Welcome one and all to the start of 2026 and the second half of the 25/26 Rotary Year. Like many of you I have enjoyed a well earned break but now back into the full swing of things. I eased back into the Rotary year by first welcoming home our 4 Youth Exchange students who after a year away returned in early January. A very warm Welcome back to Siena, Eloise, Matisse & Jay. I am looking forward to catching up with them all at their debrief on February 8th.
A week later I had the pleasure of joining the family and friends of our 6 outbound students along with our hard-working Youth Exchange Committee to bid farewell to them on their year-long life-changing adventure. Our best wishes to Ashley sponsored by Bendigo off to Spain, Veronica sponsored by Gisborne off to Denmark, Oscar sponsored by Woodend off to Italy, Daniel sponsored by Werribee off to Czech Republic, Isabella sponsored by Bendigo off to Norway & Vida sponsored by Richmond off to France
In between my trips to Melbourne Airport the state endured the first of the damaging bush fires of Summer and while our district did not have anywhere we have clubs impacted Harcourt near Castlemaine was severely impacted. There was also severe impact in various places where clubs are located in D9790 and D9780 is still dealing with the impact of the Longwood and Otway fires. Given we still have a fair bit of Summer to go, and possibly a late Summer, members and clubs may want to start thinking about not only how to assist now but in the future. To that end, I suggest you click on of my email to members about Bushfire Recovery. Also all members were sent another update by Colleen from Donations in Kind recently which is also worth a read.
I have been able to get out and about despite the warmer weather to check out Rotary Brighton’s Keiser Great Bayside Swim and then on Australia Day say Rotary Altona City in action at Altona Meadows Shopping Centre handing out gift bags and refreshment vouchers while entertaining with music, face painting and balloon art. I then got to visit the 4 supported accommodation venues that Rotary Kew provide lunches for on Australia Day this year with a Foundation Grant to help with the funding.
I completed my 55th Official Club visit, on the hottest day ever, to the very top of our District at Rotary Echuca/Moama. The air conditioned train rides up and back were great as was the meeting and the chance to catch up with long time Rotary friend Anne Peace who was kind enough to host me overnight.
Finally it is now time to get your booking in for the Multi District Conference in Horsham from March 27-29. I know many of you have already booked accommodation but now you need to book in. While we have many great speakers and things planned we now have the great honour of having Past Rotary International President and incoming Chair of the Rotary Foundation Jennifer Jones as the Rotary International Presidents Representative so how can you not want to book. So go to https://events.humanitix.com/multi-district-summit-2026 and get booked in.
Unite for Good
Peter Shepheard