Welcome everyone to the 2025-2026 Rotary year, the theme of which is "Unite for Good". 
In keeping with this message, I ask that you all consider how you can contribute to our Club activations in the coming year.  All assistance, regardless of how big or small is meaningful, and I urge all members to contribute and collaborate where possible.Thank you to members who completed the Club Health Survey. At our next evening meeting on Wednesday 20th August, Lesley and I will speak about the results and what we can do moving forward. 
I also ask that you bring a friend to this meeting, especially if they want to know about Rotary and how they can assist their local club. It is also a great opportunity for you to express your interest about any local community projects that you would like to see come to fruition.  

I wish you all the very best and look forward to a positive, productive year as President. 

 

Our members were out in force today joining Moonee Valley Council and the Rotary Club of Keilor East at Afton Reserve. 

 

Karolina and Jo, Hayden and Jess, Lesley and Jeff, Shraddha and Samira, Nicole with Danny, Liam, Julia and Nat, and new member John were planting some of the 6000 seedlings or working on the BBQ. 

John had his first taste of a Rotary BBQ and was well trained by Phil and Chris from Keilor East.

 

It was lovely to welcome Lenka who came along with Hayden and Jess, and to meet Malene from Denmark who came with Yvonne Osborne from Keilor East.

I spent three days at the Sputnik Girls Home in Kurunegala, in late June, at the end of a week’s holiday in Sri Lanka with my cousin.

Our driver/guide for the week was Kit Tennakoon, who had been the guide for Peter and Bev Cribb on their own visits and thus came well recommended. 

Kit has a Diploma in Archaeology and Cultural Tourism so his in depth knowledge was most appreciated during our visit to several UNESCO cultural sites.  

Besides being an active freelance licensed tour guide, he is the Co-Chairman of the Girls’ Home as well as in charge of the Volunteer Program.

He will also be accompanying our Club’s delegation in Sri Lanka at the end of September, and he has been liaising with Peter to set up the itinerary.

 

Shraddha, Chris and Lesley attended the changeover on July5th.  This was another spectacular event and a wonderful opportunity to catch up with Rotarians from across the District.

Our club received recognition awards for Ryda, the Stroke container to Sri Lanka and for Public Image.

We met at The Plough Hotel in Footscray, the home of the Rotary Club of Footscray and enjoyed a busy, noisy and informative evening.

 

We welcomed Lenka and said farewell to Haruka as well as hearing updates from Mel and the board.