Victoria
Members and guests are all invited to attend VIC Branch events
Victoria Branch including Regional Group Events 2026
Frankston Mornington Peninsula Regional GroupVictoria Branch
Friday 28 August 5.45pm collect tickets at the National Gallery water wall for 6pm entry. Booking is for the Exhibition and Lecture $90.00 incl GST. Ticket bookings https://www.trybooking.com/DNSPQ
For the first time, two of Melbourne’s most distinguished institutions come together for an evening unlike any other – a private lecture and viewing of CARTIER at the National Gallery of Victoria, presented in partnership with London’s Victoria and Albert Museum.
Featuring nearly 400 jewels, watches and precious objects spanning more than a century of royal courts, Hollywood and high society, this is the largest Cartier exhibition ever presented in Australia. The House was famously hailed by King Edward VII as “the jeweller of kings and the king of jewellers.”
Discover more than 30 spectacular tiaras alongside extraordinary creations worn by Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, Princess Margaret and Rihanna — almost all on Australian soil for the very first time.
Among the exhibition’s highlights are jewels once worn by Melbourne’s own Dame Nellie Melba. Appearing at Melbourne Town Hall in 1902, she was, in the words of NGV Senior Curator of International Exhibitions Miranda Wallace, “studded with Cartier jewels… almost lit up. More than a century later, those dazzling creations return to the city where Melba captivated audiences, making this an extraordinary moment in Melbourne’s cultural history.
NGV Director Tony Ellwood AM describes the exhibition as “other-worldly,” bringing together “the finest craftsmanship in the world, alongside some of the most famous people in the world.
Bookings close 21 August (if not sold out before)
Tuesday 22 September 5.30pm Twilight Online event Speaker Prof Alan Finkel AC – Australia’s 8th Chief Scientist from 2016 – 2020
AI is a powerful tool that can serve humanity. However, like cars, medicines and electricity, along with the benefits comes a spectrum of risks. One of the risks is that AI is developing wilfulness, that combined with its super intelligence can result in dangerous behaviour, such as the recent self-initiated attacks by AI agents on innocent companies. This is a threat to human safety, on a global scale. Another risk is that AI can be prompted to produce books, songs and videos that are then presented without disclosure as if they were created by humans. That is a threat to the essence of being human. Alan will share his thoughts about 1) how to implement guardrails that will prevent AIs from behaving to our detriment, and 2) how to use voluntary certification marks to empower consumers to choose between human-made and AI-generated creative works.
Bookings https://www.trybooking.com/DOGKC close 19 September (if not sold out before)
Thursday 26 November 6pm Victoria Branch End of Year Dinner at the Stamford Plaza Hotel 111 Little Collins Street Melbourne
Speaker William Lye OAM KC, National Chair, Order of Australia Association Limited.
Cost $80.00 (incl GST) two-course dinner; beverages at bar prices.
Honours recipients, honouring the system and its traditions
William Lye OAM KC is the Chair of the Order of Australia Association. Following being honoured in 2017, William has served as National Director of the Order of Australia Association (OAA) and was this year elected to be the new National Chair of the OAA.
Inherent in William’s DNA is being solutions-driven with a range of initiatives in the pipeline to enhance this 50-year-old tradition of honouring Australians who go beyond to achieve in all that they do, with community at the forefront.
An oft-cited mantra of William’s is: ‘They can’t be what they can’t see’, referring to the importance of promoting the ideals and values of citizenship with the focus on the need for the next generation of young Australians needing our input.
William will excite us about what lies ahead for the Association, and he will lead us into our own reflections as to why each of us received an honour thereby inciting the need for why we should all be looking out for someone we can nominate.
Aiming to increase the numbers of women and multicultural nominees, William reminds us that each of our own awards marks not an end point but the start of a continuing journey. Therein lies the secret to honouring the system: it honours our contribution when we balance our social responsibility, ethical behaviours, and attunement to community needs, while holding respect for our culturally and socially diverse communities.
You will also have the opportunity to hear from an OAA Foundation Scholarship recipient regarding their journey after receiving their scholarship.
Bookings https://www.trybooking.com/DOBFB
2027 Paul Wheelton AM Inspiring Australian Oration and Vic Branch AGM
Friday 12 March 2027
Victorian Regional Groups Events
Eastern Suburbs Regional Group
Tuesday, 18th August Webinar Topic: Changing Lives and Transforming Futures at 7:30 pm (for one hour)
Registration: https://www.trybooking.com/DNWGS (or click the poster below)
We will hear from Janette Etherington, Coordinator for Rotary Engagement with Interplast Australia and New Zealand about some of the remarkable work being done by this organisation. Interplast provides free reconstructive surgery and allied health care in developing countries across the Pacific and Asia, and creates sustainable change by training and mentoring in-country clinicians.
Interplast programs focus on building local capacity through training, mentoring, and strengthening health systems so that communities can access care that transforms lives. In Australia and New Zealand, we often take it for granted that if we ever need medical care, we will be treated quickly and effectively by highly qualified doctors, nurses, surgeons and other specialists. But right next door in the Asia Pacific region, a lack of resources combined with limited training means people with repairable conditions are often not treated fast enough or well enough – if they are treated at all.
