The start of the new Rotary year is a busy one with Club and District Changeovers. Thank you to Janette for standing in for me on Wednesday while Judith, Gabby and I attended RC Box Hill Central's Changeover at the MCG where PDG Malcolm Chiverton became President.
Saturday was a busy day for many with Bunnings BBQ then District Changeover. For those of us on the set up shift, it was the slowest morning we had experienced in a long time. Fortunately the day picked up, and afterwards we were busy. Thank you to everyone who was involved.
District Changeover saw Bob L, Judy, Bob W, Judith, Gabby, Duncan and myself traveled to Pakenham to congratulate PDG Peter Behm on an outstanding year and welcome DG Emma to the role. This year all PDGs were asked to "hand over the collar" by announcing their year and RI Theme. Bob L was at the front, and I was near the end. A great night had by all.
This week we have Dementia cafe, feel free to drop off any food items at my place for collection.
Reminder, Bendigo Bank Blackburn South Branch is a collection point on the club's behalf for prescription glasses. Please let family and friends know that they can drop them off at the bank.
Have a sensationally fun week as we Create Lasting Impact.
Address by 2026-27 RI President Olayinka Hakeem Babalola
At last Rotary night's meeting, John Lynch played a short video of 2026-27 Rotary International President Olayinka Hakeem Babalola, addressing delegates at the 2026 Rotary International Convention in Taipei. President Babalola spoke about his family and the “family of Rotary” and his theme “Create Lasting Impact”.
President Babalola acknowledged the real impact Rotarians make in their communities, forging friendships and lifelong bonds to help make change for the better in health, education and wellbeing. We measure not just what we did, but what changed and whether that change will endure. That shift is what the message Create Lasting Impact is about.
Nowhere is that distinction more important than when we talk about peace. Peace must be deliberately pursued. It must be built into the design of what we do, not assumed as a by-product.
Last year, Rotary launched a program of scale in Colombia called Pathways to Peace and Prosperity. It works in communities scarred by decades of armed conflict, poverty, and forced displacement. The program trains local leaders in conflict resolution. It pairs economic empowerment with peacebuilding skills. It builds the capacity of communities to manage disagreement and work toward reconciliation, together. By building peace from the ground up — with dignity, opportunity, and trust — we are planting the seeds of transformation that will grow for generations.
As part of everything we do, we must ask: Does this create the conditions for peace? Not just improving lives, but building the trust, the understanding, and the structures that make lasting peace possible.
Because there were many members absent, please find a link to the video on rotary.org
Bob, Ian and I braved last Sunday’s very cold afternoon to attend Round 10 of the Jets Junior Football Team sponsored by the Rotary Club of Nunawading.
Great to see our name up in lights!
After watching the under 15’s win convincingly (98pts V 47pts) over Wantirna South the MND Ice Challenge began!
The three Rotarians watched safely from the steps in front of the heater!
Each team had a representative, maybe a team member or maybe a coach, to have the icy water tipped over them. Then it was the politicians’ turn! Whitehorse Councilor Prue Cutts and state MP Nick MacGowan lined up for a dunking. A fun activity to watch!
Raffle tickets were sold and drawn by the Rotarians (Bob didn’t win this time!). We were acknowledged and thanked many times during the afternoon. They are very appreciative of our sponsorship.
Please let Ian Evans know if you would like to attend one of the 2 Outside the Locker Room (OTLR) sessions at the Jets footy club which our club is a sponsor.on Tuesday 14 July 6.30pm / 7.30pm and Wednesday 15 July 7.00pm / 8.00pm.The club is located at Heatherdale Reserve off Purchase Street.
SMACK (Spreading Messages of Affirmation, Compassion, and Kindness or the "SmackTalk" mental health initiative) is a powerful, highly regarded Australian presentation focused on suicide prevention, online safety, and youth mental health. It was founded by Melbourne-based advocate Wayne Holdsworth in memory of his son, Mac, who tragically died by suicide following an online sextortion incident]. The club recently had two Smack Talks by Wayne Holdsworth who is coming to speak to our meeting on August 12th.
