Rowan McClean kindly addressed our meeting of 10 May 2022 regarding his involvement with resettling Afghan Refugee families into the community. He and his colleagues have been involved in placing Afghan refugees into temporary accommodation, as well as aiming to provide them with assistance not provided by the Government.
Storage space has been arranged for donated goods and meal packs have been arranged by Rotary Club Canterbury. An Accounting firm donated 30 Computers after a computer upgrade.
Collection of donated clothes etc from Rotarians and friends is now taking place and so far 3000 refugees have been settled into Melbourne.
Our founder Paul Harris is quoted as saying “Rotarians are very much more favourably disposed toward action than they are toward words.” However, he did see the value of clubs meeting in fellowship on a regular basis (originally it was expected to have a 100% attendance).
Coming to the meetings aids you to get to know your other members, there is a better chance of forming a basis to imagine and implement a new project or to gain knowledge to participate in an already active project.
It has become necessary now that we are out of the COVID isolation that our club needs to reflect on getting back to the regular way our club is conducted. I note that many, particularly new members, are not turning up to the General Meetings. Our Club Constitution requires a minimum 50% attendance rate.
The war in Ukraine is having devastating consequences on civilians as families flee their homes. According to the United Nations, more than 5 million people, most of them women and children, have sought refuge in neighboring countries and across Europe, while about 7 million more people have been displaced within Ukraine.
Rotary and Rotaract clubs in Europe and around the world have taken swift action and are working with members nearby to provide food, water, medical equipment, and shelter for refugees.
Because of our generous donors, The Rotary Foundation has received more than $13.1 million in contributions that will be prioritized for disaster response grants.For more information click on the link or go to the next page.
On Thursday 28th April, The Rotary Clubs of Glenferrie, Canterbury and Camberwell gathered to harvest and transport the PG from the Richmond Estate.
After working through the morning to dismantle the playground, it became apparent that there were significant difficulties in dismantling all the playground equipment given the advanced state of connection corrosion and the potential to seriously impact on the integrity of a large proportion of the equipment pieces, if we proceeded to the end. To this stage significant hard work had occurred by all that attended and the day before in marking up the equipment.
Therefore, a Rotary Club Cluster decision was made on site to abandon the final dismantling of the PG. It was the right decision but we all felt a level of disappointment at not completing the task.
It was great to see the new faces at the PG Harvesting - Teresa Liu at the “Mark-Up” the day before; Joanne Shentu and Garfield Lee at the PG dismantling . Mark Howlett, Jerzy Ordega and Alex Marshall were there too as well as Bob Lambert and Jeff Speake from Canterbury Rotary.
“If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal.” John F. Kennedy
Having attended another Citizenship Ceremony representing our club, I was again fascinated by the pure joy of these people (100 people from 33 countries) to become Australians. A fact that we are so lucky to be already accepted here as Australians.
I read that quote the other day thinking how appropriate for our club with our increasing diversity of members. Our little community has many people of diverse ideas, but we seem to all be able to volunteer our services to the community together.
Sadly, this week, we note the passing of one of our stalwart Rotarians - Terry Rolleston.
It is with great sadness that we advise the passing of PP Terry Rolleston on Wednesday May 4th, after a long illness.
Terry joined Rotary in July 1993 and was President of the club in 1999-2000. A Paul Harris Fellow, Terry was instrumental in the club's adoption of the annual Parkinson's Walk Charity BBQ at Federation Square, in support of Parkinson's Victoria. He was active on behalf of the club in helping to establish Rotary Camp Getaway in Axedale, Victoria in 1999. As a member of the inaugural Farmers Market Committee, along with Newton Langford, Peter Harvest and Geoff Wood, Terry helped set up the Boroondara Farmers Market in 2002. The Market has since raised more than $1.5m for Rotary projects and charitable causes. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the community through Rotary, Terry was made an Honorary Member of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie in 2016.
Terry's bright smiling face and warm friendly personality made coming to Rotary a sheer delight for everyone. He will be greatly missed. Our sincere condolences go to Helen and the Rolleston family.
Sue Burgess was invited to speak to the club about Anzac Day. She chose as her topic the ‘Relevance of Anzac Day to the youth of Australia today’
Sue gave a brief outline of the history of Anzac Day. It started in London in 1916 by returned soldiers to remember those who did not return from war. It had no funding but the originators just wanted to establish a commemorative day to remember. By 1918 it was established and by 1927 a public holiday was declared in every state. The Dawn Service started in 1930.
Anyone who cares to listen to my babbling on will be familiar with my words of wisdom “youth is wasted on the youth”- what would I do to go back in time with the wisdom of an elder! We owe it to our youth to assist them to develop good ideals and working principles. Rotary is committed to this ideal.
I want to thank all who attended the Rotary Conference in Albury. For those making the effort to get up to Albury were rewarded with lovely weather and great Fellowship. I particularly enjoyed our lazy breakfasts in the main street of Albury prior to the meetings commencements. The Friday night club dinner arranged by Cheryl was fun and we enjoyed having a club table on the Saturday night, to socialise with our Glenferrie Rotarians. I will definitely be going to future conferences.
We are dedicated to enhancing your Rotary experience by supporting what is important to you, our members. You have consistently told us that you want Rotary to be a place that celebrates diversity, that fully represents our communities, and that offers all members equitable opportunities to thrive.
You also recognize that embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) will allow us to do more meaningful work while engaging with people who know they’ll be valued for the qualities that make them unique. These sentiments were reinforced last year by the more than 31,000 members around the world who responded to our first DEI survey.
To ensure that the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion are ingrained in everything we do, the RI Board of Directors, guided by the DEI Task Force, has strengthened our commitment to DEI and is taking action in response to the survey findings.
Vista Corporate Solutions have joined the impressive list of sponsors for the club's Lift the Lid Charity Golf Day on May 24th. The Golf Day, at world famous Kingston Heath Golf Course, will raise funds for mental health research through Australian Rotary Health, one of the largest non-government funders of mental health research in Australia. Vista will sponsor a hole at the Golf Day and, as part of their sponsorship, provide free printing of banners, signs and flags for the event.
Vista Corporate Solutions provide a wide variety of flexible corporate marketing tools and products via an online store, providing high quality creative solutions in a convenient and cost effective manner. Welcome to the team Vista Corporate Solutions. Your generous sponsorship will contribute greatly towards a successful event, and to making possible important mental health research in Australia.
The club's signature event for 2022, the Lift the Lid Charity Golf Day on May 24th, is completely sold out. Prospective players who would like to have an opportunity to play this event at world famous Kingston Heath Golf Course may join a waitlist, which has now gone live, and will be offered a spot if cancellations are received by the cut-off date.
However Glenferrie Rotarians who would like to attend the club meeting on May 24th, which will be held at Kingston Heath Golf Course following the golf day, may still register for the meeting. Bookings are essential, as numbers are strictly limited. So don't wait any longer. Guest speakers will be Australian cricket legend Merv Hughes, who will be interviewed by TV star and MC Extraordinaire Gregory Ross, and Prof. Eoin Killackey of Melbourne University, speaking on the topic of Youth Mental Health.
Glenferrie Rotary Club is the Lead on the harvesting of this playground in Richmond.
