14th - 19th July - Bendigo Sheep & Wool Show (setup & event) Volunteers needed.
29th July - Industry visit. See details below
27 - 31 May 2027 - Rotary Barham Weekend, Barham Caravan Park. See Kevin Reade for more details.
Welcome to Issue 51 (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
Week 2
8-July
15-July
22 July
29-July
Speaker
Georgie Pell
Reinvigorating View Street & Bendigo CBD
TBC
Club Morning
Industry Visit – JL King & Co Food and Produce
Meeting Location
Peppergreen Farm
Peppergreen Farm
Peppergreen Farm
Chair
Linda Barrow
Kevin Dobson
Rob Rosaia
Computer
Allie Lyall
Doug Lougoon
Cathie Miller
Set-Up 6.45am & pack up
John Cannon
Toni Carrington
Liz Commadeur
Welcome, raffle & roaming microphone
Toni Carrington
John Cannon
Toni Carrington
CO-PRESIDENT REPORT
Co President’s Report for 1st July 2026
What a way to end the year with the induction of Toni West to our membership. We are sure Toni will be a great contributor to the Club.
Our guest speaker this morning was Elaine Smart from VIEW (Voice, Information, Education for Women) who spoke about the work they do for the Smith Family Charity. They provide support for 22 students attending primary and secondary schools in Bendigo.
A lively session followed where many Club options and ideas were discussed. It was good to see a healthy interest in the future of the Club.
Stew Annan outlined some of his ideas and goals for the next Rotary.
Thankyou to all members for their support and enthusiasm over the past 12 months. We hope you enjoy your year Stew.
Have an enjoyable Changeover and we will include photos in next week's bulletin.
Congratulations Toni on your induction into our Club and the Rotary family.
Guest Speaker- Elaine Smart
Elaine is a foundation member of the Bendigo Branch of Voice, Interests and Education of Women (VIEW) which was set up in 1994. The local branch has 66 members. VIEW was set up in the 1930's as a support group for women. The depression years brought great hardship and social isolation for women. VIEW has always responded to the needs of women. At times such as the immigration years of the 70's when support was available to assist with community participation. With a focus on education in the 80's VIEW developed a partnership with the Smith Family. "No child should miss out' became the focus for fundraising and support of schools and families.
Elaine outlined the work of the Smith Family in Bendigo. There are seven schools involved with support offered for 900 children. There are two staff at Eaglehawk Secondary College who oversee this work. To be eligible for support families must be the holders of a Health Care Card and must be referred by an agency. There is a requirement that the children must attend school regularly. Family Care Coordinators maintain regular contact with families. Elaine has a direct involvement with 22 of the children.
As well as the support for the Smith family VIEW also supports other community causes such as social housing and the use of plastics. Members are very active in the community in ways including gift wrapping at shopping centres. Trivia nights and celebrating International Womens' Day are wonderful opportunities for fellowship. As Rotarians we are most fortunate to meet the likes of Elaine. She has spent a lifetime in the service of others often in positions of leadership in VIEW. We congratulate her on all that VIEW has achieved and we thank her for taking the time to be our guest. As Paul said, this presentation helped us all fill many of the gaps.
The Club's next Industry visit will be a tour of J.L. King and Co on Wednesday July 29th. Members are invited to gather in the foyer at 7.15am, our normal meeting time. The address is 21 Brickworks Road, East Bendigo. There is plenty of parking on the street, if you can't find space in the car park. Management has requested no jewellery and flat soled shoes. It is advisable to bring warm clothing as we will be passing through some refrigerated areas.
For those who are able we will gather for breakfast at Eastside Cafe, 40 Strickland Road, East Bendigo after the tour at around 8.30am. Again there is plenty of parking on the street. Please be in touch with Jim Rolfe (0407554263) if you have any queries.
WHAT IS IN THE BOX?
Please submit all answers to Rob
There is a GREAT prize if you answer correctly. Please note, Rob is the chief adjudicator.
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:
EAGLEHAWK
60th Birthday Luncheon 8th August 2026
A luncheon will be held on Saturday, 8th August
to celebrate our club's milestone birthday.
More information will follow, but for now - pop it into your diary so you don't miss out!
BENDIGO
Bendigo Maubisse Friendship Committee 20th Anniversary - 18th Sept. 2026 at 6.00pm. For more info go to BMFC website see link here https://bmfc.org.au/
UPDATE
NEWS FLASH: The accommodation needed for two Malaysia Special Education teachers has been reduced to 13 nights, from 20 August to 2 September 2026
The teachers will be located at either the Bendigo Special Developmental School or at Kalianna School during their time in Bendigo. They will need to be transported to and from their school.
Please let me know if you can home host one or more of the teachers during that time and for how long. I can be contacted by phone (0416 192 032) or email (lj@joll.net). Lindsay Jolley (IPP, Rotary Club of Bendigo South)
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
Congratulations Toni on your induction into our Club and the Rotary family.
