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Welcome to the

ROTARY CLUB of MOE

Serving the Moe Community since 1949

Presidents

July to December - Len Cairns

January to June - Alan Bishop

The Rotary Club of Moe is pleased to announce a shared presidency for the 2025–2026 Rotary year.

Dr. Len Cairns will serve as President from July to December 2025, with Alan Bishop assuming the role from January to June 2026.

Together, Presidents Len and Co President Alan are united in their commitment to the Rotary International theme, “Unite for Good.” Their shared vision includes growing club membership and strengthening community connections through meaningful service projects that foster inclusion, support, and goodwill.

Let us 'UNITE FOR GOOD' in 2025-2026

Rotary Junior Community Award

Pride of Workmanship Awards

Wheelchair for Kids

Botanic Garden Upgrade

Bali School students with new uniforms

Bali School Students

You can make a difference in your Community

How ..... Join Rotary ..... Do Good ..... Volunteer ..... Help others

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or contact us - info@moerotary.org.au

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Botanic Garden Project

Work on the garden redevelopment project at the Moe Botanic Gardens is progressing. This work is being done by the Club with the assistance of a District 9815 Grant.

Over a number of working bees, a lot of the old soil was removed – around 15 trailer loads - which we relocated to the Yallourn Golf Club where it will be used for grounds maintenance there. We then proceeded to dig drainage trenches and ensure the weep holes in the wall were clear.

The trenches were then filled with stone screenings and aggie pipe to help prevent the garden from becoming water-logged. Backfilling finished off this part of the redevelopment and we are now ready for the garden to be topped up with new and improved garden soil to ensure our future plantings will have the best chance of successful growth.

Stay tuned for the next update!

Rotary Foundation Education Scholarship

The Rotary Club of Moe has provided Lowanna College with a $1,000 grant to assist students with their education expenses. The scholarships are made available through joint funding from the Club and the Rotary Foundation through Rotary District 9815.

The purpose of this grant is to assist students, who could not otherwise afford it, to participate more fully in school life. The scholarships are awarded by the school and can be used for direct educational costs, such as items of equipment required for specific subjects, provision of uniforms, school excursions or camp expenses or similar forms of support.

Pictured above (from L to R)

Kristy Bannister, Assistant Principal; PP Rotarian Len Cairns; Bernadette Cropper, Acting Principal; PP Rotarian Diane Wilkinson; Club President Alan Bishop; and Michael Lakeman, Science Teacher.

Paul Harris Awards

Congratulations to PP Lyn Cassar on receiving a Paul Harris Sapphire pin, and to PP Robin Noakes on being awarded a Paul Harris Double Sapphire at our recent meeting.

Both Lyn and Robin were recognised for their ongoing support of the Wheelchairs for Kids program.

Gippsland Rotary Golf Classic 2026

Our major fundraising event for the year, the Gippsland Rotary Golf Classic, will be held on Monday 30 March 2026 at the Yallourn Golf Club.

The tournament, played as a three‑person ambrose, will include a putting competition, BBQ lunch, and dinner.

For further information about the event and to access entry forms, please click on the links below.

Information Flyer

Individual Entry Form

Corporate Entry Form

Kicking off 2026 at the Botanic Gardens

2026 commenced with our new President, Alan Bishop, welcoming members and guests back to Rotary at our recent Welcome Back BBQ in the Moe Botanic Gardens.

This first gathering of the year provided an opportunity to update everyone on the program and activities planned for the coming months with the main event being the Gippsland Rotary Golf Classic scheduled for Monday 30^th March.

Pride of Workmanship Awards 2025

Since 1996, the Rotary Club of Moe has proudly presented the Pride of Workmanship Awards to local students. Each year, teachers nominate students who have demonstrated outstanding commitment, perseverance, and personal growth throughout the school year.

This special occasion is celebrated at Old Gippstown, where all nominated students and their families are invited to attend. Rotary members host the evening by preparing and serving a BBQ tea before the formal presentations begin.

Congratulations to this year’s Pride of Workmanship recipients, who were each recognised with a framed certificate and a $50 cash voucher in honour of their achievements.

