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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Last week’s meeting was very busy with a large number of guests, two inductions and a great guest speaker. Attendees included three prospective members who have previously attended meetings, Susan Breen-Clarke, Viviane Chemali and Sandy Chappell. The guest speaker was Rory Hughes, a past Rylarian (Rotary Youth Leadership Award - RYLA) as well as a past RYLA leader. Rory provided an outstanding overview of the leadership program. He is a prime example of the positive impact of the of RYLA. Rory was first introduced to our club after being selected as a member of the ANZAC Centenary ‘Seed of Peace’ project, culminating in a visit to Gallipoli 8 years ago. Since then, he has taken up a number of Rotary related opportunities and has matured into a phenomenal person from the many experiences.
Rory was supported by the attendance of Brett Phillips and daughter Georgia both of whom are well connected with RYLA and other youth leadership programs.
Don Jago’s guest was Mi’a McCann who is the principal of a school for deaf children in Hoi An, Vietnam. The ‘Hearing and Beyond’ school she founded many years ago. Our club has provided assistance in various ways including supporting the Skill Training Centre which provides vocational training to the school’s students to transition to meaningful employment. Thank you Mi’a for your inspiration and commitment assisting deaf children in Vietnam.
Boroondara Councillor Di Gillies and partner Robert Nethercote supported the induction of Mayor Councillor Felicity Sinfield as an honorary member. It is a long-standing practice of the club to induct each Boroondara Mayor, symbolic of our ongoing relationship and collaboration in activities in our local community. While at the Club, Councillor Mayor Felicity Sinfield was notified that a news item covering an interview earlier in the day was about to air on Channel 9 news. This is currently being covered in the recent Boroondara Bulletin headed ‘Meet our new weed eaters’. The Boroondara initiative involves releasing 11 South African Boer goats to manage woody weeds and exotic grasses over native grasses to provide a sustainable alternative to brush cutting and herbicides in Koonung Creek Reserve, Balwyn North.
The news item did not overshadow the mayor’s induction ceremony followed by Mayor Councillor Felicity Sinfield gratifying words of thanks for the club’s contribution to the welfare of disadvantaged members of our local community.
Our second inductee was Rick Westcott supported by his wife Edith Wescott. Rick has transferred from the Rotary Club of Melbourne after moving to the local neighbourhood. Both Rick and Edith are ‘born and bred’ in Camberwell. Given they both have long-standing friendships with a number of our members, the transition to the club and the neighbourhood will be very smooth. Rick offers valuable IT skills and sound experience in community projects with DIK (Donations in Kind). We look forward to his membership with us.
Past District Governor, Don Jago made a significant announcement on the night. The Rotary Outreach Myeloma Program (ROMP) Committee, through the leadership of Peter Allen has secured a 3 year sponsorship for the ROMP Program. The sponsor is ICON https://www.iconcancerfoundation.org.au whose main goal is summarised below:
‘We support patient programs and clinician-initiated trials that focus on the needs of cancer patients across Australia to improve cancer treatments for people now and in the future.’
ICON has committed by way of an MOU, to provide the club with funding of $50,000 per annum for 3 years to support and apply to the ROMP nursing scholarship project for the financial years 1 July 2023 until 30 June 2026. This has been unanimously approved by the Board. It is a significant moment in securing the advancement of the ROMP Program. Congratulations to the all members of the ROMP Committee.
An Eastside Cluster meeting will be held at Green Acres on Thursday 13 April 2023 with guest speaker Past District Governor Julie Mason. This will replace the normal club meeting on Wednesday 12 April 2023. Early bookings will be much appreciated as Green Acres wishes to plan for the night prior to the Easter break. Booking details are outlined in this Bulletin.
Thank you to Jeevan Vasimalla, Nick Pane and Kieran Healy for assisting at the Camberwell Sunday Market on 2 April.
The monthly Hawthorn Makers Market will be held on Sunday 2 April. Please provide your support by assisting or attending the market.
Kristina Nicol will be presenting her ‘Member behind the Badge’ next week, Wednesday 5 April March. Kristina was inducted at our last Christmas celebration. She met a number of spouses and partners on the night and wishes to extend a specific invitation for them to attend. As a member of only a few months, your support would be greatly appreciated.
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.
Thank you Maria Weichers, Michael Blood, Tim Landsberg, Michael Mullins, Jim & Trish O’Hara, Kristina Nicol, Patty Laufenberg, Alan & Andrea Lorenzini, Greg Watson, Patrick Docherty, Paul Casha, Joe Yeh, Geoff McCormick and Nadia Hamilton for raising $2,042.00 at the Camberwell Sunday Market in March, bringing the total income this year in our Charity Account from the market to $18,712.30.
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!
