An entertaining and insightful evening at Stories by the Sea saw Rotary members join the local community to celebrate the launch of The Gambler by J.P. Pomare. With humour, behind-the-scenes insights and stories of novels adapted for television, it was a night that showcased both creative talent and strong community connection.
Member Spotlight: Nina Da Silva – Service with Heart
Our Rotary Club is made up of people who quietly get on with making the world a better place – and Nina Da Silva is a beautiful example of exactly that.
From broken lifts to empty supermarket shelves, our members were treated to an unforgettable and often hilarious journey through Cuba at our recent Rotary meeting.
How will artificial intelligence reshape our communities, our workplaces and our schools? At our recent Rotary Club of Mount Eliza meeting, members were taken on a remarkable journey through the history of technological disruption and into the rapidly evolving world of generative AI.
We were delighted to welcome Tim Kitchen, former education specialist with Adobe and now a leading consultant supporting schools and universities to use AI effectively and responsibly.
This evening we were privileged to welcome acclaimed portrait artist George Petrou OAM as our Rotary speaker.
George spoke on The Art of Sacrifice, a powerful body of work honouring Australians who have made extraordinary sacrifices in service to our nation. Through portraiture and storytelling, he captures not only likeness, but legacy.
International Women’s Day | Give to Gain
We are proud to announce that the recipient of funds raised at this year’s International Women’s Day Breakfast will be Moonah House — a new, community-led initiative supporting women and children experiencing family violence and homelessness on the Mornington Peninsula.
Hosted jointly by the Rotary Clubs of Frankston, Mt Eliza and Rosebud–Rye, our IWD event is about turning words into action. Moonah House is working towards opening its doors in 2026, providing safe accommodation and trauma-informed support so families can rebuild their lives with dignity.
“How do I get out of bed today?”
For many women, this is not a philosophical question — it’s a daily reality. No job. No income. No confidence. Sometimes no safe home. And often, no belief left that things can change.
The Rotary Club of Mt Eliza was pleased to formally induct Glenys and Mark as new members at our recent meeting.
Both Glenys and Mark bring previous Rotary experience from their time living in Brighton, and we are delighted they have chosen to continue their Rotary journey with our club.
Rotary is built on fellowship, service and shared values, and Glenys and Mark embody the principles that guide all Rotarians — integrity, respect, altruism and a genuine commitment to making a positive difference in the community.
During the induction ceremony, members were reminded of the importance of the Four-Way Test, which underpins everything we say and do:
Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
We look forward to Glenys and Mark becoming actively involved in our projects, fundraisers and community initiatives, and to the contributions they will make as part of our Rotary family.
On behalf of all members, we warmly welcome Glenys and Mark to the Rotary Club of Mt Eliza.
Why Rotary Matters, How It’s Changing, and the Gift of Giving Back
Recently, we sat down with long-serving Rotary Mt Eliza member and past President Sue Voss to talk about her Rotary journey, what motivates her, and why she believes Rotary is as relevant today as ever—especially for younger members.
It’s OK Not to Be OK: Rotary Supports Youth Mental Health in Our Community
The Rotary Club of Mount Eliza was honoured to welcome Georgia and Tyla from It’s OK Not to Be OK to our recent meeting for an inspiring and deeply moving presentation on the state of youth mental health across the Mornington Peninsula.
Both presenters brought a unique blend of professional knowledge, community experience, and powerful personal insight. Georgia, a qualified social worker with experience at Reach Foundation, youth crime prevention, and Headspace Frankston and Rosebud, shared her passion for early intervention. Tyla, a local 22-year-old with strong ties to the Peninsula and a participant at the Paris Olympics, brought energy, authenticity, and lived understanding of the challenges facing young people today.
Each year, the Rotary Club of Mt Eliza proudly organises the community’s Remembrance Day Service on November 11, traditionally held at the Mt Eliza Heritage & Memorial Garden adjacent to the 55 Plus Club.
This year, due to inclement weather, the ceremony was held indoors at the 55 Plus Club — a warm and respectful setting for such an important occasion.
The event was masterfully compered by James Farquharson from the Frankston RSL. Captain Paul Mandizy, Royal Australian Navy, delivered a powerful and heartfelt address, beginning with Australia’s involvement in World War I and reflecting on our nation’s greatest single wartime loss — the sinking of the HMAS Sydney in 1941.
Protecting a Local Icon – Dirk from Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation (MPKC)
At a recent Rotary Club of Mt Eliza meeting, members and guests were privileged to hear from Dirk, founder of Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation (MPKC). Dirk shared his remarkable story of how a simple Facebook page has grown into one of the Peninsula’s most active conservation movements.
New Member Spotlight: Meet Mark! 🌟
At our recent meeting, new member MarkRodman shared his incredible life journey — from England to Zambia, South Africa, the US, Latin America, Singapore, Europe, China and finally… Mt Eliza! 🌍✈️
Mark spent 45 years in the tech industry, travelled the world, owned a vineyard on the Mornington Peninsula 🍷, and first discovered Rotary through Rotaract in South Africa.
At this week’s meeting we were inspired by Lisa Vagg and Russell Kerr, who shared the story of Hands On Learning — a program born at Frankston High School and now running in over 140 schools nationwide.
By giving students one day a week to learn through real projects in schools and the community, Hands On Learning builds skills, belonging and confidence. Locally, Mt Eliza Secondary College has proudly embraced the program since 2014, with Rotary Mt Eliza supporting student projects along the way.
Service Above Self
Mount Eliza, VIC 3930
Australia