Alongside the Pride of Workmanship presentations, the John Dwyer Citizenship Award was also announced.

This award celebrates students who exemplify leadership, responsibility, and community spirit.

Congratulations to Declan Osborne, nominated by Lowanna College, who received a framed certificate and a $200 cash voucher from the Rotary Club of Moe in recognition of his outstanding contribution.

Rotary Junior Community Awards for 2025

The Rotary Club of Moe has proudly sponsored the Rotary Junior Community Award program for the past twelve years, engaging Grade 6 students in four key areas of personal development throughout the school year: Community Service, Physical Recreation, Social Experience, and Skill Development. With guidance from parents and teachers, students design a non-competitive program tailored to their interests and abilities and maintain a diary to document their progress.

As part of the program, students are invited to attend a Rotary Club dinner meeting to present their achievements and share highlights from their journey.

In October, students from Elizabeth Street Primary School, Albert Street Primary School, and South Street Primary School visited the Club to showcase their projects, which included cooking, woodworking, Anzac Day commemorations, and sporting activities.

Elizabeth St Primary School

Albert St Primary School and Rotarians

South St Primary School

Willow Grove Primary School students (pictured left) recently shared their projects with Club members during a school assembly.

Club members were delighted to hear about the students’ accomplishments and the valuable experiences gained through their participation in the program.

A formal ceremony was held on the 12th November to celebrate and acknowledge all students who successfully complete the Rotary Junior Community Award.

Wheelchairs for Kids - Update

Our Wheelchairs for Kids project continues its success in 2025.

Since our last report, WFK Coordinator Robin Noakes is thrilled to share that we've now sold a grand total of 91 chairs which amounts to $25,700 raised.

Promotional efforts have remained active across the Gippsland region and have also reached Echuca and Bright. The Lions Club of Mallacoota generously purchased a chair and more recently the Lions Club of Moe have indicated that they will make a donation.

Robin is also engaging with several local schools to explore the idea of a WFK Wheelathon—a fun and meaningful way to raise awareness and support. St Pauls Aglican Grammar School will be holding a Wheelathon in November.

Stay tuned for more updates!

We want to make a difference in the lives of mobility impaired children and their families around the world.

Put simply "To get kids up out of the dirt".

If you would like to support the Rotary Club of Moe, please scan the QR code and make a tax-deductible donation.

To find out more about Wheelchairs for Kids please visit the website: Wheelchairs for Kids | Children's Wheelchairs | Home

50 years of Service above Self

Following our April celebration honouring three members who reached their 50-year Rotary anniversary in 2025, we were delighted to recently acknowledge Julian Yeatman, who achieved this remarkable milestone in October.

Julian was presented with his Rotary International Congratulatory Letter by District Governor Peter Behm, recognising his outstanding commitment and service.

This special occasion was held in conjunction with Rotary Mental Health Hat Day, where members and partners embraced the spirit of the day by wearing a colourful array of hats and contributing a gold coin donation in support of mental health initiatives.

Celebrating 35 years of Service

PP Dave Wood recently marked an incredible milestone — 35 years of dedicated service with the Rotary Club of Moe.

President Len Cairns presented Dave with a Certificate of Service and shared highlights from Dave’s Rotary journey with members.

Over the years, Dave has held many leadership roles within the Club, including Chair of Community, Vocational, and Club Service committees. He also served as Club President during the 1999–2000 Rotary year. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Dave was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow in 2009.

Dave remains an active and highly valued member, generously volunteering his time to support a wide range of Club activities — from coordinating member involvement in the Good Friday Appeal, assisting at BBQs, to helping with ongoing maintenance at the Moe Botanic Gardens.

Congratulations, Dave, and thank you for your remarkable commitment and service.

Moe Botanic Gardens - Round Garden Bed Upgrade

The latest Botanic Gardens project undertaken by members involves the upgrading of the round garden bed. The initial phase of this project will focus on the removal of soil, installation of some drainage and replacement of new high quality garden soil.

This phase of the project will be carried out over the next few weeks and once completed, the project will move to its next stage, which involves selecting and purchasing new plants for the area.

