Stories

Bookings now open for the annual IWD breakfast at Box Hill Town Hall.

7:15-9:15am Wednesday March 4 2026.  Book here for a single or table. 

Rotary Club of Box Hill Central has been a long standing sponsor of the Koorie Student of the Year Award at Box Hill Institute.  Since 2019, we have extended our support through annual Koorie Access and Equity Scholarships, providing practical financial assistance early in the year for student with financial difficulities. 

On Thursday, November 13th, President Elect Niranjan Ramjee and Community Service Lead Malcolm Chiverton proudly represented our club in presenting scholarships to three outstanding recipients.

Around 30 club members and partners gathered at Dumpling King for a special dinner to celebrate and farewell Craig Hoath, one of the charter members of our club and a dedicated Rotarian with 35 years of community service.

Craig has recently relocated to Seymour and has now transferred his membership to the Rotary Club of Seymour. The evening began with remarks from Charter President Brian McPhail, who reflected on Craig’s remarkable Rotary journey and his family’s deep roots in the Box Hill community:

Four Rotarians and a Rotaractor travelled to Ethiopia via Singapore Nov 2025, accompanied by INA's International Programs Manager, Davide De Micheli. We welcome trip participation from Rotary Clubs of Bendigo South, Chelsea and Rotaract Peninsular 2.0 with us. 

We travelled to Ethiopia Central Regional State to visit the work in Lemo (Hadiya Zone) and Ezha (Gurage Zone).

We were enthusiastically welcomed at five primary schools where we helped fund improved segregated latrine blocks and hygiene education, thus enabling girls to continue in school longer. Directly impacting 5,400 students and their staff.

On Wednesday, 15 October, Club President Wendy Zhang and Community & Youth Chair Malcolm Chiverton attended the Lady of Sion College Year 12 Graduation Mass and Ceremony.

During the ceremony, several special awards were presented to recognise students’ outstanding achievements. Our club was proud to sponsor the “Citizen Award”, which honours a student who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to community service.

The award includes a classic watch engraved with the recipient’s name and an invitation to participate in the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) — a five-day residential leadership development program designed to inspire and empower young leaders.

We extend our warm congratulations to all award recipients and best wishes to the graduating class as they embark on the next chapter of their journey.

Please join us for a fun 1.5 hour shift, Christmas gift wrapping at Forest Hill Chase. 

Choose from Mon-Fri Dec 8-12, 11am-2pm.

Register now at this link or email robyn.stokes02@icloud.com. 

Gold coins raised will assist Operation Cleft , while we have fun interacting with the community.  

Materials supplied. 

Spring, fashion, sustainability and supporting your community?  Read on…

This Spring Racing Carnival, why not freshen up your look the sustainable way? 

Our friends at Rotary Recycle Surrey Hills (with the lovely Julie leading the charge) have a fabulous range of fashion finds that’ll keep you on trend and help reduce landfill. Plus, every purchase supports our community projects .

Community Bank Blackburn South, are not only passionate about supporting us, their customer, they too care deeply about supporting our environment.  Drop in and have a look at our display in the branch, then come and visit Rotary Recycle 1113 Riversdale Road, Surrey Hills. Rotary Recycle Op Shop is facilitated by Rotary Club of Box Hill Central. 

Members and friends, please join us Dec 17. Book here.

Our club’s Diwali Dinner was a wonderful evening filled with colour, laughter, and the spirit of connection.
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated on the new moon night — when the sky is at its darkest — reminding us that even in darkness, we can choose to bring light, hope, and joy to others.

Enjoy our inaugural wecantwait newsletter.

Please enjoy our 24/25 Annual Report.

Further details available soon through ClubRunner 

On Wednesday, 24th September, members of the Rotary Club of Box Hill Central were delighted to participate in the Dance Against Dementia event at The Hollows, Burwood Brickworks. The afternoon was filled with energy, music, and connection as the community came together to raise awareness and support for people living with dementia and their families.

Coming 5th in the world Team BEAP (Bee Education And Protection) from Parkmore Primary School: Ez, Jake, Emily at Future Problem Solvers Competition, Indiana University June 4-8 2025. 

 Saturday October 11 BOOK HERE

A promise made seven years ago in a small Indian village is about to be fulfilled.

Meet a member. 

Thankyou to our early contributors. 

From Box Hill North to Finland, Inara reports on her second quarter as a Rotary Youth Exchange student: host family, school, what she's done, what she's looking forward to. 

Well done Inara in your ability to adapt, your opennness to learning, and the fun and new friends you are experiencing! 

Inara was co-sponsored by Rotary Clubs of Moreland (D9790) and Box Hill Central. 

Learn more.

How did you first connect with our club?

I was initially approached via a letter sent to me at my place of work.  I ignored it for a few weeks, but found it on my desk during a clean up and decided to make contact with the club.

Why do you stay a member?  

Being a member of Rotary offers extra interest to my life.  I enjoy the club meetings and have found many of the guest speakers give a picture of what is going on in my surrounding suburbs and state.

I have formed friendships with members and their partners.

Rotary gives me a much bigger picture of the good things happening around the world.

What are you passionate about? 

I am passionate about our local projects, but also our club international projects.  Being part of Operation Cleft Australia Board has allowed me to explore the wider world.

