What's on at Rotary Club of North Melbourne
Club Updates
Stay connected with the Rotary Club of North Melbourne regular updates! Catch up on our latest initiatives, community projects, upcoming events, and stories of service - Join us in making a difference in our community!
Rotary Club of North Melbourne Changeover 2026-27!
A wonderful evening celebrating the Rotary Club of North Melbourne Changeover!
Our 2025-26 President, Thanu Kothalawala, officially passed the baton to our 2026-27 President, Sally Mpaluko, marking the beginning of an exciting new Rotary year.
We were delighted to welcome Claire Davison, District Governor Elect, along with members from the Rotary Central Melbourne, Rotary Passport Melbourne, Rotary Southbank,Satellite Rotary Club Against Illegal Organ Harvesting, Rotary Caroline Springs, and Rotary Wyndham Harbour. It was also wonderful to celebrate with our families and friends.
Past President Thanu reflected on the incredible impact our small club achieved over the past year, proving that while we may be small in numbers, our impact is anything but. President Sally’s address was inspiring, filled with optimism, purpose and a clear vision for the year ahead.
It was a truly memorable evening, surrounded by friendship, fellowship and a shared commitment to Service Above Self. Here’s to another year of making a positive difference in our community!
Rotary North Melbourne joined more than 200 Rotarians at the Rotary District 9800 District Governor Changeover.
Today, Rotary North Melbourne joined more than 200 Rotarians at the Rotary District 9800 District Governor Changeover.
It was a great day of fellowship and celebrating the amazing work of Rotary clubs across the district. We were proud to have our signature Service Project Mother’s Day Classic BBQ fundraiser recognised as one of our club’s highlights for the year.
A huge thank you to Past District Governor Peter Shepheard for his leadership. We look forward to working with District Governor Graham Hope, District Governor Elect Claire Davison and rest of the district leadership as we begin a new Rotary year of creating lasting impact.
Chris Hrynevich from the Association of Ukrainians in Victoria
As we wrapped up the Rotary year, Rotary North Melbourne was delighted to welcome back Chris Hrynevich from the Association of Ukrainians in Victoria.
Many members will remember Chris’s previous visit, where she shared RMIT-supported research capturing the stories and lived experiences of people affected by the war in Ukraine. During that presentation, she spoke about plans to publish a book that would bring these important voices and experiences together.
This time, Chris returned to introduce Many Colours of Home, the newly released book that grew from this research and has already sold out. The book shares powerful stories of resilience, belonging, and finding home in the face of adversity. Through these personal accounts, it shines a light on the people behind the headlines and the challenges they continue to navigate.
If you would like to learn more, join the waiting list, or read the free electronic version, visit:
Thank you, Chris, for sharing these important stories and helping us better understand the human impact of conflict, displacement, and rebuilding lives.
Fantastic Presentation by Christine Edwards from Aspect (Autism Spectrum Australia) ! 
We had an incredibly inspiring meeting tonight at the Rotary Club of North Melbourne. Our guest speaker, Christine Edwards, delivered a powerful talk on the life-changing work being done by Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect).
Christine's role as the Regional Coordinator for the Eastern Region within Aspect's Adult Community Services division, gave us a deeper look into Aspect's core mission.
Understanding, engaging, and celebrating strengths: Shifting the focus to what is possible and embracing a person's unique capabilities.Working in partnership: Collaborating directly with therapists, schools, and individuals to deeply understand and achieve personal goals.Comprehensive service delivery: Providing essential autism assessments, diagnoses, specialised Aspect Schools, and therapy services.Adult Community Services: Creating inclusive futures through social communication and active community engagement—including practical group activities like cooking, baking, gardening, acting, and lawn bowls.Thank you, Christine, for showcasing how we can all help build a more inclusive, supportive environment where everyone can thrive! 
To know more about Aspect (Autism Spectrum Australia) click here : https://www.aspect.org.au/about-aspect
Mother's Day Classic BBQ at Alexandra Gardens
The Rotary Club of North Melbourne was out in full force at Alexandra Gardens for this year’s Mother's Day Classic! Whether participants were just finishing their walk or had just arrived, our team was on the tools serving up snags, bacon and egg rolls, and cold drinks to hungry refuellers.
