your family, and your community.
👉 Click below to read the full resource from Victoria Police
Celebrating 15 Years of Saving Lives and Rebuilding Communities!
Disaster Aid Australia warmly invites you to attend their annual conference, celebrating 15 years of saving lives by rebuilding communities after major disasters and delivering Safe Water for Every Child installations.
📅 When Saturday, 11th October 2025
9:30 am – 4:00 pm | Conference
6:30 pm – 11:00 pm | Dinner
📍 Where The Dandenong Club
1579 Heatherton Road
Dandenong North VIC 3175
🔗 For more information and to register, click here
Invitation to
Hobart District Conference Presentation 02 October 2025
We are excited to announce that DG Peter Behm and Conference Chair Monique Smith will be joining us to give a special presentation on the Hobart District Conference, taking place in March 2026!
Your Club is warmly invited to attend and hear first-hand about the exciting events and opportunities planned for this landmark Conference. Don’t miss this chance to learn, connect, and start planning for what promises to be an unforgettable experience.
📍 Venue: Keysborough Golf Club, 55 Hutton Rd, Keysborough
⏰ Time: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
🍽 Dinner: Two-course meal $30 per person (drinks at bar prices)
Come along, bring your Club members, and be part of the excitement—this is a presentation you won’t want to miss!
Rotary 9815 & 9830 District Conference
13th -15th March 2026
Hobart, Tasmania
Welcome to the 2026 District Conference in Hobart, Tasmania!
I am thrilled to invite you to join us from March 13th to 15th, 2026, for an extraordinary event that promises to be both enriching and enjoyable. This year, we are excited to announce that the conference will be a collaborative effort with District 9830, representing Tasmania. Together, we aim to create an unforgettable experience filled with learning, networking, and cultural immersion.
Monique Smith, District 9815, Conference Chair 2025-26
Each September, Rotary shines a spotlight on one of our core areas of focus: Basic Education and Literacy. Across the world, more than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate, and an estimated 250 million children lack basic reading and writing skills. These challenges affect more than education alone—they influence health, employment, and the ability to break the cycle of poverty.
Rotary clubs everywhere are working to change this story. From building schools and supplying books, to training teachers and mentoring students, our network helps to open doors to knowledge and opportunity. Literacy is more than just learning to read and write; it is a pathway to dignity, empowerment, and lasting change in communities.
Here at Rotary, we are encouraged to reflect on how we can contribute—locally and globally. Whether it’s supporting school programs, encouraging a love of reading at home, or partnering with organizations that provide educational resources, every effort helps strengthen the foundation for brighter futures.
This month, let us celebrate the gift of education and remember Rotary’s commitment to creating opportunities through learning. By investing in literacy, we invest in peace, prosperity, and 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.
