Our social night at Carlucci was very good with excellent company and great food - see photos. Our Interact Team at East Doncaster Secondary College have been busy this week with two big Events - Tree Planting and a Big Freeze and BBQ Event - see photos.
A new Rotary year is emerging with Changeover occurring on 05 July. Stepping up this year are two very experienced Rotarians Brin Negus and Brian Tyedin. See brief intro below.
Introducing Brian Negus
Brian has been in Rotary since 1985 and has held a wide range of Board positions initially with Rotary Templestowe and now Rotary Manningham City, including as President on two previous occasions. He has also chaired the District Community Committee and served as Assistant DG. Brian is a Civil Engineer and he has held a number of Senior executive positions with VicRoads for many years, the RACV as General Manager, and was President of the Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) Group representing Australia internationally for more than a decade. He is a member of the ITS International World Congress Hall of Fame.
Brian is married to Carol, and they have two daughters, Kate and Rachel. As Brian says, he has always been a bit of a sports nut, having played footy, baseball, squash, basketball and golf for over 50 or more years, hence a titanium knee, and now attends gym classes at Aquarena to try and keep fit. For variety, he says that he and Carol have been Australian Ballet subscribers for more than 50 years and that this has been an equal pleasure. Have a great year Brian N.
Brian first became a Rotarian when he joined the Rotary Club of Glen Waverley in 1979 – 1981, he then had a little break of 18 years before joined the Rotary Club of Templestowe in 1999. Changes occurred that saw the Rotary Club of Templestowe amalgamate with the Rotary Club of Manningham resulting in the Rotary Club of Manningham City. Brian has had many roles in Rotary including as past president. He is a retired dentist, and has ran a private practice for 47 years. One of his hobbies, which he now says is more than just a hobby, is as a presenter on community radio station 96.5 inner FM. He started there 9 years ago and has been the president of the radio station for the past 3 years.
Brian is married to Jenny and they have 2 adult children and 2 grand children. Brian has played a variety of sports, and trained in martial arts of varying styles over many years. He keeps fit with gym swimming, tai chi and ballroom dancing. Brian says he is Diet conscious, aiming for the a Mediterranean type diet with Asian flavours and a touch of chilli. He goes easy on alcohol and drinks mainly water. Brian likes to attend Church on Sundays to give thanks, settle the soul and reset for the next week. He tells the story of his football team North Melbourne, when they were winning a lot of games, how Arden St was always packed with supporters, indeed standing room only. A few changes these days. Have a great year Brian T.
Getting ready for the trip to Glenaroua near Broadford, VIC.
The Big Freeze for MND.
EDSC Interact in action: For the past 7 years East Doncaster Secondary College (EDSC) Interact students have actively participated in our Rotary Environmental Planting Scheme. This week was no different with 19 students joining 118 people along with the Rotary Club of Mitchel Shire - to plant upwards of 3,000 trees. Our Rotarians and students took off from Doncaster, some by bus, travelling to Glenaroua in the Broadford area of Vic. Our Club has been involved in this project for over 30 years.
This Project was led by our wonderful Rotarian Keith Woolnough who recently passed (RIP 2026). Wally Spinks will continue to lead it now. This Project is also supported by the local Scouts, farmers and the local community generally. Well done everyone.
But we're not finished yet as EDSC also held a Big Freeze BBQ to raise funds for MND. Supported by our Club Members, they raised more than $6,000. Lots of people joined in including their teacher Cameron who found it a bit “wet”. Well done again.
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
