This week’s reflections from President Vijay Susarla
Wednesday 11th December 2025
What a wonderful X’Mas party 2025 !!
It’s wonderful to see you all — members, partners, friends, and supporters of our club. This time of year always gives us a chance to pause, take a breath, and appreciate the people around us, and I’m delighted we gathered in such good company and at a fantastic venue at Box Hill RSL, to celebrate.
As we look back on the past year (calendar year), I feel proud of what our club has achieved. Together we’ve continued to serve our community with energy and compassion—whether through our local projects, fundraising efforts, or the quiet acts of service that often go unnoticed but make a real difference. Rotary’s motto, Service Above Self, has once again been embodied in everything we’ve done.
Tonight is also a chance to express gratitude- to our members: thank you for your enthusiasm, your ideas, and your willingness to roll up your sleeves. To our partners and families: thank you for supporting us, encouraging us, and joining us in the hard work. And to our friends and guests: thank you for walking alongside us and sharing our purpose.
Christmas reminds us of the power of generosity, connection, and hope—values that align beautifully with Rotary’s mission. Let’s carry those values forward into 2026, ready for another year of service, fellowship, and growth.
It was a very relaxing and an enjoyable evening, and share in the joy of the festive season. On behalf of Rotary Camberwell, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, and fulfilling New Year.
The evening was concluded with the most well deserved presentations on reaching their milestone of number of years of membership in Rotary: Michael Mullins (40 Years), Annie Murphy (35 years) and Vijay Susarla (30 years).
Also, our sincere thanks to Alejandro Aquanta (guitarist) who provided entertainment playing beautiful and soothing songs in the background throughout the evening.
Thanks to Fellowship Committee (Brenda, Teresa and Patrick) for staging a fantastic party !!!!
We like to congratulate Tommy Chu, son of Camberwell Rotary member David Chu on his impressive and outstanding ATAR achievement. Tommy graduated from Scotch College with an ATAR 99.95.
In 2025, only forty-two VCE students achieved a perfect ATAR of 99.95, which further demonstrates the phenomenal effort and achievement by this bright young man.
Tommy will be going to the Melbourne University, enrolling for a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Mathematics. Tommy appreciated the generous support and donations from Rotarians for his participation in the Scotch's 24 Hour Hike this year. The Scotch College 24-Hour Hike is a long -standing tradition (since 1965) where boys from Years 9-12 walk continuously for 24 hours on unfamiliar bush tracks, testing endurance, teamwork and raising significant funds for charities.
We wish Tommy Chu everything of the best as he continues his brilliant academic endeavours and begins another new chapter in his life. We take this opportunity to say how proud we are to be associated with Tommy and congratulate David Chu and his family for the excellent support they have provided Tommy along his schooling journey.
At the recent Club Forum, there was discussion about Club Directories, which used to be printed in hard copy prior to 2021-2022.
The Club Directory information is now held within ClubRunner, and can be easily accessed in two ways:
The ClubRunner phone app, which everyone should by now have, is the quickest and easiest way of accessing Club Member information - and it's paper free, and always up to date. Simply tap the "Club Members" button. And there is a lot of other functionality via the phone app: view the Club Calendar, book and pay for Events, search for anyone within D9800 etc. Note you have to be signed in to the app with the same ClubRunner credentials as our website Home Page.
For those who really want a hard copy of the Club Directory, it's quite easy. On our Club website Home Page, click on "Member's Services" on the menu line, then click on "Club Directory", then "Print Hard Copy of Directory" - you will see the following page.
Download and print the PDF of the version you want (with or without photos). There are also other Directory formats of Member details. Note you have to be signed in to our website.
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.
