Life is full of ends and beginnings, governed by changes. I am now close to the end of my Glenferrie Rotary presidency. That means that a beginning of the next positive change in the club is coming, led by Mark Howlett and his Board. At the end of the of every Rotary year, a club Changeover is held where the outgoing President officially hands the leadership to the incoming President. Yet, the changeover is way more than just a leadership transition.
It was full on from Day 1 at the Rotary International Convention 2023, with these happy conventioneers getting into the spirit early (well done Isaiah!). For more pictures from RICON 2023, click on Read more below.
Most of us are well aware of the importance of The Rotary Foundation (TRF). As we come to the end of another Rotary year you might consider making a personal tax-deductible donation to the TRF.
TRF is the charity of choice for many Rotarians and since its formation in 1917 it has been “doing good in the world” spending more than US$4.5 billion on humanitarian aid and education programs.
The Give Every Child a Future project, supported by Global Grants from The Rotary Foundation. Rotary members from 21 districts, in partnership with UNICEF, are working with local governments to develop and implement immunization programs to protect 100,000 children from rotavirus, pneumococcal disease, and cervical cancer across nine South Pacific Island countries, including Kiribati and Fiji.
The Foresight Sumba Eye Program Australian team has just arrived back in Australia after a successful eye camp conducted in collaboration with South Perdami, UNHAS - The university of Hasanuddin, South Sulawesi, Sumba Foundation and staff of the Central Tengah Hospital in Central Sumba.
In the week the Indonesian surgical team completed over 110 cataract and some pterygium surgeries with our ECN Sr Sany, whom we sent to Makassar for training, assisting.
Last Tuesday evening we had a very inspiring presentation from Sharon and Pete Crean from BeyondWater. They had only flown in from Kenya that morning, so it was great that they were able to present at our meeting.
They started BeyondWater in 2007 while they were living in Sydney. Faced with the fact that nearly one billion people don’t have access to clean drinking water and two billion don’t have any form of sanitation. They had a dream to give African children access to water, but it goes even further than that. Little did they know that five years later they would upend their lives - leaving their jobs, uprooting their family and move to a place they had only been to a couple of times. Eleven years later they are still living their dream in Kenya.
Enjoy a 3-day pass free of charge to the House of Friendship, where you’ll be able to connect with thousands of fellow Rotary members from around the world; and have access to hundreds of Rotary project booths, vendors, food, and entertainment, at the 2023 Rotary Interantional Convention in Melbourne.
That’s right! A complimentary pass valid Monday-Wednesday, 29-31 May, for the House of Friendship. No additional purchase is required.
ROMAC (Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children) is a not-for-profit humanitarian organisation run entirely with volunteers. Established more than 35 years ago in District 9800, it is now a project of Rotary Districts in Australia and New Zealand.
Rotary Club of Glenferrie has run this program before. Maybe something to consider in the future.
ROMAC brings children from developing countries in our Pacific region to Australia and New Zealand to receive surgery in our first-world hospitals that is not accessible in their home countries, giving them life and/or dignity.
At the meeting this week we enjoyed another Member Behind the Badge talk from Joanne Shentu. Joanne opened her talk by explaining what a wonderful vibrant city Shanghai was to grow up in. A city of 26 million people, the same population as Australia. Joanne obtained her first degree at Shanghai University majoring in International Trade.
Her family decided that they would all emigrate to Australia, and Joanne reluctantly decided to join then. In Melbourne she earned a master's degree of Practicing Accounting from Monash University.
There is an adage: ‘where society goes, organisations must follow to stay relevant’. Society has undergone many transformations, in particular, digital transformation. What does this mean for Rotary, and how should our club adapt to stay relevant?
The CSIRO and Data61 predict that Australia could have an incredible productivity boost to increase its economy by $315 billion by 2028 from digital technologies, which will improve our living standards over time. RC Glenferrie is one of 5,000 Rotary clubs globally that has applied ClubRunner, a digital technology platform, to assist our digital transformation.
Are you a Coles Customer? You could help RIMERN or WERN
Posted by David Dippie on May 03, 2023
RIMERN and WERN are multi club Rotary projects operating Inner and Western Melbourne, providing furniture, appliances & homewares to welfare agency clients who have experienced homelessness, domestic violence, incarceration, refugee displacement and other crises.
Customers of Coles have an opportunity to contribute.
MUNA stands for Model United Nations Assembly, which simulates the workings of the UN Assembly by having teams of two senior students from each of a number of schools represent a particular UN country in debates on matters of world political and social concern. It is a Rotary International program and enthusiastically supported by the United Nations. MUNA is designed for school students usually in senior classes of secondary schools.
Teams each represent a country and students dress up to represent their allocated country. Resolutions debated are pertinent to their country.
Our team is made up of 3 students from Loreto, Mandeville Hall and they are representing South Africa.
This year MUNA will be held on the weekend Saturday May 20th to Sunday 21st 2023 at the Mercure Hotel, North Melbourne. Please feel free to come and watch the debating of resolutions between students.
Glenferrie Rotary is a member of the RIMERN group (Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Network). RIMERN provides a valued service to victims of domestic violence, persons on parole, persons recovering from drug addiction and refugees.
Collection of House hold Goods This service collects and distributes household goods (bedding, tables, kitchenware, white goods, appliances) for individuals and families in need. Donated household goods have to be suitable for use in emergency accommodation, so there is a focus to ensure it is “fit for purpose”; hence the following process….
According to a report, The Scope and Scale of Rotary Volunteer, prepared for Rotary International by the Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies, the lesson is clear: volunteer service is not only a feel-good calling – it may provide one of the more powerful, and one of the more fulfilling, avenues through which to achieve the ambitious United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. With 563 employees, Rotary International has mobilized a volunteer workforce that translates into the equivalent of 26,500 full-time workers. Translated into economic terms, Rotary annually generates a scale of social and economic problem-solving effort worth nearly nine times more than it costs RI to produce.
On Tuesday 9th of May, Dr Suresh Marcandan the Chair for Australia Rotary Health District 9800, came to visit the Rotary Club of Glenferrie to talk about the program and thank the club for its continual support.
Suresh gave a brief history of the ARH organisation and explained what it has achieved so far. Suresh said Australian Rotary Health is one of the largest independent funders of mental health research within Australia. Australian Rotary Health provides funding towards research grants, fellowships and PhD scholarships, focused on finding preventative and curative solutions for mental illness in young Australians. From 2023, our funding focus will narrow to the mental health of children aged 0-12.
Suresh Marcandan, Chair for ARH District 9800, after his presentation awarded Charles Tran
his certificate of appreciation and named him a Companion of Rotary Health
If you have been leaving it to the last minute to decide whether or not to be part of our club's hosting of 100 international visitors on May 29th, or perhaps inviting guests to meet and hear from our excellent guest speaker, Hon Josh Frydenberg Former Treasurer of Australia and Champion, Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club 1996, (the year before he went to Oxford) don't leave it much longer. There are only seven tickets left at time of writing before the event becomes a COMPLETE SELL-OUT. No last minute tickets will be available unfortunately, so please book now, before they are all gone, and be part of this very special occasion.
Glenferrie Rotarian Isaiah Lahai's story is full of courage, remarkable in its resilience and inspiring in its human kindness. Listen to Isaiah's story on this recording of presenter Charles Tran's interview with Isaiah, broadcast on 94.1FM on April 21st 2023. It will be a few moments well spent and it will warm your heart. Click on the soundwaves for more.
District Governor Amanda Wendt would like Rotarians to take part in this wonderful project in helping humanity at the Rotary International Convention in May. This project is open to all Rotarians not strictly to Rotarians who are going to the Convention.
There will be 4 tables on the stage and 11 located in the Atrium. We hope to attract over 1,000 members of the public to attend in one hour blocks to pack the meals.
District Governor Amanda has a goal to have 100,000 meals packed by the end of the day. All the meals will be going to people affected by the disaster in Ukraine, Turkey and Syria.
Join us on an easy walking tour of some of Melbourne’s iconic landmarks, and at the same time raise awareness of Rotary’s number one humanitarian priority – the global eradication of poliomyelitis.
RICON23 End Polio Now Walk Friday 26 May 2023 - The walk is open to non-Rotarians and Rotarians, as well as registrants and non-registrants of RICON23. It will be a great way to meet some of our overseas visitors. However, pre-registration for the walk is a requirement.
Some months ago, the Community Service Group was invited to present a series of cooking classes for clients of the Salvation Army. Helena Wimpole and Geoff Widmer kindly stepped up to the plate and after careful consideration of recipes they conducted their first class on 19th April. It was a resounding success, and the relatively simple meal of rice, chicken and vegetables was met with universal acclaim.
Volunteer, Helena Wimpole, Volunteer, Geoff Widmer
Would you like to be involved in one of the most memorable moments of the Rotary International Convention Opening Ceremony?
We need approximately 200 volunteers to represent flags of the world. The flag ceremony will be held on the morning of Sunday 28th May at Rod Laver Arena, and there will be a dress rehearsal on Saturday 27th May. Flag bearers will need to be able to hold a flag and walk around the main arena for approximately 20 minutes. They must be registered to attend convention (the exception being Interactors).
We want to showcase the terrific diversity of our Rotary members, so we encourage people of all ages and abilities to apply. Limited places available.
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders “who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations” and “the contribution and suffering of all those who have served”. Observed on 25 April each year, Anzac Day was originally devised to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who served in the Gallipoli campaign, their first engagement in the First World War (1914–1918). Wikipedia 2023
District 9800 is partnering with the world-changing FORaMEAL to deliver 100,000 much-needed emergency relief meals to people in Ukraine, Turkey and Syria, while connecting with 1,000+ new volunteers in a high-profile, meaningful, hands on, convenient community event! In our very own Fed Square!
The aim is to connect with oodles of new volunteers, so we’re asking Rotarians’ help in two ways:
1. Distribute this event to your community partners, community members and sponsors, and encourage them to volunteer on the day, by registering at wayvolunteer.org
Rotarians from around the world will be in town for the commencement of Rotary International Convention, so let’s show them how District 9800 gets behind one of its own projects – FORaMEAL – to make a big, world-changing difference.
Last Tuesday, the PE Mark Howlett called his first meeting of the incoming Board, i.e. the Glenferrie Board for 2023-2024. In our new Rotary year, there’ll be four new Board directors, who have been Glenferrie members for less than two years. The new members bring new expertise, skills and decisions and will enhance the leadership of Glenferrie Rotary. So, while the RBA is overhauled to bring it into a new era of expertise and diversity, Glenferrie will continue to do well.
During the past 18 months since our Club signed up to be the 14th Club associated with RIMERN, we have had four volunteers attending for half a day per month. Indeed, RIMERN has gone from strength to strength, providing household goods to 250 families since its inception. The co-tenants have moved out and RIMERN now has sole tenancy of the warehouse.
During Tuesday's meeting we were treated to an inspiring and professional presentation by Kaye Fallick. We also had the induction of Maria Pantling.
Although Kaye was tempted to give members some insights into David, she largely avoided this topic, and it was made clear that David was not to interrupt!
Although starting as a fashion designer, Kaye is best known for her role over 20 years as publisher of Your Choices Website for Baby Boomers. She is a writer, commentator and author and spoke to members particularly about “intergenerativity”. We gained an understanding of this term as one in which generations respect one another and are responsible for passing on or paying forward. She gave examples of what her parents had passed on to her; something which had all members thinking of their past.
In addition to volunteering regularly delivering breakfast in the city, Kaye is involved with “EveryAGE Counts” which seeks to promote and support the rights and respect for older Australians.
Mark Howlett, Kaye Fallick, President Teresa Liu &
According to the Foodbank Hunger Report 2022 report more than 2 million Australian households have run out of food, caused by the rising cost of living. 2022 saw a rapid increase in food prices and shortages of food supplies. The United Nations food agency warns about the double-digit food inflation that is still happening in dozens of countries. Compounding issues, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the global energy crisis and the effect of climate change, has caused the worsening of the food crises. Global trends are needed to reduce hunger and malnutrition.
Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years. Our goal of ridding the world of this disease is closer than ever.
As a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, we've reduced polio cases by 99.9 percent since our first project to vaccinate children in the Philippines in 1979.
Rotary members have contributed more than $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect nearly 3 billion children in 122 countries from this paralysing disease. Rotary’s advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by governments to contribute more than $10 billion to the effort.
Tonight, we were treated to an informative talk by Larissa Reinboth on the work of grief support charity “Possum Portraits”, to which she is the founder and Director. “Possum Portraits" works to support parents who have lost a baby to miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death. Larissa spoke about the common misapprehensions surrounding grief and loss. In Australia, a first world nation with good medical facilities, we still have many stillbirths, miscarriages, and neonatal deaths. This is more so in rural communities, where medical coverage is sparser.
There are so many activities planned for RICON 2023, but what is included in your Conference Registration Fee, and what is additional? Here is an outline of what there is to choose from.
Like many Rotarians, I have enjoyed the club’s annual Changeover, one of the most exciting nights in the Rotary year. Changeover is not in the club Constitutions and Bylaws. Glenferrie Rotarians dress up, bring their partners, and enjoy the Changing of the Guard, as it were. It is the time to celebrate Glenferrie’s accomplishments which all members take pride in. And it is a time to look forward to the year ahead, where the new leadership team will see new opportunities for Service above Self. On top of that, those members who stand out among us are recognized for their achievements and involvement.
On Tuesday 28th March 2023 members were met with a feast. The BBQ event was held on Kooyong's terrace in near perfect conditions. The terrace BBQ is held annually in March and was presented to us by the chefs from Kooyong. Babu Poudel, the Executive Events Manager and Sanveen, who took charge and looked after us on the night. Babu & Sanveen are both from Nepal. This cultural identity would seem to contribute to the variety of food that was on offer. Thanks to Lynette Spencer who, as she does every year, organised and oversaw the successful event.
For the first time, there was no Charity BBQ at the Parkinson's Victoria A Walk in the Park fundraiser this year, but there were still plenty of enthusiastic Glenferrie Rotarians to lend a hand. This year, instead of the BBQ, the food stall was selling healthy sandwiches and drinks, fueling hungry walkers and innocent passers-by at Federation Square. The 2023 event, held on Sunday March 26th, once again raised significant funding for this very important cause, to help find a cure for Parkinson's, and to help sufferers and their families enjoy a full life while dealing with their illness. A big thank you to everyone who helped out on the day, selling sandwiches and handing out smiles in support of Parkinson's Victoria. Good job!
President Teresa Liu and past presidents Carol Benson and Dr Mark Ellis AM eject a difficult customer from the Food Stall at Federation Square on March 26th. The Food Stall helped raise funds for Parkinson's Victoria to aid in their work with sufferers of Parkinson's Disease.
