Rotary Melbourne

12/05/2026

Proud to continue our long term support of Lighthouse Foundation

Thank you to our valued partner, Rotary Melbourne, for their generous donation of $20,000 to enable us to evaluate our Model of Care across one or more Lighthouse programs.

Evaluations like these are crucial as they enable us to show the positive impact of our work, and also make improvements to strengthen our programs further. 🧡

30/04/2026

🌏 Australia eliminates trachoma — and Rotary Melbourne helped lead the way

Australia is now the 30th country to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem, validated by the World Health Organization (WHO).

For Rotary Melbourne, this milestone reflects one of our leading projects over the past decade alongside the National Rotary Trachoma initiative EndTrachoma.

👁️ A preventable disease, now eliminated
Trachoma — the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness — once heavily impacted children in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Today, it is no longer a public health threat in Australia.

🤝 Rotary Melbourne in action
Since 2016, our End Trachoma initiative has partnered with Monash University and The University of Melbourne, alongside industry and community organisations.

The program has delivered practical solutions — including interactive water trailers improving hygiene in remote communities.

🌱 Impact that matters
✔️ Elimination achieved nationally
✔️ Success in South Australia
✔️ Ongoing focus in the Northern Territory

This achievement shows what’s possible through partnership, innovation, and community leadership, with our interactive water trailers still needed in the future to promote hygiene and prevent reoccurrence of outbreaks.

Rotary Melbourne remains committed to sustaining this progress and supporting healthier futures for all communities.



Read more here: https://www.who.int/westernpacific/news/item/29-04-2026-australia-becomes-the-30th-country-to-eliminate-trachoma-as-a-public-health-problem

26/02/2026

✨ What If Rotary Was Founded in 2026? ✨
On February 23, 1905, Rotary was founded in Chicago — a moment that changed the world 🌍

We asked AI to imagine what our founders would look like today, and who they might be if they were starting Rotary in 2026 at the same age. 🤖💼

Would they be tech innovators? Community activists? Global changemakers?
Swipe to see the transformation and meet the modern founders of Rotary! 👇📸

🔗 Click here to read more:
http://rotaryclubofmelbourne.org.au/news/63764/what-if-rotary-was-founded-in-2026

27/01/2026

💙 We’re back in action for January!
Last week, 17 Rotary Melbourne members and friends rolled up their sleeves at Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Network (RIMERN) — joining their amazing regular volunteers to get some serious work done.

🚚 Trucks came in full, were unloaded, and headed straight back out again — delivering essential household goods to people settling into their new homes.

📦 The warehouse was packed with donations needing cleaning, sorting and packing — and together we made a big dent in the workload.
It was an energising day of teamwork, purpose and impact.

✨ Did you know?
RIMERN now welcomes corporate volunteer groups of 10+ people — a fantastic hands-on way for teams to give back while working together.

Huge thanks to the RIMERN team for the vital work you do every day

17/11/2025

🚲 Win BIG & Change Lives! 🚲

Rotary Melbourne is raffling a $2,000 Bike Voucher to support The Smith Family’s Learning for Life Program — helping young Australians break the cycle of disadvantage through education. 🎓✨

🎟 Tickets just $5 each or $50 for 10 — only 3,000 available!
🎉 Winner drawn 10 Dec at Sofitel on Collins during Rotary Melbourne’s weekly lunch.

Ride for fun. Ride for impact. Ride for kids' futures. ❤️
Get your tickets today — https://events.humanitix.com/tickets-2025-smith-family-raffle!

14/11/2025

Another big week for our Rotary Melbourne Make House a Home (MAHAH) project 🤝✨

Our amazing volunteers were back at it - packing more tea-chest boxes filled with essential new homewares for people moving from homelessness or crisis into safe housing with Launch Housing. 🏡

Each box goes to someone in highest need, including long-term homeless clients and survivors of domestic violence who are starting again with almost nothing.
Huge thanks to Past President Chris Wang for hosting packing at his Sunshine warehouse, and to our partners at Donations in Kind for getting each delivery where it’s needed most. 🚚💙

The demand is real and ongoing - but so is our commitment.

26/10/2025

🐎 This Week at Rotary Melbourne, we’re thrilled to welcome Henry Dwyer, one of Australian racing’s brightest stars and the trainer behind wonder mare Asfoora, winner of the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot. 👑🏆

Hear Henry share the incredible story of his rise from mucking out boxes at Flemington to standing in the Royal Ascot winner’s circle - plus his insights on the Melbourne Cup Carnival and what it takes to turn longshots into champions. 🇦🇺✨

📅 When: Wednesday 29th October 2025, 12.30pm for 12.45-2pm
📍 Where: No 35, Sofitel on Collins
🎟️ Guests welcome – book now via the Rotary Melbourne website.

16/10/2025

🌍 Today is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty - October 17 🌍

Poverty Day 2025 reminds us to stand together and take action to end poverty in all its forms. Families deserve dignity, respect, and opportunity. This year’s theme is “Ending Social and Institutional Maltreatment: Ensuring respect and effective support for families living in poverty.”

At Rotary Melbourne, we support projects that prevent poverty and assist those experiencing hardship, helping to build stronger, fairer communities for all.

💛 Join us as we recommit to creating lasting change.

13/10/2025

🌍 Rotary Melbourne Weekly Lunch – 15 October 2025 🌍

Join us Wednesday as we celebrate Andrew Mahar AM, recipient of our 2025 Vocational Service Award - a visionary social entrepreneur whose work has transformed communities across Australia and Timor-Leste.

For over three decades, Andrew has founded and led more than 15 social enterprises driving digital inclusion, environmental sustainability, and economic empowerment. His leadership has inspired lasting change through initiatives like Infoxchange, WithOneBean, and Rai Matak.

📅 Wednesday 15 October 2025
🕰 12.30 for 12.50–2.00pm
📍 No35 Sofitel Melbourne & via Zoom
Book now via our website.

Join us to honour an inspiring changemaker who truly lives “Service Above Self.”

12/10/2025

🏃‍♀️ Rotary Melbourne at the 2025 Nike Melbourne Marathon 💙

This morning, 60,000 runners filled Melbourne’s streets for the 2025 Nike Melbourne Marathon, and Rotary Melbourne was proud to be part of the action.

Our volunteers kept participants hydrated and motivated from start to finish — a simple but powerful reminder of Rotary’s commitment to Service Above Self.

Thank you to every member and friend who gave their time and energy. Your efforts reflected the best of Rotary: teamwork, reliability, and community in motion. 💧🙌