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
📰 President’s Update
I wasn’t able to attend this week’s meeting as I continue recovering from a virus that I certainly didn’t want to share with fellow members. Despite my absence, the meeting proceeded exceptionally well, with Alan Lachman delivering an inspiring presentation on the remarkable work of Nethra Vidyalaya and Insight.
Alan shared the story of visually impaired students who continue to move forward with extraordinary courage, resilience, determination, and belief in their dreams despite the challenges they face each day. Insight also provides support to its sister school in Hyderabad, including Years 11 and 12 and college programs, helping students access education and opportunities that can genuinely transform lives.
Our Club Changeover Event has now been officially booked at the Dandenong Club for Tuesday, 30 June. Leanne has designed an impressive flyer, which is included in this update. Members are encouraged to register early and secure their tickets as we celebrate another successful Rotary year and formally welcome the incoming Board and leadership team.
Looking ahead to the 2026–2027 Rotary year, Rotary International President-Elect Olayinka Hakeem Babalola has unveiled the official presidential message: “Create Lasting Impact.” The theme calls on Rotarians around the world to move beyond temporary solutions and focus on sustainable, transformational outcomes that strengthen communities for generations to come.
The message places strong emphasis on several key priorities:
• Sustainable Change – addressing the root causes of community challenges through projects that deliver long-term outcomes and measurable impact.
• Welcoming and Vibrant Clubs – creating inclusive, engaging, and collaborative club environments that attract new members while strengthening fellowship and participation.
• Personal Growth Through Service – encouraging Rotarians to develop as leaders, mentors, and community advocates while making a difference through service.
• Partnership and Innovation – building stronger partnerships locally and globally to maximise Rotary’s ability to respond to emerging needs and opportunities.
• Youth and Future Leadership – investing in younger generations through programs including Interact, Rotaract, RYLA, and youth exchange to ensure Rotary remains relevant and impactful into the future.
The “Create Lasting Impact” message strongly aligns with the work already being undertaken across our Club, from youth engagement and community service through to international projects and local partnerships. It serves as a reminder that even the smallest acts of service, when combined with commitment and collaboration, can create enduring change within our communities and beyond.
Tonight is the District 9815 Awards Night, an important evening recognising the outstanding achievements, leadership, innovation, and service across Clubs throughout the District.
I am excited and honoured to be representing our Club tonight as we join fellow Rotarians from across District 9815 to recognise the dedication, commitment, and achievements of so many outstanding members and Clubs. Events such as this provide valuable inspiration, fresh ideas, and a reminder of the broader impact Rotary continues to make locally and internationally.
Next week’s meeting on Tuesday night will feature District Governor Nominee Murray Wilson, who will speak about his role as a Bail Justice.
A Bail Justice in Victoria is an appointed volunteer who hears after-hours bail and remand applications when the courts are closed (nights, weekends and public holidays). This role provides an essential service to Victoria Police, assessing whether adults or children in custody should be released or remanded until their first court appearance.
Also included in this update is information regarding the Rotaract Monash and Casey-Cardinia Games and Trivia Night being held on Saturday, 13 June at Oakleigh Hall from 6:00 pm. Please see the flyer for further details.
Alan Collier is seeking support from club members for RYDA on Tuesday, 9 June at Sandown Greyhound Track.
We need at least four members to assist on the day. Hans and Colin have already confirmed their availability, so three additional volunteers are still required.
Year 11 students will take part in a structured safe driving program, including films on responsible driving behaviour, education on stopping distances at different speeds, and interactive sessions. They will also hear directly from victims of road trauma and related incidents. The program commences at 9.30 am.
If you can help, please reach out directly to Alan Collier as soon as possible 📩.
🎲 Rotaract Monash and Casey-Cardinia Games and Trivia Night
The Rotaract Clubs of Casey Cardinia and Monash have invited us to attend their Games and Trivia Night on Saturday, 13th June.
A number of our Club members attended last year’s event, and it proved to be a fantastic evening filled with fun, fellowship, and strong engagement between Rotary and Rotaract members.
Supporting Rotaract initiatives and events is incredibly important as we continue to encourage and develop the next generation of community leaders and future Rotarians.
Please see the attached flyer for booking and event details.
