We gather together on the lands of the traditional custodians, the Wurundjeri 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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Presidential Press
Our guest speakers were Georgia Bennie and Jasmine Stapleton (along with the gorgeous support dog Cora) who gave us an interesting presentation on what Dogs For Life (DFL) is about. DFL is focused on working with specifically trained dogs within mutually defined programs, to assist people to achieve predefined therapeutic goals and to create a lasting partnership that aims to improve quality of life, enhance independence and facilitate increased participation in society.
DFL through the Department of Veterans Affairs provides eligible veterans (PTSD) with a trained psychiatric assistance dog tailored to perform tasks to meet their individual clinical recovery needs at no cost. DFL also provides dogs for Service, Autism Service, Alzheimer Aid, Seizure Alert, Aged Care Facility and Education Facility.
Georgia (pictured below) is an AHPRA registered provisional psychologist with a prior military background handling working dogs. She advises and assists in the operation of DFL Therapy Programs and Animal-Assisted Empowerment Programs. Georgia is passionate in
empowering all participants and has a special interest in working with trauma and service
populations. Jasmine has a bachelors degree, Zoology / Animal behaviour and is the Team Lead Manager responsible for training the dogs.
There were many questions from our members and it was great to see two people aptly trained and putting their training and skills to good use in the right organisation.
Anzac Day Friday 25 March 2025
Anzac Day is a time to remember all Australians who made the ultimate sacrifice in military service for Australia. The following are details of some of the Dawn Services in Boroondara:
Kew RSL – 63 Cotham Rd, Kew. 5:30 am for a 6 am dawn service followed by gunfire breakfast.
Camberwell RSL- Camberwell Pompey Elliott RSL – 403 Camberwell Rd, Camberwell Dawn Service commences at 6:00 am followed by light refreshment.
Hawthorn RSL – 5:30 am for a 5:45 an Dawn Service at St James Park, 1 Wood Street, Hawthorn
Surrey Gardens – 5:30 am for a 5:45 an Dawn Service at The Shrine in Surrey Gardens, Surrey Hills. Hosted by the Surrey Hills and Mont Albert Progress Association, the Rotary Club of Mont Albert & Surrey Hills, and the Surrey Hills Historical Society.
Looking forward to seeing you back at Conochie Hall on 23rd April when our Guest Speaker will be Margaret Chipperfield, and her Topic will be “No Buts”.
Let the Magic of Rotary continue to Create Hope in our Communities and the World!
Starting time 9am for 9.30am - Finishes at 1pm - including a break for morning tea.
DGE Peter looks forward to seeing you, and your team, as he will also be sharing his vision for the year and the World President's message.
Also, a great opportunity for your team to network work with their counterparts in other clubs.
The opening session will include DGE Peter, Membership and Governance. Followed by individual breakouts for President Elect, Treasurer, Secretary, Youth, Foundation and Club Service.
Thursday 8th May – Our Club will celebrate with North Balwyn their 45 Year Anniversary at the Green Acres Golf Club, East Kew. Greg Ross tells me that there will be fantastic entertainment.
By now you would have received a number of Signup Confirmation emails from Alan Lorenzini. Alan has allocated you to these Shifts based on your previous availability and workload.
It's important you record these Volunteer Shifts in your diary/calendar, and if you use a digital calendar, you can click on the "event-details-ics" file at the bottom of the email - this will put the shift straight into your digital diary.
But would you like to see a list of all your Shifts in one place? Of course you would, and it's easily done:
Go to our Club website. Make sure you are logged in
Click on "Member's Services" on the Home Page Menu Line, and select "My ClubRunner"
Select the "Commitments" option, and there are all your Volunteer Tasks listed:
So you now can check and make sure all your Shifts are in your Calendar, either manual or digital. Remember the Art Show does not function efficiently if people do not attend for their allocated Shifts.
Help Rotary support flood victims in western Queensland
Dear Rotarian,
Following record-breaking rainfall, Western Queensland is being inundated by the worst floods to hit the region in fifty years, with more rain forecast for the next few days.
Hundreds of residents have been forced to evacuate, thousands of homes are at risk and farmers are losing substantial amounts of stock, significantly impacting their families and livelihoods.
The full scale of this situation is still unfolding, but it is expected to be severe.
Districts 9620 and 9560 are working together to support impacted communities. They have already appointed a disaster coordinator, conducted an initial needs assessment, and contacted state and local government authorities to collaborate. Addressing mental health issues will likely become a key focus of their efforts following the disaster.
How you can help
There are two ways you can support these efforts and be sure that the funds will help directly:
Donate to the District 9560 Disaster Fund Account (NO tax deductibility, therefore suitable for club and district donations, for immediate funding availability) - BSB 633000 and Account Number 186414595
and/or
Donate to the Rotary Foundation Disaster Response Fund (WITH tax deductibility in Australia, therefore suitable for individuals, in support of the Disaster Response Grant application that is being prepared by the districts) - DONATE HERE
Thank you kindly for your consideration.
Yours in Rotary,
Andrew Gillespie & Sue Mulraney
District Governors
Rotary International Districts 9560 & 9620
30 April 2025: Last day for registration Register early to take advantage of discounted rates.
VALUE – Why you should go:
Conference Registration and all events separately priced for all budgets (club members generally attend both the Friday night cocktail event and the Saturday night gala event).
An investment in you and your club.
Establish relationships.
Networking across Districts.
Sharing of tools to achieve impactful community outcomes.
Enjoy the club’s ‘On to Conference’ tour – details to be advised separately
Registration costs
Standard cost - Attendance for 2-day summit program: $250pp
Friday night cocktail function: $55pp (not included in summit program above)
Saturday Gala evening: $95pp (not included in summit program above)
Sunday Foundation Breakfast: $45pp (not included in summit program above)
Attached is the news for this first quarter, another very busy few months.
Container loading is ongoing with Ukraine and Timor Leste loaded this month, the Solomon Islands waiting and numerous local project collections happening daily.
Help is desperately needed in the clothing aisle following the retirement of Robyn and Gary.
Books and stationery are also needing help as Pam is away. Rosie and Barry will be retiring soon and there has been a huge donation of pens, pencils, textas and pencil cases thanks to Nia and Jo at Richmond and the generous girls at Melbourne Girls College.
Remember, the free fabric offer is now available - new, wrapped rolls of cotton/cotton polyester mix fabrics of different weights. Curtains/bags/Days for Girls/sewing projects.
Contact Colleen.
DiK needs your help to continue the amazing work.
Could you volunteer on a Tuesday or Thursday?
Bring a couple of club members and have fun while doing good?
Join the container load team?
Please remember to share this newsletter with your colleagues, family and friends.
