Our meeting this week saw one of our smaller attendances, with a number of members interstate or overseas. We also had strong representation at the Empowering Eaglehawk 20th birthday celebrations.
Our guest speaker, Morgan Murphy, is a volunteer board member with Bendigo Winter Night Shelter. The shelter operates throughout the winter months at Koolamurt Park Scout Camp in Spring Gully. It operates through collaboration between seventeen churches, hundreds of volunteers, numerous community organisations and supporters.
Guests are welcomed into a safe environment where warmth, respect and hospitality are prioritised. A typical evening includes:
Arrival and sign-in
Transport to the shelter location
A shared evening meal
Access to showers and facilities
A safe, heated place to sleep
Volunteers support the nightly routine and help maintain a calm and respectful environment.
BWNS also works alongside local service providers to help connect guests with housing support, health services and other assistance where appropriate.
Carmel has asked for support at the book shop on Sept 16 where two volunteers are required.
Our meeting next week sees us hosting the District Governor, Graeme Hope. He is attending the Bendigo Sandhurst breakfast meeting and then joining us at the book shop for morning tea. Can you please let Carmel know if you will be attending the morning tea for catering purposes? He will then attend our dinner meeting, with a special board meeting to follow.
On Sep 30 we have been asked by Blue Light to provide a barbecue for their skate park event at McKern Skate Park between 11:00 and 1:30. More details to follow.
On Wednesday morning I attended the Bendigo Sandhurst breakfast meeting where the guest speaker was Aviv Palti. Representatives from RC Port Philip, RC Melbourne Passport and Castlemaine also attended. Aviv Palti is the Co-Founder of the Cambodia Rural Students Trust NGO (CRST), Foundation Director of the Rotary Passport Club of Melbourne (RPM), Advisor to the Rotaract Club of Siem Reap (RACSR), and the author of Empowered - A New Generation of Leaders. For more than 15 years, he has dedicated himself to creating opportunities that empower young people and strengthen communities through education, leadership and service.
Together with more than 30 Rotary clubs and 10 Rotary districts, Aviv has helped develop and deliver humanitarian projects valued at more than A$500,000, impacting over 50,000 community members across Cambodia and Myanmar. These initiatives have included Global Grant WASH projects, education scholarships, bicycles for education, menstrual health programs, Solar Buddy light distributions and student-led leadership initiatives. At the heart of every project is a simple philosophy - sustainable change begins by investing in people, building local leadership and creating genuine partnerships.
Rotarians are reminded of the importance of next week's club meeting, as it's not every day we get the chance to speak directly with and hear from the District Governor.
Members are strongly encouraged to bring along partners, and if you have ever heard from any of your friends that they don't really know enough about Rotary, then here is your opportunity. Bring them along too, and increase their knowledge of why you so often cook sausages or direct cars to parking at local events! Actually, the concept of ‘bring a friend night’ was recently raised in our survey - perhaps this would be a great time to act upon that suggestion - bring a friend this week! Let Carmel know in advance for catering numbers, and don't forget to check with your guests if they have dietary requirements - Carmel needs this information for the caterers too!
President Lindsay will be back on deck from his trip north (refer to photo - you can see he has left for home already) and is keen to have a full house for the DG's official visit.
Graeme joined Rotary Camberwell in December 2003 through a personal introduction and was attracted by the success of their Art Show as an iconic annual community event, now in its 61st year.
He has served as Club President, Chair of Art Show, Chair Hawthorn Makers Market, Assistant Governor for three years, District Chair Club Service. Graeme trained as a Chartered Accountant and worked for 35 years as a financial and investment adviser.
He is passionate about the power of The Rotary Foundation, is a member of the Paul Harris Society and a Major Donor.
Graeme and Sue have 3 children and eight grandchildren. He is also a Life Member of an Amateur Football Club.
TITLE AND TOPIC OF PRESENTATION
‘Create Lasting Impact’ – District Priorities for 2026/27
The presentation will link RI President Olayinka Babalola message to District priorities for the year ahead and will include looking at opportunities to connect with the next generation to grow Rotary.