DETAILS
Activity phases: Mark-up on Wednesday 27th April (only 2 or 3 Rotarians from GR). Dismantle in the morning and then Transport to Kilsyth in the afternoon.
Lead Rotary Club: Glenferrie Rotary – Geoffrey Widmer contact ( 0419310601) and Mark Howlett ( 0418391401) Paul Shekleton ( 0418395345).
Crew Size: We plan to have a crew of 8 working in pairs of 2 and the other 3 Cluster Clubs will nominate an additional 2 persons per Club.
Cluster Clubs Assisting : Canterbury, Hawthorn and Camberwell.
Playground & location: 139 Highett st Richmond ( South West Corner).
Date: Thursday 28th April circa 9am .
We will have a site meeting at start at 9am to go over the OH&S requirements for the job (see gear next point) and also be aware of equipment working on site.
What to gear bring…..sturdy boots (steel capped have them), Hi Vis vests, gloves, long sleeve shirt and long trousers and goggles.
Transportation and Drop Off Location: 6 Cloverlea Dr, Kilsyth South. Need 4 people to continue assist in this phase. We will rent the Trailer.
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King Jr.
So, an uncomfortable situation unfolds –
Email – Definition - Messages distributed by electronic means from one computer user to one or more recipients via a network. I have always thought that they are a great way for communication especially for me – not retired and trying to run a club mainly after hours. I like how there is great inclusiveness with the use of emails, and everyone is informed and up to date.
When I was Chairman and Secretary of the Victoria Branch of RANZCO (Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists), I was taught that it also was good to spread the message around so there were no excuse not knowing or not acting a preferred way.
Jerry Ji who is a year 12 student at Camberwell Grammar studying mathematics and science in Year 12, in preparation for a career in medicine and in the space industry. He attended The National Youth Science Forum in January 2022 sponsored by Glenferrie Rotary and spoke to us about his experiences and perspectives of this visit and his future career direction. He thanked Glenferrie Rotary for the opportunity to attend the NYSF.
The NYSF is a 10 day program that gives talented students a broader understanding of the diverse study and career options available in STEM studies.
The 2022 Rotary District 9800 Conference in Albury got off to a stirring start this weekend, with a rousing bracket of bagpipe music, thanks to the Scots Albury Pipe Band. Prior to that, an Elder of the Wiradjeri people, traditional custodians of the land upon which the conference is being held, welcomed delegates to Albury with a traditional smoking ceremony.
Glenferrie Rotarians PP Cheryl Pisterman and PP Charles Tran both received significant recognition at the Conference. Cheryl Pisterman was presented with a Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service for her many years of dedicated service to The Rotary Foundation. PP Charles Tran received a crystal recognition piece and a Major Donor lapel pin in recognition of his generous financial commitment to the Foundation. For more photos of conference click on 'Read more' below.
Coming out of two years of lockdowns and restricted ability to engage in humanitarian projects it is now a great time to stretch our wings and get back into action. And there is probably no better project, for the times, than the new international student mentoring program. A great opportunity for ALL members to get more engaged in a high-impact project.
The new Rotary International Student Mentoring program is a great way to engage Rotarians, particularly newer Rotarians. Even if members are still concerned with COVID this is a program Rotarians can do in their home, via video conferencing. And the value to both the student and Victoria is considerable.
The Rotary Foundation recognises as a Paul Harris Society Member anyone who contributes annually to The Rotary Foundation, a minimum of US$1,000. These contributions are eligible for tax deductibility. Special events in recognition of members are held annually and hosted by the District Governor.
The Paul Harris Society Newsletter - April (excerpts)
Welcome to this newsletter where you will find out a little bit more about the District 9800 Paul Harris Society, of which I am the Chair, and hopefully be inspired to join yourself. Now this is not a secret society and has a very impressive history! On the 2nd of June 2007 the Paul Harris Society, with nineteen members, was chartered under the guidance of Past District Governor Bernie Walsh and District 9800 Foundation Chair Chris Don. In that first Rotary year the numbers grew to thirty members with thirty two members by the end of December 2008.
I hope everyone is still having a safe and good Easter. Easter is not only a significant religious event; it is a time for families together. So, I hope that our “family” the RC of Glenferrie members will get together tomorrow night for another general club meeting.
Last Tuesday night was a great success for our Celebration of Golf night. For those present, we were treated to talks by the sponsors for the lift the Lid Golf day, and an education from Steffan Scutti, the longest drive champion as to style and strategy, Steffan was interviewed by Bob Lambert of RC Canterbury. We were graced by the presence of our DG Dale Hoy and our AG Lili Teichman both signifying the importance of this major fund raiser, that Elizabeth Dumonic and the task force of Richard Blakeman, Thelma Hutchison, Don Heath, Don Moore Robert Hogan, Tim Gale and Teresa Liu. The famous cricketer, Merv Hughes will be there also. This is the day to be involved and be seen!! The good principle of golf is that anyone of all shapes, sizes, age and conditioning can be involved. It is not a walk wasted but builds friendship and fellowship.
Two cargo planes packed with tons of medical equipment have already been flown from Chicago, USA, to Ukraine where members helped to unload the supplies. Rotary members in Ukraine, where Russia's military action has caused a humanitarian crisis, are in daily contact with hospitals to determine what supplies are needed most.
Rotary International announced today that more than US$7million has been raised through Rotary so far for humanitarian aid in Ukraine.
Steffan Scutti can drive a golf ball more than 400 metres from the tee with just one stroke, without even losing the ball. Well he is the Australian Long Drive Champion after all, and last Tuesday night he was our guest speaker at a Celebration of Golf special club meeting in the leadup to the Club's Charity Golf Day on May 24th.
Steffan was expertly interviewed by Canterbury Rotarian Bob Lambert, whose humorous but probing questions shed some light on how one gets to drive the ball so far. Members and guests heard from representative of some of the impressive sponsors of our golf day, General Manager of Silver Star Motors Mercedes-Benz, James Hondrakis, David Coulon of GS Golf Studios and Angela Stevenson representing Tiger Moth Flights Yarra Valley. Club Director Elizabeth Dumonic also described the contribution of our other generous sponsors, whose logos are prominently displayed on the Golf Day webpage. We also welcomed District Governor Dale Hoy and Assistant Governor Riverside Cluster Lili Teichman for a very enjoyable, informative and special club meeting.
The excitement is building for the Lift the Lid Golf Day at Kingston Heath Golf Course on May 24th 2022. Steffan will be there, and will be able to play your drive shot for you on the 14th hole if you like. The event will raise funds for important research into mental health, funded through Australian Rotary Health, one of the largest funders of mental health research in Australia. For the full honour board of sponsors for Lift the Lid Charity Golf Day, click on Read More
Tickets for the Golf Day Experience at Kingston Heath Golf Course on May 24th are almost completely sold out, with only a handful of spots left for those thinking about entering. The lure of an incredible opportunity to play at world renowned Kingston Heath Golf Course, share a drive with Australian Long Drive Champion Steffan Scutti, meet and possibly even play a round of golf with popular Australian cricket legend Merv Hughes, win one of three Mercedes-Benz A-Class hatchbacks, and finish the day with a gourmet BBQ dinner have proven completely irresistible, as we'd hoped they would.
