We had 24 members at the Manningham Function Centre on Thursday night for the Manningham Business Awards. This special event which we are co-sponsoring with Manningham Council is a refreshed business awards project which was launched some years ago by Rotary Manningham.
The Mayor Jim Grivas welcomed more than 200 businesspeople from across Manningham and the MC’s were Andrew McMaster, Director City Planning and Liveability, and Ian Goldsmith Treasurer of RMC. The Awards were presented by the Mayor and the two Brians.
The night was a great celebration of business excellence across Manningham, with 7 categories, with 65 nominees, and the finalists included Darling Daughters – headed by our member Rhea Dhir, and Regretless Low Carb Pleasure which is frequented by a number of us. The winner of the Home Based Award and also the Business of the year was Gourmet Guru Catering who recently provided our meals at the projects night at the Doncaster RSL.
It was a really great event and is sure to continue next year. Special thanks to Ian Goldsmith for his super work with Council to regenerate this special event.
Just a reminder to those members who took so many food donation boxes from Carenet, to ensure they get them back to Carenet in Templestowe as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, with the dire weather forecasts for this weekend, we had no choice but to cancel (reschedule) the Manningham Family Festival and Walk for Youth Mental Health. Tony Monley and the Event team have worked diligently over many months to plan these events and respond to the requirements of Council. This situation is a great disappointment, but we will live to fight another day. The Council Events Team were totally on board with our decision to reschedule the event and keen to work with us to agree a new date in 2027.
At our next meeting on Wednesday 28 October, we will hear from Lyn Moore on the important female health issue“Days for Girls”, and then we have the District Primary Schools Speech Competition Final on 4 November at Doncaster Secondary College. We will have a number of representatives from our local schools competing so please do you best to attend.
For our normal meeting night on Wednesday 4th November, Rotary Manningham City is hosting the District 9815 Primary School Speech Competition Grand Final. When and where: Wednesday 4th November, 7.00pm at Doncaster Secondary College Performance Centre - 123 Church Rd, Doncaster. The winners from 16 Schools will be competing for the ultimate prize and bragging rights. All are welcome, it will be a fabulous night of young quality speakers competing. Supper at the end of the night. No Charge
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
