Small Groups, Big Difference: Cultivating Environmental Responsibility
Amanda McKenzie is a leading Australian climate advocate and co-founder of the Climate Council, which she has led as CEO since 2013. Under her leadership, the Council has become a powerful and trusted voice on climate action driving campaigns to change public opinion and national and state policy. She previously co-founded the Australian Youth Climate Coalition and has advised numerous governments and corporations on climate and energy. Amanda’s governance experience includes founding Chair of the Centre for Australian Progress and director roles at Plan International. Named one of Westpac’s 100 Women of Influence, she holds an Honours degree in Law from Monash University and an Arts degree from the University of Melbourne.
Loreto Mandeville Hall have been offered a tailored tour and Peace Ceremony at the Rotary Peace Park, Canberra
At our last Rotary meeting, members and guests were impressed with the excellent presentations of the two students from Loreto Mandeville Hall, who spoke about their experiences at the MUNA (Model United Nations Assembly) and expressed their gratitude to the club for our support. In November this year the Peace Pole ceremony will take place at Loreto. Joanne Shentu has ordered the Peace Pole and we look forward to this ceremony which is very well supported by the staff at the school. As this will be our first Peace Pole ceremony we will endeavour to encourage public schools in our area to work with us to have their own Peace Poles.
Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) – A Global Experience for Local Students
Olivia Wei, second fron left, and Katerina Atsis of Loreto Mandeville hall impressed members with their articulate report on their MUNA experience. The team represented Japan at MUNA 2025
The Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) gives students the chance to step into the shoes of world leaders, debating real-world issues and negotiating resolutions just as representatives do at the United Nations. Each team is assigned a country to represent, complete with national dress, and engages with students from other schools in spirited discussion and debate. This year, our club was proud to sponsor two students from Loreto Mandeville Hall, Katerina Atsis and Olivia Wei, guided by their teacher Katie Macleish. The girls represented Japan, tackling a range of global challenges and finding themselves debating directly with countries such as China.
Past President Geoff Wood preparing for his 50th Anniversary interview. Giving new meaning to the term Rotary makeup
On Saturday August 9th, interviews were conducted to highlight our club’s achievements. Ian Salek was the moderator and there were six interviews conducted. Thanks to Michael and Alex Lapina for their time in filming, this all in the confines of the Ellis’s residence. There was also a makeup artist “Luis” to do the impossible task of making some of the gent’s appearance acceptable. The video interviews will be a highlight of the club's 50th Anniversary celebrations on Wednesday October 22nd 2025. => See photos
What's cooking good looking? Alex Marshall and Geoff Widmer cook up a storm at the Salvation Army, Camberwell
The men’s cooking classes organised by Wendy Cross continued this winter, and included a cadre of willing Rotary Glenferrie volunteers for this six-week session - Alex Marshall, Christine McCain, Joanne Shentu, Geoff Widmer, Maria Pantling and Jenny deVos.
On 27th August , we just completed the latest six-week session with Geoff Widmer and Alex Marshall overseeing the final two-hour cooking class with regulars. We had a very enthusiastic group of men who enjoy the group fellowship and learning some food preparation and cooking skills at the same time.
Glenferrie Rotarian Isaiah Lahai, who initiated the club's WASH project at the Aladura Primary School in Buedu, Sierra Leone, has reported that the school is experiencing a surge in enrolments since the project was completed. The project built two new ventilated improved pit latrines at the school, together with a source of fresh rainwater for the children.
The school has had to order more desks to accommodate the new students. The desks are being made onsite by local carpenters. The VIP latrines were constructed as a joint project of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie and the Rotary Club of Bo in Sierra Leone, with the assistance of a District Grant from The Rotary Foundation.
A surge in enrolments at the Aladura Primary School following the completion of two new toilet blocks has required the provision of additional desks at the school. Proof of the cascading impact of the Rotary WASH project in Sierra Leone.
Masaya's first taste of AFL footy was at the thrilling 2nd Qualifying Final between Geelong and Brisbane at the MCG last Friday. Pictured with PP Mark Howlett and Foundation Director Joanne Shentu
On Friday night September 5th, Mark Howlett and I had the pleasure of taking Rotary Global Grant Scholar Masaya Endo to experience a vibrant part of Australian culture. We attended the thrilling AFL Second Qualifying Final between Geelong and Brisbane at the MCG, along with 86,000 other fans. With Mark’s detailed explanations guiding us through the game and the passionate energy of the crowd all around, we were quickly captivated by the glamour and excitement of AFL.
