Another great week in Rotary with many Events happening. This week we attended the Citizenship Ceremony. The first of the Schools speech contest was held at Doncaster Secondary School. The Manningham Business Awards are now open for nominations, see below for more information. Next week is our social night at the Shoppingtown Hotel.
The first of the two Primary School Speech Contests was held this week at the Doncaster Secondary College Performance Centre.
The schools competing in this first section came from:
Templestowe Valley Primary School
Templestowe Park Primary School
Templestowe Heights Primary School
St Kevin's Primary School
Milgate Primary School
An apology had been received from Serpell Primary School, who were unable to participate this year.
The judges came from Toastmasters International.
The event sponsors:
Bendigo Bank
Bunnings Doncaster
WSP Performing Arts School
Generations Dental
Many prizes were given out including Gift Cards from Bendigo Bank, Vouchers from Bunnings along with a Drama Award from WPS Performing Arts School.
The winning school this year is Templestowe Heights who now hold the perpetual shield. The Rotary District Finals will be held on 04th November, 2026.
All of the participants were fantastic and most enjoyable to hear. Topics included the importance of the escalator, equal opportunity for all, Butter Chicken Pie and many more. Our MC for the evening was Brian Tyedin who ran the Event very well.
The introductory speech from the Manningham Mayor Jim Grivas, along with closing remarks from Gabriel Ng, MP was excellent. Thank you to Zoe Bilotta from Bunnings Doncaster, for their great support.
Our thanks also goes to Rotary District Community Leader Trish Carr, for her great overview of Rotary, to Cr Geoff Gough and Cr Anna Chen who attended, to our own Rotary Members who ensured everything was well organised and supper was served. It was great to see so many family and friends attending, adding to the fantastic energy in the room.
The next contest will be held on 15th July. We cant wait to hear the next group.
Member for Menzies, Gabriel Ng MP congratulates our new citizens.
This week Co-President Esther Murray and Board Member Sohrab Bhopti attended the Australian Citizenship Ceremony held at Manningham Civic Centre. More than 80 people from a number of countries received their Citizenship given by Mayor Jim Grivas.
Many family and friends attended along with Councillor Anna Chen and Gabriel Ng MP . It was a great evening enjoyed by all.
New awards to recognise outstanding local businesses for 2026
Nominations are now open for the inaugural Manningham Business Awards. Delivered in partnership by Manningham Council and Rotary Manningham City, the awards celebrate outstanding achievements across the business community. There are eight categories, with one winner also named Manningham Business of the Year at the awards ceremony on 22 October.
Community Contribution Emerging Business Everyday Services Health and Fitness Home-based Business Hospitality and Retail Professional Services Trades
If you know of a business that deserves recognition, or run one yourself, we encourage you to submit a nomination by August 19 and help showcase local success by visiting Manningham Council’s website.
Click here to watch the announcement from Mayor Cr Jim Grivas and Rotary Manningham City Past President Ian Goldsmith
The purpose of this Expo is to introduce our participants (many of whom may not know what Rotary is) to some of the work and projects that Rotarians have done and do in our local and global community. The RYLA Conference covers a range of leadership topics and in the session directly before the Rotary Expo, we explore the topic of ‘Identifying Community Need’ and ‘Ideation’, where we explore a range of solutions to problems identified in the participants community. This is where you come in! If your club has a project you would like to showcase at the Expo, please get in touch with us!
After the Expo, you may wish to stay for some other activities (especially if you are also staying for the Rotary Gala Dinner on Wednesday night):
Lunch with the RYLArians
A tour of Philip Island hosted by the Rotary Club of Phillip Island and San Remo
The Rotary Gala Dinner: Wednesday 8 July 2026 at 6:00pm
Another great opportunity to be a part of the RYLA Conference is the Rotary Gala Dinner. On Wednesday 8 July 2026, the RYLArians will be tasked with hosting dinner for a fun evening to thank the Rotarians for their support and let them know about their time at RYLA.
Registrations are now open for the Rotary South Pacific Conference 2026, 30 Oct–1 Nov in Melbourne. This year’s theme — People • Planet • Peace — brings together an exceptional lineup of speakers. Members will leave with practical tools, fresh ideas, and renewed confidence in Rotary’s future.
Clubs and members are encouraged to also consider:
·President’s Breakfast (Sat) — an energising session with incoming RI President Larry Lunsford, designed for current and future club leaders. Registration Link
·Rotary Foundation Masterclass (Fri) — with Past RI President and incoming TRF Trustee Chair Gordon McInally, focusing on mental health, impact, and how clubs can use Foundation grants more effectively. Registration Link
·Saturday Gala Dinner — Unmasked: Masquerade Ball A spectacular evening featuring performances from classical musicals, a professional jazz band, a Phantom‑themed surprise duet, and a dramatic all‑guest unmasking moment. Clubs may wish to book as a group via the main conference registration site.
·Friday night fellowship dinner – an informal opportunity to socialise with members from across the region. Registration Link
