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
As you would all be aware the physical preparations for the 60th Camberwell Art Show kicked in on Monday 23rd June and it has been all hands on deck since then.
We got off to a great start with many paintings being hung by Wednesday evening at which time we had a break and some refreshments.
Thursday and Friday involved finishing touch ups and painting relocations in preparation for the Gala Event on Friday Evening.
The Art Show Gala Event was an enormous success with over 350 people attending. It was great to see more sponsors than normal and also many more paying club members attending on the night. Apart from our invited speakers the MP for Hawthorn – John Pesutto and MP for Kew - Jess Wilson also attended.
David Taylor, no stranger to the Camberwell Art Show took out the BEST IN SHOW prize with his watercolour Shades of Evening, Weymouth Harbour
The judges were particularly impressed by the artist's unique style, which lends the piece a strong and original voice. The anonymity of the subjects does not detract from the emotional resonance - in fact, it enhances the universality of their experience, allowing viewers to project themselves into the moment of listening. The composition is both intriguing and effective, drawing the eye through the scene in a thoughtful way. The use of shadow is especially noteworthy, adding depth and atmosphere that enriches the storytelling of the work.
All other winners can be viewed at https://camberwellartshow.org.au/online-gallery/
As I stated in my speech on the gala night The Rotary International Presidential message for 2025 -2026 is "Unite for Good". This message emphasizes Rotary's role in fostering unity and bringing people together to create positive change through collaboration and service
This Art Show is a splendid example of collaboration between our club members, Friends, Sponsors, Swinburne University, Local Artists, Judges, Volunteers, The City of Boroondara, and the local community. So therefore, from me a big thank you to:
Our Art Show Chair – Jon Oppy and Project Manager Alan Lorenzini
Our Art Show Committee who began the work many months ago
Our Club Members
External volunteers
The Artists who partner with our club
The Hawthorns Arts Centre (COB)
Our Sponsors
Sales of Paintings as at close of business on Sunday 29th June is $182,000
This is my last Presidential press so from next week you should hear from President Vijay Susarla.
I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on the 9thJuly at our Changeover event which will be held at the Amora Hotel, Richmond.
Our ongoing project through Sue Gray has delivered another water well to a remote Cambodian village in Kon Tum. There are now ten wells in total providing filtered drinking water to villages of between 2000 & 4500 people at each site. Camberwell Rotary has been the supporter of a large percentage of these wells: Kon Jodreh Well 2015; Kon Hongo Kotu Well 2016; Kon Toneh Well 2017; Kon Hodram 2018; Kon Trang Kola 2019; Dak Rochat Well 2020; Kon Trang Kep Well 2021; Kon Donang Well 2023; and last year's well at the Plei Rolong village completed in late 2024. We can now add the Nan Ha village to the list.
Nan Ha Hamlet is a small village located 40km north east of Kon Tum City in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Over 2200 people reside in the hamlet with a mixture of Ethnic Minority, from the Xodra tribe & Vietnamese people. The tribal people of Vietnam’s Central Highland are some of the poorest in Vietnam. The majority of villagers live a subsistence existence, mostly producing rice on which to survive. Other crops such as manioc, bananas, vegetables & coffee are commonly grown, harvested & when possible sold or traded with neighbors.
Most houses in Minority villages do not have a water supply. Access to clean water is an ongoing problem for people in this region. Chemicals from farms drain into rivers, there is minimal sewerage infrastructure, animals wade in rivers & villagers’ wash themselves, clothes & cooking implements in rivers. An alternative water source might be from a hand dug village well, which is a short term solution to the lack of water. Water can be purchased but is not affordable to those with such a low, if any, income. Disease is common & with only basic medical facilities available, is easily spread. Medical treatment for health issues & pharmaceuticals requires payment & transport to major towns, so many rely on village elders without medical training & herbal remedies.
To provide clean potable water to such a community improves health outcomes & hence provides opportunities we consider part of a normal life. Being healthy & free of disease allows people to work, providing food & safety for their families. If there is an opportunity to sell produce, parents can afford to pay for their children to attend government schools & obtain an education with the potential to improve the life of the entire family.
Sue Gray has worked with her local Project Managers Mr John to deliver the well. This well was more expensive than previous wells as the well needed to be bored through a rock layer. The project has been successfully completed on budget by Mr John and the village now has access to clean water. Our thanks go to Mr John and Sue for their hard work in completing our latest project.
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.
Murray Anderson
ClubRunner Corner
CAMBERWELL SUNDAY MARKET ROSTER
RC CAMBERWELL
CSM ROSTER ALLOCATIONS
July 2025
Date
0650-1000
0950-1300
6th July
Gary Goldsmith/Louie Yuan
Geoff McCormick/ George de Souza
13th July
David Chu/Jessica Wat
Clement Fisk/ Margaret Fisk
20th July
Michael Blood/Yvonne Wills
Vijay Susarla/ Daya Govender
27th July
Brenda Innes/Robert Pattison
Amadini Perera/Sally Lombard
District 9800 Changeover
If any members are interested in attending District Changeover, please make a booking and advise the President. We can organise a table or two so we can all sit together.
