Meetings are held at 6.30pm on the first and third Thursdays of the month.
Meetings are held at 6.30pm on the first and third Thursdays of the month.
A service of celebration for the lives of Lauchie and Marie Wright was held recently. Lauch died in April 2020 during a COVID lockdown, preventing a formal funeral. On the recent passing of his wife Marie the family decided to hold a joint celebration of their parents lives.
Lauch was a significant member of the club over 60 years, and it is appropriate to reflect on his contribution to the club with reflections from Frank Brown (dec) at the time of his death and John Granger who spoke at last week’s service.
On 18th June we were privileged to welcome the Mayor of Maribyrnong, Cr Mohamed Semra to our meeting.
He shared his life story of being a refugee from Sudan to his current position.
On arriving in Australia his family was made welcome by neighbours and he was encouraged by teachers to pursue his dreams.
He then outlined current priorities of council: fostering Community Leadership and engagement, making the community safer and improving transport.
We welcomed CEO of Western Health Russell Harrison to our meeting on June 4, along with Sharon Read Director of Western Health Foundation, Kellie Vivekanantham Divisional Director of Aged, General Medicine, and Subacute Services and Ibraheem Khudruj, Manager, Western Health Biomedical Engineering Workshop.
In recent months I’ve been working with Aboriginal Elders and aged care teams across remote communities in the Northern Territory, Queensland and New South Wales, supporting culturally safe care and strengthening local workforce capability. This has included helping services understand information and compliance requirements.....
District Foundation Chair, PDG Julie Mason, reports on Foundation, as we move from “Unite for Good” to “Create Lasting Impact”, reflecting on the year past and the opportunities that The Rotary Foundation provides to change lives for the better.
Full report here.
Last month was the date of the long-awaited Rotary-organised Northern Territory Safari.
All 19 youth exchange students and 2 chaperones – met in Melbourne and flew into Darwin, where we spent two nights.
One morning was spent in the Crocosaurus cove, where we held a snake and a baby crocodile and saw some truly massive adult ones. They assured us the baby crocodile was safe....
During May the club had two award nights supporting the community.
On May 7th three awards were made to staff and participants at Mambourin a local disaservices orgnisation. Before the presentations Mambourin CEO gave an overview of their services and the challenges of providing quality services in the current structure of NDIS.
The Evan Phillips apprenticeship award was presented to Ethan Bundle-Bell at our meeting on May 21st.
On 29 April 2026, the World Health Organization (WHO) validated Australia for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem, marking a significant milestone in the health of indigenous peoples. Trachoma, the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness, no longer represents a public health problem in this country.
At our meeting on May 21st we were honoured to have DG Peter Shepheard visit. During the evening a presentred a certificate of appreciation for our ongoing support of End Polio Now.
At District Conference he presented a certificate to the club for the support of environmental intitiatives, the work of President Elizabeth.
News from Jama Farah
I am pleased to inform you that today, 19 May 2026, Western Health has successfully delivered 12 ICU beds with mattresses in support of the Horn of Africa Medical Equipment and Mobility Aid Diplomacy Foundation project.
This generous contribution marks an important step in strengthening healthcare support for our communities, and we sincerely appreciate the collaboration and commitment of all involved.
Thanks to all the sponsors and golfers who contributed to the fundraising Golf Day on April 17th..
A good crowd of golfers turned out with the winning team pictured.
The exchange students will soon start out on their outback Safari. Our district is going with District 9790. The kids all know each other as we have joined them for the induction camps.
Lenka and the other students are very excited and very much looking forward to this trip where they will be lucky enough to see places that many Australians won’t ever get the chance to experience.
Thanks to all the sponsors and golfers who contributed to todays fundraising Golf Day.
Annual Funding Round Announcement.
The Rotary Club of Footscray is pleased to invite DGR1 charitable organisations to apply for funding. The Club's Foundation, known as Footscray Rotary and Community Services (FRACS), plans to distribute $308,000 to charities that support residents in the City of Maribyrnong and surrounding municipalities. If you would like a copy of the Grant Application Form, please send an email to rotaryfootscray@gmail.com
Many years ago the Rotary Club of Footscray donated six standard roses to the original Footscray Hospital in Eleanor St.
Prior to relocating to the new site on the corner of Ballarat and Geelong Roads these roses were thoughtfully returned to a number of club members. The plaque reads "Planted, nuurtured and cheished by staff and community, now carefully relocated so its legacy may live on".
This is a very generous and thoughful gesture by the managemet of Western Health.
Our two returning Youth Exchange Students spoke about their experiences in Czechia. Eloise was in Czechia for a year and Gemma’s exchange was for three months.
They both experienced school life, living with a local family, trying to learn the language and customs around special times such as Easter and Christmas.
The last shipment to the Jigjiga hospital facilitated the establishment of an Intensive Care Unit. The outcomes have been very rewarding and increased the capacity for more advanced surgery and supporting critically ill patients.
Previously a 4-year-old girl ain critical condition with severe meningitis and respiratory failure would have required transfer.
A number of our members have had the opportunity to tour the new Footscray Hospital.
It is an amazing new facility and a wonderful asset for the people of the Western Suburbs.
Over recent years we have developed a strong relationship with Vicrtoria University, particularly by providing a BBQ for their special occasions. Over the last two weekend we have provided BBQs at the Sunshine and City campuses for Open Days. Both were great financial successes and opportunities for club fellowship. At the city campus we were particularly busy with ~1500 sausages cooked. Our proceeeds from the two weekend was approx $7000. There are plans for us to be involved in future events.
The Youth Exchange students from District 9800 and 9790 had a weekend camp at Beechworth on 10th - 11th August. Accommodation was in the Old Priory, a beautiful old building near the centre of town. The camp was organised by D9790 for both inbound and outbound students and our students enjoyed the opportunity to mix with such a large group of students. The Outbound students found it really informative as they had the opportunity to speak to newly arrived students from the country where they will be spending 2024. They had the opportunity to ask about what school is like, what the local customs are and what sort of clothes they are going to need for the winter. They had an endless list of questions.
The club board set a target of $2000 to raise supporting End Polio Now during the D9800 "Walk With Us" during the month of October.
It is pleasing to rreport that thanks to members, friends and family members a toral of $2056 was raised to support this Rotary International project. Thanks to the 2:1 contribution from the Gates Foundation this will add $6168 to End Polio Now
One member took the walking seriously and was seen wandering around Fryerstown and other places in his special T-shirt.
A project by the Rotary Clubs of Kew and Brighton North – Garden Designfest is being held on 15 and 16 November 10am – 5pm when 23 wonderful gardens open in Melbourne and Mornington Peninsula with designers or their staff present. There is also a raffle. All funds raised go to Rotary charities with the principal charity for this year being “Impact for Women”.
Go to the website where all tickets – weekend passes, individual garden tickets and bus tours as well as the raffle can be purchased.
Report from Jama Farah
I would like to provide an update regarding the Horn of Africa project, which has now successfully sent its 18th container of essential goods to the Horn of Africa region. The Horn of Africa project was commissioned to provide those living in the Horn of Africa region with the resources and materials that would make a positive difference in their lives. In particular, the project aimed to provide medical equipment to local hospitals that were in dire need, and to support locals who would otherwise travel long distances to receive the basic medical care that they needed. The beneficiaries of these donated resources can now boast of much improved facilities and vastly superior patient care.
Through the generous contributions and support of our community, in particular Rotarians and the Tigray community, our crowdfunding campaign was able to raise $20,268, which has covered the transportation costs of one container loaded with donated medical equipment and sent on the 1st of June 2024.
