SERVICE ABOVE SELF

 
Are you passionate about making a positive impact in your community and in the world? From local projects to global initiatives, our club fosters leadership and friendship while working together to create lasting change. Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group who share your drive to make a difference.
 
Club News
Supporting Health and Hope in Vo Thanh, Vietnam
International Service
Supporting Health and Hope in Vo Thanh, Vietnam

The Rotary Club of Glenferrie has recently donated $3,600 to the Rotary North Balwyn led joint project to provide medical equipment to the village of Vo Thanh in Vietnam. The club joined the project in April 2020 at the instigation of then International Service Director Robert Hogan. The project, which supports the poorer communities in the Hạ Hòa District of Phú Thọ Province of Vietnam, of which Vo Thanh is one, won the District 9800 International Service Award in 2020.

This latest contribution followed the visit to Vo Thanh in 2025 by Glenferrie Rotarian Christine McCann as part of the project team visiting local schools and health care centres. Following discussions with local representatives, several priority items were identified as needed to enhance healthcare delivery, including stethoscopes, a blood glucose tester, and a new computer and printer for the medical station; equipment essential for improving patient care and record-keeping.

Through this multi-club project,  Rotary in Boroondara, in partnership with the Overseas Kids Foundation,  has built a strong and enduring relationship with the people of Phú Thọ Provice. Truly uniting for good and testimony to the difference we can make to the lives of others when we get engaged.

Time Traveller Titbit: It was Busy Around Here 46 Years Ago!
Club History
Time Traveller Titbit: It was Busy Around Here 46 Years Ago!

About this time, 46 years ago, Glenferrie Rotarians were very busy indeed, organising the River Run - then the major fundraiser for the club - a ten mile jog along the banks of the Yarra, scheduled for 4th May 1980. The River Run was founded in 1978, three years after the club's charter, and was held annually until 2004. 

Then Club President, John Skerritt (1977-78), commissioned club member Bill Luke to devise a format for a ‘fun run’ which would be of interest to fitness conscious people. And so the Rotary Club of Glenferrie Sunday Observer River Run was born.

To read more about the River Run, download the club's publication ‘30 Years On’, published in 2005 to mark the club's 30th anniversary: => Click here. Or watch PP Geoff Wood's interview for the club's 50th Anniversary to find out what went wrong on Geoff's first time on duty! => Click here

Uniting for Good - Rotary Delivers Clean Water in Buedu
Aladura Primary School Project International Service
Uniting for Good - Rotary Delivers Clean Water in Buedu
The children of Buedu celebrate the commissioning of their new water storage and reticulation system at the Aladura Primary School

A vibrant community celebration has marked the commissioning of the new water storage and reticulation system at Aladura Primary School in Buedu, Sierra Leone. The project, led and implemented by the Rotary Club of Glenferrie and the Rotary Club of Bo, Sierra Leone, reflects a strong international partnership. 

Funded with proceeds from the Boroondara Farmers Market, and supported by generous grants from Balwyn Rotary, and the Australian Government through Australia Aid, the initiative will significantly improve water access, hygiene, and learning conditions for students. The event highlighted both community pride and ongoing commitments to education and sustainability, and will deliver benefits to the Buedu community for many years to come.

As a result of the investment by Rotary in the school, Sierra Leone the Deputy Director of Education has committed to the assignment of government-paid teachers to the school.

Read more...
Rotary Club of Glenferrie Awarded EnviroClub Bronze at Conference-A Step Forward for Sustainability
Posted by Thelma Hutchison
Protecting the Environment Rotary District 9800
Rotary Club of Glenferrie Awarded EnviroClub Bronze at Conference-A Step Forward for Sustainability

The Rotary Club of Glenferrie has been awarded a District 9800 EnviroClub Bronze Award at the Horsham Conference, recognising its ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability. The award acknowledges both the formation of an Environment Committee and a wide range of local and international initiatives. From community clean-ups to sustainable WASH projects in Sierra Leone, the Club continues to turn practical action into lasting impact. It’s a strong first step in the EnviroClub journey.

Read more...
Ride to District Conference 2026
Posted by Thelma Hutchison
Community Service
Ride to District Conference 2026
The happy ROCAN team at Axedale en route to Horsham. Heck of a long way to go for a cup of coffee.

Another grueling ride has just finished with Thelma Hutchison and Mark Ellis representing the Rotary Club of Glenferrie in the annual Rotary Against Ovarian Cancer (ROCAN) Ride to Conference 2026. There were 30 riders, a long course 1,000kms in 7 days and a short course 700kms in 7 days.    We chose to complete the short course.  Despite having our bikes properly set up, wearing quality cycling gear, and using plenty of chamois cream, we complained endlessly about saddle-sores, chafing and butt bruising.

Read more...
The Four-Way Test: Our commitment to integrity, fairness, and respect
Peace & Conflict Resolution
Rotarians embrace the Four-Way Test because it reflects the organisation’s deeper purpose: fostering trust, promoting ethical leadership, and building stronger communities

As Rotarians we, each of us, commit to living according to the Four-way test. But sometimes we forget, and sometimes the result is that little things blow up to create much more serious fissures in our relationships.The Four-Way Test reminds us that even small actions can have a big impact on others. In a busy world, respecting others and taking a moment to follow through on our responsibilities, honour our commitments and respect the needs of others can make all the difference to how smoothly our communities, including our club, operates. This article reflects on how consideration and cooperation - simply being considerate of others - bring the test to life.

Read more...
WELCOME TO OUR CLUB!
 
Club meetings
Glenferrie Rotary is a friendly club that meets on the second, fourth and fifth Tuesday evening of the month, at:
 
Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club
489 Glenferrie Road, Kooyong. 
6:30pm for 7:00pm
 
Please join us!
 
Our Vision
“Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.”
 
Our Motto
Service Above Self
 
 
Would you like to join Rotary?
If you share Rotary's values 
and are interested in joining Rotary, email us . Prospective new members normally start by attending some of our meetings, so we get to know each other.
 
Why join Rotary?
This is why. 
Click on the image below...
 
ROTARIANS LIVE BY THE FOUR WAY TEST
Is it the Truth?
 
Is it Fair to all concerned?
 
Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships?
 
Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?
President`s Message

Helena Wimpole
Click here

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our newsletter and get all the latest news from The Rotary Club of Glenferrie
 
Newsletters
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL NEWS
After life, a return to the earth

Conservation burials, green cemeteries, and environmental convictions are reshaping how some people think about death

Rotary projects around the globe May 2026

Learn how Rotary clubs are taking action in the United States, Costa Rica, Italy, Tunisia, and Australia.

So you want to end polio?

Far from the vaccination front lines, the fight to end the disease begins in everyday spaces, from a neighborhood pub to a commuter train to a tulip field. At the center of it all, no surprise, are enterprising Rotary members just like you

Speakers
Education Chances
May 26, 2026
TBA
Pamela Young, East Malvern RSL
Jun 09, 2026
PTSD. Exact title TBA
Rodney Patel
Jun 30, 2026
Member behind the Badge
View entire list...
Upcoming Events
View More...
Club Connections
Rotary membership helps you build lasting friendships, strong networks, additional skills and greater confidence.
Programs often start with just one motivated person seeing an opportunity and then making it happen with the support of Rotary's global resources behind them.
Rotary celebrated 100 years of making a difference in Australia and New Zealand in 2021. Join with us as we embark on our next 100 years of service to our community.