Rotary Melbourne Lunch 5 Nov

Rotary Melbourne Weekly Club Meeting - 5 November 2025

'Growing Futures in East Timor'

A Rotary-led campaign for lasting livelihoods, stronger communities, and a healthier planet.

Details 12.30 for 12.50 - 2.00pm at No35 Sofitel Melbourne & by ZOOM

Venue No35 Sofitel Melbourne

🌏 Guest Speakers – Expert Project Panel: Growing Futures

• Amy Stevenson, CEO, xpand Foundation

• Bob Glindemann OAM, Recipient of Rotary International Service Above Self Award for his work in Timor-Leste

• Peter Chou, Data Scientist, Monash University & xpand Foundation

• Moderator Past President Adrian Nelson

At this meeting, we’ll be introduced more fully to the Club’s newest international, economic, and environmentally empowering project — Growing Futures in Timor-Leste.

This inspiring Rotary-led initiative partners with Rai Matak’s 50-year plan to plant 10 million trees across Timor-Leste - generating certified carbon income for farming families, restoring deforested land, and building sustainable rural livelihoods. It’s a practical, scalable model that turns climate action into lasting community benefit.

Our expert project panel will share what the project involves, how it’s funded, and the complex Rotary Foundation Global Grant process - following the model of our Centenary Project Give Every Child a Future.

Why attend:

• Learn how Rotary is driving measurable impact in Timor-Leste through reforestation and community development.

• Hear directly from project partners and experts shaping this important international initiative.

• Discover how your club and district can help grow this ambitious, life-changing project.

Join us to celebrate the launch of Growing Futures in Timor-Leste - and be part of Rotary’s next great story of global impact.

A lunch of interesting conversations and information.