We gather together on the lands of the traditional custodians, the Wurundjeri and Woi Wurrung people. We pay our respects to all of Melbourne’s First Peoples, to their ancestors and Elders, and to our shared future together.
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Boroondara Rotary Clubs and Boroondara meeting 21 August 2023
One of my Hopes, Goals and Aspirations for this year was for our club to re-Engage with the local community. However, to do that I felt we needed to work more closely with our local council to find out from council what the needs of the community are.
As a result, Adrian, Jo-Anne, and I met with our Mayor Cr Felicity Sinfield at the end of June and our Mayor committed to organising a meeting of all Clubs in the COB.
All Rotary clubs located in Boroondara, met with Felicity and COB representatives on Monday 21 August 2023. A total of 8 clubs were invited and 7 were in attendance with one apology being Chadstone East Malvern.
It was a productive meeting starting with an outline of each of the Boroondara Rotary club’s main projects and the challenges.
The following are the outcomes of the meeting:
A single point of contact at Council for any Rotary club emerging ideas, advice and guidance required. This will be Michelle Forster, but she will not replace established contacts already in place
Council will share all club and Council contact details to all
Some high-level community needs outlined include:
Mental health and wellbeing need of young and older groups particularly older men
New family arrivals from non-English backgrounds requiring support to access services
Council to share aggregated local population data detailing the diverse profile of Boroondara residents
Housing and homeless issues – the important role of Servants, the Boroondara Community Outreach Program, Men’s sheds and the Salvation army for housing and emergency meals
International students – support needs to integrate in the community including knowledge of where to purchase food. Council provides assistance with cooking classes and Foodbank for emergency food. International students also require mentoring programs, driving programs etc
Council to provide access to their volunteer portfolio including skilled volunteers. These are typically short term offers and do not necessarily lead to membership
Future involvement of clubs the proposed ‘Chatty Café’ Council initiative.
Council has focussed on the reinstatement of Kew RSL and Rotary clubs are requested to support the venue as a club facility
A proposed multi club Local Small Business Breakfast will be considered by Council
Clubs to provide a list of all their projects to determine collaboration potential and to provide COB with knowledge of the projects being undertaken
Council to advise of the possibility of using their communication channels to promote Rotary and its projects
Overall, a successful first up meeting with potential to progress discussion on a twice annual on-going basis with the next meeting in early 2024. Hopefully this will facilitate a “Rotary One Voice” approach for the COB.
We need ALL Camberwell Club members to participate in seeking a minimum of two candidates this year - do you know any young leaders in the 18/25-year bracket that would benefit from this outstanding leadership program?
RSL Peace Prize Award – Rotary Club of Wodonga West
On Monday 21st August Adrian Campbell attended the Rotary Club of Wodonga West’s celebration for achieving the RSL Peace Prize award for the Peace Bell they erected in Belvoir Park in 2022.
The Rotary Club of Camberwell made a small donation to the manufacture of the peace bell and Adrian also assisted the club in its submission to the RSL.
Pictured left to right are Matt Burke, Matt Burke, Vic State Pres RSL Robert Webster OAM, President Srinivas Rao and Greg Melick.
So, The Rotary Club of Camberwell and now Wodonga West are the only 2 Rotary Clubs in Australia to win this prestigious peace prize.
Come along for 2 hours and see how rewarding volunteering at RIMERN is. Family and friends welcome.
Over the last year Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Network has worked with 14 welfare housing agencies to furnish and equip 230 households - individuals and families - who have transitioned from rough living, couch surfing or moving on from endless temporary accommodation . Through RIMERN they now have a bed to sleep in, crockery and cookware to prepare meals with and furniture to sit at and on.
Donated goods and hard working Rotarians and volunteers made this possible but we need a bit more regular help. This working bee is an opportunity to see what is involved and whether you or someone you know would like to contribute a couple of hours fortnightly or monthly.
Our next club fellowship night is the Gala opening night of the Eltham Rotary Art Show.
A great opportunity to support the Eltham Rotary club’s major fundraiser, after their wonderful volunteering support they gave us with our recent Art Show
On behalf of Rotary Central Melbourne's Foundation Committee, I would like to invite you to the 31st Annual Paul Harris Breakfast.
This annual breakfast has been held since 1992 with all proceeds going to the Rotary Foundation.
This year we are joined by guest speaker Peter Hitchener OAM, who will be speaking on his career reporting the news.
Peter grew up near a small town in rural southeast Queensland and joined the Nine Network back in 1973. After stints at radio for 4BH Brisbane and the ABC, he joined the ranks as a news anchor for Nine News (1973) presenting the news alongside Brian Henderson and Sir Eric Pearce. He has been presenting the main weeknight bulletin since 1998 after succeeding Brian Naylor. He is always on the move, supporting a number of community organizations, playing golf and following the action of the St Kilda Football Club and Melbourne Storm. Peter was a Victorian Senior of the Year finalist in 2015 and awarded an Order of Australia Medal in 2017 "for services to the broadcast media and to the community".
DATE: Tuesday 21st November 2023
TIME: 7.15am for 7:30-9:00am
VENUE: The Savoy Hotel - Plaza Ballroom 630 Little Collins St Melbourne VIC 3000
To secure your place at this event, please use the following Humanitix link.