Welcome to this week's edition of the Gateway Bulletin!
We're here to provide you with the latest updates, events, and stories from our Rotary community. Whether it's new initiatives, upcoming meetings, or opportunities to get involved, we'll ensure you're kept informed and up to date.
Our Facebook page is also an excellent way to stay updated on our club's activities. If you haven't connected yet, click here to follow.
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
John Peck
President of the Rotary Club of Greater Dandenong and Endeavour Hills
As members of Rotary, we dedicate January to Vocational Service, one of the foundational avenues of service in Rotary International. This month presents an opportunity to reflect on how our professional lives can embody the Rotary motto, “Service Above Self.”
Vocational Service calls on Rotarians to leverage their unique skills, talents, and expertise to make a positive impact in their communities and beyond. It is about using our professions as platforms for ethical conduct, mentorship, and community betterment.
What Does Vocational Service Mean?
At its core, Vocational Service encourages:
Adhering to High Ethical Standards: Rotarians uphold integrity in their personal and professional lives. By living out the Four-Way Test, we ensure our actions promote truth, fairness, goodwill, and benefit to all.
Recognising the Value of All Professions: Every occupation plays a vital role in the fabric of society. Rotary celebrates and respects the diversity of vocations represented in its membership.
Serving Others Through Expertise: Rotarians can use their professional skills to meet community needs. This might include offering pro bono services, organizing career guidance programs, or supporting vocational training for underserved populations.
Rotarians around the world are making a difference through vocational service. From providing technical training in underserved areas to mentoring future leaders, these initiatives highlight the profound impact of combining professional expertise with a heart for service.
Let us use this month to reaffirm our commitment to vocational service and inspire others to do the same. Together, we can continue to create meaningful change through our professions, living out the Rotary ideals every day.
Article published in "MOMENTUM" Monash Health Foundation Newsletter Summer 2024
The Rotary District 9815 Gala Event recently made headlines in Monash Health Foundation's "Momentum" Summer 2024 newsletter, highlighting the incredible impact of this unforgettable evening. The event brought together passionate individuals dedicated to service, celebrated inspiring initiatives, and raised essential funds for meaningful causes.
We are delighted to include a snapshot of this article in our newsletter, thanks to Peter Faulkner, who kindly submitted it for inclusion:
Rotary & Chisholm Institute
OFEST 2025
After a series of successful events in 2024, Chisholm is gearing up for another exciting year in 2025!
Currently, the team is in full planning mode for their highly anticipated Orientation Festival (OFEST), and they’ve extended a special invitation to the Rotary Club of Dandenong and Endeavour Hills to be involved in the celebrations.
In previous years, our Rotary team has proudly supported Chisholm events by running the BBQ and bringing along banners and signage to promote Rotary's presence in the community. It's been a great opportunity to connect with students, staff, and the broader Dandenong community—and this year will be no exception!
Event Details:
When: Tuesday, 4th February 2025, 11:00am – 1:00pm
This is a fantastic chance to showcase Rotary’s community spirit and support Chisholm’s efforts to welcome their students for the new year.
How to Get Involved:
If you are interested in volunteering and joining the Rotary team at OFEST, please contact Phil Thurgood by Friday, 17th January.
Once confirmed, detailed event information, including parking instructions, will be shared.
Photo from OFEST 2024
Annual Chinese New Year Celebration Fundraising Dinner
As we approach the end of 2024, we hope you and your families have had a happy Christmas season and are ready to ring in the New Year. Looking ahead, we are pleased to continue our celebrations into the Chinese New Year with our annual fundraising dinner. Mark your calendars for this special event, which promises an evening of delicious food, cultural festivities, and an opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause.
Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, 12th February 2025 (15th day of Chinese New Year, Chap Goh May)
Time: 6:30 PM for a 7:00 PM start
Venue: Shangri-La Inn, 37/39 Brentford Square, Forest Hill
Cost: $88 per person ($58 for food and $30 for donation)
RSVP By: Sunday, 12th January 2025
Payment Details:
Bank: Westpac
Account Name: Kam and Christine Pow
BSB: 733385
Account Number: 652293
Reference: CNY Dinner - [Your Name]
Payment Due Date: Sunday, 12th January 2025
This year’s dinner will take place at Shangri-La Inn, where we have reserved the entire restaurant to accommodate up to 110 guests. The evening will feature a sumptuous 10-course menu:
Shangri-La Salmon Fish “Yee Sang” – a Malaysian Chinese New Year specialty
XO Prawn
Sweet & Sour Pork, KL Style
Steamed Barramundi Fish in special sauce
3 Tai Tin Wong (Special vegetable dish)
Free-Range Chicken
Homemade Tofu
Steamed Rice
Good Luck Red Beans Dessert
Chinese Pancake
Please note: This is a BYO wine/beer/spirit event with no corkage charge. Free Chinese tea will be provided, and soft drinks and beer will be available for purchase at the restaurant. Vegetarian meals can be arranged upon request.
Supporting a Worthy Cause
Last year, our Chinese New Year fundraising dinner raised an impressive $12,000, with proceeds going to the Monash Children’s Hospital’s Children’s Cancer Centre. This year, we aim to build on that success. The funds raised will support the Rotary District 9815 Governor’s Partner Project to hire a specialist nurse for the hospital’s Apheresis Therapy program, which provides advanced treatment for children with high-risk cancers.
We are grateful to Mary and Mr. Phoon of Shangri-La Inn, who have generously sponsored a table ($580) for this year’s dinner. Their support, along with yours, helps us make a tangible difference in the lives of children and families facing cancer.
Evening Highlights
In addition to the delectable menu, the evening will feature:
Lion Dance Performance: A traditional lion dance by disciples (John Peck & Kam Pow) of the late Wong Fei Hong from FooShan, China.
Fashion Parade: Adding a touch of flair and fun to the celebration.
Seats are limited to 110, and reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. To secure your spot, please confirm your attendance and make your payment by Sunday, 12th January 2025. Feel free to book a table for family and friends to share in this vibrant celebration.
Let’s come together to celebrate the Year of the Snake and support the exceptional work being done at the Monash Children’s Hospital. Your generosity and participation are what make events like these a success.
DISTRICT EVENTS
Inaugural District 9815 Conference 8 - 30 March 2025
The Inaugural District 9815 Conference will be held in Bendigo from 28 to 30 March 2025. Partners, family, friends, potential members, supporters, and alumni are welcome.
Individual session details and costs are outlined on the booking site.
Please check out the menu on the left-hand side for useful links including FAQs, Accommodation, Tourist Information, Exclusive Winery Tour details, and Committee information.
We look forward to collaborating and celebrating with you in Bendigo.
The Annual Ride for Medical Research 2025
The next annual “Ride For Medical Research” will take place March 16 - 21, 2025, celebrating 40 years of fundraising. Having now raised over $1.32 million for Australian Rotary Health, we look forward to pushing this to over $ 1.4 million in the near future.
This will be the first ride organised under the banner of D9815.
Registration for this popular fundraising event will open in November 2024, with strictly limited places, so get in early to secure your place. (Cost for riders is $998.00, support crew/drivers $800.00)
For early bird registration, please pre-register your interest, in either riding or driving, please send an email to Stephen Spiers: - jsthecrest3154@outlook.com
(Registration will open approximately 2 weeks prior November for those who have pre-registered.)
Join us for the “Ruby Ramble” 2025, Baddaginnie to Benalla.
Approximately 580km over 6 days
Day 1: Baddaginnie - Wangaratta -76km
Day 2: Wangaratta-Chiltern-Rutherglen Loop-98km
Day 3: Wangaratta-Yackandandah-Myrtleford Loop – 125km
Day 4: Wangaratta-Yarrawonga Loop - 115km
Day 5: Wangaratta-Milawa-Eldorado Loop - 100km
Day 6: Wangaratta-Glenrowan-Benalla - 64km
(Distances subject to change due to road/traffic conditions.)
