Weekly Bulletin
Meets: Wednesdays at 7:00am for 7:30am 
PepperGreen Farm
40-44 Thunder St, North Bendigo 3550
 
Co-Presidents: Allie Lyall
                          Cathie Miller
Secretary:        Paul Henderson
 
Email: secretary@rcobs.com.au
 
Postal: PO Box 1122 Bendigo 3552
 
RI President:              Francesco Arezzo
District Governor:      Peter Shepheard
Assistant Governor:  Alison Bacon
 
Club No:  25446   Chartered:  2nd June 1988
Upcoming Activities
 
 
7 May Bendigo Rotary Club fundraiser for PNG's midwifery future leaders at Star Cinema. See details below.
 
5 July -  RCoBS Changeover at Camp Getaway
 
14th - 19th July - Bendigo Sheep & Wool Show (setup & event)
 
18th September - Save the date! Bendigo Maubisse Friendship Committe's 20th anniversary celebration, See below.
 
27 - 31 May 2027 - Rotary Barham Weekend, Barham Caravan Park. See Kevin Reade for more details. 
 
 
Welcome to Issue 42 (2025-26) 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
 
 
Meeting Roster
 
6-May
13-May
20-May
27-May
Speaker
Club Morning
Barb Sheehan
Environmental Possibilities via zoom
Carlie Ryan & Lisa Renato
Lifeline
Alyssa, Ella & Bailey
COGB Youth Council Representatives
Meeting Location
Peppergreen Farm
Peppergreen Farm
Peppergreen Farm
Peppergreen Farm
Chair
Doug Lougoon
Stan Hendy
Chris Purton
Linda Barrow
Computer
Toni Carrington
Doug Lougoon
Ted Gretgrix
Cathie Miller
Set-Up 6.45am & pack up
Judy Miatke
Geoff Michell
Kathryn Mckenzie
Chris Purton
Welcome, raffle & roaming microphone
Graeme Lynas
Colleen McCarthy
Jim Rolfe
Rob Rosaia
Co-President's report
Co-President Report for 29 th April
On a glorious autumn morning we had a good number of members attend the
Bendigo Botanical Gardens for a tour of the historical part. Thanks, Jim, for
organising this visit.
Many members stayed after the tour to have breakfast at Omari.
 
Thank you to the members who attended the Anzac Day Dawn Service and
supported the Gunfire breakfast. For our members, the morning is always a deeply
meaningful opportunity to reflect on the significance of Anzac Day.
 
As part of the 100 Year celebration, the RC of Bendigo are organising a reunion of
the Past Presidents of all the Clubs they have sponsored over this period. An email
has been sent to our Past Presidents with the invitation.
 
Allie and Cathie.
Industry Visit to Bendigo Botanical Gardens
 
Friends of the gardens, represented by Debbie, Judy and Simone and ably assisted by Phil, treated members to a most informative and enjoyable tour. The friends of the gardens is a dynamic group which conducts tours, propagates and sells plants and runs classes for illustrators. It was wonderful to hear of the contribution the group has made to the redevelopment of this beautiful area. Many members remember the times when the gardens had fallen into disrepair. The Friends and the Council have paid great attention to detail in restoring the gardens to their former glory.
 
The area contained by the gardens was originally part of the Bendigo Creek floodplain. The creek was redirected leaving the lagoon area that is there today. There are some River Red Gums on the western side which predate the park which was opened in 1857. Samuel Gadd (1842-1917) played a big part in the development of the gardens as well as Rosalind Park and the Lake Weeroona Reserve. He was the resident caretaker for some time. The administration area and the place where the Friends on the Gardens conduct their activities on the western side is named in his honour. The gardens were originally home to many animals including monkeys, deer and kangaroos. An extensive bird aviary was also set up.
 
All trees are monitored regularly and succession planning to replace trees as they come to the end of their lives is in place. Labels on most trees provide information about origins and botanical names. Cannas and roses are included in the garden beds. A number of the plants including some from Africa, North America and other parts of Australia have been registered as significant on the Heritage Council Register.
 
There is currently some contention about the future of the White Hills Swimming Pool. One possibility for this area is the reconstruction of the conservatory. Some of the materials from the original conservatory have been successfully stored. The master plan is based on the importance of authentically restoring the gardens.
 
Jim Rolfe 
 
 
Debbie, one of our Friends of Bendigo Botanical Gardens guides, explaining aspects of the gardens to the group.
 
 
 
Part of the team ready for the garden tour.
 
Blue Light Young Achiever 2026
 
The Blue Light “Young Achiever of the Year” award was presented to Levi Dajcic last Thursday at the Police Station. Thanks to the Blue Light program, Levi has overcome some rough times through One-to One mentoring and an emergent love for, and dedication to, martial arts training.
 
Levi’s family were there to see him receive the honour from Bendigo’s Superintendent of Police (Paul Gardiner). In congratulating Levi, Supt Gardiner spoke about the success of the Blue Light program generally. It was interesting to learn that greater than 75% of young people who have participated in the program since its inception 10 years ago, have not returned to Police attention - a true testament to the success of the program.
 
