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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Two weeks ago, Justine Paragreen and past club member Vijay Susarla (John Walmsley was an apology) outlined the vital work of the multi club WASH Project over the past nearly three years. The presentation was prompted after a recent visit by Justine and John to review the construction of school and community toilets and securing access to clean water in a remote area of Timor Leste. One of our members Yvonne Wills, was so moved by the impact on the project on the lives of these communities on the night, that she made a personal donation to cover the cost of the construction of another toilet. On behalf of the club, a big thank you to Yvonne for her generosity. She follows a long line of members who in the past have also made private donations to various projects. We are very proud of and so grateful for your financial contributions.
Our guest speaker last week enlightened us with his most informative presentation on electric vehicles (EV) within the context of the historical take up of the world’s adaption from horse and cart to motor car. The take up of EVs has been accelerated by Climate change, the limited supply of fossil fuel and its instability due to geopolitical issues, the increased cost of importing fuel and the adverse impact of air pollution from motor cars resulting in around 11,000 deaths per annum. Norway leads the world with over 90% take up of EVs. Keith went on to explain the simplicity of an EV’s design due to doing away with a number of components of the complex engine of fossil fuel-based cars internal combustion engine including the starter motor, gearing, drive shaft, clutch, alternator and the cooling system. In contrast the ‘under the bonnet’ view of an EV is mainly a large battery and a relatively small electric motor. As a consequence, EVs require little or no maintenance. He also covered the perceived challenge of the rate of electricity energy consumption and means by which to charge its battery. Although the presentation was insightful, it seems to me that given the transition to EVs is taking place in our lifetime at an increasing rate around the world and recounting the ins and outs of EVs may soon feel like talking about introduction of the Internet.
We also were provided with an update of the Youth and Vocation Committee by Maria Wiechers and Michael Blood. Thank you to the Committee members for their contribution. Our committees are the engine room of the club and your ongoing support is much appreciated.
It was a busy weekend with the Hawthorn Makers Market and the Myeloma 38Mate Walk on Sunday 5 March. Maria Wiechers, Michael Blood, Tim Landsberg and Michael Mullins assisted at the Camberwell Market at the same time. Thank you for your support.
Two reminders of upcoming events are – Camp Getaway on the weekend 17 March and on 22 March, our normal club meeting will be transformed into a food packing night. This is a great hands-on activity not to be missed. The For a Meal project is led by the Canterbury Rotary Club and last year distributed 150,000 meals for communities impacted by natural disaster in SE Asia, the Pacific Islands and Ukraine through the ADF.
This week, the guest speaker will be Andrew Lovitt, a past exchange student the club sponsored to upstate New York in 1965/66. Common feedback from exchange students is how it was a life changing experience. Reminiscing the event is always entertaining specially when coupled within the recent historic context of the mid 60’s. I hope you can join us.
Club Members Raise Important Funds for the RCH Good Friday Appeal
On Wednesday 1 March 2023, the Victoria Racing Club's held a Long Lunch for
VRC members and guests on the Members Lawn. The lunch saw over $5,500 raised
for The Royal Children's Hospital's Good Friday Appeal through a raffle. A
few members and their partners from the Camberwell Rotary Club attended from
left to right - Gary Goldsmith, Adrienne Sartori, Alan and Andrea
Lorenzini, Jon and Denise Oppy.
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Kon Tum Well
Sue Gray provided two pictures from 'Mr John' - Sue’s good friend and project manager.
One of the photos is the latest well completed in Kon Tum, Vietnam, sponsored by Camberwell Rotary.
The other photo is a typical house in the same village. Most houses consist of only one or two rooms, often with dirt floors.
The well is providing clean water to over 1,000 villagers.
Sue Gray extends her thanks for Camberwell Rotary's ongoing support for her projects in Vietnam.
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CAMBERWELL SUNDAY MARKET ROSTER - MARCH
Thank you Brett Campbell, Kristina Nicol, Nadia Hamilton, Nav Muniratna, Yvonne Wills, Michelle Critchley, Andy Chappell, Justine Paragreen, Ian Browne (Justine’s Dad), Jeevan Vasimalla, Murray Anderson, David Troon, Nick Pane, Kieran Healy and George de Souza for raising $2,339.59 at the Sunday Markets during February (bringing the total income from the markets this year for the Club’s Charity Account to $16,670.30).
You're invited to commemorate a successful Rotary International Convention Melbourne 2023 with Rotary International President Jennifer Jones and Lord Mayor Sally Capp, City of Melbourne, at Rotary Gala Dinner on Thursday 1 June 2023 at the prestigious Plaza Ballroom, Melbourne.
Join over 500 other Rotarians and valued guests in celebrating with dinner and drinks at one of Melbourne's most iconic venues, serenaded by the legendary Jack Jones.
Don't miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to celebrate!
District 9800 is offering everyone who donates to The Rotary Foundation Annual Fund the chance to secure one of five registrations to Rotary International Convention 2023 Melbourne.
For every AU$20 you donate to The Rotary Foundation Annual Fund from 28 February to 27 March 2023, you will receive one chance - donate AU$100, get 5 chances.
Take action
Simply
Donate to The Rotary Foundation from 28 February to 27 March 2023
This year ahead of RICON, ESRAG has organised an Environment Action Summit on Thursday, 25 May. This is to be held in the CBD and will feature leading environmental keynote speakers including Professor David Karoly, an internationally recognised expert on climate change and climate variability and Patrick McCafferty, Managing Director of Yarra Valley Water and Chair of the Thriving Communities Partnership. The Summit will also showcase a number of outstanding Rotary environmental projects.
Delegates will be invited to meet in breakout groups to develop practical ideas for Rotary club and district environmental projects. These ideas for projects will be collated into environmental action guides and made available to Rotary clubs and districts worldwide. The summit is not just for overseas delegates to RICON, as we live nearby all Melbourne Rotarians can attend.
Come and learn and share some of the innovative projects of your club and district with other delegates.
Rotary Peace Fellows use their training to amplify their work at the local, regional, or global level. Clubs and districts can partner with them on peacebuilding initiatives before, during, and after their fellowships.
But we need your help finding candidates. Rotary and Rotaract members can get involved by:
Taking the All About the Rotary Peace Fellowship course to learn about the qualification criteria, eligibility restrictions, the application process, and more
Forwarding the fellowship announcement to your contacts and including it in club and district communications
Using our referral form to tell us about potential candidates so we can contact them
Sharing a PowerPoint presentation about the fellowships with your club members and community
Candidates have until 15 May to submit applications to The Rotary Foundation.
Melbourne Celtic Festival | 17th March 2023
This great day of music, from 1pm to 10pm is happening on 17 March at the Seafarers Mission in Docklands, and Rotarian, Sue Foley's band, Bhan Tre, is performing at 9pm.
The event raises money for Rotary Mental health programs through Australian Rotary Health and Foundation.
If you just can’t get there you may still like to get some raffle tickets or just make a donation to this very worthy cause.
If you have any questions please call Sue on 0418 557 751
Hope to see you there and please share with your friends and family!