Weekly Bulletin (Jul. 20, 2026)

MORNING MEETING WEDNESDAY at Gilbert's Cafe

Meeting WILL NOT be at Cilantro - We are now meeting at Gilbert's Cafe 7am

282 Centre Road, Bentleigh, 3204

Details here

The Meeting will NOT be available via Zoom this week

Edition 270

Monday, 20th July 2026

We were all treated to a talk by Mark Jones last Wednesday. Mark has done a lot of charity work in African countries and sponsored African children to better themselves by gaining an education or skill so that they can escape from their life of misery and poverty. Story HERE.
RCBMC was given a unique and wonderful gift by making our club the foster parent of an orphaned elephant names Enkasha. This gift will help support the care of Enkasha in Kenya.
This Wednesday our own James (Jim) Magee will tell us about the recent pilgrimage he went on from St John Pierre in France to Santiago and then on to the Atlantic Coast.
Today, Sunday 19th July, we pay homage to the Australian troops who fought in the Battle of Fromelles. Today marks 110th anniversary of that battle. The single bloodiest day of any conflict that the Australian s fought in. That day 5500 soldiers were either killed or maimed. We remember Sergeant Fraser who helped carry the wounded back to the Australian lines. During the time that he was doing this an injured Aussie soldier called out “don’t forget about me cobber”.
Happy 8th anniversary to Marg Lucas and happy birthday to Tim Lynch for today.

Club President, 2026-27,
Neville Kruss

BOARD MINUTES

A reminder to members that Board Minutes are available for viewing from the Club's website. Note that you must be logged in as a Member in order to gain access.

Access to all documents including Board Minutes can gained here.

The last published Board Minutes were the meeting of Monday 1st June 2026 - HERE.

Ian Ballantine

Roster for the next 2 weeks
Note Market start time is 6.15am
Click on See all Rosters at right for future weeks. Members click here to see your own roster.

Meetings

Meeting July 22 2026

Chairperson d'Unienville, Bert

Meeting at Gilbert's Cafe this week details HERE

Meeting July 29 2026

Chairperson Lynch, Tim

Market 26th July 2026

Market Leader Mahajan, Vishal

Assistant Burrows, Chris

Assistant Chung, Nicky

Market 2nd August 2026

Market Leader Reid, Julie

Assistant Gaddie, Jules

Assistant Oakley, Kirsten

Assistant Ammendola- Santi, Gabriela

This week's speaker / event

Member Jim Magee

Walking the Camino de Santiago

Jim will be talking about and accompanied by a visual presentation of his recent trip to walk the Camino de Santiago.

Details and Registration HERE

Please check the upcoming events on the Club website here

REGISTRATION FOR MEETINGS HELP HERE

Please forward any events you want promoted to the Editor.
For all Club events refer Club Calendar HERE

	Helen running for Interplast Member Helen Parker has just run the Melbourne Half Marathon on July 19 She nominated Interplast as her "charity". It's not too late to sponsor her, and support Interplast? Receipt will be issued by Interplast and fully tax deductible. Please follow this link HERE
Volunteers required for Interplast - scanning / digitising documents for office relocation After many years at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons building in East Melbourne, Interplast is moving our office to the Australian Volunteers International building in Johnson St, Fitzroy, in order to significantly reduce our rent. As part of our re-location plans, we need to digitise some of our hard copy records. We are hoping that some of the wonderful District 9815 Rotarians may be in a position to volunteer some time in the next 3 weeks to help scan hard copy documents and then file them in SharePoint. We will have instructions and protocols in place, and a staff member to brief and aid the volunteers. If there are any questions, please pass on my phone number – 0487 13 00 41. Rotarians who would like to volunteer can send an email to contactus@interplast.org.au Many thanks for your assistance – Interplast really does appreciate your help" Janette Etherington Coordinator - Rotary Engagement
	Holland Foundation Ball October 16 2026 Keep watching HERE for more info.

Click on image above for latest issue

Link to photos from 2026 Conference here
Link to photos from District Changeover July 2025 here
Link to photos from 2025 Conference here
Link to photos from 2024 Conference here

Market report for Sunday 19/7/26

No report

Note there is a separate story about the defib at the Market here.

Helen completes her run for Interplast

Posted by Ian Ballantine on Jul 19, 2026

Well the big day finally came! Run Melbourne Half Marathon on Sunday, July 19, 2026.

