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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Thank you, Past President Patrick, for filling in for me while I’m a short break. Great to hear Dr Kasey Symons’ perspective on committee through sports in the context of the substantial representation of our club’s footy tragics. While away, it was time to reflect back on the club meeting. We are very fortunate to have such a strong, vibrant club. Looking in from afar, the club meeting went very smoothly. This is due to the work of a team of committed members who every week, play their part to make the night a success. This is mirrored at so many activities of the club.
District 9800 recently released membership numbers as at 30 June 2022 of 1,943, falling below 2,000 for the first time in living memory. This is a disturbing trend that’s unlikely to be reversed in the short term with a few clubs facing the prospect of handing back their Charter in the next few years. The average club size in this district has currently fallen to 29 members. This is a contrast to what we’re experiencing at our club. However, membership growth is key to our club’s longevity and the very reason it is a priority. There is merit in addressing membership growth well before it becomes critical.
You will have received details of the club’s membership strategy and its success relies on all members doing their part. This is vital to secure the club’s future. The Bulletin will promote ongoing membership growth messages to reinforce the importance of club growth.
Thank you to the following members for assisting at the Camberwell Sunday market last week:
Michael Mullins,
Jo-Anne Tamlyn,
Trish and Jim O’Hara
September is an exciting time on Melbourne’s sporting calendar as the AFL’s final series draws to a close and we head to the Grand Final. To celebrate, next week the Fellowship Committee will host a Club Fellowship Grand Final Preview. It promises to be a fun meeting.
On 5 September 2022, Balwyn Rotary Club celebrated its 50th anniversary with a lovely dinner at the Kooyong Tennis Club. Highlights included a presentation from two founding members, great entertainment and a congratulatory letter from RI President Jennifer Jones.
Above is a selection of some of the members who attended. Other members not pictured include Yvonne Wills, Teresa Molella, Patty Laufenberg and Fabienne Nichola.
You may be interested to know that the Camberwell Rotary Club in its 16th year, founded the Balwyn Rotary Club. Balwyn Rotary Club is one of the district’s success stories and went on to sponsor two other clubs since then. Incidentally Camberwell RC also founded Lilydale RC and Ashburton RC (no longer exists).
Another week doing the updates for the students at our secondary schools and Kaloleni primary. So lovely to hear “Mama Kerry” around the community.. they haven’t forgotten this mzungu...
John Walmsley and Justine Paragreen are heading to Timor Leste on the 30th September, for a week long visit as part of the Rotary Timor Consortium.
You would all be aware both John Walmsley and Justine Paragreen are about to embark on an aid visit to Timor Leste. They originally requested donations of notepads, pencils etc for donations to children/schools. At last week's meeting it was decided that financial contributions from members would better serve their assistance/cost aims. Any small financial donation would be greatly appreciated. Please bring along your contribution to this week's meeting for collection. Thanks to all those who have to date generously contributed.
Please join us for an exclusive complimentary event at Menzies Malvern. Enjoy a wine and cheese afternoon with Industry experts - Viviana Ulupna & Ian Robertson from Meribel Fine Foods!
DATE: Tuesday 27 September 2022, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm
ADDRESS: Menzies Malvern - 1306 High Street Malvern
You're Invited | Celebrating Seniors Festival at Classic Residences
You are invited to an exclusive complimentary event with special guest Dominic Alafaci, founder of Collins House and regular contributor on 3AW Financial Planning & Investment Matters, since 1999.
Enjoy complimentary morning tea, spaces are limited.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of Australia’s most respected, independent financial advisors. Bookings are essential, spaces are limited!
Last week we woke to the wonderful news that super volunteer Ros has won the fabulous Westfield Local Heroes Award.
Ros is such a wonderful stalwart of the project, no one could be more deserving of this recognition, & when her picture in her RIMERN vest takes it’s permanent place on the shopping centre wall it will be another Rotary logo on display showing that we are indeed ‘people of action’ in our community.
For the 15 months the RIMERN team have been collecting donations of furniture, appliances and homewares. They have relied on Phil Young using his business truck, Budget van hires and volunteers with big boots or 4WD vehicles!
This win will mean they can buy a second hand van, respond more quickly to offers of great goods, collect more and thus assist your clients more as orders are growing like the need for support.
If you voted for Ros, thank you, we are so grateful for every vote and for everyone who now knows a little more about this multi-club Rotary project.
Our members who assisted at the Camberwell Sunday Markets in August earned $2,112.17 for our Charity Account. A big thank you to Patrick Docherty, Alan Lorenzini, Geoff Heath, Fabienne Nichola, Paul Casha, Justine Paragreen, George De Souza, Michelle Critchley, Brenda Innes, Maria Wiechers, Patty Laufenberg, Yvonne Wills, Gary Goldsmith and Nick Pane.
