Thanks everyone, especially Ray, for stepping in while I was once again in ISO. This time it was Kate with COVID, so fingers crossed we’re finally free from it.
I felt it was best to have someone attend in person rather than trying to manage things from behind a screen, and Ray did an absolutely amazing job. Huge thanks to him.
Jon and I also missed Educating Rita on Saturday. We had tickets but felt it was best not to go given Kate’s situation. In this case, sharing is definitely not caring! We’ve heard everyone had a wonderful time, which is great to hear.
We’ve included a few words below about Doug and his honorary membership. It’s important to offer our genuine thoughts. Doug has been an invaluable part of the group, and he still very much is.
Last week’s meeting was truly meaningful. It was powerful to reflect on the idea of dying and to openly discuss how we’d like that process to unfold. In my family, it’s always been something we avoid talking about, but I now see how important it is to have those conversations.
In this week’s meeting, we’ll be going into our working groups. I missed the last one, so I’m really looking forward to catching up and hearing about all the great things happening in our club. It’s always inspiring to see the energy and ideas that come out of these sessions.
Yours in Rotary
WEEKLY REMINDERS
REMINDER - Annual Fees are now due. If not already paid, please pay yearly/half yearly at your earliest convenience. Thank you to those members who have already paid. :)
ATTENDANCE
Please use Club Runner to manage your attendance. If you are unable to attend and/or wish to bring additional guestsfor a special event or partners night please do so by 5pm Monday night. We need to give Knox Club numbers and pay for meals even if you do not attend.
If you would like something to be included in the website please advise Jim Sly. He is always looking for content and pictures of hard working rotarians is his favourite.
We are honoured to recognise someone whose service, vision, and commitment have left an unforgettable mark on our club.
As a founding member, Doug Gibson helped lay the very foundations upon which our Rotary Club proudly stands. His dedication to Rotary ideals has not only shaped our past but continues to inspire our present, and will undoubtedly guide our future.
From those earliest days of establishing the club, to mentoring new members, offering invaluable advice to presidents, championing key projects, and consistently embodying the spirit of Service Above Self, Doug Gibson has exemplified what it truly means to be a Rotarian.
It is with immense gratitude and admiration that we now bestow upon Doug Gibson the title of Honorary Rotarian. This honour recognises not just years of service, but a legacy of leadership, compassion, and unwavering support.
Doug, thank you for your foundational role and for continuing to be a beacon of Rotary values. You will always be a cherished part of our club’s story.
We wish you good health in the days, months and years ahead, and we look forward to hearing from you when you can. Your messages of support are truly inspirational and valued by all.
It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of 'Past President' Geoff Guest on Thursday, 7 August 2025, after a brave battle with liver cancer.
Geoff joined the Rotary Club of Boronia in January 1985 and quickly became a valued and active member. Over his 19 years in the Club, he wore many hats — Club President in 1993–94 (a milestone year in which we welcomed our first female member), Secretary in 1987–89, and Treasurer in 1990–92 and again in 1996–98.
Geoff also served tirelessly on various committees, most notably Finance and Special Projects, and for many years he compiled our Annual Report.
Beyond our Club, Geoff poured his energy into the District 9810 Ride for Research $$$s initiative, working closely with the late PP Robert Henry to coordinate the annual fundraising ride — a project that raised significant funds and built strong fellowship.
After moving to Canterbury in 2004, Geoff joined the Rotary Club of Hawthorn for several years before stepping away from Rotary to pursue his passion for the horse racing industry.
Geoff will be remembered for his dedication, his quiet determination, and his unwavering commitment to service. He gave his time generously, always with the aim of making a difference.
Our heartfelt condolences go to Geoff’s son Darren, daughter Janelle, stepson Stacy, his grandchildren, and all who loved him.
OUTING - EDUCATING RITA
On Saturday 9th August, many members and friends from our District enjoyed an afternoon, watching the live theatre production of 'Educating Rita' at The Basin Theatre. It was a wonderful afternoon, and everyone who attended seemed to enjoy the play.
About the Play
Rita is a working-class hairdresser from Liverpool, who seeks to escape her mundane life through education. She enrols in an Open University course and begins tutoring sessions with Frank, a disillusioned and alcoholic English professor. Their relationship, initially one of teacher and student, evolves as Rita's enthusiasm for learning clashes with Frank's jaded perspective. The play explores themes of social mobility, personal identity, and the transformative power of education, as Rita undergoes a profound journey of self-discovery.