Member Helen Parker had once again entered herself for this event and this year, had nominated Interplast as her charity to raise funds for. More about Interplast - click HERE

Refer original story HERE.

For memory her original target was $500 but I am delighted to report her total sum raised is (currently) $2,574.

This achievement has been made possible by the generous support she has received from fellow members, colleagues, family and friends.

Not only has she raised funds for Interplast but she has also raised awareness of the organisation amongst many, many people.

Congratulations Helen!

It is not too late to make a (tax deductible) donation - click HERE.

Rotary Club of Apia Western Samoa

Posted by Ian Ballantine

In July, fellow member, and partner Helen Parker and I visited Western Samoa. Refer Helen's story about her connection to Samoa and the hospital HERE.

On the evening of Tuesday July 9th we both attended the meeting of the Rotary Club of Apia, District 9920. (Apia is the capital of Western Samoa).

This was the first meeting for new President Anish Chandra. The local Community Leader, Titilia Bese-Tuileva is also a member of the RC of Apia and was present along with some 18 members.
We were both made to feel so welcome and we had a marvelous evening. It was a warm reminder of what a great organisation we belong to where you can go anywhere in the world, meet total strangers and feel an immediate connection.

Helen had the opportunity to speak about the connection she has made with the local (Apia) hospital as well as her personal connection. I spoke briefly about our own Club and our Rotary journey. I had the pleasure of exchanging Club banners with President Nish.

Member Helen Parker and the Apia Hospital W. Samoa

Posted by Helen Parker on Jul 18, 2026

In early July this year, Ian Ballantine and I headed to Western Samoa for a 10 day holiday, in the company of several of my extended family for a casual family reunion. My mother was born in Western Samoa and I have some distant relatives living there (for those wondering, I am ~ 1/8th Samoan and seem to manifest mostly my father’s caucasian genes!) In a twist of fate, last year the Alfred Hospital hosted several clinicians (doctors and nurses) from several pacific nations to undertake an observership and course aiming to develop clinical and leadership capabilities, quality improvement initiatives and foster healthcare collaborations. This was an initiative funded by the Australian Government (DFAT) and run by Alfred Health. Dr Sebastian Paulo is a senior emergency registrar from the hospital in Apia, Western Samoa who attended this workshop. Unfortunately I didn’t meet Dr Paulo during this visit but there is an ongoing connection with one of my Alfred colleagues, Dr Su’e Lagaaia, a Samoan-born Alfred Emergency Physician.

Club Meeting July 15 2026 Mark Jones

Posted by Karin Soster on Jul 15, 2026

This morning was our first meeting at Gilbert's Bentleigh in their well appointed room upstairs. There was a good turnout of club members, and comments from all and sundry were favourable. Considering this was our first visit, Gilberts was under pressure to prepare and deliver up to 25 or 26 meals within a short time frame which was handled very capably by Jane and her team.. It won't be long before all will settle in and work like clockwork,. .
President Neville chaired this morning's club meeting. Guests included Raj Daniel, Arturo , Gary Ramage, Cheryl, Bruno Santi, and Mark Jones - our guest speaker.

Club Meeting at Beaus July 8 2026

Posted by Karin Soster on Jul 08, 2026

Today's club meeting was a very enjoyable informal breakfast at Beau's in Bentleigh to welcome in the new Rotary year and Neville as President. There was a good turn out that included guests, Gary Ramage, and Clemence Vandercruyssen - our youth exchange student from France of 2019.
There were no guest speakers, but club members who had plenty to say.
- Neville thanked everyone for turning up and making his first meeting special. He reminded everyone of next week's board meeting on Tuesday 14 July in his office at the usual time.

Helen running for Interplast

Posted by Ian Ballantine on May 18, 2026

Member Helen Parker has signed up to run the Melbourne Half Marathon on July 19
She has nominated Interplast as her "charity".
Would you like to sponsor her, and support Interplast?

Receipt will be issued by Interplast and fully tax deductible.
Please follow this link HERE

What does Interplast do?

Club Changeover June 2026

Posted by Ian Ballantine on Jun 27, 2026

Our annual changeover this year was held at the Rossdale Golf Club on the evening of June 27, 2026
This event marked the end of President Grant's term and the commencement of President Neville Kruss's year.