So if you have been thinking about registering and being part of this fabulous day out in one of the world's best golf courses, don't wait any longer. Register now, before it's too late. Or your booking might end up in the bunker!
As part of the Special Club Meeting on Tuesday 12 April 2022 - "A Celebration of Golf" - we will be launching our Lift the Lid Raffle. You have a chance of winning one of 6 fabulous prizes for every $5 ticket purchased. We wish to thank Tiger Moth Joy Flights, Global Ballooning, Sparklers Hand Car Wash, Crown Resorts, Chateau Yering, and Elite Women Real Estate for their generous donations. We also thank Lawrie Barnett AM from Action Printing for his generosity in printing the raffle books. Raffle proceeds will go to Australian Rotary Health directed towards funding research into mental illness.
Much loved Australian cricket legend Merv Hughes has been named as the celebrity golfer for our Lift the Lid Charity Golf Day at the famous Kingston Heath Golf Course on May 24th 2022. A native of Euroa, Merv started his career playing district cricket with Footscray in 1978–79. Footscray has subsequently named their main home ground after him; it is now known as the Mervyn G. Hughes Oval.
A right-arm fast bowler, he represented Australia in 53 Test Matches, taking 212 wickets. He played 33 One Day Internationals, taking 38 wickets. Not just a great bowler but also a useful batsman scoring two half-centuries in Tests and over 1,000 runs in all. Merv replaced Allan Border as an Australian selector from 2005 to 2010.
Club Director Elizabeth Dumonic has announced that the magnificent holiday donated to the club in support of the Lift the Lid Charity Golf Day on May 24th has sold to a mystery buyer, raising $4,000 for Australian Rotary Health. The mystery buyer will enjoy a wonderful 7 night vacation at the luxurious Melia Phuket Mai Khao, Thailand in a one bedroom suite with outdoor bathtub. Valued at $5,187, the lucky buyer has made a considerable saving on an outstanding holiday experience, thanks to Luxury Escapes.
The Marketing Manager of Luxury Escapes, Andrew Eckersley, will join us at the club meeting on April 12th for A Celebration of Golf. In the meantime, keep your eye out for someone surreptitiously packing their suitcase with an extravagantly colourful Hawaiian shirt. They may very well be the mystery buyer.
Thank you Luxury Escapes for your very generous donation. It will go a long way towards funding research into an important area of mental health, with lasting benefits for our community.
RAWCS has established the National Flood Appeal. Go to https://directory.rawcs.com.au/47-2021-22 to find out how you can contribute 100% to assist communities impacted by these devastating floods.
Remember through Rotary there are no huge administration costs and you can be sure that your donation reaches where it is needed most through the work of dedicated volunteer Rotarians and their partners in the Northern Rivers area and parts of south-east Queensland.
The truth can be unpalatable, but if we are truly to reconcile with those among us who have been wronged, we must firstly acknowledge the reality of the injustice and the cause of their suffering. Take a few minutes to listen carefully to this TEDx address by Aboriginal Australian Sheila Humphries. It will move your soul.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - for all Rotarians
“As a global network that strives to build a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change, Rotary values diversity and celebrates the contributions of people of all backgrounds, regardless of their age, ethnicity, race, colour, abilities, religion, socioeconomic status, culture, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity.”
Elvis may have left the room, but everyone else stayed until quite late at the clubs exceptional, annual BBQ on the Terrace at Kooyong on Tuesday night. The catering crew at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club excelled themselves with a scrumptious offering of BBQ delights that was so popular it will go into the club's 50 year history book, currently on the drawing board.
A big thank you to head chef Babu, originally from Nepal but now a long term Melburnian, and everyone at Kooyong LTC for a fabulous evening. And a big thank you to Lynette Spencer, who organises this event every year, and every year it gets better and better. Thank you Lynette. Thank you Babu. Thank you umpires. Thank you ball kids. As Elvis would have said: " Oh, what a night oo-oo what a night. It was it really was such a night."
For more photos of a great night out for Glenferrie Rotarians, click on 'Read more' below.
In response to the deepening humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, Rotary International has created an official channel for contributions to support the relief efforts underway by Rotary districts.
In just a little over a week, Rotary members and donors around the world, have contributed over $2 million to Rotary’s disaster response fund. These donations are designated for immediate-use grants that support relief efforts in #Ukraine and surrounding regions. Rotary districts in and around Ukraine may apply for grants of up to $50,000 each.
During mid 2021 Helena Wimpole and I, representing the Community Service Group, visited Camcare to see if our Club could be of assistance in their various activities. We were pointed towards an old shed, a tree and a pile of rubbish that required removal from the Camcare garden. It is anticipated that a small greenhouse will be installed and some fruit trees planted on the site to be cleared. After several delays and postponements the job was finally done last week. I can attest that Parkinson’s Law applies to the accumulation of rubbish over time.
If, as a new member, you are still to decide to experience your first Rotary Conference, it is not too late to book for Albury on the Anzac Day weekend 22 to 24 April. And the rate for the conference remains at $330.00 for first time attendees.
To find out what Rotary of Glenferrie Rotarians are doing with regards accomodation and meals, and if you want to be included press read more for details.
The club's annual project in support of Parkinson's Victoria has been in hibernation for the past two years, thanks to Covid-19, Lockdowns and Social Distancing. But on Sunday March 27th on a glorious autumn day, the sausages and onions were sizzling again, to the obvious joy of Melburnians at Fed Square. The Annual Parkinson's Victoria A Walk in the Park event is the major fundraising effort for Parkinson's Victoria.
Master Chef PP John Hudson, left ably assisted by (from left to right) Trish Ritman, David Pisterman (RC Hawthorn) , Oxana Belyaeva, PP Michael Berry, Joanne Shentu, Garfield Lee and Amelia Anderson
The club's project in support of the Rotary Overseas Recycled Playground Program took an adventurous leap forward on March 26th, when the team harvested the playground at the North Richmond Housing Estate, the first time the club has dismantled and shipped a playground outside of the City of Boroondara. These old but serviceable playgrounds once went to landfill. But now they are harvested by Rotary and shipped to countries in S.E. Asia, the Pacific Islands, the Indian sub-continent and even Africa, where they are refurbished by Rotary clubs in the recipient country and erected in local schools and communities, bring joy and laughter to little people, and a new lase of life. The club's RORP projects are led by International Service Director Mark Howlett and Geoffrey Widmer.
International Service Director Mark Howlett dismantling the playground at North Richmond Housing Estate, ably assisted by Jeff Speak of the Rotary Club of Canterbury. The club's project has become a virtual 'super-cluster' project, where RC Glenferrie partners with the Rotary clubs of Camberwell, Canterbury and Hawthorn.
Our Guest Speaker last Tuesday was Matthew Leeder, a proud Indigenous man. He is currently the President of the Kangaroo Flat Rotary club and is the first indigenous man to hold this position in District 9800. He spoke to us passionately on the importance of Reconciliation for all Australians.
Matthew told us his story which is known as “Truth Telling” and is an important part of reconciliation.
His Great-Great Grandfather was an Inuit (Indigenous people from Canada, Alaska and Greenland) who came to Australia from Toronto. There he met and married a Palawa (Indigenous Tasmanian) woman. The White settlers who arrived in Tasmania in 1803 killed many of the Palawa people and moved others from Tasmania to Flinders Island and the Furneaux group of islands. Taken from their own land, they gradually died out and I am sure that most of us remember the story of Truganini, the last full Palawa woman, who died in 1876.
