FAQ's

Rotary is a worldwide organisation of neighbours, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers that provides humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations, and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. Approximately 1.2 million Rotarians belong to more than 32,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas.

Rotarians worldwide are inspired by the Rotary theme of “Service Above Self” and are guided by reference to ‘The Four-Way Test’. In particular, ‘The Four-Way Test’ challenges Rotarians, in everything they do, to ask of themselves: “Of the things we think say or do:

1. Is it the TRUTH?

2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?

3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?"

Rotarians are neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who take an active role in their communities while greatly enriching their personal and professional lives. A Rotary club contains a diverse group of "People with a Purpose" from the community that the club serves.

We welcome new members of all ages and from diverse cultures.

Membership in a Rotary club offers a number of benefits, including:

• Effecting change within the community.

• Developing leadership skills.

• Gaining an understanding of — and having an impact on — international humanitarian issues.

• Developing relationships with community and business leaders.

Rotary members believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues. Over 46,000+ clubs work together to:

• Promote peace

• Fight disease

• Provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene

• Save mothers and children

• Support education

• Grow local economies

• Protect the environment

The Rotary Club of Bendigo is one of the oldest Rotary Clubs in Australia having been established in 1925 and is one of the largest regional clubs.

A wealth of experience is available to any undertaking with the members bringing lived experiences, varied skill sets, business acumen, industry experience and a commitment of purpose to every project the club is involved in.

Fellowship is a major part of the club community and members enjoy regular vocational visits to local businesses and social outings to local venues. Rotarians take every opportunity to enjoy meetings with themes based on major events of the season and host a variety of guest speakers.

The Rotary Club of Bendigo has assisted many local organisations such as:

• Bendigo Community Health

• Uniting Care Outreach Services

• Lifeline

• Headspace

• Your Womens Shed

• Bendigo Writers Festival

• Bendigo Youth Choir

• Imagination Library

• Live for Lily Foundation

• Make a Wish

• Fun Flights

• Usher Kids Australia

• etc.

We have supported and encouraged our youth to participate in Youth Programmes such as Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), Rotary Youth Program for Enrichment (RYPEN) and Secondary Schools scholarship program to assist with their education.

Our club has also enjoyed supporting international communities in Nepal, Samoa, Timor Leste and other countries building schools, providing fresh sources of water......

New members are encouraged to come along to a few of our weekly meetings to meet some of our members, see how we operate and get to know us better.

During this time, we will ensure that you are provided with information about Rotary International and the Rotary Club of Bendigo – this will assist you in deciding ‘if Rotary is for you’.

Membership of Rotary is by invitation and if, after a period of four to five visits if you wish to join the Club, your will be welcome to fill out an application to join the club.

Members are encouraged to attend meetings on a regular basis. Attendance and fellowship at the weekly meetings is an important part of the fabric of the Club and provides the ‘glue’ that keeps us active in the community and successful with our service projects.

We do, however, recognise that members have commitments other than Rotary and therefore do not insist on attendance at every meeting.

Member are also welcome to 'Visit' other club meetings, anywhere in the world, and this makes for some interesting stopovers whilst travelling.