As of last Thursday, 23 March, 15,000 or so Rotarians have registered for the RI Convention 2023 worldwide. Among that, about 2,500 registrations are from Australia, 400 from D9800, and 16 from RC Glenferrie. In other words, 8% of Rotarians in Australia will come to RI Convention 2023, 20% of Rotarians in D9800 will attend, and RC Glenferrie proudly announces that more than 30% of our members, including their partners, will participate this once in life a lifetime event.
As members are aware, Education Chances Foundation ("ECF"), which provides scholarships to disadvantaged students in Boroondara, is the recipient of funds generated by the Farmers Market.
The Education CHANCES Foundation warmly invites you to a breakfast with Suzi Young, Director, Think Impact. Suzi will provide a brief evaluation of the work of the Foundation, and an update to her 2017 Social Return on Investment Report. You will also hear first-hand testimonials of where and how our Scholarships are transforming the lives of young people in Boroondara.
Club Almoner Thelma Hutchison and our very own Cheryl Pisterman have both been in the wars lately. Cheryl Pisterman is now at home recovering after firstly, having an operation on her hip at Cabrini Hospital in Malvern, and then secondly, contracting an infection which turned out to be an extremely tough bug indeed. Cheryl was admitted to hospital on February 17th and returned home on March 20th - quite long enough to qualify her to write a review of the hospital food on TripAdvisor. Cheryl is now being well looked after by Cabrini's Hospital at Home service and has come close to attending a club meeting on one or two occasions.
As for Thelma, she has just returned home from the ROCAN bike ride, which raises funds for ovarian cancer research. Thelma came off her bike and was quite badly hurt, ending up in Albury Hospital where she had to have not one but two operations on her elbow. Thelma was in hospital for a few days, before being discharged last Thursday night in time to catch up with the peloton in Wangaratta, for the final dinner. Now safely at home Thelma will be back at Rotary soon.
Get well soon Cheryl and Thelma. We've missed you!
The RoCan RC Williamstown's charity drive has just been completed after 7 days of riding. The ride has been going for many years and it supports Ovarian Cancer research and the set-up of wellness centres in close proximity to the big Melbourne hospitals. These centres are used mainly to provide accommodation for country patients and their families.
Thelma Hutchison, our outstanding RC Glenferrie member has been goading me to join this challenge to ride for years. There is a short course and a long course, which adds up to 1,000 kilometres. Being a novice to a weeklong event, I chose the short course and so only completed 570 km in that week. Interestingly my butt survived with copious cream rub.
Take a stroll around the gravel walking track, have a picnic or join the many locals who walk their dogs through this popular native setting.
This lovely park features Australian native plants and is a great spot for picnics and dog walking. It's just a few minutes from Camberwell Junction, next to the playground at Symonds Street Reserve.
As we approach the Club’s 70th Anniversary, newer members may be interested in this historical article Ian Warren wrote for the club bulletin in 2018.
It was with great pleasure that we welcomed Ms Oxana Belyaeva to the lectern on the 21st March for her presentation as a “Member behind the Badge” (“MBTB”). When we volunteer with fellow Rotarians, we usually don’t have the time to chat and understand what our fellow Rotarians do, their lives and their cultural experiences. So, on Tuesday night we had the opportunity to do this with Oxana as she detailed her life and cultural experiences from Russia to Melbourne.
Geoff Widmer, Oxana Belyaeva & President Teresa Liu
Rotary District 9800 ROCAN ride. Two days completed 90.17 kms from Wangarrata to Rutherglen, with an overnight stay at the DeBertoli winery accommodation, then 93.4km from Rutherglen to Albury. Very hot conditions over the last two days. Staying overnight in Albury. Thelma, Andrew and Mark are representing Glenferrie RC.
Riders setting of on the next stage of the ROCAN ride
Last December, I met Dr Keiko Osaki Tomita, the first-ever female member of the Rotary Club of Mito Japan in its 73 years of history. Dr Keiko is the president of Tokiwa University, Japan. Before this job, she had worked at United Nations in New York for over 30 years and served as Assistant Director of the UN Statistics Division from 2009 to 2018. During my brief visit to RC Mito, I shared my highlights in Rotary with this accomplished lady. Our discussions went from the decentralisation of Rotary activities to the degree of autonomy of Rotary clubs.
Come along, bring partners and friends, always lots of fun but be sure to book early. Places are strictly limited. Helpings are not! And this year's gourmet spread promises to be something extra special!
The Boroondara Farmers Market celebrated its 20th Anniversary on Saturday March 18th with a bumper market, special attractions and distinguished guests as residents thronged to Patterson Reserve for this very special occasion. Family attractions included face painting, a magician extraordinaire, a balloonologist (you had to be there), the most amazing magician, hoola hoops, a man on stilts blowing bubbles - the fun never stopped. The turnstiles never stopped turning as crowds poured in, which included the Member for Hawthorn, John Pesutto, and the Mayor of Boroondara, Cr Felicity Sinfield.
On a windy but warm day, stallholders did a brisk trade as families stocked up on fresh produce. Cr. Sinfield gave a brief address at an after-market bbq, thanking those who established the Market and have ensured its continued success over the past 20 years. The market is in good hands and the many new faces seen at Patterson Reserve last Saturday augers well for the next twenty years. Congratulations to the Boroondara Farmers Market, the City of Boroondara, the Rotary Club of Glenferrie and our wonderful farmers. It was an absolutely splendid day!
President Teresa Liu, in the green t-shirt, with Mayor of Boroondara Cr Felicity Sinfield and family, a sea of smiling faces at the Boroondara Farmers Market's 20th Birthday Party March 18th
To see more photos of the Boroondara Farmers Market 20th Birthday, click on Read more...
The PolioPlus Society (PPS) is a new fundraising and recognition program that specifically supports PolioPlus.
PPS encourages Rotary members and others to pledge at least US$100 per year to the PolioPlus Fund until polio is eradicated from the face of the earth.
Rotary members and their friends who join the Society will be honored with a distinctive lapel pin and a certificate, which will be presented at a special ceremony.
Your contributions will count toward Paul Harris Fellow recognition and Major Donor status and will be matched 2-to-1 by the Gates Foundation. The Society will be managed within D9800 by the D9800 Coordinator: Jane Pennington Jane.Pennington@rotary9800.org. Press Read More for details for joining the Society.
Our Honorary Member Past President Geoff Wood was invited to present a history of the Boroondara Farmers Market to celebrate the 20th Anniversary.
Geoff joined the Rotary Club of Glenferrie in May 1995 and served as President in the 2002 – 2003 Rotary Year. Geoff outlined in his Presidential year that the opportunity arose to commence the operation of a Farmers Market, in partnership with the City of Boroondara and, which was presented to and accepted by our Club.
Celebrating the Boroondara Farmers Market's 20th Birthday, from left President Teresa Liu, Sue Felton (Education CHANCES), Cr Susan Bigger, City of Boroondara, Guest Speaker PP Geoff Wood, PP Don Moore and Helen Worladge (Education CHANCES).
Following Past President Geoff Wood’s excellent historical narrative on the Farmers Market beginnings on Tuesday evening I would just like to elucidate on the purchase of the Electric Cart. The idea to purchase an Electric Cart came from Rob Winspear. A touring party of the hardworking John Hudson then Market Director, Newton Langford, Robert Winspear and I as chauffeur, first visited Ford in Broadmeadows then a supplier in Footscray that were both clearing out secondhand units. The Cart finally chosen was from the Footscray supplier.
For some time after the purchase the Electric Cart was called ‘The Winney’, in recognition of its promoter. As with the creation of the ‘shady nook’ area on the Auburn Roadside of the Market and the reduction of three Entrances to two Entrances, Robert’s ideas have greatly benefitted our Farmers Markets operation.
International Women’s Day – March 8th was a time to celebrate the contribution of women in the world. To cite Elizabeth Cady Stanton: “The best protection any woman can have… is courage.” With the RI Convention 2023 almost on our doorstep in Australia, some moments at RI Conventions should never be forgotten by women in Rotary. At the 1950 Rotary Convention, an enactment to delete the word “male” from the Standard Rotary Club Constitution, was proposed by a Rotary club in India for the Rotary Council on Legislation meeting.
Dear Glenferrie Rotarians, I am Hikaru Sato from Mito in Japan. I am in Melbourne as a Rotary International Global Grants Scholar, doing my Master’s in Public Health at the Australian Catholic University.
The Rotary Club of Glenferrie is my sponsor while I am in Melbourne, and I am very appreciative of the support from your Club. I arrived in Melbourne a month ago and have been very busy with my studies and making new friends.
After graduation, I would like to support the health and wellbeing of people, especially social minority groups. I will do my very best with my studies and apply what I learn in practice. I am looking forward to visiting the Glenferrie Rotary Club and meeting you in person soon.
The annual Gourmet BBQ on the Terrace at Kooyong is the stuff of legends, with stories told over generations of how good the food was, what great company we were in and what a fabulous view we had. And this year we plan even more of the same, led by Master Event Organiser and Champion of Fun Lynette Spencer, who has arranged for Kooyong to cook up something extra special for us this year. So come along, bring partners and friends, but be sure to book early. Places are strictly limited. Helpings are not!
Posted by Penny Connolly, Communications manager, Glenferrie Probus Club on Mar 10, 2023
In early 1991, The Probus Club of Glenferrie was formed through the initiative of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie. An advertisement was placed in the local “Progress Press” newspaper, letterbox drops made, and word of mouth messages networked via Bowling Clubs and local groups.
Interested men were invited to attend a meeting at the West Hawthorn Uniting Church, Power Street Hawthorn, on 18th April 1991, to form a new Probus Club. “A Club for Retired Men” (as the advertisement was headed), to be known as “The Probus Club of Glenferrie”.
You're invited to commemorate a successful Rotary International Convention Melbourne 2023 with Rotary International President Jennifer Jones and Lord Mayor Sally Capp, City of Melbourne, at Rotary Gala Dinner on Thursday 1 June 2023 at the prestigious Plaza Ballroom, Melbourne.
Relive the grandeur of by-gone days on a Tall Ship. The ONE & ALL is the host vessel of Rotary D9510's 'Youth Sailing Challenge' project transforming the lives of teenagers seeking their direction in life.
The club meeting on February 28th focused on Youth Service, and on two very impressive young people in particular. Guest speakers Sebastien Kreuger, of Swinburne Senior Secondary College, and Samuel Philp of Deakin University, both attended Rotary sponsored youth programs aimed at providing significant personal development opportunities, and each spoke with enthusiasm of their respective experiences, Sebastien at NYSF, and Samuel at RYLA. Both Sebastien and Samuel were sponsored by the Rotary Club of Glenferrie. Their impressive presentations underscored the considerable value of the club's support for programs such as these.
From left, PP Dr Mark Ellis AM, Michael Hills, Samuel Philp, Chris Raw, Sebastien Kreuger and PP Don Heath. Samuel and Sebastien enthralled the club meeting February 28th with descriptions of their experiences at RYLA and NYSF respectively.
One of the great advantages of being a Rotarian is that you are welcome at any one of the 36,000 Rotary clubs around the world (there are even some temporary ones set up on cruise ships!). You may be a visitor, but you are part of a global network, with immediate friends and openings to a network of people who can help get things done. It was in that spirit that Geoffrey and Kay Widmer visited, recently, the Stavanger International Rotary Club, not once but twice, on a visit to Norway to see their daughter and family. Geoffrey and Kay presented Club President Teresa Liu with the greeting banner they were given during their visit - an expression of friendship between our two clubs. Well done Geoff and Kay! That's the power of Rotary!
President Teresa and Club Secretary Peter Moore accept the banner of friendship from the Stavanger International Rotary Club, Norway, presented by Geoffrey and Kay Widmer. Hands across the seas!
Rotary clubs of Glenferrie, Hawthorn and Camberwell to Host Rotarians from all over the World at a Combined Club Meeting on May 29th
Hon. Josh Frydenberg, Former Treasurer of Australia, Guest Speaker
Glenferrie Rotarian Hon. Ted Baillieu AO, Former Premier of Victoria, Master of Ceremonies
The Rotary clubs of Glenferrie, Hawthorn and Camberwell will welcome Rotarians from all over the world, in Melbourne to attend the Rotary International Convention 2023. This extra special combined club meeting will celebrate the rich cultural and sporting heritage of Melbourne against the background of the Kooyong story, sharing with our guests our Rotary experience, and learning a little of theirs. Featuring as guest speaker Hon. Josh Frydenberg, Former Treasurer of Australia, MC Hon Ted Baillieu AO, Former Premier of Victoria and a program celebrating Marvellous Melbourne, this will be a night to savour, and to Imagine Rotary.
Have you ever heard about the term Universal Health Coverage (UHC)? It is defined by World Health Organisation(WHO) that all people have access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship. Achieving UHC is a WHO strategic priority, yet working for WHO and contributing to the realisation of UHC in developing countries is an aim for our RI Global Grants Scholar, Hikaru Sato.
RAWCS has commenced fundraising activities to support the impacted communities resulting from the Turkey and Syria Earthquake and the New Zealand Floods. Rotary Australia World Community Service Ltd (RAWCS) will work with local and international Rotary networks to facilitate the distribution of funds raised. The fundraising campaign was launched last week to support the communities in need as these disasters continue to cause significant loss.
“The money raised from the Appeals will go directly and quickly to support those impacted, providing essential items and financial support to supplement the funds that are being provided by World Governments,” said Rotary Australia World Community Service Ltd CEO Andrew Woodward.
The Boroondara Farmers Market, a joint venture of our Rotary Club and the City of Boroondara, has been running for 20 years in March 2023. We plan to celebrate this significant achievement at the Market on Saturday 18 March 2023.
The Farmer’s Market Committee, in conjunction with the Council have arranged some fantastic entertainment that will delight children, parents and friends. And of course, our stallholders will have an abundance of fresh local produce for sale.
Or so they say, with apologies to Neil Sedaka, but the team of happy Glenferrie Rotarians and friends sure did a good job of cleaning up at Patterson Reserve Hawthorn on Sunday. The annual Clean Up Australia Day event at Patterson Reserve doesn't just get rid of rubbish, it reminds us just how much better life is in a clean environment, and the value of the community working together to make it so.
The happy cleanerupperers finished the morning's work with a BBQ and a chat, and a big pile of old rubbish to send off for recycling or to the tip. Well done guys. Place looks absolutely spotless!
