Wendy Gander - President and Melinda McGinley - Mitcham Community House Manager

Wendy and Melinda presented a history of the establishment of Mitcham Community House beginning as a Playgroup established by local mothers in October 1975. In partnership with Nunawading Council the Community House expanded to cover not only with early childcare and education, but also hobby classes and further adult education. 

Mitcham Community House is run by volunteers at 19 Brunswick Road Mitcham with a mission to building stronger connections through community programs, support services, and inclusive spaces for everyone in Mitcham. The work of Mitcham Community House closely aligns with several focus areas of Rotary International, including environment, Community Economic Development, Basic Education and Literacy. Earlier this year Mitcham Community House was made available to Rotary Nunawading for their Youth Hearing and Eye Tests for children 3 to 6 years. 

Mitcham Community House is continuing to evolve with the changing Whitehorse demographics. Expanding ‘Learn English’ programs for both beginner and intermediate classes to build confidence, communication skills and social connection. ‘Digital Tech’ classes to build literacy, confidence and safety skills, especially for the over 55 year older people. Strength and Chair exercises for wellbeing and improve physical health.

Many of the activities continue social interaction after classes with coffee and conversation to build friendships and networks.

Radio 3WBC Presented RYDA 

The Dementia Cafe was well attended once again and kind contributions from Dementia cafe on the 10th June was well attended.

Food supplied by Sue Warmington and Roslyn Wilson was greatly appreciated . Not only do the guests enjoy social time and delicious food they participate in activities especially formulated to promote cognitive function.

Nunawading Rotary is supporting Umbrella Dementia cafe and making such a valuable and practical contribution to our local community .

Next cafe is Wednesday 24^th June

Please drop off at - 12 The Avenue, Blackburn.

 

Please add your volunteer commitments to the Sign-Up List.

Silvana

Blackburn Lake Wetlands Regeneration Project Completion Community Update

The Blackburn Lake Wetlands Regeneration project is nearing completion!

To celebrate the completion of this exciting project we will be hosting an event for the community to hear about what we have achieved over the 2.5 years of the project.

The event will include a walk to the wetlands to see what has been done, and a presentation to hear about the project followed by an afternoon tea.

      Sunday 28^th June 2.30 pm.

  Afternoon tea

There is still more planting to be done to complete the Wetlands project.

Remaining Wetlands Working Bee dates 2026:

Saturday 13 June

Sunday 28 June

Petition to realign Jets Junior Football Club with Heathmont Football Club

At the Whitehorse Council Meeting on Monday 1 June 2026 a petition was discussed to realign Jets Junior Football Club with Heathmont Football Club. The President of the Jets Junior Football Club gave a compelling case why the Jets should not be realigned with Heathmont Football Club.

Judith Eadon and Ian Evans attended the meeting.

Background 

1. Jets Junior Football Club was established in 1998 following the amalgamation of the Heatherdale Junior Football Club and the Heathmont Junior Football Club.

2. Their website:

https://www.jetsjuniors.com/about

3. President of Jets Football Club presented at the meeting [standard time limit 3 minutes]. Included in the presentation were the following points:

4. Both Jets and Heathmont football clubs have their own President and committee structure.

5. Jets do not rely on Heathmont to operate successfully or receive any financial support. They are stand-alone entity and have their own sponsors. 

6. Nunawading Rotary Club is one of their sponsors and has been for several years.

7. The petition contained 20 signatures.

8. The petition is likely to have been raised by a local football club given there is a shortage of ovals in Whitehorse Council.

9. For the 2026 season, Jets have 10 Junior teams from Mixed Under 8 to Girls Under 18 in addition they run the Auskick centres at Heatherdale reserve and at HE Parker, Heathmont reserve.

At Council Meeting on Monday night nothing was decided but the petition was as follows.

Use of Heatherdale Reserve          SUMMARY [below]

A petition has been received requesting that Council consider reviewing the allocation of the Heatherdale Reserve to implement the immediate realignment of Jets Junior Football Club to its appropriate senior club Heathmont Football Netball Club.

In accordance with Council’s Governance Rules, the petition is presented to Council for formal receipt and referral to the organisation for consideration and response

“We, the undersigned request that Council: Petition Whitehorse City Council to urgently review Heatherdale Reserve, Mitcham allocation arrangements and to implement the immediate realignment of Jets Junior Football Club (‘JJFC’) to its appropriate senior club Heathmont Football Netball Club (‘HFNC’) at HE Parker Reserve, Heathmont, in line with arrangements applied to other Whitehorse Community sporting clubs.’

REMINDER: 

Committee and project chairs which require funding for next Rotary year to please send their budgets to John Lynch and Coral Page by Wednesday 10th June so that they can be included in the draft budget for the 2026-2027 year and discussed at the combined board meeting on Wednesday 17th June.

Book here