Stories

On Wednesday 10 June 2026 the Rotary Camberwell Changeover Dinner was held at the Green Acres Golf Club. The room was absolutely filled with energy, laughter, and that great sense of community that makes Camberwell Rotary feel like family.
At its core, Rotary is a massive global network of 1.2 million people doing good across over 200 countries, but nights like last night remind us just how powerful local connections really are. The night kicked off with an Acknowledgment of Country and a warm welcome and toast the people of Australia and Rotary International by District Governor Elect, Graeme Hope.
President Vijay highlighted the club’s achievements over the past year as a slideshow. It demonstrated the hard and varied work the club achieved in our local and overseas communities.
Members who reached their milestone years of membership were acknowledged as were members who have left us for higher service. Three members passed away over the last year – Past President Neil Hookey, Adrian Campbell and Clement Fisk.

Members were recognised for their efforts over the year. Robert Pattison and David Chu each received a Royce Abbey.

Yvonne Wills received a PHF.

As the supportive wife of Adrian Campbell, Mandy received an acknowledgement for her support, loyalty and commitment to the Club also with a PHF.

Grace Docherty received a Certificate for the contribution of many years at the Camberwell Art Show and attending the WASH Project in Timor Lester twice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The theme of "Uniting for Good" was well achieved in 2025-2026.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then came the main event, the official Changeover! It’s that time of year where we say a farewell to our outgoing President Vijay and pass the presidential baton over to our new President. President Daya received a warm welcome! He is stepping into the role with so much compassion, confidence, and a great sense of fun. He’s got big plans for the future of the club, local businesses, and the community. He was supported with the attendance of his family and his old classmates.
 

 

 

 

 

President Daya also introduced his new board for 2026-2027.

On 13 May 2026 Matthew and Autumn who were sponsored by Rotary Camberwell shared their experiences participating the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) Program.

Autumn is a communications/Design student at Swinburne University. She prides herself on the creativity and has a deep appreciation of Art. She volunteered at the Camberwell Art Show over the past two years. Autumn is the current Secretary of the newly chartered Rotaract e-Club of Camberwell.
Matthew is a graduate of Rossbourne School in Hawthorn. He is on the Autism Spectrum and is a charismatic speaker. His presentation demonstrates his caring and compassionate nature as well as his wit. He is currently his class Student Representative at TAFE. He is a devoted supporter of the North Melbourn Football club.

Both Matthew and Autumn reflected on the positive elements of the RYLA program that had the greatest impact. Each of their experiences were unique but they both referred to how their initial anxieties were overcome by the supportive environment both in relation to the fellow participants and the able facilitators.

They both described their experience as transformative and empowering, stating that self-explorative tasks provided valuable insights of their individual leadership styles.

Many thanks to Lindy Anderson from the Youth & Vocation Committee for identifying the two graduates and coordinating their attendance.

On 18 February 2026, founder Gemma Sisia shared the remarkable journey of The School of St Jude, which offers free, high‑quality education to academically gifted children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Since opening in 2002 with just three students, the school now supports over 1,800 students, providing not only education but also meals, uniforms, transport, and resources. As a guest speaker of Rotary Camberwell, Gemma attracted attendance far and wide. 

Gemma’s story highlighted how education breaks cycles of poverty and empowers young people to achieve their dreams. An Australian, her dedication has inspired many and her dedication has earned numerous honours, including the Order of Australia in 2007 and Rotary Paul Harris Fellow (Sapphire) awards.

In mid September we took our 70 year old recently restored Birch Grey MG TF 1500 on the MG Car Club's Springtime Rally, accompanied by Peter Pratt and his son Charlie in Pete's immaculate Red MG TF 1500. In total there were 40 old MGs of various marques.

 

The route took us to Shepparton via quiet but curly back roads to Nagambie for lunch, then on to the Museum of Vehicle Evolution (MOVE) in Kialla. After a tour of this fascinating museum we drove to Shepparton to our overnight accommodation.

 

What's the collective noun for a carpark of MGs?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday involved a beautiful back-roads drive to Euroa for morning tea, then more beautiful back roads to Yea for lunch at the Country Club Hotel. The Rally finished here with a slap-up lunch, and awards were handed out - we were fortunate to win the "Publican's Best Car" award, where the publican checks out all the old MGs parked around his hotel. An 8-pack of Tooboorac beer was very welcome!

 

 

 

 

 

Led by Camberwell Rotary, ROMP - the Rotary Outreach Myeloma Program - began in 2021 to celebrate the Centenary of Rotary in Australia. The award-wining annual program supports the work of Myeloma Australia, the only Myeloma specific charity in Australia.

 

Through engagement with many Rotary Clubs and their communities throughout regional Australia, we aim to make a positive difference to the lives of people in their communities who are living with Myeloma.

 

ROMP recognises and celebrates the pivotal role of registered nurses treating myeloma patients in regional cancer treatment centres and annually provides post graduate scholarships in cancer treatment for registered nursing applicants. Through nurse education, Myeloma (and all cancer) treatments are enhanced and life outcomes improved. 

 

 

ROMP is funded by its own discrete trust – “Camberwell Rotary Outreach”. Tax deductible sponsorships and community donations are invited to sustain the ongoing success of the ROMP initiative. 

 

On Wednesday 4 September 2024, the Box Hill Institute (BHI) celebrated its Centenary. Due to our long-standing relationship underpinned by providing multiple Bert Stevens Apprentice Awards over decades, Rotary Camberwell Michael Blood and Fabienne Nichola, were amongst over 350 guests which included past students, staff and government representatives. 

Distinguished BHI speakers covered many milestones of the past 100 years following the modest beginning as a Technical School for girls and women in 1924.

The recurring theme was the remarkable impact BHI provided and continues to provide young students a pathway to successful and diverse careers, in an environment where trade-based apprentices and related further studies, was very limited.

Rotary Camberwell is proud to have supported BHI students with multiple Bert Stevens Apprentice Award over many years.

 

At short notice on 21 August, 2024 Rotary Camberwell members were asked to donate a pre-loved coat to support the work of the ‘Off Your Back’ winter coat drive to distribute to homeless Victorians. After a long spell of chilly weather, it was gratifying to have the generous response of over 45 coats to help keep a homeless person warm. Our thanks to Andy Chappell for coordinating. https://offyourback.com.au/