Rotary Community Art Show

The Rotary Club of Moe was proud to partner with the Moe Arts Collective to present the Rotary Community Student Art Show, held recently at the Moe Community Hub during the first week of the school holidays.

Students from across the 3825 district showcased their creativity and talent, with a vibrant display of artworks that brought colour and inspiration to the community space.

President Len Cairns, Peter McLaren, Cr Adele Pugsley

Rotarians Robin Noakes and Ross Maxfield

Artwork displayed by Baringa Special School

We extend our thanks to Cr Adele Pugsley, for officially opening the exhibition and to our generous sponsors: Latrobe City, Energy Australia, Martin Cameron MP, Moe Racing Club, Bunnings, and Curly and George. Your support made this event possible.

Special acknowledgement goes to Moe Arts Collective members Peter McLaren and Ling Wang for their tireless efforts in setting up the show, assisted by Rob Brewster, Rhys Matheson, and Alexander McLaren. A sincere thank you to Lill Cunningham for judging the entries. Prizes were awarded to the winner and runner-up from each participating school, recognising the outstanding contributions of our young artists.

Busy start to September

After a quiet start to the Rotary year—with many of our members enjoying a northern escape for winter—September has sprung to life with a flood of BBQ service requests.

Father’s Day Car Show BBQ

Early in September, our Club was invited to support the Father’s Day Car Show at Old Gippstown by cooking and serving egg and bacon sandwiches. Rotarians Alan Bishop, Ross Maxfield, Len Cairns, Robin Noakes, and Helen Morrison arrived bright and early at 7:30am, ready to prepare and serve breakfast to the many visitors who came to admire the cars on display.

Energy Australia - RU OK day

On Thursday 11th September, Energy Australia invited our Club to support their RU OK? Day initiative by cooking egg and bacon sandwiches for their early morning team.

Rotarians Len Cairns, Robin Noakes, Robin Noakes and Alan Bishop arrived bright and early at 5.00am, ready to serve the 6.00am shift.

Ellinbank Football League Grand Final – BBQ Fundraiser

On Saturday 13th September, the Trafalgar Football Club hosted the Ellinbank Football League Grand Final and invited our Club, along with the Rotary Club of Morwell, to provide a BBQ for the event.

Both Clubs set up side by side, with our members cooking hamburgers and the Rotary Club of Morwell preparing sausages. With a capacity crowd of over 5,000 in attendance, members were kept busy from 9:00am through to approximately 4:30pm.

76th Annual Changeover

The Rotary Club of Moe recently celebrated its 76th Changeover at the Moe Hotel, joined by Rotarians and their partners.

Special guests included District Governor Colin Byron, Leane Byron, and Past District Governor Bill Degnan.

Also in attendance were representatives from the Inner Wheel Club of Moe, the Probus Clubs of Moe and Newborough and the Lions Club of Moe.

In a first for the Club, the 2025–2026 Rotary year will have a shared presidency. Len Cairns will serve from July to December 2025, followed by Alan Bishop from January to June 2026.

Both were formally inducted as Co-Presidents by District Governor Colin Byron.

Outgoing President Lyn expressed sincere thanks to her board, acknowledging their dedication and valued contributions throughout the past year. Each outgoing board member received a gift as a token of appreciation.

Incoming President Len introduced the new Board and presented members with their themed ‘Unite for Good’ director badges, setting a positive tone for the year ahead.

During the evening a donation of $5,000 was presented to Gippsland Rotary Centenary House, reinforcing the Club’s strong and ongoing commitment to supporting this vital service in our community.

World Polio Day

World Polio Day is an annual event held on 24^th October to continue to raise awareness about this insidious disease and global efforts to eradicate it. This year’s theme is “End Polio: Every child, Every Vaccine, Everywhere” which is a reminder of the need for ensuring all children across the world receive the polio vaccine.

World Polio Day is a time for Rotary members, public health advocates and all who want a world free from polio to come together, recognise the progress that has been made in the fight to end polio and talk about what needs to be done in order to eradicate polio for good.

