Volume 54 Number 17                                                                    February 9th 2026 
Next Meeting
Feb 24, 2026 6:30 PM
Georgia Bianchin and Opal Scheele
National Youth Science Forum
National Youth Science Forum

Topical in a year when the Australian of the Year, Katherine Bennel-Pegg, is a champion for girls studying STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), guest speakers Georgia Bianchin from Toorak College and Opal Scheele from St Catherine’s School, Toorak, will talk about their experience of the 2026 National Youth Science Forum (NYSF). In January 2026, Katherine and Georgia attended the NYSF residential program at the University of Queensland. On and off campus, the forum is held to help students gain a broader understanding of the diverse study and career options available in STEM. Support for students at NYSF is a project of the Youth Service Committee of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie.
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President Helena's Message
Posted by Helena Wimpole

Welcome back Rotarians and friends to our Rotary year ahead. So far this year we have had two successful Farmers Markets and our annual BBQ at the playground on the Yarra, Creswick Street Hawthorn. The BBQ was a great success. The weather was good and Rotarians and friends all had a great time, demonstrated by the fact that we only packed up when it was getting dark. 

We were delighted to have our Rotary Foundation Scholarship recipient, Masaya Endo, also present. He was so popular that many of us plied him with food and drink and in his inimitable style, Masaya thoroughly enjoyed himself. Having been in Australia for six months, Masaya is becoming accustomed to our Australian ways, even understanding some of our slang.
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🎵 On the 14th February 1966 🎵

Saturday February 14th 2026 is the 60th anniversary of something that happened in Australia with lasting impact. This week the quiz at the meeting will ask what it was, and what was the value of a ‘zac’, a ‘dina’ a ‘bob’ a half-a-crown, a ‘guinea’ and a ‘ha’penny bit'. First prize is a two-bob watch!

 
February - A Special Month in the Rotary Calendar
Posted by Gordon Cheyne, Rotary Hawthorn

The month of February is very special in the Rotary calendar because it includes the anniversary of the first meeting of Rotary held on February 23, 1905, in Chicago. That day is now designated as the "World Understanding and Peace Day".

February, of course, is Rotary Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention Month. 

By carrying out service projects and supporting peace fellowships and scholarships, our members take action to address the underlying causes of conflict, including poverty, discrimination, ethnic tension, lack of access to education, and unequal distribution of resources.

The Rotary Club of Glenferrie is a Peacebuilder Club
BBQ, Banter and Blue Skies at Yarra Bank

The Club’s 2026 program got off to a wonderful start on February 3 with a relaxed and very enjoyable picnic BBQ at Yarra Bank Reserve, Hawthorn, home of the Rotary 100 Playground. Members and partners gathered in beautiful weather to share bbq treats from the grill, along with a selection of delicious sandwiches and cakes prepared by some very generous (and talented!) Rotarians.

Remarkably, everyone resisted the temptation to make a speech, which left plenty of time to catch up on holiday news, swap stories and simply enjoy each other’s company. With sunshine overhead, good food on the table and great friends all around, it was the perfect way to come together again after the summer break.

We’re well and truly off and running for 2026 — and what better way to start the year than in good company at one of our favourite Rotary landmarks?

Rotary Global Scholar Masaya Endo and President Helena Wimpole were all smiles at the kick-off BBQ at Yarra Bank Reserve, February 3rd
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Clean Up Australia Day – Sunday 1 March 2026

Grab your gloves (we’ll supply them!) and join your fellow Rotarians for one of the most satisfying mornings of the year.

It was all fun and smiles at last year's Clean Up Australia Day. A good job, well done!

Once again, our Club will be taking part in Clean Up Australia Day, spending a couple of hours from 9.30 am giving Patterson Reserve and the surrounding streets a well-deserved spruce-up. It’s amazing what a difference two hours and a few willing hands can make.

✔️ Gloves and graspers provided
✔️ Good company guaranteed
✔️ And best of all… a very pleasant light lunch to enjoy together afterwards 😄

Whether you’re a seasoned Clean Up veteran or a first-timer, we’d love to see you there. The more we are, the more fun it is – and the cleaner our patch of the world will be.

Click here to register so we know you're coming:

Come for the clean-up, stay for the camaraderie – and let’s do something great for our community!
Recruit peace and development leaders for a Rotary Peace Fellowship
Posted by PDG Dr Murray Verso

Applications for 2027-28 Rotary Peace Fellowships  will be accepted from 1 February until 15 May 2026. This year, Rotary will award up to 170 funded fellowships for experienced peacebuilders to study at one of Rotary’s eight university-based peace centres around the world. 

The Rotary Foundation partners with universities in England, Sweden, Japan, the United States and Queensland to offer master's degrees and with universities in Uganda, Türkiye, and India to provide professional development certificates in disciplines related to peace and development. The Foundation pays for tuition and fees, housing and meals, round-trip transportation, and internship and field-study expenses. 
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Vale Jerzy Ordega
Posted by Paul Shekleton
It is with much sadness that we notify members of the recent death of Jerzy Ordega.
Jerzy Ordega, left, was an enthusiastic and valuable member of the club's Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds project
After being introduced to the Club in 2019 by Robert Winspear — a long-standing friend and business colleague — Jerzy quickly became involved in Club life. With his significant contribution to a number of committees, including the International Service and RORP committees,  and his warm and friendly manner, he was a valuable and respected member of the club. It was through Jerzy's personal initiative that the club located and donated $5,000 to Ukraine refugee projects in Poland in 2022.
After a serious car accident, we sadly lost some contact with Jerzy, and he resigned from the club last year due to health issues and inability to drive.
Our understanding is that he died suddenly at home while watering the garden.
We will notify members of the funeral arrangements as they come to hand.
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.

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