Hosted by the Pres who did a great job in introducing herself and presented the thought for the day
Note from the Pres
On Monday we were treated to another tasty meal and an interesting and informative interactive presentation from our Local Community Group Leader Michael Stillwell.
By drawing out from us why each of us had joined Rotary, he was able to illuminate the activities and benefits we need to highlight to the community in order to attract partner organisations, volunteers and new members to Rotary. (You'll see those in the report. Ed)
Michael believes one of the main areas to develop, and he says we and many clubs are doing this to some degree already, is to collaborate with other clubs in projects and through sharing expertise so clubs don't have to 'reinvent the wheel' when developing projects.
It will be interesting to see the results of the regionalisation trial. I think our Local Community Group is in good hands with Michael!
Talking of collaboration, it was exciting to hear Cathie Macmillan's report from Co-chair Steve Wiley on the Community Service project to supply emergency food (and other) relief to people by police officers, from packs they carry in their cars. This new project is a collaboration between Boroondara Community Outreach (BCO), RC Canterbury and Acting Inspector Jill McBain ,who is based at Boroondara Police Station. Rotary provides the FORaMEAL packs, BCO provides other food and hygiene items and the Police dispense the packs to community members they come across in the course of their work who need support. You can imagine the positive impact of this timely support for people in need!
The recycling is working well, though please make sure the cans and bottles are completely empty please, with the last load earning $35.40 to be donated to RIMERN. The more you bring for recycling the less there is in landfill and the more funds RIMERN has to purchase needed items for their needy clients- it's WIN WIN.
Matters in the Interest of Rotary
David Z re the lunch which (yesterday) was held at Box Hill RSL
Nora gave a review of the packing at Camberwell Grammar
A great success with 20,400 meals packed by 68 students from Camberwell Grammar and Presbyterian Ladies College
IMPORTANT - On September 16th we have a speaker who will be talking to us about helping the people affected by the floods in Shepparton. He is planning a relief "mission" there in early October so this is a call out to anyone who can spare time and effort to assist. Here are the details
CCA have been successful in getting a grant to take a volunteer team into the Shepparton area to help flood impacted households and are trying to round up more volunteers.
Project date 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 all there.
Meals should all be provided - except breakfast.
No specific skills required - but hardworking and keen and happy to tackle most things. Enjoy a glass of red at the end of the day - close to essential!
Age is unlikely to be an issue! Chris Knight the project lead is 69 and one of his key team is 83!
Chatting with the impacted folk is very important - after this amount of time after the flooding events it is typically most vulnerable who still need support.
Typically these efforts have a really positive spirit.
We are fully supported by Shepparton Shire Flood Relief team and Goulburn Flood Recovery Services. I can supply letters of support from them if you need them.
We need 20 volunteers in total (currently at 10) - including myself as project leader.
WHY Shepparton
Greater Shepparton was significantly affected by the floods in October 2022 and some properties within the municipality were also affected in January 2024 floods. In excess of 1000 properties were heavily impacted and those impacts are still being felt.
Eighteen months post the October 2022 event, Goulburn Flood Recovery Services are still supporting approximately 180 households and many of those still have substantial need for rehabilitation of land or properties. Typically after this amount of time the folks needing help are the most vulnerable - elderly, unwell (either mentally or physically), uninsured. For example, one person was who was fully inundated was insured, but found out she had cancer and with all the additional costs through cancer treatments and not working, she has had to live off the insurance money .....
I'll be doing a scoping trip roughly the week beginning 9 Sept.to enable a project plan. Thats when we really know what we're doing. But initially think minor repairs to houses and buildings, some minor fencing, possibly painting/ plastering and LOTS of rubbish clearing and removal and cleaning. The project plan is always matched to the capabilities of the volunteers.
Chris Knight is happy to take calls/ emails from anyone on this if they have any queries.
Strathcona - Tay Creggan Hall 30 Yarra Street Hawthorn
Set-up in the Hall on Tuesday 10th September at 2.30pm
90 students run from 9am – 3pm on Wednesday 11th September
Lunch and Morning/Afternoon tea will be provided. Please advise me of dietary needs.
Scotch College - 1 Morrison Street Hawthorn
Wednesday 18 th September 2024 Set up 9am Event 10am – 1.30pm (60 students)
Directions – if coming off Glenferrie Rd turn onto Callantina Road then left into Fordholm Rd and go straight ahead to senior school entrance, follow curve in road to car park area on the right. Parking is also possible on the roadway.
If coming along Riversdale Road turn into Fordholm Road and go straight ahead to senior school entrance and follow curve to carpark area on the right. Parking is also possible on the roadway. Reception is in the Randall Building (Gert Reifarth-Peterson is the teacher for sign in) Set up is in student cafeteria along the walkway to the right of Reception.
Our speaker, Michael Stillwell, Local Community Leader of the D9800 Regionalisation trial, is a man of substance with an impressive business and personal profile. He loves racing cars, flew planes and engages enthusiastically with people when sharing content and information, as testified by our President Elizabeth Shepherd.
Tonight, in his interactive conversation with each and everyone of us in The Rotary Club of Canterbury, he asked many questions which challenged the way we think about what Rotary International does and exactly how it does it. He began with some basic facts- membership in D9800 has declined by twenty percent. Zone Eight has lost some one thousand four hundred members per year.
