I recently spent an unforgettable week volunteering in Timor-Leste with Rotary’s Water & Sanitation Project (WASH). This was my second visit, and it was clear that while progress had been made, many challenges remain. The communities we visited lack running water and electricity; daily tasks such as bathing and collecting water require significant effort, with one water tank sometimes serving over 200 people.Our main goal was to inspect water tanks and toilets previously installed by Rotary, and test water quality for safety. All samples were clean. Residents expressed appreciation for the improvements but highlighted ongoing needs for more tanks and pipes. Over the week, we travelled through difficult terrain to reach 10 remote villages, where we were warmly received, often with songs and local food.
We led WASH training for students, focusing on handwashing, and I helped teach English at St Joseph’s School, where students were enthusiastic about learning. Special thanks go to Mana Leo, Principal of St Joseph’s, whose leadership is vital to these projects.
We also attended a ‘WithOneSeed’ meeting, which supports local farmers in reforestation efforts, providing economic benefits by paying each tree managed. During our trip, the first rain in months arrived, this was seen as a positive sign by locals and helped fill the tanks.
Being off grid allowed me to disconnect from daily life and connect deeply with the community and environment. Volunteering with Rotary was challenging as well as rewarding, and I’m grateful to be involved in projects making a real difference.
Grace Docherty, November 2025
The Rotary Camberwell Community Service Committee recently launched an initiative to provide funding for 20 Buddy Bags, to be distributed to children entering foster care, through the Alanna and Madeline Foundation.
Buddy Bags are backpacks filled with items such as a teddy bear for comfort, new pyjamas, a book, socks and underwear. For children in challenging situations, receiving a backpack filled with new belongings can provide reassurance that they are valued and cared for. Many of these children have never had anything brand new to call their own. Buddy Bags offers both practical essentials and a sense of comfort.
Rotary Camberwell’s Vice President (right) attended the Bendigo Community Bank Inner East Community Investment Program Presentation Evening held in October 2025.
Gabe Hau, District 9800 Peacebuilding Committee Chair was the guest speaker last week. His presentation centered around “Peace as a universal concept” stating that we all want peace, even if our definition of peace may differ. Rotary projects have directly or indirectly helped build peace within the communities in which they have been delivered. Some examples of peace projects include School Peace Essay competitions (Rotary Wyndham Harbour), erecting Peace Poles, participating in the Rotary Peace Fellowship Program, Youth Exchange, and many others.
It operates under the conviction of giving “a hand-up, not a hand-out” to bright students from economically challenged rural families. 
Zoe Renfrey (members Murray and Lindy Anderson's granddaughter) and Ethan Cohen graduated from the Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) Program late last year, were guest speakers at the club a couple of weeks ago.
In their joint presentation they outlined the life changing benefits they experienced, recalling valuable insights from varied activities and inspirational speakers. They concluded the lessons learnt continue to have an impact in their lives.
They expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity of participating in RYLA. Their achievement in personal development underpinned by self-awareness, identifying one’s leadership style and self-reflection, had the potential to be transformational.
Hawthorn East, VIC 3123
Australia