(Established July 2023 from the merger of Rotary Clubs Manningham and Templestowe and has since welcomed former members from the Rotary Club of Doncaster.)
This week Kellie Wishart, CEO of CareNet, spoke to us about the need for food relief in our community. Our Club has donated to CareNet, along with Doncare and Ajani, as all of these very important organisations support our community on a daily basis. As she spoke about plans for the expected surge in demand over the Christmas period, Kellie left us thinking hard about how some people are doing it really tough.
Club member Luke Bastian has arranged a large number of food boxes to be distributed to various organisations and people. If you can help us to fill these boxes with food items please let us know. Esther's email address is esther@rotarymanninghamcity.au. We can organise to get boxes to you and can also pick them up if you are reasonably close.
We also recognised club member David Grieve who is leaving us to move to New South Wales. (See some more about David below.)
Next week we are at Doncaster Secondary College for the Grand Final of the District 9815 Primary School Speech Competition. Thirteen schools will be competing including four schools from the Doncaster/Templestowe area. We hope you can join us from 6.30 pm to hear some outstanding presentations from these amazing primary school students. All are welcome.
Kellie Wishart, CEO of CareNet, spoke to the club on Wednesday 19 November about the work of CareNet in Templestowe. In their own words:
CareNet exists to increase food accessibility and the community’s capacity to overcome food insecurity. Since 2018, CareNet has innovated new ways to make food accessible to those experiencing food insecurity. We have done this by working together with other community groups to provide food relief from multiple locations, using a number of different models. The CareNet team works hard to provide food that is nutritious, culturally appropriate and generous.
CareNet's Reverse Advent Calendar Boxes are available once again for those wanting to contribute to help those in the Manningham community needing food relief, especially now as we approach Christmas. The club has paid for 500 boxes and given an early donation to CareNet for their food relief program this year.
Please take a box and fill it with a selection of the food items listed on the side of the box. You could put in one per day or all at once–its entirely up to you.
CareNet CEO, Kellie Wishart (L) with member Ian Goldsmith (R) promoting the CareNet Reverse Advent Calendar Box at our club meeting on Wednesday 19 November.
Once you have filled your box, please drop them in at one of the following:
CareNet: 143 Parker St, Templestowe VIC 3106
Chiropractic Life: 1069 Doncaster Rd, Doncaster East Vic 3109
Bendigo Bank Templestowe Village: 128 James Street, Templestowe Vic 3106
Bendigo Bank East Doncaster: 900 Doncaster Rd, Doncaster East VIC 3109
Club members can also call Luke Bastian and arrange for him to pick up your box.
Suggested items include: breakfast cereal, long life milk, cans of fruit, corn, tomato or tuna, 2 minute noodles, muesli bars, jar of passata, meal base, bags of chips, soup, sweet biscuits, savoury crackers, pasta, 1kg rice, instant coffee, jars of jam, sugar and special treats such as chocolates. Multiples of any item are OK. Please select items from the supermarket shelves only, so do not include fresh fruit or vegetables, dairy, bread, meats, perishables or alcohol.
If you can't make it to the supermarket, then please consider making a donation to CareNet–they are a registered charity. For more details click here https://www.carenet.org.au.
Please give generously, food relief is a real issue for too many people in Manningham.
David Grieve (C) with club Co-Presidents Anthony Callinan (L) and Esther Murray (R).
Long time member of the Rotary Club of Doncaster and current Rotary Manningham City member, David Grieve has decided to pull up stumps and move closer to family in NSW. The club paid tribute to his work at our meeting on Wednesday 19 November, including presenting a plaque to thank him for his service.
David joined the Rotary Club of Doncaster in 2012 and served as President 2017-18, Membership Chair 2018-21, Secretary 2022-25 and District 9810 and 9815 PolioPlus Subcommittee chair from 2023. David is a Paul Harris Fellow +4. He joined Rotary Manningham City in December 2023.
Members, including ex-Doncaster member Dr. Pat Armstrong spoke in glowing terms about David's commitment to both clubs and the projects he led and worked on. When joining the Rotary Club of Doncaster he promoted the sponsorship of children in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Over the years he led the club's initiatives to supply materials to these children, who are mostly AIDS orphans, to enable them to go to school.
David also accompanied Pat Armstrong to Timor Leste to inspect projects providing new roofs and solar lighting for the meagre housing of this very poor fledgling nation. He was also instrumental in promoting the Challenge to Lead, a program offering new and front line managers the opportunity to learn and practice leadership skills. Challenge to Lead was also an important source of funds for club projects.
The members of Rotary Manningham City wish David and his family a great retirement in NSW and assure him he will always be welcome at our club.
Philip Webb has asked us to once again assist their Christmas Hamper Appeal. They wrote:
Your time and effort have made a real difference to families in need within our community — and we’re so grateful. It’s that special time of year again, and I’m delighted to share that Philip Webb will be continuing this initiative in 2025. Our goal is to once again pack and distribute over 600 hampers to local families who could use a little extra cheer this Christmas. We’d love for you to join us this year to help with the packing, if you’re able to spare some time…
When: Wednesday, 10th December, from 9:00am to approximately 5:00pm
Where: Manningham Uniting Church and Community Centre – 109 Wood Street, Templestowe
Whether you can spare an hour or stay for the whole day, your help would be greatly appreciated — every bit counts! We’d love to see you there and share another rewarding day together.
Our regular newsletter editor, Janis Mcfarland is recovering from a health issue and is unable to continue in that role.
The newsletter is our most important channel to communicate with members and our friends in the broader community. We need an organised person with a few hours to spare each week who is confident using a computer to help with this.
The role of the editor is to compile the newsletter. We use a template on the ClubRunner platform so most of the work is copy and paste and adding photos to stories. The editor should be a confident writer and attentive to detail; however, we don’t expect perfection!
Our acting editor, Anthony, can provide training and ongoing support. The editor may occasionally write stories but we mostly rely on other members to provide stories and photos.
Welcome to the 2026 District Conference in Hobart, Tasmania!
I am thrilled to invite you to join us from 13-15 March 2026, for an extraordinary event that promises to be both enriching and enjoyable. This year, we are excited to announce that the conference will be a collaborative effort with District 9830, representing Tasmania. Together, we aim to create an unforgettable experience filled with learning, networking, and cultural immersion. Hobart, with its rich history and vibrant atmosphere, provides the perfect backdrop for our conference activities.
On Friday, attendees can indulge in a variety of unique experiences, including storytelling at MACq 01, welcome drinks at the iconic Henry Jones, delightful lunch options paired with gin tasting, and exclusive whiskey tasting at the renowned Lark Distillery. For those who enjoy outdoor activities, we will also host golf and bowling events, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
– Monique Smith, D9815 Conference Chair
For more information and early bird bookings click on the image above. Club contacts are Tony Monley and Brian Tyedin.
The 2025 Rotary South Pacific Conference has just successfully concluded with PDG Tony Monley OAM and PP Kathy Monley OAM playing major roles. Pat Armstrong also managed to attend despite a busy schedule.
Not resting on his laurels, Tony Monley is the chair of the 2026 Conference to be held here in Melbourne. He will be asking for support from club members.
The future-focussed theme of “People, Planet, Peace” captures Rotary’s enduring commitment to positive change. It speaks to our role as global citizens—dedicated to protecting the environment, fostering peace, and strengthening communities.
In an uncertain world, Rotary offers stability, vision, and action. This theme aligns with our seven areas of focus, especially the environment, peace building, and community development. It challenges us to think holistically and act with purpose.
As Rotarians, we are not just responding to today’s needs—we are shaping tomorrow’s possibilities.
