22 September (Tues) 6.00pm for 6.30pm Bendigo Rotary invites you to a presentation by Sue Opie will share the details and success of the Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show.
27 September (Sun) 10.00am working bee at the Lightning Reef Reserve
30 September 2026 Industry visit to JL King RSVP to Jim
4 October (Sat) District 9800 International Service Workshop Oct 4th 9.30am at Djerring Flemington Hub (Free)
14 October Ride 2 Work BBQ RSVP to Kevin for the roster
27th October 2026 - Foundation Dinner at the Bendigo Club. Details to come
27 Oct - 1 Nov 2026 Rotary South Pacific Conference
14 & 15 Nov Swap Meet RSVP to Kevin for the roster
27 - 31 May 2027 - Rotary Barham Weekend, Barham Caravan Park. See Kevin Reade for more details.
Welcome to Issue 11 (2026-27) of our weekly bulletin. Find out about our upcoming events, our guest speakers, what we covered during the last meeting and more!
Can't make our meeting in person please join us via Zoom:
BBQ breakfast Civic Gardens next to Town Hall Lyttleton Tce.
Chair
Stan Hendy
Linda Barrow
BBQ helpers req.
Computer
Cathie Miller
Cathie Miller
Set-Up 6.45am & pack up
Toni West
Kathryn Mackenzie
Welcome, raffle & roaming microphone
Kevin Dobson
John Harkin
PRESIDENT REPORT for 9 September 2026
President Report for 16th September 2026
What a wonderful turn-up for the meeting today. Great to have our new member Georgie Wiegard present, along with returning travellers Ted & Liz and a face we haven’t seen in a long time – welcome Gerard House.
We had an engaging and inspiring discussion from our guest speaker Brad Hodge talking about an aspect of retirement planning we don’t usually consider – see the guest speaker notes.
I hope people read the recent Networker and saw Colleen’s story. Well done and thank you for putting it together. Thank you to both Judy and Brian for your commitment and passion.
For any members interested in obtaining some memorabilia from Royce Abbey’s time in Rotary, see the information later in the bulletin.
Graeme gave an update on the trip to DIK with Rob and Geoff and where the items were distributed – see his report for more detail. A great outcome for 3 worthy organisations. We are certainly getting value out of our membership in DIK.
Both Phil (Youth & Environment) and Kathryn (Club Admin) had quite a bit to report – see their reports below.
Rob, John, Liz and Gerard travelled to Melbourne after the meeting to support the Bendigo Reclink team in the Grand Final.
PP Cathie Miller (for Stew who is still enjoying warmer weather. He will be back next week).
GUEST SPEAKER - Brad Hodge
Brad is a Behavioural Scientist, Keynote Speaker and Author. Brad suggests that the key elements of human behaviour haven't changed in 200.000 years. The factors in human survival in the Savanna of Africa are fairly much the same for us today. Humans need a challenge, we are wired to embrace life and seek improvement. Brad however suggests that taking up the challenges of life is not enough to help us thrive. He invited members to think back to the feelings and thoughts they had at the time of retirement. The overwhelming response was that people either missed or feared they would miss the daily contact with people which is so central to work.
What is it then that helps humans thrive as opposed to surviving? Firstly we need to feel we belong and connect positively with others. In the first instance this provided protection- if people around you like you they will look after you. Brad pointed out that there is a correlation between loneliness and poor sleep patterns. Secondly humans need to know that their contribution is valued and makes a difference. It's good for us to remember that this need continues in retirement. People don't thrive on the constant pursuit of pleasure. Perhaps Rotary is a key aspect of helping us feel we can and do make a difference. Thirdly we all have a need to be autonomous and feel we are in control. We are not like ants, just following each other blindly. Brad pointed out that this is the reason why people have trouble working with micro managers. There are undoubtedly tensions between autonomy and connectedness.
Brad invited members to consider how these three needs play out in a Rotary Club. Responses for the most part centred on making a difference. Members felt that our work in the community does make a difference. The need for internal and personalised recognition is also very important. The idea of letting people know when they have done a good job is very important. Brad suggested that the more specific we can be the better. Perhaps the fear of losing some autonomy is a factor in member reluctance to take on positions of leadership. "if I take on this role I won't have as much time to pursue aspects of my life dear to me personally??"
Brad outlined ways in which these needs play out in our years of retirement. Work provides the opportunity for developing friendships through achieving things together. How do we keep up our social connections in retirement? Volunteering provides a sense of making a difference. Too much of a focus on autonomy won't help us thrive in retirement! Brad has a website drbradhodge.com, this provides more detail of his work. We thank Brad for giving up his time to be our guest and for his very engaging and thought provoking presentation. There is lots for us to think about individually and as a club.
