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
This week highlighted the strength of leadership, service, fellowship, and youth within Rotary. A major highlight was Tuesday night’s Vocational Visit to Disaster Aid Australia, where members joined fellow Rotarians for an inspiring evening showcasing the impact of safe water, disaster relief, and community rebuilding programs both locally and internationally.
Members from both our Club and Satellite Club joined Rotarians from Springvale City Rotary Club for the vocational visit, which provided valuable insights into humanitarian projects focused on disaster relief, safe water initiatives, and strengthening community resilience. The evening also provided an excellent opportunity to strengthen fellowship, friendship, and Rotary connections across clubs.
We also acknowledge a significant achievement within the Disaster Aid Australia network, with recognition awarded to Max Bird of Rotary Projects Timor-Leste East, a valued partner in the Safe Water for Every Child program. Max has been honoured with one of only ten RAWCS Humanitarian Awards, presented by Sam Mostyn, for his outstanding long-term humanitarian work in Timor-Leste, including extensive water supply projects and leadership in safe water installations. This recognition reflects years of sustained service and commitment to improving lives through access to safe water.
Another successful safe water installation has recently been completed, proudly sponsored by the Rotary Club of Sandy Bay. A SmartAid UltraFilter has been installed at Chroul Primary School in Kampong Cham by partner organisation Heartprint. This important project will provide safe drinking water for hundreds of children and their families, helping to prevent water-borne disease and improve long-term health outcomes.
President-Elect Leanne Byron also attended In Conversation with Michelle Obama, describing it as “an experience of a lifetime.” Michelle Obama’s message of leadership, inclusion, resilience, and empowerment strongly reflected Rotary’s values and our shared commitment to creating positive change within our communities.
Looking ahead to next Tuesday night’s meeting, Alan Lachman will present on the inspiring work of Nethra Vidyalaya and Insight, highlighting the remarkable resilience of visually impaired students who continue to move forward with courage, purpose, and belief in their dreams. Insight also supports their sister school in Hyderabad, including Years 11 and 12 education and tertiary college pathways.
Chroul Primary School:
🌟 ‘An Experience of a Lifetime’ – Leanne Byron
On Tuesday, Colin and I had the opportunity to attend In Conversation with Michelle Obama.
As I prepare for my upcoming year as President, I was especially eager and excited to attend such an inspirational event.
What resonated most with me were the strong parallels between Michelle Obama’s public philosophy and Rotary’s mission — a shared commitment to creating meaningful social change through empathy, leadership, service, integrity, and positive action.
Michelle Obama is widely recognised for championing values such as service, education, leadership, inclusion, resilience, integrity, and community empowerment. Through initiatives focused on health, education for girls, mentorship, and civic engagement, she has consistently emphasised the importance of lifting others through opportunity, compassion, collaboration, and leading by example.
These values closely align with those of Rotary International, whose guiding principles include Service Above Self, ethical leadership, promoting peace, supporting education, fighting disease, and strengthening local communities.
In summary: Effective leadership is not defined by gender, but by character, capability, integrity, and the ability to empower others. Women often lead with a strong sense of inclusion and emotional intelligence, creating environments where people feel valued, heard, and motivated to contribute.
🌏 VOCATIONAL VISIT to Disaster Aid Australia
On Tuesday evening, members of our Club and Satellite Club, together with Rotarians from the Springvale City Rotary Club, had the pleasure of visiting Disaster Aid Australia (DAA). A heartfelt thank you to Brian Ashworth and Cherie Ramsay for hosting us. The tour and presentations were outstanding, and the dinner provided was delicious.
The fellowship shared over dinner was a wonderful example of what Rotary is all about — learning, connecting, enjoying friendship and fellowship, and making a positive difference in the world.
Special thanks to the TOBS Trust. DAA was delighted to hear that a donation towards an Ultra Filter has been pledged in honour of the Rotary Club of Greater Dandenong and Endeavour Hills.