Cleaning up at Patterson Reserve Hawthorn on Sunday were, from left, Joanne Shentu, President Teresa Liu, a friend, Amelia Anderson, and Isaiah Lahai
Chemist Thomas Baker founded the Austral Plate Company in Melbourne in 1884, manufacturing early dry photographic plates, four years before the formation of The Eastman Kodak Company by George Eastman in Rochester NY, USA. Befriending George Eastman, Baker and his now partner John Rouse joined with UK based Eastman Kodak subsidiary Kodak Limited in 1908 to found what later became Kodak (Australasia) Pty Ltd, building a factory in Abbotsford. Baker was a visionary, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, founding what is now known as the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute at the Alfred Hospital. He gave most of his wealth away to medical research and charity. Thomas Baker was a Rotarian, the ninth president of The Rotary Club of Melbourne.
Thomas Baker, left, with partner John Rouse formed the Austral Plate Company, later Kodak (Australasia) Pty Ltd
Professor Sharon Lewin, Director of the Doherty Institute will deliver the annual Thomas Baker Oration at the Rotary Club of Melbourne, Sofitel on Collins, on April 19th 2023
As a warmup for the ROCAN ride coming up, past presidents Thelma Hutchison and Dr Mark Ellis AM took part in the two-day Ballarat Cycle Classic recently, to raise funds for the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute. The 85km ride over two days was a great success, with funds raised currently standing at $243,000, exceeding by $3,000 the target set by organisers.
The big one, the RoCan Ride for a Cause will commence on March 18th 2023 and take seven days to complete, requiring much training and great perseverance. Fantastic work by two outstanding Rotarians.
To help PP Thelma raise funds for ovarian cancer research through ROCAN by clicking on this link:
Enjoying a quiet moment during their ride to raise funds for the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute in Ballarat recently, from left Andrew Rothfield, PP Thelma Hutchison and PP Dr Mark Ellis AM
The Melbourne Celtic Festival is back on St Patrick’s Day, Friday, March 17 2023 from 12pm to 11pm at Melbourne’s iconic Mission to Seafarers, 717 Flinders Street.
100% of ticket proceeds go to Rotary Foundation Australia and Australian Rotary Health Mental Health Support and Research Programs.
Tickets are Live and you are the first to know so don’t walk, JIG to book your Festival Pass. BOOK NOW
We were fortunate to have Mike Englefield, President of the Eltham Rotary Club and Paul Nitas, a Director of Power Assist to speak about this programme which has been running for more than 20 years. It arose as an initiative from some members of the Power House organization and hence the name, Power Assist, which does not indicate that the players have mechanical aids such as wheelchairs.
The aim of Power Assist is to enhance the well-being and self-esteem of individuals with intellectual and physical disability through involvement in sport, namely basketball.
Mike Engfield, Alex Marshall, President Teresa Liu, Paul Nitas
As a lot of our members know I am a keen recreational cyclist and over the last few years have participated in a Rotary district group ride raising funds for ROCAN – Rotary Against Ovarian Cancer. ROCAN is an initiative of the Rotary Club of Williamstown and was established in 2003 to increase community awareness of this deadly disease. Funds raised from the ride will be directed towards supporting research aimed at developing a test to detect ovarian cancer in its early stages and the building of a wellness centre that will provide accommodation for cancer patients and their families as they undergo treatment.
The Melbourne City Council, together with their Heritage advisors have declared that the cobblestones of Federation Square have significant heritage value! As such they have told Fight Parkinson's (previously known as Parkinson's Victoria) that a Barbecue is not allowed. Fight Parkinson's, however, would very much like us to run a stall selling fruit bars, sandwiches, drinks, etc. Our help would only be needed from 8.30am to 1.00pm and only three volunteers would be required for each shift. I will therefore arrange to have the roster adjusted and those who have already signed up will need to re-enter their names as the various timeslots will have changed.
This is such a shame as the BBQ has always been a most enjoyable event.
No longer a BBQ but still a stall with refreshments
Isaiah was introduced to the Club by Elizabeth Dumonic and joined in 2021. He is a remarkable person with an inspiring story. A former refugee from the Republic of Sierra Leone, Isaiah is now an Australian citizen living in Melbourne. He spent 14 years moving between 5 refugee camps in Guinea and West Africa where peace could never be found. Isaiah played a short video including footage from the refugee camps and his journey to Australia, settling first in Hobart and then Melbourne. More of his story has been featured in the latest edition of Rotary Down Under.
This is just a reminder that our Clean Up Australia activity is on Sunday 26th February at Patterson Reserve. We meet at 9.30am by the Rotary container for registration (if not already registered online) and then we set off in various directions for the Clean Up. Gloves, graspers and rubbish bags will be provided. Sturdy footwear, suntan cream, a hat and insect repellant are advisable.
A BBQ will follow at 12.00 - 12.30pm. I look forward to seeing all those who are able to attend.
Every now and then, I struggle to apply The Four-Way Test over some issues raised by the club and our members, which need an opinion from the club president. Theoretically, The Four-Way-Test has been intended to apply to everything we think, say, or do in the Rotary world. Yet, in reality, practicing it can be a challenge. The first point, “Is it the truth?” can be easy as truth is absolute in most cases. “Is it fair to all concerned?” In society today, what is fair in one case may not be fair in another. What is fair to one member may not be considered fair by another.
In the global effort to eradicate polio, 2022 was a year of contrasts. With polio detections in places such as New York and London and an increase in cases in Pakistan, it may seem that our efforts are going backwards. While detection of any poliovirus is a setback, a deeper analysis reveals a more encouraging story: 2022 saw perhaps some of the most significant progress in the programme’s history and has set up the global polio effort for a unique opportunity to achieve success in 2023.
Turkey and Syria were struck by a devastating earthquake on 6 February that has killed tens of thousands of people, destroyed thousands of homes and other structures, and left people across the region without shelter in bitterly cold winter weather. The Rotary world responded to this catastrophe immediately.
Our Rotary dinner meetings for 2023 commenced formally last Tuesday 14 February 2023 and it was terrific to see 29 of our members and 3 guests attending. It was also Valentine’s Day – a day to celebrate the love we have for our friends, and family members.
Over the January/February months some of our members have had and/or continue to experience health issues and our thoughts and best wishes for improved outcomes go out to them. These include Jane Gilchrist who now has accommodation at Hedley Sutton, Cheryl, John and Errol Hudson, Helen Worladge and Garfield.
The Rotary Club of Glenferrie was recognised recently with a Certificate of Appreciation for its latest contribution of $2,000 to the global End Polio campaign. Rotary has been a key player in the global program to eliminate polio from the world, which is now considered close to success.
President Teresa Liu accepted the Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of the Club at the club meeting on February 14th 2023. Presented here by incoming Assistant Governor Eastside Cluster PP Charles Tran
The traditional Glenferrie picnic kicked off 2023 on Tuesday, 31 January 2023 at the site of our Rotary 100 Playground at Yarra Bank Reserve, Hawthorn. I love the club tradition of having a picnic at the first gathering in the new year. On a beautiful evening, sitting in scenic surroundings with fellow Rotarians and a friend of Rotary, we cooked, ate, and drank, with lots of chitchat and laughter. It’s Glenferrie’s family time, longing for a good year ahead. It’s a time to catch up, share the joy of the festive season, and make more good memories. Thank you, my fellow Rotarians, for coming along and sharing the love within your Rotary family. Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle. Happiness never decreases by being shared.
The inclement weather on Saturday February 4th unfortunately deterred some patrons and stallholders, despite the added attraction of traditional ol' English Morris Dancing, appropriately accompanied by tambourines, hooting and hollering. The weather didn't deter this hardy band of brothers, however, seen here after packing away the gear in the container for another day.
The Motley Crew: from left "Raindrops keep falling on my head" Wayne Worladge, "Doctor in the House" Paul Shekleton, the "Man from Snowy River" Ian Salek, "Anchors away, my boys" Garfield Lee and "Why Didn't We do it in the Road" David Fallick. All done with rhythmic efficiency!
I would like to remind all Members that we are having our Clean Up Australia event at 9.30am on 26th February followed by a BBQ and a drink or two. As in previous years we meet at the Rotary container at 9.30am and then set off to collect rubbish from Patterson Reserve, the car-park and surrounding streets. There has, in previous years, been a substantial amount of rubbish collected and the opportunity to socialise afterwards has been most enjoyable.
Please consider signing up in the Rosters tab on the Club website, or click on this link to sign up now. We look forward to seeing as many as possible on the day.
This is to notify you that these are activities which will involve Club members during the next few weeks.
1. Bread Run: this activity started last week and will continue during the year. Many thanks to those who have already signed up. To sign up for the Bread Run click here
2. Clean Up Australia: our Rotary Club cleanup of Patterson Reserve and surrounding streets will be on Sunday 26th February at 9.30am followed by a BBQ. This is a week earlier than the officially gazetted day. Please save the date. It is possible to sign up under the Rosters tab on the Club website: Click here for direct access to the Clean Up signup list. It would be marvellous to have a good turnout as the BBQ, in recent years, has been a most convivial occasion.
3. Parkinson’s Walk BBQ: the date for this year’s event is Sunday 26th March and as in previous years we will require 15-20 Club members to run the BBQ which is held in Federation Square. In the past it has been a most enjoyable day. So please consider signing up as a volunteer. Click here to sign up for Parkinson's Walk BBQ 2023.
The Host Organising Committee (HOC) is looking for Volunteers to assist with the running of the Rotary International Convention in May 2023 in Melbourne (RICON23). Volunteers are required to primarily assist as Welcome Marshalls at the main convention sites ( Melbourne Convention and Entertainment Centre and Rod Laver Arena ) as well as at HOC Events, Major Block Hotels, Tullamarine Airport and Southern Cross Station. Volunteers will also be first-hand providers of information and advice to delegates on a variety of aspects of RICON23.
Two RC Glenferrie members, Thelma Hutchison and I, are taking part in a Rotary charity ride in mid-March 2023. It will be a 7-day event going through towns such as Wangaratta, Rutherglen, Albury, Bright and Beechworth. This is fund raising mainly aimed at early detection of Ovarian cancer and, to build a wellness centre where families will be able to stay overnight whilst their loved ones are undergoing treatment. 100% of what you donate will go to this cause.
A Happy New Year to all Glenferrie Rotarians, partners, and friends. I hope you all enjoyed the festive season and had a fun and relaxing time with your families during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Like many of you, my fellow Rotarians, New Year has always brought us another chance to set things right and open up a new chapter in our lives; just as it will for the Rotary Club of Glenferrie. What would be a new chapter for Glenferrie in 2023? What will our club achieve in the next six months, and how? The club will hold its first SAG (Strategic Action Group) meeting in 2023 next week and discuss these issues.
Wake Up Wake Up! Time to wake up from summer slumber and restart the Rotary year with a friendly get together in the cool of a summer evening. Our club will kick off this momentous year with a picnic and barbecue at the award winning Yarra Bank Reserve playground, Denham Street Hawthorn, on the banks of the Yarra and the site of our Rotary 100 playground. Bring something to cook on the barby or bring a picnic, something to drink and sit on, bring partners and friends! But most of all come along and join in the fun! No need to book. Just come along. We've missed you!
Yarra Bank Reserve is on the site of the old Palmers Punt that linked Richmond with the Parish of Boroondara up until the mid-19th century. It is the site of a scar tree, evidence of the ancient occupation of the riverbank by the traditional owners of the land, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. It sits alongside the Hawthorn Bridge, the oldest extant bridge in Victoria and one of the oldest metal bridges in Australia. And on Tuesday January 31st it will be the site of the first get together for 2023 of the happy crowd at the Rotary Club of Glenferrie! Looking forward to seeing you there.
The Rotary Club of Glenferrie wishes you good health, much happiness, personal fulfilment and inner peace in 2023.
Happy New Year everyone!
The next gathering of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie will be a barbecue and picnic on Tuesday, January 31st, 2023 at Yarra Bank Reserve Hawthorn, site of the Rotary 100 Playground. See you there!
The joint Christmas Party with Rotary Hawthorn on Tuesday positively hummed with friendship and seasonal goodwill. More than 100 Rotarians and guests from the Rotary clubs of Glenferrie and Hawthorn were joined at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club by District Governor Amanda Wendt for a memorable evening of opera classics, musical theatre favourites and familiar Christmas carols. The revellers were treated to an evening of beautiful music from tenor Ben Glover, soprano Leah Phillips and pianist Alex Byrne and the undeniable Ellis(less) Carollers, the latter leading the throng in Christmas carols, one or two with some interesting changes to the wording. Click on read more below for more pictures.
Congratulations to the Christmas Party Committee led by PP Dr Mark Ellis AM and comprising Rotarians from both clubs on creating a wonderful event to finish the year.
The club is now on summer holidays. Wishing you all a very merry Christmas, and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.
Merry Christmas everyone!
The next gathering of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie will be a barbecue and picnic on Tuesday, January 31st 2023 at Yarra Bank Reserve Hawthorn, site of the Rotary 100 Playground. See you there!
Emma Watts is the Fundraising and Communications Director for SecondBite addressed the meeting on 29th November. SecondBite was started in 2005 to rescue food that was being sent to land fill. It is the largest food rescue organisation in the country.
SecondBite rescued 2.3M kgs of food last year and has produced 300 million meals since 2005. It partners with the likes of Coles and Woolworths along with 1400 other agencies throughout the country.
GR along with other clubs recently packed a shipping container with 14 playgrounds and one spare swing set (770 pieces all together). All of which will be reassembled in needy countries. Thanks to Isaiha, Geoff and Jerzy who represented GR on the day. The Lilydale Star Mail published an article about the program (with Isaiah shown front and centre!).
Every morning I stroll down my street, enjoying the quiet adventure of exploring the neighbourhood with my two four-pawed friends, William and Harry. Since the beginning of December this year, I’ve noted that more and more neighbours have put out their Christmas decorations earlier. They have hung the wreaths on the front doors, displayed Christmas lights in their house and gardens, and tied the red bows to the street trees, adding Christmas flair to the neighbourhood.
The Glenferrie Times defines itself as an independent newspaper for the locals and traders of Glenferrie Hawthorn. In the December 2022 edition, which can be accessed by clicking on this link, The Glenferrie Times carries a feature article titled 'Staying Power', in which it identifies businesses in Glenferrie Road that have stood the test of time. One such business is Dobson's, the business owned and operated by Glenferrie Rotarian Ian Dobson and family.
Says the 'Times: "Endurance is an attribute often overlooked in favour of vainer qualities when it comes to business, yet it is the capacity for longevity that ensures a feeling of familiarity and ‘standing’ amongst the community. Many shops come and go on Glenferrie Road, yet there are those, like that of Lawrencia Cycles, Continental Deli, Dobsons and Poloman, who have collectively dis-played that durability is not only possible, but an asset to their business. Qualities like that of grit, positivity and passion are shared amongst these featured traders as reasons why they have enjoyed long-lasting businesses".
