Club News
Mock Job Interviews at Camberwell High School 2026
In 2026, 77 Year 9 students at Camberwell High School took part in a compulsory subject exploring life after school. Importantly this included job searching. Students learned how to write a cover letter and résumé, respond to a job advertisement and apply for their preferred role from a program of 26 mock vocations. Now in its third year, the program continues to grow. The Year 9 coordinators did a splendid job, and the standard of student preparation was strong. The interviews were highly successful and introduced members to many impressive young people.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lindy Anderson
Youth and Vocation Committee
Hope in a Suitcase Warehouse Visit
Last week, a group of us—Graeme Hope, District Govenenor for District 9800, Daya Govender, Club President,  Anne Murphy, Robert Pattison, and myself— attended the Hope in a Suitcase warehouse to assist with packing suitcases for this project.
 
 
We were moved by the dedication of Victorian Manager Julie Armstrong and her team of volunteers. Without any State financial assistance, this year they have packed and delivered over 1,500 suitcases to government agencies across both metropolitan and regional areas.
 
 
Each suitcase is thoughtfully filled with age- and gender-appropriate gifts, including the items donated through our own project. Seeing the quality and abundance of these gifts firsthand was truly inspiring. They are sure to bring immeasurable comfort and joy to the vulnerable children who receiving them during this most stressful and frightening time in their lives.
 
This project was made possible through the generous support of a Rotary Foundation District Grant using District Designated Funds (District 9800).
 
Nadia Hamilton
2026 Camberwell Art Show
'BEST IN SHOW’ artist Greg Allen was all smiles at our Camberwell Art Show Gala opening when he was announced the 2026 Best in Show winner.
His work titled East Coast is a beautiful, framed watercolour. 
 
Greg (centre) is pictured with Art Show Chair Jonathan Oppy (left) and Nick Coker (right), CEO and Executive Director of Inner East Community Finance Ltd, which operates the local Bendigo Bank Community Bank branches in Surrey Hills, Canterbury, Balwyn and Ashburton. Bendigo Bank (Inner East Banks) are Gold Sponsors and have supported the Camberwell Art Show since 2017 for which we are very grateful. Please support them as they support the community.
 
The 2026 Camberwell Art Show concludes this Sunday 12 July at 5pm.  There's still time to enjoy a diverse range of over 1,000 quality paintings (and purchase) in the light filled atmosphere at our impressive new venue, Carey Baptist Grammar School, 349 Barkers Rd Kew. Plus, there are free leading Artist Demonstration Sessions at 11am and 2pm on Saturday & Sunday.
 
Visit our website for details of other winners. www.camberwellartshow.org.au
Rotary Camberwell Celebrates Sponsors of the Camberwell Art Show
On Wednesday, 3 June 2026, sponsors and Rotary Camberwell members gathered at The Tower Hotel in Hawthorn East for a spectacular evening for the Camberwell Art Show Sponsor Night.
This year marks 61 years of the Camberwell Art Show which will be held at Carey Baptist Grammar, Kew for the first time, from 4 July to 12 July 2026 with the Gala Opening on 3 July 2026. The club is most grateful for Carey’s support, and we look forward to a great venue.
With over 1,000 paintings entered this year alongside 10 demonstrating artists, the event remains a premier platform for Australian artists. To match this scale, a robust radio campaign is driving public awareness for the main show and the Gala night.
(L-R) President Vijay Susarla, Bernadette Luker, Executive Assistant – Finance and Operations, Carey Baptist Grammar School, and Robert Pattison.
The night was ably chaired by Camberwell Art Show Chair, Jon Oppy, who handed over to club sponsor lead, Robert Pattison to introduce each sponsor. Robert reminded everyone that while the club has a number of fundraising activities throughout the year, the Camberwell Art Show remains the single biggest initiative contributing significantly to our community work. Rotary Camberwell is most grateful for the support of all our sponsors, and each were invited to address the club. 
The Platinum sponsor is Bendigo Bank. Other sponsors included Le Pine Funerals, Alteris Financial Group, Davies Bakery, Travel Associates, Studio Craft, Quantum Education, and Melbourne Mortgage Centre.
We also acknowledge the support Exponet for their outstanding venue fit out service. 
(L-R) CEO Bendigo Community Bank Inner East Nick Coker, President Vijay Susarla, Anna Gration, Juliann Byron and Robert Pattison
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2026-2027 President's Message  
Daya Govender
 