Levi spoke about his journey and his pride in seeing his name on the “Young Achiever Award” honour board. Our club logo sits atop the board which will be displayed in the Station reception area. Further, we presented Levi with a multi-store voucher from the Club, of which we are sure he will make good use.
 
Stew Annan
 
Below, the Blue Light Team with Levi Dajcic (3rd from left), Supt Gardner and Stew Annan.
 

 

Dear Fellow Rotarians, 

“A film that might just change someone’s life.”

You are warmly invited to a special Charity Movie Night featuring the powerful and uplifting true story I Swear.

This exceptional film follows the journey of John Davidson, diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome at age 15 in 1980s Britain, a time when the condition was little understood. Facing isolation and adversity, John’s story unfolds with resilience, courage, humour, and unexpected connection.

Described as cathartic, authentic, and eye-opening, I Swear is a deeply moving experience, told with warmth and lightness rather than a sombre tone.

Starring: Robert Aramayo
Also featuring: Maxine Peake, Sanjeev Kohli, Steven Cree, Peter Mullan, Shirley Henderson

A Film with Purpose

This is more than a movie night, it’s a chance to make a real difference.

All proceeds  enable  the PNG Midwifery Support Project, helping  prepare  and empower midwives to safely deliver babies in remote villages of Papua New Guinea, where access to skilled care can mean the difference between life and death.

To put this into perspective:

  • Around 1 in 20 children in PNG do not reach their fifth birthday
  • 41% of under-5 deaths occur in the first month of life
  • Many of these deaths are preventable with skilled maternal care

You can help change these outcomes.

Event Details

Date: Thursday, 7 May 2026
Time: 6:30 pm for a 7:00 pm start
Venue: Star Cinema, Eaglehawk Town Hall
Address: 2 Peg Leg Road, Eaglehawk

Bookings:
Online (see the link below) or by phone: 5446 2025 (11:00 am – 3:00 pm, Monday to Friday). Tickets cost $22.

Be Part of Something Meaningful

Come for the film. Stay for the impact. Help change lives.

Please feel free to share this invitation with your friends, colleagues, and networks, your support truly matters.

We look forward to seeing you there.

 

Warm regards,

Marion Baker

Chair of the PNG Midwife Support Project
Star Cinema - Bendigo Rotary Fundrraiser
 
Advanced Energy Technology Pilot at Pyramid Hill
 
The Rotary Club of Bendigo is conducting a bus trip to the Advanced Energy Technology Pilot facility at Pyramid Hill on Tuesday 19th May 2026.
An invitation has been extended to Bendigo Sandhurst members to join them on the tour.
 
Contact Graeme Clarke on graeme.s.clarke@gmail.com to confirm your seat on the bus and then make your payment as below.
 
 
Cost for the Bus to Pyramid Hill and return is $20.
If you would like to attend, please make payment as below
Your name and reference could be Pyramid Hill
Bendigo Rotary Club
BSB: 633000
Account # 106154685
 
Timetable for the day 
  9.45am Depart the Bendigo Club and then 10.00am depart Eaglehawk
  11.00am Arrive Advanced Energy Technology - Pilot Plant in Pyramid Hill.
  12:15pm Lunch at The Pyramid Hill Hotel, (At your own cost)
  3.00pm approx. arrive back at The Bendigo Club
 
The theme of the day will be “What happens to our Red top bin and how will that
change?”
 
For more info about Advanced Energy Technology click on the link below.
 
 
Advanced Energy Technology
The Noticeboard
Each week various information come into the Bulletin email, small bits to add into the bulletin that doesn't really go anywhere else but may be good to know. Sometimes it's an announcement, an invitation, an update or advertisement.
Here are this week's tidbits:
Home hosts are needed for the next group of visiting Malaysia Special Education teachers:  Thursday 6 August – Saturday 5 September 2026  
contacted Lindsay Jolley M: 0416 192 032 or E:lj@joll.net 
 
Save the Date - Bendigo Maubisse Friendship Committee 20th Anniversary - 18th Sept. 2026 at 6.00pm. For more info go to BMFC website see link below.
 
Click here for the Bendigo Maubisse Friendship Committee!
Joke of the Week
 
 
 
Cluster club meetings
 
Bendigo
 
 
Tuesday 12.30pm for 1.00pm, an evening meeting on the 4th week - 6pm for 6.30pm start.
The Bendigo Club, 22 Park St. Strathdale
Bendigo South
Thursday 6.00pm for 6.30pm
Boatshed Function Room, Lakeview Hotel, Bendigo
Eaglehawk
Wednesday 6.15pm for 6.30pm
Mechanics Institute, California Gully
Kangaroo Flat
Monday 6.00pm for 6.30pm
Rotary Gateway Park, Kangaroo Flat
Inner Wheel Bendigo
2nd Tuesday, 11.00am – lunch after meeting
Mechanics Institute, School Street, California Gully
Contact: Bernadette Storer 0407 051 722
Castlemaine
Wednesday 6.00pm for 6.30pm
The Cumberland Hotel, Castlemaine
Rochester
2nd and 4th Thursday 6.00pm for 6.30pm
Heritage Court House, Rochester
Echuca
Tuesday 6.30pm
Rotary Park Rooms, Echuca
 
 
 
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