RYLA - Rotary Youth Leadership Awards RYLA is a week-long Camp for up to 21-year-olds. The program is aimed at focusing on personal growth, leadership development and community. Our candidateSamuel Philp contacted me, and he said he had a wonderful time and had made many new friends. He was very thankful to Rotary for giving him the opportunity to go.
NYSF - National Youth Science Forum
The NYSF Year 12 Program is a 12-day program designed to give students a broader understanding of the diverse study and career options available in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). Our candidate Sebastien Krueger from Swinburne Senior Secondary College will be attending this program.
Australian Rotary Health, a project of Rotary Districts of Australia and supported by Rotary clubs, is one of the largest independent funders of mental health research within Australia. It provides funding towards research grants, fellowships and PhD scholarships focussed on finding preventative and curative solutions for mental illness in young Australians.
The latest newsletter carries news of fundraising via Lift the Lid Walks, the latest research being funded and upcoming events.
Strongly supported by The Rotary Club of Glenferrie, you can read the latest newsletter by clicking on the image below.
During our recent trip to Norway to see our two young Norwegian grandchildren, we had the opportunity to visit the SIRC on 31 st October ( normal meeting) and 14 th November to meet a District Governor Mr. Odd Henry Hommedal and to hear about the activities of SIRC and the important issues for the future of Rotary in Norway. It was a great experience and the SIRC members made us feel very welcome, share their stories and were keen to hear about The Rotary Club of Glenferrie.
From Left to Right: Mr Geir Owe, Deputy DG 2250 , Mr. Odd Henry Hommedal, DG 2250, Mrs. Oud Signe Retsby, President SIRC 2022-2023, Kay Widmer, Geoff Widmer, Rotary Glenferrie, Mr. Nigel Sams SIRC, Mr. Duncan Samuels, SIRC Secretary and Mrs Leisly Loyo-Ferrer, Past President SIRC.
The December-January edition of Rotary Down Under carries a feature on Rotary District 9800, the birthplace of Rotary in Australia. On pages 34 and 35 there is a tribute to a remarkable Rotarian, Glenferrie's own Isaiah Lahai. The article begins: "Isaiah is an awe inspiring, remarkable member of The Rotary Club of Glenferrie".
Congratulations to PDG Dennis Shore, of the Rotary Club of Hawthorn on his appointment as a Rotary Foundation Trustee. In Rotary Foundation month, I was pleased to be invited to the 30th Annual Paul Harris Breakfast, last Tuesday. Jeroen Weimar, the former Commander of the COVID-19 Response in Victoria, and the CEO of the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, gave a pleasant talk of A Journey of Leadership and Self-Transformation to Rotarians. At the meeting. PDG Dennis Shore from our parent club, Rotary Hawthorn, was announced as a Trustee of the Rotary Foundation.
Melbourne is looking forward to hosting the Rotary International Convention in 2023. A most liveable city with much to offer - we wish to demonstrate a warm and friendly welcome to all Rotarians attending from around the globe.
A vital part of this is to have an engaged and energised volunteer team to assist all visitors during the Convention. We wish to include volunteers from all ages and backgrounds and create a diverse team. Volunteers may be Rotarians or Non-Rotarians - we encourage family and friends and all likeminded people - to be part of this wonderful opportunity to showcase Rotary and Melbourne.
The Convention requires a huge number of volunteers to ensure its success and we are looking for more volunteers to register and be willing to undertake at least one shift of four hours during the Convention. If you are able to do this, please register as a volunteer which you can do here: click on this link.
The Rotary National Flood Appeal has been launched to raise funding to provide financial assistance to flood victims in Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales. Funds donated to Victoria and Border Communities Flood Relief Fund Distribution (Project 31-2022-23 RABS) will go to flood victims in Victoria and Border communities. Donations can be made via the RAWCS website: click on this link.
The 17th International Tennis Fellowship of Rotarians (ITFR) World Championship will take place in Melbourne Park “The Home of Tennis”, over 4 days from 23-26 May 2023, in the lead up to the RI Convention.
Don’t be put off by the “World Championships” tag, it’s an event for tennis players of all ages and abilities.
The Rotary Club of Glenferrie will join with the Rotary clubs of Hawthorn and Camberwell to host 100 Rotarians from all over the world, at a special club dinner event at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club on Monday May 29th 2023. The event will replace the usual Tuesday meeting that week.
The Rotary International Convention, to be held in Melbourne in May 2023, is a unique opportunity to experience the internationality of Rotary, to gain ideas, expand our networks and make new friends. This special Club Hosting event will make that experience even more accessible. The organising committee comprising PP Ian Salek and PP Richard Blakeman from Rotary Glenferrie, Teresa Kitchen from Rotary Hawthorn and PP Patrick Docherty is already well advanced with the plans for the event, which is expected to attract a total of 230 Rotarians for the evening. The event will feature prominent speakers and attractions that celebrate Melbourne's cultural heritage, in sport, the arts and in its rich history. Stay tuned for more information in the new year!
Rotary International President Jennifer Jones invites the world to Melbourne for Convention 2023
PDG Julie Mason, an amazing speaker in her own right, represented the Rotary Foundation to update and remind the club of the engine room of Rotary. She pointed out her own personal experiences in Cambodia and how she got into the habit of donating to the Foundation.
Recognised for their personal commitment and contributions to The Rotary Foundation, from left, PP Charles Tran, PP Dr Mark Ellis AM, PP Ian Salek, Peter Moore, Catherine Eagleson, PP Robert Hogan, PDG Julie mason, Geoffrey Widmer and PP Thelma Hutchison
Congratulations to PP Robert Hogan for receiving his Paul Harris Fellow Recognition with one ruby, and to Geoff Widmer for beginning his pledge to the Paul Harris Society.
The Rotary Leadership Institute Program presents a wonderful opportunity for experienced Rotarians, new members and indeed people interested in finding out more about Rotary to take some time to experience the history, current and new initiatives related to this great organisation we call Rotary.
Last Tuesday evening after the Club’s AGM, in excess of forty members and guests, were treated to a highly professional presentation by Naomi Campbell on the new-to-Australia power generation from offshore wind farms.
Naomi has brought to Australia a wealth of knowledge derived from her many years working in this challenging industry in the UK and Europe, including some of the largest infrastructure projects. She and her husband moved here in 2019 after Naomi joined Copenhagen Offshore Partners as a director and was assigned to work with Star of the South, this country’s first huge wind farm which will be located off the East Gippsland coast.
The Benefits of Rotary Youth Exchange: As the host club in 2019-2020, RC Glenferrie sponsored an outbound Rotary Exchange, student Bianca Shepherd, from Siena College to study in Vienna, Austria for one year. Bianca enjoyed her time in Vienna and returned to Australian in early 2020. Now she is doing her dream course, Fashion Design bachelor's degree at RMIT.
In the same period, our Youth Service Committee developed a good relationship with an inbound Youth Exchange student Constanze Schuen from Austria, who stayed with Bianca’s family during her Youth Exchange year in Australia.
Club members are invited to volunteer to assist with the loading of dismantled playgrounds as part of the RORP (Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds) project. The loading will be led by Bob Allardice from Nunawading club but will be attended by members from a number of clubs. 2 volunteers (or more) would be welcome from Glenferrie.
The club has learned with sadness that Past President Llewellyn (Llew) Jones passed away on August 10th, 2022. He was ninety-two. A service in celebration of Llew's life was held at Wantirna Seventh Day Adventist Church, Wantirna, on Friday August 19, 2022.Llew leaves behind his wife Joy, with whom he formed a successful Hawthorn East printing company, Joyllew Pty Ltd, and who is now in aged care.
Llew was a Charter Member of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie, and a member of the first board of directors. He was President of the club in 1982-83 and a Paul Harris Fellow with one sapphire. Inducted into Rotary on October 22nd, 1975 with the vocational classification "Printing", Llew was made an Honorary Member of the club when he and Joy moved to The Basin in the late 2000s and regular travel to Hawthorn became impractical.
Past President Llewellyn Jones contributed significantly to the early success of The Rotary Club of Glenferrie and is remembered fondly. He can be seen in the photo below (second from right) celebrating the club's 21st birthday in 1996. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Joy and family.
Extra large crowds were drawn to the Boroondara Farmers Market on Saturday November 19th, despite the threatening weather. And the special draw card? Why, the annual Boroondara Sustainable Living Festival of course, showcasing ways in which we can all help to ensure a sustainable future. From electric vehicles to solar panels, recycled books to sustainable gardening, there was lots to appeal to patrons of all ages. There is no doubt, however, that the biggest drawcard of all for the children was the native animal exhibit. Protecting our environment*, protecting our ecological diversity and protecting our children's future is a universal responsibility. There was no shortage of ideas as to how we can help at Saturday's Farmers Market.
The host city of the 2023 Rotary International Convention is multiple cities rolled into one
Rotary International gives Melbourne the official thumbs-up with an enthusiastic feature story in the November 2022 edition of Rotarymagazine. "The vibrant and stately city of Melbourne is an Australian capital city in every sense of the word", says the story. "But if you dig into Melbourne’s rich history and look closely at its many tourist attractions, you will discover that the home of the 2023 Rotary International Convention might easily claim the crown as Australia’s culinary, cultural, sports, and shopping capital, in addition to being the capital of the state of Victoria".
Click on the image below to read what the rest of the world is learning about Melbourne. Book now for Rotary International Convention 2023 to take advantage of the Early Bird rate. Click here. But be quick. The Early Bird offer expires soon!
The latest edition of the Rotary Zone 8 newsletter carries interesting news from around the Zone, which includes Rotary in Australia, New Zealand, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Tonga and Vanuatu.
To read the latest from around the zone, click on the image below.
Mahroo and Weranja proudly announce the safe arrival of a beautiful baby daughter, Kiana, who arrived on October 17th at Cabrini Hospital. Kiana, in Persian, means 'Essence', and there is no doubt from this picture that Kiana will be the essence of much happiness for her parents in the years ahead. Mother and baby are doing well, says Weranja, and some nights they get as much as three hours sleep before Kiana announces it's time for tea.
Warm congratulations Mahroo and Weranja, from all your fellow Rotarians at Rotary Glenferrie. We look forward to meeting Kiana soon and wish your beautiful family much happiness in the years to come.
Beautiful little Kiana Ranasinghe made her debut in the world October 17th. Mum, dad and baby all doing well.
A student sponsored by the Rotary Club of Glenferrie has been accepted to attend the 2023 National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) in Canberra. Sebastien Krueger, a student at Swinburne Senior Secondary College will be packing his bags this January to travel to the nation's capital for the twelve-day program designed to give students a broader understanding of the diverse study and career options available in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), and to encourage continued studies in these fields.
Attend a Rotary International Convention and see the international face of Rotary. From May 27-31, 2023 an anticipated 15,000+ Rotarians from around the world will converge on Melbourne to experience what our city (and Victoria) can offer. To quote a member of the convention organising committee, PDG Dennis Shore Rotary Club of Hawthorn, "... experience Rotary like you never have before – it’s Rotary on Steroids. The ticket price goes up on December 15 so make sure you get the best deal and book now – you won’t regret it."
On Tuesday evening November 8th, Rotary Glenferrie was delighted to welcome back our Past District Governor in D9800 from 2019-2020 Grant Hocking. Grant is this year’s District Foundation Chair and visited us to talk about the vital Rotary funding engine room, The Rotary Foundation. In the presentation Grant made some key points to inform members of the Rotary Foundation’s work.
PDG Grant Hocking receives contributions from Rotary Glenferrie for both the Annual Fund and Polio Plus from President Teresa Liu and Club Foundation Director PP Charles Tran at the club meeting November 8th
The annual Paul Harris Breakfast is a joint project of the Rotary Club of Central Melbourne and Rotary District 9800 in honour of Paul Harris, the Founder of Rotary International. Funds raised are donated to The Rotary Foundation, the main funding vehicle for Rotary projects worldwide. Always attracting significant speakers, this year's event is no different. Especially topical after two years of Covid inspired lockdowns, the breakfast this year will feature guest speaker Jeroen Weimar, latterly Commander - Covid 19 Response for the Victorian Government, and now the recently appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Come and hear the plans for Melbourne in 2026 and enjoy a fine breakfast networking opportunity.
PAUL HARRIS BREAKFAST 2022
GUEST SPEAKER: Jeroen Weimar
A JOURNEY OF LEADERSHIP AND OF SELF TRANSFORMATION
The Boroondara Farmers Market will host the Boroondara Sustainable Living Festival on Saturday November 19th, which will showcase just how easy it is to incorporate sustainable living choices and actions into our everyday lives. On show in 2022 will be displays that will appeal to all, whatever your interest, from growing food in your backyard, to beekeeping, to saving water or energy - this festival will have something to inspire all ages.
Only a month to Christmas? Oh no I haven't started the shopping! But hey how can I celebrate the festive season? Not a problem - your Glenferrie Christmas Party (combined with Hawthorn Rotary) is happening on 13 December 2022.
November is Rotary Foundation Month:The Rotary Foundation is Rotary's charity and should be the charity of choice of Rotarians. Registered in the USA as an International Charitable Trust, The Rotary Foundation (TRF) was established as an endowment fund in 1917 and enjoyed modest growth until 1947, when Rotarians made significant contributions in memory of Paul Harris, who died in January 1947. That same year TRF launched its first programme, Graduate Fellowships (later called Ambassadorial Scholarships), sending 18 students abroad to seven countries. Today, more than 1,200 Rotary Scholars are studying abroad every year.
An excellent project has presented to the Community Service Group and the views of our members would be much appreciated. Camcare in Camberwell provides a range of services including food relief, counselling, family support services and in the past we have participated in various projects with them. They need help to collect 1 - 2 carloads of donated fresh food and bread from Woolworths at the corner of Warrigal and High Street Roads, Ashwood. The supermarket is right on the boundary between the Boroondara and Monash City Councils.
The Rotary International Convention 2023 will be held in Melbourne Australia in May. More than 20,000 Rotarians from all over the world will converge on Melbourne in what will be one of the biggest international events for the city next year. Come on Melbourne! It's your time to shine!
The Annual Fund makes it possible for Rotary clubs to transform lives worldwide. Your generous support funds local and international projects that advance The Rotary Foundation’s mission. All contributions to the international fund are spent on quality international Rotary projects.
The Every Rotarian, Every Year (EREY) initiative encourages all Rotary club members to contribute $50 - $100 every year to help us reach our goal to support the Rotary Foundation financially each year.
This year, the Rotary Club of Glenferrie is aiming to have 90% of its members to make an active contribution to the Foundation. All participants will go into a draw for a $50 gift voucher. (To be drawn in late November)
The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world.
Let’s be part of it for 2022 !!!
