Our guest speaker was Tony Monley giving an update on Rotary District and Zone matters. Tony gave us a very comprehensive overview of the structures within Rotary and how each relates to the other. Tony also encouraged us to attend the Zone Conference which is being held at the Melbourne Convention Centre as it is now open to all Rotarians. The theme is People Planet Peace. Tony is the conference organiser so no doubt it will be a great conference.
District 9815 Environ awards were presented to the club by Pat Armstrong. Our club was presented a bronze and a silver award in recognition of our environmental programs.
Our International Director, David Alexander, spoke about the humanitarian crisis in Nepal. Our club will donate $5000 via RAWCS (Rotary Australia World Community Service) to help those in need in Nepal.
We also inducted Karen Choo as our newest member– Welcome Karen to the club
While Brian T was Chairing our Club meeting, Brian N was representing the Club at the Manningham Council Community Awards presentations and Celebrations. We received a four year partnership Community Grant of $25,400 per year, for the Rotary Manningham Family Festival which continues our long-standing partnership with Council.
There were some 38 Recipients with total grants of $2.5m, and these included our community partners Doncare, CareNet, and Ajani neighbourhood House.
Over the next three weeks we have some really great topics featuring, speakers on the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), the Rotary Foundation and International grants, and then a Projects night, when we will cover the final preparations for the Family Festival at Ruffey Lake Park on 25 October. Photos below: (1) Tony Monley, (2) Co-President Brian T with Pat Armstrong ESRAG Rep.
Congratulations to our newest member Karen Choo who was inducted to Rotary Manningham City this week. Karen has been a volunteer at our Op Shop for some time and a great supporter of Rotary. Welcome Karen.
Co-President Brian Negus at the Manningham Council Community Awards. Here with Deputy Mayor Cr Deirdre Diamante receiving certificate of appreciation for our work on the Manningham Family Festival.
We had a great catch up with our Community Partners Doncare, CareNet and Ajani at Ajani Neighbourhood house, this week. With Kylie Scoullar, Kellie Wishart and Rebecca Sanders, Rotary Directors Esther Murray and Sohrab Bhopti sat down to gain an insight into the challenges facing these organisation now as well as heading into the Christmas Season. The financial crisis continues to hit hard with demands on the increase, even more than last year. Food support is almost at crisis stage. Counselling for family violence and youth mental health is rising also. The Reverse Advent Calendar will be launched in a few weeks and I know many Rotary Members, friends and families will organise to support by filling many boxes with essential food to donate. More to come in the next week.
Rotary Manningham City welcomes the Manningham Community, and the wider community, to the Manningham Family Festival and the Walk for Youth Mental Health on 25th October, to be held at Ruffly Lake Park in George Street, Doncaster East from 9am to 4pm. Parking is accessible from King Street. We have partnered with Scouts Victoria and the City of Manningham to promote the importance of Youth Mental Health in association with the Manningham Family Festival.
The Walk is to raise awareness and support this critical cause to de-stigmatise mental health. Bring the family along for a stroll around the park. Sign-in commences at 9.30am for a 10am start, pre-registered walkers will all get a free hat. To register, type Rotary Manningham City into your search engine to find the registration, and also register for the Scouts World Activity Zone, including the Festival Carnival for the kids.
Don't miss this fabulous Festival Day for families with a huge range of craft stalls, fresh produce, plants and more. We have a full-day program of entertainment with local groups performing drama, music and dancing. Lots of activities for kids with an animal farm, and a huge range of carnival rides. A range of food stalls featuring many cultures will be provided, so make sure you can spend a great day with the family. Check our facebook page for updates.
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