YOUTH SKILLS SHED
Youth Skills Shed … now back in session
The Youth Skills Shed is now back in session for Term 3, with five of the eight enrolled participants (two on a school excursion to the snow and one sick) learning Woodworking skills from our tradie friends. This week, John, Todd, Dianne and Frances from the Knox & District Woodworkers Club shared their knowledge and experience.
Each of the junior tradies assembled both a toolbox and pencil case, quickly mastering the required skills. All were pleased to be taking their handiwork home with them.
This week we were also pleased to welcome Bunnings representatives Sharyn and Trish, who came along to ‘check out the action’. Both were impressed by the activity, indicating that they will be back for another visit later in the term. We thank Bunnings and our other sponsors for their ongoing support.
Members are all welcome to drop in and participate or simply observe any week. The sessions are conducted at the Boronia Heights Primary School (enter from Montana Avenue and walk straight ahead) from 4:00-5:30pm each Wednesday. Our support team is usually there from 3:30pm.
INFORMATION FROM OUR LAST MEETING
END OF LIFE - THE BASICS
There was much interest in Kerry O’Leary’s “End of Life – The Basics” presentation, with requests for the slides to be made available to members.
A copy of the slides from Kerry's presentation below.
Have you sold your raffle tickets yet? Don’t miss out on the chance to make a difference! Reach out to your friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors to help us raise funds for important projects.
Need more tickets? Just ask Michael Jacobs! Please return your sold tickets to him at your earliest convenience.
Remember, the raffle will be drawn and the winner notified once all tickets are sold. Let's come together for a great cause! 🎟️✨
CONTAINER DEPOSIT SCHEME
Hi folks,
The Rotary Club of Boronia is registered as a donation partner with the Victorian Container Deposit Scheme.
Victoria is divided into 3 zones and of course we sit on the border between two of them, so we’re registered with both the North and East zones. Persons returning containers to any collection point in either zone may nominate us to receive the funds from their donations simply by scanning the attached barcode or entering our Donation Partner ID. All funds contributed will be deposited to our Committee account.
** Remember, you can bring along your empty bottles to our meetings. Our Environment Chair, Annette Griffin, will take them to a recycling location to make a deposit on our behalf.
THE ROTARY FOUNDATION NEEDS YOUR INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT
YES YOU!
Dear Rotarian and friends of Rotary,
I had sent out a circular earlier to Rotarians and friends of Rotary who contribute to The Rotary Foundation through the EREY program, to you I apologise, that once again you are on the circular list going now to all Rotarians within our District.
WHY should you, as an individual, support The Rotary Foundation?
My simple answer is WHY NOT with all that the funding can do to make a difference in our world, and expanding on the simple answer, I also consider The Rotary Foundation as our CHARITY OF CHOICE.
The EREY was voted into being at the 2004 Council on Legislation and was put into place to encourage every Rotarian to give US$100 every year to The Rotary Foundation.
The Rotary Foundation in its wisdom recognises any Rotarian [or donor] who contributes between US$25 and US$99 to the Annual Fund as a Every Rotarian Every Year contributor.
Over US$100, again to the Annual Fund, you would be listed as a sustaining member.
The EREY program is a District managed program, so the “book keeping” is what you could nominally say is loose at District Level, but the contributions are listed against the donor’s name in the Rotary Club of their choice. Rotarians who have moved Clubs have their names against at least two Clubs, but that is fine as I can see which Club the member is currently serving with.
Would it be too difficult to advise me when the payment goes through?
No more about management issues when the real important issue is your giving and what can be achieved by that giving. Firstly, you will be contributing to Do Good In The World with your donation to The Rotary Foundation, then a goodly proportion of the money will come back to us as a District in three years-time to fund projects with District Designated Funds. If a tax break is important to you or yourbusiness enterprise then that is also achievable.
I am available to speak with the Club about EREY and other aspects of giving through The Rotary Foundation, my contact points are noted below.
Service is important for all Rotarians and we all can serve in one way or another, the same can be said with serving The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International – Doing Good In The World. I URGE YOU TO BE PART OF THAT SERVICE.
Watch the very first District News video from our District Governor, Peter Behm. It’s short, it’s fresh, and it’s a chance to hear directly from the DG about what’s happening across our district and where we’re headed together. (Plus a very special guest appearance towards the end of the video!)
I encourage you to take just a few minutes to see what Peter has to say. You might be surprised at how relevant, down-to-earth, and energising it is.
Please like and follow the BRAND NEW District 9815 Facebook Page. This will be a place to keep up to date with what's going in our District. Follow the link below to get connected.
Belonging to a Rotary club is a wonderful experience, but to fully understand the joy of Rotary, you need to get along to the district, zone and international face to face events. Get together with new friends and old. Be inspired and re-energised as you meet your Rotary South Pacific colleagues and hear their stories.
