Rays Roundup:

It’s been a busy week in Rotary!

Great to have 3 guests visiting with Jeff Steel, who was our guest speaker, to tell us about his book, Against the Rising Sun. His guests, John and Margaret Fitzgerald and Sandra were welcomed by our Club in the usual friendly manner. 

I had the opportunity to welcome again our newest member Andrew Sherar. Our traditional standing ovation was delivered, and Andrew will be an asset to our Club.

The Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (and Lunch) over Saturday and Sunday, was a great success with very delicious, tasty meals and several bottles of wine consumed. Thank you to the hosts who provided the food and to the guests who attended each location. It’s a terrific opportunity to get to know more of the members of our Club in a relaxed social atmosphere.

Congratulations to Monique Smith and Peter Malden for being selected as finalists in the Tilly Community Awards. I have also been included as a finalist in 2 categories. The Awards ceremony will take place on 12^th Sept. at the Knox School at 3pm. Mark Smith, Peter and Jan, Marina and Bernadette will be there to represent us and hopefully clean sweep and pick up 4 awards!

The 2 Skills Sheds are going great guns! Shed No 1 BHPS, had concreting this week and we had a visit from the coordinator of Shed No. 2 (Rhonda) as she wanted to see how the concreting session went with Caleb (an ex-student of Boronia K-12). Shed No 2 K-12 had bike repairs and maintenance. Another very exciting week in the Skills Sheds with the Junior Tradies really getting involved.

On Wednesday evening Paul Cassidy and I attended the Boronia Scouts presentation evening. Kieron (the Scout Leader) acknowledged the partnership the Scouts have with the Boronia Rotary Club as we are able to use the hall for our Men’s Mental Health Snack and Chats. Paul gave a short speech and thanked the Scouts for the use of the hall and provided information about how successful the program has been for the men who attend.

On Thursday, Lyn, Monique and I went to the Boronia K-12 Interact meeting at the College. It was attended by 11 very enthusiastic students, and they provided an update of what they are doing at the school. It’s not just about the café, they are promoting book week and have some fundraising events planned also. 

We will have 7 volunteer students and teachers (including the Principal Paul) assisting with the Bunnings BBQ’s that are coming up. 

This week on Friday night, I attended the District 9815 Presidents meeting in Dandenong. Our District Governor Emma Clark gave a report on what is happening in the District. Other reports were also presented, District Awards Program, Environment Awards, Club Growth in Belgrave-Ferntree Gully and Warrandyte Donvale Clubs, District Conference, Rotaract Club reports and International Seminars information. Our Club, Boronia, received the Bronze Award in the Environmental Category! Congratulations to our Environment Committee and our Club members for their contributions to gain this recognition! The evening was informative and good to hear all the activities happening in other Clubs in our District.

Our Random Act of Kindness (RAK) was delivered by the Chairperson for the night, Annette Haworth. She told us about the help and support she gives to her neighbor who is disabled and deaf. Thanks for your fantastic work on doing a RAK!

We had our first Board meeting following the usual meeting and all items on the agenda were discussed. A few notable points:

• There are 5 grants being sought for various projects and programs
• The venue for meetings will continue to be the Knox Club. Meals to be discussed with management.
• There will be no Club mobile phone in the future. The current Presidents number will continue to be on the website.
• The Club financial position at the end of the Rotary year was discussed. As we have a Term deposit currently, it was agreed that an amount of money be available at the end of the year to cover early expenses in the new Rotary year. All other available funds either allocated or disbursed to worthwhile causes.
• The two annual bike rides (Ride for Medical Research and MAD March Cycle Challenge) were accepted as official projects of our Club.
• RYPEN (Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment). We have a number of 6 students, 4 from Boronia K-12 and 2 from Fairhills Secondary College, to attend RYPEN at Mt Martha Briars Camp on the weekend of 18^th – 20^th Sept.
• The Environment Committee will use the funds from the Container Deposit Scheme to spend on various activities.
• A nominating committee was established for the President Nominee for 2028-2029 year. 

 Our Club is very active and community based.. It’s something we all can be proud of and every week we see the difference we, as a Club, make in many ways within our community and beyond. We couldn’t Create Lasting Change without the support of you, our members. Keep up the great work!

See ya Round!

I

This week our ‘Junior Tradies’ at Boronia Heights Primary learnt about the concreting trade. Our concreter, Caleb, shared his experience with the aid of some ‘real life’ photos before leading a practical exercise.

Under Caleb’s guidance, each of our junior tradies assembled a form to make a reinforced concrete paver. They enjoyed trowelling and finishing the concrete, after which they added their marks and decorated them with small pebbles and bearing balls!

Another week of learning and fun in the Youth Skills Shed! 

