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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General Meeting – Conochie Hall, 8 November 2023
Our guest speakers at the meeting of 8 November 2023 were from the Education CHANCES Foundation. We heard from the Founder, Helen Worladge OAM, Chair Nikko Riazi, and a Scholarship recipient Dior Meaney Liu. Helen who has been a board member since 2011, is well known to the club having been a guest speaker in the past. Nikko Riazi is a more recent board member and the newly appointed chair. She also is past recipient/ alumni of CHANCES instrumental in supporting her educational achievement. She graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce and a Diploma of languages from the University of Melbourne, has broad experience in financial services, government, and professional services dealing with both public and private sector clients and community organisations.
The Education CHANCES Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to students who live or study in Boroondara and are performing academically at standard or above whose families are experiencing financial hardship. Dior Meaney-Liu was awarded a CHANCES scholarship which allowed her to focus on her studies without the burden of financial stress. Following achieving an outstanding academic result in year 12, she recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science, with a major in Environmental Science at the University of Melbourne. This is one of the many remarkable achievements of recipients of the CHANCES scholarship.
Boroondara schools nominate students who are at risk and each case is assessed against CHANCDES well developed criteria. If successful, scholarships to the value of $1,650 for new students and $1,100 for renewal students are awarded to the school who coordinate payments to students for basic education needs such as textbooks, MYKI cards, computers, uniforms and extracurricular school activities including excursions, sport, music and/or art tuition. It’s incredible to believe that for around the cost of a café breakfast per week, this program transforms the lives of these young people.
Congratulations to Teresa Molella and her team for the successful Hawthorn Makers Market on Sunday 5 November, 2023. Blessed with beautiful weather, a primary school choir, a clown, children’s balloons, and a classical guitar performer all contributed to a fantastic vide. A substantial crowd attended and were not disappointed with the diverse range of artisan goodies for sale. With the final market for 2023 coinciding with the usual pre-Christmas offerings on Sunday 3 December, members and friends will join what is fast becoming a committed following of loyal patrons.
Next week Wednesday 15 November 2023, the guest speaker will be Don McQueen outlining the restored history of the Camberwell Primary School Bell Project. Don is a long-standing Rotarian who is now a member of the Rotary Nomad E-club. He is also highly talented and well known as a Bush Balladeer (for which he has received multiple awards). Although not the subject of his presentation, I hope he can be persuaded to recount one his bush poems. You never know…
Other reminders:
District Conference will be held in Bendigo 12 to 14 April 2024. Please register before 15 December 2023 to take advantage of the early bird offer.
The club’s fabulous Christmas celebration will be held on Tuesday 12 December. Please see details in the Bulletin and book as soon as possible.
We are looking forward to having President George de Souza back at the helm next week. It’s been my pleasure to replace him for the past few weeks and thank you to all members for your support – until next time, I will return to my allocated back seat.
Let’s work together, to take action to create hope in the world and in our local communities.
Have a great week in Rotary and see you all on 15th November.
What do you get when you call in the clowns, get a guest choral performance by local primary school youngsters plus (and most importantly), gather the support of 60+ skilled local artisans?
Right! A record number of patrons to the November 5 Hawthorn Makers Market.
‘Boppy the Clown’ put a smile on the face of our younger visitors with her storytelling, balloon twisting, bubbles etc.
Our choir was from Erasmus Primary School, Hawthorn who presented a selection of popular Christmas carols. They were great and had keyboard support.
So, the ‘Festive Season’ is on for young and old with terrific support from Market regulars plus first timers, many who responded to our prominent digital Variable Message Sign on the Burwood and Glenferrie Roads corner. We thank the City of Boroondara for their generous support.
And of course, the fantastic array of hand crafted gifts on offer from our talented stallholders. The Market had a real presence with stallholders inside as well as an increased number outside. So, we are counting the sleeps (or lack of) until our final Hawthorn Makers Market for 2023 on- SUNDAY 3RD DECEMBER from 10-3 at the Hawthorn Arts Centre. There’ll be Christmas gifts galore -so come along. You never know what you might discover.