TheSmartAid UltraFilter provides ‘Safe WATER for every CHILD’, every $1 protects a child for 1 year.
Disaster Aid Australia strongly aligns with several of Rotary’s Areas of Focus.
Rotary’s seven Areas of Focus are:
Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention
Disease Prevention and Treatment
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
Maternal and Child Health
Basic Education and Literacy
Community Economic Development
Supporting the Environment
Based on its work in disaster relief, safe water systems, shelter rebuilding, training, and community resilience, disasteraidaustralia.org.au clearly contributes to several of these areas. For more information about the incredible work of DAA, which is a major international project of our club, please click on the link above.
🤝 ROTARY YOUTH SERVICE MONTH
As you will all be aware, May is Youth Service Month, and we are very fortunate to have a new group of very passionate and dedicated Interactors at Lyndale Secondary College.
They have recently decided on the projects they plan to do this year, which are as follows:
The students identified the extreme loneliness of the elderly in our community and are currently planning a visit to the same local aged care facility we visited last year.
They have also expressed their concerns relating to Domestic Violence and the need for ‘Care Packages’ for those fleeing from unsafe environments, and a Mental Health Initiative at the school.
Many of you will remember that in July/August 2025 MH Training provided both Teen & Youth Mental Health First Aid for Year 10 students and 14 staff which has had a huge impact on both students and teachers.
This was made possible by a ‘matched’ district grant. It was hoped that this course would be run again during this Rotary year, however it did not eventuate. I have already prepared a grant proposal for the new Rotary year, as it needs to be submitted to District asap. Hopefully we will receive approval for the grant early in the new year.
There is a considerable amount of discussion currently taking place between the students regarding their Interact International Project. They hope to have a decision within the next few weeks.
I urge all Rotarians to ‘save the date’ for the induction ceremony which will be held at the school on Monday June 22nd at 1:20pm. It would be great to have as many representatives from our club as possible in attendance on the day.
The students are working on an invitation which will be sent out to Community leaders as well as Rotarians.
🏅 Recognition for a Valued Disaster Aid Australia Partner
Congratulations to our friend Max Bird from Rotary Projects Timor-Leste East, a valued partner of our Disaster Aid Australia project, on receiving one of only ten RAWCS Humanitarian Awards presented by Sam Mostyn for his outstanding humanitarian work in Timor-Leste over many years.
In addition to delivering numerous water supply projects, Max has played a significant role in establishing 34 Safe Water for Every Child installations, with a further 20 planned for this year.
Members wishing to support this important initiative can make a tax-deductible donation before July towards the SAFE WATER FOR EVERY CHILD programs operating in Bhutan, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, and Cambodia.
🌊 Additional Safe Water Installation – Cambodia
Another successful Safe Water for Every Child installation has been completed through our Disaster Aid Australia project, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Sandy Bay, Tasmania.
A SmartAid UltraFilter has been installed at Chroul Primary School, Kampong Cham, Cambodia, by our partner Heartprint. This vital system will protect hundreds of children and their families from water-borne diseases.
Members and supporters can continue to make a tax-deductible donation this year to support SAFE WATER FOR EVERY CHILD programs in Bhutan, the Philippines, Timor-Leste, and Cambodia: www.disasteraidaustralia.org.au/donate
🌱 Keep On Creating Hope – Sponsorship Opportunity
Mark Jones has been in contact regarding the Keep On Creating Hope program, which offers members the opportunity to sponsor a child through scholarship support. He is planning to announce a forthcoming fundraising initiative, which will include a visit in March by Florence Nyambura to speak with prospective donors.
Donation details:
Direct Payment – Keep On Creating Hope
BSB: 083 543
Account: 881087475
Child Secondary Sponsorship – One Year: $370.00 AUD
Optional online support: www.keeponcreatinghope.com.au
Select: Support our work → Educational Support → Secondary Education Option → Donate
📚 District Assembly 2026 – Saturday 23 May
District 9815’s annual District Assembly will be held online on Saturday, 23 May 2026, providing an engaging day of learning and development for Rotarians and Rotaractors of all experience levels.
