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.
******
Hoi An - Vietnam – Visit to Hearing and Beyond
On Tuesday 10th September Fulvia and I travelled to Hoi An to meet with Mai McCann who very proudly showed off her new school – Hearing and Beyond in Vietnam which was only occupied three weeks ago. In fact we are the very first visitors to the school. Mai says ‘what began as a distant dream quickly transformed into reality, even though the journey was far from easy’ as the fundraising process presented significant challenges.
Mai describes her school as beautiful, resilient, and waterproof and a "Forever School." The builder and architect poured their hearts into this project which is evident throughout the build and quality finishes. The builder even took it upon him self to renovate Mai’s accommodation which Mai described as a concrete box into a fully furnished one room apartment. He even bought her a new bed. Their commitment exceeded all expectations!
Since opening the new school Mai has been overwhelmed with requests from parents eager to enroll their children. However, to meet this growing demand, they urgently need to train more teachers—a critical need that requires funding beyond their current resources.
In November Mai will be traveling to Melbourne with her School Manager, Lien, with a mission close to their hearts. They hope to connect with social clubs, churches, and community groups to share their story, raise awareness, and, hopefully, secure additional donors to support their cause.
Mai will be a guest speak at our club on 13th November and will share her journey and the impactful work they are doing.
We were also given the opportunity to go to the Skills Center which the Camberwell Rotary Club helped Mai to build through funding we provided. Pictured on the right is Duc with a couple of his students. Duc is the wife of Lien who is Mai’s School Manager.
Whilst there we watched Duc instruct his students in cutting tubular steel and grinding and welding the components together which would ultimately become a table for Mai’s office (cheaper than buying one). Naturally I thought about the safety aspects – no boots, they will not wear them because it is too hot. They did have sunglasses on for welding, Great! But no hearing protection and I suggested they should wear some at which point Mai said ‘George they are Deaf’. OOPS!
A Container which houses the tools.
All in all a woonderful experience to see first hand what I have only heard about and what our Club has helped to build.
On a final note During Mai and Lien’s stay in Melbourne (5th - 19th November), they are seeking accommodation options. Airbnb has been explored but the costs are unexpectedly high. If any member knows anyone who might need a house sitter or has a vacant granny flat, please reach out to Mai who can be contacted at mai@hearingandbeyondinvietnam.org
They have their own transport and are flexible with staying in different locations.
See you all on Wednesday 18th September when we host Swinburne University scholarship recipients.
Let the Magic of Rotary continue to Create Hope in our Communities and the World!
Wednesday 18th September – Club Dinner Meeting – Swinburne University Scholarship Recipients
There will be 3 guests from Swinburne University:
1. Katherine Goldman, Associate Director (Philanthropy) Associate Director, Philanthropy Advancement, and
2. Two 2023 Rotary Camberwell Scholarship recipients: Samuel Ellis and Zachary Chu
The topic is to outline the benefits of the $20,000 scholarship as part of the provision of the Swinburne University venue for the Camberwell Art Show.
Wednesday 25th September – Offsite Fellowship Dinner – Venue to be advised
Here is another opportunity to just enjoy some fellowship and dine with your fellow members and their partners. These events have proved very successful, and this one should be no different
Wednesday 2nd October – Club visit by District Governor – Michael Lapina
DG Michael Lapina will no doubt update us on what is happening in the district, regionalisation and his plans for the 2024 / 2025 year.
Wednesday 9th October – Club Annual General Meeting
Keep an eye out for the Clubs Annual report and financials which will be circulated very shortly.
Just as I was going on duty before 7am-I admired a shiny tray of silver objects being set up by a stall holder who does not come to this market often. On the tray, sat a pair of Sterling Silver earrings engraved with intricate patterns, just like the ones I was wearing. Both she and her daughter commented and I mentioned that mine were a gift from my parents on my 18th birthday.
A time later, I was collecting the gold entry coins as a gentleman approached, asking me where did I get my earrings. I explained that I had been wearing them for over 55 years and I treasured them.
He then told me he had been the maker of these earrings, saying that in the 60’s they were sold in Melbourne and Sydney, where I grew up. Not believing him, he showed me an old business card and asked me to have a look at the back of the earring and read what I see. Sure enough, “Sterling” and his surname was engraved on the back!