I write as a visitor to your Club, not as a member of Education CHANCES, which I am not.
I have visited a number of Clubs in the past couple of months, and your Club was easily the most hospitable to visitors.
I can handle most clubs because I have been in Rotary for 12 years and Lions for ten before that, but the young ladies we brought along must have been impressed, for they were treated kindly and with respect.
And like schools, good clubs result from outstanding leadership, which you demonstrated beautifully.
Following a lot of behind the scenes work by Job Oppy and his Art Show Committee, dates have now been locked in for the 2024 Camberwell Art Show: Sat 22 - Sun 30 June at Swinburne University (ATC Building). The Gala Opening is on Friday 21st June.
Further details, artist entry arrangements etc will be announced shortly.
Studley Grounds 121 Studley Park Road Kew, VIC Australia 3101
Details:
Please joins us for the final meeting of the year on TUESDAY 12 December to celebrate the Festive Season. Price includes a lovely festive 2 course dinner, with entertainment by an international Music Ensemble. Early bookings are a must.
Have you ever wondered which Sunday you have been allocated to? Can't find the email from Alan?
Then look no further! This new widget has been added to both our website Home Page - it's at the bottom of the right-hand column, right under the 3 most recent Bulletins. And it will be in each Bulletin as well. Just click on the blue "CSM Signup List" link. It's that simple - try it!
Easy & affordable ways to reduce your energy bills (Electrify Boroondara)
Join us on Monday 13 November to hear home energy assessors Danielle King and Lucinda Flynn outline practical steps you can take to improve the energy efficiency of your home.
Register here to hear from these two outstanding energy efficiency experts and participate in a Q and A discussion.
With an incredible line-up of talented local students and artists, this is the local Christmas event to unite people across our community. What’s more, we’ll be sharing wonderful stories of hope, dignity and transformation from residents of Servants Community Housing, people who have escaped homelessness to find safe housing and loving community right here in Boroondara.
RYLA District 9800 - Committee chairperson expressions of interest
Jess Wheeler-Thomas is relinquishing her post as Chairperson of RYLA D9800. Below are details for any members interested in applying for the role:
After 3 years in the chairperson role I will be stepping down following the December program due to family commitments and am looking for someone who is interested in learning the role with a view to take over from me for the 2024 program. Click here to see role descriptions and here to express your interest or contact me via email (ryladistrict9800committee@gmail.com). Please share with others in your clubs who you think might be interested.
Deb and I invite you to join us at the District Conference in Bendigo.
This is a wonderful opportunity for Rotarians to get together in-person, and enjoy all things Rotary. What a brilliant way for Rotarians to network while hearing from guest speakers and experiencing all that Bendigo and the surrounding area has to offer.
Venue
Ulumbarra Theatre, 10 Gaol Rd, Bendigo
The Ulumbarra Theatre is a 953-seat theater in Bendigo, Victoria. It opened in 2015 and is located on the site of the Sandhurst Goal which closed in 2004.
Accommodation
A variety of accommodation options are available for all budgets.
A Showcase area will be available for the display of Rotary projects for the benefit of the conference attendees to enjoy.
Further information will be available shortly.
About Bendigo
From its grand historic buildings that sprouted up during the gold boom to its famous potteries and growing food scene, there is a lot to love about this regional city.
Experience the contrasts of Bendigo, a city with a vibrant arts hub and world-class food and wine scene, rich gold-rush history, grand architecture and magnificent gardens. Sample stunning contemporary cuisine in historic buildings. Admire modern art in venues new and old, and explore the city's fascinating history at museums, gardens and galleries. When exploring Bendigo, you're visiting the lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung People.
Deb and I invite you to join us at the District Conference in Bendigo. 
