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MORNING MEETING WEDNESDAY at Gilbert's Cafe

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 286
Monday, 9th November 2026

 

It’s been an eventful week for me this week
On Monday evening I attended the RC Moorabbin dinner meeting. The guest speaker was Janne Speirs, District International Chair. She spoke about Interplast (an organisation that our club knows very well) and amongst other things mentioned the difference between a project and a programme. There was a sweep for the Melbourne Cup & I drew Point of Law.
Yesterday I attended PELS ((President-Elect Learning Seminar) held at the Atura Hotel Dandenong from 9am – 1pm. I will try and condense 4 hours into a couple of paragraphs.DG Emma Clarke-Emma spoke about how Rotary membership is declining internationally. She spoke about how to attract new members, mentioning what projects we partake in. Emma’s preferred project is looking after victims of Domestic Abuse.
District President Elect Murray Wilson-Murray said that the projects that he will be promoting in the 2027-2028 year will be Australia Rotary Health and Rotary Foundation.Murray also mentioned declining numbers in District 9815-01/07/2024  1897 01/07/2025  186001/07/2026  1796 whereas Rotaract numbers have been steady. This is why I have arranged for Lily Setnick (District Rotaract Chair to address out club  on 9 Dec. (Refer HERE)I have also asked Jules Gaddie to contact her and ask if our club can mentor Rotaract Clubs.
Barry Rogers-Barry spoke about Rotary Governance. He also spoke about the importance of all members involved with youth projects to have Working With Children Cards and what to do if there is an incident at a function.About 50% of clubs in attendance had a Youth Protection Officer.Ron please note that as our Youth Protection Officer rules have changed- as from 19 October 2026 any member renewing their card or accessing a new card must undergo a 45 minute training session obtained from District.
The  District AGM will be on the 20th November which I will attend.
Happy birthday to Arto Arshakyan for Thursday 12Th November and Helen Nodrum for Sunday 15th November.
 
Once again I draw your attention to a story prepared by member Linda O'Brien on the history of our Market. It appears again in our Bulletin below or you can go straight HERE. Thank you once again Linda.
 
Coming meetings - this week Larry Green will lead a discussion about the operations of our Market. We will have as a guest Ken McQualter from the Rotary Club of Balwyn, the Club responsible for the Camberwell Market.
This is your opportunity to contribute your thoughts and suggestions and I encourage all members to attend.
The following week on the 18th we have the Club's AGM. Once again I encourage all members to attend so as to participate in the appointment of the Board fro 2027-28. Refer emails from Secretary Karin Soster for call for nominations and appointment of proxies.
 
CREATE LASTING IMPACT
 
Club President, 2026-27,
Neville Kruss
 
Editor's Note - Registration for Event
If you ever find that you haven't registered, or declined, for an event and you thought you had, please refer to the help instructions on the process HERE It is most probable that you have neglected a step in the confirmation. You will receive an email immediately following ONLY IF you have been successful. If you don't get an email, please re-check.
Ian Ballantine
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 7 September 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 November 11 2026
Chairperson Gartly, Geoff
Meeting Door Host Toyas, Margaret
at Gilbert's Cafe this week details HERE
Meeting November 18 2026
Chairperson Ballantine, Ian
Meeting Door Host Kane, Terry
     
Market 15th November 2026
Market Leader O'Shea, Greg
Assistant Gaddie, Jules
Assistant d'Unienville, Bert
Market 22nd November 2026
Market Leader Ferguson, Paul
Assistant Lynch, Tim
Assistant Impey, Jo
Assistant Oakley, Kirsten
 

Market Matters
Speaker Ken McQualter  from the Rotary Club of Balwyn (Camberwell Market) along with discussion about our own market operations
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
 
The Club's Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 18 at Gilbert's Cafe
Details HERE
Proxy form available HERE
Agenda for the meeting will be circulated to members following the deadline for position nominations
The Rotary Club of Springvale City invites you to a Garden Soirèe celebrating the official launch of Recycled Sound Reimagined Hearing Aid Bank Project
Details HERE
Annual African Violet Show

Annual African Violet and Gesneriad Show

Admission $5v cash

Plant Sales. Demonstrations and advice, Refreshments 

Details HERE

  
Christmas cakes and puddings:
Expression of interest
The Community Service Committee is ordering Christmas cakes and puddings to give to local groups, and members can order some too.
 
