A catastrophic flash flood in Nepal has left communities devastated.
The Rotary e-Club of Change Makers has made a donation of $500.00 towards the Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) for Nepal Flooding Disaster Relief.
Entire communities have been buried. Roads and bridges ripped apart.
Many children and families in this part of Nepal are already living on the edge, facing extreme poverty. So this will make things even tougher for them.
On 16 January 2026, the Regional Council and Steering Group of Rotary South Pacific put forward four requests to Rotary International’s (RI) Board related to the future of the Zone 8 Regionalisation Pilot.
The requests were to:
agree to extend the Zone 8 Regionalization pilot through 2027-28;
direct the districts in Zone 8 to pause elections for District Governor 2028-29 to allow Director Scott to convene a working group that will propose new districts starting 1 July 2028;
by a three-quarters vote, approve funding from RI Reserves to fund dedicated pilot staffing in Australia for 2026-27;
agree to reallocate a portion of the district funding in fiscal year 2026-27 to the Zone 8 Regional Council.
The Board approved all four items.
Timeline
New districts will be in place starting 1 July 2028.
Redistricting Proposal
Please find below a copy of the proposal together with the attached the FAQ documents and Re-Districting map.
"Following the June 2026 Rotary International Board meeting, where the in-principle decision was made to modify the 19 current districts to the planned 9 districts, District 9790 proposes to redistrict with District 9780 and District 9800 with the district boundary of the SA border to the west, the district boundary of 9790 to the north, the district boundary of 9790 and 9800 to the east, and the district boundary of 9800 and 9780 to the south, as of 1 July 2028. After reviewing the proposal and FAQ documents, does your club agree to the proposed district plan for the new District 9795?”
Please note that our proposed District No 6 includes the NSW border clubs of Albury, Holbrook, Deniliquin, Corowa etc, although the map of our proposed District does not show the District border in fine detail.
Update From District 9790 Secretary Kellee Middleton - 2026.08.28
Following the completion of the Club Vote regarding Rotary International's proposed re-districting of our Zone, it is advised that a majority of clubs voted in support of the proposal.
Rotary Zone 8 South Pacific Re-Districting - Proposal Supported
Rtn Rendi Moke: “Tuberculosis Programs in Papua New Guinea”
Dr Rendi Moke presented on tuberculosis programs in Papua New Guinea and sharing his experience as a tuberculosis physician working in the health sector for about two decades. He discussed the challenges of detecting and treating tuberculosis, including the need for laboratory-supported diagnosis and addressing patients' psychosocial and financial needs. Dr Rendi Moke also explained the basics of tuberculosis, including how it spreads and the difference between latent and active tuberculosis.
The presentation began by showing that tuberculosis is a bacterial disease caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium received through inhalation and affecting the lungs.
Diagnostic tools for identifying tuberculosis include:
Microscope.
Culture, drug susceptibility test.
Meeting Highlights
Fundraising barbecue raised $1 017.00 profit.
RYPEN Participants Rendi Moke Junior and Lucy Wilkinson
RYE Participant Lucy Wilkinson.
Club to discontinue relationship with Rotary Club of Atlantis, South Africa.
The Rotary e-Club of Change Makers is running a fun and impactful fundraiser tied to the Super 66 lottery called Lucky Numbers. Funds raised will support AusPak Welfare Society, a project run by Rotary e-Club of Change Makers member Makhdoom Bhatti.
Rotary e-Club of Change Makers member, Karen Hucks has over 25 years in the community and not for profit sector as a Board member, a Director, Program Manager and Consultant and Change Management Facilitator also as a trainer in the not-for-profit sector and TAFE.
New members induction of Ahhleeyah Grace and Corinne Maxwell
Bella Robertson has volunteered to be the new Bulletin Editor and working with Brendan Wilkinson through a training transition.
Rotary Zone 8 proposal will reduce the number of districts from 19 to 9 districts.
Next Lucky Numbers Fundraiser for AusPak Welfare Society
The Rotary e-Club of Change Makers now has a Lifeblood Team
A Lifeblood Team is a group formed by friends, co-workers, or community members to donate blood, plasma, or platelets together and pool their life-saving tally. Individual Rotary Lifeblood teams are registered under the umbrella of Rotary Australia.
The Rotary e-Club of Change Makers has received official congratulations from District 9790 PDG Emma Davis on being awarded a Rotary International Club Excellence Award 2025-2026. This is an overall Club effort ably lead by Past President 2025-2026 Susan Benedyka.
