Thank you to all the volunteers at the Volunteer Expo on Friday. Apologies that I could not be there, but the photos were great and it was wonderful to see so many smiling faces. Well done, everyone.
A reminder that this week we do not have a traditional meeting on Tuesday. Instead, we have two events on Wednesday, the 1812 Theatre night and the Knox Volunteer Awards.
We wish our club, and especially Peter Malden (Volunteer of the Year nominee), all the very best with the awards. Also we want to thank the following members for the contribution to their community, wishing them well for Wednesday evening.
Bruce Crago
Michael Jacobs
Leigh Elsey
John White
Ron Brooks
A huge well done to everyone, we are an amazing club.
Yours in Rotary
WEEKLY REMINDERS
ATTENDANCE
Please use ClubRunner to manage your attendance.
If you are unable to attend and/or wish to bring additional guests (including for special events or partners nights), please update your response by 5:00pm Monday.
Please note: we must provide Knox Club with final numbers and we are charged for meals even if you do not attend.
If you would like something included on the website, please contact Jim Sly. Content and photos are always welcome â especially of hard-working Rotarians!
Each week at the Rotary Club of Boronia, we are reminded that community service does not always need to be grand or complicated to make a difference. Sometimes it is a conversation, a donation, a repaired item, a packed bag, a sausage sizzling on the BBQ, or simply people coming together with a shared desire to help.
Our Club continues to be active across so many areas, supporting local organisations, encouraging youth, assisting those doing it tough, promoting sustainability, and creating opportunities for members to use their skills, connections and time for good.
One of the strengths of our Club is the variety of ways members can be involved. Some members are hands-on at events, some work quietly behind the scenes, some bring ideas, some bring experience, and some bring the energy that helps get a project off the ground. Every contribution matters.
As we look ahead to coming meetings, events and projects, it is a great reminder that Rotary is not just about what happens on a Tuesday night. It is about the ripple effect we create in the community and beyond.
Thank you to everyone who continues to support our Clubâs activities. Whether you are organising, attending, volunteering, donating, inviting guests, or simply sharing the story of Rotary, you are helping keep the spirit of service alive.
Together, we really do make a difference.
DO YOU KNOW WHERE THEY ARE ??
Our Rotary Club used to hang other Rotary Club
Banners up to view, on cloth flag like displays.
We had at least 10 such displays a number of us recall.
Does anyone know where they are please ?
If you know where they are or even where last seen
please contact our Secretary.
Thanks.
Knox Repair Cafe
Last Tuesday our Club was delighted to welcome Stephanie from the Knox Repair Cafe, who gave us a wonderful presentation about the important work they are doing in our local community.
Knox Repair Cafe is part of the Repair Cafe International Foundation, with a mission to bring repair skills back into the heart of local communities. Their work encourages people to repair broken items rather than throw them away, helping to reduce waste while also sharing practical skills and knowledge. They offer repairs for a wide range of items including clothing, furniture, electronics and appliances, supported by skilled volunteers who are passionate about giving items a second life. (Knox Repair Cafe)
What stood out from the presentation was that Knox Repair Cafe is about much more than fixing things. It is also a welcoming community hub where people can come together, learn from one another, build confidence and connect with others. Their philosophy of âfixing things, building communityâ is a wonderful example of practical, hands-on service that benefits both people and the environment. (Knox Repair Cafe)
Following the presentation, Rotarian Annette, on behalf of the Club, presented Stephanie with a donation of $500 to support the ongoing work of Knox Repair Cafe.
We thank Stephanie for taking the time to visit our Club and share the story of Knox Repair Cafe. It was inspiring to hear about a local organisation making such a positive difference by reducing waste, encouraging sustainability and strengthening community connections.
Each year at Changeover the award is presented to a member of the Club deemed to be a Rotarian who has worked well through the year, as determined by the members. The awardee is given a plaque to take home and keep; there is also an Honour Roll/Shield placed on the reception table each week to remind members of the fine service Wal provided to the Club. A donation to the value of $200 will be made to Australian Rotary Health in the name of the recipient each year.
The âWhoâs taking Wally home?â box has been at the registration desk throughout the year for members to nominate anyone who has done something outstanding. The box was opened after the meeting on Tuesday 12thMay and contained the following nominations and citations:
Peter Malden
âfor outstanding and exceptional work on the container to PNG and his tireless work at the Menâs Hub.
âfor his organisation of the container to PNG and his connection with Simba
âfor amazing work over the years fundraising, project managing and supporting his fellow Rotarians.
Helene Kamiethâfor always being so positive.
Lance Deveson
The purpose of these names being drawn was to jog peopleâs memory of the actions of these people over the last year.
They are NOT the only members you can vote for in the election, you may vote for ANY current member to receive the award.
Voting will close at 10pm onTuesday 26thMay.
Please only vote ONCE.
Clicking on the link below will take you to the voting form.
In the event of a draw the nominations will be used to separate the members, so if member A and Member B draw in the vote the member with the most nominations will receive the award. If we are still unable to separate the nominees there will be two awards.
If you encounter any issues with the voting process, please talk to Secretary Peter Dalwood
(secretary@rotaryboronia.org.au, 0428-661-117)
Result
The recipient of the award for 2026will be announced at Changeover.
