MADAM PRESIDENT:
  
 
Hello everyone and Happy New Year!
I hope 2026 has started off well for you all.
 
As part of maintaining a healthy and active Rotary Club, we have a variety of events scheduled that will need your support in the coming months.
Your participation is greatly appreciated, and we encourage you to lend a hand wherever you can. After all, as the saying goes, many hands make light work!
 
I would like to invite members to consider volunteering at the Kensington Market Op Shop stall from March onwards. This market takes place monthly, and we ask for just 2-5 hours of your time. It’s a relaxed environment where you’ll be surrounded by talented makers and artisans within the beautiful Kensington Town Hall.
If you are interested in helping out, please get in touch with Lesley.
 
I also encourage everyone to attend our upcoming Club breakfasts and dinners. These gatherings offer a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow members, listen to inspiring guest speakers, and stay up to date on Rotary news and activities.
 
Wishing you all the best for the year ahead and looking forward to seeing you all soon.
 
Melina
 
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Rotary Youth Exchange Lenka
January has been a very exciting time for Lenka. 
She was able to attend the QUT Maths Summer School in Brisbane, and then experience some of the delights of Brisbane and the coast.
 
Our sincere thanks to Deborah Le Garde, Allan Strong Jane Anderson and the members of RC Brisbane High Rise for their generosity.
 
Lenka is now being hosted by a family in Seddon, mum Kate. Their daughter Eloise has just returned from a year in Czechia!
 
She is now in the depths of Year 12 at MAC!  Good luck.
 
Australian Rotary Health PhD Scholar
Catherine Johnson will present her final challenge later this month.  Her research, mental health issues in children aged 5-12 has produced some fabulous resources, free to share.
 
Cathrine will present to the club later this year.
Click Me!
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RORP 9800
Peter has the assistance from John Farmery and Jean Turnbull in planning, documentation and logistics.
We have 2 playgrounds to collect from MVCC, and more in the queue from Melton {Caroline Springs and Hillside} Brimbank.
 
Peter has enlisted assistance from Pascoe Vale, Williamstown and Altona City Rotary Clubs whose members will join the roster.  Many thanks to Peter Wilson and his team, Stuart Catley and Norm England who will drive the trailers.
 
Thanks to DG Peter an improved storage location has been obtained in Sunshine. Peter McDonald.  
Latest installation at the Wariyapola Dabalitadda school in Sri Lanks.
 
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INTERNATIONAL REPORT - Peter Cribb
 
1.   Request for hospital beds for emergency care in hospitals in the Western Province Sri Lanka.  Negotiated a supply through RARE in South Australia.  Funded by a donation through Nihal de Run and BEAP.
 
2.  Second container of items to support Stroke Hospitals in Sri Lanka.  List is with DiK and a container is booked to load on 12/3.  We still need a quantity of rehab equipment eg mats, balance items, small trampolines, weights.  Please contact Peter if you can assist.
This container is supported by a grant from RC Essendon.
 
3.  Medical container #2 to Puntland.
Awaiting information from Abdi, Sareeyo and Shirhan.  Fundraising in progress, wishlist received.  Not yet in the queue at DiK.
 
4.  Request for assistance in sending emergency services equipment to Gambia.  Jason from RC Pascoe Vale has already sent one when he was in the UK.  Fundraising and goods collection in progress.  As we are DiK members we have access to goods and shipping and can facilitate.
 
5.  We assisted BEAP and RC Colombo with fundraising to support flood disaster response in Sri Lanka.
 
6.  Peter attended the Annual General Meeting of BEAP {the Batticaloa Emergency and Accident Project} supporting trauma care at the Batticaloa Hospital. Foundation Supporting a National Trauma Service in Sri Lanka
Our club was recognised and thanked for the support we provide.
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OP SHOP REPORT:  
2026 has started well with strong sales and a huge number of quality donations.  Thanks to Mel, we were gifted with left over stock after Erinbank Gifts closed on 31 January.  This was all new goods - homewares, children's, gifts etc.
 
Before reopening, we again did the annual refresh, clear out and declutter. 
Thanks to Jo Walker, we had advice from an op shop expert on display and organisation.
 
We sent multiple loads to Red Nose Day/Savers and RIMERN; another donation of clothing to Youth Projects for the homeless and books and toys to Djerring Hub. We are a web directing goods to appropriate destinations!
 
We are still needing volunteers to help in the shop.  Rui, a long term volunteer has aged out of Centrelink and reduced her hours; the twins now have jobs and some days there are only 2 or 3 people on. If you can help on any day Wednesday to Saturday, please let Deborah know.
 
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FOR YOUR CALENDAR:   
 
Monday 16 February: RORP playground collections.
Ashkenasy Reserve 24 David Avenue Keilor East then Benaud Reserve, 2 Benaud Close Keilor East.
Contact Peter: 0410548543
 
Tuesday 17 February: RYDA with MAC students
80 Northcorp Blvd Broadmeadows, 915am to 230pm
Contact Shraddha: 0433244800
 
Wednesday 18 February: Dinner meeting 6pm
Hardimans Hotel, 521 Macaulay Road, Kensington.
Jay Tatulaschwili, our RYE to Denmark in 2025 will present to members on his year on exchange.
 
Wednesday 4 March: Breakfast meeting
We are again trying Little Bunny opposite Hardiman's Hotel.
7:45am
 
Friday 6 March: International Women's Day
MVCC breakfast.  We have 2 tables of members and students from MAC.  7am at The Clocktower.
 
Sunday 15 March: Moonee Valley Festival in Queens Park.
We are running the BBQ from 10am to 4pm.
A BBQ Captain is needed from 1-4 and to close up.
Please RSVP to Lesley with your requested time slot - 4 people are needed at each time minimum.
10-12:30, 12-2:30, 2-4:30
 
 
Upcoming festivals and celebrations
 
15 February: Moonee Valley Festival
18 February: Ramadan is expected to begin
17 February: Lunar New Year - the year of the horse
28 February:  Holi Indian Festival
 
 
 Our District Conference partnering with Districts 
9780 and 9510 will Unite for Good.