Matthew Leeder, President Rotary Club of Kangaroo Flat, second from left, pictured with from left to right Kathleen Stammers, meeting chairman PP Don Heath, President Dr Mark Ellis AM, Susan Vincent, President RC Prahran and PE Teresa Liu
Opportunity to sponsor a needy child in Vietnam Through the RC Glenferrie relationship with the VoThan district of Vietnam and the great work that the associated rotary clubs do supporting this and other districts, there is an opportunity for individual members to support a needy child. Details of the opportunity follow and interested members can contact Mark Howlett for more information.
Funds are directed to the most needy children. The children are identified and prioritised by the Education Department and local People’s Committees as being in the most needy of circumstances.
It is life-changing. $520 per annum will ensure that a child currently struggling to get to school will be able to commence an education and obtain a real opportunity to have a better life.
The club's Lift the Lid Charity Golf Daycontinues to attract quality sponsors, the latest being Golf Studio in Mordialloc. Golf Studio, whose website states that they are 'the largest indoor golf club in Australia' have generously donated 150 vouchers for a free one 1 hour session at their state-of-the-art indoor studio. The vouchers will be one of a number of gifts in the Golfer's Goody Bag which every entrant for the Golf day Experience will receive on the day.
Golfers will testify that you never stop striving to improve your game, and whether you are a champion or a novice, a one hour session at Golf Studio will be both fun and educational. Thank you Golf Studio. Your generous gift will certainly help us to Lift the Lid on Mental Illness.
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.
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….
Helen Worladge OAM: the Program Manager of Education CHANCES, Jeff Lampard: Chaplain, Counsellor and Education CHANCES Nominator of Balwyn High School. Ian Salek was Chair.
On Tuesday evening 15th March Rotary Glenferrie welcomed two Speakers. They were Helen Worladge OAM, the Programs Manager of Education CHANCES Foundation and Jeff Lampard the Chaplain, Counsellor and CHANCES Nominator at Balwyn High School.
Education CHANCES is strongly supported by our Club. Funds raised at the Farmers Market are shared equally between the City of Boroondara and Glenferrie. Negotiated by John Hudson during his time as Market Director the Council’s share is directed to Education CHANCES and is supplemented by Rotary Glenferrie’s contribution.
Helen told the Meeting that Education CHANCES vision is to provide an opportunity for talented youth by removing financial hardship barriers for young people 12 to 25 years in Boroondara by redressing poverty, social isolation, and disadvantage (lack of money, resources and networks). It also aims at providing a range of flexible support options- tailored to meet the need of each person. Uniforms, camps, excursions, music lessons, leadership classes are most requested.
Last Tuesday was a chance to learn about “Chances”, which our club has strongly supported. The scholarship program is designed to assist disadvantaged students continue their studies. So good of Helen Worladge OAM and the Rev Jeff Lampard to give of their time to update us. Now when you are volunteering for the Farmer’s Market, you can feel a warm glow that not only are you contributing to our coffers to enable our club to run Community and International programs but, also the Chances Program.
So please remember to sign up for the Farmer’s Market. Also, for the Salvo’s Bread Run of a Thursday at 6.00 pm and the Parkinson’s walk BBQ stall - March 27th.
Attached are some super photos of a harvested playground now in use in Railuli East Timor. This particular playground (PG) was not handled by GF rotary but, the outcome of all our PG’s is expected to be much the same, except to different destinations. Associated text could refer to our job/volunteering with these projects incorporating:
Liaison with local councils and their selected new PG contractor
Photographing of the existing PG
Preparation of marked up photos with parts legends
Onsite mark-up of all the parts with the legend prior to dismantling
Dismantling in coordination with the council contractor
Hire of and loading of a large trailer or two
Delivery to a holding yard where, after collection of multiple PG’s, a container is loaded and sent to the destination
Re-assembly at the destination is handled by local rotary clubs or by other organisations depending on the country etc.
The club's Lift the Lid Charity Golf Day event is certainly attracting some impressive sponsors, thanks to the incredible efforts of Club Director Elizabeth Dumonic. A very big thank you to our sponsors for helping to make this event, scheduled for Tuesday May 24th 2022, such a special occasion. For more information about this fantastic event, click on this link.
ROCAN (Rotarians Against Ovarian Cancer) was established as a Trust by the Rotary Club of Williamstown in 2003 at the request of Yvonne Moon OAM a member of the Club. Yvonne's close friend had passed away, having been diagnosed with late stage Ovarian cancer.
The original aims of ROCAN were to raise public awareness of ovarian cancer and to fund research into finding an early screening test for the disease. The goals and projects of ROCAN have broadened over time but remain cancer focused. ROCAN was incorporated on 25 May 2020 and is endorsed as a registered charity by the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission.
Rotary Glenferrie is an active member of the RIMERN group ( Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Network). RIMERN collects and distributes household goods ( bedding, tables, kitchenware, white goods, appliances) for individuals and families in need.
A critical need for RIMERN is to purchase a commercial Van to give them the capability and flexibility to collect households goods offered. They need to raise funds to buy the Commercial Van and have organised an online WINE FUND RAISER through an established “on-line” company called Prospect Wines, with the wines selected by Peter Fergusson whom many of you will know from his Fergusson Wines (Dixons Creek) days. Peter is still a wine consultant, so they have quality in mind here in selecting the wines for us.
There is still much availability for accomodation at Albury at the time of the Albury District Conference.
The following link will provide details of Accomodation. It includes; Motels and Hotels Serviced Apartments Self - Contained Units or Houses Caravan Parks
A group of 11 Glenferrie Rotarians along with guests, Ros Winspear and Melanie Clarke gathered in Patterson Reserve during the gloomy morning last Sunday. It was great to have our current president, Mark Ellis along with four previous presidents, Thelma Hutchison, Don Heath, Ian Salek and Rob Winspear in attendance.
Carol Benson, Tim Gale and Andrea Kimler together with new members, Garfield Lee and Paul Shekleton completed the gathering and everyone set off in various directions armed with graspers and a large bag. More than 20 bags of rubbish were collected along with some dumped steelwork and three supermarket trolleys. Overall, it was an excellent two hour's work and we then enjoyed a glass of wine, conversation and a wonderful BBQ prepared by Libby Marshall and Caralyn Shekleton. Thanks again for the excellent work of all participants.
Chairman PP Robert Hogan, left, pictured with guest speakers PDG D9810 Graeme Woolacott, a past director of Australian Rotary Health, Bryan Dyson of Kingston Heath Golf Club and President Dr. Mark Ellis AM
The focus of this meeting was to highlight the LIFT THE LID Golf Day to be held at Kingston Heath Golf Club on 24th of May 22.
Our first speaker was Brian Dyson who has been a member of Kingston Heath for 44 years and was representing the club.
Brian spoke with great pride about the fame and significance of the Kingston Heath Course which is rated in the top 3 in Australia and the top 18 in the world.
Host to many major tournaments including 7 Australian opens and the 2016 World Cup of Golf, the course maintains international prestige.
