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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There has been a flurry of activities over the past week. A group of members headed off to Camp Getaway in Axedale on Friday 17 March to Sunday 19 March. As part of tradition, Friday night was spent at the Axedale Tavern for a hearty country meal. The Heathcote red wine is still as good as the last time we were there nearly three years ago. Under the professional guidance of Andy Spry and his trusty work colleague, Garry the team completed reflooring a large toilet/shower block and transformed a non-descript water tank into a magnificent children’s train. As with previous working bees, the work outcome was commendable and just as importantly, the fellowship was memorable. Thank you to Andy and Garry for providing their expertise. Thank you also to Gary Goldsmith, Chair of Community Service for coordinating the event. Special mention to Yvonne Wills and Nadia Hamilton who amongst painting tasks also contributed to kitchen duties. We thoroughly enjoyed the spoils.
Onto the next club activity, more than 40 people attended the FORaMEAL packing night last Wednesday night. The combined efforts resulted in packing 14,000 food sachets for distribution to needy communities. It was great to see members’ family and friends join us to assist. We also enjoyed a diverse range of food provided by the attendees. Overall, an enjoyable night and a great outcome. Thank you to all who attended.
The Boroondara Council run Volunteer Expo was held on the afternoon of Wednesday 23 March. This event was well attended by mainly local residents wishing to volunteer. There was a wide representation from community groups seeking volunteers. It was a noisy, energetic afternoon with a number of the public interacting with our club representatives. Thank you to Murray Anderson for coordinating the event. Thank you also to all those who gave up their time to support him.
Thank you to Paul Casha, Joe Yeh, Geoff McCormick and Nadia Hamilton for assisting at the Camberwell Sunday Market on 26 March.
The Rotary Clubs of Glenferrie, Hawthorn and Camberwell will welcome Rotarians worldwide in Melbourne to attend the Rotary International Convention 2023 Hosting Night which will be held on Monday 29 May (in lieu of the normal club meeting of Wednesday 31 May).
This special combined club meeting will celebrate and share Melbourne's rich cultural and sporting heritage against the background of the Kooyong story. It will also be a great opportunity for members to interact with overseas Rotarians.
The Honourable Josh Frydenberg, Former Treasurer of Australia will be the guest speaker and MC will be the Honourable Ted Baillieu AO, Former Premier of Victoria.
Next week Wednesday 29 March will be a busy night. There will be two member inductions and an interesting guest speaker, Rory Hughes. Rory was sponsored by our club in 2018 to take part in the District 9800 Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA), a week-long immersive leadership program for 18- to 25-year-olds. He returns to our club to outline his involvement in various Rotary activities. This is fine example of how our club provides young people with opportunities for personal development and its impact on their life path. It should be an inspirational presentation.
The Rotary clubs of Glenferrie, Hawthorn and Camberwell will welcome Rotarians from all over the world, in Melbourne to attend the Rotary International Convention 2023. Featuring as guest speaker a notable past Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club Champion, and a program celebrating Marvellous Melbourne, this will be a night to savour, and to Imagine Rotary.
The Boroondara Volunteer Expo was held last week at the Hawthorn Arts Centre. We were there in force promoting volunteer opportunities for the upcoming 2023 Camberwell Art Show, the monthly Hawthorn Makers Market and the Camberwell Sunday Market. The Expo aims to help the community understand more about the many opportunities that volunteering provides and support for local community service organisations. Like Rotary. Helping out here (see pic) were President Fabienne Nichola, Murray Anderson and Don Jago. It was a productive day!
This is a call out for assistance to all our Rotarians across our District.
As you know, five months ago, our Victorian regions were subjected to huge flooding and many communities have been impacted, causing people to be displaced, businesses to suffer and community assets to be impacted.
The town of Rochester was particularly impacted and is now ready for us to provide assistance so it’s time to head over there, roll up our sleeves and do some serious volunteering.
While many people are still not able to return to their homes, continuing to live in caravans or with family and friends, the rains have created much growth in the gardens and this is where they are requesting assistance. You don’t need to have green thumbs to help – just a willingness to spend a few hours tidying up the gardens, lawns, community spaces mowing lawns, whipper snippering, weeding and general garden pruning. The last thing we need is overgrowth, particularly during hot weather times.
So, please share this volunteering opportunity within your clubs and organize a team of members to volunteer for a day or even a weekend to do a Working Bee. This is an ongoing volunteering opportunity as it will take many months to clear the grounds. Consider doing an overnight stay – the motel will open up again after Easter, or you could stay in Echuca -Moama which is about half an hour’s drive from Rochester. An overnight stay or weekender will do so much to assist the local economy which has been affected due to the floods.
Please let’s work together. This is what being a Rotarian is all about - bring your garden tools and help our communities in Rochester. Any tools such as mowers, whipper snippers, rakes, wheelbarrows etc will be very welcome so please pack these with you.
To arrange a working bee opportunity please connect with Rotary Club of Rochester President, Heather Watson. Heather is excited to chat with you and coordinate a visit, discuss what needs to be done, where you could stay, eat and provide help to local communities.
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.
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ESRAG Environment Action Summit
Pre-Convention May 25 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.
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!
