2026.07.09 Club Meeting Summary

Serving Humanity And Repurposing Equipment (SHARE)

Highlights

  • Rotary e-Club of Change Makers Changeover 2026 Event held on Sunday, 05 July at Trackside Kilmore, East Street Kilmore, VIC 3764.
  • Guest Speaker, Rtn Makhdoom Bhatti of the Rotary e-Club of Change Makers Club presentation as Founder and CEO of AusPak Welfare Society.
  • District 9790 Change Over Event to be held Sunday, 12 July 2026 at the Oaks Function Centre at the Wangaratta Turf Club.
  • Departure of a container to Papua New Guinea's Eastern Highlands from the SHARE Shed.
  • Rotary South Pacific Conference – Melbourne – 30 October 2026 – 01 November 2026.
  • District 9790 Conference – Corowa – 19 – 21 March 2027.

The Rotary e-Club of Change Makers Club Meeting on 09 July 2026 was attended online via Zoom by 25 members and 2 guests.

President Clark Fletcher thanked Immediate Past President Susan Benedyka for her leadership of the Club during 2025 – 2026 with highlights including:

  • Membership increasing from 30 to 48.

  • Celebration of the Club’s 10 years anniversary on 22 February 2026 at the Oaks Function Centre, Wangaratta Turf Club, Wangaratta.

  • District 9790 Membership Action Plan (MAP) Gold Award.

President Clark Fletcher provided updates on the Rotary e-Club of Change Makers Changeover 2026 Event held on Sunday, 05 July at Trackside Kilmore, East Street Kilmore, VIC 3764. It was attended by 32 people including 18 Club Members and their guests as well as D9790 District Governor 2026 - 2027, Paul Miegel and Meridith Miegel. The Changeover 2026 Event also included:

Guest Speaker, Rtn Makhdoom Bhatti of the Rotary e-Club of Change Makers Club gave a presentation as Founder and CEO of AusPak Welfare Society.

Makhdoom Bhatti founded AusPak Welfare Society with a mission to provide quality education to underprivileged communities in Pakistan and Australia. His vision is to empower students with opportunities to achieve their full potential.

Under his leadership, the organisation runs welfare schools, scholarship programs, and international academic contests, positively impacting hundreds of students every year.

Makhdoom Bhatti presented his charity project, AustPak Welfare Society, which operates a school and community centre in Pakistan serving 92 students, mostly from poor backgrounds. He explained how the organisation provides education, transportation, food assistance, and skills development programs, while facing challenges including poor infrastructure, lack of clean water, and the need for better facilities like air conditioning and a bus for student transport. The organisation is registered as a charity in both Australia and Pakistan, and Makhdoom invited attendees to volunteer or provide financial support to help address the ongoing needs of the community.

The presentation included a school project in Pakistan, which discussed the challenges with water quality and the transition from sky hydrants to a reverse osmosis plant.

The discussion explored potential collaboration opportunities with local Rotary clubs and discussed the project's operations, curriculum and international funding possibilities.

The District 9790 Changeover Event is on Sunday, 12 July 2026 at the Oaks Function Centre at the Wangaratta Turf Club. Up to 7 members of the Club will be attending. Liz Long has tickets available for sale.

The Fundraising Committee has been revamped and its first meeting is on 21 July 2026. Fundraising initiatives discussed included:

  • Bunnings barbecue.

  • Car raffle through the Rotary Club of Mooroopna.

Kathryn Chivers and Sandi Fulcher reported the departure of a container to Papua New Guinea's Eastern Highlands from the SHARE Shed.

Clive Walker will be the On to Conference Chair to encourage members attend the following events:

  • Rotary South Pacific Conference – Melbourne – 30 October 2026 – 01 November 2026.

  • District 9790 Conference – Corowa – 19 – 21 March 2027.