Welcome to Rotary Camberwell  
The Camberwell Rotary Club has been proudly serving the community since 1956.
Our members willingly give their time and effort to serve our local, regional, national and international communities with range of programs. Members enjoy strong friendships whilst in the pursuit of these activities.
Our signature fund-raising events are the Camberwell Art Show, Hawthorn Makers Market, Camberwell Sunday Market and Bunnings Sausage Sizzles. The funding received enables our members to actively engage in identifying community needs and to respond to these needs with financial, in-kind and hands on support.
The 2026 -2027 Rotary International Presidential message:
"Create Lasting Impact"
This message emphasizes Rotary’s International Core Vision of empowering members to unite and to take action that yields sustainable, measurable and enduring improvements across the globe, in their local communities and within themselves.
Rotary Camberwell embodies the message of “Create Lasting Impact” by valuing diversity, peace, equity and inclusion and has a supportive and engaging environment for people of all backgrounds. So that “Together we will be Better than our Best.”
If you are looking to make a positive difference in the local or the global community, Rotary Camberwell welcomes your enquiry – simply call 0494 756 740 or click Contact Us 
Daya Govender
President 2026-2027
Meeting Information
Welcome to Camberwell Rotary
We meet In Person
Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m.
The Tower Hotel
686 Burwood Road
Hawthorn East, VIC 3123
Australia
We hold our weekly dinners at The Tower Hotel from 6 pm to 8 pm, or off-site for fellowship meetings. Visitors and guests are most welcome, simply click on an event in our Events Calendar to register & pay. Please give 36 hours notice.
Venue Map
The Hawthorn Makers Market (HMM) is a community event of the Rotary Camberwell Club since 1979. It is one of Melbourne’s best known makers markets. HMM is managed by Rotary Camberwell in partnership with the City of Boroondara. https://hawthornmakersmarket.org.au/
The Hawthorn Makers Market is committed to supporting local, independent artists and designers curating the best of Australian handcraft in one central marketplace. Stalls are set up both indoors and outdoors. All proceeds from HMM goes to Rotary Camberwell’s charitable work in the local and wider community.
The HMM monthly market is held at the beautifully restored Hawthorn Arts Centre, 360 Burwood Road, Hawthorn. It operates each Sunday of the month, March to December inclusive, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. HMM is proud to be family-friendly event.
Links
Upcoming Events
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Speakers
Julie Armstrong
Oct 21, 2026 6:00 PM
Hope in a Suitcase
Hope in a Suitcase.
Registered charity run entirely by volunteers packing carry on size suitcases full of brand new essential items for children entering out-of-home care.
Julie Armstrong 
Victorian Manager
(Volunteer)
 
Hope In a Suitcase Australia
Mobile: 0418 562 949

Facebook: @Hope.In.A.Suitcase.Victoria

 
Justin Kim
Nov 04, 2026 6:30 PM
MBTB
Gary Gleeson from Alteris Finance Group
Nov 11, 2026 6:00 PM
TBA
Lisa Nairn and Sam from Kieser
Dec 02, 2026 6:00 PM
TBA
View entire list...
Camberwell Sunday Market - Volunteer Roster
Click here to see the Roster for October 2026: CSM Signup List
The Camberwell Rotarian
 
The annual Camberwell Art Show (CAS) is a signature project of Rotary. This year we celebrate its 60th year since its inception in 1966 https://camberwellartshow.org.au/ Since then, CAS has raised over $3M to support local, national and international humanitarian projects.
The show is set up by the members of the Rotary Camberwell and volunteers including Swinburne students and others, spouses, family and friends. Beyond the artists’ prize money, all funds raised (as with all Rotary fundraising) goes to the club’s charities.
CAS relies on the generous support of sponsors including Swinburne University for providing a magnificent glass façade venue at its Technologies Centre with the benefit of Burwood Road frontage. Other long standing major sponsors are Bendigo Community Bank of Canterbury, Ashburton, Surrey Hills and Balwyn and City of Boroondara. Other sponsors are from many local businesses. Without their support, CAS would not be the success that it has been over many years. 
The Rotary Outreach Myeloma program - Tackling Myeloma in country communities “One nurse at a time”

It’s clearly unfair that people living with cancers in regional communities don’t live as long as their capital city counterparts.
 
ROMP (a signature program of the Rotary Club of Camberwell) brings Rotary Clubs together to make a positive difference for country families who are challenged by myeloma and many other cancers.

Like to know more? Please visit the story of ROMP by clicking here or visit the ROMP website at www.rompteam.net