For Instructions to become an EREY press on read more
I report that the Directors of the SEP with the General Manager of our new NGO FORESIGHT AUSTRALIA had a very tight schedule to get our messages across and to ensure the Indonesians, that we are back in action. The team consisting of Peter Lewis, Peter Stewart, Remy Di Ponio, the general manager of FORESIGHT and myself. We had an extensive week of talks and the renewing of links and friendships with the Ophthalmology Department of Hasanuddin University (UNHAS) and with the Sumba Foundation, headed by Dr Claus Bogh.
We have visited all 3 provinces in West Sumba, meeting with the Health and Medical Directors as well as viewing the relevant hospitals. Lots of plans hopefully to pave a return of an established cooperation with UNHAS and FORESIGHT Sumba Eye Program.
Peter spoke to us via zoom on how the program was progressing. There are approximately a half a million people who have fled from Ukraine to Poland. Mainly families of woman and children. Most of them have been traumatized by the war, and many need psychiatric help. Rotary of course can only help by providing them with much needed professional care.
Warsaw Rotary also tries to organise accommodation for the refugees, housing both permanent and temporary accommodation. One man gave his hotel up for accomodation for two weeks. Rotary also tries to find jobs for them. Of course, they must undergo interviews etc., so Rotary steps in and helps with the process.
The club notes with sadness the passing of PP Dr Alex Buchanan AM (1997-98) on October 25th. Alex was an Ambassadorial Scholar at Iowa State University in 1959-1960, with the assistance of The Rotary Foundation. He was inducted into the club in May 1987, into the classification 'Medical Research'. He was already a Rotarian, having previously been a member of the Rotary clubs of Moorabbin and Bangkok South. At the time of his induction, Alex was Scientific Administrator at Monash University. His wife Jo was also a club member, inducted into the classification 'Psychology' in July 1995
Doves Valley is a primary school situated in Palabek Kal Sub-County, Lamwo District, Northern Uganda. Student numbers are around the four hundred mark. The original latrines at the school were full to overflowing and the temporary ones were destroyed when flooded. Schools in Uganda were closed for two years due to Covid but reopened in January 2022. When a school inspector from the Lamwo Education Department came through the school, he threatened to close the school down because of this issue.
The problem was solved thanks to Beyond Water and financial contribution from The Rotary Club of Glenferrie. View this short video for the full story, and click on 'Read more' below.
Although we have not had much playground removal activity in the past couple months, Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds (RORP) will continue to be an active opportunity for club members. The next scheduled activity is the packing of removed playgrounds into a container ready for shipping to Chennai India. This activity is scheduled for Nov 26 and volunteers will be invited closer to the time but keep it in mind if you can.
In general, RORP is not a program which draws on club funds, but rather provides opportunities for members to help in a fun, friendly and active way. With recent shipping price rises however, all participating clubs were asked to contribute $500, which Glenferrie was happy to do with the certificate attached.
Our speaker on Tuesday, Elle Giles, gave us an update on the Red Cross Blood Bank which is now known as the Red Cross Blood Service. The name was changed a couple of years ago to better reflect the range of services now provided Australia wide. As well as blood donations the service also includes the Organ and Tissue Registry, Bone Marrow registry, breast milk for premature babies, research and innovation.
The Service needs 33,000 blood donations per week comprising 19,000 plasma donations, 500 platelet donations and 13,500 blood donations.
If you haven't done so already, don't forget to lodge your preferences for the Farmers Market Roster in 2023 via the online form no later than October 31st. Roster placements will be allocated centrally and the roster for next year distributed to all members by the end of November.
Members are asked to fulfill at least four market shifts in 2023 but are requested to nominate at least eight market shifts as preferred shifts. This will make it more likely that the rosterer will be able to assign you a preferred shift. Members may nominate more than eight potential shifts, but only four will be allocated unless the member indicates willingness to do more.
If you do have preferences, please submit them asap as shifts will be assigned to members in the order in which their preference nomination forms are submitted.
If you do not have any preference for the shifts that are assigned to you, there is no need to take any action. Your shifts will be assigned centrally by the rosterer with sincere thanks for your flexibility.
Since 1 July this year, the first day I took office as the club president, I have been well aware that the role of the President is to lead the club and ensure that it functions effectively. Yet, what is an effective Rotary club? It is a club able to:
Provide standard club operations which give members more time to focus on service and fellowship
Sustain or increase its membership base
Implement successful projects that address the needs of its community and communities in other countries
Implement sustainable and successful fundraising to fund the projects and contribute to Rotary Foundation
Develop leaders capable of serving in Rotary beyond the club level
The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) is a weeklong residential leadership program for young people aged 18 to 25. It is held at Camp Getaway at Axedale on November 27th – December 23rd. It focuses on personal growth, leadership development and community.
A little bit about our candidate (Samuel Philp) who has been accepted for the Camp.
"I’m incredibly excited to be accepted into RYLA. It is an amazing opportunity and I’m looking forward to the camp!
I’m a third year Bachelor of Arts (advanced honours) student at Deakin University and I’m completing a double major in philosophy and creative writing.
Professionally, I have three jobs: I’m an assistant grants writer, a private primary and secondary school tutor and I’m the co-founder of a local community sports organisation called Downball Australia. I’ve completed a number of internships for NFP organisations including: The Hush Foundation, Ambulance Victoria and Kindred Spirits".
THE PULIM WIN PROJECT: BREATHING LIFE INTO NEWBORNS
The club was treated to a ZOOM presentation from Robyn Schmid, a neonatal intensive care nurse at Westmead Hospital and Rennie Schmid, her husband who is a Rotarian. The sobering statistics of maternal and neonatal mortality in PNG was presented. Maternal mortality in 2017 was 145/100000 births and approximately 26 babies die out of every 1000 that are born. Comparable figures for Australia are 5/100000 and 2/1000 respectively.
Robyn, together with colleagues from the Australian College of Neonatal Nurses have been conducting courses in neonatal resuscitation at the Goroka Hospital. There has been a total of 10 weeklong visits with up to 8 trainers between October 2014 and September 2019. In total 1274 episodes of training have been provided to nurses and village birthing assistants.
With the demise of suburban press, the need for community news has spawned a number of informative quality community newspapers. One such paper is the Eastsider News which in this month's edition features Rotary at work in our local community. Click on the image below and go to page 15.
The war in Ukraine has caused a humanitarian crisis with the United Nations reporting 10 to 12 million persons, mostly women and children fleeing the war zones, many into neighbouring countries.
Rotary Clubs in Australia have combined with the Australian Federation of Ukraine Organizations (AFUO) and created the Ukraine Crisis Appeal https://www.ukrainecrisisappeal.org/ to help raise funds so as to provide displaced persons with essential items such as water, food, shelter, medicine and clothing. Rotary International also has provided relief funding support. https://hail.to/rotary-on-the-move/publication/uHZGhbc/article/bk6nt8j
The Bayside Rotary Clubs of Brighton North, Brighton, Hampton, Sandringham and Beaumaris have combined with St Leonard’s College and the AFUO to plan a Concert event on Sunday 23 Oct 2.30pm at the St Leonard’s School Concert Hall, 163 South Rd Brighton East.
From October 1st to 31st Rotarians and friends are being encouraged, once again, to take action to raise awareness, funds, and support to end Polio. Using its user-friendly website (www.rotarywalkwithus.org), you can register to walk and set distance and fundraising goals. Alternatively, you can donate to someone who is walking. For the walkers, the total distance you have set for the month is accumulated over the entire month of October. So, you can walk when, where and with whom you want in a COVID safe way. Each walk is logged on the website along with all donations. It’s easy.
Patterson Reserve was a bit soggy at the weekend, but that was the only drawback at the Boroondara Farmers Market on Saturday October 15th. There were plenty of patrons and stallholders, attracted by the Emergency Services displays and the pause in the inclement weather. And thankfully there were no emergencies at the Reserve, but if there had been we were certainly well prepared with the Police service, SES, Ambulance service and lots of other emergency services personnel on hand to attend. What a treat it was for the kids, and for the kids at heart!
A chance to look inside a real police car is always a hit with the kids!
The on-line market shift preference nomination forms have been distributed to every Active and Honorary member of the club, in preparation for setting the Farmers Market rosters for 2023. Market Rosters will now be set one year in advance and published in November 2022 for the following year.
Members who do not have a preference for which shifts are assigned to them do not need to take any action. Their shifts will be allocated to them centrally. However if you do have a preference, please be sure to submit your form by the end of October 2022 so that they can be taken into account. Every effort will be made to ensure you get your nominated shifts.
From October 1st to 31st Rotarians and friends are being encouraged, once again, to take action to raise awareness, funds, and support to end poliomyelitis, a vaccine-preventable disease that still threatens the children of the world today.
As a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), Rotary worldwide has helped to reduce polio cases from an average of 1,000 cases per day in 1987 to just a handful of cases in 2021; a 99.9% reduction. If eradication efforts stopped today, within 10 years, polio could paralyse as many as 200,000 children each year.
The Rotary Walk With Us campaign throughout October is a fun way to raise awareness and funds to End Polio Now.
The Boroondara Farmers Market is the club's single biggest commitment, raising substantial funds in support of local and international projects. It is a key factor in determining the club's continued success.
For most of the market's history, it has been a feature of membership of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie that every member is expected to complete at least four rostered duties at the market during the course of the calendar year. (Actually, it used to be six until the market was reorganised two years ago!). That process has slipped in recent years, meaning that not every member has had an opportunity to contribute. At a recent Board meeting, the decision was taken to return to the previous practice of assigning duties centrally.
Diversity, Inclusion and Equity - On Thursday 29th September, along with a number of Rotary Club in Boroondara, I was honored to attend the Boroondara Citizenship Ceremony at the Hawthorn Art Centre. Witnessing 119 new citizens, from 29 countries, making their Australian citizenship pledge of commitment, and sharing their joy of becoming an Australian citizen, I felt how lucky I am to live in this vibrant, multicultural country. Australia is home to one of the world’s oldest continuous cultures, as well as Australians who identify with more than 270 ancestries: everyone comes with his/her own story, and everyone comes to work hard for a better life and contribute to building a continuously diverse society.
The full results of the Zone 8 Regionalisation Pilot vote were shared on Wednesday: 90% of Zone 8 clubs voted Yes. Within District 9800, the proposal secured overwhelming support with 98.44% of clubs voting Yes. I’m very pleased to note that every club voted.
The willingness of our members to embrace our evolving circumstances by trying new approaches is incredibly heartening and inspires me with confidence for the future of our projects, clubs and movement. No doubt, this was envisaged by Paul Harris when he proclaimed, “This is a changing world, we must be prepared to change with it.The story of Rotary will have to be written again and again.” If ever we needed licence to have a red hot go at new approaches, this is it.
At the last meeting Amelia Anderson presented her “Member behind the Badge” speech. She spoke about her time growing up on a dairy farm in Central Queensland, and the challenges of life in the bush. She included a story of a snake slithering out of their Christmas tree. WOW!
Amelia also spoke about her career – having done a degree in Civil Engineering she was unable to find work in that field and did a second degree in Computer Science. She was successful in that endeavour and has worked for some large multinational technology companies such as Hewlett Packard, Oracle, and Fujitsu. She currently works for a large financial institution as a Telecommunications Analyst.
Amelia spoke about the fundraising activities undertaken during her time as President of the local Scout Group. Amelia mentioned her husband’s battle with a rare neurodegenerative disease called Multiple System Atrophy. Amelia said that she loves to travel and spoke about some of the interesting places she has been to.
It was a light-hearted speech with some humorous stories.
As Rotarians, we know that when we engage people in meaningful, convenient and fun hands-on volunteering, we demonstrate that Rotarians are indeed “People of Action”. In mid-September, this message found an even wider audience when Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Network (RIMERN) volunteer, Ros McMaster was announced as the Westfield Local Hero for the Airport West Shopping Centre, winning $20,000 for RIMERN towards the cost of its first van!
Ros, a member of Rotary Prahran, is the Thursday warehouse supervisor, a twice weekly volunteer who has set up the linen and kitchen rooms and manages the warehouse itself. She is there to assist new volunteers find their feet and feel welcome and valued.
RIMERN has suddenly been advised of the opportunity to clear out the households (bedding, TVs kitchen goods, coffee tables and lounges and chairs) from Mount Aitken Conference Centre, which is now in receivership. RIMERN needs volunteers to assist removing these goods from the Centre to the RIMERN Warehouse on 32-34 Lincoln Street, East Brunswick, VIC 3057. RIMERN has rented a large van to collect large household items but there are sufficient ‘small’ items involved with this job – lamps, kettles, TVs etc. that could be handled in smaller vehicles rather than the truck.
Last Tuesday night’s guest speaker was Larissa Reinboth, Partnerships Development Manager, Children First Foundation (CFF), who provided a highly professional explanation of the remarkable medical work done by this not-for-profit organisation.
Larissa’s own life journey was revelatory and impressive, starting with a successful career in consulting and sales in such diverse locations as Peru and Germany. However, she had a lifelong interest in volunteering which she had done since she was 17, in such challenging locations as Kenya, Peru, Romania and Bolivia.
Larissa Reinboth from Children First Foundation (CFF) & David Fallick
International Day of Peace, 21 September, was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly and designated a period of non-violence and cease-fire. Four decades later, in 2022, the UN is reporting at least 12 million people have fled their homes in Ukraine due to the war with Russia. An estimated 5 million people – primarily women, children and the elderly – have fled Ukraine for neighbouring countries, with 7 million people displaced inside Ukraine. As of 12 September 2022, close to 1.4 million individuals have registered for Temporary Protection in Poland: the highest number among the EU countries. All are in dire need of emergency aid.
“The significance of Rotary is that it has become one of the most active and effective lay forces on the side of righteousness, co-operation and goodwill.” HRH, The Duke of Edinburgh
The Rotary Club of Glenferrie has been awarded a Rotary International Citation for 2021-2022, the most significant award a Rotary Club can receive, for the club's achievements through the year. To receive an award a club must set and achieve goals in thirteen of a possible twenty-five areas. RC Glenferrie met and exceeded that criterion for 2021-22. Coming on top of two District Awards for the period, this additional recognition caps an outstanding year for the club. To read the letter of citation from RI President 2021-22 Shekhar Mehta, click on 'Read More'.
Rotary International and the U.S.-based nonprofit Ukraine Friends have agreed to collaborate to provide resources, organize logistics, and distribute funds for high-impact projects that help Ukrainians affected by the war with Russia.
RI General Secretary and CEO John Hewko and Ukraine Friends CEO Brock D. Bierman signed a memorandum of understanding in July 2022 that calls for the organizations to work together to determine the viability of potential projects, distribute funds and in-kind donations, and prioritize joint efforts.
After its successful Van Rouge campaign, RIMERN is embarking on a new campaign - marketing quality wines towards funding a new delivery van to streamline operations.
