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 7 (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 4
26-Aug
2-Sept
9-Sept
16-Sept
Speaker
Janette Etherington (via zoom)
Interplast
Aviv Palti & Maria Hicks
Rotary Passport Club of Melbourne
Lina Langendorf
Past Exchange Student
Brad Hodge
Retirement Planning
Meeting Location
Peppergreen Farm
Peppergreen Farm
Peppergreen Farm
Peppergreen Farm
Chair
Linda Barrow
Rob Rosaia
Kevin Dobson
Doug Lougoon
Computer
Doug Lougoon
Allie Lyall
Doug Lougoon
Allie Lyall
Set-Up 6.45am & pack up
Paul Kirkpatrick
Madeleine Schoo
Judy Miatke
Graeme Lynas
Welcome, raffle & roaming microphone
Toni West
John Cannon
Toni West
Ray Carrington
PRESIDENT REPORT for 19th August 2026
Despite the rain and cold, we enjoyed an excellent roll-up last Wednesday. As a breakfast club with meetings commencing at 7:30am, such strong attendance cannot always be taken for granted, particularly in the middle of a Bendigo winter. Our meetings are vibrant, engaging and uplifting, and I believe that is the key. Let's make sure we continue to keep them that way together. Service above self, with plenty of fun along the way.
The standout highlight was meeting Malaysian special education teachers AD and GV, who joined us with their adopted dad, Graeme Lynas, while visiting Australia. It was terrific to hear about their backgrounds, the benefits that come from sharing knowledge and experiences with colleagues in Australia, and to be inspired by the passion they bring to their work. Their visit was greatly appreciated by all.
It was also wonderful to welcome Brian Hodge back following his recent knee surgery. Brian provided an update on the ongoing challenges facing The Blue Kangaroo School in Uganda. We wish him well with his recovery. Sitting still has never been conducive to a happy Brian.
Treasurer Madeleine shared positive news regarding the Club's transition from QuickBooks to Xero, a significant undertaking that she is managing with the assistance of Evelyn. Much of this vital work happens behind the scenes, so our thanks go to both Madeleine and Evelyn for their dedication and efforts.
Phil Britton provided an update on several important youth and environmental initiatives. Encouragingly, there is a strong possibility that the Rotary Club of Bendigo, the Rotary Club of Bendigo South, or both, may join us in supporting Bendigo Street Peace.
Phil also advised that two adventurous young people, referred to us by Bendigo BlueLight, have applied for Club sponsorship to participate in the next Rotary Sailing Challenge in September. The Rotary Sailing Challenge is a remarkable program that provides teenagers with a truly life-changing experience. Over four days, participants develop self-confidence, gain a deeper appreciation of teamwork, step outside their comfort zones, and challenge themselves in ways that can have a lasting positive impact.
Looking ahead, our next fundraiser will be the Federation Picnic on Sunday, 30 August. If you are available to assist on the day, please let Kevin Reade know so that he can finalise the roster. Thank you in advance for your support.
At next week's meeting, our guest speaker will be Janette Etherington, who will be speaking about Interplast. Most members will be aware of the enormous and lasting impact Interplast makes through the provision of life-changing reconstructive surgery across the Pacific and South-East Asia. Janette's presentation promises to be both informative and inspiring, and is certainly one not to miss.
My philosophical quote of the week:
"Man is the only creature who refuses to be what he is” Albert Camus
President Stew
Graeme with the Malaysian students.
Rotary in Action
This is a photo of our Rotary Club of Bendigo Sandhurst members Jude Miatke and Brian Hodge.
The spirit of Rotary is reflected in the outstanding work of two of our members.
Let's have a cheer for Jude who completed 15 nights service for those vulnerable to the cold and welcomed at the Bendigo Winter Night Shelter.
And also for Brian whose efforts to improve the lives and educational outcomes for children in Blue Kangaroo School Uganda. Two enthusiastic and hard working people making sure two key projects for our club continue to thrive .
Colleen McCarthy
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.
