Welcome to the Rotary Club of Wandin

 
Are you an established professional who wants to make positive changes in your community and the world? Our club members are dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship. Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group who share your drive to give back.
We are all Part of the Story – Australia Day Breakfast
 
Congratulations to Heinz Budweg for coordinating an unforgettable Australia day where we were all invited to reflect, respect and celebrate.
There was a nice light towards the future with the flags behind the lectern which acknowledge two official Australian flags and the rainbow flag whilst retaining tradition with the single flag on the tables.
Acknowledgement was balanced by affirmation.  Liz Kitchen gave a Welcome to Country, Phillip Johnson expressed gratitude that he had no need to repeat this and Aaron lead us in affirming our loyalty and obedience as Australian Citizens.
Liz used the idea of custody of the land and the call to country as a theme throughout her speech.  She highlighted the character of Australia and her people as justification for her desire to achieve citizenship and recognized that what she initially perceived as a gift to her from her chosen country has converted into a deep and significant call for the contributions she now makes in so many ways.
Phillip’s speech was phenomenal!  No-one displays the successful outcome of inclusivity better than he does.  He has progressed from being a colourblind and self-confessed mediocre school performer through expertise as a climber to world regard as a landscape architect controlling millions of dollars in global budgets.  His reconstruction and extension of the successful Best in Show Garden at Chelsea to its present site in Olinda is regarded by some as the best example of its type in Australia.  Equally memorable for me was his reference to a visit from an indigenous elder who had been taken from his birth family in Boronia as a child.  This man had never previously returned to The Dandenong Ranges but this visit with Phil brought him to tears.
The breakfast certainly showed we are all part of the story and produced an excellent template for Australia Days to come.
See article below for further details about the Car and Bike Show
President: Alan Henderson 
Secretary: Ben Vallence         Treasurer: Ray Barrett
The Rotary Club of Wandin was formed in June 1984 with 19 charter members. Membership has been in the 25-35 range over the years and the accomplishments of the Club are enormous. The Club also has a reputation for having fun while doing it's work and revels in hands on activities. Our work is focused on Community and Business support, Youth support and International support, our four avenues of service  
 
We are always looking for new members who would like to serve the Community and enjoy the fellowship of being a Rotarian and working with like minded men and women. We need a steady stream of new members to bring added vitality and energy to our Club
 
This website is updated periodically. Our Facebook page is updated weekly, go to Facebook for the latest news 
 
Current Meetings Program   

21st February         Car Show. All hands on deck.

28th February         Kathy Langley.  Huntington’s Disease
 
6th March               Partners Night.  Mr Ks Indian night with the new owners.                      
 
12th March             Partners Night.  Croquet Night 
 
20th March             Final Car Show for the Year 
 
27th March             Easter Bunny Suprise Night 
 
3rd April                  Ross Duncan.  Addiction 
 
10th April                Partner’s night. Tegan Mcwilliam.  Tegan’s Journey to becoming a barrister.
                          
17th April                Partners Night. Barbie Night. Popcorn and Fellowship 
 
 
                               
Custom Car and Bike Show 
Wandin Custom Car and Bike Show is the club's major Fundraiser. with proceeds going to the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) and community needs. Prior to Covid interupting the event $88,000 had been donated to the RCH.
Up to 600 cars and bikes and up to 3,000 people have attended these shows. The shows also provide an opportunity for community groups such as the CFA to raise much needed funds. The show is held from 5pm on the Wandin East Recreation Reserve (Mel Ref 121K9).
 
 
See Facebook for more details and pictures from past shows.
https://www.facebook.com/wandinrotarycustomcarsshow
 
 
Interplast
 
 
Interplast is an organisation involving Rotary and the Royal Australian College of Surgeons
which funds and conducts  cosmetic surgery to restore functionality to patients in countries where such services are unavailable. The surgeons, nurses and anaesthetists donate their time for this work. As important as the surgery itself, the teams train local medical staff and return over multiple years to continue the skills transfer process.  Wandin has fully funded three projects and Wandin Rotarians have been part of the teams - to Philippines in 2001, Fiji in 2009 and Philippines again in 2018.
Wandin has also given regularly to Interplast and over the years in excess of $200,000 has been donated by Wandin to this worthy cause.    
Disaster Relief
We have provided relief for disasters both local and international. Locally we have supported communities who have experienced flooding and bushfires and provide our support via Rotary clubs located in the disaster area who can best judge where the needs are greatest.  We have sent loads of hay, pumps and tools, steel posts and fencing. We have also assisted in trauma recovery by funding beachside camps for students from the affected country regions. Internationally we have provided typhoon relief in the Philippines, cyclone relief in Fiji and tidal wave recovery in PNG.  
ANZAC Day, Australia Day, Remebrance Day
For over 20 years we have organised Anzac Day and Remembrance Day services, involving local school students and local dignitaries. These form one of the few focal points for the local community to unite and are very well attended - the year of the Gallipoli centenary attracted an estimated five hundred to the Anzac Day service.
We also have run Australia Day breakfasts for over 15 years and attract up to 200 guests - again strongly supported by the local community. We also give recognition to community members by Community Awards made at the breakfast and these are really valued by the recipients.   
Taveuni (Fiji) Project
Some years ago we completed a major project - sponsoring 24 students schooling and fundraising and building a pre school centre in Niusawa, Taveuni. We fund raised and sent a team of eight Rotarians to spend two weeks onsite constructing a pre school centre. We teamed with ABCD and Deakin University who also sent a team of students to complete the painting and playground and interact with the students. Shown are our eight club members at the end of the project. This project was particularly satisfying for those Rotarains who took part in the construction.
Youth Support 
Over many years from around 1990 we have sponsored students from the area to attend Rotary Youth Leadership Awards ( for ages 18 - 30), Rotary Youth Program for Enrichment ( for ages 15 - 17), Model United Nations Assembly (year 11), and Camp Awakenings (years 8 - 10).
Each of these programs has clearly defined objectives and their effectiveness is borne out by the enthusiastic feedback from participants. Phrases such as " life changing" and, from a parent, " I couldn't believe the change"  are not uncommon.