SPOKE 'N' WORDS

Issue 31
29 April 2026
 
 
Join our dinner meeting most Wednesdays at The Lava Cafe, 25-27 High Street, Berwick, Victoria, Australia. 
 

6.30 pm for 7.00 pm

Enquire by Email:
Visitors and Rotarians are very welcome.
 
Welcome to our vibrant and relaxed Rotary Club, where community spirit thrives alongside a sense of ease and camaraderie. Picture a place where laughter mingles with purpose and friendships are forged through shared experiences and meaningful endeavours.
 

By the way, this Bulletin is Best Viewed Online 

 
President's Ramblings
Posted on Apr 04, 2026
Hello,
 
65 years ago, a member of the Rotary Club of Dandenong, Graham Westaway, suggested the creation of a new Rotary Club in Berwick. 
 
The Rotary District Governor Frank Buckland asked his Special Representative Norm Gartside (also a member of the Rotary Club of Dandenong) to do a survey in the Berwick area about the formation a new Club. 
 
Interested Berwick businessmen attended two information nights held in March 1961 at the Berwick Inn Pool Room and a provisional Club was formed, with the first meeting held on 20 April 1961. The charter night was held in the Dandenong Town Hall on 3 May 1961 before a crowd of approximately 240 people.
 
This week we celebrated the 65th birthday of our club with dinner, drinks, fellowship and sharing stories of the many memories from our wonderful club. Interested members could access the history of the Club, published in 2018 from the Club website or from this link.
 
Our club's birthday coincided with my own birthday, the big 40! To bring the two milestones together, we celebrated with a champagne tower filled by myself and Gary Evans (as our longest serving member). There was cake, singing, two up, and for a bit of a giggle we enjoyed a slideshow of photos of our members when they were 40(ish). 
 
Coming up 
This week we will get to see behind the badge of David Button, we know he loves his clematis', but what other interesting stories will he have to share!
 
Birthing Kit Packing Event
Saturday 9 May, 10am-2pm, we will be working along side volunteers from St John of God to pack 200 birthing kits. Please email Penny or Di if you are able to help, or speak to them at the meeting this week. 
 
Berwick College Presentation Balls
Wednesday 13 May and Thursday 14 May we have the Berwick College Presentation Balls at Cathie's Lane, Wantirna South. Please let Andrew or Michele know if you can assist on the night. Thank you. 
 
District Conference 2027
The date and location of the 2027 District Conference for DGE Emma Clarke, the confence wil be held at the Rydges Resort in the Hunter Valley from 12-14 March 2027.
 
Thanks,
Jen
 
Every Rotarian, Every Yyear
Posted by PDG Graeme Woolacott on May 04, 2026
 
Every Club Member Can Be An 'Every Rotarian Every Year ...
 
We have now entered the last two months of this Rotary year and I thought that I could share part of what has been happening to funds that have come back to us from The Rotary Foundation which had been contributed three years ago.
 
But firstly, overall, there currently are approximately 200 Rotarians contributing personally to The Rotary Foundation. This being EREY = US$100 plus, contributing Rotarian above US$25, Polio Plus Society US$100, End Polio Now US$+ to +, Paul Harris Society US$1000+, Major Donors US$10,000+ Personal contributions added to what the combined Rotary Clubs contribute add up to the percentage that comes back to us. The Rotary year 2024-2025 saw US$324,000.00 being allocated to the Annual Fund, this is where the cut of the pie that we get back, comes from.
 
What has happened to the funds allocated back to us this Rotary year?
 
District Designated Funding has funded projects both locally, interstate and overseas.
 
2025-2026 year has seen US$1.9 million invested in projects consisting of approximately:   
  • A$100,000.00 in District Grants [27 Separate Grants]
  • A$20,000.00 in Education Grants
  • US$20,000 to End Polio Now
  • US$25,000 to Disaster Response Grants
  • US$30,000 to Global Grants
 
It must be remembered that our DDF forms only part of a grant, there is the further Club contribution and in the case of Global Grants, overseas funding as well as funding from The Rotary Foundation.
If this is not doing good in the world, then what is?
 
A simple equation is the more that goes into the pie is more that comes back to us.
 
Now is the time to look inwards and see what funding or extra funding can be given to our charity of choice – The Rotary Foundation, from your club fundraising and your club members. Remember there are still members of the District Committee available to speak to your Club.
May the balance of this Rotary year see Service Above Self at play and for you to continue to support those who connect with you.
 
Yours in Rotary Service
Graeme
PDG Graeme Woolacott
 
The Rotary Foundation | Rotary Club of Crows Nest
 
 
Save the date
 
 
 
 
 
 
This Week's Photos
 
 
 
 
Behind the Badge - David Button
May 06, 2026
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Birthing Kit Assembly Day
May 09, 2026
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Berwick College Presentation Balls 2026
May 13, 2026 3:00 pm –
May 14, 2026 11:00 pm
RORP and Heartprint
May 20, 2026
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
View entire list
Member Birthdays
Trevor Watson
May 4
 
Andy Merrill
May 5
 
Jenny Hart
May 11
 
Spouse/Partner Birthdays
Pat McCurdy
May 1
 
Jenny Hart
May 11
 
Join Date
Gary Evans
May 1, 1980
46 years
 
Funno Funston
May 17, 1984
42 years
 
Jane Moore
May 28, 2014
12 years
 
Sharmaine Squire
June 18, 2009
17 years
 
Sam McCurdy
June 23, 2011
15 years
 
Isobel Caulfield
June 25, 2014
12 years
 
Our Sponsors

St John of God Hospital

Bendigo Community Bank Beaconsfield

Executives & Directors
President
Jennifer Marshall
 
Treasurer
Michele Somers
 
President Elect
Di Double
 
Secretary
Di Double
 
Immediate Past President
Andrew Somers
 
Rotary Foundation Chair
Louise Carter
 
Membership
Gus Dominguez
 
New Generations
Andrew Somers
 
Service Projects
Geoff Double
 
Fundraising
Geoff Double
 
Club Protection Officer
Di Scheepers
 
On to Conference
Andrew Somers
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
Louise Jackel
 
Club Learning Facilitator
Tim Moore
 
Rotary projects around the globe May 2026

Learn how Rotary clubs are taking action in the United States, Costa Rica, Italy, Tunisia, and Australia.
 
So you want to end polio?

Far from the vaccination front lines, the fight to end the disease begins in everyday spaces, from a neighborhood pub to a commuter train to a tulip field. At the center of it all, no surprise, are enterprising Rotary members just like you
 
 
Meet new friends
 
Rotary is a great way to expand your network.
Make a difference
 
Ready to make a difference in your community?
 
Continue learning
 
Discover and celebrate diverse perspectives with a global organization.