The new campaign will reward RIMERN clients by providing photos of the donated goods in situ, in their new homes, and on RIMERN social media. This activity promotes RIMERN's services and demonstrates to clients, volunteers and donors (stakeholders), the quality of the goods available: a positive and inspiring image.
It’s Spring: time for a new life and a new beginning.
The new RIMERN wine promotion is called “Homemaker Voucher Vino”. Again, it will offer quality wines at a special cost. Funds raised will contribute to the Rewards scheme for the RIMERN clients who participate in the social media campaign. Funds will also contribute to the much-needed delivery van.
Last Tuesday evening those attending the Rotary Glenferrie Meeting could not help being impressed by presentations from two Schools, Sacre Coeur and Sienna College. Both Schools covered their experience at Rotary’s Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA). What MUNA does is simulate the workings of the UN Assembly by having teams of two senior students from each of a number of schools represent a particular UN country in debates on matters of world political and social concern. It is a Rotary International program and is enthusiastically supported by the United Nations. Attending our Glenferrie Meeting were from Sacre Couer, its Team of Phoebe Burke and Polly Hara, representing China. From Siena College the Students were Abbie Brownless and Sophia Velasquez representing Italy. Click on 'Read more' for a paragraph from each School on their experience at MUNA.
With the greatest sadness, we learnt of the loss of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. She was an extraordinary woman of great strength, resilience, wisdom and faith who devoted her whole life to her duty. May she rest in eternal peace with her beloved husband, Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Many of us may know that Prince Phillip was an Honorary Member of five Rotary clubs including RC Windsor and Eton. Until five years before his death, the duke would attend meetings in ‘his’ club and refused to be treated differently from any other Rotarian. He showed the exemplary spirit of Rotary to all of us. As Rotarians, we have accepted the obligation and responsibilities of Rotary membership and are committed to Rotary Values, friendships and a life of Service Above Self. My dear fellow Rotarians, I wish you find ‘Inspiration in Service’ and ‘Enjoyment in the Fellowship’ of our club and the worldwide Rotary movement.
The Boroondara Farmers Market is the club's single biggest commitment, raising substantial funds in support of local and international projects. It is a key factor in determining the club's continued success.
For most of the market's history, it has been a feature of membership of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie that every member is expected to complete at least four rostered duties at the market during the course of the calendar year. (Actually it used to be six until the market was reorganised two years ago!). That process has slipped in recent years, meaning that not every member has had an opportunity to contribute. At a recent Board meeting, the decision was taken to return to the previous practice of assigning duties centrally.
In October every club member will be issued with a Market Preference Nomination form upon which they can nominate their preferred market duties for 2023. Completion of the form is not mandatory. Members who do not nominate a preference will be allocated their four duties by the rosterer when compiling the market rosters for the year ahead. The roster for the full year 2023 will be finalised by the end of November and distributed to members well in advance of the new year.
The success of our club is very closely associated with the success of the Market. Returning to this process, which worked so well in the past, will help ensure that everyone has a chance to enjoy a market shift that suits them, while spreading the workload more evenly and ensuring our continued success. The good work being done by Glenferrie Rotarians and friends at the Boroondara Farmers Market is maintaining and growing the bumper harvest through which our club can continue to Do Good in the World. Thank you for your important contribution to its success.
Putting our members first: A couple of weeks ago, District 9800 received the official membership numbers for 2021-2022. For the first time in living memory, the district’s membership on 30 June 2022 was 1,943, falling to below 2,000 members which indicated that the majority of the 67 clubs in the district continue to struggle to attract and retain members: the average size of memberships of Rotary clubs in the district is 29. Rotary Glenferrie is one of the few lucky ones who came out ahead with 55 active members and nine honorary members as of today. Thank you to the membership committee and all club members, for your efforts to get us to this situation.
They are in urgent need of donations to support the demands for its services of assisting individuals and families in need.
The current request is for 1. bedding (double and queen size), from doonas to pillows. 2. Small electrical appliances from microwaves, electric jugs, mixers, sandwich makers and toasters. 3. White goods-dryers, washing machines and fridges.
On Monday 29th August, the RORP Cluster lead by Camberwell Rotary, and with the participation of two Glenferrie Rotarians- Mark Howlett and Rob Winspear, dismantled the Hilda St Playground.
It was a very successful operation as we had 11 volunteer Rotarians from Camberwell, Glenferrie, Canterbury and the Hawthorn Clubs to complete this task. Again, it was done in a very collaborative spirit and the Clubs worked well together.
Mark was also prominent as he was the expert for difficult nut and bolt removal combinations.
PP Robert Winspear (on right with brown hat) performing a demanding task to unbolt the slide from the ground.
At the club meeting on August 30th, members of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie voted unanimously to support the Zone 8 Regionalisation Project, recognising it as a major opportunity to make changes that will help ensure the future of Rotary. The meeting heard from Co-Chair of the Regionalisation Taskforce PDG Peter Frueh on how the project aims to better support clubs, create leadership opportunities for members, improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Rotary projects and build a stronger Rotary brand.
'PILOT' is a word I am familiar with and love dearly. I grew up and accomplished my career in Shenzhen, China, following the success of the Chinese Special Economic Zone PILOT Project. Interestingly, in my presidential year, the RI Regionalisation PILOT project is on its way. At its club meeting on Tuesday, 30 August, Rotary Glenferrie will have PDG Peter Frueh, the co-chair of the RI Zone Regionalisation PILOT Project, provide an informative presentation about the PILOT project. After Peter's presentation, we'll have the club's vote (yes or no) by our club members via a show of hands. Dear Glenferrie Rotarians, please come along, enjoy the informative night, and contribute your thoughts.
Our guest speaker last week was Dr Jean Ker Walsh, who spoke to the meeting about the problems faced by refugees and those seeking asylum in Australia, and who have been held in detention for long periods of time, both in Australia and in surrounding countries. She is a Co-chair of a group called Grandmothers for Refugees (previously called Grandmothers Against Detention of Children), a national movement of women elders lobbying for justice for refugees, which started when a group of senior women considered the effect that detention on Nauru was having on the emotional and physical development of children sent there by the Australian government. The group was active in the Kids off Nauru Campaign which finally shamed the government into removing children from these places.
Dr Jean Ker Walsh, centre, Grandmothers for Refugees, with Meeting Chair Dr Paul Shekleton, left, and President Teresa Liu. Grandmothers for Refugees is championing fairer more humane treatment for refugees and asylum seekers in Australia and welcomes Rotarian support
What is the Regionalisation Pilot Project? Rotary International is considering a project to address membership, public image, communication, leadership, and fundraising challenges to help define a more sustainable future for Rotary. Our region, or Zone 8, which includes Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, has been selected as one of two potential regions from across the globe to pilot a regional approach to governance. At the club meeting on August 30th, PDG Peter Frueh will explain the objectives and the plans for the pilot program and ask for our support.
At our club meeting on August 30th, Glenferrie Rotarians will be asked to vote on whether or not our club supports the Regionalisation Pilot Project that will, if successful, change the way Rotary operates. At a time of waning membership and declining impact, the outcome of the pilot may very well determine the future of Rotary in our part of the world. It is so important that you come along next Tuesday evening and and have your say.
DAVID WHITING – It's not all trees and fences - the things people ask!
Our Guest Speaker last week was David Whiting, a lawyer and fellow Rotarian at Rotary Keilor. Following a short run down on how and why he became a lawyer covering a wide range of disciplines and representing a variety of clients, he invited a very engaged audience to an interactive presentation.
President Teresa Liu, David Whiting & Cheryl Pisterman
August is Rotary Membership Month, which means it's time to celebrate our Rotary club, our members, and the good we do in our community and worldwide. In the first Membership Month of the post-pandemic era, Rotary Glenferrie must continue to create a welcoming experience of comfort and care for its members and build an inclusive, diverse, equitable and enjoyable culture. We are a thriving and vibrant club, with our member growth from 44 in 2017 to 64 today. However, I don’t believe there’s a secret formula to make the club successful: club members need to take every opportunity to continue the growth of their club. When we celebrate Membership Month, we enjoy the club's legacy from the past. Most importantly, we need to listen to what our members want out of their Rotary involvement, understand their needs and expectations, and build a welcoming club experience for all members, both the “newbies” and the longer-term members.
The Rotary Club of Glenferrie warmly congratulates club member Hon. Ted Baillieu AO Former Premier of Victoria, on being awarded an Honorary Doctorate at Swinburne University. Ted has been, and continues to be, an inspiration to many through his generous and selfless contribution to community life, professionally, through his many philanthropic interests and through Rotary, in Victoria, and in the City of Boroondara.
A well deserved recognition for an outstanding Australian. Hearty congratulations Ted!
The club welcomed three outstanding new Glenferrie Rotarians at the club meeting on August 16th, Anita Morkans, Colin George and Lindy Joubert. And what fine additions to the club's membership they are! Anita is a qualified HR professional who has been introduced to Rotary by former work colleague Wayne Worladge. Colin is a former freighter and bus driver who was introduced to Rotary via the Boroondara Farmers Market. "How does someone join Rotary"?, asked Colin. And the rest is history. Lindy Joubert has led a substantial career in Australia, and overseas where she served with UNESCO. Lindy is currently a senior fellow at the University of Melbourne in the field of Architecture.
A very warm welcome Anita, Colin and Lindy. We are delighted that you have elected to start your Rotary journey with the Rotary Club of Glenferrie, and look forward to many years working alongside you to "Do Good in the World".
New members Lindy Joubert (second from left), Colin George (fourth) and Anita Morkans (second from right) are pictured with President Teresa Liu and mentors PP Carol Benson, PP Richard Blakeman and Wayne Worladge. Proud to be a Rotarian!
Last week, for the first time since I joined Rotary, I received an email directly from John Hewko, General Secretary of Rotary International to advise that during the week of 11-17 September 2022, Rotary International is encouraging Rotary clubs to partner with local Kiwanis, Lions, and Optimist clubs on a service project that will have a long-term impact on each local community. We believe that when we harness the collective power of the four services organisations’ 3.4 million members, we can do more to Celebrate the Community together. To quote Helen Keller, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” In this post-pandemic era, the world is full of uncertainty and challenges for individuals and Rotary clubs. Rotary Glenferrie needs to find innovative ways to take action to help local communities.
We have been experiencing some intermittent problems with the charging of club dinner meeting fees via Mastercard, whereby banks are rejecting payments with the response 'Do Not Honour'. The problem affects only MasterCard charges, and is intermittent. Charges via Visa credit or debit cards, or Amex have not been impacted, at least not yet. I am following this up with the club's payment intermediary eWay for solution. In the meantime, if you have an unexpected rejection, keep trying as it usually goes through after two or three tries. Also please let me know if you get a chance: Email me and let me know how you go.
The sudden problems coincide with the club enabling payments via Amex, and a change made by ClubRunner to our event booking page. I am not sure if the two are related, but am following this enquiry up with both eWay and ClubRunner for a solution.
Volunteers are urgently needed for the club's Bread Run Project. Bread is collected from Baker's Delight at 515 Riversdale Road, Camberwell every Thursday evening at 6pm and delivered to The Salvation Army at 7 Bowen Street, Camberwell where it is served to those in need of breakfast on Friday morning. Two people are required for each shift. Please contact Simon Messenger for details. To volunteer for a shift now, click on the loaf ==>
A novel fundraising venture for RIMERN running via the Westfield Local Heroes programme could provide much-needed funds to the organisation. It only takes a minute to recognise and give back to someone in your community who is doing amazing work. Vote for your Westfield Local Hero today.
Past President Michael Berry (2007-08) has been made an Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie after almost 24 years of outstanding service to Rotary, and to the community through Rotary. Michael joined the Rotary Club of Glenferrie in October 1998 with the Vocational Classification "Packaging Distribution". In the ensuing years he has been a central and respected figure in many innovative club projects, including 'Sewing Machines for East Timor', the 'Parkinson's Walk' annual fundraising BBQ at Federation Square, the 'Police Mentoring' program, the 'Rochester Secondary Students Work Experience' program, and much much more.
President Teresa, in awarding Honorary Membership to Michael at the club meeting on August 9th, thanked him for his wonderful and generous contribution over his many years as an Active Member of the club. Much liked and respected, we look forward to continued association with both Michael and his wife, Trish Ritman, in the years to come (but without those early morning Farmers Market shifts Michael! Duty excused!)
To read Michaels' address to the meeting at which he recounts his Rotary story, click on
PP Michael Berry (centre) with Trish Ritman was presented with Honorary Membership of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie August 9th. Seen here with PP Ian Salek (left of picture), President Teresa Liu and PP Robert Winspear (right of picture).
The club celebrated the contribution of its outstanding Honorary Members at the club meeting on August 9th, with four existing honorary members gathering to welcome PP Michael Berry to the fold. Pictured left to right, PP Trevor Mackey (2005-2006), PP Michael Berry (2007-2008), PP Norm Fary (1988-1989), PP Ken Scott (1980-1981) and PP Ian Willmott (2009-2010). Jolly Good Fellows indeed!
Membership Development is not just about recruiting new members. It's all about making them feel welcomed and valued, introducing them to the opportunities that Rotary membership brings, helping them to engage with Rotary, and to engage Rotary resources. Membership Development Co-Chairs PP Mark Ellis and PP Thelma Hutchison have much planned for us in this sphere in the year ahead, and you are a big part of it. Stay tuned!
Last week, I received an invitation from David Hobson, the president of the Rotary Club of Balwyn (BRC), to celebrate BRC’s 50th anniversary. BRC is a big name in the Rotary world within Australia and internationally, because it has run the famous Camberwell Sunday Market since 1976. The market has raised $14,000,000 to support a significant range of community and humanitarian projects.
I admire those Balwyn Rotarians who initiated the Camberwell Sunday Market four years after the club was chartered. They were certainly courageous as businesses in Australia were not permitted to trade on a Sunday back then. Moreover, I admire all Rotarians who have contributed their time and skills to the Camberwell Sunday Market over the past 46 years.
The Rotary Leadership Institute Program presents a wonderful opportunity for experienced Rotarians, new members and indeed people interested in finding out more about Rotary to take some time to experience the history, current and new initiatives related to this great organisation we call Rotary.
The club welcomed new Glenferrie Rotarian Catherine Eagleson to the club on July 26th at a club meeting at which she was also the guest speaker. Catherine is new to Glenferrie, but she has been a Rotarian since 2006 when she joined the Rotary Club of Bellarine North. Catherine is a Past President of Rotary Bellarine North (2017-2018), is a Paul Harris Fellow and is a recipient of a Royce Abbey Award from her club. She has also been a Past District Chair for Australian Rotary Health.
