Hello Rotarians and Friends,
A District 9815 Presidents’ Meeting was held on Friday, 21 August, with 58 people attending in person at Pakenham and a further 27 participating online, including the 2 Brians.
At the meeting, Pat Armstrong, District Environmental Lead, presented the 2026 Enviro Club Awards. Our Rotary Club received two Bronze Awards in recognition of our environmental projects. Congratulations to RMC, and particularly to Pat, for the great work she is doing in promoting environmental and sustainability projects across the District.
Club Board Meeting
Our Club Board meeting was held on Monday, 24 August, with all current projects, and one proposed new project, discussed and reviewed. More information to come.
Weekly Club Meeting
Our weekly club meeting was held on Wednesday, 26 August, at the Templestowe Hotel. It was a relaxed and enjoyable evening, providing a great opportunity to catch up with fellow members and enjoy each other’s company.
50th Anniversary of Rotary in Manningham
31 March 2027 will mark the 50th anniversary of our Club, originally chartered as the Rotary Club of Templestowe on 27 March 1977, before later amalgamating with the Rotary Club of Manningham to become the Rotary Club of Manningham City. A small committee has been established to plan a celebration of this important milestone. The committee will be chaired by Esther Murray, together with Trevor Dawson, Bruce Evans, and our Co-Presidents – the two Bs.
The anniversary provides an opportunity to celebrate 50 years of Rotary service in the Manningham community, recognising the history and contribution of the original Rotary clubs of Templestowe, Bulleen, Doncaster East, Northcote, and Manningham.
The history of the clubs is closely connected. Rotary Doncaster chartered Rotary Templestowe, which subsequently chartered the Rotary Clubs of Bulleen and Doncaster East. Bulleen and Doncaster East, together with Northcote later, merged to become the Rotary Club of Manningham.
Then in 2023, Templestowe and Manningham merged to form Rotary Manningham City. Just after the merger, we also welcomed members from the former Rotary Club of Doncaster. It is certainly a complex Rotary family tree!
Today, we are one Club – the Rotary Club of Manningham City – and the 50th anniversary will be an opportunity to celebrate that shared history, and the many years of service Rotary members have given to our local community.
Vale – Graham Couch
Sad news during the week was the passing of former Rotary Club of Templestowe member Graham Couch.
Graham joined the Rotary Club of Templestowe in 1987 and was a very active member for more than 20 years. He was a valued member of the Club and a core member of its Community Committee.
Graham played a pivotal role in establishing the Schools ANZAC Service, together with his involvement in many other significant community projects.
His contribution to Rotary and the wider Manningham community will be remembered with great respect and appreciation.
Rest in Peace, Graham Couch.
From The 2 Brians