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
The past week has been a powerful reflection of Rotary in action — bringing together fellowship, compassion, service, and community impact across a range of meaningful activities. From supporting vulnerable members of our local community to brightening the lives of children and families facing difficult circumstances, our members once again demonstrated the heart and spirit that continues to define our club.
On Friday, members visited the Monash Children’s Hospital Cancer Centre, where once again Jonathan’s magical performances brought smiles, laughter, and moments of happiness to children and families navigating incredibly challenging times. His ability to create wonder, connection, and laughter through simple acts of kindness was truly special and deeply appreciated by all involved.
Saturday night’s Rotary’s Got Talent was, by all reports, a magical evening filled with entertainment, laughter, and plenty of heart. It was wonderful to see so much community spirit and support come together for what proved to be a highly successful and enjoyable night. A sincere thank you goes to everyone involved in organising, supporting, performing, and attending the event. A heartfelt thank you to Jonathan Usher for so generously sharing his time, compassion, and remarkable talent with our community during his visit.
This week, we also received an encouraging update from the ASRC. Kate shared several photos of their thriving community herb garden, with fresh herbs now being supplied to Foodbank to support local families in need. The garden has also become an important and therapeutic space for ASRC clients, with organised shifts allowing participants to spend time outdoors harvesting herbs and connecting. Kate asked that her thanks be passed on to our club for our ongoing support of the project, and it is wonderful to see the positive impact this initiative continues to have within the community.
A very special thank you also goes to Mark Jones for his thoughtful and unique gift to our club — the adoption of Ambo, an orphaned elephant rescued in Kenya by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Through this foster adoption, our club is helping support Ambo’s ongoing care and rehabilitation.
Members will now be able to follow Ambo’s journey through updates from the Trust, including photographs, rescue information, and monthly progress reports from the Keepers’ Diaries. It is a wonderful gift of life and a meaningful reminder of the global impact compassion and generosity can have.
Looking ahead to next Tuesday evening, we are pleased to welcome a guest speaker from Nurse Next Door Home Care Services. Since 2019, Nurse Next Door has built a strong reputation as a premium home care provider focused on improving the lives of clients, families, and the wider community it supports.
Their presentation will provide insight into the range of tailored caregiving and nursing services they offer, including support for NDIS participants, aged care recipients through the Support at Home Program, and privately funded care options. Their philosophy of doing “Whatever It Takes to Bring You Peace of Mind” aligns strongly with the values of care, compassion, and community service that Rotary members know so well.
📚 District Assembly 2026 – Saturday 23 May
District 9815’s annual District Assembly will be held online on Saturday, 23 May 2026, offering 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. Please see below for session details and registration links:
🧭 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)
The Role of the Foundation Chair – explore how The Rotary Foundation turns contributions into meaningful, life-changing projects and how clubs can maximise impact.
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/7gziovMMSA66ta38n6-YZA
Members are encouraged to register for one or multiple sessions based on interest. This is a valuable opportunity to connect, learn and strengthen club capability ahead of the new Rotary year. See you 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 focused on Indigenous partnerships, environmental sustainability, Pacific engagement, peacebuilding, membership growth, club vibrancy, and updates on Rotary Regionalisation. Clubs seeking fresh ideas, practical tools, and renewed inspiration are encouraged to consider attending. Further details are available via the conference website: Rotary South Pacific Conference 2026
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.