🎉 District 9815 Changeover 2026
📅 Saturday, 4 July 2026
🕕 6:00 pm – 11:30 pm
📍 Cardinia Cultural Centre
Join Rotarians, partners, and guests for an inspiring evening of fellowship, recognition, and celebration as District 9815 acknowledges the outstanding leadership of District Governor Peter Behm and officially welcomes incoming District Governor Emma Clark and the 2026–2027 District leadership team.
A District Changeover is far more than a formal handover — it is an opportunity for clubs from across the District to come together, reconnect, celebrate achievements, and look ahead to a new Rotary year filled with fresh ideas, new opportunities, and renewed energy.
The evening offers members the chance to strengthen friendships, hear inspiring stories of Rotary service, explore future projects and partnerships, and experience the broader impact Rotary continues to make across our communities and internationally.
Alongside the formal proceedings, the event promises a wonderful atmosphere of fellowship, laughter, networking, and celebration as we begin another exciting Rotary year together.
The Rotary South Pacific Conference 2026 will be held from Friday, 30 October to Sunday, 1 November 2026 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The conference will feature an outstanding program of speakers and sessions focusing on Indigenous partnerships, environmental sustainability, Pacific engagement, peacebuilding, membership growth, club vibrancy, and updates on Rotary Regionalisation.
Members and clubs seeking fresh ideas, practical tools, and renewed inspiration are encouraged to consider attending.
Further information is available via the Rotary South Pacific Conference 2026 website.
Please see the attached flyers and registration information.
Tuesday's presentation by Alan Lachman Written by Leanne Byron
Alan Lachman is a member of our Satellite Club and the Founder of Insight School for the Blind and Vision Impaired, which operated in Berwick for many years and has now been 'gifted to India'.
He has been involved with Rotary for over a decade,during which time
a fantastic partnership was formed.
The journey began with Rotarians driving buses to transport children to and from school, many were travelling quite long distances.
I was very keen to teach vision impaired children to swim, so I contacted the Principal of Insight to offer a 'voluntary' swimming program at North Lodge Swimming Academy. This program ran for many years and was very successful.
Alan's inspirational story is about the transition from Insight in Berwick to the 'gifting of the school' to India. My words certainly won't do justice to this incredible story, so I urge you all to click on the links and find out more about Alan and the Nethra Vidyalaya for Visually Challenged Students in Visakhapatnam, India.
Alan is a very keen supporter of 'music therapy' for disadvantaged children and youth, hence his involvement with the Melbourne Youth Chorale - MYC.
He also supports the JET Helping Hands, Public Benevolent Institution, which is run by the Indian community.
They distribute free groceries to the needy, disadvantaged/underprivileged communities, they also serve thousands of cooked meals to the needy from their Food Trucks.
📘 Stay Connected! 👉 Follow Rotary District 9815 on Facebook for updates on community projects, events, and ways to get involved.
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Benjamin Crook
Communities grow stronger when care comes from within.
For Benjamin Crook, the decision to pursue medicine was deeply personal.
An Ugarem-le man with family ties to Ugar Island in the Torres Strait, Benjamin grew up witnessing the challenges many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families face when navigating healthcare systems during times of illness and crisis. Those experiences stayed with him. They also shaped a strong sense of purpose - a belief that healthcare outcomes improve when communities are supported by people who understand their lived experiences, cultural context and realities firsthand.
Today, Benjamin is completing his medical studies with support through Australian Rotary Health’s Indigenous Health Scholarship program. His journey reflects something much bigger than one individual scholarship. It reflects the long-term importance of investing in future healthcare professionals who can return knowledge, care and leadership back into the communities they come from.
For many rural, regional and First Nations communities across Australia, access to culturally safe healthcare remains one of the most significant barriers to improved health outcomes. That is why programs like the Indigenous Health Scholarship program matter so deeply:
They help remove barriers to study and training.
They help create pathways into medicine and healthcare.
And over time, they help strengthen communities through representation, trust and understanding.
Benjamin’s story is also a reminder that meaningful change often happens quietly. One scholarship. One student. One future doctor. And one community strengthened because someone chose to support the work.
This is the impact of Australian Rotary Health.
And it is only possible because of the continued support of Rotarians and donors across Australia.
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.
International President-Elect Olayinka Hakeem Babalola has unveiled the official presidential message: “Create Lasting Impact.” The theme calls on Rotarians around the world to move beyond temporary solutions and focus on sustainable, transformational outcomes that strengthen communities for generations to come.
