5 July - RCoBS Changeover at Camp Getaway RSVP Mon 22 June
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 44 (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
20-May
27-May
3 June
10-June
Speaker
Carlie Ryan & Lisa Renato
Lifeline
Alyssa, Ella & Bailey
COGB Youth Council Representatives
Jenny Trewartha Memorial proposal - Nurse education at Bendigo Base
Peter Cullen
RecLink
Meeting Location
Peppergreen Farm
Peppergreen Farm
Peppergreen Farm
Peppergreen Farm
Chair
Chris Purton
Linda Barrow
Kevin Dobson
Rob Rosaia
Computer
Ted Gretgrix
Cathie Miller
Doug Lougoon
Allie Lyall
Set-Up 6.45am & pack up
Kathryn Mackenzie
Chris Purton
Kevin Reade
Jim Rolfe
Welcome, raffle & roaming microphone
Jim Rolfe
Rob Rosaia
Madeleine Schoo
Linda Barrow
Co-President's report
Co-President Report for 13th May 2026
Our guest speaker this week was Barb Sheehan from RC Highton. She was speaking in her capacity as the Area Convenor for Environment and Sustainability in District 9780. Barb’s District is involved in many interesting environment projects.
Congratulations to Colleen McCarthy on the excellent article she had published in the Networker about the energy in Bendigo over the Easter period and how all the Bendigo Rotary Clubs are involved in some way – even if she was identified as being from RC Eaglehawk.
The RC Bendigo Sandhurst plaque Stew had organised to be on the Blue Light honour board was on display in an article in the Bendigo Advertiser. Well done Stew on the liaison work you do with this organisation.
Paul Kirkpatrick said the Bendigo Winter Night group were very appreciative of the donation we made towards purchasing firewood for the scout camp. He also updated us on the progress of the games room at Camp Getaway.
Michelle from Peppergreen Farm has now moved on and kindly gifted the Club a beautiful thank‑you card, expressing her appreciation for the friendships formed over the past three years. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Michelle for her cheerful, friendly service — especially on those icy winter mornings when her positivity made all the difference.
Cathie and Allie
Guest Speaker -
Barbara Sheehan Environmental Possibilities
Barbara is the Assistant Governor Environment for District 9780 and a member of Rotary Highton. Barb was born in Bendigo and attended Bendigo Senior Secondary College. She encourages local Rotary Clubs to showcase any environmental initiatives they have and to apply for district awards. Through this process and her own personal passion she has picked up a lot of very practical ideas from Rotary Clubs which have applications in other settings. Many of these projects are set up in collaboration with environmental community groups such as Landcare and Clean Up Australia. Some even include a component which generate income.
Barb emphasised the importance of Rotary Clubs leading by example. She was very proud of the fact that there were no disposable coffee cups at the recent Horsham Rotary Conference. Some of the local initiatives which Barb highlighted were as follows:
The Casterton Club has overseen the redevelopment of a roadside information centre which now includes information about local endangered species.
The Clubs in Geelong have supported a number of communities in the development of nature strips along the lines of pilot projects in Balawn.
The Warrnambool Clubs have worked with the Race Club to set up a system which sees refundable cans and bottles being directed to recycling centres. This has involved the purchase of a can sorting machine..
The Rotary Club of Torquay has supported Lese Oalie, Papua New Guinea, in setting up sustainable practices including solar panels and the supply of fresh water..
The Rotary Club of Wendouree has overseen works on the development of the Rotary Centennial Park. Work has included the installation of bird and bat boxes and the setting up of community gardens.
There is much support available at District level through the Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG). There are resources and financial support available for local initiatives in the areas of biodiversity, climate, food systems, pollution, circular economies and sustainable living. Furthering current priorities and perhaps beginning some new initiatives may well be a way of engaging more with the younger demographic. The early signs at Epsom Primary School are very promising. We thank Barb for her very thought provoking presentation.
THE STORY OF THE FLYING MATTRESS
On Thursday Graeme and I and 4 Karen assistants went to Kyneton and collected 2 trailer loads of goods to be distributed to refugee families. We picked up washing machines, clothes dryers, a refrigerator, 2 lounge suits, several single beds and some other household goods.
We have also been offered some donations as a result of a post on Facebook,
You can see all the posts at https://www.facebook.com/BendigoSandhurst
Imagine the amazing possibilities when strong, inspired leaders and members bring back some new and invigorating energy and new ideas to their respective clubs. This Club Leadership Learning Seminar is your chance to ignite that spark. This isn’t just another training session. This is a chance to for all Rotarians (seasoned and new Rotarians);
Recharge your passion for Rotary
Connect with like-minded leaders
Share ideas that work
Discover new ways to grow your club and expand your impact
The day will cover:
Format / Message RIPE President Olayinka Hakeem Babalola vision/ DGE Graeme Hope Message
Keynote speaker - Past RI Director Jessie Harman “10 Tips for Delivering an Exceptional Member Experience”
Membership success stories in the District - e.g. Rotaract, Satellite clubs
Legal/ Insurance/ Public Image – latest developments
Break- out Sessions – everything you want to know – Treasurer / Secretary / Foundation / Avenues of Service (Please note -the breakout sessions will be run simultaneously so you can only register for one).
BMFC celebrates 20 years of service
The Bendigo Maubisse Friendship Committee (BMFC) is celebrating twenty years of providing support to the Maubisse community in Timor Leste.
The BMFC 2025 Annual Report, outlining the progress that has been made in the current programs, is available on their website. See the link below.
Our Club has a strong focus on Youth in all of our projects and activities that we undertake. We are actively involved in a large number of Rotary Youth programs including Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA), Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN) and Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) to name a few. Bendigo Sandhurst also has a number of local programs including our relationships with Weeroona Secondary College, Lightning Reef Primary School, Blue Light Victoria and our scholarship program for Timor Leste students.
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 here https://bmfc.org.au/
EAGLEHAWK Do you have an old phone you'd like to re-home? Eaglehawk Rotary Club are collecting them for :-
May - Domestic & Family Violence Prevention Month
DV Safe Phones have collection points in Bendigo - this is a great, worthwhile program and is yet another way for us to address Rotary's focus on the environment - keep them out of landfill by giving them to someone who desperately needs a hand.
CASTLEMAINE Bush Fire Relief update and interesting story
Castlemaine Art Show 4-7 June- Kings Birthday long weekend.
BENDIGO SOUTH Annie North Gardening Working Bee.
A working Bee has been scheduled for Saturday May 23 commencing at 9pm and finishing by 12.30pm followed by lunch provided by Annie North Staff. As well as our regular team members any other club members are welcome to join us. Main task will be spreading mulch underneath the playground equipment and in some of the garden beds.
BENDIGO Fundraiser at Star Cinema June 4 Devil wears Prada 6.30pm bookings and payment here -