All details HERE
Member Gabriela Amendola Santi's special event
DECEMBER 1
More details to follow - HERE
 
CLUB END OF YEAR FELLOWSHIP EVENT
Club end of year Christmas function at SYC
DECEMBER 12
Details to follow HERE
Check out last year's event HERE
 
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 08/11/2026.
Leader: Grant Perry
BMC: Kellie and Raj
Moorabbin: Cheryl White (All morning)
Holland Foundation: Jayden
Other Helpers: Bert
Visitors: Jules Gaddie, Margaret toyas, Michael Josem, Charles Rener
Cars in the Queue: 4
Overnight Parkers: 1
Pedestrian Count: 1300
Market Report: Fine and sunny, though still a chill in the air.
The market was almost fully booked. Foot traffic was light, but steady. One Nation and the Liberals were present on the nature strip for most of the morning. All up a very good market with very few problems.
 
Note there is a separate story about the defib at the Market here.
 
 
People • Planet • Peace brought to life
Taken from RDU HERE

To see all the fun and festivities of the 2026 Rotary South Pacific Conference in action, check out the full photo gallery here

For many months, ‘People • Planet • Peace’ had just been a theme on a page, an idea discussed in meetings and a promise of what this conference might become.

From 30 October – 1 November, it was brought to life by passionate people at the 2026 Rotary South Pacific Conference in Melbourne, Vic.

Approximately 400 enthusiastic attendees filled the Melbourne Exhibition & Convention Centre, where they were inspired by a host of leaders from across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.

But a conference is not created by a program alone. It comes alive through people who ask questions, exchange ideas, renew friendships and make new connections. Some travelled considerable distances, so thank you to everyone who registered and made the decision to come to Melbourne.

Read more...
Interplast signs MOU with ROMAC
A renewed partnership to help more children across the Pacific access the specialist care they need. 
Interplast and Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC) have signed a new MOU,  strengthening how our organisations work together to identify and support children who are not able to access life-saving surgery in their home countries. 
Newly appointed ROMAC Chair John Lawrence and current Chair Peter Garnett MBE met with Interplast CEO Misha Coleman to formalise this continued partnership. 
Read more...
Our Bentleigh Rotary Market a brief history
From a “Proposed Trash and Treasure Market” to a Rotary Club Legacy
On Sunday 6 November 1977, in perfect weather, 73 stallholders and 3,340 paying pedestrians turned up to the first Bentleigh Sunday Market. The day raised $952. Few could have guessed they were starting what our club history calls “probably the singularly most significant project” we have ever undertaken.
The market had hard-won beginning's it  was not handed to us. Approval from the City of Moorabbin depended on the support of the Bentleigh Chamber of Commerce, which stayed silent and then fought us once the project gained momentum. Our members answered with a detailed submission to every Councillor, and the result was a unanimous vote in favour of the Club using the Bent Street site. 
Read more...
Zone Conference Interplast 2026
A number of our Club members helped out at the Zone Conference this past weekend by manning the Interplast stand in the Conference House of Friendship.
Member Helen Parker was there all Saturday and Ian Ballantine and Greg O'Shea attended Sunday until the end of the Conference around 1.30pm
 
Greg had, once again, very generously donated a prize of two nights accommodation in a two bedroom suite at the Quest Geelong Central. This prize was the incentive to sign up for the Interplast Newsletter. In total we got 72 names!
 
All members of our Club should now be very familiar with Interplast and our Club's association. 
Some good links:
Interplast ANZ HERE You can register for their Newsletter on this page as well.
 
All Interplast stories in our website HERE
 
Please click on Read More for more pics
 
 
Read more...
Club Meeting Oct 28 2026 Jen Willis
Last Wednesday evening we were treated to an amazing guest speaker in Jen Willis. More on her a little later.
 
We were also joined by a number of guests:
Rotary Club of Sandringham  - Past District Governor and current President Bob Richards
Rotary Club of Moorabbin - President Margaret Maher, members Lynne Hobbs, Sheryl White, Mario Lazaro, and Jothi Nelson.
Member’s partners Ken Oakes, Gary Ramage and Stewart Reid.
 
