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
👋 Welcome
Welcome to this week’s newsletter. It was a pleasure to hear from our guest speaker Andrew Moon, who provided a compelling insight into the important work being undertaken by Fallen Diggers.
🎖️ Guest Speaker – Fallen Diggers
We were delighted to welcome Andrew Moon, Operations Officer from Fallen Diggers, to our meeting on Tuesday, 3 February.
Fallen Diggers is a volunteer organisation dedicated to the investigation and, where possible, identification of Australian service personnel who remain missing in action. Andrew spoke passionately about the organisation’s commitment to ensuring these individuals are not forgotten and that every reasonable effort is made to find answers for their families.
Investigations often involve detailed research using Red Cross casualty reports, military records, historical maps, eyewitness accounts, and modern archaeological methods. Andrew explained that, like all archaeological work, outcomes cannot be guaranteed, but Fallen Diggers firmly believes Australia owes a profound debt to these service personnel and their families — and that we should at least try to locate and honour them.
Andrew also highlighted the importance of support from like-minded organisations such as Rotary. Community awareness, encouragement, and backing play a vital role in allowing Fallen Diggers to continue their investigations and achieve positive outcomes.
Andrew expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to present to our club and enjoyed meeting our members. He noted that he hoped the evening sparked interest and conversation and indicated his willingness to build on this new connection and explore further opportunities to work together.
We sincerely thank Andrew and the Fallen Diggers team for sharing their work and for their ongoing dedication to ensuring no one is forgotten.
🎖️ Support Fallen Diggers
Fallen Diggers relies on the support of community-minded organisations and individuals to continue their vital work in locating and honouring Australia’s missing service personnel.
If you’d like to help, donations are welcome. We’ve included a flyer with all the details on how you can contribute and support their ongoing investigations. Every donation, big or small, helps ensure that no one is forgotten.
We’re thrilled to share that our club has been awarded a $500 Education Grant for Emerson School! This grant will support educational initiatives and is a fantastic way to strengthen our connection with the school while encouraging participation in other Rotary youth programs.
The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of April 2026, with the report due by the end of May. Congratulations to everyone involved – a wonderful example of Rotary in action!
📚 Exercise Book Appeal – Update
Thank you to members who have already supported the exercise book appeal.
A reminder that we are aiming to have all exercise books delivered to the club by Tuesday, 17 February 2026. Alan Collier will be collecting the books for distribution to Donations in Kind (DIK).
These books will be sent via DIK to children in developing countries, where access to basic education resources can make a lasting difference.
Even a small contribution helps — education is a powerful tool that opens doors and creates opportunity.
🧠 Rotary Knowledge Puzzle – Answers from Last Week
Last week’s question asked where the first Rotary meeting was held and how Rotary got its name.
Answer:
The first Rotary meeting was held in Gustavus Loehr’s office in Chicago in 1905. Meetings rotated between members’ offices, which led to the name “Rotary”.
Bonus answer:
The original members, apart from Paul Harris, were Gustavus Loehr, Silvester Schiele, and Hiram Shorey.
🧠 This Week’s Rotary Quiz – Youth Programs
Rotary runs a number of programs specifically to engage and support young people.
👉 Question:
Can you name three Rotary programs designed for youth?
Bonus question:
Which program allows young people to live and work in another country for a period of time?
📌 Answers will be shared in next week’s newsletter.
🐘 Next Week’s Meeting – Mark Jones From Orphaned Elephants to Empowered Children: A Journey of Compassion and Connection
Next week, we welcome Mark Jones, who will share the remarkable story behind his work connecting wildlife conservation with supporting vulnerable children in Kenya.
Mark’s journey began with a love for elephants and sponsoring orphaned elephants through the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, rescuing young elephants affected by drought and human-wildlife conflict. Over time, this passion evolved into the “Elephants for Education” initiative, linking schools with conservation through elephant sponsorships.
A safari trip planned for Mark’s 60th birthday led to a deeper connection with Kenya’s people and wildlife. A chance encounter with the slums of Korogocho inspired him and his wife Julie to partner with KOCH (Keep On Creating Hope), a grassroots NGO supporting children in the community with food, education, and protection.
Through initiatives like organising wildlife trips for slum children and launching scholarships for girls to attend catering college, their work now positively impacts hundreds of lives each weekend. Mark will share stories of resilience, hope, and how small acts of kindness can ripple into transformative change — both for elephants and for children.
🔥 Bunnings Narre Warren BBQ – Volunteers Needed!
Join us for our first barbecue at the brand-new Bunnings Warehouse in Narre Warren on Saturday, 28 February 2026! The site is fully undercover and equipped with electric barbecues. We’re expecting to cook through 80–90 kilos of sausages, so we’ll need a strong team on deck.
If you’re keen to help, get involved and make this event a success! Please contact our BBQ King: Phill Thurgood for details and rostering.
🌏 Ignite Your Passion for International Service!
Join us for an exciting and interactive session packed with ideas, insights, and a renewed sense of purpose in International Service. Connect with fellow members, share your experiences, and discover fresh ways to make a meaningful global impact!
📅 To Attend:
Don’t miss out — secure your spot today by registering via Zoom here: Register Now
Once registered, you’ll receive your personalised Zoom access details. Make sure to check your inbox so you’re ready to join the conversation!
⏰ Registration Deadline: Thursday, 12 February 2026
Act now — let’s come together to inspire change!
🌟 RYLA & RYPEN 2026 – Let’s Help a Young Person Shine!
RYLA 2026 runs 6–11 July — a 6-day leadership program for 18–30 year-olds to discover their potential, build connections, and gain practical skills. Our club can sponsor a young person for $1,650 (inc. GST). Applications are open now: RYLA 2026 Info & Application
RYPEN returns in September for 14–17 year-olds. The RYLA & RYPEN teams can also visit our club to talk about the programs and help identify participants.
Let’s be part of helping the next generation of leaders grow, learn, and shine!
📅 Upcoming Events
· Feb 10, 2026 – 🐘 Mark Jones Presentation: From Orphaned Elephants to Empowered Children
· Feb 15, 2026 – 🌏 Ignite Your Passion for International Service!
· Feb 17, 2026 – 📚 Exercise Book Collection for DIK (Alan Collier)
· Feb 24, 2026 – 📜 Anniversary of Rotary’s Foundation
· Feb 28, 2026 – 🔥 Bunnings Narre Warren BBQ
· Mar 13–15, 2026 – 📅 Rotary District Conference (9815 & 9830)
· Mar 22, 2026 – 🚗 16th Dandenong All Holden Car Show
Sunday, 15th February Ignite Your Passion for International Service! Join us for an exciting and interactive session packed with ideas, insights, and a renewed sense of purpose in International Service. Connect with fellow members, share your experiences, and discover fresh ways to make a meaningful global impact!
The annual Chinese New Year Celebration Fundraising dinner will be held on 25th February 2026 to celebrate the Chinese New Year with families and friends and also to raise some much-needed funds to help the community.
🔥Join us for our first barbecue at the brand-new Bunnings Warehouse in Narre Warren — it’s fully undercover, equipped with electric barbecues, and we’re expecting to cook through 80–90 kilos of sausages a day, so we’ll need a strong team on deck… keep an eye out and get involved!
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.
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.
delivered to the club by Tuesday, 17 February 2026. Alan Collier will be collecting the books for distribution to Donations in Kind (DIK).