Catherine Eagleson (centre), Past President of the Rotary Club of Bellarine North (2017-2018) was welcomed as a new member of Rotary Glenferrie at the club meeting on July 26th. Pictured here with President Teresa Liu (right) and Rotary mentor Lynette Spencer
We are in the post-pandemic era. The world has been suffering a series of issues, food crisis, high inflation, energy crisis, etc. Everything in life seems costly. Business is cautious about capital expenditure; governments have struggled to fix their budget deficits, and charities face the challenge of raising funds and delivering better service. The Board decided to conduct an online members’ survey to understand our members’ needs to adapt to new challenges in the future.
The survey reached out to our members on 6 July, and we got an excellent response rate, 64.7% of active members. Studies show that a survey response rate of 50% or higher is often considered excellent, and the in-person survey delivers the best average response rate at 57%, quickly followed by an online survey. In the past two decades, the average American election voter turnout has been 55.62%; and Australia, the lucky country with compulsory voting, had an average voter turnout of 93.26% for the federal election. Thank you, Glenferrie Rotarians. The club appreciates your input, passion and participation. Special thanks to Richard Blakeman, for your efforts in managing the survey.
The Club Meeting on July 19th dedicated time to rise up above the day to day and take a bird's eye view of how the club is performing, and the signs are good as we move into this momentous year for Rotary in Victoria. Reviewing the results of the successful Membership Survey, it is clear that the number one driver of member satisfaction is member engagement: consistent, measured and broad-based - sentiments expressed by Rotary International Director Jessie Harman, in an article published in Rotary on the Move last year, which is reproduced in this Bulletin below.
Despite being the base on which Rotary was built back in 1905, Vocational Service has really lagged behind considerably at Club and District level. Somehow it just doesn't have the same sexiness as International Service for example. So, how does your Glenferrie Vocational Service Committee plan to do to make this Avenue of Service relevant and of interests to our Club Members?
The Sumba Eye Program (SEP) has been an active eye program originally set up in 2007 and backed by Rotary clubs of Glenferrie and Kew since 2008. In that time over 1000 sight saving operations have been performed and over 10,000 spectacles supplied at low cost by the SEP optometrist. Rotary Glenferrie secured a $30,000 grant from The Rotary Foundation for eye equipment for the SEP many years ago to assist in building up the program. A change in partnership arrangements has secured the future of the program, now know as the Foresight Sumba Eye Care Program.
You’re invited to attend an information session about the future of Rotary in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
Six identical webinars are being held in July and August to brief Rotary members in Zone 8 who:
• are not able to attend a club briefing on Regionalisation • are not able to attend District organised briefings on Regionalisation • have additional questions or clarifications they are seeking
The host for the webinars will be Rotary International Director Jessie Harman. Presenters will be Co-Chairs PDG Ingrid Waugh and PDG Peter Frueh. Questions will be asked through the Q&A function and will be moderated. Duration will be one hour with approximately twenty minutes of introduction and presentation, with the remainder answering questions.
These webinars will be recorded and made available afterwards. Questions asked will be incorporated into the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and answers section of the website: creatingtomorrowrotary.org
PLEASE CLICK 'READ MORE' TO CHOOSE A SESSION THAT SUITS YOU.
What a great job done yesterday?! We packed 11 and a bit playgrounds (just a swingset in one) - a total of 668 pieces in just over 5 hours. A real team effort.
Whilst everyone contributed so much, some special mentions are required:
Our yard master - John and his magic forklift are key to our efforts. We'd still be there without him and it!
Our load masters - Des and Graeme, making sure it all fitted: visualising, lifting, pushing, shoving and squeezing - avoiding heart attacks I hope!
Our list checker - Maddy, she spotted the bits we'd missed and kept track of progress and piece codes.
Our one armed bandit - Wayne, organising the coffee break goodies and providing a good strong lift with just one hand available.
We have made a big dent in the stock in the yard. Particularly loading PG H, it was a very big and bulky one.
Thank you to everyone involved and to those that couldn't make it due to distance, illnesses, operations etc. We have an incredible team across 4 Districts this side of town making RORP happen.
The results of this year's club membership survey were presented at the Club Forum on July 19th 2022, and revealed a high level of satisfaction with all aspects of the club among survey respondents. The survey results and analysis will be tabled at the August board meeting and provide the basis for the 2022-23 club operating plan. The level of participation in this year's survey was much greater than the previous survey, in 2017. With 65% of Active members submitting a response, the club received a rating of 100% on the top three indicators: Overall satisfaction, pride in the club and feeling welcome at The Rotary Club of Glenferrie.
Mrs Beryl Vesely, a darling friend of mine, gave me a special gift to commemorate my Rotary Presidency last week. It is a Rotary International 75th Anniversary Commemorative Plate 1905 –1980 which she bought in August 1979 through Rotary Croydon. The gift came to me with a letter from the Rotary Club of Croydon. It was titled to Mr B. J. Vesely rather than Mrs B. J. Vesely. Until 1989, a woman couldn't be a Rotarian then and wasn't entitled to be called Mrs even as the partner (wife) a of Rotarian. What a special gift to me. It has carried the glory of Rotary as a service organisation for 118 years. Moreover, it made me think, where is Rotary going in the new era?
Jennifer Jones, member of the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland, Ontario, Canada, will be the first woman to take office as Rotary International President in the service organization’s 117-year existence on 1 July 2022.
During her one-year term, Jones will focus on building new relationships and establishing collaborations with organizations that share Rotary’s commitment to driving impact through humanitarian service and to developing leaders around the globe. She has also made Rotary’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion a key part of her presidential platform.
At the last general meeting, we were fortunate to be addressed by Ms Colleen D’Offay about the exciting relatively new Mentor Watch. Collen is a member of RC Brighton and until recently was Head of Client Success – Public and Enterprise Service at Ascender, Melbourne. She is now involved in this exciting adventure. The original guest speaker Domenic Saporito couldn’t appear since his children have covid and even though he was negative our President couldn’t allow our members one bit of anxiety in a possible infection with COVID, so we were lucky to have Collen to step in on one day’s notice.
President Teresa, Speaker Colleen D'Offay & PP Mark Ellis
Club members have returned a solid vote of confidence in our club, with 100% of respondents reporting satisfaction with their membership, and an equal proportion expressing pride in the club. While providing some insights into where we can do even better, the survey shows that the club is making considerable progress with its growth strategy, first defined via the Setting the Course strategic planning sessions in 2017. A full review of the results of the survey will be presented at the Club Forum on Tuesday.
100% of members who responded to the 2022 survey reported that they are proud of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie, with 82% giving it a 'completely satisfied' rating
100% of member respondents reported that they are proud of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie, with 82% giving it the highest possible rating
When a Rotarian says, “Service Above Self”, what does it mean to you? It is the principal motto of Rotary. To me, it means you strongly believe in unselfish voluntary service. To quote Mahatma Gandhi, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.’ Over my years in Rotary, I have experienced countless inspiring examples of “Service Above Self” from my fellow Rotarians. Glenferrie Rotarians continue to contribute their time, skills and experience, no matter how small or big, to deliver the five avenues of service to make a better world.
Welcome to our first meeting of the Rotary Year 2022-2023. As your President for this year, I am humbled and very honoured to have the opportunity to be of service to my beloved club. I congratulate and thank past president Mark Ellis and his outstanding Board for two extraordinarily successful years. With Mark’s exemplary leadership and all the club members’ enthusiastic engagement, Rotary Glenferrie is as strong as its culture and will continue to blossom.
All of us are in this together when it comes to making our Rotary club a vibrant, productive and interesting place to be. No one person is responsible, we each of us share collective responsibility. So how are we going? Are we on the right track? Are we doing too much, too little? Am I engaged or am I disengaged? What more can we, I, do? What, if anything, should we do differently? At the Club Forum on July 19th, time is set aside for each of us as members to have our say. To help guide the discussion so that we have a productive review, every Active and Honorary member has been sent a link to the Membership Survey form. Responses are anonymous and the survey, which is online, takes only a few minutes to complete. Please be sure to submit your survey responses by Friday July 15th at the latest to allow for tabulation of the results. Your voice is important, so please complete your survey if you can. There are no silent partners in Rotary.
Ps. The survey was sent out from the club email address, rotaryglenferrie@gmail.com. If you would like another copy of the survey link, please email the webmaster: Click here
Every year the Rotary Club of Glenferrie and club members donate to The Rotary Foundation, through which grant assistance is provided to clubs and districts for Rotary projects. As part of the qualification process for grants, Rotary districts are required to report regularly to members on the activities of the District Foundation Committee during the year and how funds raised are being utilised. This latest report from the retiring Chair of the District Foundation Committee, PDG Dr Murray Verso, paints an inspiring picture of how clubs in this District are making a real difference, locally and globally, with imaginative and creative projects.
Click on the image to read the latest report.
The June 2022 Edition of Foundation News paints an inspiring picture of the project activities on clubs in our District
Past District Governor Dale Hoy (2021-22) was a regular and popular visitor to RC Glenferrie during his year at the helm, participating in many of the club's signature events during the year. In his final message to the District, featured in the most recent edition of The Networker, PDG Dale outlines some of the impressive projects undertaken by clubs in District 9800 during the past year. The list is both educational and inspiring and, yes, RC Glenferrie gets a guernsey. Thank you PDG Dale and Maureen for an exceptional year of achievement, and for your friendship in Rotary.
PDG Dale Hoy (RC Brighton) and Maureen were regular visitors to RC Glenferrie throughout 2021-22
On Friday 1st of July, the Rotary Community Service Radio Team broadcast on 94.1 FM 3WBC a special interview with the new District Governor 9800 Amanda Wendt. For those who were not able to attend the District Changeover, our listeners had the opportunity to hear Amanda's plans for the upcoming year, and also the Rotary International Convention that is being held in Melbourne in 2023.
Also, that night, Past President Charles Tran hosted his first show as presenter in the studio. Charles Tran and Ian Salek have some great ideas to get the Rotary Community Radio listeners involved, and to expand the Radio’s presence in the wider community. Stay tuned for more updates in the future.
Renovations will be happening at the Camberwell Salvation Army Headquarters. From 30th June 2022 the following arrangements will apply:
1. Arrive at Camberwell Bakers Delight at 5.55pm. I have finally met the new franchisee, Michelle, and that is her instruction. Bring sturdy 70-80 litre plastic bags and disposable gloves. Ideally, 5-6 bags of bread are required and this can be topped up with rolls if supplies of bread are insufficient.
2. Enter the Salvation Army car-park as usual off Athelstan Road, and collect the key from the key safe(code 2418). which will be in its usual place.
3. Deposit the bags in the hallway of 4 Athelstan Road. The driveway to this white weatherboard house is 20 metres south of the entrance to the carpark and on the same side of the street.
4. Return the key to the key safe and make sure that it is locked.
Many thanks to all the members who continue to volunteer for the bread run. The Community Service Committee in its wisdom has made the quaint, if old-fashioned suggestion that the bread run team be mixed gender until the end of September if at all possible!
As many members will know we have supported the North Balwyn RC initiative to provide household goods, clothes, toys and books to the recently arrived Afghan citizens and families who were hurriedly evacuated to Australia earlier this year. Rowan McClean was one of the prime movers in this project and he forwarded an email of thanks from Bassir Qadiri. Further contributions are welcome and Helena Wimpole will be able to coordinate donations.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24th February 2022 began the largest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II. More than 7.7 million refugees left the Country. Additionally, about 8 million people have been displaced in Ukraine as their houses have been destroyed or have become too dangerous to live in. Approximately 35% of the country’s 44 million population have been forced to leave their homes. 90% of Ukrainian refugees are women and children as men of ages 18-60 are banned from leaving Ukraine in order to fight the Russian invaders.
The vast majority of refugees are directly entering neighbouring countries to the west of Ukraine.
On Tuesday evening 21st June our Guest Speaker was Dianne Sides.
Dianne spoke about the Boroondara Family Network (BFN) which Rotary Glenferrie has ardently supported since its inception. The BFN was established as a project by Rotary Glenferrie, and set up with a grant from the Rotary Foundation in 1999. It was to be a project for all Rotary Clubs in the Boroondara area. Rotary Glenferrie and other Rotary Clubs in the Boroondara area support the BFN by making annual donations.
Meeting Chair PP Ian Salek thanked guest speaker Dianne Sides, presenting the club's Certificate of Appreciation. The club will make a donation of $100 to Australian Rotary Health as an expression of thanks to Dianne for her informative presentation.
The last Tuesday of my “reign” I want as a social night at the Camberwell Art Show, which is being held at the Advanced Technology Centre of Swinburne University. So, Tuesday night 28th from 6.00 pm onwards. Entry fee is $15, and wine and cheese are provided.
From Murray Anderson - The Chair of the Camberwell Art Show
“To purchase tickets, please go to the website www.camberwellartshow.org.au and select the Tickets Page. Then select Evening Sessions and choose the appropriate date (in your case 28 June). Can you advise your members that, although we will be able to process cash and credit card payment on the night, we encourage purchasing tickets as above, so we get an idea of numbers for catering purposes.’
The plan is then to meet for a meal after. Since the Glenferrie Hotel is just down the road (5 minute walk), I have booked two tables for us to go there at about 0745 pm.
I send this email since there is some confusion. You need to book to go to the Camberwell Art Show. For the dinner, just let me know. It is good to support RC Camberwell's efforts.
“For what is a man, what has he got? If not himself then he has naught Not to say the things that he truly feels And not the words of someone who kneels Let the record shows I took all the blows and did it my way”
My God – It sounds like my 2 years Presidency!!!
Well, the end is near, and I have been in caretaker mode since our terrific changeover on Tuesday 14th. Do I feel relaxed? NO. I feel energised that I can now devote my Rotary time to one issue - Membership. Along with Thelma, I am looking forward to not only looking out for new members, but make our newest members feel relaxed so much that they will throw themselves into the working for the club, and get more fulfilment as a result. I truly feel that we are in for a couple of momentous years with Teresa Liu followed by Mark Howlett. Both have strong leadership capabilities that should, and I expect to surpass my efforts.
The Rotary Club of Glenferrie has been awarded two District Recognitions at the District 9800 Changeover Lunch at the Hyatt Essendon Fields, June 25th. The Recognition for Community Service was awarded for the successful Yarra Bank Reserve Interactive Playground project, completed in collaboration with the Rotary clubs of Camberwell, Hawthorn and Canterbury, the City of Boroondara and with the support of a District Grant from The Rotary Foundation. The award was accepted by PP Richard Blakeman on behalf of the Rotarians from the Rotary Glenferrie led consortium of clubs. The Recognition for Membership Growth was awarded in the Large Club category, for a 21% increase over the previous year. The club will finish this year on June 30th with 51 Active and 8 Honorary members. The award was accepted on behalf of the club by President Dr Mark Ellis AM.