What does volunteering mean to you? 

My mother volunteered for most of her adult life.  She ran the school tuckshop, was involved in church groups and volunteered to deliver Meals of Wheels for more than 30 years.  She showed me that being a volunteer gives us an opportunity to look beyond my immediate family and friends and work to help others in the world.  By volunteering through Rotary, I have that same opportunity. It is very rewarding.

How did you first connect with our club?  As my husband was already a club member, I had a good idea of the club's social, service and meeting activities, so when family responsibilities diminished, I quickly signed up. 
Why do you stay a member?
It's a good routine, I have made friends, and I find purpose in my day.          
What are you passionate about?  
Making a difference personally, within the community, and for those whom I may never meet but are in need.  
What does volunteering mean to you?  
I think it's a healthy way to live: being outwardly focused. 

How did you first connect with our club?  

I first connected with the club when I attended an information meeting about volunteering organised by the City of Whitehorse in 2001. 

Representatives from local Lions clubs, Rotary clubs, and other voluntary organisations presented and I was very impressed with the range of projects and activities of the Rotary Club of Box Hill Central, and as a result, I joined the club in July 2001.

Why do you stay a member?  

I stay as a member as it provides the opportunity to socialise with a great group of like-minded friends, to be involved in a broad range of projects and programs, and because of the impressive business-like management of all aspects of the club. 

What are you passionate about?  

I’m passionate about developing viable projects by “joining the dots” through a process involving a community needs analysis and subsequent project development in consultation with the beneficiaries, the sourcing of funding, project implementation and management in partnership with the beneficiaries or their representatives and finally a project review on completion. The key success factor in this process is involving the beneficiaries in all stages to ensure the project is sustainable.

What does volunteering mean to you?

Volunteering offers an opportunity to use your skills and knowledge to improve the lives of others who are less fortunate both here and abroad.

In 25/26 we’ve planned a calendar of inclusive, fun, and engaging social events, 

focused on celebration, culture, learning, and connection.

Here’s a preview of what’s to come:

🎨 NGV French Impressionist Exhibition Tours – August to  September 10,  Wednesdys 11:15 
🏉 Grand Final Breakfast – Wednesday, 17 September
🪔 Diwali Club Social Evening – Saturday, 11 October
🎄 Christmas Celebration – December (Date TBC)
🇦🇺 Australia Day BBQ – Monday, 26 January
🐉 Chinese New Year Celebration – Saturday, 21 February
🌸 Easter Gathering – April (Date TBC)

We welcome into Honorary Membership 25/26,  Andrew Davenport, Mayor of City of Whitehorse. 

Andrew first connected with Rotary at 19 years of age, when accepting a Rotary Youth Leadership Award sponsorship. Andrew says some of the lessons learnt then, still benefit him today. 

We welcome Andrew! 

24/25 has been a great year for “supporting communities near and far” for our club.  

We are so thankful to the Rotary Recycle Op Shop team of volunteers, led by Manager Julie Cuskelly, and the Committee of Management made up of club members and volunteers, led by Chair Greg Cooper.  

Rotary Recycle team efforts since 2011 have enabled our club to utilise significant revenue for supporting local and international charities and projects for good. 

Please visit Rotary Recycle Op Shop at:  1113 Riversdale Rd, SURREY HILLS. 10-4 Mon-Fri & 10-1 Sat.

What are you passionate about, both broadly and within the club?
Being a human resources practitioner, I have devoted over two decades on my focus of unleashing human potential in an organisational setting—helping individuals, teams, and organisations go through a developmental journey from good to great. Having retired from the corporate world, I now have the opportunity to spend more time in community work. I am passionate about contributing to the well-being of our community, especially in the areas of health and the well-being of humanity.
How do you engage with the club?
I am proud of the service projects that our club has developed over its 35-year history. It is my honour to be empowered to Chair the committee for the International Women’s Day breakfast event, engaging up to 300 leaders and change agents in the community each year. This event celebrates women in our local community and supports charities that empower local women. I believe gender equality is the foundation for a more inclusive world for all beings. You're welcome to explore our IWD website if you’re interested to learn more.
Our club is embarking on a journey of transformation. Becoming the President for 2025/26 carries a big responsibility. Fortunately, our club has a great team of like-minded members who bring profound knowledge and experience and are well-connected with the community. I am confident we will enjoy working together in this exciting and critical journey from good to great.
Why do you stay a member?
Our club has a proud history of inclusion and care. Six women were among the founding members, and many have served as club presidents over our 35-year history. As a new migrant from Hong Kong, I immediately felt at home with my club. I am very grateful for the wisdom and care that many of my club members have shared with me. In addition, I feel deeply connected to the projects our club has developed, such as community wellbeing, environmental sustainability, and youth empowerment.
How do you refresh/relax?
I practise yoga and meditation routinely. I enjoy oil painting, gardening, cooking, and travelling. I also love spending time with my family and friends.
What does volunteering mean to you?
Volunteering enriches my worldview and life experience, especially through Rotary, which enables meaningful local and global connections. It gives me the opportunity to make a positive impact on humanity. Even if it's in a small way, together we generate a significant difference. Volunteering also allows me to keep learning and growing into a better human being.