I often joke that “Youth is wasted on the Youth”. Wouldn’t you just love to go back in time and change some of the things that you did or didn’t do? That is because we have the “wisdom of age”. Sometimes in hindsight, we would choose to do things better. Well, that is where we can help our youth with our “wisdom and experience”. “Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing”. Quoting from that famous theologian, Albert Schweitzer.
One of Rotary’s key area of focus is Youth and we have a proud history of having a very involved commitment to Youth. COVID lockdown has made it a difficult year but I hope for good opportunities to assist our youth in the coming year.
This is your chance to attend a virtual training and development opportunity hosted by D9800 for all Rotarians in the District. It is primarily aimed at incoming club office bearers for the 2021—2022 Rotary year to give them as much information as possible to enable them to carry out their roles successfully. Come and soak up information!!
The format of the Assembly will include an introduction to all members of the District Leadership Team and then each attendee will choose two breakout sessions to attend. Topics include; President Elect, Youth, Community (see next page for more topics). Registration is essential so you can get the link.
Many of our long serving members would have reflected on their friendship with fellow Rotarian, John Wischer who passed away on the 26 April. John's funeral was held last Thursday. The Club sent flowers to the house conveying our sincere condolences to Tasma and family. A notice was also in the Saturday edition of the Herald Sun. John is remembered for his fellowship and his work to secure the now legendary Rotary grant for the Sumba Eye Program. To quote our President Mark. "John was a classic Rotarian where service above self was the most important issue".
An update on some of our members who are not able to attend our meetings at present......
The weather on Saturday morning was perfect. Starting at 6:00am the temperature was around 11.5°c and worked its way up to just over 20°c during a very sunny morning. Of the four ‘First Saturday’ of the month Markets we have had, commencing in February, this was best weather we have experienced, and it matters, as was reflected in the turnout. I will be chasing up two Stallholders who were ‘No Shows’ to find out their reasons for not showing up. I will also be contacting Schulz Organic Dairy who turned up without notifying us or pre-paying as we now require.
The Swinburne Rotaract Club, formed by the Rotary Club of Glenferrie, unfortunately ceased operations some time ago, due to the difficulties in organising ongoing membership in a highly transient student population. The club was contacted recently by Past President Swinburne Rotaract Nkem Gatt-Rutter and past Rotaractor Jed Sharman to say that funds remained in the bank account for the club, which is in the process now of being closed. The club has forwarded the sum of $5,064.01 and requested that these funds be donated to The Rotary Foundation on behalf of the club and its past members. Thank you Swinburne Rotaractors for your very generous act. We do hope that your life's journey will one day bring you back to Rotary, where you are always very welcome.
Pinchapoo is the biggest national supplier of personal hygiene products to hundreds of people in need. It is aimed to support projects with the communities most vulnerable, that includes the homeless, refugees, victims of domestic violence etc. RC of Prahran has created a partnership with Pinchapoo and District 9800 to provide their products to people in need within the district.
Each personal Care Pack contains travel size toiletries including soap, shampoo, conditioner, razor, toothbrush & toothpaste. Female products may include sanitary items.
RCG will be donating 90 packs (45 male/45 female) to the Salvation Army and 100 packs (50 male/50 female) to Camcare. We will be paying a donation to Pinchapoo of $1 for each pack.
With RCG providing $2000and Hawthorn RC $4000, this has enableda grant to be approved (Rotary Australia Compassionate grants RACG) for $6,000 based on a project budget of $12,000. The grant will include the purchasing of 3 exercise bikes (2 for Upton House and 1 for 1East both of which are mental health units of Box Hill hospital) plus a treadmill and a table tennis table. Any surplus money can be spent on other needs such as as art supplies and sports balls etc.
Jaswinder Singh is the Secretary of Sikh Volunteers Australia. Sikh Volunteers delivers free, tasty, nutritious meals to those in need. During the Covid crisis they have delivered 142,600 free meals (18 March to 31 Dec ) 289 days - everyday.
Jaswinder has a Graduate Degree in Mechanical Engineering and Project Management, and his work and the work of Sikh Volunteers Australia has received national media attention.
Be sure not to miss out on this opportunity to meet Jaswinder. His wonderful story is both enlightening and uplifting.
