5 July - RCoBS Changeover at Camp Getaway $45pp. BYO drinks. 12 noon for 12.30pm. An invitation email was sent to all members this week. RSVP to Cathie by Mon 22 June.
14th - 19th July - Bendigo Sheep & Wool Show (setup & event) Volunteers needed.
27 - 31 May 2027 - Rotary Barham Weekend, Barham Caravan Park. See Kevin Reade for more details.
Welcome to Issue 47 (2025-26) of our weekly bulletin. Find out about our upcoming events, our guest speakers, what we covered during the last meeting and more!
Can't make our meeting in person please join us via Zoom:
Opportunities to volunteer -for non-Rotarian friends and volunteers:
* Upcoming BBQs - Contact Kevin - 0428 996 619
Welcome to Issue 47 (2025-26) of our weekly bulletin. Find out about our upcoming events, our guest speakers, what we covered during the last meeting and more!
Can't make our meeting in person please join us via Zoom:
Opportunities to volunteer -for non-Rotarian friends and volunteers:
* Upcoming BBQs - Contact Kevin - 0428 996 619
Co-President's report
Co-Presidents Report for 3rd June 2026
Well, winter has certainly arrived! We still had a good turn-up with both members in person and on zoom.
Welcome to Jenny Trewartha from the Bendigo Hospital Trained Nurses League on a very interesting talk on their commemoration sculpture project and the 104 years of history behind it.
RecLink have another game on June 24th . Thanks, Rob Rosaia for coordinating this one.
John Cannon gave an update on the outcome of a recent trip to DIK – dog leads and collars to the Bendigo animal Rescue Centre, beanies to Lightning Reef PS, footy boots to Reclink, small household goods to the Karen community
Paul Kirkpatrick reported on the working bee that was held at Camp Getaway for the construction of the Games Room that RC Bendigo are building to help celebrate their 100-year anniversary.
Stan Hendy reported on the Past President’s reunion that was held on the weekend by the RC Bendigo as part of their 100-year celebration. All PP from the clubs that have been chartered by RC Bendigo were invited.
Kevin Reade and Ted Gretgrix reminded members to keep 12-18th July free to help with the Sheep and Wool Show. An availability roster will be coming out soon.
Stew Annan and Phil Brittain will be catching up with the coordinator of the Bendigo Youth Council to get a time slot to present some ideas to the Youth Council on some possible projects we can work on together.
Jenny is a member of the Bendigo Base Hospital Trained Nurses League. The League commenced in 1928 when Matron Esler was in charge of nursing at the hospital and serves as an alumni for those who have trained together over the years. The Northern District School of Nursing opened at Lister House in 1950 at which time there was a severe shortage of nurses. The closing of Lister House in 1989 saw the end of nurse training at the hospital. The League has a proud history of working to recognise the legacy of nurses who trained at the hospital. Some seventy nurses who served during the world wars are recognised in the Bendigo Military Museum. The Bendigo Historical Society has exhibits outlining the work of nurses over the years.
Due to an aging membership the League will wind up its operation in 2028, its centenary year. The League is keen at this time to leave a lasting memorial to commemorate the wonderful service provided by the locally trained nurses. Concepts such as a seat in the grounds of the hospital were dismissed as an underwhelming recognition of a 104 year contribution to the health care of the Bendigo community. Finally it was decided to engage Yvonne George, local artist based at the Bendigo Pottery, to design a sculpture symbolising nurse training in Bendigo over 104 years. This has been most productive and has resulted in the overwhelming support among League members for the design suggested by Yvonne. As an aside John Cannon informed the meeting that Yvonne was one of the original stall holders at the markets initiated by our club in 1990.
The sculptural tribute depicts a single figure with a layered historical progression representing the different eras over the 104 years. A male face representing the inclusion of men in nurse training in 1970 is included along with the different uniforms over the years. The estimated cost of the sculpture is $65K. The League has explored possible grants and Bendigo Health has offered to pay for the sub works including the foundation and lighting. The sculpture will be life size and made of steel which ensures that there is durability and low maintenance.
The League has maintained a focus over the years of making sure the legacy of nurse training is kept to the fore. The generous contribution of Matron Martha Farquharson is recognised on her grave in the Bendigo Cemetery. Matron Farquharson was Matron from 1902 until 1913 during which time she advocated strongly for the professional recognition of nursing and improved pay and conditions. Although she retired in 1913 she returned to the position without pay in 1917 to allow Matron Symons to go to active service. The League contributed to the construction of the Hyatt Wing and has donated equipment to the hospital over the years. We thank Jenny for her comprehensive summary of an important part of Bendigo history and we wish the League every success with this exciting project.
Graeme and John went to DIK last Tuesday and collected a trailer load of goods to be distributed to those in need.
Some of the goods we collected have been donated to Mad Cow for their WINTER KNIGHTS programme.
Donations included soap, toothpaste, woollen beanies and blankets.
The Facebook post call out for home goods continues to be fruitful.
RCOBS member Judy Miatke collected some donations of blankets, Donna’s, pillows, blankets and some household goods, making recipients very happy at the Karen Community Centre.
A thank you post from Lightning Reef School
Lifeline Fully Funded Workshops in Regional Victoria.
Ever had to step in the shoes of an accidental counsellor?
The Accidental Counsellor Foundations Workshop will provide you with the necessary skills and tools to be able to step into the shoes of an accidental counsellor momentarily, respond appropriately, efficiently and effectively to people in crisis or distress when there may not be a professional immediately available. Send an email to register.
Past President's Reunion. A re-union of past presidents on Sunday, May 31 at the Bendigo Club. 53 PP's and friends attended. Look closely, can you see RCOBS's Stan and Cathie?
The Noticeboard
Each week various information come into the Bulletin email, small bits to add into the bulletin that doesn't really go anywhere else but may be good to know. Sometimes it's an announcement, an invitation, an update or advertisement. Here are this week's tidbits:
EAGLEHAWK Do you have an old phone you'd like to re-home? Eaglehawk Rotary Club are collecting them for :- May - Domestic & Family Violence Prevention Month
DV Safe Phones have collection points in Bendigo - this is a great, worthwhile program and is yet another way for us to address Rotary's focus on the environment - keep them out of landfill by giving them to someone who desperately needs a hand.
Eaglehawk's bookshop is back in full swing and accepting donations. Opening hours are Wednesdays - 10am-12noon and Saturdays - 10am-12noon
Bendigo Maubisse Friendship Committee 20th Anniversary - 18th Sept. 2026 at 6.00pm. For more info go to BMFC website see link here https://bmfc.org.au/
Home hosts are needed for the next group of visiting Malaysia Special Education teachers: Thursday 6 August – Saturday 5 September 2026 contacted Lindsay Jolley M: 0416 192 032 or E:lj@joll.net
Cluster club meetings
Bendigo
Tuesday 12.30pm for 1.00pm, an evening meeting on the 4th week - 6pm for 6.30pm start.
The Bendigo Club, 22 Park St. Strathdale
Bendigo South
Thursday 6.00pm for 6.30pm
Boatshed Function Room, Lakeview Hotel, Bendigo
Eaglehawk
Wednesday 6.15pm for 6.30pm
Mechanics Institute, California Gully
Kangaroo Flat
Monday 6.00pm for 6.30pm
Rotary Gateway Park, Kangaroo Flat
Inner Wheel Bendigo
2nd Tuesday, 11.00am – lunch after meeting
Mechanics Institute, School Street, California Gully
Past President's Reunion.
