Our speaker Wayne Holdsworth gave us a powerful reminder that we need to ask people how their mental health is if they don’t seem quite themselves or suddenly change their behaviour.
Wayne also reminded us that there are some people in the world who go out of their way to gain your trust and then abuse it. They ask you to do things or make choices which you might not otherwise make, and these may have disastrous repercussions. However, for Wayne the tragedy motivated him to create a legacy which is saving people’s lives in a way he had never thought possible.
It has been a big and exciting week for the youth of our District. On Monday 10th, the Interact Conference was held in conjunction with D9800, with our very own Judith involved as District Interact Chair. Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) followed on Saturday 15th, with the club proudly sponsoring a team from Forest Hill Secondary College, with Judith and Glenys joining in as judges.
Last Wednesday, we had the pleasure of providing afternoon tea for the Dementia Café. A big thank you to Silvana, Judy L and Duncan for the delicious spread and for helping make the afternoon feel so welcoming.
The Dementia Café is celebrating 10 wonderful years this year, and they will be marking the milestone with a Gala Ball on Saturday 19th September. If you would like to be part of the celebration, please let Silvana know.
Food provided for the Dementia Cafe
Entrance to the Cafe
On Thursday 13th, I had the privilege of wearing my District Marketing Chair hat and joining Stephen Palamara (RC Belgrave-Ferntree Gully), along with PDG Bill and Judy Degnan (RC Traralgon Central), at RC Frankston to help inspire fresh ideas for sharing the incredible impact their Rotary club is making in the community.
On Wednesday, we will be delighted to induct our first new member for this Rotary year, James Nicolas. Please come along, say hello, and help give James a very warm welcome.
We also have our board meeting on Wednesday night. Chairs and Project Leads, please send your reports through to Katy.
Finally, if you are interested in attending the District Conference in March 2027 and have not yet done so, please let Mike know your accommodation requirements.
Have a sensationally fun week, as we Create Lasting Impact together.
Tuesday 24 October 2023 was the day our lives changed forever. Our 17-year-old beautiful boy Mac took his life at home. Mac normally got up at 6.30am. At 7am, I knocked on his door and found him. He had taken his own life.
The grief, shock, helplessness and self-blame knocked me over physically and mentally.
I asked him regularly if he was ok, he always responded, “I am fine Dad”. He was not fine and if I had the knowledge and skills that I have now, to really listen, the outcome may have been different.
I have now used Mac’s death as a catalyst to do more and we want to educate every person we can reach to simply be a better listener. The research clearly confirms that real learned listening techniques make a world of difference. We want to ensure we reduce the epidemic and silent killer that is suicide.
In 2023 alone, more than 3200 people took their own lives in Australia. Of those, 801 people died of suicide in Victoria compared to 299 road deaths in the same period in the State. We need to take urgent action to change these devastating numbers.
Behind the SmackTalk name
The name SmackTalk was designed to incorporate Mac’s name and his absolute love for basketball. While smack talk is banter, sometimes referred to as trash talk, the use of the name for this charity is to help stamp out cyber bullying and sexual extortion.
Despite the inclement weather on Monday 10 August, 190 Interactors, teachers and Rotarians representing 16 schools attended the Combined District Interact Conference at Camberwell Grammar with Districts 9800 and 9815.
The theme for this year’s conference was Environment and Sustainability, with keynote speaker Dr Pat Armstrong delivering a challenging and thought-provoking address. This was followed by excellent discussion in the breakout sessions, giving students the opportunity to explore the issues raised and consider practical ideas they could take back to their schools and wider communities.
The club reports were outstanding, demonstrating the many ways Interact Clubs are making a positive difference within their schools and communities. Camberwell Grammar’s canteen provided a delicious lunch of chicken sandwiches, fruit and muesli bars, which students enjoyed in the foyer.
Another highlight was Rotaractor Charlotte Redey’s presentation on the transition from Interact to Rotaract. Charlotte, who was previously an Interactor at Frankston High School, spoke passionately about Rotaract and the opportunities that membership can provide. She particularly shared her experiences travelling to Nepal, giving students an inspiring insight into the possibilities that await them beyond Interact.
Finally, we extend our sincere thanks to Camberwell Grammar for stepping in to host this year’s conference. Their staff were extremely helpful and supportive, particularly with the logistical and technical arrangements, which contributed greatly to the success of the day.
MUNA – Model United Nations Assembly Saturday 15 August 2026
Posted by Judith Eadon
Fourteen teams representing 14 different countries gathered at Lyndale Secondary College in Dandenong North on Saturday 15 August for the annual Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA), where they debated three resolutions.
Two of the resolutions were provided to the teams in advance, while the third was unseen. Teams were given just 30 minutes to prepare their position on the final resolution — and, importantly, they were not permitted to use digital devices!
The first resolution focused on International Migration and Development, while the second addressed No First Placement of Weapons in Outer Space. These topics generated spirited and engaging debate throughout the morning.
The third resolution, The Effects of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies on Human Rights, proved somewhat different. Most of the young people were broadly in agreement with the resolution, resulting in less debate than the first two topics.
The Rotary Club of Nunawading sponsored Forest Hill College, who represented Russia. The students performed very well, particularly considering this was their first MUNA experience. It was certainly a steep learning curve, but a valuable and enjoyable opportunity for them to develop their debating, public speaking and diplomatic skills.
Glenys Grant and Judith Eadon joined Judy as adjudicators, which proved to be both challenging and rewarding.
Our newest member, Balaji Ponmudi, also assisted the adjudicators and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It was wonderful to have him involved and to see him embracing the opportunity to participate in such a worthwhile Rotary program.
