(Established July 2023 from the merger of Rotary Clubs Manningham and Templestowe and has since welcomed former members from the Rotary Club of Doncaster.)
Co-Presidents 2025-26 Esther Murray | Brian Tyedin Anthony Callinan
In this Newsletter:
Report from this week's meeting
NO MEETING NEXT WEEK - April 29. Come to the First Aid class instead! (See below).
Manningham Citizenship Ceremony
The 'Op Shop'
Our Sponsors - and 'Sponsor of the Month'.
Club Meeting: April 22
Dear Members and Friends,
Our meeting this week was at the Manningham Hotel, where we celebrated Keith Woolnough's 98th birthday - and 65 years in Rotary. Keith was presented with a letter from Francesco Arezzo, President, Rotary International 2025-26, who wrote of Keith: "Engaged and visionary members like you exemplify what it means to Unite for Good. Your dedication fuels Rotary's capacity to innovate and prepare for the challenges of tomorrow. Thank you for your service and steadfast commitment to creating lasting change in the world."
Co-President Esther Murray read a letter from D9815 DG Peter Behm, honouring Keith's 65 years in Rotary, his dedication and commitment. See the full text of the letter below.
And as noted last week, Esther Murray is stepping down as Co-President for 2026-2027 to take over the role of Editor-in-Chief of the weekly club bulletin. Brian Tyedin will step in as Co-President, joining Brian Negus. Esther will be chatting with members to get their thoughts and ideas in the next few weeks.
At our meeting on April 15, we heard from PP Wally Spinks about our club's involvement in this project.
Rotary Manningham City, along with Rotary clubs worldwide, support environmental sustainability by organising tree planting projects with local partners. These efforts absorb carbon, reduce heat, prevent erosion, and boost biodiversity.
For many years, Manningham City has undertaken a tree planting project at Glenoura (near Seymour) alongside Landcare Australia, the Pajero Club of Victoria, the Rotary Club of Seymour South, and students from East Doncaster Secondary College. Tree planting fosters community involvement and educates young people about sustainability. Each initiative is a step towards a greener, more sustainable future – one tree at a time.
[Article by David McIvor] _________________________________________________
The Manningham City Rotary Club proudly celebrates the 98th birthday of long-standing Rotarian Keith Woolnough.
A Rotarian for 65 years, Keith has exemplified “Service Above Self,” including his leadership in the Glenoura tree planting initiative alongside Wally Spinks, Landcare Australia, the Pajero Club of Victoria, the Rotary Club of Seymour South, and students from East Doncaster Secondary College.
Before Rotary, Keith enjoyed an outstanding football career with the Northcote ‘Dragons’ Football Club, playing 185games over a decade from 1947, the vice-captain of the VFL-VFA team in the demonstration match at the 1956 Summer Olympics, winning the prestigious J. J. Liston Trophy in 1958 (and trading elbows with my father, who played for Camberwell!)
The club warmly congratulates Keith on this remarkable milestone.
This year the festival will be held at Ruffey Lake Park (RLP). Increased attendance and limited space at Finns Reserve (the venue for previous years) has prompted the move.
The Doncaster Secondary College Interact Club has made a strong and purposeful start to the 2026 school year, building on planning undertaken late last year.
Under the leadership of teachers Tim and Sarah, students have been actively engaged in community service initiatives. Year 12 students have continued their valued partnership with CareNet through a series of “Cook-On” sessions, preparing meals including pasta bolognese, Hokkien noodles, and butter chicken with rice. These meals are collected, frozen, and distributed by CareNet to support local families. A recent visit to CareNet provided students with insight into the impact of their efforts, with a follow-up visit planned next term to assist with food distribution.
Year 10 and 11 students have focused on revitalising the school’s vegetable garden. With support facilitated through Rotary, soil and tools were supplied, and additional funding enabled the purchase of new seedlings. Students have also completed and installed bird boxes from a 2025 project, enhancing the school environment.
Unfortunately, cost-of-living pressures have limited participation in the planned Rotary Sailing Weekend, though this may be revisited later in the year.
Planning is now underway for the DSC High Tea on 31 July, where Interact students will once again host and serve local community leaders, with support from Rotary.
There is no club meeting on Wednesday April 29, so you might like to join the 1st Doncaster East Scout Group for First Aid & CPR training, to be conducted in the Scout Hall in Muriel Green Drive, Doncaster East (off Victoria St, near Cottage). The (two) courses are:
HLTAID011 Provide First Aid (incl CPR); $125, 6:30 PM - 9.30 PM
HLTAID009 Provide CPR; $65: 6:30 PM - 8.00 PM
For further information and to register CLICK HERE. or contact Luke Bastian (E) dartagnan9810@gmail.com or (T) 0425 726 930
Thank You to Our Sponsors – Partners in Community Impact
Our Rotary club is proud to be supported by generous sponsors who share our commitment to service and community. Their support helps fund our projects, events, and charitable initiatives, enabling us to make a real difference locally and beyond.
Why Support Our Sponsors?
When you support our sponsors, you’re supporting businesses and organisations that invest back into our community and help Rotary deliver meaningful programs. Your support strengthens local partnerships, sustains volunteer-led projects, and builds a stronger community for everyone. For more information on each sponsor, CLICK on their logo below.
Together, we unite for good.
SPONSOR OF THE MONTH - Ace Filtration Products - see the information below.
[Articles by David McIvor]
Manningham City Council
The Manningham City Council is the local government authority responsible for governing the City of Manningham in the north-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria. It provides a wide range of services and facilities to residents, businesses and community organisations across the municipality.
Manningham covers an area of about 114 square kilometres and has a population of more than 120,000 people. The municipality stretches from Bulleen, about 12 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD, to Wonga Park, around 32 kilometres away. Suburbs within Manningham include Doncaster, Doncaster East, Templestowe, Templestowe Lower, Donvale, Park Orchards and Warrandyte, as well as parts of Nunawading and Ringwood North.
Like all local councils in Victoria, Manningham City Council manages essential local services such as waste and recycling collection, roads and footpaths, planning and development approvals, parks and recreation facilities, libraries, community programs and environmental management. It also supports local businesses, arts and cultural activities, and community wellbeing services.
The council is led by elected councillors who represent the community and make decisions about local planning, infrastructure and services. Manningham is known for its large areas of open space, with more than 300 parks and reserves and significant “green wedge” areas that protect natural landscapes along the Yarra River.
Manningham Council is a valued supporter and sponsor of our club.