Exciting news - incoming Rotary International President Francesco Arezzo will be attending the 2025 Rotary South Pacific Zone Conference on the Gold Coast. So tell your friends and register now. Earlybird registration has been extended until the end of July.
Welcome to the 2026 District Conference in Hobart, Tasmania!
I am thrilled to invite you to join us from March 13th to 15th, 2026, for an extraordinary event that promises to be both enriching and enjoyable. This year, we are excited to announce that the conference will be a collaborative effort with District 9830, representing Tasmania. Together, we aim to create an unforgettable experience filled with learning, networking, and cultural immersion.
Hobart, with its rich history and vibrant atmosphere, provides the perfect backdrop for our conference activities. On Friday, attendees can indulge in a variety of unique experiences, including storytelling at MACq 01, welcome drinks at the iconic Henry Jones, delightful lunch options paired with gin tasting, and exclusive whiskey tasting at the renowned Lark Distillery. For those who enjoy outdoor activities, we will also host golf and bowling events, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Beyond the conference, Hobart offers a wealth of attractions that invite exploration. Take advantage of this opportunity to visit the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), or enjoy scenic drives to Port Arthur and Mt Wellington. The chance to immerse yourself in the local culture and scenery is an integral part of your conference experience.
We are delighted to announce the support of our major sponsors, Red Energy, who have committed to a three-year sponsorship, and Business Events Tasmania, which has graciously provided a grant to help offset our costs. Their support, along with our carefully curated programming, will contribute to a successful conference.
Saturday morning will kick off with the bustling Salamanca Market, allowing you to soak in the local flavour before we commence our plenary sessions a little later in the morning. Our venue, the Grand Chancellor, is ideally located within walking distance of the picturesque harbour and will host our sessions in the elegant Federation Concert Hall. We look forward to an enchanting 'Nautical Themed' Gala Night in the Grand Ballroom, promising an evening of fun and camaraderie.
This conference is not just a chance to attend sessions but also an exceptional opportunity to connect with fellow Rotarians, forge new friendships, and strengthen our networks across districts. For those wishing to extend their stay, we have arranged special holiday tour packages that allow you to further explore the beauty of Tasmania.
I am incredibly excited to chair this event and work alongside a dedicated conference committee to bring this vision to life. Together, let’s make the 2026 District Conference an unforgettable destination experience filled with learning, laughter, and lasting memories. I look forward to seeing you all in Hobart!
Line a metal 8” (200mm) Loaf Tin with Baking paper
(lining not essential but prevents scratching of the tin).
Using an electric mixer, add cream and vanilla essence to the bowl and whip until stiff peaks can be maintained. (Caution, do not over whip).
When cream has been whipped, with the mixer gently mix in the can of condensed milk until mixed through.
Optional
Once the mix is ready you can fold in finely chopped nuts, dried fruit, etc. using a broad spatula, but again do not over work the mix. Experiment with different ingredients as you like. A couple of heaped tablespoons of Cocoa powder added before whipping gives a rich chocolate flavour.
Once the mix is ready, gently pour/scrape it into the loaf tin and cover tightly with tin foil, (not plastic wrap). Place it in your freezer for at least 6 hours with space around it. Time will vary depending on your freezer, but generally 6 hours leaves it scoopable, beyond that it begins to become a bit hard to scoop. Can also be turned out of the tin and sliced if it becomes a bit hard. Ideally make it on the day you wish to serve it.
Very rich if served by itself, so best as an accompaniment to a warm dessert of some kind or fresh fruit and pancakes, etc.
Nutrition
Calories: Heaps of them, if you need to know you probably shouldn’t be eating it.
If you have a recipe you would like to share, please send to bulletin@rotaryboronia.org.au.
Upcoming Events - Click on Event to Register/Decline
Our community (Group 4) leader is Guz Rozycki (Belgrave) and our fellow community clubs are
Belgrave
Bunyip Garfield
Emerald & District
Ferntree Gully
Healesville
Koo Wee Rup Lang Lang
Lilydale
Monbulk & District
Pakenham
Upper Yarra
Wandin
REMINDERS
If members are unable to attend Tuesday night's meeting, please decline on ClubRunner by 5pm the Monday before. This is important for Knox Club staff and catering purposes.
You can update or find information on this website or contact Monique Smith to register or update your details. *Please remember to list Rotary Club of Boronia as a place you volunteer.
Our social media platforms are a great way to see what our club is up to and share our progress with others. If you're not yet connected, just click the icons below and follow.
