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 make sure you stay in the loop.
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 MESSAGE
President’s Update — What a Week!
Wow, what a whirlwind week it’s been! I kicked things off at the Men’s Community Breakfast for Mental Health, hosted by the John Mc Foundation. It was a fantastic morning—running into our own Paul Morris, alongside City of Casey Mayor Cr.StefanKoomen and Deputy Mayor Cr.MelindaAmbros. A real highlight was the Q&A with Hawthorn great Michael Tuck, who opened up about his football journey and the challenges of mental health post-career — a timely reminder of the importance of checking in on ourselves and those around us.
From there, I dropped by our Rotary Club BBQ at Bunnings Dandenong, where Deputy Mayor Ambros again showed her support. A huge thank you to everyone who helped out on the day — we raised close to $950, which will go directly to community initiatives. That’s a great result, and an even better show of teamwork!
On Tuesday night, we held our Club Planning Night, where we formed our project committees. It was great to see the energy and enthusiasm in the room — plenty of big ideas and a shared commitment to getting things done.
I’m looking forward to seeing these projects come to life over the coming months.
📝 Club Feedback Questionnaire – Now Open!
We launched our Club Feedback Questionnaire last week and would love to hear from every member. It only takes a few minutes and will help us build a stronger, more connected club.
🔒 It’s completely anonymous — but if you’d like us to contact you about your feedback, there’s an option at the end to leave your name and contact details. If you do, your feedback will no longer be anonymous.
📊 What happens next?
We’ll present the results to the club
Open it up for discussion
Develop real action plans based on your input
This is your chance to help shape the direction of our club. Whether it’s the way we meet, the projects we run, or how we support each other, your voice matters.
Thanks again to everyone who contributed their time, ideas, and enthusiasm this week. Whether you were flipping sausages, forming committees, or helping behind the scenes, it all makes a difference.
Friday, 5th August RYDA Program
We’re looking for volunteers to assist from 9:00 am - 2:30 pm
Friday, 5th September Wheelchairs for Kids Wheelathon
The club will also be providing a BBQ for this fundraising event; we'd appreciate as many members as possible assisting on the day.
NB: Where Club meetings are listed as TBC, please refer to the Events Calendar on our club website for the latest updates.
Satellite Club Update
Our Satellite Club, Impact Collective, is going from strength to strength! On Sunday, 20th July, we proudly inducted Selba as a new member and welcomed our long-time friend Lana as a Friend of Rotary.
Since then, three more members have joined, and we've had several requests for membership forms — a clear sign that the Impact Collective is gaining real momentum. Keep an eye out for more exciting updates from this vibrant and growing group!
AFRI-AUS Care Project initiated by our Satellite Club ‘Impact Collective.’
This ‘Garden’ project will make an incredible difference to the volunteers, families, and young people who attend this very safe, secure, and empowering space in Springvale South.
A huge thank you goes to Terry Valentine, who jumped on board when the prospective project was explained to him.
Terry has joined Leanne on site visits and Zoom meetings to evaluate the scope of the project and put a plan together.
There is a considerable amount of work involved at Afri-Aus Care for which we are also enlisting the help of experts in the areas required.
Ross worked on Cornerstone and has been down to check out the gardens and is offering his expert advice.
The kitchen needs a renovation and requires commercial equipment. There is a possibility of utilising commercial equipment from another facility in Croydon, which they are happy to donate.
Leanne & Colin’s son Matt is assessing the extent of repair work to the building and is willing to volunteer to do the repairs to the brickwork as soon as possible.
This project is like our Cornerstone Project, which Kam led in his year as President, which was the Rotary Centenary year.
It is pleasing to advise that the Afri-Aus Care Community is very engaged in working with Rotary and spent 8 hours working in the garden on Sunday,20th July.
They are all proud of their achievements and were extremely grateful for the detailed list of instructions provided by Terry.
They were able to plant their white corn seeds just days after filling the garden beds and will be able to plant more vegetables in August.
This project will be sustainable and will be ‘seed to table’, empowering, engaging, and feeding the Afri-Aus Care community.
Selba Gondoza-Luka OAM, founder and CEO of Afri-Aus Care Inc., is now an enthusiastic member of our Satellite Club and is recruiting prospective new Rotarians for us.
Selba is a very highly respected, committed, and caring lady who is empowering youth, women, and children every day of the week. On Sundays, she cooks and delivers delicious food to the boys in Youth detention at Parkville.
Bunnings BBQ Photo Gallery
Saturday, 26th July 2025
Our latest BBQ fundraiser on Saturday, 27th July, was a fantastic success! Not only was it a great opportunity to raise funds for our club’s community projects, but it was also a chance to connect with the public and showcase Rotary in action.
A heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers who gave up part of their weekend to help out on the day.
