Welcome to the First Bulletin for the 2024-25 Rotary Year! While slightly late, you'll notice that the bulletin and the website have received a fresh coat of paint for the new Rotary year and new theme of "The Magic of Rotary."
As usual, the upcoming club meetings and events are located down the side, and the stories are below.
If you have anything you would like to contribute, don't hesitate to get in contact with the Bulletin Editor below :)
In the final week of February further Rotary toilet block site inspections have taken place in Arambol & Dabal in the Goa region of India. At these inspections (see photos of one of the new toilet blocks & rendered internal work) the contractor was given levels for the tiles, urinals and other finishing work.
Nester Sequeira, Rotarian and supervisor of this international project, states he is happy with the progress. “All the civil work is now complete. What remains to be done is the tiling, plumbing, electrical work, fixing of the doors / windows and the painting,” he said.
The British partners in the project are scheduled to visit Goa from March 17 – 20 and at which time one of the toilet blocks is scheduled to be completed. This project has come about with funds from Geelong Central, Panaji in Goa India, Yarmouth Haven in the UK, District support and a Rotary WASH (Water Sanitation Hygiene) Global Grant.
The Rotary Club of Geelong Central made a notable contribution to the 2025 Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race by operating their food van at the event. As one of the key community service organisations, they provided a vital service to spectators, athletes, and event staff, offering a variety of food and refreshments throughout the race weekend.
The presence of the Rotary food van not only supported the race's atmosphere but also demonstrated the club’s ongoing commitment to community engagement and fundraising. Proceeds from the food sales are directed towards the club's charitable initiatives, which include supporting local projects and organisations.
The Rotary Club’s involvement in such a significant event highlights its important role in both the local community and at large-scale events. Volunteers from the club worked tirelessly to ensure smooth operations and positive interactions with visitors. This participation further solidified the Rotary Club of Geelong Central as a dedicated and active force in promoting community spirit and charitable work.
Colin shared a short video which updated the Garrthalala project the Club was involved in starting in 2006. It was a major project for the club and one that is dear to the hearts of those who were involved. It was as great to hear from the graduating students in the video and to see recognition of the work done by the Club with this plaque below.
Highlighted in the photos below are the buildings constructed by the Club members:
Primary school classroom initially built at the start of the project and
Where one classroom was added to an already built 2 classroom complex.
This is more about the education program conducted at the Garrthalala site taken directly from their Facebook page:
“The Learning on Country Program is a collaborative initiative between Aboriginal ranger groups and several of Territory schools across the Top End, engaging remote Indigenous students in education, with a focus on ‘both ways’ learning through the combination of curriculum and culture.
The success of the program is attributed to students boarding on country at school during the week and returning to their homelands at weekends to fulfill cultural obligations rather than just hanging out as teenagers often do!
This program is a foundational element of Laynhapuy Homelands School's Makarraṯa Senior Secondary program. Check out this special video celebrating the programs support towards the success of Laynhapuy’s 2024 school leavers.”
Learn more: You can see the full video, which runs for 3.5 minutes, here, (please note it will take you to a Facebook video)
Each year, Rotary awards up to 130 fully funded fellowships for dedicated leaders from around the world to study at one of our peace centres.
Through academic training, practice, and global networking opportunities, the Rotary Peace Centres program develops the capacity of peace and development professionals to become effective catalysts for peace. The fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and internship and field-study expenses.
Since 2002, 1,800 fellows trained now working in 140 Countries, many serve as leaders in governments; NGOs; education and research institutions; peacekeeping and law enforcement agencies; and international organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank.
Program Vision
Sustainable peace
Encompassing a network of peacebuilders and community leaders
Dedicated to preventing & resolving conflicts around the globe
Program Levels Master’s program:
Those near the start of their careers
50 fellows per year (10 per center)
15-24 month course with an applied field experience
Certificate program:
Proven peace and development leaders
80 fellows selected next year (40 per center)
One-year blended learning program intended for working professionals with a social change initiative
Peacebuilding Education Partners:
Eligibility Restrictions
Active Rotary members, or Rotaract members who are also Rotary members, and their spouses or lineal descendants are not eligible
Rotaract club members, who are not also Rotary club members, are eligible to apply.
Rotary Peace Fellows who have completed the certificate program or a Global Grant Scholarship must wait 3 years between the end date of that program and their intended start date for the fellowship.
Candidates must have at least 3 years between the completion of their most recent academic degree program (undergraduate or graduate degree) and their intended start date for the fellowship. Candidates currently enrolled or who will be enrolled this year in an undergraduate or graduate program are not eligible to apply.
What can we do as Rotarians?
Know someone who would be a great peace fellow? Submit their name and email in our referral form and they will receive more information.
Use our promotional resources available on the Rotary Peace Fellowships webpages to promote the program within your communities and networks.
Follow the Rotary Peace Centers Facebook page and share posts and application announcements.
Recruit local candidates and help them apply. Submit a club/district recommendation form within their application
