The Board met at the Auburn Hotel on 23rd April. The Farmers’ Market continues to perform well, with 905 patrons and $5,120 in gross takings at the April market. On the international service front, the Club celebrated the successful completion of a water reticulation project in Sierra Leone — attended by around 500 people, including the local MP — and is pursuing further projects in Ghana and Cambodia. Notably, the Club received a Bronze Award at the District 9800 convention for its environmental initiatives, and upcoming plans include a Bunnings sausage sizzle fundraiser for Middle East refugee relief, a Club Forum on 11th August, and the Christmas Party at Studley Park Boathouse on Wednesday 9th December.
Summary – Board Meeting
Thursday 23rd April 2026
Business arising from last meeting
- BFM Deed of Variation – David advised that he and Helena had met with Adam Miller, the acting Market manager at Council and he was very supportive of our management of the Market. We now await his official response to our DOV requests.
- Electric leads at the Farmers’ Market. All leads have now been tested by an electrician for safety and tagged.
- Cluster Meeting – Helena reported that she had attended a Cluster meeting today, convened by the Boroondara Council. She felt that it was a valuable meeting, and Council showed a willingness to help Rotary where possible.
Treasurer (Thelma)
Thelma reported that the Club is in a sound financial position and all expenses over the last month were within budget.
- Farmers’ Market (David)
Amelia will now take control of the Volunteer Roster operation. She will be the person
to communicate with regarding all aspects of the Roster, including sending the
pre-market reminders and to be advised of changes.
Suggestion 1 – we need to reinforce with members that if they can’t attend their
rostered shift, they must make a swap or find another member to take their place.
This is not part of Amelia’s role.
Suggestion 2 – the Captain of the shift should contact the rostered members mid-
week to ensure that they will be there or that they have arranged a replacement.
- Market 18/4/26 - There was a strong turnout of Patrons, 905 of them, and 43 stallholders attended on the day. Gross takings were $5120.
- The Buggy again failed to work properly on Saturday. We managed to recharge the buggy in the hope that it was just low charge, and this turned out to be the case and it was operational for pack up.
- Club Service (Alex)
- Attendance on 14/4/26:
27 members (57%), 5 guests, 8 make-ups (total 74%)
- Motion 1: That the Board agrees to the Club Christmas Party being held at the Studley Park Boathouse on Wednesday 9th December 2026.
Unfortunately, the Conservatory had already been booked for the evening of
Tuesday 8th December 2026. Carried
- Motion 2: That the Board consent to holding a Club Forum at our Meeting on 11/8/2026. Carried
There was some discussion on whether this should be an information night
where each Director outlines plans for the year or a Swot analysis
(Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) where all members can have
input to analyse how the Club is progressing and what can be improved.
- Community Service (Wendy)
- Boroondara Family Network- Paul
Paul reported that they have been very busy but ticking along nicely. They are running short of money, but they are awaiting funding from the Boroondara Triennial Grants.
- Emergency Relief – Wendy
Further support to the Salvation Army is given throughout
the year to stock the pantry for food parcels for
emergency relief. Norman Gale asked again this week if
we could provide a range of items that they urgently
need. Wendy to purchase more items next week. She
anticipates these to cost between $300-$350.
- Salvation Army Bread Run- Simon.
Simon reports that we still need volunteers to cover shifts in April and May. The roster is on Club Runner. Please help.
- Camcare- Alex
Commitment involves the last Thursday morning in the
month. Two- three people attend each month. We need
volunteers for up-coming shifts. The roster is on ClubRunner. Please help.
Christine has been assisting with the Camcare garden.
- Environment (Thelma)
- Thelma had pleasure in announcing that our Club had won a District Bronze award for our commitment to projects to improve the environment at the District 9800 convention. Our award reflects both the establishment of a dedicated Environment Committee and a long track record of “quiet achiever” projects that have been making a difference over many years. From Clean Up Australia campaigns and soft plastics recycling, to supporting recycled playgrounds overseas and contributing through DIK and RIMERN, the Club has built an impressive portfolio of activity.
Closer to home, members have been busy with backyard blitz projects, garden
renewals, and tree planting, getting our hands dirty in the best possible way.
Soon we will have a waste and recycling speaker at a dinner meeting.
Helena has volunteered to become our Environment Director for the next Rotary year.
- Foundation (Jo)
- It was decided to organise a sausage sizzle at Bunnings to raise funds for Middle East Refugee Relief. All funds raised will be donated to Shelter Box for this purpose. Jo has been advised that our application to Bunnings has been successful and our date will be 12th September.
- The Foundation committee is looking to install a Peace Pole at another school.
- International Service (Amelia)
- Our Sierra Leone School Water Storage and Reticulation System project has now been completed and RC Bo report that the Opening Ceremony took place on 28th March. The local MP officially opened the water reticulation system and about 500 people attended. A positive spin off was that the MP assured the school that they would now receive additional Government funding. Amelia was congratulated on her excellent work to lead this project to a very successful conclusion.
- Mark Ellis and his team were in Sumba last week to continue their excellent work on eye-care for a very poor community.
- The committee are now looking at obtaining a DFAT grant to fund a project in Ghana.
- Membership (Anita)
- Laura Schembri will be inducted as a member of our Club next Tuesday. Her mentor will be Maria Pantling.
- Social Media Champion - Kersha Chettri
Our skilled volunteer Kersha has started work as our Member Recruitment Assistant, being an administrator of the Club’s Facebook page.
- Follow Up on low Attendance/Overall Engagement
The Membership Director emailed three relevant mentors, with a request to follow up low YTD attendance and overall engagement, to discuss how we could help to lift this to give them more benefit from their Rotary membership.
One mentor had a very positive response to the call and was reassured that we would see more of this member, who has been overseas. Another mentor has not yet had contact and the third mentor was not happy to be asked to make this call.
Some useful suggestions were made:
- That we remind members that they should apply for Leave of Absence if they are going to miss more than two consecutive meetings or one month.
- That we be aware of cultural issues that may affect attendance as well as engagement in projects/events.
- That members only be allowed to be on one committee so that all members can have the benefit of working on a committee.
- That we prepare a document on the role of a mentor, including guidelines on how to have a positive conversation about low attendance/engagement.
- Youth & Vocational Service (Chris)
- MUNA - This international youth program simulates the workings of the UN by having two senior students
from a number of schools represent a particular UN
country. Students use research, debating and public
speaking skills to address a wide range of contemporary
and world-focussed issues. We will sponsor Loreto Mandeville Hall to enter a
team for mid-May this year.
- RMIT University of Melbourne (3-day program) – 19th January to 21st January 2027
An interactive 3-day STEM experience. Cost: $250 for the 3 days. I have approached Camberwell High, Auburn High, Swinburne Senior Secondary School & Camberwell Grammar.
Other Business - Thelma reported that the Alternative Revenue committee had been meeting regularly and would soon put forward a proposal.
Don Heath
Secretary