On Friday 15th May, members of the Rotary Club of Boronia proudly took part in the Knox Volunteer Expo, helping to spread the word about the good work our Club does in the local community and beyond.
The Expo was attended by more than 500 people, many of whom were looking for ways to volunteer and become more involved in the community. It was wonderful to meet so many people, hear their stories, and share the many opportunities Rotary provides to make a real difference. Also a great opportunity to learn about other organisations in our community doing amazing things.
Our Club had a fantastic presence on the day, with many great conversations about our projects, our upcoming Information Evening, and the many ways people can get involved. There was plenty of interest from the public, and it was encouraging to see such enthusiasm for volunteering and community service.
A special highlight was Ron Brooks arriving in his bike riding gear, which provided the perfect opportunity to talk about the Annual Ride for Research and promote another great Rotary initiative.
It was also lovely to connect with so many incredible local organisations and catch up with fellow Rotarians from the Rotary Clubs of Rowville/Lysterfield, Ferntree Gully and Bayswater, some of whom were also promoting Rotary and the wonderful work being done across our community.
A very big thank you to Peter Malden, Val Henry, Ray Siegersma, Roland Black, Ron Brooks, Helene Kamieth, Lyn Shepherd, Susan Hanger, Greg Mossop, Penry and Robyn Green, Peter Dalwood, Lance Deveson, Jane Mifsud and John White for helping out on the day.
It was a marvellous representation of our members and a great reminder of Rotary in action â working together, connecting with others, and making a difference.
Monique Smith.
INFORMATION EVENING
We will be holding an Information Evening to showcase our Club, our projects, and the many ways Rotary makes a difference in our local community and beyond.
Our Club is very active, and this is a wonderful opportunity to share what we do with members of the public who may be interested in learning more about Rotary â and perhaps even joining us.
We encourage all members to think about friends, family, neighbours, work colleagues or community-minded people who may be interested in finding out more. Sometimes all it takes is a personal invitation.
This evening will be a great way to showcase the friendships, service, fundraising, youth programs and community projects that make the Rotary Club of Boronia so special.
If you are planning to bring someone along, please let us know so we can make sure we have accurate numbers.
Letâs all help spread the word and show our guests what Rotary is all about! Please share the flyers you have received via email.
News from the Environment Team
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Easy sustainability wins you can try this week
Looking for simple ways to cut waste without overhauling your life? Here are a few practical, low-cost ideas that turn everyday items into something usefulâand keep more out of landfill.
Reuse
Before you bin plastic meat trays, give them a second life: the ones with little dimples are surprisingly handy as mini seed trays. Add a bit of potting mix, sow your seeds, and youâve got an instant starter garden.
Ready for the next step? Here are a couple of recycling ideas that are easy to action.
Recycle
Make a quick plant booster: pop banana skins in a bucket of water and let them steep for around two weeks. Use the liquid on pot plants for a gentle nutrient boost. Once the skins turn gooey, add them to your compost or green waste.
Donât throw out empty tablet blister packsâmany local pharmacies accept them for recycling. The aluminium and plastic are separated using specialised machinery, then recycled as different materials.
Donating? The Bayswater Salvos store team is known for being friendly and helpfulâif youâre unsure what they can accept, ask in-store and theyâll point you in the right direction.
And finally, the easiest win of all: reducing what comes home with you in the first place.
Reduce
Cut packaging while you shop: skip plastic bags and bring your own reusables. Woolworths and Coles both sell reusable mesh produce bags that make it easy to ditch the single-use plastic in the fruit and veg aisle.
Your turn: If youâve found a clever way to reduce waste at home, let us knowâweâd love to share community tips in a future newsletter.
CONTAINER DEPOSIT SCHEME
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 weâre 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.
Alternatively, you may bring your empty bottles and cans to our meetings. Environment Chair Annette Griffin will take them to a recycling location to make a deposit on our behalf. You can also bring used batteries to meetings for collection.
RSP26: Three Days of Inspiration, Leadership & Fellowship â Donât Miss Out
Registrations are now open for the Rotary South Pacific Conference 2026, 30 Octâ1 Nov in Melbourne. This yearâs theme â People ⢠Planet ⢠Peace â brings together an exceptional lineup of speakers. Delegates will leave with practical tools, fresh ideas, and renewed confidence in Rotaryâs future.
Clubs and members are encouraged to also consider:
Presidentâs Breakfast (Sat) â an energising session with incoming RI President Larry Lunsford, designed for current and future club leaders. Registration Link
Rotary Foundation Masterclass (Fri) â 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 â Unmasked: Masquerade Ball A spectacular evening featuring performances from classical musicals, a professional jazz band, a Phantomâthemed surprise duet, and a dramatic allâguest unmasking moment. Clubs may wish to book as a group via the main conference registration site.
Friday night fellowship dinner â an informal opportunity to socialise with members from across the region. Registration Link
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.
Is it really âAll In The Mindâ? Letâs talk about it.
Sunday 24 May
9:30am â 4:30pm
Cardinia Community Centre
Featuring keynote speaker đđŤđđ˘đ đđđŚđ˘đĽđđ¨đ§, alongside guest speakers and a panel discussion covering key mental health topics.
Whether youâre looking to better understand mental health, support someone close to you, or gain practical tools, this event is for you.
Learn more: 
Register (FREE): 
