As my time as President is rapidly drawing to a close, I have been reflecting on how Rotary benefits all of its members and vice versa. These thoughts were prompted by my attendance at the memorial held at Kooyong for Past President David Sutherland. It was clear from the family tributes that David had highly valued his time as a Rotary member and had made an enormous contribution. It was also clear from talking to members in attendance that David had had a positive impact on many members of the Club through his dedication and amazing personality. Vale David Sutherland.
The Rotary Club of Glenferrie mourns the passing of Past President David Sutherland, who died peacefully on May 27th, in his 90th year.
David joined the club in July 1976, during its inaugural year, under the Vocational Classification of Food Catering. A dedicated Rotarian, David embodied the values of Rotary throughout his many years of service. He served with distinction as Club President in 1984–85 and was recognised as a Paul Harris Fellow. Upon his retirement from active membership, he was made an Honorary Member in appreciation of his lasting contribution.
Our heartfelt thoughts and sympathies are with his wife Jenny, his children Scott, Kym, and Michael, and his extended family.
In accordance with David’s wishes, the club has made a donation of $100 to The Rotary Foundation in his honour.
To read a tribute to David from long-time friend and Honorary Member PP Michael Berry, please click‘Read more…’
Born in Egypt, Ray was the youngest child in the family. He was awarded his bachelor degree in 2001 and started his career with the numbers behind creativity—from accountant to a finance manager in an advertising company. He met his wife, Merit, when in his middle 20s during a job interview. Ray explained that, unfortunately, Merit didn't get the job, but she had made quite an impression on Ray. He offered the beautiful lady a position as his wife. Luckily, she accepted!
In 2008, Ray moved to Australia with his wife and two lovely children. After three years in Adelaide and six years in Perth, Ray finally decided to settle down in Melbourne not only for its attractive culture but also for its unpredictable weather.
Rotarian Ray Isaac, centre, delivered an inspiring Member Behind the Badge talk on May 27th, pictured here with Meeting Chair Joanne Shentu and President Peter Moore
Last month, Kathryn and I put our hands up for the Camcare Assistance project, organised by the club’s Community Service Committee. We weren’t quite sure what to expect, but it turned out to be a genuinely enjoyable experience in a warm and welcoming environment, surrounded by some truly lovely volunteers. One of the highlights was meeting and chatting with the clients of Camcare, who gather regularly to receive fresh vegetables from the Camcare garden and enjoy a BBQ lunch under the trees.
Camcare offers a free bbq lunch for clients every Thursday. The Rotary Club of Glenferrie assists on the last Thursday of the month.
Do you know a young person aged 15–18 who would love the adventure of sailing a tall ship? Rotary is offering an unforgettable five-day Rotary Youth Sailing Challenge — a life-changing experience that includes hands-on sail training, navigation, and shipboard life skills. This program is designed to build confidence, teamwork, and leadership in a dynamic and inspiring environment.
The best part? The Rotary Club of Glenferrie will cover the full cost of the trip!
This is a fantastic opportunity for youth and a great way for our club to connect with local families and young leaders in the community. Click on the image below for the video. If you know someone who might be interested, please contact Youth Service Director Chris Raw.
Let’s help inspire the next generation — one sail at a time!
In a few months’ time, the Farmers Market on May 31st will be viewed as a good day: Weather fine; attendance pretty good; plenty of stallholders.
But on the day there were some Herculean efforts required. Our electric buggy died twice and was only revived once. Accordingly, it had to be towed back to the container, then pushed up the ramps into the container.
All this was achieved with David Fallick’s trusty Range Rover, which provided the tow rope, (a hawser capable of holding the Queen Mary at dock), the towing and subsequent pushing with David at the helm. Wayne Worladge steered the buggy. Thanks also to Michael Hills, Robert Hogan, Isaiah Lahai, Simon Messenger and Rod Smith who did all the hard work involved in a manual packup. We shall be logging an urgent technical call on Monday.
Fellowship and friendship is at the heart of Rotary. While we all value the camaraderie and connections within our own club, truly embracing the opportunities Rotary membership offers means stepping beyond the familiar walls of our own club. Rotary Fellowships provide a fun and meaningful way to do just that—connecting with like-minded Rotarians around the world through shared interests and passions.
The latest edition of Rotary Down Under features a vibrant spread on Rotary Fellowships, offering inspiration and ideas to help you expand your Rotary experience and embark on a broader, more fulfilling journey. Click on the image to read the latest edition of Rotary Down Under.
A decade ago, on October 20th 2015, the Rotary Club of Glenferrie marked its 40th Anniversary with a memorable gala evening filled with music, dancing, and celebration at the charming Wattle Park Chalet in Surrey Hills. Since then, the club has continued to evolve—growing, adapting, and embracing change for a new era.
What hasn't changed are the things that matter most: a warm, welcoming spirit and a steadfast commitment to making a difference in the community and beyond.
Click on the 'Invitation' below to revisit the night—and see what was on the menu.
Rotary and Rotarians are a source of inspiring, often untold stories—about service, community, and personal connection. But too often, these stories go unshared, and that’s a missed opportunity. Every project, event, and experience has the power to enrich our club culture and deepen the Rotary journey for us all.
So don’t keep your light under a bushel! Share your stories, photos, and videos by submitting them to The Glenferrie Rotarian. Let the world—and your fellow members—see the impact we’re making together.
Deadline: The Friday before the scheduled club meeting
A man died and went to Heaven. St Peter says to him “Before you meet with God, I should tell you, we’ve looked over your life, and to be honest you really didn’t do anything particularly good or bad. We’re not really sure what to do with you. Can you tell us anything you did that can help us make a decision?” The newly arrived soul thought for a moment and replied, “Yeah, once I was driving along and came upon a little old lady who was being harassed by a group of thugs. So I pulled over and went up to the leader of the thugs. He was a big, muscular guy with a ring pierced through his lip. Well, I tore the ring out of his lip, and told him he and his gang had better stop bothering this lady or they would have to deal with me!” “Wow that’s impressive, “When did this happen?” “About three minutes ago,” came the reply.
Celebrating 20 Years of ROCAN – Riding for a Cause
Join us for an inspiring session featuring two distinguished speakers:
Debbie Shiell, CEO of Ovarian Cancer Australia, will share key insights into ovarian cancer—including current statistics, risk factors, ongoing research, and clinical trials. Debbie will also highlight the vital role that fundraising, including support from ROCAN and other sources, plays in advancing treatment and support for those affected.
John Boyle, Rotarian from RC Altona, lawyer, and a passionate cycling participant in the ROCAN Charity Ride for the past 20 years. John will take us behind the scenes of this long-running initiative—sharing its origins, growth, impact, and the challenges of organizing such a significant fundraising event year after year.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how community-driven efforts and enduring partnerships are making a real difference in the fight against ovarian cancer.
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
Register now for the next meeting of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie
