Welcome to the Rotary Club of Camberwell

Are you a person who wants to make positive changes in your community, regional Australia and the world? Our club members are fun, dedicated people who share a passion for community service and friendship. Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group of friendly people who share your drive to give back.
Club News
Rotary Consortium Timor WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) Project - November 2024 update
 
The Timor Rotary Consortium (TRC) is a multi-club project for remote schools and communities in Timor Leste. A total of three Volunteers from RI District 9800 visited Baguia Sub-district, Viqueque and Soibada Districts in Timor Leste from 2 to 9 November, 2024, as part of the current Global Grant.   
The focus of the Team was to:
  • ‘Hands on work’ to build a 3 cubicle Toilet Block for a Primary school in Loiholihoo.
  • Inspect Toilet blocks and Water Tanks that have been provided to the schools and communities in the Baguia region.
  • Meeting with Timor Varde, a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP sponsored NGO) with whom we signed a MoU in 2023.
Financial management and acquittals with Ms Leopoldina our Project Coordinator in Timor Leste.
The following Volunteers travelled from Melbourne:
Dominic Peverett – non-Rotarian
Justine Paragreen – Past Rotarian
Vijay Susarla – RC Caroline Springs (Team Leader)
 
We arrived in Dili on Saturday 2 November 2024 at about 4 pm when a tropical storm set in.  We had a meeting with Judite Martinez and Mario (both Past Presidents of Rotary Dili) in the evening and discussed recent developments regarding Water and Sanitation in Timor Leste and thanked them for their support of the Timor Rotary Consortium since its inception and of our Global Grant over many years. Unfortunately, Dr Vahideh, who is President of Rotary Dili, couldn't join us that evening due to her absence on international travel.
In mid-2023 we had purchased a total of ten 5,500 litre Water Tanks from East Timor Roofing company based in Baucau, and these had been delivered to different schools and communities locally. The Water Tank stands for these were constructed by locals and were ready for use, except for the Tanks delivered to an Orphanage in Baguia and the Batata community in Viqueque District. Whilst in Dili we purchased polypipe and plumbing items from Vinod Patel Hardware on Monday, before setting off to Bacau and Baguia by about 11 am. 
 
We visited a Toilet block built recently by RC Sydney Cove as part of Timor Rotary Consortium at Laveteri Primary School and Samalari Primary School and checked the condition of the Toilet and Water Tanks, before arriving in Baguia about 6.00 pm. 
 
Next day we journeyed for 3 hours in our hired 4-wheel drive vehicle to Loiholihoo Primary School, along with Ms Leopoldina to spend 2 days working ‘hands-on' building a three-cubicle Toilet.
 
This three-cubicle Toilet Block was sponsored by Yvonne Wills (member of RC Camberwell) and an associated Water Tank was donated by the RC Monash Glen Waverley as part of their contribution to the Global Grant.
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The School of St Jude - Tanzania
In October 2024, Rotary Camberwell proudly sponsored a ‘Tertiary School Scholarship’ to Beyond St Jude, which will provide 100% of a student’s expenses for a full year such as the cost of tuition, exams fees, accommodation, learning resources and living expenses.
The picture above is of the 2024 Beyond St Jude’s graduating class. 
 
‘At 22 years old Gemma Sisia travelled to Uganda to volunteer as a teacher, where she taught girls science and sewing. This experience led to a fervent belief that a free, high-quality education should be the right of all children in the world and that education is the strongest weapon in the fight against poverty, corruption and political instability.’ (Extract from https://www.schoolofstjude.org)
 
Following Gemma’s return to her native Australia, her fundraising campaign would start her investment in the education of East Africa’s poorest children. Along with the gift of a small plot of land in Arusha, Tanzania, Gemma began to build The School of St Jude which opened in 2002. The school has grown exponentially and today has nearly 2,000 students and 300 Tanzanian staff across 3 campuses.
 
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Canterbury Girls Secondary College Education Scholarship
In readiness for the past school year, Rotary Camberwell provided an education scholarship to a worthy student through a District Grant at Canterbury Girls Secondary College. 
 
Here is an extract of thanks from the anonymous scholarship recipient: “I would like to thank you so much for the scholarship you have given me. In addition to buying the textbooks and stationery I have required; the scholarship has enabled me to buy an Android tablet and a notebook computer. I'm currently in Year 11 studying Algorithmics and Applied Computing: Software Development. The nature of these subjects required the technology your scholarship has provided, so thank you very much.”
 
It is gratifying to know Rotary Camberwell is making a difference to the life of a student at our local school who comes from a disadvantaged family. Thanks to the work of the club’s Youth Committee.
New Member - Louie Yuan
Louie Yuan became the newest member of Rotary Camberwell on 6 November 2024. His wife Kary and business partners Kenny Wong and Andy Li attended his induction. Louie holds a Bachelor of Commerce specializing in marketing and is currently a Partner and Business Development Manager in a Camberwell based business, Absolute Business Solution (ABS). ABS is a family-owned business that has been providing accounting, bookkeeping, taxation and SMSF advisory to businesses for over 11 years. Prior to this, Louie worked at the Bank of Melbourne and ANZ.
 