Brian was keen to point out the wonderful deal we a receiving with our golf day package costing $350.00 of which $100 goes to Rotary Health and $250 to the golf club.
I had great pleasure to induct Joanne Shentu and Meera Ramachandran into our Rotary Club Of Glenferrie Family on last Tuesday night. The occasion was probably even more momentous as it was International Women’s Day, and our club is slowly climbing to a healthy proportion of women in our ranks. My greatest worry is that we must actively get all new members involved in projects. So, I am excited that Amelia Anderson has agreed to join the committee for the Afghan music night. I want to encourage all newcomers to get out of their comfort zones and join in the committees. Events are evolving as we come out of the cloud of COVID isolations. One thing I learnt in life is that you cannot stand back and wait to be invited. You will always be a wall flower. So be bold and approach the directors saying, “I want to be involved”.
The women members and guests at the meeting on March 8th were led in a toast to International Women's Day 2022 by club director Elizabeth Dumonic (far right). The assembly demonstrated not only the strength of the club's female membership, but the valuable community contribution of women through Rotary, and the important leadership roles that women take in modern Rotary. Here's cheers everyone!
President Dr Mark Ellis AM inducted two new members into Rotary on March 8th, bringing total club membership to 59 (50 Active members and 9 Honorary members). Joanne Shentu and Meera Ramachandran started their Rotary journey at a well attended meeting, focused on preparations for the club's Lift the Lid Golf Day at Kingston Heath Golf Course on May 24th.
Joanne is a highly qualified finance professional who has had extensive experience in corporate roles, in China and Singapore as well as in Australia. Meera is a Senior Enablement Manager at the ANZ Bank, which gives her considerable experience in working with people and teams in a service based environment.
Welcome to Rotary. Joanne and Meera. We look forward very much to being part of your Rotary life, and to working alongside you to Serve to Change Lives.
Welcome to Rotary Joanne (centre), pictured here with Rotary Mentor PE Teresa Liu and President Dr. Mark Ellis AM
Welcome to Rotary Meera (centre), pictured here with Rotary Mentor PP Charles Tran and President Mark .
The invasion of Ukraine by the Russian military has unleashed unimaginable misery on a civilian population, in scenes that have horrified the world. Young and old, women and children, families and people alone are abandoning their homes and livelihoods to flee to safety.
Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) have set up a fund, sponsored by the Rotary clubs of Sydney Cove and Kyiv, Ukraine to meet immediate lifesaving needs of the crisis-affected civilian population in Ukraine & provide early recovery assistance as soon as feasible. To save & preserve lives, easy suffering & promote self-sufficiency.
The terror and misery that people in Ukraine are experiencing right now is unimaginable. You can help through Rotary. Please give now.
Mariupol, Ukraine after a missile attack in which 128 civilians were hospitalised. republicworld.com
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. This four-part program is now presented online.
Parts 1 & 2 – Sunday March 20thPart 3 – Sunday 27th March Part 4 – Sunday 3rd April
To register you need to email Jane Pennington Jane.Pennington@rotary9800.org by Friday 11March. There is a limit of 20 people for each program.
Community Services (Alex Marshall) Salvation Army Bread Run – Confirmation of amount of bread needed. Volunteers needed. Clean Up Australia – is to be held Sunday 6th March at Patterson Reserve from 9.30 onwards followed by a BBQ. Please sign up. RIMERN provides services to victims of domestic violence, refugees, those recovering from addiction etc. It collects household goods for individuals/families in need. There is a roster every 3rd Thursday of the month for volunteers to work there.
Parkinsons Victoria Walk -This event to support Parkinson's Victoria will now be held in Federation Square on Sunday 27th March 2022.Our Club will run a BBQ in Federation Square. We provide the people power with the BBQ, marquee and food being provided by Parkinsons. What is needed: Three 2 hour shifts, each with 7 volunteers.
International (Mark Howlett)
RORP Glenferrie Rotary along with Hawthorn and Canterbury Rotary Clubs successfully removed the Victoria Park North Playground in Kew on Tuesday 15th February. It was a successful Cluster event. The playground was dismantled and taken to Kilsyth from where it will be sent to Fiji.
Beyond Water - We have made a donation to Beyond Water which is a charitable trust which aims to alleviate poverty across East Africa.
East Timor - The effects of the Volcano and Tsunami on January 15th will be far-reaching, impacting the Tonga Community for months, possibly years to come. RAWCS has registered a Rotary Australia Relief Fund project to seek financial assistance from Rotary Clubs (Including Glenferrie), the public and private sector. Sumba - to go ahead this year. Mark to update us at a later time.
George Orwell once stated– “In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”
It is with great sadness we observe the bullying of one nation to another nation. Misinformation and inappropriate excuses abound. In the bible of karate “The Bubishi” my favourite quote is that “Delay is the best remedy for Anger” so I hope that the united world can come up with inducements to end this Ukrainian invasion. Rotarians have an avenue to be involved via the email I recently sent to all from Gabriel Hau, RI District 9800 Peace building Committee Chair.
Thanks to those Directors who were able to give a brief outline of their portfolios at last Tuesday’s meeting. Occasionally it is good to sit back and find out what is going on within our own club. As President I get to oversee all the activities. Hopefully, newcomers can get an idea of where they want to be involved. Being involved increases the satisfaction of being a RC Glenferrie member.
This event to support Parkinson's Victoria will now be held in Federation Square on Sunday 27th March 2022. It had been cancelled on a number of occasions during the past two years of the pandemic. Our Club has actively supported this event during the past decade by running a BBQ in Federation Square. In essence we provide the people power with the BBQ, marquee and food being provided by Parkinson's Victoria. In the past it has been a busy and a worthwhile occasion with three 2 hour shifts, each with 7 volunteers: so quite a commitment!
Crown Resorts have generously donated a Crown Promenade one night accommodation package, valued at $598, as a raffle prize at the Lift the Lid Charity Golf Day on May 24th 2022.
What better way to round off your day than an evening at Crown, a dinner at one of the very fine restaurants and a night to remember at Melbourne's premier hotel. Now that's something to look forward to, so be sure to book your tickets to the Lift the Lid Charity Golf Day now so that you don't miss out! Click here.
Thank you Crown Resorts! Your generous gift helps raise money for mental health research through Australian Rotary Health, one of Australia's largest non-government funders of mental health research in Australia. Crown Resorts, you're worth your weight in Gold! We lift our lid to you!
Raises funds for Australian Rotary Health directed towards research into mental health.
Opportunity to play golf at the prestigious Kingston Heath Golf Club.
Amazing prizes for a Hole-in-One (well actually three chances to win Mercedes vehicles).
Fabulous raffle with great prizes.
And you don't have to play golf - just join us for the dinner.
Don't delay - book your tickets now as we expect the event to be fully subscribed.
For more information, and to book tickets: Click here
The club will hold its usual club meeting at Kingston Heath Golf Course following the event on May 24th. Members who are not able to play golf should book for the Gourmet BBQ afterwards at a special members and guests only price: Click here
I did my first volunteer shift at RIMERN (Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Network) on Thursday and I was amazed at the volume of goods, size of the warehouse and value to recipients that this initiative provides. It's a great hands-on project and one that I hope new and not so new members will support. If you can free up a Thursday morning, do register on the roster link (through ClubRunner) and make a contribution to a great Rotary project. You will be one of four from our Club - it's a great way to get to know one another and I will definitely be back for more.
