Volume 70 | Issue 23 | 3rd December 2025

Let’s Unite for Good in our local community

and the world

This week’s reflections from President Vijay Susarla

Meeting Wednesday 3rd December 2025

The final meeting of the calendar year was filled with special moments. One of our special guests was PDG Dennis Shore. Dennis is a Rotarian of over 40 years. A current member of Rotary Hawthorn, Dennis’ achievements over these years are numerous and hugely impressive. Dennis is currently the Trustee of The Rotary Foundation from 2023 to 2027. He is also Vice Chair of Rotary Foundation Australia and a recipient of The Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Award. The official purpose of his visit was to acknowledge and honour Pierre Kriegler received an RI recognition as a long-standing major donor to the Foundation. Supporting Pierre was his immediate family his daughter, son and their partners Eric, Candice, Sean, and Judy as well as his wife Rotarian Lili-Anne. Congratulations and thank you to Pierre and Lili-Anne for your support of the Foundation.

Another highlight was the ‘Member behind the Badge’ (MBTB) presentation by Robert Pattison. As has been customary, the MBTB does not fail to be engaging and stimulating. Robert outlined his accomplished professional achievements of around 50 years. It was lovely to have Robert’s wife Margaret attend and feature prominently as the outstanding partnership role she played in building a loving family of two children and five grandchildren. Now in the retirement years, the Robert and Margaret are wasting no time to pursue their passion for travel and make the most of this chapter of their lives.

It is fitting to thank members for the commitment and contribution as we celebrate International Volunteers Day on 5 December 2025. Its theme this year is “Every Contribution Matters.” This theme celebrates the power of collective action and acknowledges that every act of volunteering, big or small, contributes to a stronger and more connected world. The message of Volunteers Day is “Your commitment, solidarity and compassion are shaping a better world.” This resonates fully with the efforts of the member of Rotary Camberwell.

We look forward to seeing you at the Christmas party next week.

Reminder:

Next week 10 December 2025: Club Christmas Party @ the Box Hill RSL

14 January 2026: Welcome Back Fellowship Night, location to be advised

21 January 2026: first regular Dinner Meeting back at the Tower Hotel

Fabienne Nichola

Past President

Boroondara International Volunteer Day Celebration

As a member of the Boroondara Volunteer Resource Centre, I was invited and attended the International Volunteer Day Celebration on Thursday 4 December. The event attracted over 200 local community volunteers. There were two outstanding presentations. The first was a musical rendition from the Melbourne Hindustani Classical Musin Society which was a great demonstration of the talented Vinod Prasanna playing the traditional bamboo flute accompanied by Pranav Ramji on the table.

The second presentation was an inspirational talk by Kate Gniel who is the founder of ‘The Glitter Effect’ podcast and a lifelong believer in the power of community, connection, and giving back. Her platform celebrates the everyday legends—the ones who show up, step up, and spread their glitter with purpose. The Glitter Effect is all about tiny moments of kindness that create ripples far beyond what we can see.

Her enthusiasm and personal story were engaging and encouraging to the audience of local volunteers. Her final remark is worthy of sharing and one I hope members take on board. “Every glitter giver needs to keep on spreading glitter. It’s important to take care of yourself so you can continue to show up and be the role model for future glitter givers”.

Kate was the recipient of the named Manningham Volunteer of the Year in 2024

Fabienne Nichola

Volunteers Needed: Hawthorn Makers Market

Your help is needed! Volunteers are required for the following event. Click on HERE to view available slots and book yourself directly online.

Event:   Hawthorn Makers Market
Date: Sunday 07/12/2025 at 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Chair:   Teresa Molella 0420 286 840
Location:   Hawthorn Arts Centre
360 Burwood Road, Hawthorn

CAMBERWELL SUNDAY MARKET ROSTER

RC CAMBERWELL

CSM ROSTER ALLOCATIONS

December 2025

Date	0650-1000	0950-1300
7^th Dec	Yvonne Wills/ Amadini Perera	Geoff McCormick/ Pierre Kreigler
14^th Dec	Fabienne Nichola/Patrick Docherty	Daya Govender/Nadia Hamilton
21^st Dec	NO MARKET THIS WEEK
28^th Dec	Brenda Innes/ Darren Li	George de Souza/ Jessica Wat

Boroondara Cluster Clubs Quiz Contest

Rotary District 9800

Proposed Boroondara Cluster Clubs Quiz Contest

Thursday 12 March 2026, Dinner

Green Acres Golf Club

4 November 2025

G’day Boroondara Cluster Presidents and Michael Stillwell

Following our meeting on Friday, Michael, you asked me to send out more detail about a proposed Cluster Quiz Contest being planned for Thursday 12 March next. Here ’tis.

Each club should provide a team of three members, one with over ten years experience, one with less than two years membership, and each team to have mixed genders.

Two teams will play off in each round. Each team member will have their own buzzer with light. The first to buzz in will have the chance to answer. If incorrect, the opposing team will have the chance to do so. It is proposed ten questions be asked in each round, half Rotary-based and half general knowledge. The number of rounds needed to determine the two finalists will depend on the numbers of clubs competing.

If neither team answers correctly then the question may be answered by those at one of the club tables, as nominated by an adjudicator. Apart from the winning team, the table with the most points will also win prizes.

Including their teams of three, in late February Clubs will be asked to book a table/s for dinner in support. Partners will be most welcome.

Since all the questions will be compiled confidentially, similar to the successful 1993 RI Convention Quiz here in Melbourne, it will help if clubs indicate their wish to participate asap. Please let me know directly once you have decided.

The quiz will take place no matter the club number but it will add to the atmosphere and fun on the night the more Rotarians and guests who take part.

Cheers!

Gregory Ross OAM

President 2025/26, Rotary Club of North Balwyn

0407 891 048 gregorioross8@gmail.com

_____________________________________________________________

Member Birthdays

David Baker

December 1

Yvonne Wills

December 2

Tim Landsberg

December 3

Annie Murphy OAM

December 7

Frank Leigh

December 14

Anniversaries

Lyndon Joss

Margaret Joss

December 2

Alan Lorenzini

Andrea Lorenzini

December 18

Join Date

Graeme Hope

December 10, 2003

22 years

Michael Mullins

December 11, 1985

40 years

Andrew Hunter

December 31, 1999

26 years