Rtn David Harmon, Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond, NSW
Rtn Phil Keegan, the President of the Rotary Club of Bright VIC
Guest Speakers Rtn David Harmon, Rotary Club of Ballina-on-Richmond, NSW and Rtn Phil Keegan, the President of the Rotary Club of Bright VIC presented their insights on the Say No To Domestic Violence campaign.
Updated YouTube video account now has 4 videos.
The Club agreed to participate in Rotary Youth Exchange with Liz Long leading the initiative.
Club member Ireland Letson is a successful applicant for the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) for Rotary District 9790 (https://ryla9790.org.au/).
Rotary e-Club of Change Makers membership subscription notices have been sent to members and are now are due.
Next Lucky Numbers Fundraiser
The Rotary e-Club of Change Makers and SHARE’s PNG Project Team expresses its appreciation to the Rotary Club of Bright’s $5 000.00 donation to SHARE’s shipment project to Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea.
Conferences:
Rotary South Pacific Conference – Melbourne – 30 October 2026 – 01 November 2026.
District 9790 Conference – Corowa – 19 – 21 March 2027.
Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE),Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA),Say No To Domestic Violence (SNTDV),Serving Humanity And Repurposing Equipment (SHARE)
The goal of the Adivasi Language Dictionary Project, led by Rotary e-Club of Change Makers member, Pieter Siebel was to record this indigenous Sri Lankan language of the Vedda people for posterity
The draft of the Adivasi Dictionary represents the culmination of a collaborative effort to document and preserve the language of the Adivasi (Vedda) people of Sri Lanka. It is the result of conversations, fieldwork, community consultation, and the generous sharing of knowledge by the Vedda people of Dambana.
The draft needs further editing and formatting and Rotary e-Club of Change Makers member, Leslie Champion has offered her considerable skills for this.
The draft of the Adivasi Dictionary was compiled by Pieter Siebel In collaboration with:
A public health breakthrough. Rotary celebrates as the World Health Organisation declares trachoma eliminated as a public health problem in Australia.
On 29 April 2026, the World Health Organisation formally announced that Australia had become the 30th country to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem – a milestone recognised as both a public health victory and a significant step by Australia towards improving the environmental health of Indigenous Australians.
“WHO congratulates Australia on this important achievement,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “This success reflects sustained commitment, strong partnerships, and a focus on reaching populations most affected by health inequities. It brings us closer to a world free from the suffering caused by trachoma.”
The current project manager of End Trachoma is Sandi Fulcher, of the Rotary eClub of Change Makers.
2026.06.26 Svay Chek Health Centre - Project Complete. Svay Chek Health Centre, Nokor Pheas Pi, Svay Chek Khum, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia.
Part of Rotary Club of Balwyn Centenary Grant of A$10 0000 awarded to the Rotary e-Club of Change Makers for the installation of paving to address flooding impacts and improve safe access around the facility at the Svay Chek Health Centre, Nokor Pheas Pi, Svay Chek Khum, Siem Reap Province, Cambodia.
This is an acknowledgement provided by Rotary e-Club of Change Makers member, Pieter Siebel to all those that provided help, assistance and funding for the Adivasi Language Dictionary project. Its goal was to record this indigenous Sri Lankan language of the Vedda people for posterity and today that goal has been achieved.
Back row: Dambana School Teacher, Dambana School Teacher, Robyn Jones (Rotary e-Club of Change Makers), Susan Benedyka (Rotary e-Club of Change Makers) and Krishantha Pussegoda (Rotary Club of Badulla and Associate Member of the Rotary e-Club of Change Makers). Front row: Dambana School students
Rotary Action Groups (RAGs) are independent entities affiliated with Rotary that each have a specific humanitarian focus, such as economic development, peacebuilding, addiction prevention, ending modern slavery, or environmental sustainability.
Organised by Rotary members and non-members, the groups include people around the world who have knowledge, experience, or an interest in the topic. Action group members participate in meaningful service activities and use their expertise and global networks to facilitate sustainable change.
By offering Rotary clubs and districts professional knowledge, advice about partners and funding, and guidance on the best practices and project management strategies, action groups help Rotary members plan and implement large-scale projects that make an even greater impact on critical issues in communities near and far.
Join a Rotary Action Group
Anyone who’s interested in the topic of a Rotary Action group can join one to make a difference with people who are passionate about the same cause. In a Rotary Action Group, you can:
Be part of a global group focused on a humanitarian issue you care about.