He has to be a consultant because he required a white board (old school!). It was actually used to note the response from those present to his question (great use of this years theme)
What makes Rotary Magical. Lots of great responses in no particular order
The things we do
fellowship
helping those in need
giving back to the community
being part of an international organisation
giving one a sense of purpose
efficiency (related to the very low administration fees)
provides a personal challenge
provides an opportunity to significantly impact others lives
allows us to meet diverse people
participation in educational opportunities
teaches governance skills
As Local Community Leader, he is there to support Rotary Club Presidents and to encourage them to partner with community groups. The questions which followed dealt with how to engage Friends of Rotary, ways to utilise honorary members and turning around the branding of current (and future) Rotary Club projects.
His sober, thoughtful approach is very encouraging, as a Rotarian and as a member of the general community. Due to this, our knowledge of regionalisation has grown considerably. Thank you, Michael!
Graham’s presentation will discuss: THE TRUTH ABOUT DELAYING THE ONSET OF AGING - where he will provide answers to this important topic as well as offer some meaningful options and a way forward to a happier healthier life.
He will also share his own health journey, his passion about active ageing, building his business, Renewed After 50 in his senior years and his dedication to community.
Graham’s Bio: Graham Elliss is a champion in his age group and an example to others who aspire to a fit active and healthy lifestyle. He is an experienced.
• Functional Ageing Exercise Specialist
• Functional Ageing Group Exercise Specialist
• Personal Trainer and
• A published Author.
Health & Fitness have been a lifetime passion for Graham, during which time he founded South Australia’s first Health Resort. Now, after more than 30 years in a successful leadership career, he is pursuing his true passion of helping others achieve their health and wellness goals. That’s why he founded “Renewed after 50”. In his age group Graham is an example to others who aspire to a fit and healthy lifestyle. He is an experienced Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, and Functional Ageing Specialist. His specific interest is supporting packages that mentor and assist clients who find it too difficult or confronting to go to a gym but need intensive support to get a quality of life that many take for granted
Out and about this week (oh and one from last week that arrived too late for the bulletin...
Spotted at Optus Stadium Perth the day after her beloved Carlton 'scraped' a win against West Coast and managed to make the finals. Taking a trip around the halo which surrounds the stadium
Spotted at the Sunday market - 2 past presidents (at the same time during covid year!)
And finally - one of the happy travelling band Rob and Karin spotted in Malta
Thanks to Roger for organising our vocational visit on Saturday September 7th at Ashwood High School Community Garden. You can find the invitation and agenda below
Confirming the arrangements for the Rotary members on Saturday 7 September. You will come as our guests in recognition of the support you have given us over the years. 10.30am - garden will open as normal. 11.30am – we will give a talk on composting and the importance of good soil for successful crops. 12.15pm - we will start making pizzas in our pizza oven. We will serve a mix of vegetarian and meat pizzas and drinks. Please let me know if there are any special dietary requirements. 1.45pm (approx.) – tidy up and close the garden. Your members are welcome to come along whenever suits them, look around the garden and chat to our members. Here’s a map showing the new entrance to the garden, which is off Vannam Drive, Ashwood - close to the intersection of Malmsbury Drive. We will have some signs up to help people see us from the road. Any problems call me - Maggie McNamara – President 0409 547984
Ongoing person to manage IT. (Google based emails and documents, and webpress webpage)
Home based
Volunteer Coordinator
Home and warehouse based
Supervisor for 1-2 Saturdays per month
Club to take on 3rd and 5th Saturday warehouse shift (10.30 to 1.30pm)
Warehouse
Additional Good Selection Hosts required
Warehouse
An accountant to be a back up for current accountant when on leave etc
Home based
A person who can act as ‘sourcer’ for Op Shops. Visiting them and seeing if there are items they receive but don’t sell that we could use.
External
General warehouse volunteers – don’t have to be Rotary members. Regular commitment preferred – doesn’t have to be weekly, can be fortnightly or monthly
Warehouse
Each club to have a person who scans Facebook pages in their area, and collects suitable goods (small ones that truck doesn’t collect). Either they drop off at warehouse periodically, or a collection is arranged
Home based
More volunteers for Saturday collection team – particularly jockeys
Warehouse
A person to volunteer to be a commercial manager – to liaise and build up relationships with suppliers – 2 mattresses companies at present
Home based
Person to train in testing and tagging of electrical goods. Can do in own time, warehouse doesn’t have to be open
Garden DesignFest 2024 is occurring again on 16 and 17 November.
We are delighted to announce that there will be 25 Gardens opened on the Mornington Peninsula (McCrae, Mount Martha (2), Redhill) and in Metropolitan Melbourne (Bellfield, Black Rock, Balwyn, Boronia, Brighton, Brighton East, Carlton North, Clifton Hill, Eaglemont, Elwood, Glen Iris, Heidelberg, Kew (3), Kew East, North Melbourne, Moonee Ponds, Surrey Hills, South Yarra, Thornbury).
Garden photos and descriptions are being added to 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. Entry tickets will also be available at each garden [cash or EFTPOS]
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