Masaya thoroughly enjoyed the night and expressed his gratitude for the warm hospitality extended by the Rotary Club of Glenferrie. Inspired by the spirit of community, he also shared his interest in getting involved in more volunteering activities. We were delighted to extend an invitation for him to join us at our upcoming Farmers’ Market, where he will have the chance to connect further with our club and the local community.
The Rotary Glenferrie stand at the Swinburne Expo. Shining a light on Rotary programs for youth.
Rotary Glenferrie was well represented at the “ Volunteer, Casual & Part Time Jobs Expo”,hosted by Swinburne University on Tuesday 19th August. The Expo was to provide information to students seeking information on work opportunities for volunteers, casuals and part-time positions. Our participation was organised by Mark Howlett, as Youth Service Director.
The Rotary Glenferrie team consisted of Carol Benson, Geoff Widmer, Cheryl Pisterman, Maria Pantling, Chris Raw and Paul Shekleton who manned the booth in two shifts of two hours.
Well, if it wasn’t the smiles, it must’ve been the weather — because Patterson Reserve copped a proper winter’s send-off on the second-last day of the season. The wind howled, the rain pelted, stallholders bolted, marquees gave up the ghost, and then came the final insult… the coffee stall ran out of coffee! Talk about cruel and unusual punishment!
But did our Rotarians call it a day? Not a chance. With grins wide enough to shame the storm clouds, they soldiered on, powered not by caffeine but by sheer good cheer. Who needs lattes when you’ve got laughter?
Storm clouds fail to compete with Rotary sunshine. Smiles all round from Tim Gale, Jenny deVos, Wayne Worladge, Alex Marshall and Amelia Hamer
Playgrounds in Boroondara and Stonnington are gradually being replaced, providing opportunities for RORP to repurpose the equipment
Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds (RORP) has not been active in the last six months as the Boroondara and Stonnington Councils, through our RORP Cluster (Rotary Hawthorn, Camberwell, Canterbury and Balwyn), have not had many playgrounds to repurpose. Also there has been a need to reorganise following the passing of Victorian RORP Co-ordinator, Bob Allardice. Rob Jackson at the Rotary Club of Nunawading is leading that change.
Jane Pennington - Rotary North Balwyn - and Melissa Hocking - Rotary Woodend - shared handmade delights, thanks to Melissa and Aviv Palti - Rotary Melbourne Passport - (actually Aviv's talented daughter) at the Polio Plus Society afternoon tea August 30th
Polio, once a sourge of the Earth, crippling children and devastating lives, is close to being completely eradicated, with less than 100 cases of wild polio so far in 2025, in just two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Rotary works to eradicate polio by funding and organizing global vaccination campaigns, supporting disease surveillance to track the virus, and engaging with communities to build trust and raise awareness about the importance of vaccination. Through its PolioPlus program, Rotary has contributed over $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours, protecting billions of children and forming key partnerships with organizations like the WHO, UNICEF, and the CDC.
The Camcare BBQ after Simon Messenger had finished with it. You're a wonder, Mr Sheen!
Glenferrie Rotarians will know that the club has a Community Service project supporting the work of Camcare. Camcare provides a regular free barbecue lunch for their clients at their headquarters in Camberwell and, thanks to the initiative of the Community Service Committee, the Rotary Club of Glenferrie has been helping out. One of the duties has been to tidy up the bbq equipment once all meals have been cooked. Rotarian Simon Messenger raised the bar at the last session at Camcare, as this picture of an absolutely spotless bbq will testify. Simon has justifiably earned for himself a new nickname: Mr Sheen!
Have a go at solving these puzzlers. They're fairly difficult and those who solve them will be duly lauded. Answers to be revealed at the club meeting on Tuesday.
Unscramble these words to create words
SGNUHOI
RAETESPA
TMATEPRAN
What country am I?
I'm mostly Muslim but not as fundamental as many Muslim countries.
Alcohol can be purchased here but there is no overconsumption.
This country encompasses the desert as well as having very high mountains.
The Rotary Club of Glenferrie acknowledges the traditional owners as the custodians of this land, recognising their connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to Australia's First Peoples, and to their elders, past, present and future.
The Rotary Club of Glenferrie | PO Box 2134 | Hawthorn Vic 3122
An old Doberman starts chasing rabbits and before long, discovers that he's lost.