Polio (Poliomyelitis) is a highly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of 5. The virus is spread person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can attack the nervous system and, in some instances, lead to paralysis. Although there is no cure, there is a safe and effective vaccine. Rotary continues to work with our partners to distribute vaccines to children around the world as part of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). Partners in the GPEI include Rotary, UNICEF, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organisation and The Gates Foundation. By working together with these partners, governments and communities, over 2.5 billion children in 122 countries have been immunized. However, to end polio, we must stop the transmission of wild poliovirus in the 2 countries that continue to report cases: Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The Challenge: Worldwide Eradication

Cases have been reduced by 99.9% worldwide since 1988, but it is critical to continue efforts to eradicate the disease for good. If polio is not fully eradicated, we could see a global resurgence of the disease with as many as 200,000 new cases each year over the next 10 years, all over the world.

In order to end polio, there is a need to increase disease detection / surveillance to ensure the virus is truly gone from every corner of the world. Given that not all cases result in paralysis, the program’s extensive surveillance and laboratory network is essential in detecting new cases.

More information at www.endpolio.org

Diane Wilkinson

Foundation Chair

“Adopt a School” Project Activities in 2025

The Rotary Club of Moe has continued with our association with the Bunyuning School in Bali through the provision of uniform items, specifically vests and shirts for students. Uniforms are compulsory for school attendance and many of the families in this area often struggle to provide full uniforms for all of their children. This project helped to support all students to attend school, which has a positive impact on educational opportunities and outcomes. This aligns with the Rotary area of focus of Supporting Education.

Currently, there are 248 students who attend the school and we facilitated the purchase of shirts and vests for all students. Over the years we have purchased other uniform items and this project builds on those previous projects which assists both students and families.

The project was coordinated through our International/Foundation work and supported by a Rotary District 9815 Foundation Grant. Past President Michael Koch visited the school in late 2024 to review other work previously undertaken at the school and investigated arrangements needed to facilitate the purchase of the uniforms locally in Bali. Michael then reviewed progress of purchases and coordinated payments as required.

50 Year Membership Celebration

2025 is a special year for our club as we honor an extraordinary milestone—three respected and valued members reaching 50 years of dedicated service with the Rotary Club of Moe.

Rotarians David Power and Ross Maxfield marked their achievements in March and May respectively, while Julian Yeatman will celebrate his milestone in October.

To commemorate this remarkable occasion, our club recently hosted a special dinner, joined by DG Colin Byron, Leanne Byron, past Rotarians, members, and partners. Both David and Ross received a congratulatory letter from Rotary International President, Stephanie Urchick while Julian will receive his letter in October.

The evening was filled with tributes, as members and past Rotarians shared memories and stories about our honorees. The celebration culminated in the cutting of a cake made by Suzie Maxfield.

The occasion also provided an opportunity to recognise Kishor Manani for his 20 years of service to the Club. Kishor was presented with a Certificate of Service, acknowledging his commitment and contributions over the past two decades.

Anzac Day Ceremony

President Lyn Cassar and PP Diane Wilkinson proudly represented the club at the Anzac Day ceremonies held at both the Yallourn-Newborough RSL and the Moe RSL.

MARCH AND APRIL CLUB ACTIVITIES

GUEST SPEAKER FOR MARCH

On Monday 3rd March, our guest speaker was Dene Cairns who lives in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. Dene works with the World Health Organization (WHO) and spoke about his daily life in a country enduring a long war and how they cope with the drones, missiles and air raid sirens while going about their regular work.

Pictured: Dene Cairns joined club members for dinner

SOCIAL NIGHT OUT

Rotarians and their partners, along with members of the Inner Wheel Club of Moe and their partners, enjoyed a wonderful time catching up with each other at the Moe Racing Club recently.

BOTANIC GARDEN CLEAN UP

A working bee was organized in early March to clean up the Botanical Gardens. Volunteers President Lyn Cassar, Robin Noakes, Roger Taylor and Alan Bishop spent several hours clearing dropped branches, leaves and rubbish from both the playground and garden areas.

GIPPSLAND WATER STAFF BBQ

We were approached by Gippsland Water to provide a BBQ lunch for their staff.

President Lyn Cassar and Community Chair Ross Maxfield travelled to the Moondarra Reservoir to cook and serve up a meal of sausages and hamburgers, feeding approximately 30 staff members.