RIMERN is a multi-club Rotary project collecting household goods to donate to people in need. This is residential recycling at its very best. Clients may have experienced homelessness, domestic violence, incarceration, be escaping war or persecution or have lost their home to disaster.
Rotarians from the Rotary clubs of Glenferrie, Hawthorn and Canterbury combined to harvest the playground at Victoria Park Kew on February 15th 2022. The recycled equipment is destined for a children's play area somewhere in Fiji.
This week Glenferrie Rotary, along with Hawthorn and Canterbury Rotary Clubs, successfully removed the Victoria Park North Playground in Kew on Tuesday 15th February.
I wish to thank our Rotary Team of Mark Howlett for organising the “ Mark-Up” of the Equipment on Thursday 10th February in preparation for the playground dismantling. This session is critical so that the recipients have a “road-map” on which to follow to re-assemble the playground again when it gets to its new owners. The documentation was provided by Bob Allardice Project Co-Ordinator, RORP, Districts 9810, 9800 & 9790.
Guest speaker Steven Kaye (left), pictured here with meeting chair Elizabeth Dumonic. Darren McClelland of Rail Trails Australia and avid cyclist and Club President Dr Mark Ellis AM, entertained and inspired the meeting on February 15th with tales of adventure on the romantic and historic old rail trails of Australia
Steven has a lifetime interest in railways, cycling and ‘the great outdoors’. He began using Victoria’s rail trails with his family for many years, enjoying the history, natural environment and safety it provided. Consequently, he joined the Rail Trails Australia committee in 2008 to become more involved and hopefully improve/complete the trail network.
I buried my mother a couple of days ago. At 90 she had “lived a good life”. Contemplating on how to “live a good life” made me think of how Rotary gives people a chance to “live a good life” by allowing people to socialise and work within our community to improve both our minds and of the lives of others. Certainly, I would never have met or had the opportunity to work with such lovely energetic people as the club members of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie and other Rotarians as well, if I had not made that big decision to join our club.
So, it was with great pleasure to induct Sudha Saina to our flock. We wish her every success and that she finds the contentment that I have in my work within this club and our clusters. As usual, the talk on the Rail Trails had me in raptures and wanting to go explore ASAP.
The prizes just keep getting better and better. A big Thank You! to Nitin Dang and the happy team at Sparklers Car Wash in Blackburn for their generous contribution of car wash vouchers to the value of $750 as a prize in the club's Lift the Lid raffle. The Raffle is raising funds as part of the Lift the Lid Charity Golf Day being organised by club Director Elizabeth Dumonic. So now, when you win one of those three Mercedes Benz A-Class hatchbacks being offered as 'Hole-in-One' prizes on the day, you won't have to worry about keeping them clean and in showroom condition! As long as you join in the raffle of course!
Nitin Dang of Sparklers Hand Car Wash in Whitehorse Road Blackburn ,pictured here holding the $750 worth of car wash vouchers, one of the amazing prizes in the club's Lift the Lid raffle. Club Director Elizabeth Dumonic collected the vouchers personally, and soon had the happy team down there dancing to the Lift the Lid tune!
Glenferrie Rotarians Paul Sheckleton (second from left), Geoffrey Widmer and Michael Hills completed a shift at RIMERN on Thursday, bringing help and comfort to people in need. Also there was our Past President Thelma Hutchison, missing from the photo.
Four intrepid Glenferrie Rotarians completed another shift at RIMERN on Thursday February 17th, making a difference for people in need. RIMERN (Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Network) was formed by Rotary Prahran in collaboration with other clubs in District 9800 as a Rotary Centenary project. Through its facility in Prahran, RIMERN collects furniture and household goods and distributes it to families located in inner Melbourne who are in need. Truly Serving to Change Lives.
To volunteer for a future shift at RIMERN and help to make a difference for someone, click on this link.
The club welcomed Sudha Saini to Rotary at the club meeting on February 15th, 2022, and a welcome addition to the Rotary ranks she is. Sudha, who lives in Hawthorn and was introduced to the club by Geoffrey Widmer, has been admitted with the vocational classification 'Journalism'. With her background in writing, the club has added to its growing list of tech savvy story tellers! Sudha's Rotary mentor is Geoffrey Widmer.
A very warm welcome to Rotary, Sudha. We are looking forward very much to working with you in the years ahead, serving to change lives.
The support keeps on coming! Coles Supermarkets have generously donated a $500 gift card to the club's Lift the Lid Charity Golf Day project, to help with the purchase of items for golfer's goodies bags. The bags will be gifted to competitors on the day. Carmel Horvath, Head of Events and Sponsorships, Marketing at Coles confirmed the donation after receiving an approach from Club Director Elizabeth Dumonic. Coles joins a list of prestigious sponsors supporting the event, including Silver Star Motors Mercedes-Benz, EWRE Real Estate, Chateau Yering Yarra Valley, Global Ballooning Australia and Bunnings Warehouse Hawthorn.
Thank you Coles for your support and your generous gift, which will greatly assist Australian Rotary Health to lift the lid on mental illness.
Put this date into your diary and don't forget to register! Lynnette Spencer and Rod Smith have announced that the annual Gourmet BBQ on the Terrace at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club is confirmed, with the date set for Tuesday March 29th, at 6:30pm. An autumn evening on the Terrace at Kooyong is one of the eagerly awaited treats of the year. No speaker, no speeches, just great food and the company of good friends. So bring partners, bring friends. It's a great opportunity to share your Rotary life with friends and family.
Geoff Widmer shared his encyclopaedic knowledge on the country of Colombia.
Geoff had, during his memorable ‘Member Behind the Badge’ presentation in late 2021, touched upon his extensive experience in that country and his role as Melbourne-based Honorary Consul for Colombia.
In fact, he so engaged his audience on that occasion that he was invited back to present in greater depth on the Latin American country that suffers from such ‘bad press’.
It was Geoff’s goal to help dispel the overwhelming image of drug lords, gang wars violence and corruption that, for most of us, is synonymous with Colombia.
According to Geoff Widmer, Columbia is not the hot spot we used to know. My impressions of Columbia were CIA and Romancing the Stone movies, so it was refreshing and important to note that Columbia has cleaned up its image. Certainly, Geoff, who was the honorary consul for Columbia, was able to guide us though the tourism, government and economic prospects of a health nation. As per usual, the best talks come from our home grown sources and we were not disappointed.
It was a delight to finally induct Garfield Lee into our “family” and more is to come with the induction of Ms Sudha Saini tomorrow. A comment has been made that there was a lot of congestion in that room and 1.5m spacing wasn’t at its best. One reason is the late notification of people that they are coming to the meeting. Our Club Director must have numbers to let Kooyong TC staff know, so they can supply a bigger room if necessary. So please let Rod know and pay well in advance.
Club Director Elizabeth Dumonic has organised two additional generous sponsors for the club's Lift the Lid Charity Golf Day on May 24th, and what fabulous prizes they have offered too! Both prizes will be won through the raffle being conducted as part of the event. Chateau Yering have donated a one night stay at their beautiful Chateau Yering Yarra Valley property, valued at $418. Those who have visited this beautiful winery and enjoyed a meal there will be champing at the bit for this one.
