27th May 2026
Hi All,
 
Well, according to John Gurr (who is our longest serving Rotarian of 54 years), we were blessed with the presence of Baby Alah (first baby to visit a Rotary meeting) along with his mother, Talitha and Holly and Brock from Street Peace.
 
Apologies for this week were: Gary Frank, GP, Lynne Cooper, Ben Hill and Lindsay Walkington.
 
The Carlton United Quiz was won by Geoff Adcock. Well done, Geoff - but we may have to handicap you.
 
Last Friday, we cooked a BBQ for the Test and Tune Day for schools going to compete in the Energy Breakthrough. Thanks for Brian for organising it and his band of helpers. I am not going to name them individually, for fear that I may miss someone.
 
Football Gates duty on again this weekend. A big thanks goes to Geoff Gallagher and Brian Fitzpatrick for manning the gates.
 
Our guests: Brock, Holly and Talitha (along with Baby Alah) shared their experiences working with youth in Bendigo, some of whom are at risk and need some direction. They are non-confrontational and work by just supporting the youth. Now they are providing Pizza once a week in a relaxed atmosphere and interacting with them. This is currently happening in the Mall. However, with the opening of the Mall to traffic, they are now looking for a building to operate out of in the CBD.  If you would like to know more about their work, you can visit their website below.
 
 
FYI: Harriet Caldwell (one of our Guest Speakers this year) and her team of Wheelchair Basketballers are playing THIS Friday Night (29th May) at Red Energy Arena starting at 7pm. Please try and make it along and support Harriet and her team.
 
We have several birthdays coming up: (some may be a milestone event!)
Lynne Cooper: 30 May
John Pearce: 1 June
Eric Smith:  4 June
Brian Fitzatrick: 8 June
Ron Payne: 10 June
Gai Porh La Myint: 12 June
Carmel Fitzpatrick: 18 June
Happy Birthday to you all!
 
Jenny Sanderson- I forgot to ask you who was on the top of the AFL ladder? And Richmond are no longer on the bottom!
 
Mick Costello
Co-President
Club Diary
Click here to see what's on the calendar for our members over the next few weeks.
Harriet Caldwell - Wheelchair Basketball
Members will recall when Harriet and her father Tim were guests of the club - one of the most moving and inspiring speakers that we have heard from.  Tim has contacted us to let us know that Harriet's team will be playing in Bendigo shortly and I have included a copy of the draw.
 
I am sharing this in the hope that some of our members will be able to go along and support Harriet and her team - this is a great opportunity.  If you decide to go along, wear your rotary shirt and show our club's support!
 
   
 
 
 
Borough In Bloom
The recent meeting of the Borough In Bloom Committee continued to set in place some of the preliminary arrangements for the Garden Expo.  The structure of the event has been locked in and the overall event plan has been agreed upon.  We now time to reach out for the support of club members and volunteers for several of the different tasks and areas involved.  These areas vary in size and commitment, but all are important to ensure the event is given every chance of success.  Therefore, our dinner meeting next week will be devoted to the sharing of information with members, bringing you up to date with the overall event plan and reaching out for your commitment to tasks - an opportunity for you to look at what we need and align your skillset accordingly.
 
 
May - Domestic & Family Violence Prevention Month
As previously advised, we are collecting phones for this worthwhile cause.  The collection box is in the meeting room at the Mechanics for members to drop their old phones into for donation.  I am a little surprised that there aren't more phones in the box ....... perhaps we will see that change over the next week - here's hoping!!
 
 
Grange Plus Raffle
Yes, our amazing raffle is back! 
Three times as good with a triple treat of Penfolds prizes  
 
Please jump onto our clubs facebook page and like and share the post -
all hands on deck to make sure this information gets to as many people as possible. 
We don't want to hear 'oh I would have bought a ticket if I'd known about it'.
 
 
 
Club Bonfire Night
And another save the date - Saturday 4th July.
 
The club's annual bonfire night is on again - Gary and Lola are again hosting the night and this will be a fun filled night as it always is.
 
 
Bendigo Maubisse Friendship Committee
 
Castlemaine Rotary Art Show

 
D9800 Changeover
 
Malaysia Special Education Teachers
UPDATE
 
Two Malaysia Special Education teachers still need home hosts for their time in Bendigo for 20 August to 5 September 2026.
 
I now need homes to host two of the teachers for the last 17 days of their visit. They will be located at either the Bendigo Special Developmental School or at Kalianna School during their time in Bendigo. They will need to be transported to and from their school. Please let me know if you can home host one or more of the teachers during that time and for how long.

I can be contacted by phone (0416 192 032) or email (lj@joll.net).
 
Lindsay Jolley
President,
Rotary Club of Bendigo South
 
Rotary Learning and Development
There is a 'Minimising Risk' subject provided in Rotary's Learning Centre.  The course only takes about 10 minutes to complete and is a vital reminder of our obligations as Rotarians and as a club as to what we can do to protect ourselves, our clubs, districts and the Rotary Brand.  It is highly recommended you spend some time working through this exercise.  In fact, have a look at the other areas that are provided too - this is a fantastic learning tool for us as Rotarians!
 
Member Birthdays
Geoffrey Adcock
May 2
 
Jennifer Sanderson
May 23
 
Lynne Cooper
May 30
 
John Pearce
June 1
 
Eric Smith
June 4
 
Brian Fitzpatrick
June 8
 
Ronald Payne
June 10
 
Gai Porh La Myint
June 12
 
Carmel Fitzpatrick
June 18
 
Spouse/Partner Birthdays
Gail Fitzpatrick
May 18
 
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