An album of photographs of the evening can be found HERE.

Club Meeting June 24 2026 Awards

Posted by Karin Soster

Margaret Toyas was our chairperson for today's club meeting at Cilantro - our last club meeting for the Rotary year, and President Grant Perry's last as president before changeover. Today's meeting provided an opportunity for committee chairs to present a summary of their Rotary year. Guests included Raj Daniels, Arturo Charlatan and Gary Ramage.
MEMBER VOTE
Linda opened the meeting with a motion for club members to vote - details of which were circulated to club members 3 weeks prior following approval by the board and which were outlined again by Linda at today's club meeting.
Motion:
That members of the Rotary Club of Bentleigh Moorabbin Central approve a donation of $9,129 for SECASA - South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault.
Moved: Linda O'Brien Seconded: Neville Kruss Motion carried.

Code of Conduct refresher

Posted by Ian Ballantine on May 26, 2026

This article is intended primarily for members of our Rotary Club.

Rotary International maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment, bullying, and abuse. The policy mandates that all club members and event participants have the right to a safe, welcoming environment free from unwelcome physical contact, advances, or verbal/physical conduct that denigrates or creates an intimidating atmosphere.

Registering for an Event

Posted by Ian Ballantine on Aug 30, 2024

This article is intended to help members register themselves and/or a guest to a Club event. Note, your are also expected to register your intention NOT to attend.

If an event is inviting members to register there will be a button with the word: "Members" below "Online Registration". refer image at left.

Note that you need to be already logged in as a member.
As venues need to be advised of numbers PRIOR to the event, please register by noon on the day prior unless otherwise stated.
If you are not a member, this page will not be of any help. It may still be possible to register for an event as a non member if the event is open to the public.

Please refer to this Help article in full.

Subscribe to Calendar

From the Calendar page here you can subscribe to the Club's event calendar.

This will result in the Club's calendar being added to your existing calendar subscriptions, thus ensuring that as an event is added (or modified) to the Club's calendar, it will appear on your phone, tablet etc.
Calendars supported are Outlook, Google and Apple.

Take the link, Subscribe to Calendar, from the Calendar Page.

Note from the Editor re Images and Events

A point regarding the submission of images for the Bulletin and Website: Members are reminded that images have to meet a minimum size requirement, as has been specified for some time in the section at the bottom of this Bulletin. 820 pixels is the minimum size required with larger being better as this allows for cropping. The submission of images via MMS is NOT preferred as they are too small and of inferior quality. Email or Whatsapp is far superior.
Would any member like to take responsibility for the updating of the Club's Event Calendar? I have created a page of instructions here so it is very easy to take over.
Thank you, Ian Ballantine

Club Meeting July 22 2026 Jim Magee

Jul. 22, 2026
7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Fellowship Meeting Evening July 29 2026

Jul. 29, 2026
6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

Club Meeting August 5 2026 RYLA

Aug. 05, 2026
7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

RYDA Cheltenham Sec College

Aug. 17, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Holland Charity Ball

Oct. 16, 2026
6:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.

View entire list

I remind members that you are responsible for the information contained in the Club's database. This includes, birthdays, phone numbers, addresses etc etc. Even your own photo. You maintain this via this link.

Additionally, member's birthdays and anniversaries will no longer be listed in the Club Bulletin. This is to protect the privacy of members. This information is still available to members here.
Ian Ballantine

A reminder to members to keep checking the calendar of upcoming events for evening and perhaps, one day, daytime events.

Thank you for being a subscriber to our Weekly Club Bulletin. I try to have it published each week by Tuesday morning.
If you would like to have something included please contact me at editor@rotarybmc.org.au and attach, as separate files, the words and any images (jpg files are fine, minimum width 820 pixels). Please DO NOT send information as pdf files.
Ian Ballantine, Editor.

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MORNING MEETING WEDNESDAY at Gilbert's Cafe

Meeting WILL NOT be at Cilantro - We are now meeting at Gilbert's Cafe 7am

Link to photos from 2026 Conference here Link to photos from District Changeover July 2025 here Link to photos from 2025 Conference here Link to photos from 2024 Conference here

Note from the Editor re Images and Events

Link to photos from 2026 Conference here
Link to photos from District Changeover July 2025 here
Link to photos from 2025 Conference here
Link to photos from 2024 Conference here