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.
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 UPDATE
It’s been another busy and rewarding week for our club, as we continue hands-on community projects, celebrate Rotary Foundation Month, and stay connected with our members and community.
💙 Rotary Foundation Month – Making a Real Difference
November is the perfect time to reflect on the incredible impact of The Rotary Foundation — the heart of Rotary’s humanitarian work. 💫
Through your support, Rotary transforms contributions into life-changing initiatives both locally and globally:
🌾 Fighting disease (including the eradication of polio)
💧 Providing clean water and sanitation
📚 Supporting education and literacy
👩⚕️ Saving mothers and children
💼 Growing local economies
🤝 Promoting peace and conflict resolution
Even small donations are multiplied through District and Global Grants, supporting scholarships, clean water projects, and life-saving health initiatives around the world.
I’m really looking forward to Foundation Chair David Langworthy’s presentation this Tuesday, 18 November, where he’ll share insights on how our contributions fuel these amazing projects and how we can all make a difference. Don’t miss it!
🏛️ Annual General Meeting (AGM) – Postponed
Please note that our AGM has been postponed until further notice. Members will be advised as soon as a new date is confirmed.
Howard, Hans, and the EHMS team have successfully completed the ASRC garden bed project. Photos of the team and the finished work are included — a fantastic example of hands-on Rotary teamwork in action!
📍 Officer Sikh Temple Visit – 25 November
We’re looking forward to our upcoming visit to the Gurdwara Siri Guru Nanak Darbar in Officer. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about Sikh culture, the community meals they provide, and their incredible hospitality.
Last year’s visit was a memorable evening — the complimentary meal was delicious, and it was inspiring to see the Gurdwara’s community work in action. I’ve also invited other clubs in our district, so it promises to be a great social and cultural event.
We’ve had only a small number of registrations so far, so please register early on Clubrunner and join us for this unique experience — don’t miss it!
🍚 ASRC Rice Packing and Dinner Night – 9 December 2025
Phil has shared details for this much-loved, hands-on community event:
We’ll be purchasing Basmati rice and repacking it into 1kg bags to help our local community — a simple yet meaningful way to make a real difference. There’s space for 14–16 people, so don’t miss your chance to get involved!
This event is always fun, interactive, and a great way to work together as a team. After the packing, we’ll enjoy dinner together (location to be advised), giving us the perfect opportunity to catch up, relax, and celebrate our contributions.
Please confirm your attendance for both the packing and dinner — register early on ClubRunner to secure your spot!
🔥 Bunnings Narre Warren BBQ – Saturday, 7 February 2026
We’re excited to announce a high-volume BBQ at the brand-new Bunnings Narre Warren store! This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our club to the community.
This will be a very busy day, and we’ll need a big team on deck. Make sure you register early on ClubRunner and be part of this fun, high-profile community event!
📅 Upcoming Events (in date order)
Nov 17, 2025 – 💼 Board Meeting #5, Dandenong Club
Nov 18, 2025 – 🌐 DWPS and Rotary Foundation Month Presentation
Nov 25, 2025 – 📍 Officer Sikh Temple Visit, Gurdwara Siri Guru Nanak Darbar, Officer
Dec 02, 2025 – 🎄 Christmas Business Breakfast Meeting, Dandenong Club
Dec 09, 2025 – 🍚 ASRC Rice Packing and Dinner Night
Dec 16, 2025 – 🎅 Christmas Social Night, Dandenong Club
Dec 23, 2025 – Jan 20, 2026 – 🎄 Christmas Break
Jan 27, 2026 – 🎉 Social Night
Feb 07, 2026 – 🔥 Bunnings Narre Warren BBQ
Feb 21, 2026 – 💃 Indian Dinner Dance
Feb 24, 2026 – 📜 Anniversary of Rotary’s Foundation (Feb 23)
Thank you for your ongoing passion, service, and fellowship — together, we’re making a real difference in our community. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at Tuesday’s Foundation presentation!
Guest Speaker: Jacqui Weatherill,
CEO, City of Greater Dandenong
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CLUB MEETINGS
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.
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
Numbering in the millions, community health workers form a vast safety net for basic health interventions, including vital vaccines. The Rotary Foundation relies on its work to carry out initiatives, including the Rotary Programs of Scale grant, which is providing high-quality maternal care in Nigeria. In honor of Foundation Month in November, learn more about the global push to support community health workers in Rotary magazine online.
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.