Janette Etherington has absolute passion for the work that Interplast does, and the difference it makes to so many peoples’ lives. She has been a Rotarian for 12 years and is a Past President of the Rotary Club of Nunawading. In Janette’s previous work lives she has held a number of senior management positions in retail, bookselling and the apprenticeship sector, working in both commercial and not-for-profit sectors.
Tuesday 22 September 11 am Tour and Lunch at Alepat Taylor bottling plan62 Albert Street, Preston. What began as a wine and spirits distribution company in 1892 has evolved to include wholesale Distribution, Export, wine production, drinks manufacturing and bottling under the Alepat Taylor banner. Our group will be privileged to have a tour of the plant, which continues the family culture of working with leading Australian and imported brands. The family connection to the motherland has provided a distinct Italian flavour to their imports and shaped the wholesale portfolio which includes both wines and spirits
The visit will be followed by lunch (at your own cost) at the family-owned Olympic Hotel across the road from the plant.
All members of the OAA, as well as friends and family members, are welcome. However, there are only 20 places available, so early booking will be necessary.
Reply to Alan at [email protected] Final date for registration: 12th September
Tuesday 17 November Webinar
Tuesday 24 November Event with lunch
Barwon Regional Group
Thursday August 20 2pm at the Eastern Hub, McKillop Street, East Geelong Primary Schools Awards.
North Central Suburbs Regional Group
Reception and lunch for 2026 Honours recipients. – Sunday 23rd August commencing at 12 Noon at the Montmorency RSL Club. Members and guests are able to order their own meal and drinks from the menu and pay individually. This event will include a welcome and acknowledgement of both Australia Day and Kings Birthday Honours recipients. Bookings are essential and can be made with Irene Harrington OAM at: [email protected]
Spring Seasonal Lunch – Wednesday 23rd September commencing at 11:45 am at the Sycamore Tree café. Members and guests are able to order their own meal and drinks from the menu and pay individually. Bookings are essential and can be made with Irene Harrington OAM at: [email protected]
Informal Lunch – Tuesday 13 October commencing at 12 Noon at the Ringwood Club. Members and guests are able to order their own meal and drinks from the menu and pay individually. Bookings are essential and can be made with Irene Harrington OAM at: [email protected]
Please note for all events members are welcome to bring a partner/guest.
Regular ZOOM sessions with guest speakers.
Loddon Campaspe Regional Group
Friday 11th September at 11.00am – informal gathering at The Wren cafe in Echuca. We would be delighted if some of our NSW members could join us. Our group has decided to have morning coffee catchups across our vast area that extends from Swan Hill to Gisborne to try and engage more Members without significant cost or travel. This will be the third village coffee morning for the year.
Gippsland Regional Group
Sunday 13th September Spring Luncheon at the Leongatha RSL guest speaker Ms Chelsea Allen. Chelsea has an OAA Foundation Scholarship
Friday 23 October The Annual Sir Frank Macfarlane Burnet Oration and dinner – Traralgon
North East and Goulburn Valley Regional Group
Sunday 11th October, 2026 at the McGuires function room at the Sherborne Terrace Hotel, Wyndham Street, Shepparton. Guest speaker to be announced. The venue is easily accessible with lots of parking available. Also, the Sherborne Terrace Hotel has offered all our luncheon guests a 10 percent discount off their accommodation if they wish to stay overnight.
Please note: The committee has chosen the luncheon date and location to coincide with the Archibald Prize exhibition which will be held at SAM (Shepparton Arts Museum), 530 Wyndham Street, Shepparton from 5th September to 1st November. Open 7 days a week.
Central Highlands Wimmera Regional Group
Sunday 18 October Luncheon at the Horsham RSL.
South Central Suburbs Regional Group
End of Year Dinner Thursday 12 November The Bridge Hotel, Mordialloc Guest Speaker: Colin Neave AM ‘Reflections on an Ombudsman’s Career’
Events still to be added for the following Regional Groups for 2026
Frankston Mornington Peninsula Regional Group
Melbourne Central Regional Group
South West Regional Group
Western Suburbs Regional Group
2027 Regional Group AGM
Sunday 14 February 2.00 pm at the Leopold Sportsmans Club, Kensington Rd, Leopold – Barwon
Sunday 21 February – Ararat RSL – 12.30 Lunch followed by AGM 1.30 pm. – Central Highlands Wimmera
Sunday 21 February Pelican Point Williamstown – Western Suburbs
Friday 26 February – Bendigo – Loddon Campaspe
Wednesday 10 March 11am 185 Burgundy Street Heidelberg with lunch to follow at the Sycamore Tree – North Central Suburbs
Thursday 11 March 10am Blackburn Lake Sanctuary Visitor Centre – Eastern Suburbs
Sunday 14 March 2pm Traralgon – Gippsland