Tim Wilson, our local Member for Goldstain, and Shadow Federal Treasurer, was our guest speaker last week. His wide-ranging talk covered many of the challenges and issues confronting our country at present. His talk was followed by an equally interesting Q and A session.

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.

Since 1991, the Brighton Grammar v Firbank Grammar Debate has been a highlight in our Club’s year, and this year’s debate exemplified the high standard we have come to expect from these students.

GardenDesignFest promotion at Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show: Malcolm Baird has secured a stand at the Show to promote GardenDesign Fest which will be held on 21 & 22 November. Two volunteers will be needed per shift at the Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show (Wednesday March 25^th – Sunday March 29^th).  Contact Malcolm if you are able to help

Donation to Every Daughter Matters: $5000 raised from our club and other clubs has been donated, via RAWCS, to RC Kathmandu. This money will go toward the purchase of computers to assist in the training of Nepalese girls rescued from abduction and exploitation.

Maria Ruberto, our Guest Speaker last week, is the founder and director of Salutegenics Psychology, a strengths-based practice that moves people in personal and professional spaces toward mental fitness and life-health. Maria’s work is based on the theory of Salutogenesis where wellbeing is built from the development of positive human assets, including affective functioning and strengths-based skills.

At last week's joint meeting with RC Brighton, our club was presented with a Certificate of Recognition for our financial support of Rotary's End Polio Now campaign.

Bayside City Council has renovated our 'Rotary Endeavour' playground at the beach end of North Road. It looks great and proudly bears a prominent Rotary Wheel symbol on its stern. Thanks to Phil Mortimer for the photos.

We joined Brighton Rotary  last week to hear about, and celebrate,a remarkable achievement. In 2025, Brighton, Warrnambool Central and Brighton North worked together to donate 15 pallets of goods from Donations in Kind to to drought-stricken farmers in south-west Victoria.

Brighton North Rotary is sponsoring a local secondary school to run a program that involves young people talking to young people about respect and respectful relationships including promoting healthy non-abusive family relationships.

This year, the Rotary South Pacific Conference will take place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre with the theme: People, Planet, Peace.