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.
Our last meeting’s guest speaker was Rowan McClean from the Rotary Club of North Balwyn. A Rotarian of 23 years, he held many club and district positions including Club President in 2026/7. Rowan has a long list of project achievements as well many distinguished roles both locally and overseas including Australian First Secretary Commercial, in Jakarta and as a service industries consultant for the United Nations (WTO) in Pakistan, China, The Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam.
A recurring theme of Rowan’s accomplishments is his passion and efforts in leading community projects for the most disadvantaged. His current project was the subject of his address ‘Afghan Refugee Assistance’. The project provides much needed household items for recently arrived Afghans fleeing the recent turmoil in their home country. Working closely with existing community leaders, Rowan is making a tangible difference to the lives of these traumatised families seeking peaceful resettlement. Some of the challenges he faces is limited human resources, transport costs and maintaining donated supplies. Members (and their network) are encouraged to donate clothing and other household goods particularly warm jumpers, jackets and bedding. Please contact Rowan if you can assist.
Despite last week’s stimulating presentation, attendance was disappointingly low. This has been an ongoing concern for over 12 months excluding lockdown periods. Rotary no longer has compulsory attendance of all meetings but members are expected to comply with membership requirements. Our Constitution states:
‘A member must…. attend or make up at least 50 percent of regular club meetings… engage in club projects, events, and other activities for at least 12 hours in each half of the year; or achieve a proportionate combination of both...’
Although many members have legitimate reasons for not attending meetings, an email was sent to members highlighting the implications should low attendance persists including:
- additional cost to the club to meet the catering shortfall due to not meeting minimum numbers
- limited ability for external caterers or offsite fellowship events
- it becomes challenging to attract quality speakers
- it threatens the viability of retaining our current venue
- new members have limited opportunity to build friendships and learn about Rotary
- It diminishes our membership value
Please support your club by attending whenever possible.
Thank you to the following members who volunteered at the Camberwell Market as well as the Hawthorn Makers Market last Sunday: Patrick Docherty, Alan Lorenzini, Geoff Heath, Brenda Innes, Sandy and Andy Chappell, Anne Murphy, Michelle Critchley, Teresa Molella, David Baker, Yvonne Wills, Graeme Hope, Patty Laufenberg, Steve Clarke, John and Win De Carro, and Michael Blood.
Reminders:
- Meal costs will increase to $35 from next week, 17 August
- Please book your attendance for Rotary Club of Balwyn - 50th Anniversary Celebration. Bookings close 22/8. See details below and support the club who enables us to share the Camberwell Sunday market weekly proceeds
- Please register for the Melbourne Rotary International Conference (RICON) 2023 if you haven’t already done so
Next week’s guest speakers are past District Governor Peter Frueh and past District Assistant Governor for our Cluster, Casey Tan. These two committed Rotarians have given endless hours of their time to assist with the proposed Rotary Regional Structure. Members will be asked to vote for its acceptance in due course and this is a great opportunity to understand the new structure from its authors. Please support their hard work and learn about what our proposed future regional structure by attending.
Look forward to seeing you then.