This year’s flexible format allows members to register for individual sessions or attend multiple sessions throughout the day, with each 45-minute session led by experienced District specialists. The program is designed to support incoming Club Executives, Directors, and members preparing for the new Rotary year commencing 1 July 2026.
🧭 District Assembly Session Program
9.00am – 9.45am | Marketing & Communication (PDG Shia Smart)
Discover how to tell your club’s story with impact, strengthen your brand, and stand out in a crowded digital landscape.
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tjT-RvxqSqKLwFOs8s1P5Q
10.00am – 10.45am | Foundation (PDG & DFC Alma Reynolds)
Explore how The Rotary Foundation transforms contributions into meaningful, life-changing projects and how clubs can maximise their impact.
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/7gziovMMSA66ta38n6-YZA
Members are encouraged to register for one or multiple sessions based on their interests. This is an excellent opportunity to connect, learn, and strengthen club capability ahead of the new Rotary year.
We hope to see many of our members participating online.
🌏 Rotary South Pacific Conference 2026
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.
🕊️ Rotary Club of Casey Upcoming Speaker – Rob Evans | Monday 25 May 2026
Rob Evans, the 2026 Cardinia Citizen of the Year, will be the guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Casey meeting on Monday, 25 May 2026, at The Hill, Parkhill, Berwick (Parkhill Drive, Berwick VIC 3806). 6 pm for 6:30 pm start.
Rob will share the powerful and deeply personal story behind Liv’s Legacy, along with the important advocacy work now being undertaken to raise awareness of mental health challenges and eating disorders within our community, following the tragic loss of his daughter, Liv, to anorexia nervosa in April 2023 at just 15 years of age.
Since that time, Rob has become a dedicated advocate for young people and families through initiatives such as the 36 Months Project, helping to drive vital conversations around early intervention, improved support services, and stronger community awareness.
His story has been featured in the Pakenham Officer Star News under the headline: “Dad’s tragic appeal for change”.
Members are encouraged to extend this invitation to friends and family, as all are warmly welcome to attend.
📘 Stay Connected! 👉 Follow Rotary District 9815 on Facebook for updates on community projects, events, and ways to get involved.
Click Like & Follow now!
From Right to Left: DG Gabriel Rodriguez, PDG Jorge Arao, His wife Cuca, and me
Recently, I was invited to speak at the District 4100 District Conference in Los Mochis, Sinaloa. District 4100 is the district in Mexico that is directly over the border.
My topic was “Building Bridges of Change and Transforming Communities Through Rotary”, as requested by their organizing committee, which is a perfect fit for our Rotary International June Theme of “Fellowship Month”.
The conference included over 550 participants and went from Thursday to Sunday.
The conference was a mix of informational speakers, to project sharing, to outstanding social events.
Why do I say this is related to Fellowship month?
I was asked to invite a contingent of members from our district to their conference next year to share our projects as they share theirs in an effort to create partnerships within our clubs. The 2027 conference will be in Ensenada on May 13-16.
This was a result of my presentation, which was very well received. The presentation just before mine was on AI (Artificial Intelligence), and I jokingly asked the presenter if he could make me look younger (see photo).
My aide was PDG Jorge Arao, who was of Japanese descent and whose family came here in the early 1900s, but settled in Mexico instead of the US, like my family. We are also DG Classmates, so all these connections kept coming up.
Rotary friendships can leverage your projects and create networks globally. Please consider taking advantage of these contacts and consider using a Global Grant for your community projects, because all it takes is an international partner for you to qualify for one.
The success of any project is when it becomes sustainable, then becomes a continuing program that keeps growing. It is essential to continue nurturing these friendships if you want your projects to succeed. These projects should not be a “gift” but instead an investment to assist a life-long friendship.
AI Version of a “Young” Wade after they found out I was a BMX Champion
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.
