Weekly Bulletin (Apr. 13, 2026)

FELLOWSHIP Meeting THURSDAY Evening
Please note this week is an EVENING MEETING at Joes Restaurant - details and REGISTRATION here
It will NOT available on Zoom this week

Edition 257

Monday, 13th April 2026

Last week’s meeting was a fellowship breakfast at Beau’s in Centre Road, as Cilantro is closed because of school holidays. This was well attended with members engaging in lots of chatter.

I have received a email from District regarding a fund raising event for Monash Children’s Hospital Cancer Centre Apheresis therapy. This for an event called Rotary’s Got Talent to be held on Saturday, 2^nd of May at Lyndale Secondary College Theatre, Dandenong North. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by following this link https://events.humanitix.com/rotary-s-got-talent. If you are a karaoke tragic or have aspirations to entertain people perform, I can supply you with an entry form. (More info, go HERE - Ed)

For information apheresis is the process by which blood is circulated out of a patient’s body, and run through equipment remove certain components within the patient’s blood and then the remaining blood is delivered back to the patient. Apheresis, for blood cancer therapy, is used to collect stem cells prior to stem cell transplantation.

While in the world of medicine I though I would mention that World Immunization Week is the 24^th - 30^th of April. The idea is to raise awareness of the importance of vaccination and in particular highlight the contribution of Rotary in the effort to eradicate polio. The programme to eradicate polio began in 1988 with Rotary’s involvement being fundraising, advocacy and volunteer recruitment to support vaccinations of entire villages, towns and National Immunization Days. Rotary has been the main private sector donor to polio eradication, having contributed over US$2.7 billion.

Wild poliovirus cases since 1988 have decreased by over 99% , from 350 000 cases in over 125 endemic countries to 6 reported cases in 2021.Wild endemic poliovirus remains in two countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan, though cases have been reported in other countries.

This week, as Cilantro is still closed, our meeting will be another fellowship meeting at Jo's Restaurant in Mentone and please not that it will be Thursday evening.

Club President, 2025-26,
Grant Perry

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 Tuesday 10th March 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 April 15 2026

No Meeting - Dinner at Joes Restaurant
Thursday Evening details HERE

Meeting April 22 2026

Chairperson O'Brien, Peter

Cashier Impey, Jo

Cashier Lynch, Tim

Market 19th April 2026

Market Leader Green, Larry

Assistant Gaddie, Jules

Assistant Lucas, Margaret

Market 26th April 2026

Market Leader O'Shea, Greg

Assistant Chung, Nicky

Assistant Carruthers, Kellie

This week's speaker / event

Fellowship Dinner at Joes- 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 Book of Musicals being held at South Oakleigh College in The Christine Strachan Theatre. Details HERE
	Polio Fundraiser Springvale City Rotary Club April 23 2026 Details HERE
	Club Changeover June 27, 2026 Details and Registration HERE
	Knitters / Crochet-ers wanted Wheelchairs for Kids always need blankets/rugs to give away with their wheelchairs. Member Linda O'Brien is inviting any members or friends of our Club who would like to help in this project. Please contact Linda for more information.
	Alannah & Madeline Foundation Looking for support to provide Buddy Bags for children who have experienced extreme violence 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 12/04/2026.

Leader: Ian Ballantine
BMC: Helen Nodrum and Michael Josem
Moorabbin: Gerard and Cheryl
Holland Foundation: Joshua
Visitors: Helen Parker
Cars in the Queue: 2
Overnight Parkers: 2
Pedestrian Count: 650
Market Report: Very chilly and windy start to the morning. Pedestrian traffic obviously affected by cool weather. Just an occasional drop of rain. My thanks to team of Helen and Michael from our Club and the Gerard and Cheryl from Moorabbin. Special thanks to Helen N for freshly baked coconut cake.

Important message to Market Leaders: New Computer
The iPad is NO LONGER. Entry of Market Report and Try Booking access is now done via new computer in the office. The procedure for its use is in the office.

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

Reviving Rotary in Yamba

Posted by Ian Ballantine on Apr 13, 2026

Taken from RDU HERE

When the Rotary Club of Yamba made a conscious decision to put Rotary visibly and purposefully on display in their community, a struggling club rediscovered its energy, attracted new members and re-ignited a powerful sense of shared purpose.

Words: John McKenny. Rotary Club of Yamba. NSW.

Not long ago, the Rotary Club of Yamba was facing a critical moment. Membership had been declining for three years and the future felt uncertain. But a spark of inspiration, rooted in the wise words of former District Governor Dave Harmon, ignited a turnaround: “Run projects and activities that put Rotary on display in your community and people will see the value in being part of your town Rotary club.”

We took that advice to heart.

A Rotarian works to dispel myths about polio vaccines

Posted by Ian Ballantine on Apr 13, 2026

Taken from RI HERE

Diana Maria Pirga

Rotary Club of Türkiye Evrensel, District 2430
Digital community engagement specialist, UNICEF Pakistan

I was looking for volunteer opportunities in my home country of Romania when I saw a social media post about a Rotaract project. I made a donation, and the members invited me to come with them in the field. I joined Rotaract and got involved in many other projects that came after. You could even say my digital career started there. Back in those days social media was booming in Romania, and as a club we started organizing conferences for youth to learn about social media not only as users but as a job.

Club fellowship breakfast April 8 2026

Posted by Ian Ballantine on Apr 08, 2026

Once again we met up for breakfast at Beau's cafe in Centre Rd. Breakfast was delicious (toast a lot more manageable).

We had 11 members plus Gray and Tim Moran's son.

Please click on Read More for more pics.

Rebuilding futures, one tractor at a time

Posted by Ian Ballantine on Apr 06, 2026

A Rotary-led workshop in Newcastle is transforming disengaged students through hands-on restoration projects, proving that with practical learning, mentorship and belief, young people can find confidence, purpose and a clear path to the future.

What began as a conversation in Newcastle, NSW, has grown into a powerful example of how a Rotary-led initiative can transform lives through practical learning, mentorship and community belief.

To catch a killer parasite

Posted by Ian Ballantine on Apr 06, 2026

Taken from RI HERE

As the science advances, Rotary members join the quest to find malaria vaccines

By Ruby Prosser Scully Photography by Rhys Martin

At first it just seemed like a bad flu.

The illness struck Danielle Stanisic while she was in New York for a research gig, her first time living away from home in Australia. It was her lab mates, though, who grew alarmed and insisted she get tested. It turned out Stanisic, who had traveled to Papua New Guinea six months earlier, had malaria.

Club Meeting April 1 2026

Posted by Karin Soster on Apr 01, 2026

Julie chaired this morning's meeting in her usual efficient manner. Guests included Daniela, Rajan, and Gary. Ron almost fooled everyone when he mentioned that during a recent Rotary cluster group meeting the hierarchy of Rotary had decided to merge clubs, and that BMC was to merge with Mordialloc! - It was April Fools Day afterall.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

President Grant recently attended a community groups meeting with the City of Kingston that included discussion on the following: The Bayside Doggy Day on 26/4/26, Over 55's programs, a Survey and Gambling.

Larry wished everyone a Happy Easter, and announced today was the first day of the Jewish Passover.

Water beyond wells

Posted by Ian Ballantine on Mar 30, 2026

Taken from RI website HERE

With dams, rainwater collection, and purification systems, Rotary and Rotaract clubs help people access clean water

By Etelka Lehoczky

Access to clean water and sanitation can determine whether a child gets an education. That’s what Rotaract club members in the Ashanti region of Ghana learned when they explored ways to improve schools in their area.

The schools the club members visited faced water shortages and relied on contaminated water, resulting in high levels of diarrhea, dysentery, and other illnesses. There were no modern toilets, and girls didn’t have private spaces for menstrual hygiene. The lack of water affected every aspect of the students’ lives. The wide-ranging impact of water access is highlighted on the United Nations’ World Water Day, observed on 22 March.

The RYLA effect

Posted by Ian Ballantine on Mar 30, 2026

Taken from RDU HERE

A week-long RYLA retreat in Sydney was the catalyst that sparked Jordan O’Reilly’s resolve to transform disability support across Australia.

Early in 2012, Jordan O’Reilly arrived at Narrabeen on Sydney’s Northern Beaches for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), an intensive week-long program.

At the time, he was working on an idea for a new charity to support young Australians with a disability. His inspiration was his brother, Shane, who is 18 months younger and has cerebral palsy.

Club Meeting March 25 2026 Emerge

Posted by Grant Perry

This morning our chair person was Ron Brownlees,
We received apologies from Karin, Gabriela Santi and Michael Josem. Gabriela was attending a breakfast meeting hosted by Bayside Council, this was to promote businesses operated by women. Linda announce that Gabriela was to receive an award from Bayside council, Linda also announced that Gabriela is now a grandmother.
Michael is in Canberra for two weeks, this is work related, this si what happens when you work for a federal politician – forced to spend time in Canberra.

Larry Green, our market chairman announced that new flyers have been printed for the market.

Donations in Kind call for donations

Posted by Linda O'Brien on Mar 20, 2026

DiK is collecting tools: wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes, hammers, blowers, forks, gardening and fencing equipment, electrical leads and other items suitable to help the bushfire affected communities clean up and regain their lives.

An example of what has been collected is shown.
Items can be delivered to DiK on Tuesday and Thursday between 10-3.

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

Fellowship Thurs even'g April 16 2026 Joes Mentone

Apr. 16, 2026
6:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.

The Book of Musicals

Apr. 17, 2026 7:30 p.m. –
Apr. 19, 2026 9:30 p.m.

Club Meeting April 22 2026

Apr. 22, 2026
7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Polio Fundraising Night 2026

Apr. 23, 2026
6:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Club Meeting April 29 2026

Apr. 29, 2026
7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Club Meeting May 6 2026

May 06, 2026
7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Club Changeover 2026

Jun. 27, 2026
6:30 p.m. – 11:31 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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FELLOWSHIP Meeting THURSDAY Evening Please note this week is an EVENING MEETING at Joes Restaurant - details and REGISTRATION here It will NOT available on Zoom this week

Alannah & Madeline Foundation Looking for support to provide Buddy Bags for children who have experienced extreme violence HERE

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

Diana Maria Pirga

As the science advances, Rotary members join the quest to find malaria vaccines

A week-long RYLA retreat in Sydney was the catalyst that sparked Jordan O’Reilly’s resolve to transform disability support across Australia.

Note from the Editor re Images and Events

FELLOWSHIP Meeting THURSDAY Evening
Please note this week is an EVENING MEETING at Joes Restaurant - details and REGISTRATION here
It will NOT available on Zoom this week

Alannah & Madeline Foundation
Looking for support to provide Buddy Bags for children who have experienced extreme violence
HERE

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