Posted by Mark Ellis AM
Glenferrie Rotary is to be part of a Rotary Network celebration of Australia Day Jan 26, 2021.  We have been given the opportunity to bring our Rotary Network together…our community partners, first responders, business and government friends, and most importantly, our community…to celebrate all that is Australian.  The theme for Australia Day this year is: Reflect, Respect, Celebrate. We’re all part of the story.  For 100 years Rotary in Australia has been bringing communities together. 
 
After our drought, bushfires and COVID-19, this is a wonderful opportunity to bring us together in a COVID-safe way in all our respective towns and cities, and be part of one event that will inspire.
 
The Celebration also is to recognize volunteers in the community.  Since Rotary is a huge well recognized volunteer organization, it has been chosen to lead.
 
There will be 2 parts to the celebrations on the day.  Part 1 will be centrally managed.  Part 2 onwards will be Cluster based event.  We have been joined into a Super Cluster with Riverside (Hawthorn, Kew , Glenferrie) and Eastside (Balwyn, Camberwell, Canterbury and North Balwyn).  It has to be a COVID safe environment and the plan is an event will take place in Victoria Park (450 High Street, Kew).  A lot of preparation has been put in place and a $20,000 grant to run the event has been given by the National Australia Day Council to conduct this “celebration”. 
 
Our club needs to appoint a National Australia Day Representative from our club to liaise within the 7 clubs to form and manage a celebration of some sort as to be determined by the clubs.  At present it looks like a fete, BBQ, food stalls etc.  Please consider volunteering for this task which will be over at the end of the day and not a long term commitment.