It was a fantastic day filled with the smell of sizzling onions and community spirit. Most importantly, every dollar raised at the BBQ went directly toward breast and ovarian cancer research. Thank you to everyone who stopped by the grill to make this Mother's Day count!
Karl Hessian, a 2025 recipient of the Phonse Tobin Award
Great to be back at our regular Rotary meeting today, with a fantastic guest speaker, Karl Hessian.
Karl, a 2025 recipient of the Phonse Tobin Award, joined us to share insights into his work with the The Hotham History Project Inc, a passionate community-led initiative dedicated to researching, preserving and sharing the rich history of North and West Melbourne.
The project brings together local volunteers to write, document and publish stories about the area’s past, capturing everything from historic buildings and streets to the people and communities that shaped the suburb. Their work also includes developing accessible online resources and encouraging community contributions to ensure these stories are not lost as the area continues to evolve.
It was inspiring to hear how local history can connect communities, preserve heritage, and give deeper meaning to the place we live in.
A big thank you to Karl for taking the time to share his journey and the important work being done through the Hotham History Project.
Deborah Buccolini from CoimpactoB, shared inspiring work from Colombia supporting rural communities.
Great meeting today at the Rotary Club of North Melbourne.
We welcomed four visiting Rotaractors from the University of Melbourne, along with a former Rotary Club of Richmond member now based in North Melbourne.
Our guest speaker, Deborah Buccolini from CoimpactoB, shared inspiring work from Colombia supporting rural communities.
Highlights included:
- Credimpacto – a community-based financial inclusion model that builds savings groups, provides microloans, and supports local entrepreneurship through training and revolving community funds.
- Aquaponics projects – sustainable farming systems being introduced in water-scarce regions like La Guajira, producing food while using significantly less water and building long-term community resilience.
A powerful reminder of how innovative, community-led solutions can create lasting impact.
Thank you, Deborah, for an engaging presentation.
Moomba Festival
What a day! The weather was undoubtedly on our side for the final day of Moomba, shining brightly on a truly multicultural celebration of Melbourne. We powered through, serving over 1000 Moomba paradegoers with mouth-watering meat sausages, hamburgers, and vegetarian burgers that brought everyone together.
Mikaela Stafrace from Project Rozana - improve access to healthcare through joint Israeli–Palestinian
It was wonderful to come together for this week’s meeting at the Rotary Club of North Melbourne.
We were pleased to welcome our regular visiting Rotarians Amy and Sophie, along with Miguel and Tahlia from the University of Melbourne Rotaract Club. We discussed the upcoming Moomba BBQ and appreciate their support in helping us deliver another great community event.
Our guest speaker was Mikaela Stafrace from Project Rozana.
Founded in 2013, Project Rozana works to improve access to healthcare through joint Israeli–Palestinian initiatives. After significant disruption following the outbreak of war in October 2023, the organisation has resumed key activities and continues supporting healthcare delivery, including services currently operating in Gaza.
Our club recently supported a matching grant program that trained Palestinian women as ambulance drivers and in blood collection, a practical initiative that strengthens local healthcare capacity.
Thank you to Mikaela for providing a clear and informative update on the program.
Ms Aimee Stefanski from the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF)
We were pleased to welcome Ms Aimee Stefanski from the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) as our guest speaker at the Rotary Club of North Melbourne meeting on Thursday, 12 February 2026.
Aimee shared powerful insights into the work of OCRF, how vital research funds are used, and the impact this work has on improving early detection, treatment, and prevention. Ovarian cancer is often referred to as a “silent killer” because symptoms can be vague and are frequently detected at later stages, making awareness and research critically important.
Members also discussed opportunities for Rotary Clubs to collaborate with OCRF on future projects, including the possibility of a joint annual fundraising event.
Thank you, Aimee, for an informative and inspiring presentation, and for the important work OCRF continues to do in the fight against ovarian cancer.
We were also delighted to have Maria Hicks and Jennie Franklin from the Rotary Passport Melbourne join us for the meeting. It was wonderful to share the morning with fellow Rotarians.