Leading Through Change - A Guide to the Role of Rotary South Pacific District Governors 2026–2029

Purpose

Rotary South Pacific is undergoing significant change. During this period, District Governors have an important role in providing leadership, maintaining continuity and helping Clubs and members navigate and benefit from the evolving regional model.

This guide outlines the role and responsibilities of District Governors (DGs) during the Rotary South Pacific pilot through to 30 June 2028, and during the first year of the new District structure in 2028–29.

The role will continue to evolve as responsibilities are shared differently across Rotary South Pacific (RSP), Districts, Rotary Community Groups (RCGs), Rotary Community Leaders (RCLs) and the Specialist Network. The duties described here therefore reflect current expectations and may be adjusted as the pilot progresses and future arrangements are determined.

Note: This document does not apply to District 9620 for the 2026–28 Rotary years.

1. Context

The Rotary South Pacific pilot has introduced a regional governance and support model designed to strengthen clubs, improve the member experience and help Rotary grow.

The model includes the Rotary South Pacific Board and Portfolio Committees, Rotary Community Groups, Rotary Community Leaders and the Rotary Specialist Network. Together with Districts and Clubs, these form an interconnected structure intended to make expertise more accessible, encourage collaboration and reduce unnecessary duplication.

The six objectives of the pilot are to:

create attractive and diverse leadership and development opportunities;

provide greater consistency and continuity of strategy across the zone;

encourage collaboration and partnerships, including providing a single point of contact for external organisations seeking partnerships;

build a stronger, unified regional Rotary image and brand;

improve efficiencies and reduce duplication and costs to members and Rotary International; and

support Clubs to provide relevant and engaging experiences that serve and connect communities and enable Rotary to grow.

DISTRICT GOVERNOR-NOMINEE 
NOMINATION FORM

District Governor Candidate

Please complete this form in full, obtain the required club endorsement, and submit it to the District 9825 Nominating Committee by the published closing date. Please ensure all information is accurate and current.

For each category below, indicate ONE preferred language.

Your privacy is important to Rotary. Personal data shared with Rotary will only be used for essential activities or for Rotary’s legitimate interests, taking into account your privacy rights. These uses may include financial processing, supporting The Rotary Foundation, facilitating event planning, communicating key organisational messages and responding to enquiries. Contact information may be shared with other Rotarians and included in the International Assembly Participant Book. Please refer to Rotary’s current privacy policy for further information.

I hereby state that I understand clearly the qualifications, duties and responsibilities of the office of District Governor as set forth in the RI Bylaws and that I am fully qualified for that office and willing and able, physically and otherwise, to assume and fulfil its duties and responsibilities faithfully. I have read and agree to abide by the District Governor Code of Ethics, as detailed in the Rotary Code of Policies. I agree in advance to accept the decision of the RI Board concerning my election to office without recourse to any non-Rotary agency or other dispute resolution system. I understand that, if selected, I must attend for their full duration the Governors-elect training seminar in my Zone and the International Assembly held during the Rotary year before I take office. I have read this form in its entirety and certify that all information provided is true and correct.

The candidate named on this form is a member in good standing of the Rotary Club of ______________________________. The club further attests that this member has been duly suggested for the office of District Governor in accordance with the applicable RI Bylaws and meets the required qualifications. The club confirms that the membership information provided on this form is accurate.

The Rotarian named on this form is a member in good standing of the Rotary Club listed and was duly nominated for District Governor in accordance with the applicable provisions of the RI Bylaws and the District 9825 nomination process.

Submission deadline: Friday 4th September 2026

Completed nomination forms should be submitted to the Chair of the District 9825 Nominating Committee in accordance with the nomination instructions issued to clubs. 

Please send your completed application to The Chair IPDG Peter Behm peter.behm@rotary.org.au

DISTRICT 9825 • ONE DISTRICT. ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES.

• President’s Breakfast (Sat) — an energising session with incoming RI President Larry Lunsford, designed for current and future club leaders. Registration Link
• Rotary Foundation Masterclass (Fri) — with Past RI President and incoming TRF Trustee Chair Gordon McInally, focusing on mental health, impact, and how clubs can use Foundation grants more effectively. Registration Link
• Saturday Gala Dinner — Unmasked: Masquerade Ball A spectacular evening featuring performances from classical musicals, a professional jazz band, a Phantom‑themed surprise duet, and a dramatic all‑guest unmasking moment. Clubs may wish to book as a group via the main conference registration site.
• Friday night fellowship dinner – an informal opportunity to socialise with members from across the region. Registration Link

• Belgrave - Ferntree Gully
• Bunyip Garfield
• Emerald & District
• Healesville
• Koo Wee  Rup Lang Lang
• Lilydale
• Monbulk & District
• Pakenham
• Upper Yarra
• Wandin