Events

Our guest speaker this week is Kath Ronan, chair of Operation Cleft Australia.  Kath will explore behind the various initials in this project.  Our project partner DHK, is not only our partner in the performing of the cleft palate and cleft lip surgery they are also a significant contributor in a number of other areas.

On January 26, 2025, Brother Thomas Oliver (Olly) Pickett AM was named Senior Australian of the Year.

Olly as he is known, is the co-founder of Wheelchairs for Kids which began in 1996,

Wheelchairs for Kids, a project supported by donations of both time and money, by many Rotary clubs across Australia, is reponsible for providing adjustable wheelchairs and occupational therapy expertise for children in developing countries, free of charge.  Specialising in 'all terrain' models, the project has supplied more than 60,000 custom-built wheelchairs  which have been gifted to children in over 80 countries.

Melchizedeck (Melly) is currently undetaking post graduate study, in Melbourne. But his learning path began in a very different way.  Melly is Tanzanian and his first education was because he was selected to attend School of St Jude, Tanzania.  Through a conversation with Melly we will learn about the impact that School of St Jude has had, and some insights into his life in Melbourne, and his family who live in Tanzania.

This is the inaugural event for us to make 140 sandwiches in the morning.

With the support of the management of Forest Hill Chase Centre Management, we have access to the space and storage to enable the sandwiches to be made.  The product of our activity will then be frozen, and distributed to six primary schools within the City of Whitehorse, where they will be stored and distributed by the school on an as needed basis.

Celebrating the Past - Energised for the Future.

Join President Robyn Stokes & President Elect Wendy Zhang to celebrate our club's Changeover 2025!

Come 6:00 for 6:30pm. Drinks at bar prices.  Bookings close 19 June.
 

🌟 Colin's Presentation: Highlights from Our First Year in District 9815

In Colin's  presentation, he'll share a summary of the key highlights from our first year as District 9815. He'll  focus on:

✅ Key Learnings from Club Experience — how clubs have embraced change, fostered engagement, and strengthened their connections with members and the community.

✅ Growing Membership — the strategies that have made a difference, the successes, and the lessons learned along the way.

✅ New Clubs — celebrating the formation of new clubs, the enthusiasm of charter members, and the support that has made this possible.

✅ Regional Pilot Reset — insights into the Regionalisation Pilot, what’s working well, and how we’re adapting to ensure success.

Colin is excited to share these learnings and celebrate the achievements of our incredible Rotary community.

Community group sharing excess homegrown produce and gardening knowledge!

Whitehorse Manningham Libraries are committed to reducing our environmental footprint by embracing sustainable practices that help cut waste, and energy and water use wherever possible.

Learn about  a range of programs and initiatives to support our community in making eco-friendly choices:

• book recycling
• energy efficient audit kits
• mini recycling stations
• seed library 

In today’s cost of living crisis, many local children face the daily challenge of attending school hungry. Without access to adequate nutrition, students often struggle to concentrate, behave appropriately, and engage fully in their learning. Recognizing this urgent need, our Rotary Club has launched Addressing Classroom Hunger, a program dedicated to supporting the wellbeing and educational success of our young community members.

Starting in April 2025, Addressing Classroom Hunger provides free cheese sandwiches to requesting schools each month. These sandwiches are stored in school freezers, allowing designated staff to distribute them at appropriate times during the school day. This simple yet vital initiative ensures that children have access to nutritious meals, helping to improve their focus, behavior, and overall health.

Beyond addressing nutritional needs, this program relieves teachers and school staff of the burden of meal preparation, allowing them to focus more on their students’ education. Our Rotary volunteers enjoy making these deliveries, experiencing the joy of service and connection with the schools and children they support.

We meet monthly at Forest Hill Chase (near Aldi) on Wednesdays from 10:00 to 11:00 am. Our next schedule is set for June 18, 2025. We warmly welcome community-minded volunteers who wish to give a helping hand and make a positive impact in our neighborhood.

Interested in volunteering? Register here: Volunteer Registration

Together, we can combat hunger, foster brighter futures, and strengthen our community—one lunch at a time.

At Act Your Purpose,  International Needs Australia has a vision is to create a brighter future where every student’s passion for social justice finds a powerful voice.

We believe that Australia’s educators must cultivate students’ passion for social justice and entrepreneurship while placing students at the centre of their learning journey. Our approach prioritizes holistic well-being, amplifies student voices, and encourages the development of youth philanthropy, fostering a generation of changemakers equipped to make a real difference in their communities and beyond.

Act Your Purpose bridges the accessibility gap for purpose-driven education by providing a dynamic platform for action. It’s not just about theory—it’s about taking bold, transformative steps to shape a better world.

• 38+ Schools

• 10,000+ Students

• 8+ Years of Experience

Learn about INA's student-centric model of education that empowers every learner to find their purpose and act on it.

Between 2014 and 2025 Pat was Managing Director of Yarra Valley Water, one of Australia’s largest water utilities providing services to 2M people across Melbourne.  

His career in the water sector has spanned over 40 years, including advising the Australian Government as part of the National Water Initiative, working in the  USA and playing a lead role in navigating the Millenium Drought.

Pat is Deputy Board Chair of WaterAid Australia, a Board Trustee of the Australian Cancer Research Foundation, and was the inaugural Chair of Thriving Communities Australia, where he continues as a Director. He is a past Chair of the Water Services Association of Australia, the nation’s peak body for urban water utilities.

We look forward to Pat's presentation. 

Book the date. Details to follow.