This Week at Balwyn Rotary – A Milestone for Our Future
This week marked a pivotal event for the future of Balwyn Rotary with the Strategic Planning Committee's report and presentation. It was the result of an extraordinary amount of effort and persistence from Ken McQualter and his dedicated team (Julie Mulhauser, Marc Mirams, Anne Frueh, Angela Ciliberto, Jim Thomson & Jim Cary)
Their work lays the foundation for our 2025–2028 direction and growth.
We were honoured to have District Governor Michael Lapina as our special guest, along with Felicity Sinfield – Boroondara Councillor, police officer, and the proposed head of our new Satellite Club.
A significant milestone was reached with the unanimous approval by a quorum of members at our General Meeting to charter the Balwyn Rotary Satellite Club. This is an exciting step in expanding our impact and involvement in the community.
Nhill by night: overnight sleepover
Meanwhile, Rotarians are heading to Adelaide this weekend for the Rotary Summit. Representing Balwyn are Ian and Anne Davidson, Peter and Anne Frueh, and Polly Wilson – we are anticipating a great and inspiring experience.
20-MAY: SPECIAL PROJECT IDEAS FORUM
Join us for a dynamic and interactive club meeting as we come together to propose and discuss project ideas that will shape the future of our service – locally, nationally, and internationally. Whether it’s a hands-on initiative, a multi-club collaboration, or a bold new idea that could make a real difference, this is your opportunity to contribute, connect, and create impact. We’ll explore possibilities across a range of focus areas and look to harness the collective energy and creativity of our members.
Balwyn Rotary is proud to support the Kew Rovers Football Club as they step up to represent the community in the Big Freeze 11 Campaign, a national initiative supporting the Fight MND cause.
The connection between the Kew Rovers and the Daniher family runs deep—with family members as past players and the legendary Neale Daniher himself coaching at the club for several seasons. It is a great honour that Kew Rovers has been personally asked by Jan Daniher to be the Community Club representing this year’s campaign.
The Big Freeze Fight MND is Kew Rovers’ major annual fundraiser, and with the incredible support of their members and the broader community, they’ve broken merchandise sales records in past years. This year, they’re aiming even higher, with plans to make Big Freeze 11 their most successful event yet!
As part of the celebration, the YJFL Big Freeze Round will be held on Sunday, 1st June, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at Stradbroke Park in East Kew. A highlight of the afternoon will be a giant waterslide—suitable for both kids and adults—along with ice-themed team relays, a live DJ, and a Big Freeze BBQ and bar for families to enjoy.
In support of this fantastic cause and to help make the day a great success, Balwyn Rotary has agreed to cover the full $4,000 hire cost of the slide. The Club is proud to stand alongside Kew Rovers in their commitment to Fight MND, and we encourage all members of our community to come down, get involved, and support this inspiring initiative.
Together, we can help make a difference—one icy slide at a time.
BCG SUPPORT IS SAVING LIVES IN NEPAL: A HEARTFELT THANK YOU FROM THE DIDI FOUNDATION
Dear Members of the Balwyn Rotary Club and the Balwyn Centenary Grants Committee,
On behalf of all involved, I wish to express my heartfelt thanks to the Balwyn Centenary Grants Program for your generous support. The grant you provided will enable critical upgrades to the maternity ward and operating theatre at the remote Sunkoshi Community Hospital in Khurkot, Nepal.
We would also like to thank Northlakes Toukley Rotary for the continued support in implementing this valuable program.
Additionally, the funding supported a two-day emergency obstetrics training program, which will significantly enhance the capacity of local healthcare providers. Their new skills will have a lasting and life-saving impact on maternal and newborn health in this remote region, where resources are limited and the need is great.
Your generosity will directly contribute to safer births and healthier outcomes for countless women and families. “Thank you” hardly seems sufficient, but please know your support is deeply appreciated and will make a tangible difference in the lives of many.
