29th August - Lunch for Malaysian school teachers. See flyer below
30th August -Federation Picnic.
5th September 2026 - Polio Plus afternoon tea. See details below
27 - 31 May 2027 - Rotary Barham Weekend, Barham Caravan Park. See Kevin Reade for more details.
Welcome to Issue 6 (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:
Opportunities to volunteer -for non-Rotarian friends and volunteers:
* Upcoming BBQs - Contact Kevin - 0428 996 619
Week 3
19-Aug
26-Aug
2-Sept
9-Sept
Speaker
Club Morning
Janette Etherington (via zoom)
Interplast
Aviv Palti & Maria Hicks
Rotary Passport Club of Melbourne
Lina Langendorf
Past Exchange Student
Meeting Location
Peppergreen Farm
Peppergreen Farm
Peppergreen Farm
Peppergreen Farm
Chair
Doug Lougoon
Linda Barrow
Rob Rosaia
Kevin Dobson
Computer
Allie Lyall
Doug Lougoon
Allie Lyall
Ted Gretgrix
Set-Up 6.45am & pack up
Phil Harris
Paul Kirkpatrick
Doug Lougoon
Allie Lyall
Welcome, raffle & roaming microphone
Phil Britton
Toni West
John Cannon
Toni West
PRESIDENT REPORT for 12th August 2026
Learning about Rotary is an endless journey, and that truth was brought into sharp focus at our meeting last week by guest speaker Andrew Crockett AM. Of course, we all know the Four-Way Test... or at least we thought we did. Andrew's fascinating deep dive into its history and ethical foundations revealed there is much more to it than many of us realised. It was both interesting and thought-provoking. Thanks to Andrew.
With the Reclink finals approaching, the team held its last Bendigo match for the season on 5 August. Robbie Rosaia, John Cannon, Toni West and Gerard House teamed up to run the barbecue. A huge thank you to them, to Paul Henderson, and to all members who have contributed to the Reclink barbecues throughout the year. It has been a tremendous effort in support of a wonderful community service.
Phil Britton and I attended the City of Greater Bendigo Youth Council meeting last Wednesday evening to formally present, discuss and seek support for two potential projects.
The first project, inspired by the monthly Community Chat hosted by the Rotary Club of Rochester, proposes a similar forum focused on not-for-profit organisations that support young people. As we explained to the Youth Council, the aim is to periodically bring these organisations together to share information, ideas and challenges, while exploring opportunities for collaboration and mutual support to increase their impact. We see Youth Council participation and support as critical to the success of this initiative.
The second project sought the Youth Council's opinion and advice on establishing a youth-focused Peace Pole in a suitable public space in Bendigo. The Youth Council has agreed to provide a letter of support for the project which, should we choose to proceed, may assist with an application to Council.
Our meeting next week (19 August) will be a Club Morning. It will provide an opportunity for members to raise and discuss club matters. All being well, the Malaysian special education teachers currently staying with the Lynas family will also join us. We have one important item of business to address: voting on the Re-Districting proposal. A reminder that if you are unable to attend next Wednesday's meeting, please send your vote to me beforehand so that I may act as your proxy.
My philosophical quote of the week:
"I don’t believe in anything, but I have many suspicions” Robert Anton Wilson
President Stew
Guest speaker - Andrew Crockett
Andrew provided for members with an in depth overview of the Four Way Test both from his perspective as a fellow Rotarian and through the application of different ethical theories. This was timely given the current political climate and the twenty four hour news cycle we live in. Discerning the truth is often very challenging. The Four Way Test was developed by Herbert J Taylor as a point of difference for his business and adopted by Rotary in 1943. It is a test and not a rule and whilst most decisions and actions are fairly straight forward there are times when this test needs to be applied.
The preamble to the test (For the things we think, say or do) adds to the complexities of applying the test. Andrew suggested that the thinking component is often the most challenging. As humans we think both positively and negatively in the privacy of our own minds. However in the context of a Rotary Club the test challenges us to speak or to act with consideration for all and building goodwill. This may mean giving way to some aspects of our private thinking. Truth is often determined by the way our actions play out in relation to the interplay between each of the elements in the Four Way Test.