Participate in meaningful service activities to create positive change in the world.
Develop your own capabilities or knowledge related to a particular humanitarian focus.
Make personal and professional connections with people of action around the globe.
Share your experience and skills to help others build their expertise
To bring together 1.2 million Rotarian members and countless community members worldwide for an extraordinary day of transformative service projects--an unmissable opportunity to be part of a global movement showcasing the very best of humanity in action. We can do it together!
Mission
To inspire and create a worldwide EPIC Day of Service, uniting Rotary clubs and community members in collective action to make a tangible difference in communities around the globe. Through this initiative, we aim to provide an accessible platform that empowers clubs to promote their projects, elevate Rotary's visibility, and amplify the incredible work being done in communities everywhere.
History
The EPIC Day is a grassroots event founded in 2022 by two Rotary District Governors -- Jeff Krause and Joanne Alfieri -- in Connecticut and Massachusetts. They were responding to Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta's call for all clubs to do a Rotary Day of Service. Under the coordination of Robert Friend, a broad team of Rotary leaders has grown the EPIC Day exponentially. In 2024, Districts in Colorado and Wyoming joined the team, bringing a new global website to help support public involvement and add fundraising.
District 9790 Governor Emma Davis who travelled from Melbourne for the Rotary e-Club of Change Makers 10 Year Charter Anniversary event, presented Wangaratta based club member, Heather Redmond with a prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship.
Cooksley, Coral 2026.03.06 'Rotary e-Club member acknowledged with Paul Harris Fellowship', The Chronicle, p.19, Wangaratta
Rotary e-Club of Change Makers Club Meeting: 19 February 2026
Those present were moved into breakout sessions and asked to consider what attracted them to our club, and how can we keep our new members engaged. Here is the feedback based on our breakout room discussion.
Change Maker Francis Acquah has recently toured the Caribbean and has spent some time visiting the Island of St Kitts and Nevis. This is his report after attending a meeting of the Rotary Club of St Kitts.
On Thursday 22nd January 2026 I joined the Rotary Club of St Kitts, on the Caribbean Island of St Kitts & Nevis for a face to face meeting at the Royal St Kitts Hotel.
There has been an escalation of the Thailand Cambodia border conflict. More border refugees have arrived at shelters in Kok Chak Commune, which is on the western side of Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Rotary e-Club of Change Makers Beechworth Fundraising Street Stall 2025
The Rotary e-Club of Change Makers Beechworth Fundraising Street Stall 2025 was held in Historic Beechworth, in the northeast of the State of Victoria. The Street Stall was located on the south corner of Camp Street and Ford Street, Beechworth on 2025.11.08-09.
The Rotary e-Club of Change Makers and the Rotary Club of Appin Park held a fund raiser movie night for the Polio Plus Foundation at the Wangaratta Cinema Centre on 08 October 2025.
Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change — across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
By 2027, the Rotary e-Club of Change Makers will be thriving as a dynamic forward thinking community of 35 members and associate members.
• We will be known for our impactful projects, innovative approaches, and vibrant online presence.
• We will be recognised as a trendsetter in Rotary for our commitment, adaptability, and ability to engage a diverse range of individuals in different locations.
• Our club will attract new, younger members who will partner with, and be mentored by longstanding members to make a significant positive difference locally and internationally.
Dambana School Project: Transforming Education and Preserving Heritage
The Dambana School Project has delivered progressive changes to the Dambana school and its surrounding community while supporting the preservation of cultural heritage. Through a series of impactful initiatives, the project has addressed important educational and community needs, ensuring long-term benefits for students, teachers, and villagers.
One of the major achievements is the provision of a reliable water supply to the school. For 35 years, the school operated without running water, a challenge that greatly impacted students’ daily lives. The new water system benefits both the school and the community, with a dedicated outlet for local villagers to collect water. This vital resource fosters health, hygiene, and a stronger bond between the school and its community.
Rotary International Convention - Melbourne May 27th - 30th, 2023
Melbourne Convention Centre
Breakout session Tuesday 30th May at 1.30pm
E-Club of Change Maker's member and moderator Susan Benedyka led the Doing Rotary Differently session. With Susan was Change Maker Clark Fletcher who gave a summary of the reports received from 28 E-Clubs and Passport Clubs from around the world. The two guest speakers were RI Director Drew Kessler from New York, USA and PDG Andy Rajapakse from Queensland Australia.
Rtn Rendi Moke: “Tuberculosis Programs in Papua New Guinea”
