🍕 Cornerstone Meal Service
Yesterday’s Cornerstone Meal Service was a huge success! We handed out 30 pizzas, and it was refreshing to see smiles on so many faces. I was genuinely touched hearing the stories of those we served — a powerful reminder of why our community service matters most.
While there, I also toured the vegetable garden Rotary previously built. It’s thriving and continues to provide fresh produce and a sense of purpose to local residents.
Fun fact: The world record for the most varieties of cheese on a pizza is 1,001, achieved in Lyon, France, in October 2023 — proving that pizza can always surprise you!

🌭 Dandenong West Primary School BBQ – Last Saturday
Our team fired up the BBQ at Dandenong West Primary School, serving up 500 sausages to students, parents, teachers, and past students. It was another fantastic community event filled with laughter, connection, and plenty of hungry smiles.
I was particularly impressed with Brian’s colourful shirt — it practically deserved its own award! I’m seriously considering creating a “Best Dressed BBQ Attendee” trophy for next year.
Funny fact: According to Bunnings BBQ legends, the perfect sausage-to-bread ratio is 1:1 — unless you drop one, in which case it becomes a “taste test.”
A big thank you to everyone who helped out — your efforts made it a sizzling success!

🔧 Men’s Shed Update
Howard confirmed that on Thursday, he visited the ASRC and painted 7.4 metres of beams. He also brought back two rusted long beams to the Endeavour Hills Men’s Shed, where they’ll be cleaned up and repainted — work he’s looking to complete on Monday.
A great example of hands-on Rotary teamwork and community collaboration.

🦧 Meeting Recap – Orangutans – Tuesday Night’s Meeting
Tuesday’s meeting was both educational and emotional, with guest speaker Mark sharing his passion for orangutans.
I learnt something fascinating — “orangutan” translates to “person of the forest” in Malay and Indonesian, and they share around 97% of their DNA with humans.
Mark also spoke about sponsoring an orangutan for just $20 per month. I’m seriously considering it myself and would encourage members to do the same — a small act that makes a big difference.

📎 Bonus: A flyer with a QR code will be available so you can adopt your own orangutan — quick, easy, and a great way to contribute.

🎭 Two Truths and a Lie
This week’s game was a highlight — and it was my turn in the hot seat! My three statements were:
1️⃣ I was once an extra in Neighbours but got fired for smiling during a funeral scene.
2️⃣ I’ve won multiple trophies at car shows, including the Deni Ute Muster and Ballarat All Holden Show.
3️⃣ I’ve owned several Ford vehicles.

Most members guessed the Ford statement was the lie — except Vicky Collier, who cleverly picked the Neighbours story.
There were plenty of laughs as I shared tales from owning several Fords and modifying one of them with a six-foot crowbar while my wife was out shopping, only for her to return early and catch me red-handed, plus a mix-up over Falcon model generations that accidentally helped me with the lie.


💙 Member Wellbeing
It was wonderful to see John Angwin back at our meeting following his surgery. Both John and Kam Pow are recovering well — we wish them a continued and speedy recovery.

📅 Upcoming Events in Date Order
 

Tuesday 4th Nov – Cup Day: No meeting

Tuesday 11th Nov – Annual General Meeting (AGM):
Alan has already emailed the Notice of the AGM of the Rotary Club of Greater Dandenong Endeavour Hills, along with a voting proxy form in case more than one person is nominating for a position.
Nominations close this Wednesday, and Alan will send out a list of nominations shortly afterward, along with advice on whether a vote will be required.
If you’re unable to attend, please remember to return your proxy form so your vote can be counted.

Tuesday 2nd Dec – Rotary Club Christmas Morning Breakfast 2025
Business Breakfast Fundraiser – Celebrate the Spirit of Christmas and Community
Join us for a joyful morning of fellowship, inspiration, and festive cheer as we gather to reflect on another year of Rotary service and celebrate the season of giving. Invite your business contacts and help us make this a memorable community and networking event!  

Guest Speaker: Jacqui Weatherill
Chief Executive Officer – City of Greater Dandenong

Appointed CEO in December 2022, Jacqui Weatherill is a dynamic leader with over 20 years of experience across local government, the public sector, and not-for-profit organisations. She oversees a $220+ million organisation, leading 1,000 staff and delivering more than 120 essential services to the diverse and vibrant community of Greater Dandenong.
Recognised among the Top 50 Public Sector Women in Victoria (2018), Jacqui is known for her inclusive leadership, strategic vision, and passion for empowering people to achieve meaningful outcomes.

Event Details
Time: 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Venue: The Dandenong Club, 1579 Heatherton Road, Dandenong North
A delicious breakfast will be served as we celebrate Christmas in true Rotary spirit — with goodwill, laughter, and inspiration.

📦 Tuesday 9th Dec – ASRC Packing Night & Dinner
Our club has committed to assisting the ASRC Rice Packing Night. Volunteers will help pack rice and other essential items for families and individuals in need. It’s a fun, hands-on way to give back and make a tangible difference in our community.
A delicious dinner will follow the packing session — a great chance to connect, share stories, and celebrate our collective impact.
Please RSVP with Phil if you can join — every pair of hands counts, and your participation truly makes a difference.

Enjoy the Cup Day break!
Thank you for your continued passion, service, and fellowship — together, we’re making a real difference in our community.

 

 

CLUB MEETINGS

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 pm on Monday. This ensures we can confirm numbers and make the most of our time together.

 

 

 

The potential that disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires have to devastate entire communities in an instant highlights the need to be prepared and able to respond swiftly. Fortunately, Rotary has more than 1.2 million people of action worldwide who are ready to help communities recover when disaster strikes.

By making a donation now to The Rotary Foundation’s Disaster Response Fund, you make it possible for members to take quick and effective action whenever it’s needed and bring hope to people whose lives have been affected.  Your gift makes funding available so Rotary districts in these areas can apply for disaster response grants to provide items such as water, food, medicine, and clothing.

As Hurricane Melissa made landfall in the Caribbean as one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes ever, communities have braced for a destructive impact. Rotary members across the region are preparing to respond, but they need your help now to be able to provide essential supplies in the days and weeks ahead. Right now, the Disaster Response Fund resources are almost depleted. Without your immediate support, our ability to respond to this and other disasters will be limited.

When you donate to the Disaster Response Fund, The Rotary Foundation has the financial resources to help communities through immediate response, short-term assistance, and long-term rebuilding efforts.

Here’s how you can take action: