Stories

Rotary’s legislative body meets every three years to vote on proposals to move the organization forward

By Arnold R. Grahl

On Earth Day and every day Rotary projects make an impact

Sir Emeka Offor commits US$5 million to Rotary’s maternal and child health program in Nigeria

One of Rotary’s earliest service projects helped to bring public toilets to Chicago, the quickly growing industrial city in the Midwest of the United States where Rotary began in 1905. Club members didn’t construct the restrooms themselves, as they sometimes do today. But just as they do today, they worked with other local groups to raise awareness of the need for sanitation in this urban area and advocated to get the project funded.

These public toilets, then known as “comfort stations,” were typically underground structures at busy sites such as parks and public squares. Civic leaders and reformers in several American cities were noting a need for them, and Rotary members in Chicago were part of the movement.

At right -  Entrances to public toilets at LaSalle and Washington Streets in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Before February 1955. These entrances no longer exist.

Yemeni journalist Tawakkol Karman promotes peace and women’s rights
By Etelka Lehoczky 

Rotary honors a teacher and mentor with the 2025 Sylvia Whitlock Leadership Award

Rotary’s response to the U.S.’s plan to withdraw from the WHO, USAID funding freeze
By Rotary International  — 6 February 2025

Brother Thomas Oliver Pickett AM co-founded Wheelchairs For Kids in 1996 to provide adjustable wheelchairs and occupational therapy expertise for children in developing countries, free of charge.
Since then, more than 60,000 custom-built wheelchairs have been gifted to children in over 80 countries.  

Rotary, and particularly our own Club, support Wheelchairs for Kids. Refer recent meeting here.

We were fully booked. A big success. Thank you to everyone who contributed. We raised around $5000 for PNG mothers and babiesFaye

Peter O’Brien was our chairperson for today’s club meeting at Cilantro.    Charles R. PP Glenda S and Karin S joined the meeting via Zoom. 

• Today’s club meeting heralded President Ron Brownlees first club meeting as President for this current Rotary year – held at The Deck in Bay Street Brighton.  With our club website down and not knowing who was rostered, President Ron was also Chairperson for today’s meeting.  Serge returned as a guest, and Charles joined the meeting via Zoom. 

• President Ron presented D.G. Ian with a PHF lapel ruby pin and a Centurion Certificate in recognition of donations made by Ian to The Rotary Foundation.

• Grant’s international club toast this week was to President Frances Willacy and members at Annan Rotary Club in Scotland – a town in Dumfries and Galloway located in south-west Scotland and the birth place of George Johnston who sailed aboard the Lady Penrhyn in the First Fleet to Botany Bay in 1788.  Grant provided an interesting and well-researched history lesson for everyone – thank you Grant.  Annan R.C. projects include hosting a Young Artist Competition, tree planting, and providing electronic equipment to students in their local school.

• Tim L was chairperson for this week’s club meeting which was an evening meeting at Cilantro, with a full house of club members, partners and many guests. Partners included Asia, Angie, Leonie, Julie, Helen, Sarah, Angela and Gary.  Friends and guests included Russell and Ian (friends of Neville), Chris (Pres of Beaumaris R.C.), Greg and Cathy Every (Beaumaris R.C.), Cassie and Rosemary (Helen’s family from Canberra), Michaela (friend of Julie Reid),  a guest of Sue Loeliger, Jonas, and Jenny Le Marshall.  My apologies if anyone has been missed.
• Larry performed Invocation and Tony performed the Loyal Toast.

• Wednesday 23 November – Club AGM
• Wednesday 30 November – will be an evening meeting at Cilantro commencing 6.30pm.  This is a fellowship meeting and partners and friends are welcome.
  - we have a special speaker in John Le Marshall who is an eminent meteorologist and has been involved in NASA . An invitation has been sent to all clubs in the District via the Districts Highlights.   Please RSVP to Greg O'Shea for catering purposes.
• Wednesday 7 December - will be at Flight Deck in Moorabbin airport. Meeting will commence at 7.30am instead of 7am. After the meeting. members are invited to tour the museum.
• Sunday 11 December - The end of year get-together will be at Packer Park in Murrumbeena. This will be our last meeting for 2022. Santa Claus will visit us at the picnic so children are most welcome.

By Ryan Hyland

Rotary International President Jennifer Jones appeared on the main stage at the star-studded Global Citizen Festival on 24 September to highlight Rotary’s commitment to eradicating polio and announce an additional US$150 million pledge toward that end.

By Arnold R. Grahl

The detection of poliovirus, and even cases of polio, in places where it hasn’t been found for years has demonstrated once again that eradicating a human disease isn’t easy, especially in the final stages.

In recent months, an unvaccinated man in the United States was paralyzed. In the UK, poliovirus was detected in sewage. In Malawi, a child contracted polio. And Mozambique announced its first polio outbreak in 30 years.

By Ryan Hyland

Rotary International and the U.S.-based nonprofit Ukraine Friends have agreed to collaborate to provide resources, organize logistics, and distribute funds for high-impact projects that help Ukrainians affected by the war with Russia.

Zone 8 Rotary Regionalisation Pilot Project

• Linda was our chairperson for this evening’s club meeting at Cilantro.  Larry conducted invocation and Ron conducted the loyal toast.  Glenda joined the meeting via Zoom.
• Club members enjoyed a lovely 3 course meal served by first timer apprentices – an enjoyable night for all who attended.