I see a light at the end of a long tunnel. "There is a light at the end of the tunnel hopefully it's not a freight train”- Mariah Carey. “To the pessimist the light at the end of the tunnel is another train." According to Joan Rivers.
However, we are optimists, and I am sure you are all hanging out for a chance to have some notion of a normal life. Trading my tracksuit pants and my t-shirt for slacks and business shirt on a more permanent basis will be interesting, especially with the restraints of belts and collars - considering that my GP stated that all his patients have put on at least 3 kg in this lockdown! In particular, diabetic patients have had difficulty in their controls, posing a health risk to themselves.
We are hoping to have face to face meetings at Kooyong TC from November onwards. However, there will be number limitations and the notion that you must show proof of being fully vaccinated. There will be limits on numbers attending the meetings, but we need to be updated by Kooyong TC as to its plans.
With the lifting of restrictions coming out of Lockdown, we can confirm the Family Fun Day/Gala Opening of the R100 Yarra Bank Playground will be going ahead on Sunday 21 November, commencing 12 midday. Make sure you mark the date in your diary, there will be a range of entertainment, food and coffee available, so bring your kids and grandkids along.
Our club, assisted by a $9,000 grant from The Rotary Foundation, has made a significant financial contribution towards this playground, and our Rotary 100 Playground Committee has worked hard over two years to bring the project to fruition, so please show your support by attending this fun afternoon.
There will also be volunteers needed, firstly to letterbox a specific area with resident notification flyers (a Council requirement) the week before the event, and on the day we need volunteers to act as COVID Marshalls and the like. Keep an eye out for calls for volunteers and save the date for all the fun of the Fair at Yarra Bank Reserve, November 21st.
Last Tuesday evening 34 of the Club’s members and guests were blessed with not one, but two guest speakers, Najaf and Maria Mazari, the father and daughter responsible for Najaf Rugs and Textiles. Located in High Street, Prahran. We had originally invited Najaf to address our Club after learning of his amazing life story. However, after a brief phone conversation with his daughter, Maria, we extended the invitation to her. As she joked, ‘I can assist Dad with the technology of Zooming, and ensure that he joins at the correct time’.
And what a delightful pair the Mazaris were; a wonderful example of what so many refugees contribute to our country. After learning the skills of rugmaking at age 12, when, after the death of his father, Najaf’s oldest brother became the head of the household and school was beyond the family’s resources, Najaf escaped the violence of the Taliban, reaching Australia in 2001.
When John Hudson advised that he wished to resign as Chairman of the Farmers Market Committee some years ago, there was a minor panic about who should be his replacement.
Ian Salek was the obvious choice as he was assisting John at the time, with matters relating to the Boroondara Council and was his 2IC.
Ian, for some reason insisted that I join him as Co- Chairman. I had no option but to accept, as with all organisations there needs to be back up and for someone to step up in case of illness etc, as Ian pointed out.
Many members of the Club have approached me and conveyed their appreciation for all the work we have done to improve the market especially now we are operating the additional opening on the first week of the month.
I wish to point out that all I do is open the gates to the stallholders in the morning and get them in position. All the work on behalf of the Co-Chair is done by Ian alone.
Community Services has been very busy throughout lockdown. At the moment it is involved in projects such as Camcare, 27ForParkinson's, RIMERN and the Bread Run. A description of these activities are described below.
27 For Parkinson's
We are now halfway through October and many thanks to those members who have contributed to this cause. We have now reached a little more than $2000 in our quest to donate $3000. Further involvement and any contribution would be very welcome. Access to the website is straightforward via the highlighted link in the recent Glenferrie Rotarian.
Camcare
As many of you are aware we have supported Camcare for many years. They have a marvellous kitchen garden on the property and require removal of a small tree, rubbish, an old garden shed and a concrete slab. There are plans to plant a few fruit trees in this area. They've had quotes for $1500 and it seemed reasonable for us to do this job. We would need 5-6 people for a few hours but a date has not been set, as the transfer station in Riversdale Road remains closed. Please contact me if you would be able to help. Anyone with a chainsaw and an angle grinder would be most welcome.
We are now halfway through October and many thanks to those members who have contributed to this cause. We have now reached a little more than $2000 in our quest to donate $3000. Further involvement and any contribution would be very welcome. Access to the website is straightforward via the highlighted link below.
WHY:One in every five Australians aged 16-85 experience some form of mental illness in any year.
COVID-19 has exacerbated the problem. Everyone in the community can play a role in early intervention to support a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.
HOW: The knowledge and skills and how to provide initial assistance can be acquired by doing a Mental Health First Aid Course.
WHAT: The standard mental health first aid course will be presented as a 12-hour blended course. This course teaches the skills to help a person developing depression, troublesome anxiety, psychosis and substance use problems or a person who may be in a mental health crisis such as feeling suicidal or having a panic attack.
Sunday November 21st 12pm Bring friends and family, but most of all bring the kids and grandkids to this signature event for the club, celebrating the Rotary Australia Centenary in 2021
Helena Wimpole needs no introduction to members of The Rotary Club of Glenferrie, except to say that her gentle kindness through her work as a board member of Rotary Overseas Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC) has helped bring joy and prospects for a better future to children from developing countries who need our help. And isn't that something special! Come along and hear the story of ROMAC, and be inspired.