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The Rotary Club of North Melbourne is proud to be a part of the WASH project at Kamping Kdei High School.
Monthly Update from Cambodia Rural Students Trust - CRST
Monthly Update from Cambodia Rural Students Trust - CRST
On 10 January 2026, the CRST team visited Mrs Thunh’s family in Banteay Srei District to deliver their monthly food supplies. The visit was made even more meaningful with the support of Mr Tangly, who also generously donated clothing for the children.
The team spent time with Mrs Thunh checking on the family’s wellbeing and discussing the children’s education. We were delighted to learn that the children are attending school regularly and achieving good results. Their joy in receiving the donated clothes was a heartfelt reminder that even small acts of kindness can make a lasting difference.
Mrs Thunh’s resilience as a single mother raising seven children, while continuing to prioritise education despite ongoing challenges, remains truly inspiring. We sincerely thank everyone who supports this program and stands alongside families like hers on their journey towards a brighter future. 
Des Tobin as our special guest
What an honour to have Des Tobin as our special guest at today's last meeting of the year.
Des, son of the late Phonse Tobin, carries forward a proud legacy connected to the North Melbourne Football Club and Rotary Club of North Melbourne.
As many of you know, Des is a prolific author of seven books. His latest work, It’s in the Genes: Australian Football Families, delves deep into the amazing stories of football families across generations from the famous dynasties like the Rankin/O’Donnell, Pannam/Richards, Cordners, the Whittens, Abletts, Danihers and more, through to sibling groups and Indigenous football legends from the Tiwi Islands like Riolis and Longs.
In “It’s in the Genes”, Des reflects on how heritage, upbringing, and passion combine to offer a thoughtful, richly researched history of football lineages dating back to the 19th century.
We’re grateful to Des for taking time to talk with us today, sharing his memories and insights and connecting past and present through the love of footy and community.
If you’re interested in football history or love a good story, this is one not to miss.
Leon Colla from Joseph's Corner
We were privileged to have Leon Colla from Joseph's Corner join us at our meeting today.
Leon, a retired Primary School Principal with 45 years of dedicated service in education, has been a valued member of the Joseph’s Corner Board for the past 15 years, and serving as Chairperson for the last three.
Rotary North Melbourne has been supporting Joseph’s Corner for some time, and it was wonderful to hear more about the important work they do. Joseph’s Corner provides free counselling and support services for individuals and families affected by a loved one’s drug or alcohol addiction, offering face-to-face sessions, telephone and video appointments, and group support, all at no cost.
We thank Leon for sharing his insights and for his continued dedication to helping those in need.
We were also delighted to welcome Amy Yan and Sophie Shen, visiting Rotarians from the Rotary Satellite Club for Community Action Against Human Trafficking (District 5710). They shared insights into their club’s projects, raising awareness about illegal human organ harvesting and human trafficking.
It was a pleasure to have them visit and exchange ideas on creating lasting impact through Rotary.
Monthly Update from Cambodia Rural Students Trust - CRST
Monthly Update from Cambodia Rural Students Trust - CRST
The Rotary Club of North Melbourne recently received an update from CRST on the Family Support program in Cambodia. On November 8th, the team visited Mrs Thunh and her children, who the Rotary Club of North Melbourne supports, in the Banteay Srei district, delivering food, shoes, and school supplies.
Mrs Thunh, a resilient widow, has expressed heartfelt thanks for the ongoing support that helps her children stay in school. The update is a touching reminder of how small acts of kindness can make a big difference.
First quarterly online meeting
November 6th 2025, we held our first quarterly online meeting, with members from the Rotary Club of North Melbourne, Rotary Passport Melbourne, and the Cambodian Rural Students Trust (CRST) all joining in.
We were honoured to hear from Kunthea Pon, President-Elect of the Rotaract Club of Siem Reap, who presented the meaningful projects their team is currently leading:
Project B – Bicycles for StudentsProviding bicycles to students in rural communities to help them travel safely to school.
Project G – Girls EmpowermentSupporting girls with sanitary products and education around hygiene and sanitation.