Please find attached the final report, financial accounts, and photographs documenting the program's implementation and impact. We hope these materials provide a clear picture of how your support has brought meaningful change.
With sincere gratitude,
Jan Pryor
PP Northlakes Toukley Rotary
The Didi Foundation
SREYNA NEANG: MAY ACTIVITY UPDATE
This May has been a productive and fulfilling month, combining academic growth, community service, and personal development.
At university, I completed a midterm exam and group presentation. Two standout courses for me were Business Law, which provided crucial insights into legal business operations in Cambodia, and Customer Service, which was practical and engaging, involving real-life case studies and a group video project about handling difficult customers in a beauty salon.
Outside of class, I actively participated in CRST projects, including:
Bicycles for Education (MBM Program) – As a team leader, I helped repair 157 bicycles in a day for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Community House Building – We constructed a home for a homeless family, working late into the evening and feeling deeply rewarded by their joy.
New Student Selection Program – I helped distribute applications and support the process of choosing 15 new CRST members. This initiative, supported by Aviv, Jess, and our sponsors, helps empower Cambodian students to pursue their dreams.
Thank you for your continued support. Your belief in us means the world.
Sreyna Neang
Community Service Committee Chair
Rotaract Club of Siem Reap
It was fantastic to see Charles Smith back in action, and with support from Peter Frueh, all setup jobs were completed smoothly and right on time. Most Rotarians arrived promptly, and from my perspective, it was a well-oiled operation.
Paul did a great job managing the walkway, with strong morning attendance adding to the vibrant energy of the day.
A valuable suggestion from Murray Anderson was to store a photograph of each canopy setup inside its corresponding canopy bag. I agreed this would be very helpful. For this to work, each bag would need to be clearly identified by its location (North or South), with the matching photo included inside.
Despite a faulty EFTPOS terminal, we still managed to raise approximately $2,200 – bringing us closer to our pre-COVID target of $3,000. A great result all around!
PETER O'BRIEN (OIC)
ROSTERS
Camberwell Sunday Market
All members: Philip Lambers sends out reminders a week before your shift.
If you are unable to do your rostered shift, you need to organize a swap and let Philip know.
Shift Times
OIC: 06:15 – 13:00
Set Up Crew: 06:30 – 12:30
Sunday 18-May-25
Mari Deak (OIC),Habib Chanzi, Ed Frost
Sunday 25-May-25
Ken McQualter (OIC),Stewart Ham, Chadstone East Malvern
Sunday 01-Jun-25
John Walker (OIC),Brian McGuiness, Tony O'Brien
Box Hill Miniature Steam Railway
Arrival time: 10:45
Trains depart: 11:00-16:00
Location: Elgar Park, corner of Belmore and Elgar Roads, Mont Albert North
Rosters are organised by Fred Gibbs and Clarke Ballard.
Any changes or alterations please send an email to bhmsr@balwynrotary.org.au
Rotary Controller: Clarke Ballard
Sunday 18-May-25
Tony O’Brien, Ed Rayment, Ed Frost, Ian Ridd, Ken McQualter, Alison McQualter, Clarke Ballard
Sunday 15-Jun-25
Clarke Ballard, Russell Jones, Philip Lambers, Peter O'Brien, Ed Rayment, Richard Seeley, Pauline Wilson
Sunday 20-July-25
David Jones, Marc Mirams, John Walker, Bill Goodwin, Michael Curry, Clarke Ballard
Sunday 17-Aug-25
Chris Finley, Ian Davidson, Angela Ciliberto, Clarke Ballard
RIMERN
Tuesday 27-May-25
Chris Finley, David Hobson
Tuesday 10-Jun-25
Murray Wilkinson, Ed Frost
Tuesday 24-Jun-25
Kevin Walsh, Peter Frueh
Volunteers
Chris Finley, David Hobson, Ed Frost, Julie Mulhauser, Ken McQualter, Kevin Walsh, Marc Mirams, Murray Wilkinson, Peter Frueh, Peter O’Brien, Russel Jones
