Patrick and Grace Docherty, our guest speakers last week, gave us a great insight into the Rotary WASH (Water, Sanitation and Health) project in Timor-Leste. This project was started by Camberwell Rotary in 2018, with an initial injection of $25,000. 18 clubs are now involved, ranging across different states and Rotary districts.

President Anne Cobham & President-Elect Ross Rice invite members and guests to the Rotary Club of Brighton North Annual Changeover Dinner.

Members of Brighton North Rotary spent Friday 29th and Saturday 30th May at Camp Getaway on their annual working bee.

The final round of Bayspeak on Tuesday 2nd June saw St Bede's College, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and Firbank Grammar School triumph in a lively and entertaining contest of speakers.

Brighton North Rotary have several quiet achievers supporting 'Our Village' (formerly St Kilda Mums).

Outstanding speeches, informative and entertaining, featured in the third heat hosted by Brighton Grammar School last Tuesday, at their Duigan Centre. Four schools competed: Mentone Girls Grammar School, Star of ther Sea College, St Bedes College and  OLSH College. The event was chaired by Ian Littlehales from Sandringham Rotary.

Our Bayside Rotary Radio Show, last Tuesday, hosted by Anne Cobham and Geoff Dobbs, featured an interview with Josephine Falzarano about MUNA 2026. Josephine is the Director for Youth Pathways in D9800.We also interviewed Dorothy Gilmour, Creator and Chair of Safe Families about the work of that organisation and the Respectful Relationships  program. You can listen to the podcast of the show at:

https://www.southernfm.com.au/show/community-block/bayside-rotary-radio-show-may-2026-podcast/

Brighton Grammar School hosted the second heat of Bayspeak at their Duigan Centre. Four schools competed: Wesley College, Brighton Secondary College, St Leonards College and Brighton Grammar School. Brighton Secondary College won the junior section, with St Leonards College coming second. The senior section was also won by Brighton Secondary College, with Wesley College coming second. The first and second winners of each section will progress to the final.

The first heat of BaySpeak for 2026 was held at Firbank Grammar on 5 May. Students from Kilbreda College, Kilvington Grammar and Firbank Grammar competed.

A 40-foot shipping container of medical items and supplies has left Donations in Kind bound for Cambodia.  Brighton North Rotary was one of 15 clubs who contributed to the cost of sending the container.

The Multi-District Impact Summit was held in Horsham, Victoria from 27-29 March.  It was described as a "living, breathing reminder of what humanity can be when kindness, courage, and community take centre stage."  Read a summary of the conference posted on the District 9800 website.

Rotary shares an interest in protecting our common legacy: the environment. April celebrates the Rotary Foundation's 7th Area of Focus: the Environment.

We work with communities to implement service projects that improve the environment and transform lives. Thriving ecosystems can support people’s health, create economic opportunities, and help build peace.

Rotary shares an interest in protecting our common legacy: the environment.

April celebrates the Rotary Foundation's 7th Area of Focus: the Environment.

We work with communities to implement service projects that improve the environment and transform lives. Thriving ecosystems can support people’s health, create economic opportunities, and help build peace.

Talk with us today.

Brighton North Rotary is one of 12 District 9800 clubs who have contributed to the cost of sending a shipping container of medical items to Cambodia from Donations in Kind. The container was packed at DIK on 24 March for shipping on 30 March. Clubs provided $10 000 towards the cost of the container which was matched by a District 9800 grant of $10 000.

An Anti-Slavery Project:

(Watch the Video)

Brighton North, together with several other Clubs and a District Foundation Grant, have provided computer facilities for girls in Nepal rescued from human trafficking.  This makes for a wonderful Humanitarian project.  

The underlying benefit is that these girls and women are less at risk when they have a greater range of skills than simple village life.

For more information:  www.northbrightonrotary.org.au

Brighton North Rotary members and friends (and members of other Clubs) attended the Queen Victoria Market on Wednesday 11 March for a tour hosted by District Governor Peter Shepheard.  Peter works for the Queen Victoria Market (which was officially opened on 20 March 1878) and gave us a fascinating insight into its history and its future.  At the end of the tour we visited the Summer Night Market area for dinner.

Morning tea with Jennifer Jones

On Tuesday 24 March, DIK will host Past Rotary International President Jennifer Jones. Jennifer is also the Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair-elect 2025-2026. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland Ontario, Canada.

You are invited to DIK (Shed 39/400 Somerville Rd, West Footscray) for morning tea at 11am and to meet with Jennifer and her team. Please RSVP to whatsnew@rotarydik.org for catering.

DIK Working Bee

We will have a Working Bee at DIK on Thursday 19 March. We arrive at the DIK Store around 9.30am and leave by 12.30pm. During this working bee we will be preparing goods for a Cambodian shipping container of hospital medical equipment. The Club is contributing financially to this project and it will be great to also have hands on involvement.  The container will be packed and leaving DIK on 24 March.

The work is not hard or strenuous but is important.  Car pooling is available for anyone who needs it. If you are able to assist, please let Gerry know.

Collecting for bushfire affected communities

DIK is collecting tools: wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes, hammers, blowers, forks, gardening and fencing equipment, electrical leads and other items suitable to help the bushfire affected communities clean up and regain their lives. Items can be delivered to DIK on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10am and 3pm.  Contact whatsnew@rotrydik.org

Morning tea with Jennifer Jones

On Tuesday 24 March, DIK will host Past Rotary International President Jennifer Jones. Jennifer is also the Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair-elect 2025-2026. She is a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland Ontario, Canada.

You are invited to DIK (Shed 39/400 Somerville Rd, West Footscray) for morning tea at 11am and meet with Jennifer and her team. Please RSVP to whatsnew@rotarydik.org for catering.

DIK Working Bee

We will have a Working Bee at DIK on Thursday 19 March. We arrive at the DIK Store around 9.30am and leave by 12.30pm. During this working bee we will be preparing goods for a Cambodian shipping container of hospital medical equipment. The Club is contributing financially to this project and it will be great to also have hands on involvement.  The container will be packed and leaving DIK on 24 March.

The work is not hard or strenuous but is important.  Car pooling is available for anyone who needs it. If you are able to assist, please let Gerry know.

Collecting for bushfire affected communities

DIK is collecting tools: wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes, hammers, blowers, forks, gardening and fencing equipment, electrical leads and other items suitable to help the bushfire affected communities clean up and regain their lives. Items can be delivered to DIK on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10am and 3pm.  Contact whatsnew@rotrydik.org

Sea Scouts annual sailing day: On Sunday 1 March we cooked sausages for 360 scouts from the 1st/14th Brighton Sea Scouts and three other scout groups at their sailing day at Karkarook Park.  Brighton North Rotary has had a long association with the 1st/14th Brighton Sea Scouts who have now been going for 118 years.  

Garden DesignFest (21 & 22 November) promotion at Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show: The Show will be held at the Melbourne Exhibition Building from Wednesday 25 March to Sunday 29 March.  It attracts 110,000+ visitors over the 5 days.  Volunteers are required for a 3.5 to 4 hours morning or afternoon shift on the Show dates. Are you able to assist?  Contact Malcom Baird.

March is Water Sanitation and Hygiene Month:  Read about Melbourne Rotary's vital life saving project in the Philippines enabling villagers access to clean water.