Project L – Lights for LearningSupplying lights to help students study and complete homework at night.
Project W – WASH ProgramImproving access to clean water and sanitation in schools and villages.
Project T – Tree Planting InitiativePromoting environmental sustainability through community tree planting programs.
It was inspiring to meet the dedicated team working on the ground, balancing full-time studies with volunteering and to gain a deeper understanding of the impact these projects are making in rural communities.
Thank you to everyone who joined and contributed to a great session! 
BBQ at the annual Queensberry Cup
Thursday 23rd of October 2025, we proudly celebrated the annual Phonse Tobin Awards, recognising outstanding contributions to our local community in North and West Melbourne.
We were honoured to have among our special guests The Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Nik Reece, District Governor Peter Shepheard, and District Governor Elect Graham Hope, whose presence made the evening truly special.
A heartfelt thank you to the Tobin family. Frances, Sarah, and Hugh Tobin, for continuing the legacy of Phonse Tobin, one of our founding members and esteemed past presidents, by supporting and sustaining this meaningful awards program.
Congratulations to our 2025 award recipients:• Madeleine Scully – for voluntary service with the Melbourne Bowls Club
• Janet Graham – for voluntary service to the North & West Melbourne News
• Karl Hession – for service to the North & West Melbourne Neighbourhood Centre
We were also delighted to welcome members from our neighbouring Rotary clubs, including:
• Rotary Club of Keilor East
A sincere thank you to all members of the Rotary Club of North Melbourne for their hard work and dedication in organising and hosting another successful awards night.
We also extend our best wishes to our Vice President, Neville Page, who was unable to attend due to recent hip surgery — we wish him a speedy and smooth recovery. 
BBQ at the annual Queensberry Cup
Saturday 18th October 2025, Another successful sold-out BBQ at the annual Queensberry Cup today!
A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by to support us, including our amazing non Rotary volunteers and Maria Hicks from Rotary Passport Melbourne for lending a hand.
Together, we’re making a difference in our community!
by Maria Hicks
Maria Hicks from Rotary Passport Melbourne
Sally, Aparna & RoChelle (centred)on behalf of
St. Joseph Parish of South Yarra Choir.
Andrew & Herbson doing the sausage sizzle
9th October, we were delighted to welcome Tedd Dziadkiewicz, a proud member of our club for an incredible 32 years, who will soon celebrate his 80th birthday.
Ted reflected on how Rotary has evolved. From the days when only men could be Rotarians, meetings required suits and 100% attendance, and clubs worked in isolation to today’s inclusive, collaborative, and community-driven Rotary.
While much has changed, one thing remains constant: our shared commitment to doing good in the world and serving those in need.
Happy 80th, Ted, and thank you for your decades of dedication and inspiration!
We also had the privilege of using our new lectern, thoughtfully assembled by Andrew and Larry. Thank you both for your great work! 
The Soup Angels
We were thrilled to welcome Nicole Lewis, founder of The Soup Angels, to our Rotary Club of North Melbourne on Thursday 25 September 2025. Nicole spoke to our members last year and left a lasting impression with her inspiring work providing free soup to those in need.
A little about her journey:
The Soup Angels started as a small initiative at the start of the COVID-19 year and has grown into a robust operation with volunteers cooking for the needy. She recently secured Glen Era Town Hall to expand her outreach.In her talk, Nicole shared the essential roles of volunteers, donors, and sponsors in driving the program’s success.Rotary North Melbourne has proudly supported The Soup Angels, contributing twice to the cause, and we’re grateful for the impact Nicole and her team are making in our community. It was wonderful to hear more about the program’s progress and future plans.
If you’d like to volunteer & stay connected with Nicole and The Soup Angels, feel free to join her private Facebook group: The Soup Angels.
Community Support
We were honored to welcome a thoughtful speaker to our club this past Thursday, September 11, 2025.
Our guest: Chris Hrnevich
Member of the Association of Ukrainians in Victoria
Presenter and advocate for impactful storytelling through research
What she sharedChris spoke about the upcoming book launch, detailing the research she conducted with the support of RMIT. Her work gathers insights from people directly affected by the war, highlighting personal experiences, resilience, and the human stories behind the headlines.