Overall, it was an energetic and enjoyable day, providing young people with the opportunity to develop confidence, critical thinking and an understanding of international issues — all while experiencing the challenges and excitement of the United Nations in action.
Join us at our upcoming events! September Networking - Footy Fever!
Posted By Gabby Knaepple
Whitehorse Business Group event is on 4 September 2026 at the Donvale Football Netball Club. This is a collaboration with Manningham Business Group.
Start time is 5.30pm and end is 7pm
As the AFL Finals approach, join businesses from both municipalities for an evening of new connections, collaboration and community in a relaxed sporting atmosphere. Whether you're backing your team or simply looking to grow your network, this event is the perfect opportunity to meet professionals from across the eastern suburbs.
Your registration includes:
Light refreshments
Networking with members and guests from both organisations
Access to the club bar, with drinks available at bar prices
A fun AFL-themed atmosphere (team colours encouraged!)
Bring your business cards, invite a colleague and join us for an evening of meaningful connections before the finals kick off.
Webinar - one hour- Interplast Posted by Glenys Grant
Janette Etherington from our RCNunawading is speaking to a small group of the Order of Australia members and others on Tuesday 18 August at 7.30pm on the latest on Interplast.
This group welcomes visitors. It’s easy to register. And we need Rotarians to zoom in and support her, if you can.
Here are the details so that you can register if you are interested.
Umbrella Dementia Cafes 10 Year Anniversary GalaBall Fundraiser - A Black Tie Event
Posted by Silvana Dimattina
Kirsty Porter, CEO & Founder, Umbrella Dementia Cafés Ltd, is delighted to invite the Rotary Club of Nunawading to attend their Black Tie 10-Year Anniversary Gala Ball fundraiser on 19 September at the Box Hill Town Hall.
We'd absolutely love to have RCN be represented at the Gala as key supporters of our Burwood Chatworks Cafe, which simply wouldn’t exist without the support of you all!
There is no pressure or expectation, but we’d be so grateful if RCN might consider sponsoring an additional table of 10 for the amazing volunteer who support the Burwood Chatworks Café.
We are currently adding auction items to our Galabid platform over the next 20 days. So, if you or a member of the club would like to donate an item, or know someone who may be interested in contributing, please let me know.
Please let Silvana Dimattina know if you are able to attend
I've heard back from some of you, but if you haven't yet reached out I'd like to know the following:
If you're planning to attend
Whether you'll book your own accommodation or would like me to organise this.
If you're looking for roommates to take advantage of some of the two and three bedroom accommodation options available at the Rydges resort in the Hunter Valley.
Your preference for a club-only dinner in town or the poolside 'Rotary Uncorked' Friday night option, which is a ticketed event you can pay for alongside your conference registration.
In addition to photos posted last week when I was at Sandown Greyhound track for Ryda, here are the photos of the new Ryda trailer that Rotary Nunawading contributed towards showing the inside of the trailer loaded.
Jennifer Clarke, Monash Rotaract Co-President, is reaching out to the Community Group to promote Monash Rotaract's Cluedo Event! Along with the information below, please note we are also still looking for vouchers/items/experiences to raffle in order to raise more funds for Medishare and we’d love to include a contribution from you! Please reach out to me if you would like to get involved further!
Monash Rotaract is calling all detectives to the scene of a murder! Some say it's an open-and-shut case. Others have no clue. Either way, you're on the case. Ask the right questions and you might find the culprit, the weapon, and the location.
DATE: Saturday 29 August
TIME: 2-4.30pm AEST
LOCATION: Glen Waverley Community Centre
RSVP: strictly by 9pm Wednesday 26 August
FOOD: Snacks and non alcoholic drinks will be provided
Play a life-sized version of Cluedo while raising funds for Rotary's Medishare program. MediShare Limited engages with a range of partners, government & not-for-profit organisations to add value to the infrastructure of health care in disadvantaged communities who face difficulties obtaining the affordable goods they need, through the provision and shipping of recovered usable medical consumables and equipment. Find out more at https://medishare.org.au/
Club members will have seen that the invoice for their 2026/27 membership included some optional payments. One of those was to support the PBF. The Rotary Club of Nunawading has been a Corporate Member of PBF (Paraplegic Benefit Fund Australia) for over 25 years and have historically had around 20 members supporting the fund.
PBF Australia is a national not-for-profit organisation dedicated to reducing the impact and incidence of spinal cord injury. Founded in 1984 by world-renowned spinal surgeon, the late Sir George Bedbrook, PBF wants to see fewer Australians becoming permanently paralysed each year through accidents at home, work or play. They deliver injury prevention programs and provide much-needed financial support for members who sustain a total permanent traumatic spinal cord injury.
When you pay the small amount of $45 as part of our corporate membership you will be eligible for the following: benefits:
Eligibility to claim $250,000 benefit payment upon sustaining a permanent spinal cord injury
Protection 24 hours a day, every day of the year, both on and off the job
Rapid benefit payment, usually within weeks of injury diagnosis to assist with immediate costs
Extension of benefits to a direct family member where an inclusive membership exists
7:30pm start at Melbourne Baseball Club, Surrey Drive, Box Hill.
Rotaract is a worldwide organisation of young people aged 18+ working together to change our world through community service, international understanding, professional development, friendship & fun.
TIME: 2-4.30pm AEST
LOCATION: Glen Waverley Community Centre
RSVP: strictly by 9pm Wednesday 26 August
FOOD: Snacks and non alcoholic drinks will be provided
RAFFLE PRIZES TO BE WON
Blackburn Lake Sanctuary