We are seeking your help to achieve our goal - we need donations of items suitable for inclusion in the ‘Mum & Bub’ bags (see details below) to meet our goal of filling 20 satchels to be donated to the Share the Dignity appeal for distribution this Christmas. Share the Dignity also put together other bags (perhaps an idea for another time), but for this Christmas we will be concentrating on providing just the ‘Mum & Bub’ bags.
Donations can be from you personally, your friends, your family, or maybe Rotarians from our neighbouring clubs may like to join forces with us to meet the quota we have set for this effort.
Details of the items specified for this bag are listed below, and your donations can be brought along to our clubrooms on a meeting night or by simply contacting our club at eaglehawkrotary@gmail.com to make more suitable arrangements for your donations to be collected.
(Please note - Eaglehawk Rotary are supplying the bags and the ribbons; the items to be included are what we are seeking to have donated)
Are you interested in learning more about the program - here is a link to the website - a great source of some extra information.
Ron Payne recently participated in an interview on ABC Radio, sharing insight into how people can become involved in the community, volunteering in a capacity that aligns with their availability and interests.
The interview is unable to be included in the bulletin, but Lynne Cooper has a copy of the audio file and can send it to you - just let Lynne know you are after a copy.
We are excited to announce that nominations are now open for the 2026 City of Greater Bendigo Youth Awards!
These awards celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of young people in our community, providing an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the incredible young individuals who are making a positive impact in our community. Whether they excel in creativity and innovation, community service, leadership, collaborating with others, sustainability, or making the community more inclusive, we want to hear their stories and celebrate their successes.
There are six award categories recognising a wide range of strengths and contributions:
Creativity and Innovation – For young people using creative thinking, entrepreneurship, or artistic practice to create positive change.
Contribution to the Community – For those who volunteer, support others, or work to improve the lives of those around them.
Excellence in Leadership – Recognising young people who inspire, lead by example, or bring others together to achieve shared goals.
Teamwork and Collaboration – For groups or partnerships working collectively to benefit the community.
Sustainability and Environment – For young people taking action to protect the environment or promote sustainability.
Inclusion and Equity – For those working to build a more accessible, inclusive, and equitable community.
Nominees must be aged 12 to 25 and live, work, or study in Greater Bendigo.
Nominations close Tuesday September 15, 2026.
You can nominate a young person for the City of Greater Bendigo Youth Awards by visiting the YO Bendigo website https://www.yobendigo.com.au/youth-awards. We encourage teachers, community leaders, mentors, friends, and family members to nominate deserving young people, and would greatly appreciate your support in spreading the word about the City of Greater Bendigo Youth Awards within your networks.
You can help us promote the awards by any of the following ways:
Engage on Social Media: Share, like, or comment on our Facebook and Instagram posts about the Youth Awards.
Distribute Materials: Share the attached flyer with others, or display the poster in a public area in your office.
Spread the Word: Include information about the City of Greater Bendigo Youth Awards in your organization’s newsletter.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to our community and to fostering the development of our young people. If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out and contact the team at yobendigo@bendigo.vic.gov.au.
Tickets are now on sale for the Bendigo Maubisse Friendship Committee's 20th Anniversary Celebration, and we'd love you to join us as we celebrate two decades of friendship and partnership between Bendigo and Maubisse, Timor-Leste.
Since our initial announcement, planning has picked up pace, and we're delighted to confirm an outstanding program for the evening.
Our special guests include Kirsty Sword Gusmão and Her Excellency Ms Inês Maria de Almeida, Ambassador of Timor-Leste to Australia, with the evening hosted by Jonathan Ridnell. Guests will also enjoy live Timorese music, displays celebrating twenty years of BMFC's work, and the opportunity to reconnect with friends and supporters who have been part of the journey.
Friday 18 September 2026 6.00 pm – 9.00 pm The Bendigo Club
Tickets are $36.50 per person and include finger food throughout the evening. Drinks will be available for purchase at bar prices.
As this is a private event with seating limited to 180 guests, we encourage you to book early to avoid disappointment.
Please find the updated event flyer attached.
We hope you can join us as we celebrate this important milestone and look ahead to the next chapter of our partnership with Maubisse.