Rotary North Melbourne involvementOur club proudly provided a small donation to assist with the book’s development.
The session offered a powerful look at the human impact of conflict and the importance of informed, compassionate dialogue.
AcknowledgmentsThank you, Chris Hrnevich, for sharing your research, findings, and vision.
Gratitude to RMIT for supporting this important project.
Appreciation to all club members and attendees for your continued support and engagement in meaningful service.
If you’d like to learn more about the book and its launch, stay tuned for updates and upcoming events. Your support helps shine a light on voices that deserve to be heard. #rotarynorthmelbourne #communitysupport #ResearchForChange #UnitedForGood
United For Good
Community Support
Research for Change
Unite For Good
Today Thursday 28th August 2025, we were pleased to welcome Visiting Rotarian Elif Uzun from the Rotary Club of Izmir, Türkiye, along with her friend. It was a pleasure to have them with us.
We also had the privilege of hearing from Dr Elaine Pratley, who spoke on “Courage for Peace in a Divided World.”
Dr Pratley began with a personal story about her father-in-law, who, as a four year old Malaysian boy during World War II, was injured and helped by a Japanese soldier, an act of compassion across enemy lines. This moving story reminded us that humanity and courage can shine through even in war.
She reflected on how the COVID-19 pandemic has shaped our behaviour and, in turn, influenced the next generation. The distancing, suspicion, and irritability we sometimes show towards others, even in simple moments like standing too close, have taught our children the wrong lessons about connection and trust.
She also reflected that recent global political events have further influenced conflict and division, reinforcing the need for peace building at every level of society.
About Dr Elaine PratleyElaine is a Rotary Peace Fellow, a lawyer, and a peace researcher. She is the founder of Peace Inc. and Peace Kitchen, initiatives that share food to bring people together, foster dialogue, and promote reconciliation. Her work shows how everyday interactions can help create understanding and hope in a divided world.
A truly inspiring session and a powerful reminder of Rotary’s mission to Create Hope in the World.
Melbourne City Mission - MCM
Today August 14th 2025, we welcomed Sue Albert from Melbourne City Mission - MCM to an intimate gathering at our fortnightly meeting.
Sue shared the confronting truth:
7,500 young people in Victoria are homeless each night
Only 430 government-funded crisis beds exist
The mismatch between the need and existing support is apparent and heartbreaking.
Melbourne City Mission is doing incredible, life-changing work to respond to this crisis. Their programs don’t just offer shelter, but also provide safety, stability, healing, and pathways to independence.
Hearing Sue share real stories and concrete ways to help reinforced how urgent and vital this work is.
Thank you, Sue, and to Melbourne City Mission, for showing us how our community can step up for our most vulnerable young people.
Monthly update from CRST
This month, Ly, Bopha, Rotha, and Thavry from the Cambodia Rural Student Trust (CRST) visited the family we sponsor in Banteay Srei, Cambodia.
The recipient, Mrs. Thunh, inspires us with her strength. She raises seven children independently and ensures they attend school daily, even during tough times.
Our support provided essential food supplies this month, including rice, noodles, and dried fish. The children prepare for school each morning, showing resilience and determination for a brighter future as they now don’t have to worry about going to school on an empty stomach due to our support.
Mrs.
Thunh has requested a large water tank to help with daily needs, and we will explore how best to assist.
We are deeply grateful to CRST’s Family Support team for their ongoing care and to our members and friends whose generosity makes this long-term support possible.
Save Lives – Interplast
Today 24th July 2025, we were joined by fellow Rotarians Rohan, Neville, Rob, and Ignacio from the Rotary Central Melbourne. It was also a pleasure to welcome Jane Edrington from Interplast Australia & New Zealand as our guest speaker for the day.
Interplast is a not-for-profit organisation co-owned by Rotary and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Since 1983, they’ve been transforming lives across the Asia-Pacific by providing free reconstructive surgery and training for local medical professionals.