On Sunday, the 28th of June, the local community was invited to join in a walk through the wetlands, followed by an overview of the regeneration project.
Since the start of the project in 2025 volunteers have planted 5955 plants, including trees, mid-storey species and tussock forming species. (There are still 122 plants left to be planted during the next working bee). All the plants were grown at the Bungalook Nursery.
A massive 2,440 kg of weeds were removed from the wetlands.
The total volunteer hours for planting and weeding exceeded 680 hours.
In January and February, there were 23 sessions to water the plants during the dry spell, requiring an additional 140 volunteer hours. The benefits of the project include a better habitat for birds, possums, sugar gliders, rakali and insects, better water for the lake and Gardiners Creek and a nicer environment for the community. A wonderful project completed with the help of the volunteers at the working bees, Bungalook Nursery, Whitehorse Council, BLSAC Advisory Committee and all other organisations involved.
Circle of Care Community Expo for ‘Dying to Know’ Day
Eastern Palliative Care (EPC), in partnership with a range of local support services, is hosting the Circle of Care Community Expo for ‘Dying to Know’ Day at Ringwood RSL on Wednesday 15 July, 10am–2pm.
This free event brings together a wide range of organisations to support people to better understand palliative care, advance care planning, grief, and available community services.
Attendees can drop in throughout the day or join short presentations and a panel discussion featuring local experts, covering topics such as:
Upcoming Umbrella Dementia Cafe 10 Year Anniversary Gala Ball - Saturday 19th September 2026 at the Box Hill Town Hall
Kirsty Porter (CEO & Founder) is celebrating the impact Umbrella Dementia Cafés has had over the past 10 years and the people, community and organisations that have got us here. However, before we start selling to the general public mid-July, Kirsty would really like to reserve a table for the Rotary Club of Nunawading crew. As we only have 18 tables, I suspect they will go rather quickly. The evening will be a black-tie event, featuring:
A three-course meal and bar A celebrity MC A live band Dancing and celebration A silent auction hosted through GalaBid. Hosted in the beautiful federation style, main dance hall. Tickets will be sold at $1,700 for a table of 10 or $170 per person.
We would absolutely love for members of the RCN to be part of this very special evening. I’m keen to fill the room full of people who have helped UDC before promoting more broadly, please let me know as soon as possible if the RCN is interested in attending or reserving a table.
2026 BUSINESS FORUM Forum is Aug 9th, 9 AM-4 PM at Box Hill Town Hall, free registration required.
"Expert advice. Practical outcomes."
The Whitehorse Business Group, in partnership with the Suburban Rail Loop Authority, invites you to a dynamic day designed to inspire, educate and connect local businesses and professionals from across the region.
Why Attend?
✓ Hear from inspiring keynote speakers
✓ Choose the workshops most relevant to you
✓ Learn from industry experts
✓ Make meaningful connections
✓ Visit local business stalls
✓ FREE to attend - must register
✓ Food Provided
WHEN
Sunday August 9th
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
WHERE - Box Hill Town Hall 1022 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill
Keynote Speakers
Wendy Jenkins OAM speaking on the science of smarter work.
Nabil Salameh speaking on the topic of 'should I stay or should I go?'
Interactive Workshops
Social Media hosted by Sue Ellson, LinkedIn Specialist.
AI hosted by Sara Esposito from Optirank.
HR hosted by Montanna Denouden from Ouden Consulting.
Finance hosted by Ratangit Singh from Auspac Finance.
Connections and Partnerships hosted by Rachel Sietzema from UchangeU.
Community hosted by the Whitehorse Business Group.
Marketing Panel
Stephen Louey from Webcatcha Digital Marketing Agency
Alexandra Fulton from Little Duck Insights
Swarn David from Dreamworx Marketing
Leave with practical strategies, new contacts and fresh ideas you can implement immediately in your business.
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