The Glenferrie Rotarian (Jan 23, 2026)

Volume 54 Number 16 January 23rd 2026

COME ALONG AND JOIN IN OUR FIRST

GET-TOGETHER FOR 2026!!

With Christmas and New Year having sped past like a bulletin train through a country station, it’s time for Glenferrie Rotarians to congregate, coagulate and conversate once more, in the true spirit of Rotary Friendship.

Our first gathering for 2026 is technically a “meeting”… but to be frank, it really isn’t one at all. There will be no speeches, no dinner charge and no bookings required. Just bring along your esky, some tucker and beverages, a chair, and your good company, and settle in for a relaxed summer evening with friends around a sizzling BBQ.

We’ll be gathering at our Rotary 100 Playground at the historic Yarra Bank Reserve in Hawthorn—an ideal setting to kick off the Rotary year in fine form.

Date: Tuesday, 27 January 2026

Time: 6:30 pm (until the possums come out)

Place: Yarra Bank Reserve
44 Creswick Street, Hawthorn

Click here => for directions

Looking forward to seeing you there for a convivial start to 2026!

President Helena's Message

Posted by Helena Wimpole

Happy New Year to all Rotarians and Friends.

We are now back in the swing for our Rotary year ahead. We have had our first Farmers Market for the year and the second is coming up on Saturday the 31^st of January.

During our holiday break we have been saddened by the terrible bush fires in various parts of country Victoria which have caused devastating losses of family homes, businesses and livestock. Rotarians who have been working closely with these badly affected communities say that at this stage financial donations are what is needed most. Consequently, at our next Farmers Market, we will be collecting donations from the public for bushfire relief.

Unite for Good - in Horsham!

In the true Rotary spirit of connection and collaboration, District 9800 is joining in March with District 9780 (Western Victoria & SE South Australia) and District 9510 (Adelaide, northern SA & southern NT) for a vibrant, multi-district Conference in Horsham.

This is a chance to broaden your Rotary world — meet inspiring Rotarians with diverse stories, spark new ideas, refresh your Rotary experience, and most of all, have a lot of fun.

What to expect:

Inspiring speakers making a real difference
Practical, hands-on workshops
Outstanding networking across three districts
Celebration of impactful Rotary service
A taste of the Wimmera, including a Paddock to Plate Gala Dinner

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to connect, share and learn — and amplify our impact together.

Unite for Good. Unite in Horsham.

Clean Water Brings New Life to Aladura Primary School

Something precious happened at the Aladura Primary School in Buedu on 15 January. For the first time, fresh, clean water flowed from newly installed taps and wash basins, supplied by a storage tank perched atop the school’s new water tower. The tank is replenished by a solar-powered pump, replacing the old hand-cranked system that, until recently, was all the children had ever known. And the smiles on their faces say it all.

*Children at the Aladura Primary School in Buedu Sierra Leone delight in clean running water, gushing from their new taps for the first time*

The new water storage and reticulation system is the culmination of a series of transformative projects at Aladura School. It began with the construction of two gender-specific VIP latrines and the establishment of a WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) education program.

Organised and led by the Rotary Club of Glenferrie in partnership with the Rotary Club of Bo, Sierra Leone, the projects have also received support through grants from The Rotary Foundation, Rotary Balwyn and Australian Aid. Together, these partners are truly uniting for good.

Our Hikaru is Kicking Goals in Japan

The club has received an email from past Rotary Global Scholar Hikaru Sato with much news regarding her career and family. Hikaru may be returning to Melbounre in May to attend her graduation ceremony. Her Master's thesis, the culmination of her time in Melbourne, has now been published in a peer-reviewed journal. Read Hiakru's very interesting email below.

Rotary Global Scholar Hikaru Sato from Japan made many friends at the club during her time in Melbourne. Since returning to her homeland she has made an outstanding start to her new career in public health.

Dear members of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie,

I hope this message finds you well.
This is Hikaru Sato, who completed my graduate studies in Australia last year, thanks to your generous support. As one year has now passed since my return to Japan, I would like to take this opportunity to share a brief update and to express my sincere thanks once again.

January is Vocational Service Month! But wait! What exactly is Vocational Service?

To recognise the worthiness of all useful occupations

January is Vocational Service Month in the Rotary Calendar, with Vocational Service being one of the five Rotary Avenues of Service. But what exactly is Vocational Service?

Paul Harris wrote: "Each Rotarian is a connecting link between the idealism of Rotary and their trade or profession". Vocational Service may be the least understood of the Rotary Avenues of Service, and yet it is the very cornerstone of Rotary itself. The introductory statement and three of the four objectives of Rotary relate to Vocational Service, underlining its importance to the philosophy and culture of Rotary.

Stop Loafing! Volunteer for the Bread Run!!!

Every Thursday evening two Rotary Glenferrie volunteers assemble at the Bakers Delight store in Riversdale Road Camberwell at 5:45pm and salvage the unsold bread, delivering it to the Salvation Army Camberwell where it will be served for breakfast early Friday morning for those in need. Every Friday morning the bread magically appears, or so it seems to those who come for breakfast. Not magic though. Volunteers made it happen.

Please volunteer for the bread run.You don't have to bake it! Just deliver it! Please volunteer here: Click here

Would you Like to Make a Contribution to Bushfire Relief?

Posted by DG Peter Shepheard

Dear Members,

As you will be aware we have recently had devastating bushfires here in Victoria. While our District was not directly impacted it came close with Harcourt near Castlemaine being heavily impacted. District 9790 was heavily impacted and there was also impact in 9780.

While there are fires still blazing, they are currently not a threat to homes or lives and I am mindful there is hotter weather forecast and so we may have new events to deal with in the future.

For now, I want to make you aware of the various options available to members and clubs to aid in the recovery as follows:

More Events, Happenings, and Other Excuses to Leave the House….

What’s on in our Neighbourhood? More local Rotary and community events to explore.

Click here to find out what's on!

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

TAKE ACTION: www.rotaryglenferrie.org.au

The Rotary Club of Glenferrie is a Peacebuilder Club