I then took him to see the tray of silver jewellery and other pieces set up by the stall holder. There he saw the other set of the identical earrings to mine. He bought them! And agreed to have his photo taken with me. A very private and happy man.
What an amazing coincidence life threw up that day!
I recently received an email from Pramod Parikh, a Past District Governor, DRFC and District Trainer (R.I. District 3132). He writes:
Warm Rotary Greetings. Hope this message finds you well. With great joy and gratitude, I am pleased to share that my son, Pratik Parikh, has recently completed his Master of Marketing (Sports Management) degree from La Trobe University, Australia. He is currently living in Melbourne and actively seeking employment opportunities in Marketing and Sports Management.
We would be immensely grateful if you could provide any potential job leads or networking opportunities for Pratik. Your assistance in this matter would be highly appreciated.
Additionally, if you permit, he would be delighted to attend any upcoming Rotary meetings or events. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Warm regards,
PDG. Pramod Parikh R.I. Dist. 3132
I have been in touch with Pratik and let him know that I will circulate this information internally. If anyone can help in any way, please let me know.
CCA have been successful in receiving a grant to take a volunteer team into the Shepparton area to help flood impacted households and now we are trying to round up more volunteers.
Project dates: 1-7 Oct 2024
Accommodation in Tatura Park Showgrounds - camping or some indoor areas you can lay a swag down. WC, showers, kitchen and meeting room are all there.
Meals should all be provided - except breakfast.
No specific skills required
Chatting with the impacted folk is very important - after this amount of time after the flooding events it is typically the most vulnerable who still need support.
Members can talk with Chris Knight Project Leader directly - 0421991898 - cjhk2468@gmail.com
As you all know, volunteering at the Camberwell Sunday Market is an important part of our fundraising, as well as showing support to our Cluster Club the Rotary Club of Balwyn.
We have recently received communication from RC Balwyn outlining a 30% reduction in the gate takings over the last two years. Their report acknowledges that many of the reasons are outside their or our control (eg cost of living increases, cultural issues, younger age of patrons), the one thing we can influence is our engagement while greeting the Market patrons.
So in Balwyn Rotary's communication: The Market Committee requests that all volunteers be more engaging in welcoming patrons to the market and seeking a donation. We are not asking for aggression, be more engaging which encourages patrons to contribute.
Please keep this in mind during your next and subsequent Market Roster sessions.
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!
Murray Anderson
CAMBERWELL SUNDAY MARKET ROSTER
RC CAMBERWELL
CSM ROSTER ALLOCATIONS
September 2024
Date
0650-1000
0950-1300
1st Sept
Lindy Anderson/Murry Anderson
Sally Lombard/ Pierre Kriegler
8th Sept
Kemi Shobawale/ Nav Muniratna
Amadini Perera/ Joe Yeh
15th Sept
Patrick Docherty/ Brenda Innes
Tim Landsberg/Geoff McCormick
22nd September
Glenda Davies/ Rob Davies
Geoff Heath/ Fabienne Nichola
29th September
David Troon/ Yvonne Wills
Nadia Hamilton/ Andrew Hunter
R U OK?
‘R U OK? Day on Thursday September 12 is our National Day of Action, we encourage you to Ask R U OK? Any Day of the year because a conversation could change a life’.
It is happening again, and it would be wonderful if you would like to be involved. We would love to have you.
You can register as an individual or form your own Team. Get ready to start walking in October. You do not need to be in Melbourne to do this as you can participate in your own area.
The flyer below provides the details but if you would like more information please contact me.
This is vital fundraising to help to eradicate polio from the world.
Garden DesignFest 2024 is occurring again on 16 and 17 November 2024.
Please follow our social media and share with your friends and family to help support our Rotary charities the principle one for this event being Impact for Women.
Garden photos and descriptions continue to be added the website with the specific addresses.
Bookings will be open via the website from September 1 for Weekend passes. You will also be able to purchase tickets to individual gardens as well as partake in Bus Tours of our wonderful gardens and Bus Tour details will be available soon.
As you all know, volunteering at the Camberwell Sunday Market is an important part of our fundraising, as well as showing support to our Cluster Club the Rotary Club of Balwyn.
2_1.png)