			*GOOD FRIDAY APPEAL* Six dedicated members of our club participated in the annual Good Friday Appeal. They volunteered their time going door to door, raising funds for this important cause. Pictured L to R: Dave Wood, Roger Taylor, Helen Morrison, Diane Wilkinson, Ross Maxfield and Bill Connell

Gippsland Rotary Golf Classic 2025

The 25th consecutive Gippsland Rotary Golf Classic was held on 24^th March 2025 at the Yallourn Golf Course. With the combination of a great golf course, a capacity field and the generosity of the local community, the Rotary Club of Moe once again conducted a successful and highly entertaining golfing fundraiser.

Enjoying the day

Tyrrell Partners Team

Putting Competition Winner

Gerry Ypellan

108 players, representing 36 teams, competed, followed by raffles, dinner, an auction of donated goods and services, and the major raffle draw.

Due to the generous support of sponsors, golfers, Rotarians and their families, catering by Inner Wheel Club of Moe Ladies, the annual charity fundraiser was extremely successful, raising approximately $21,300 for distribution amongst local projects.

The raffles and auction were well supported and provided spirited bidding. It was gratifying to witness so many golfers remain after the event to support the fundraising activities. Donors, in particularly, are warmly thanked for their ongoing contributions.

Congratulation to our major Golf Winners:

Best team3 Person Ambrose Team was Matt's Mates represented by Matthew Brewer, Jabe Rogers and Nathan Hayes.
First Runner Up Team was LV Funeral Services represented by Rod Lawn, Rob Smith and Andy Farmer
Second Runner-Up Team was Do It Rite represented by Bill Williams, Maria Brien-Williams and Enda Murphy
Best Ladies Team was Family Ties represented by Lyn McAlister, Lola Carter, Evelyn Graske

Best Team

Matt's Mates

1st Runner Up

LV Funeral Services

2nd Runner Up

Do It Rite

Best Ladies Team

Family Ties

Latrobe City Australia Day Award

Our Club is extremely proud to announce that we have been honored with the Community Service of the Year award at the Latrobe City Australia Day Awards.

This recognition is especially meaningful as we competed against eight other highly deserving nominees, each contributing uniquely to our community.

Receiving this award highlights our dedication to serving the community over the past 75 years.

25 Years of Service

Congratulations to Len Cairns for achieving 25 years of service with the Rotary Club of Moe. Len was presented with a Certificate of Service at our recent Christmas break-up.

During this period, Len has held various positions, including serving twice as President, once as Secretary, and as Chair of the International, Community, Vocational, and Club Service committees.

Len will assume the role of President from June 2025 to December 2025.

Melbourne Cup Eve Fun

Our club participated in the Melbourne Cup celebrations by encouraging members and guests to "Dress to Impress" at our recent meeting. We extended invitations to partners, friends, and the Inner Wheel Club of Moe for an enjoyable evening.

The night began with dinner and fellowship, followed by a Racing Trivia contest, which Helen Morrison won.

Awards were given for the Best Cup Outfit to Suzi Maxfield, Best Hat to Robyn Cross, the "I Dare You to Wear This Down the Street" Award to Dave Wood, and a Mystery Prize to Bruce Paull.

Pictured L to R: Helen Morrison, Bruce Paull, Dave Wood, Suzi Maxfield and Robyn Cross

Rotary Foundation Student Scholarship

The Rotary Club of Moe is pleased to partner with Rotary District 9815 to provide the Rotary Foundation Student Scholarship to Lowanna College students.

The scholarship funds are used to assist students to meet educational expenses and assist them in maximising their involvement in school activities.

Pictured L to R:

Assistant Principal Michael Lakeman, RC Moe Foundation Chair Diane Wilkinson, RC Moe President Lyn Cassar, Acting Principal Julia Niamh

Rotary Junior Community Awards

The Rotary Club of Moe has sponsored the Rotary Junior Community Award program for the past eleven years and engages Grade 6 students in four main areas of endeavor, to be completed over the school year – Community Service, Physical Recreation, Social Experience and Skill Development. The students, with the aid of parents and teachers, design a non-competitive program they feel they can achieve and keep a diary of their progress.