Congratulations Rotary Glenferrie and Glenferrie Rotarians! High accolades indeed amongst a field of very worthy contenders.
MUNA stands for Model United Nations Assembly, which simulates the workings of the UN Assembly by having teams of two senior students from each of a number of schools represent a particular UN country in debates on matters of world political and social concern. It is a Rotary International program and enthusiastically supported by the United Nations.
This year MUNA was held on June18th - June 19th. On competition days the students dressed up as the country that they represented. Debates over resolutions were fiercely conducted.
I am told by both the teachers from Siena College & Sacre Coeur that the girls "Absolutely Loved It"
We entered two teams of Year 11 students; Siena College Students were Abbie Brownless and Sophia Velasquez, representing Italy. Sacre Couer Phoebe Burke and Polly Hara, representing China.
Siena College Students: Sophia Velaquez (red) Abbie Brownless (green) Best Team Costume
So the club moves on – It is almost like opening the front door and the back door simultaneously to let the new year in and the old year out!! A Scottish New Year tradition at Hogmanay, which we learnt about when my family lived in Glasgow in 90 and 91.
Our Changeover on last Tuesday night was a great night of fellowship, and a celebration of our club’s years’ achievements. We had over 100 people attending for the big friendship event on our calendar. We had many notables from the Rotary hierarchy, the Boroondara Council as well as politicians of many persuasions. Thanks particularly to Richard Blakeman, we had a fast paced informative night of entertainment, which ably displayed our club’s worth. Feedback from one non Rotarian was that the presentations strongly showed Rotary’s relevance to our community, which I felt was a good indictment of our position in our society. Rotarians do make a difference.
Changeover 2022 at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club on June 14th will long be remembered as one of the best ever Changeover dinners at The Rotary Club of Glenferrie. In a night that celebrated the impressive achievements of the club over the past year, over one hundred Rotarians and guests, including the District Governor and three past district governors, with Mr John Kennedy MP, Member for Hawthorn, and Councillor Jane Addis, the Mayor of Boroondara, witnessed President Dr Mark Ellis AM hand over the president's chain of leadership to incoming president Teresa Liu. District Governor Dale Hoy delivered the District Report. It was an impressive night, with much fun and friendship and a well paced, entertaining program that made full use of the new meeting rooms and facilities at Kooyong.
President Dr Mark Ellis AM, second from left, and Janet passed the leadership baton to incoming President Teresa Liu and Jack Gao at Changeover on Tuesday June 14th
Congratulations to the following lucky winners of the Lift the Lid on Mental Illness Charity Raffle. Enjoy your prizes and thank you for your support for mental health research funding through Australian Rotary Health.
1st Prize – Barry Atkins (ticket 126) - Joy flights for 2 over Yarra Valley
2nd Prize – Matt Burge – Hot Air Balloon flight for 2 over Mansfield
3rd Prize – Sal Ciardolli – Car wash vouchers
4th Prize – Ron McCartney – One night’s accommodation at Crown Promenade
5th Prize – Jane McKay – One night’s accommodation at Chateau Yering
MUNA stands for Model United Nations Assembly, which simulates the workings of the UN Assembly by having teams of two senior students from each of a number of schools represent a particular UN country in debates on matters of world political and social concern. It is a Rotary International program and enthusiastically supported by the United Nations.
Who Can be involved in MUNA
MUNA is designed for school students usually in senior classes of secondary schools. Over the years they have primarily come from year 11 students. A team consists of the two students. More than 1 team per school is possible.
Where MUNA will be Held
In 2022 MUNA will be held on the weekend Saturday June 18 to Sunday 19, 2022 at the Mercure Hotel, North Melbourne.
Camberwell Art Show – The Board has decreed that we will run our normal club meeting as a social night at the Camberwell Art Show instead of at Kooyong LTC. The Art Show is being held at the Advanced Technology Centre of Swinburne University. So, Tuesday night 28th from 6.00 pm onwards. Entry fee is $15, and wine and cheese are provided.
“To purchase tickets, please go to the website www.camberwellartshow.org.au and select the Tickets Page. Then select Evening Sessions and choose the appropriate date (in your case 28 June). Can you advise your members that, although we will be able to process cash and credit card payment on the night, we encourage purchasing tickets as above, so we get an idea of numbers for catering purposes.’
The plan is then to meet for a meal after. Since the Glenferrie Hotel is just down the road, I propose to book one or two tables for us to go there at about 0800 pm. I will need an idea of numbers in the week coming up so to book enough space. Please let me know if intending to come to the hotel. (mark.ellis744@bigpond.com).
The roster is only accessible to members. Members may also sign up partners and friends via the above link. Non-members who wish to volunteer, please email: rhogan21@bigpond.com
Thanking you again for your support of this very important Club and community event.
If you have any difficulty with using the Club's website on ClubRunner please contact us via email: rhogan21@bigpond.com
The last time an RI Convention was in Melbourne was in 1993 and those who were part of it, remember the occasion. This is an opportunity for local Rotarians to experience a Rotary Convention for ourselves right here in our own backyard and share our great city with other Rotarians from all around the world. So why should you attend? An International Convention brings home the true internationality of Rotary, you meet some great people, there are opportunities to talk about projects and despite the different races, gender, etc. just how similar we are.
David and I were two of the 60+ District 9800 Rotarians who travelled to Chicago for the 100 years of Rotary in 2005. It was fabulous. Another more recent memory is the thrill of hearing hundreds of us in Toronto singing I am Australian (amongst thousands of other Rotarians) as Ian Riseley (past RI President from Melbourne) walked onto the stage.
A number of Paul Harris Fellow Recognitions will be awarded at Changeover on Tuesday night, in recognition of the outstanding contributions over the past year by some very dedicated Rotarians. The Paul Harris Fellow Recognition is named after Paul Harris, the Founder of Rotary. At Changeover this year, the club will also, for the second time, honour a Rotarian for his or her enthusiasm and commitment to the ideals of Rotary with the presentation of a Royce Abbey Award. But who is this extraordinary Rotarian, Royce Abbey, after whom the award is named, and just what is the Royce Abbey Award?
Here is one extraordinary Rotarian receiving his award from Past Rotary International President Ian Riseley. Come along to Changeover on Tuesday and find out the rest.
“The foundation upon which Rotary is built is friendship; on no less firm foundation could it have stood”. Paul Harris
Changeover Date – Our Changeover is tomorrow night. We have over 100 people attending for the big friendship event on our calendar. This is a function not to be missed. Thanks to Richard, we have a fast paced informative night of entertainment to do our club proud. Such a large number is probably the result of people going to make sure “I am really going” or Teresa our upcoming President is very popular!!
Join soon to be Past-President Mark and me - and approximately 6,000 fellow Rotarians from around the world who have booked so far at the Rotary International Convention in Melbourne in May 2023. The early bird booking date has been extended to 12 June 2022.
Whilst the cost appears high due to the present exchange rate USD to AUD, there is the advantage of not needing to book hotel accommodation or air fares. Most of us can just hop on a local tram, train or bus to get to the venues at Rod Laver Arena or the Melbourne Convention Centre.
Booking is straightforward, though the Rotary International site may be a little slow. However, with perseverance was able to book through without any problems on the following link https://convention.rotary.org/en/melbourne
If you do wish to attend and require more detail, please get in touch with me or President Elect, Teresa Liu or click on this great looking website: https://rotarymelbourne2023.org/. We have also planned a special evening at Kooyong to celebrate the convention - you will hear more about this event at our Gala Changeover on 14 June 2022.
It was a pleasure to listen to this presentation by Paul who became a member during November 2021. At the outset he stated that he was delighted to be a part of such a talented and energetic group of individuals. Furthermore, he modestly downplayed his life's journey when compared with the struggles experienced by others in the Club. After a stable childhood and schooling in Camberwell he commenced the study of Medicine at the University of Melbourne, graduating in 1973. The usual intern jobs were followed by training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology including some time working in the U.K.
He commenced practice as an obstetrician and gynaecologist with an appointment at the Monash Medical Centre during the early 1980's. At this point, he paid tribute to his wife, Caralyn, who was an enormous support and essentially ran the family for many years because of his work commitments.
President Mark Ellis, Paul Shekleton & Alex Marshall
“Talent wins games but teamwork and intelligence win championships” –Michael Jordan
Hence, we need your participation to come to the RC Glenferrie Changeover June 14th. See below but please book.
Winter is coming – a famous quote from “Games of Throne” for some but also heralding a close of another Rotary Year and the exciting beginning of a new year for our club under the strong leadership of Teresa Liu. BUT there is a month to go and so you will have to be content with my reign for a few more weeks!! I hope that I have lived up to the Rotary ethics. Trying to learn what a leader is about - Maybe one of my thoughts are expressed thus “A leader is best when people barely know he exists…when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will all say: We did it ourselves”. Lao-Tzu.
I have always admired a Winston Churchill quote – “We make a living by what we get, but a life by what we give”. However, I have always stated that “In volunteering, you usually get more than what you give”. Mark Ellis
At Rotary we are deeply concerned about the escalating loss of life and humanitarian hardship caused by the war in Ukraine. We're using our deep networks and decades of experience to take swift action in the region.
Find out more about what Rotary is doing and how you can support relief efforts.
From July 2022 The Glenferrie Rotarian will not be published in the first week of the month. Given that the club does not meet in the first week on the month, the change of bulletin schedule brings it into line with the meeting schedule.
So no bulletin in the first week of the month from next month. However news stories will continue to be published as they happen and can be viewed on the ClubRunner App on your phone at any time, on the club's Facebook page and, for major stories, on the website homepage.
So no bulletin? No problem. Club news is instantly available on the ClubRunner app as soon as it is published!
The success of the clubs' Lift the Lid Golf Day at Kingston Heath Golf Course has resulted in the awarding of a Companion Award from Australian Rotary Health. The club is proud to be a strong supporter of Australian Rotary Health, one of the largest non-government funders of mental health research in Australia. Thank you to everyone who supported this major fundraiser for the club, from organising, playing, attending the Gala Dinner or buying and selling the raffle tickets. Well done Rotary Glenferrie. You really are making a difference!
It has been some years since it became mandatory in Rotary District 9800 to hold a valid Victorian Working with Children Check, and some member's authorisations will expire this year. Normally you will receive an email from the Department of Justice reminding you to renew your registration, but it is recommended that you check, just to make sure you remain compliant.
Renewal takes only a few minutes on the Victorian Government My Check website. However, if you miss your renewal date you will get a call from the Club Protection Officer and, let's face it, no-one wants that!
The club welcomed two new members to Rotary at the club meeting May 31st, professional couple Mahroo Parsi and Weranja Ranasinghe. Recently married, Mahroo, was born in Teheran
As for Thelma, she has just returned home from the ROCAN bike ride, which raises funds for ovarian cancer research. Thelma came off her bike and was quite badly hurt, ending up in Albury Hospital where she had to have not one but two operations on her elbow. Thelma was in hospital for a few days, before being discharged last Thursday night in time to catch up with the peloton in Wangaratta, for the final dinner. Now safely at home Thelma will be back at Rotary soon.
protection any woman can have… is courage.” 
mpaign was launched last week to support the communities in need as these disasters continue to cause significant loss.
with a picnic and barbecue at the award winning Yarra Bank Reserve playground, Denham Street Hawthorn, on the banks of the Yarra and the 
Every morning I stroll down my street, enjoying the quiet adventure of exploring the neighbourhood with my two four-pawed friends, William and Harry. Since the beginning of December this year, I’ve noted that more and more neighbours have put out their Christmas decorations earlier. They have hung the wreaths on the front doors, displayed Christmas lights in their house and gardens, and tied the red bows to the street trees, adding Christmas flair to the neighbourhood.
The Rotary National Flood Appeal has been launched to raise funding to provide financial assistance to flood victims in Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales. Funds donated to Victoria and Border Communities Flood Relief Fund Distribution (Project 31-2022-23 RABS) will go to flood victims in Victoria and Border communities. Donations can be made via the 
PAUL HARRIS BREAKFAST 2022
y providing them with much needed professional care.
The club notes with sadness the passing of PP Dr Alex Buchanan AM (1997-98) on October 25th. Alex was an Ambassadorial Scholar at Iowa State University in 1959-1960, with the assistance of The Rotary Foundation. He was inducted into the club in May 1987, into the classification 'Medical Research'. He was already a Rotarian, having previously been a member of the Rotary clubs of Moorabbin and Bangkok South. At the time of his induction, Alex was Scientific Administrator at Monash University. His wife Jo was also a club member, inducted into the classification 'Psychology' in July 1995
Rotary Club in Boroondara, I was honored to attend the Boroondara Citizenship Ceremony at the Hawthorn Art Centre. Witnessing 119 new citizens, from 29 countries, making their Australian citizenship pledge of commitment, and sharing their joy of becoming an Australian citizen, I felt how lucky I am to live in this vibrant, multicultural country. Australia is home to one of the world’s oldest continuous cultures, as well as Australians who identify with more than 270 ancestries: everyone comes with his/her own story, and everyone comes to work hard for a better life and contribute to building a continuously diverse society.
RI General Secretary and CEO John Hewko and Ukraine Friends CEO Brock D. Bierman signed a memorandum of understanding in July 2022 that calls for the organizations to work together to determine the viability of potential projects, distribute funds and in-kind donations, and prioritize joint efforts.
Many of us may know that Prince Phillip was an Honorary Member of five Rotary clubs including RC Windsor and Eton. Until five years before his death, the duke would attend meetings in ‘his’ club and refused to be treated differently from any other Rotarian. He showed the exemplary spirit of Rotary to all of us. As Rotarians, we have accepted the obligation and responsibilities of Rotary membership and are committed to Rotary Values, friendships and a life of Service Above Self. My dear fellow Rotarians, I wish you find ‘Inspiration in Service’ and ‘Enjoyment in the Fellowship’ of our club and the worldwide Rotary movement.
rs which indicated that the majority of the 67 clubs in the district continue to struggle to attract and retain members: the average size of memberships of Rotary clubs in the district is 29. Rotary Glenferrie is one of the few lucky ones who came out ahead with 55 active members and nine honorary members as of today. Thank you to the membership committee and all club members, for your efforts to get us to this situation.
y last week. It is a Rotary International 75th Anniversary Commemorative Plate 1905 –1980 which she bought in August 1979 through Rotary Croydon. The gift came to me with a letter from the Rotary Club of Croydon. It was titled to Mr B. J. Vesely rather than Mrs B. J. Vesely. Until 1989, a woman couldn't be a Rotarian then and wasn't entitled to be called Mrs even as the partner (wife) a of Rotarian. What a special gift to me. It has carried the glory of Rotary as a service organisation for 118 years. Moreover, it made me think, where is Rotary going in the new era?
