I was blown away this week by the presentation don by Xavier and Ethan, the two Woodleigh students! The two young men were organised and compelling. The mission they are headed for in Indonesia is remarkable and ambitious. We are all thrilled to be able to support them. As I listened to them, I glanced over to Adam (Xavier’s father) and Jo (Ethan’s mother). Their pride was shining through!
Linda Morris and I attended the 55+ Club's AGM this week. Mt Eliza Rotary's contribution to the kitchen upgrade was recognised and acknowledged.
I’m away the coming week. I’ll fly to Manila on Saturday for nuclear power consultations in the Philippines. On Tuesday I’ll fly to Hanoi for more meetings - I’ve been appointed as the Chief Executive of an American-owned nuclear advisory company in Vietnam. I’ll be home on the following Saturday after a redeye flight through Singapore.
Thanks to all who stand in for me while I’m away. And thanks to all of you for the incredible work that you do.
As members of our Club were advised in an email on Saturday, 24th October, because of the forecast heavy rain at the Farmers Market scheduled for today (Sunday 25th October) we decided not to operate our BBQ at this event. This proved to be a very wise decision. As at 4.00 pm this afternoon there has been 33 ml of rain today.
In addition, the only gates that were staffed were those undercover near Priceline and Pop's Cafe.
Leigh Gibson, General Manager of the Market, reported that attendance was well down. However, many of the usual traders did turn up with a "wet" day going ahead for the hardy souls who attended.
Thanks very much to the indefatigable Rowan Miller who set up and then packed up a limited market. Great work Rowan!
Rowan also supplied the photos below taken air different times during the morning. Thank you also to those Rotarians who worked on the undercover gates.
Rotarian Mark Rodman, Environment Director & his Committee are planning a Moonlit Sanctuary excursion on the evening of Nov 26th starting at 9.00 pm at their facility in Pearcedale. A tour guide will show us many nocturnal animals which are rarely seen during the daytime.
For those who would like to do so, we propose stopping at the Baxter Tavern for dinner on the way, which is very close to the Moonlit sanctuary.
Dinner is not included in the outing fee and people can simply choose what they like from the menu and pay individually. Alternatively people can go straight to the sanctuary and meet up there. We will try as much as we can to carpool to save some fuel for the planet and make it easier for some people who don't like driving too much at night.
Fees as follows:
The standard evening/night tour fees for Moonlit Sanctuary are:
Adult (18+): $75 per person
Concession (Seniors, Students, Healthcare Card Holders): $68 per person
Australian Pensioner: $59 per person
Please email Mark Rodman at mrodman888@gmail.com and let him know if you'd be interested in coming so. We need at least 10 people.The group size can be up to 16.
Melbourne Cup Calcutta at Le Hoang, Monday, 2 November, 2026 from 6.00 pm onwards
Our Annual Melbourne Cup Calcutta is again being held at Le Hoang Vietnamese Restaurant on Monday 2 November 2026.
This event, which is a fund-raiser for the Vocational Committee and fellowship evening celebrates its 10th Anniversary this year. On Cup Eve 2017, Rotarian, the late Tim Acton organised our first Calcutta which was an immediate success and it has grown each year thereafter and is now a key event in the RCME Year.
Price per ticket is $55 per head which covers a Vietnamese Banquet, the Humanitix fee and a donation to the Vocational Committee.
BYO drinks and/ or buy drinks directly from the Restaurant on the evening.
Bookings now open to all comers. As we are limited to a total attendance of 72, you are advised to book asap.
* Mt Eliza Rotarians Stories - George-Ann Sullivan, Alison Lythgoe & Phil Key
* Woodleigh Students - Xavier Goldfinch & Ethan Gately
The guest speakers at our Dinner Meeting at Toorak College on 13 October were Club Members, Rotarians George-Ann Sullivan, Alison Lythgoe & Phil Key.
Each member of our Club has an interesting and at times inspirational life story to tell and so it proved to be the case again with Alison, George-Ann & Phil all delivering memorable talks.
Woodleigh Students Xavier Goldfinch & Ethan Gately attended our meeting together with Xavier's father, Adam, and Ethan's mother Jo.
Introduced by our Environment Director Mark Rodman, Xavier & Ethan are working on an environmental visit to Indonesia next year. Their presentation was very professional demonstrating the skills that so many young Australians possess.
For more information on these and other stories please use the link below to visit the Rotary Club of Mt Eliza Website