The ride this year will be centered around the greater Wangaratta region, taking in many of the towns in the area. See the website for more information and registration details: - https://rotaryrideforresearch.raisely.com
If you can’t make it why not consider joining in with the Mad March Cycle challenge which will run in conjunction. Details of this will be released closer to the date. https://madmarchcyclechallenge.raisely.com/
Please note, we are also seeking support drivers for the ride, if interested please see the website for contact details Stephen Spiers on: - 0411 675 330 (Cost for Support crew is $800.00)
Begun in 2021 as a way of helping to raise funds for Australian Rotary Health during Covid-19 lockdowns, it continues now as a compliment to the annual bike ride.
In the spirit of supporting healthy minds, bodies and communities, it allows anyone to take part in a manner that suits them anywhere in the world. (In fact, over the last 4 years we have had people join in from not only other parts of Australia, but also America, India, Indonesia and South Africa).
Participants can challenge the riders on the Annual Ride and see if they can cover 580km over the month of March, the Annual ride participants have to do it in 6 days, or they can choose their own form of exercise and set their own goals.
It is Free to join in, although not compulsory, all we ask is that participants try and raise some funds, via sponsorship, for Australian Rotary Health. The typical goal participants set is $200 and all donations of $2.00 or more are tax deductible.
All funds raised go direct to Australian Rotary Health.
So go on, challenge yourself, your Club and friends, join in the fun and Make A Differfence, to not only your health, help Australian Rotary Health make a difference to everyones health.
By Elizabeth Henke, ESRAG
Investing in solar power is about more than polio - it’s about empowering communities. Reliable electricity enables healthcare, education, clean water, and economic development. By lighting up the path to a healthier, more prosperous future, solar energy can play a pivotal role in eradicating polio and building resilience against other health challenges.
"New Year is a time to celebrate past accomplishments and look forward to future success. Have a wonderful, prosperous New Year!"
I am delighted to share with you the district's activities and events during the month of December.
This issue also gives a glimpse of the thoughts and emotions of
leaders, projects from clubs, Rotaract and Interact news, The Thar Summit details, recognitions, achievements, future events and a lot more.
I hope you enjoy reading this issue, which has been prepared in great detail. Please keep contributing your good work to the GML.
Best Regards, DG Tushar V. Shah
District Governor 2024-25
Did you know that a gift of any size to The Rotary Foundation can make a big impact? A gift of US$15 can protect up to five children from polio for a lifetime. Donating US$50 means people can get a biosand filter that provides clean water for drinking and cooking. A contribution of US$100 can support people with developmental disabilities as they prepare for employment.
Reducing the incidence of polio by transporting and providing vaccines.
Decreasing the incidence of waterborne disease by providing households water filters.
Empowering communities by providing job-training opportunities for people with disabilities.
Do you want to make an even bigger impact? A donation of US$200 can replace livestock lost after natural disasters to help a family business recover. A contribution of US$500 can help train teachers. And a gift of US$1,000 can provide vital medical equipment for newborns who need intensive care.
Developing opportunities for productive work by replacing livestock for people impacted by wildfires
Increasing literacy rates among children by providing teacher professional development.
Reducing neonatal and newborn mortality rates by providing medical equipment
Please consider giving the gift of Rotary today, and join us in helping communities around the world.
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.
The next annual “Ride For Medical Research” will take place March 16 - 21, 2025, celebrating 40 years of fundraising. Having now raised over $1.32 million for Australian Rotary Health, we look forward to pushing this to over $ 1.4 million in the near future.
Begun in 2021 as a way of helping to raise funds for Australian Rotary Health during Covid-19 lockdowns, it continues now as a compliment to the annual bike ride.