Louie has a firm belief in community service and has local involvement in a number of sponsorships and coordinating professional networking events. 
 
His values are strongly aligned with Rotary’s and his contribution to the club will be much valued.
Bert Stevens Apprentice Scholarships – Box Hill Institute
Since 2005, the Bert Stevens Apprentice Scholarships have been awarded by Rotary Camberwell at the Box Hill Institute.
 
The scholarship is named after a revered foundation past member Bert Stevens, himself a former apprentice. This year’s scholarship presentation on 13 November 2024 was at a dinner at Box Hill’s Institute Fountain restaurant.
 
Michael Blood, Deputy Chair of the Youth and Vocation Committee presented the scholarships.
 
The successful apprentices awarded the two scholarships are Joe Pignataro (Certificate III Carpentry) and Jessica Watson (Certificate III Floristry). Congratulations to both recipients.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre - Hoi An, Vietnam
On 13 November 2024, the club’s guest speakers were Mai McCann and Liên Don Thi Nhu who provided an overview of the Hearing and Beyond Educational Centre in Hoi An, Vietnam. Founded by Mai McCann, it is the only educational facility for deaf and hard of hearing children in the vicinity of the city of over 100,000. Without education, these children are not able to communicate, become socially isolated with limited prospects for community acceptance, work and a future.
 
There is no government support, the Centre started from 2 part-time students in 2008 to 29 current full-time students who have learnt to read and write with some receiving speech and sign language to communicate in the hearing world. To broaden the school’s offering, Mai has developed a Skills Centre. Here the children will learn vocational skills training from locally based and occasional overseas skilled volunteers. The deaf and hard of hearing students now have the opportunity of hands-on learning which enhances their chances of meaningful employment.
 
Rotary Camberwell has been a long standing supporter of the Hearing and Beyond Centre and is a proud sponsor the Skills Centre.
President's Message

George de Souza

member photo

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Camberwell.

The Camberwell Rotary Club has been proudly serving the community since 1956.
Our members are all volunteers who willingly give their time and effort to serve our locality, municipality and internationally with a 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.
 
That’s what being a Rotarian is all about.  It is at the core of our Club’s purpose which is to be of service to others, to take action to create positive change and to promote understanding, goodwill and peace in our community.
 
Camberwell Rotary values diversity, equity and inclusion and has a supportive environment for people of all backgrounds. If you are looking to make a positive difference in the community, the Camberwell Rotary Club welcomes your enquiry – simply click the Contact Us button.
 
George de Souza, President 2024-2025
Member since 2016
Meeting Information
Welcome to Camberwell Rotary
We meet In Person
Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m.
Canterbury Centre, Conochie Hall
2 Rochester Road
Canterbury, VIC 3126
Australia
We hold our weekly Dinner Meetings at Conochie Centre from 6 pm to 8 pm. We also meet at other interesting locations, please check Upcoming Events list. Visitors and guests are most welcome and are invited to register by the Tuesday beforehand.
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
Adrian & Mandy Campbell
Jan 22, 2025 6:00 PM
Road Trip

Adrian & Mandy will share their awesome Adelaide to Darwin trip highlights

Marnie Higgs
Jan 29, 2025 6:00 PM
Country Needs People
Amadini Perera
Feb 05, 2025 6:00 PM
Member Behind the Badge
Graham Ross
Feb 19, 2025 6:00 PM
The Gardiners Creek Catchment....just how important is it?
View entire list...
Camberwell Sunday Market - Volunteer Roster
Click here to see the Roster for December 2024: CSM Signup List
The Camberwell Rotarian
 
The annual Camberwell Art Show (CAS) is a signature project of Rotary Camberwell. See the Camberwell Art Show Gala Night 2024. CAS was first held in 1966 https://camberwellartshow.org.au/ Since its inception, 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, 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
The Rotary Outreach Myeloma Program (ROMP), began in 2019 as a special program to mark the Centenary of Rotary in Australia in 2021. Camberwell Rotary Club joined with Myeloma Australia, the only myeloma specific charity in Australia, to build awareness of myeloma and Rotary Club support for myeloma patients and their families living in regional and remote Victorian communities. Today ROMP is supported by up to twenty regional Rotary Clubs across five Rotary Districts and a growing list of cancer treatment centres.
ROMP’s focus is to provide regional nursing scholarships. The scholarship is offered to select registered nurses employed in rural and regional cancer centres or clinics in Victoria to complete a Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing at Melbourne University. The scholarship is funded by participating Rotary clubs, their communities and sponsors. With growing support, the ROMP vision for several more scholarships seem very achievable.
 
What is Myeloma?
Myeloma, also called Multiple Myeloma, is a type of blood cancer that affects the inside of the bone marrow. It attacks the immune system causing fatigue and can lead to frequent infections.  Only half of all people diagnosed with myeloma survive beyond five years. There is no cure for myeloma. ‘We are tackling myeloma - and all cancers - in regional Victoria, one Rotary Club and one nurse at a time.' For more information see the Myeloma Australia website https://myeloma.org.au/