Elizabeth St PS students and Rotary Club of Moe members help display a banner showing the students work during the year

As part of their experience, students are invited to attend our club’s dinner meeting to provide members with a presentation of the work that they have undertaken throughout the year.

In October, students from Albert St PS and Elizabeth St PS visited our club to showcase their projects. They shared their experiences in cooking, woodworking, Anzac Day commemorations, and sports.

The members were thrilled to learn of the students' accomplishments and the novel experiences they gained through their participation in the program. A formal ceremony was recently conducted to honor them, during which the students who completed the program received their certificates.

Albert St PS and Elizabeth St PS with their certificates

This year, Willow Grove Primary School joined the program, with six students participating. As the school is located out of town, club members made a trip to the school for an afternoon session to hear about the students' achievements and their enjoyment of the program. The students received their Certificates following their presentation.

75th Anniversary Celebration

In April this year our club reached a significant milestone being 75 years since our club received its Charter from Rotary International.

Our club celebrated it’s 75th Anniversary on Monday 24th June, 2024 and combined the evening with our Annual Changeover.

An 80 plus guest list comprising of current and past Rotarians, Representatives from District, Members of our local Probus Clubs, Inner Wheel Club, Lions Club and Friends of Rotary gathered for the birthday celebration.

The evening commenced with our Annual Changeover, where President Lyn Cassar was inducted as the returning President for 2024-2025. We then celebrated this milestone by cutting the birthday cake with DG Linda Humphries, President Lyn and DGE Colin Byron followed by Historian Ross Maxfield who shared his memories of being a member of our club since his induction in 1975.

The final part of the evening was a trip down memory lane which consisted of a movie showing many photos and memories from 1949 to current day.

75th Anniversary Celebration Booklet

(Hit link above to view Anniversary booklet)

Hit here to view photos

"Adopt a School" - Banyuning, Bali

Toilet Redevelopment Project

The latest Club project at the Banyuning School involved redeveloping the old school tuck shop area into a new toilet block with 4 new toilet stalls and handbasin and the construction of a new tuck shop. These works were undertaken as the old toilet block at the school was being demolished to allow for a new classroom being built by the Bali Education Department to accommodate the expanding number of students at the school. Currently there are 250 students attending the school, plus a number of teachers and staff.

This project supported a number of Rotary Areas of Focus, including supporting education through better facilities for the students, improved sanitation and hygiene with the provision of new toilets and handwashing facilities, and growing local economies through the use of local tradespeople and materials. This project brought direct benefits to the school (students and teachers) and by extension, benefits to the broader community.

Moe Rotarian Michael Koch liaised directly with our contact at the school in Bali to monitor progress on the project and facilitate payments as needed to complete the works. This included a trip to Bali to physically inspect the works being undertaken.

Implementation of this project has been supported through a District 9820 Foundation Grant, contribution from the Rotary Club of Moe, individual and corporate donations and a donation from the Rotary Club of Morwell. We are extremely grateful for all the support we have received which has enabled a successful outcome for the school.

New completed toilet block

New handwashing basin

One of the new toilets

New tuck shop building

Part demolition of existing building to enable rebuilding

to accommodate four new toilet stalls

Friends of Rotary

Our club is introducing a 'Friends of Rotary' program that invites individuals to team up with Rotary for one or two years or beyond. Becoming a Friend of Rotary allows you to share our ideals and objectives without the responsibility or commitment required from a full member. But it does allow you to be part of a Rotary club to contribute to the community and to assist in club projects and events when you are available to do so.

Being a Friend of Rotary allows you to participate in fundraising events and projects and assist in hands-on working bees. It’s an opportunity to enjoy activities and each other's company, catch up with old friends and make or develop new ones.

Benefits of Friends of Rotary

Supporting Rotary service projects that help local or international communities.
A way for those who cannot make weekly Rotary meetings to feel involved in the effort to assist their community.
It can be a stepping stone for someone who wants to invest in the community but does not know a lot about Rotary.
It can lead to full time Rotary membership if desired.