Andrew outlined some different ethical theories which guide our actions and what we say. A Utilitarian approach is based on the idea of bringing the most happiness to the greatest number of people. Virtue ethics presumes that proper thoughts, words and actions flow naturally from being a virtuous person. Kantian ethics places an emphasis on the rules rather than the consequences. Consequentialism has its basis on the right or wrong action being based on its outcomes.
Andrew mentioned a couple of examples of the way these different theories play out in our lives and the way they relate to each other. When asked by our neighbour about the recent extension even though our thoughts might be about how hideous it is we will probably be more circumspect in our response given the importance we place on having good neighbourly relations. There are often situations when maintaining confidence with one person means not being truthful with another. Andrew is convinced that Watergate wouldn't have occurred if the Four Way Test had been applied. The test is just as relevant today as it was when it was adopted in 1943.
Rotary is all the better as a result of the research that Andrew has put into this foundational aspect of its operation. We thank him for his very thought provoking presentation.
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.
On September 2 our club will have special guest speaker - Aviv Palti (right).
Aviv will speak in person and will be accompanied by Maria Hicks OAM, the president of the Melbourne Rotary Passport Club.
We are hoping Rotarians from other neaby clubs may be able to join us at our meeting.
Below is some background information about Aviv.
Aviv Palti is the Co-Founder of the Cambodia Rural Students Trust NGO (CRST), Foundation Director of the Rotary Passport Club of Melbourne (RPM), Advisor to the Rotaract Club of Siem Reap (RACSR), and the author of Empowered - A New Generation of Leaders. For more than 15 years, he has dedicated himself to creating opportunities that empower young people and strengthen communities through education, leadership and service.
Working alongside Rotarians and Rotaractors across Australia, New Zealand and Asia, Aviv has helped build sustainable partnerships that create meaningful, long-term impact. He has presented at more than 50 Rotary clubs, district conferences and leadership forums, sharing practical lessons in leadership, service and international collaboration.
Together with more than 30 Rotary clubs and 10 Rotary districts, Aviv has helped develop and deliver humanitarian projects valued at more than A$500,000, impacting over 50,000 community members across Cambodia and Myanmar. These initiatives have included Global Grant WASH projects, education scholarships, bicycles for education, menstrual health programs, SolarBuddy light distributions and studentled leadership initiatives. At the heart of every project is a simple philosophy - sustainable change begins by investing in people, building local leadership and creating genuine partnerships.
Drawing on his experience in humanitarian leadership and community development, Aviv brings a practical, authentic and people-focused perspective to every presentation. Through compelling stories from the field and the leadership principles explored in Empowered - A New Generation of Leaders, he inspires audiences to think differently about service, leadership and the extraordinary impact that ordinary people can create when they work together.
What Audiences Can Expect
Aviv's presentations are engaging, practical and inspiring. Rather than simply showcasing projects, he shares the leadership principles that make sustainable impact possible - building trust, empowering others, developing future leaders and creating partnerships that endure. Audiences leave with practical ideas they can apply within their own Rotary clubs and communities, together with a renewed belief that lasting change is created by investing in people first.
Rotary & Community Leadership
• Past President 2022-2024 - Rotary Passport Club of Melbourne (RPM) • Foundation Director 2024-2027 - Rotary Passport Club of Melbourne (RPM) • Advisor 2022-2027 - Rotaract Club of Siem Reap (RACSR) • Co-Founder - Cambodia Rural Students Trust NGO (CRST) • Author - Empowered - A New Generation of Leaders • Speaker at more than 50 Rotary clubs, district conferences and leadership forums.
Friday, 30 October - Sunday ,1 November
Rotary South Pacific 2026 is where regional leadership gathers, ideas ignite and momentum builds. Under the bold theme People. Planet. Peace., this Conference brings together Rotary leaders, changemakers and members from across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific to shape the future of our organisation. Convened by Rotary International Director Jennifer Scott AM and chaired by PDG Tony Monley OAM, Melbourne 2026 will connect global vision with regional action. From international keynote addresses and leadership streams to fellowship, collaboration and community impact, this is more than a conference — it is a movement for regional impact.