Interact Lyndale Secondary College BBQ
Monday, 28th July 2025
On Monday, 29th July, our members fired up the BBQ at Lyndale Secondary College to support the school’s Interact Club Recruitment Day. The event was a great success, with students flocking to the BBQ and showing strong interest in Interact and Rotary’s youth programs.
We received a lovely letter of thanks following the event, with all funds raised going to Wheelchairs for Kids. This marks the beginning of a series of fundraising efforts by the students, leading up to Wheel-a-thon Day on Friday, 5th September, where Rotary will again be providing a BBQ.
It was fantastic to see Rotarians in action — including members of our Satellite Club, Impact Collective — supporting our Interactors. A special shout-out to the Interact students, who jumped right in by helping serve and manage payments on the day. Their enthusiasm and teamwork were on full display, and we couldn’t be prouder.
Thank you again for all your efforts in organising the BBQ yesterday. The BBQ was a huge success, and everyone’s efforts are much appreciated by me, the students, and the Lyndale College Leadership Team. I will let you know how much we raised for the Wheel-a-thon when you return from your holiday. I sent the below message to the students on Teams.
Hope you and Colin have a wonderful holiday and please pass my thanks on to Colin and the rest of the Rotary personnel for all their help and support yesterday.
Kind regards, Jackie Smith INTERACT LSC
A Note of Thanks – Birthing Kit Donation
Leanne and Jackie recently received a heartfelt thank-you from Birthing Kit Foundation Australia (BKFA) for their contribution of birthing kits, packed with care and purpose. These kits are sent to women facing some of the most difficult conditions during childbirth, where even basic medical supplies can be life-saving.
In July, kits packed by our members were distributed to several field partners, including organisations in Nigeria and Papua New Guinea. It's a powerful reminder of the real impact we can make from right here in our local community.
Below is the message Leanne and Jackie received from BKFA:
Dear Leanne and Jackie,
BKFA Birthing Kits packed by you and your group go to women living in and facing the most challenging of circumstances when they give birth. One kit can mean the difference between life and death.
You'll be pleased to know that we distributed kits to the following field partners in July. Look into the partners we work with on our website here. Please look for the latest information on our partners in our website blog.
Thank you so much for your support.
Kit Distribution Report
Country
Partner organisation
Women Glory
Nigeria
Rotary Action Group for Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health
Safer Hands Initiative
Papua New Guinea
PNG Sustainable Development Program
Nigeria
Divine Act Charitable Trust
Hilary Carruthers | Assembly Day Coordinator
Call for Volunteers
RYDA Program: Tuesday, 5th August
We’ve received a request for volunteer support at the upcoming RYDA (Rotary Youth Driver Awareness) day on Tuesday, 5th August, at the Sandown Greyhound Complex. The participating school will be Killester College, and we’re looking for six volunteers to assist from 9:00am to 2:30pm.
If you haven’t been involved in RYDA before, it’s a truly rewarding Rotary initiative that equips young people with the tools and knowledge to stay safe on the roads. Having participated myself, I can confidently say it’s a life-saving program that makes a visible impact.
If you’re available to help, please get in touch with Alan Collier as soon as possible on 0418 355 607.
The club will also be providing a BBQ for this fundraising event; we'd appreciate as many members as possible assisting on the day.
The Interact club members have been planning both of these events throughout Term 2, designing flyers and coming up with innovative fundraising and fun activities.
A quick catch-up with District Governor Peter Behm
Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is David Button, and I’m honoured to serve as the current District Communications Chair for District 9815.
While much of my Rotary role involves helping the world see what Rotary does, I'm just as passionate about keeping you—our members—informed, inspired, and connected.
With that in mind, I’m delighted to share the very first District News video from our District Governor, Peter Behm. It’s short, it’s fresh, and it’s a chance to hear directly from the DG about what’s happening across our district and where we’re headed together.
Even if Rotary news isn’t usually your thing, I encourage you to take just a few minutes to see what Peter has to say. You might be surprised at how relevant, down-to-earth, and energising it is. I’ve added chapter markers to the video so you can easily skip to the parts that interest you, especially handy if you’re short on time like I am!
Let’s make this new chapter in Rotary one we can all be proud of.
Yours in Rotary
David Button
District 9815 Communications Chair 2024-26
District 9815 Webmaster 2024-2026
E: david.button@rotary9815.org.au
Email is the best way to reach me — I appreciate your understanding that my family and business commitments mean I may not be available by phone.
AUSTRALIAN ROTARY HEALTH
Combined Lift the Lid Walk
Over 100 walkers joined the combined Lift the Lid Walk hosted by the Rotary Club of Karrinyup, Rotary Club of Scarborough, and Rotary Club of Osborne Park. We’re also grateful for the support of Councillor Tony Krsticevic, Councillor Rob Paparde, and Councillor Karlo Perkov.
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.
Afri-Aus Care Inc., is now an enthusiastic member of our Satellite Club and is recruiting prospective new Rotarians for us.
