Stories

During the week we have said goodbye to Daylight Saving, enjoyed the Easter celebrations, possibly eaten too much chocolate, and seen COVID vaccinations get underway against a long run of zero new infections. As a bonus the weather has been beautiful and unseasonably warm, it's a great time to be in Melbourne.

 

We had a very enjoyable Weekly Meeting last night, it was great to see some faces we haven't seen for a while, we had three members join us on Zoom, it was great to welcome Yvonne and Rob to their first meeting as Members, and it was good to have James Damches join us again as a guest. And in support of our Guest Speaker the Mayor of Boroondara, Councillor Garry Thompson was Councillor (and previous Balwyn Rotarian) Di Gillies with partner and Rotarian Rob Nethercote. With our own Patty Laufenberg, it seemed almost like a Council meeting!

 

It was my pleasure to continue the Club's long standing tradition and induct the Mayor as Honorary Member. Garry appreciates the long history of co-operation between the City of Boroondara and our Club, and is very keen to explore further ways the Council and it's officers and our Club can work together on current and future projects. I stressed during the Induction Ceremony that he now is an ambassador for Rotary, and will carry the ideals and principles of Rotary service to those who know him, and with those with whom he is associated - and I'm confident he will be an outstanding ambassador.

 

 

 

There have been many significant achievements in 21 years: DIK have a new Store, new equipment, and an increased capacity to assist our stakeholders to help others. We also wish to highlight achievements over the last 21 years and thank the people and organisations who have made this possible. Donations in Kind operations in other states conduct similar activities. Rotary’s involvement in this area started over 50 years ago and in 1987 Donations in Kind was established as the nation-wide Rotary project. 

 

 

 

 

And yes!!!! we are plus two again at Rotary Camberwell.

A big welcome to our newest members, Yvonne Wills and Robert O'Reilly.

                                       Yvonne Wills

                                                                  Robert O'Reilly. 

What an amazing Wednesday that was! After roaring around Tasmania on my motorbike for 5 days, I sailed back on the ferry Tuesday night, rode home at 6:30am for a quick shower and shave, then went straight into preparing for the Club Meeting. That done, it was off to Balwyn Park for a photo op with the other Eastside Cluster Presidents and Councillor Di Gillies featuring our Centenary of Rotary park bench and plaque (an R100 project). Then a Cluster Monthly meeting and straight to Conochie Hall - phew!

 

There was a real buzz in the room: David T, Bernie and Tania were attending their first meeting as full members; we had Yvonne Wills and Rob O'Reilly attending again; member's partners Margret Baker, Bev Allen and Mandy Campbell; and our Guest Speaker Steve Roach supported by Myeloma Australia's Brian Rosengarten and Peter O'Brien (President and Treasurer respectively). Steve was obviously a popular drawcard as we had a near full attendance. Thanks to Peter Allen for setting up some pretty impressive AV.

 

Guest Speaker Steve Roach (CEO of Myeloma Australia) gave a captivating talk encompassing his own personal history (playing on Leigh Matthews was never going to advance his footy career!), the formation of what was to become Myeloma Australia by past Camberwell Rotarian Bob Moran and co-founder Brian Rosengarten, Steve's involvement since 2004 and his achievements so far, and more recently the development of the Rotary Outreach Myeloma Project (ROMP). Steve spoke eloquently and from the heart, and stressed the similarity in approach of the two organisations: focussing on getting things done in a practical, hands-on fashion, and helping people "on the ground". Truly an amazing collaboration between Camberwell Rotary and Myeloma Australia, and all credit to the committee chaired by Don Jago, supported by Peter Allen (who is on the MA Board), Adrian Campbell, Teresa Molella, Alan Lorenzini and Peter O'Brien.

 

It was then my pleasure to recognise Steve Roach as a Paul Harris Fellow, and present him with his certificate, medallion and lapel pin. Previously hidden from view, his wife Claire and children Sean, Courtney and Michaela joined in congratulating him and celebrating this important recognition, and Steve was suitably humbled. It was then my turn to surprise Peter Allen with his 4th Sapphire Paul Harris Fellow lapel pin, in recognition of all he has done and continues to do for The Rotary Foundation, our Club, Myeloma Australia and ROMP. Congratulations to both Steve and Peter, very well deserved.

 

By the time you read this, the International Women's Day Breakfast has been held, and what a success it was. Over 80 guests enjoyed a beautiful breakfast at the Amora Hotel, and guided by our MC Di Gillies enjoyed a fascinating series of top-line speakers who addressed issues including diversity and equality, the problems and positives coming from the pandemic, the opportunities for women, and the need for continual support, mentoring and team building during the lockdowns. A truly stimulating and uplifting series of presentations. Congratulations to the organising committee, especially our Fabienne and Kerry Anne. If you missed it, don't miss next year's!

 

On the technical side: if you have downloaded the ClubRunner app, you will already have an updated Directory in your hand, with our new members phone, email and address details - nifty eh? And it would appear the problems with paying for the weekly meetings on-line has been solved: but remember, if you are registering and paying for a guest as well, you must register yourself and SAVE; you then register your guest and SAVE; then you pay by clicking the PAY ONLINE button (check the $ amount).

 

That's it from me, have a great week in Rotary.

 

 

 

The vaccine is rolling out, vaccination of our front line workers and nursing home residents has started, closed borders are being opened - could this be the beginning of the end (to quote Winston Churchill)? I certainly hope so.

 

Our meeting this week was a ripper, with good attendance including some faces we hadn't seen for some time - great to see you Justine and Nick. We again welcomed soon-to-be-members David Troon and Tania and Bernie Willemson, as well as Yvonne Wills and Rob O'Reilly. We also had five members joining us on Zoom, including Jeevan who is temporarily based in Canberra. I'm pleased we can use our new-found technology to extend our meeting to those who can't attend physically.

 

Ian McMillan did a great job of chairing the meeting, and MC Jon Oppy was in fine form, this time taking aim at Peter Steven. The raffle was also well supported, with 104 "virtual tickets" sold, the lucky winner (finally) being guest Yvonne Wills. The raffle process was a bit messy as members are not yet familiar, but everyone please persist next week - it makes a welcome top-up to the Sunshine Account which in turn comes back to you as subsidies for social events.

 

2020 has been quite a year starting out with the bushfires and followed by the Covid pandemic. This article is intended to bring you up to date with our Club’s significant contribution to the bushfire relief effort after the catastrophic devastation which occurred at the start of this year.

Scavenging a rubbish dump for food scraps to eat or for anything that can sold to buy food is life for the world's poorest of the poor.

Rotary is engaged in life changing projects in Ghana. Click the "Read More" button to learn all about what we're up to.