Global Ballooning Australia have donated a hair raising prize that should get the blood pumping! The lucky winner of this prize will receive a voucher for a midweek flight for 2 people over Mansfield, valued at $790.
Thank you Chateau Yering and Global Ballooning Australia for your generous donation of these wonderful prizes. Your gifts will help enormously to Lift the Lid on Mental Health.
Club Director Elizabeth Dumonic accepted the generous sponsorship of Chateau Yering during the week, seen here accepting a voucher from Madam Yidan Xi, Chateau Yering, for a one night stay at the beautiful Chateau Yering in the Yarra Valley
The club welcomed a new member into the fold at the club meeting on February 8th, with the induction of Garfield Lee, pictured here (centre) with President Dr. Mark Ellis AM, left, and Rotary mentor PP Ian Salek. Garfield has been admitted to Rotary in the vocational classification Finance-Corporate.
A friend of Ian Salek's, Garfield has attended a number of club meetings already and, with a sense of humour that is reflected in his broad smile, is a welcome addition to the growing ranks of Glenferrie Rotarians. Welcome to Rotary Garfield! We look forward to many years working alongside you to 'Do Good in the World'.
On International Women's Day 08 March 2022, Rotary Hawthorn invites you to a special breakfast at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club, 489 Glenferrie Road, Kooyong 7.30 for 7.45 am and concluding at 9 am sharp to hear Susan Campbell speak. Susan is President/Chair of the Board of the Olave Baden-Powell Society and a member of the Association World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) Capacity Building Team - Governance. Susan will speak on the role of Guiding in our world and the importance of empowering the world's women and girls.
As in previous years the Rotary Club of Glenferrie has registered a Clean Up site entitled, "Patterson Reserve and surroundingstreets". The plan is to gather at 9.30am at the Rotary container followed by 2-3 hours of collecting rubbish dumped by our fellow citizens: an illuminating experience! A BBQ and opportunity for a chat will follow at 12.00 - 12.30pm. Overall, I have found the last two events to be most enjoyable and worthwhile.
Gloves and graspers are provided. I suggest a hat, sun-screen, sturdy footwear and some water.
Please register ASAP so we can allocate duties. To register now click here.
Theme for this month FEBRUARY – Peace and conflict prevention /resolution
Hi all. Hopefully everyone is faring well in this environment. We are all in a semi isolation type of world now. I must wear full PEP with mask and goggles. However, the seriousness of the situation came home when a Sydney Ophthalmologist and friend died of Delta Covid on Sunday. The first doctor to die in Wuhan from COVID was an ophthalmologist as well.
Please don’t forget that I am still working as an ophthalmologist and have my patients to consider. Some members seem to think I have the time to drop tools and sprint to their every whim.
World statistics would seem to suggest that the cases are slowly decreasing in numbers as the epidemic becomes endemic. My staff tell me that a lot of schoolchildren are testing positive to the Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) with no symptoms, so this is an interesting development. So, it is understandable if some of our members are shy of coming to face to face meetings on the Tuesday nights at Kooyong Tennis Club. The club itself is doing all its best to weather this “storm” and give good service.
Chair of the Lift the Lid Charity Golf Day Committee, Elizabeth Dumonic, has confirmed that Bunnings Warehouse Hawthorn have generously donated $250 in items to be included in the raffle at Golf Day BBQ, and will sponsor a team of four to play in the Ambrose challenge in May.
This is not the first act of generosity by Bunnings in support of the fundraising and service projects of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie. Thank you Bunnings for your continued generosity and good luck on Golf Day!
Over the December/January period many of our Rotary families were impacted by the Covid-19 Omicron variant. In some cases it was our members testing positive, and for others it was their children and/or grandchildren. Best wishes for a speedy recovery to all those affected by the virus.
Our best wishes also to Alex Marshall, following his recent visit to hospital. I saw Alex last Wednesday and he is recovering well. We look forward to seeing you back at Club dinners and events soon.
Our thoughts and sympathies also go out to Connie Gregory and family on the death of husband Paul on Friday 4 February 2022. Paul was an active former member of the Glenferrie Rotary Club, retiring a few years ago due to ill health. Funeral arrangements will be communicated once they are known.
We also express our condolences to President Mark and Janet on the death of Mark's mother on Friday 4 February 2022. Our thoughts and best wishes to you Mark, Janet and the family.
Glenferrie Rotary is a member of the RIMERN group ( Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Network). This entity provides a valued service to victims of domestic violence, persons on parole, persons recovering from drug addiction and refugees. This service collects household goods ( bedding, tables, kitchenware, white goods, appliances) for individuals and families in need.
We have a commitment to roster a working group of 4 persons every 3rd Thursday of the month at the warehouse on Moreland Rd in East Brunswick from 10am to 1pm. We have had enthusiastic responses from Club Rotarians since our participation commenced in mid-November 2021 but want to give all members the opportunity to participation in this important service. To volunteer for a shift at RIMERN: Click here for RIMERN Volunteers
The latest edition of the national Rotary magazine Rotary Down Under contains a two-page spread on the club's successful Rotary 100 Centenary Project. See pages 18-19.
Theme for this month FEBURARY – Peace and conflict prevention /resolution
(January – Vocational services)
Welcome back all to a potentially busy year.
Code Brown is not a good way to start the year. Some government official has a funny sense of humour since “brown” is the colour of the proverbial hitting the fan! We must be prepared for changes in our lifestyles and how we will conduct this club. Challenges are what make life interesting, overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. (A. P. J. Abdul Kalam). So, another year of the same.
Today is a special day for me – being my birthday on this publication date, so I hope to have my feet up and enjoy growing older! Better than the alternative.
Wishing you a very happy and healthy New Year! The Rotary Club of Glenferrie is now on vacation, but we will be back in 2022 bigger and better than ever!
The next club meeting will be on Tuesday February 8th 2022, 6:30pm for 7:00pm at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club.
The club has finished a challenging and eventful 2021 on a high note, literally, with Christmas carols at the Gala Christmas Party on Tuesday December 21st.
In a year of frequent interruptions due to Covid, the Rotary Club of Glenferrie chalked up some creditable accomplishments: the widespread adoption of new technologies for meetings, club administration and communication, increased fundraising through an expanded Boroondara Farmers Market, and significant membership growth. New projects were established, including the Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds Program (RORP) and participation in RIMERN - the Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Network. The club's Rotary 100 project at Yarra Bank Reserve was widely applauded, and a revitalised Youth Committee won a District Foundation Grant to provide a Year11-12 Scholarship
So it was a high note indeed that finished this Rotary year, although the name of the Rotarian heard singing We're a Happy Team at Hawthorn during 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing' has been referred to Santa.
Happy Christmas everyone and a safe, healthy and fulfilling new year!
The District Governor Dale Hoy and Maureen were the guests of the Club on December 14th. Dale Hoy has been a member of Brighton Rotary for over 17 years where his interests at the Club are in Vocational Service, Fundraising, Rotary Foundation and Community Services. He was President in 2016/17. He is also a member of the Paul Harris Society with Double Sapphire and Royce Abbey Awards.