Jen, who lives with MS told her story of her failed attempt to summit Everest in 2023 and her ultimate success in doing so this year.
 
 
Album of pics HERE
Read more...
Visit to RDA October 2026
A number of members visited the Riding for the Disabled facility in Moorabbin on October 24th, 2026.
 
President Neville Kruss, Grant Perry, Karin Soster and Gary, Jo Impey and Ian Ballantine braved the weather to join Kate, from RDA Moorabbin who had generously given up her time to meet with us.
The weather had meant that normal Saturday activities had been cancelled. However, we still had the chance to have a look around and, of course, meet Remi.
 
More words and pics click on Read More
An album of all pics HERE
Read more...
Engaging multicultural migrants in Rotary
Taken from RDU HERE

By inviting multicultural communities to experience Rotary’s purpose, impact and sense of belonging, clubs can build trust, develop diverse leaders and unlock sustainable membership growth.

Words Renga Rajan. Immediate Past District Governor. District 9675.

As Australia and New Zealand become increasingly multicultural, Rotary has a unique opportunity to strengthen its membership and community impact by engaging migrant communities more effectively.

Indian, Nepalese, Filipino, Vietnamese and other multicultural communities share many of Rotary’s values, including service, leadership, education and community support. The key is not simply inviting people to join Rotary but creating meaningful opportunities for them to experience Rotary’s purpose and impact.

Read more...
Club Meeting Oct 21 2026 Lift the Lid
Kellie Carruthers chaired today's club meeting at Gilberts.  Kellie welcomed our two guest speakers, Cassidy Connor and Katrina from Headspace, and club member partner, Gary Ramage.  Today's club meeting was marked as a special day to recognise the Australia Rotary Health program "Lift the Lid" on mental health - with October designated as Mental Health Month.  All members were asked to wear a hat - and we saw some absolute beauties in all styles and colours and it was the men with the most colourful!.   See who won prizes at the end of this report.  
 
(Note from Club Treasurer - the sum of $80 has been forwarded to Australian Rotary Health to reflect donations from members on the day. - Ian Ballantine)
Read more...
Holland Ball 2026
A number of Club members, along with partners and friends attended the annual Holland Foundation Ball at the Sandringham Yacht Club last Friday evening.
We had Gary and Karin, Linda and Peter, Nicky and Chris, and Jo Impey. Helen and I were accompanied once again by our good friends Mark Lipzker and Wendy Clark. So, that was 11 in total - an entire table.
For stories about the Holland Foundation, click HERE.
It was great that our Club was well represented and we had the opportunity to support this organisation which does such great work in the Glen Eira area. Grant (Holland) very kindly gave a shout out to our Club during his address.
 
 
 
 
Click on Read More for more pics
Read more...
Registering for an Event
This article is intended to help members register themselves and/or a guest to a Club event. Note, you 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.
 
 
Read more...
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.
Read more...
Latest Photo Albums
BMC at Conference March 2024
Jen Willis Oct 28 2026
RDA Visit Oct 26
Rio Carnival Ball 2026
Interplast Sept 2026
Gilbert's Evening August 26 2026
RYDA 2026
Gilbert's Fellowship July 29 2026
Bentleigh Market 2025
Club Changeover June 2026
BMC at Conference March 2026
RYDA August 2025
Cilantro Dinner August 2025 SES
Pasta Pizza and Poetry Night August 2025
Club Changeover June 2025
Lautoka May 2025
George Petrou March 5 2025
Bentleigh Market 2024 December
Bentleigh Market 2024 November
RICON 2024 Singapore
Club Changeover 2024
Mentor match evening Mar 2023
BMC at Conference 2023
International Assembly 2023
Bentleigh Market 2022 October
Curry Night Aug 28 2022
Inner Wheel Changeover July 2022
RYLA June 28 2022
District 9810 Changeover June 25 2022
Club Changeover June 2022
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
 
Breakfast Meeting - Market Matters
Nov. 11, 2026
7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Annual African Violet Show
Nov. 15, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Breakfast Meeting-AGM & Committee Reports
Nov. 18, 2026
7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Evening Meeting - Variety Bash
Nov. 25, 2026
6:30 p.m. – 9:30 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 Monday afternoon.
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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