DIK Visit - pictured above.
Last week Rob, Geoff and Graeme went down to DIK to collect chairs, laundry and kitchen supplies, children’s toys and soft furnishings which came from a recently liquidated childcare centre with. Grateful recipients were The Karen community, Reflections Dementia support group at Lake Eppalock and the Djarra kindergarten and childcare centre. Another trip to DIK is planned for this week. Speak to Graeme or John if you have donations for the Karen families or need details on the DIK trips.
A donated cot from the McCallum family a local Bendigo family to the Karen community. Thanks JC for picking it up and delivering it today.
Attention all those with Irish in their background.
Youth and Environment Report - Phil Britton
Firstly, we are having a working bee at the Lightning Reef Reserve on Sunday 27 September 10.00am. Our plantings are flourishing, but so are the weeds. So, we will have a general cleanup, bring your mowers, whipper snippers and sprayers, many hands make light work – let me know if you can attend.
Speaking of Lightning Reef Anna an ESL teacher at the school has 13 Karen students she is working with and would like to re-start the gardening program. The plan would be to have two sessions a week Tuesday and Thursday 2.05-3.15. Initially we would clean up the beds, add soil etc. and then plant a range of vegies – we would seek input from the students about this. Can you let me know if you would like to be involved in this program? We would develop a roster, as the teacher will be there looking after the students, I feel that two Rotarians at each session would be sufficient.
Adrian and I met with Leon Moulden and Chelsea Hill from the COGB – Youth Dept last Tuesday. We discussed the upcoming Youth Awards which will be held in November at the Conservatory at All Seasons. Apart from presenting our eleven sponsored awards the for the award recipients , we also plan to use the event to further connect with Youth and support their invaluable community work. We also discussed our Alumni project, peace poles and the community chat idea.
On Grand Final Day I will be taking two Blue Light participants, Caleb and Logan down to Williamstown to embark on the voyage on the Enterprise as participants in the Rotary Sailing Challenge.
Three students from Marist will be participating in the NYSF in January, Lachie, Olly and Josh we will meet with them and their parents as well as the other 13 participants from Bendigo Senior at an event at the Discovery Centre in October (date to be confirmed). Clubs will be invoice for the $1500 contribution they make to this program.
Club Service Report - Kathryn Mackenzie
2026 Rotary South Pacific Conference 27 October - 1 November 2026 to be held at Melbourne Convention Centre. Key themes of the Conference are
Early Bird Registrations open 17 September 2026 until 21 September 2026. ( Booking links are in RDU magazine) https://convention.rotary.org/en-us
Bendigo Rotary Club has an opportunity to bulk book tickets to the show Shake Rattle and Roll ( ABBA, Buddy Holly, Neil Diamond, Bee Gees, Johnny O'Keefe & Elvis) which takes place at Ullumbarra on 17 October 2026 at 7.30 pm. For every ticket sold Rotary will receive $5.00 from the organisers. Kathryn will have a list to collect names of those interested at next week's meeting and I'll clarify payment procedures. Ticket costs are $69 - $79 depending on seating positioning.
Bendigo Rotary has invited members of Bendigo Sandhurst Rotary to their meeting next Tuesday 22 September 6.00 for 6.30pm. Sue Opie will share the details and success of the Bendigo Sheep and Wool Show.
Memorabilia gifts and mementos available: Royce Abbey, member of Rotary Essendon and RI President 1988-1989 amassed an incredible array of gifts, mementos and memorabilia during his term in office. This has been stored and displayed in the Royce Abbey room at International House for many years, however, with a change in administration, this has now been dispersed. Over 300 items are now stored at the home of Peter Duras, Rotary Central Melbourne {formerly RC Essendon} at 100 Kavanagh St Southbank. These items are now being offered to Rotarians across Victoria who may wish a piece of history. A donation to the Royce and Jean Abbey Foundation is requested. A list of items and photos are available. These range from medals, plaques, plates, bowls, framed certificates, keys to the city, End Polio mementos and more. Call Peter on 0413 599 121 if interested in seeing any items.
Rotary - Walk with Us!
Join others this October as we get active and raise funds for Rotary’s number one global project.
Everyone in the community can take part and help make history by supporting the effort to eradicate polio worldwide.
Register yourself to walk solo or form a team with your family, friends and club members and seek sponsorship for every step taken.
A donated cot from the McCallum family a local Bendigo family to the Karen community. Thanks JC for picking it up and delivering it today. 
Attention all those with Irish in their background. 