Operating in 16 countries
27,350+ life-changing surgeries performed
14,350+ training opportunities delivered
From cleft palate repairs to burn reconstruction, Interplast is doing vital work where it’s needed most, and Rotary has proudly supported that mission since day one.
A big thank you to our guests from the Rotary Club of Central Melbourne joining our meeting and Jane for sharing valuable insights into this impactful work.
This Rotary year’s theme is Unite for Good, and today’s meeting was a great example of how we achieve that through collaboration, shared purpose, and service above self.
A Story of Hope – Monthly Update from CRST
On July 10 2025, Sophea from the Cambodia Rural Students Trust (CRST) visited a rural family supported by our club through the CRST Family Support Program.
With food, clothes, and toys in hand, the team not only delivered supplies but also joy to the family.
Mrs. Thunh, a single mother, has acknowledged how much this support has changed their life. Her children now have daily food, go to school regularly, and live in a safe home built by CRST students.
We are proud to sponsor this beautiful family and support CRST’s mission of empowering rural students and their communities.
Thank you to Rotary Passport Melbourne for giving us the opportunity to support this family.
People of Action
Today July 10th 2025 marked our first Rotary meeting for the new Rotary year, and we were delighted to welcome Manorani Guy from AusWise as our guest speaker.
AusWise is committed to empowering international students and graduates by helping them unlock meaningful employment opportunities. Through a strong network of industry partners and higher education institutions, they create pathways for cross-collaboration and career development.
From educating students on navigating life in Australia to supporting day-to-day living and mental wellbeing, AusWise offers a holistic approach to student success.
Thank you, Manorani, for sharing your inspiring work and the critical role AusWise plays in supporting our international students.
2025 Change over night - 26 June 2025
We had a fantastic evening celebrating our annual Changeover with friends, family, and fellow Rotarians. It was a night full of warmth, recognition, and new beginnings.
Highlights of the evening:- Amanda Georgiou, Thanu Kothalawala, and Herbson Singo were honoured with Paul Harris Fellowships for their outstanding service to our club.
- We celebrated the transition of club leadership from President Larry Robb to incoming President Thanu Kothalawala.
- Neville Page OAM received special recognition for his incredible contributions within and beyond our club.
We were thrilled to be joined by Rotarians from the Rotary Clubs of Carlton, Southbank-Elsternwick, Central Melbourne, Flemington-Kensington, Passport Club and Rotaractors from the University of Melbourne.
A heartfelt thanks to D9800 Group 4 Lead David Dippie, Mother’s Day Classic Committee members, Simonds College Principal, and the Assistant Director of Students for their presence and continued support.
A special thank you to D9800 District Governor Elect Nominee Clair Davison for officiating the Changeover and sharing in our celebrations.
Here’s to another impactful Rotary year ahead!
Service above Safe
Tonight June 12th, marked a memorable and meaningful gathering for our club.
- It was the final regular meeting under the wonderful leadership of President Larry Robb. Thank you, Larry, for your dedication, warmth, and commitment throughout the past year. You’ve led with heart, and we are truly grateful.
- We proudly celebrated Neville Page OAM, recently recognised on the King’s Birthday Honours List for his outstanding service to the Melbourne community. A well-deserved honour!
- We also acknowledged Past President Herbson Singo with a Paul Harris Fellow Recognition for his remarkable contributions to our club.
- Our guest speaker, Angela Clark, inspired us with her talk “Bullets for Beauty.” This initiative empowers Ethiopian women to transform recycled bullet shells into bold, beautiful jewellery. Angela reminded us how fashion can carry powerful messages of strength and courage.
A fantastic evening to close out the Rotary year — full of gratitude, inspiration, and celebration!
Neville Page OAM
Words can’t express how proud we are of Neville Page OAM. Congratulations Neville.
Message from the Rotary District 9800 Governor
Congratulations Neville Page! Warmest congratulations to Neville Page of Rotary North Melbourne, honoured in today’s King’s Birthday Honours for his service to the Melbourne community.
Neville’s dedication and leadership truly embody Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self. A well-deserved recognition for a lifetime of impact!
#KingsBirthdayHonours#RotaryDistrict9800 #RCNorthMelbourne#ServiceAboveSelf
