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
What an honour it was to attend Friday night’s Presidents Meeting and Awards Night. I am delighted to share that on Friday, 29 May 2026, our Club was recognised with a prestigious District 9815 Governor’s Excellence Silver Award in acknowledgement of our achievements throughout the Rotary year.
This award reflects the dedication, commitment, and service of our Club. From community projects and fundraising initiatives to youth programs, fellowship activities, and the countless hours volunteered behind the scenes, this recognition belongs to all of us.
As President, I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together. This award is a testament to the strength of our Club, our willingness to serve, and the positive impact we continue to make within our community and beyond.
Thank you for your support, enthusiasm, and contributions throughout the year. Whether you volunteered at an event, supported a fundraiser, participated in a project, attended meetings, or simply lent a helping hand when needed, you have played a part in this success.
Congratulations to our members on this outstanding achievement. Let us celebrate this milestone and continue building on the strong foundations that make our Club such a success.
At Tuesday night’s meeting, we also had the privilege of hearing from District Governor Nominee Murray Wilson, who spoke about his important role as a Bail Justice in Victoria. A Bail Justice is an appointed volunteer who hears after‑hours bail and remand applications when the courts are closed — including nights, weekends, and public holidays.
They provide an essential service to Victoria Police by assessing whether adults or young people in custody should be released or remanded until their first court hearing. It is a critical role within the justice system that requires sound judgment, integrity, and a strong sense of community responsibility.
It was a highly informative and thought‑provoking presentation, and we sincerely thank Murray for the valuable work he does in supporting our community.
🔄 Club Changeover Dinner – Tuesday 30 June
Join us for our annual Club Changeover as we formally close out the Rotary year and welcome the incoming leadership team for 2026–27.
📍 Venue: Dandenong Club
📅 Date: Tuesday 30 June
🕡 Arrival: 6.30 pm for a 7.00 pm start
🎉 A key night in our club calendar — recognising the contribution of members, thanking outgoing board members, and formally installing the new leadership team.
🎟️ Bookings are now open via ClubRunner. Please secure your tickets early to assist with final numbers.
We look forward to a strong turnout for an enjoyable and fitting end to the Rotary year.
👥 Membership Update – 2026–27 Rotary Year
As we move towards the new Rotary year, the incoming Board is finalising membership records and preparing for the year ahead.
Membership invoices for 2026–27 will be issued in mid-June, with payment due in July. Members may also elect to pay in two instalments (50% in July and 50% in December).
Please do not make any payments before 1 July 2026, as banking arrangements are being updated and revised details will be provided with invoices.
Members intending to continue their membership are not required to take any action unless their contact details have changed.
Members considering resignation or retirement are requested to advise Incoming Secretary Phillip Thurgood in writing by 15 June 2026, where possible. This assists with accurate records, planning, budgeting, and Rotary reporting requirements.
For any membership enquiries, please contact President-Elect Leanne Byron or Incoming Secretary Phillip Thurgood.
We thank all members for their ongoing commitment, service, and fellowship, and look forward to the year ahead.
❤️ Health Update – Leanne Byron
We understand that Leanne is currently recovering following surgery on Thursday. We extend our best wishes for a smooth recovery and hope she returns to good health soon.
💧 Disaster Aid Australia – Safe Water Mindanao Project
We recently received wonderful news from Disaster Aid Australia regarding our support of the Safe Water Mindanao Project.
Our contribution has helped fund the installation of a SmartAid UltraFilter system, which will directly impact hundreds of people and provide access to safe drinking water for years to come. The filters will now be sent to Disaster Aid Australia's partners in the Philippines, Safe Water for Every Child Philippines, who are ready to undertake the installation.
A sincere thank you goes to everyone who has supported our international service initiatives. It is always rewarding to see the tangible impact that Rotary can make in communities across the world. We look forward to receiving further updates from Trisha as the project progresses.
🎶 Melbourne Youth Chorale – End of Financial Year Appeal
The Melbourne Youth Chorale End of Financial Year Appeal is now live and is well worth your consideration.
Melbourne Youth Chorale provides a place of belonging for young people through the power of choral music. For many participants, it is much more than a choir—it is a supportive community where young people can grow, connect, and thrive.
For some children, MYC is the community they need most. Every donation received before 30 June is tax-deductible and helps ensure that this important program can continue to support young people across our community.
A very special happy 80th birthday to John Angwin.
Eighty years young and still going strong! While most people at 80 are looking for their reading glasses, John is still finding ways to keep Rotarians entertained and involved. Some say Rotary was founded in 1905 so that John would have somewhere to spend his retirement years.
John, thank you for your friendship and contribution to our Club over many years. We hope you have a wonderful celebration with family and friends.
Remember, you're not 80 — you're 18 with 62 years of Rotary experience!
🎲 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.
Alan Collier is seeking additional volunteers to assist with the RYDA road safety program at Sandown Greyhound Track on Tuesday, 9 June.
Volunteers are required between 9:30am and 3:00pm. Year 11 students will participate in a structured safe driving education experience, including presentations on responsible driving behaviour, stopping distances at various speeds, and the real-life consequences of road trauma.
If you are available to assist, please contact Alan as soon as possible.
🤝 Club Visit – Rotary Club of Noble Park–Dingley
Tuesday, 9 June, members are invited to join the Rotary Club of Noble Park–Dingley for a special presentation by Brian Ashworth from Disaster Aid Australia on the SmartAid UltraFilter program.
This is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about one of Rotary's most impactful international service projects while enjoying fellowship with Rotarians from another club.
A sincere thank you to the Rotary Club of Noble Park–Dingley for extending this invitation to our members.
Please ensure you RSVP to Peter Faulkner by9:00 am on Saturday, 6 June.
Thank you all for your continued service and support as we continue to make a positive difference in our community and beyond.
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.
young people can grow, connect, and thrive.