Dale Hoy’s impressive “Service to Community” starts from his origins in the Warrnambool community and armed with Bachelor’s Degrees in Business and a Master’s in Business Administration, a CA and member of the Financial Institute of Australia, he expanded his work horizons to the Channel Islands. There he worked in Audit and Corporate Services for PWC, also taxation and training at Cooper Lybrand, and then Hoare Govett stockbrokers. He then moved to Djakarta where he and Maureen lived and Dale worked in financial services for 10 years.
“Let’s spread the cheer with sincere aplomb as long as you don’t spread the omicron!!” Play safe.
Yes – It is getting to look like Christmas. We are all looking forward to a break. This is the last bulletin for the year and hopefully we will all come back to participate in our Rotary Club in February with gusto. I wish to acknowledge Chris Raw for her work on our Bulletin, which is a necessity to keep informing our members and Richard Blakeman for all his “behind the scenes work”. He is a recent recipient of the Rotary Foundation District Service Award.
Our Farmer’s Market would have had its traditional BBQ for the stall owners and I thank all who participated on that day. My Grandson’s first birthday party being held at my place, prohibited me from attending.
The Boroondara Farmers Market welcomed a special visitor on Saturday, as Santa cruised in on his reputedly gravitational resistant vehicle crewed by one his talented helpers. To the obvious delight of children at the Market, and not a few parents, Santa did three tours of the Reserve, spreading good cheer and goodwill as he went. Accompanied by a Ho! Ho! Ho! or two of course.
The Christmas Market was the final market for the year and concluded with a sausage sizzle for the stallholders to thank them for their support during a difficult year. Despite Covid restrictions and cancelled markets, fundraising in 2021 has been ahead of last year.
Saturday's Market was PP Ian Salek's last as Market Secretary. Wayne Worldage has now assumed the mantle of Market Secretary, commencing 2022. Thank you Ian for a fabulous job. During your term of leadership the market has grown, both in the number of markets and in the revenue generated. All very good signs for the future!
Santa with his personal pilot, spreading cheer at Patterson Reserve on Saturday. Ho! Ho! Ho!
Save the Date' and join us for our District 9800 ‘Let's Get Together’ Conference in Albury. Help us celebrate post lockdown in what will be a wonderful opportunity for Rotarians to get together for this exciting event on our Rotary Calendar.
Registrations will open in January. Venue
Albury Entertainment Centre, 525 Swift Street, Albury
So far a student, Jerry Ji has been accepted into the NYSF (National Youth Service Forum) being held in January. We also received a District Grant from the Rotary Foundation, which has gone to support a student at Swinburne Senior Secondary College. This will assist in their ongoing costs. Thanks to Don Heath for facilitating these projects.
I am pleased to announce that we have sourced two candidates, who are both students at Deakin University for participation in RYLA. One student is following an arts program and the other an environmental course. Hopefully they may be selected for RYLA 2022.
RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) is a district camp held annually. It is a leadership program for young people aged 18 to 25, which focuses on personal growth, leadership development and community.
Program Details: Dates: 13-19th February 2022 Venue: Camp Getaway Axedale (transport from Melbourne provided).
The cost for the candidate will be $50 with the remaining $950 being paid by Glenferrie Rotary Club.
Foundation Director PP Cheryl Pisterman presented District Governor Dale Hoy with the 'Big Cheque' at the club meeting on December 14th. The Rotary Club of Glenferrie made a donation of $5,000 to the World Fund of the Rotary Foundation, to help Rotarians the world over 'Do Good in the World'.
Foundation Director PP Cheryl Pisterman presented DG Dale Hoy with the Big Cheque at the club meeting last Tuesday.
With the end of 2021 fast approaching the Education CHANCES Foundation wishes to say thank you to the club for:
- Adding an extra market per month as from this February to bring in more revenue; - Club members putting in the extra volunteer hours needed to conduct the extra market days; - The significant increase in income the Foundation is receiving from club members extra efforts – approximately $20,000 per year; - Further cementing the club’s position as the major on-going contributor to the Foundation’s activities over the last 10+ years.
The Board met for the last time this year. Many items were discussed, and decisions were made. I have found it beneficial to have the face to face meetings since I have been able to listen and engage with various members during our General Meetings. I also hope to get our Strategic Action Group going again to implement the Strategic Plan sorted out a year of two ago.
I acknowledge and thank Elizabeth Dumonic and the membership team for all their hard work. In the new year, we will have more inductions. There is great interest in our club, and it is important to present our club as progressive and dynamic.
The Rotary Foundation is Rotary's charity. A gift to the Rotary Foundation unleashes the global power of 1.2 million Rotarians in 36,000 clubs, making possible the delivery of service to communities throughout the world, promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, saving mothers and children, supporting education, growing local economies, promoting the environment and working to end polio.
For the 13th consecutive year, Rotary Foundation has received the highest rating — four stars — from Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of charities in the U.S, including an evaluation of 100% for Accountability and transparency.
Give the Gift of Rotary this Christmas. There can be no better way toDo Good in the World
(Don't forget to log in using your My Rotary log in details to receive Paul Harris Fellow Recognition points.)
Supporting Outback Kidney Disease Patients
Australian and USA clubs and districts funded the A$200,000 purchase of medical equipment to set up a diagnosis and dialysis facility in the far northwest of South Australia
Each month we get a report from Google Analytics on the number of visitors to our website. In November the club's website, rotaryglenferrie.org.au, attracted 783 unique users, up 32% on the month before. There were over 1,500 separate visits to the website, +39% on the previous month, with the average session lasting 4 minutes 17 seconds (+43.4%). The biggest event in November of course was the Yarra Bank Reserve Playground opening, which clearly achieved its objective of drawing attention to Rotary and to the club. Proof positive that good stories turn heads, so keep them coming!
Caroline spoke of her short attention span, her wide and varied work history, proclivity for making bad decisions and her short attention span.
Originally from Perth, Caroline has lived and worked in regional towns in WA, as well as the UK and Canada, and very much enjoys cold, wet weather.
After her stint in the recycling industry, she is passionate about minimising waste that goes to landfill.
With interests in history, technology and conversing on topics she knows little about, she is happy to have found Rotary Glenferrie and looks forward to many more conversations, before she gets distracted.
Caroline Larwood, left, with meeting Chair Elizabeth Dumonic at the club meeting November 30th. Caroline delivered a most illuminating talk about a life rich in experiences.
Thanks to Caroline Larwood we were treated to another member behind the badge. So much experience to bring into the club. I was delighted to hear that she loves Rotary and what it offers. Caroline is one to get involved and it is the usual - you get twice out of what you put in. As I pointed out, Caroline has had a great education and work experience n the world, where girls are not allowed or cannot access that privilege.
The Board meeting is coming up on Dec 7th and so please let me know if there is an issue bothering you. I have found that being able to casually talk to members, had given me a sense of what the general members are interested in being implemented.
Remember that as Margaret Wheatley preaches “Real change begins with the simple act of people talking about what they care about.” and “Turning to One Another: Simple conversations to restore hope to the future.”
The club, along with the other six Rotary clubs in the City of Boroondara, has commissioned new Membership Brochures to help drive membership growth. The brochures are available from any member of the Membership Development Committee (Elizabeth Dumonic, Thelma Hutchison and Richard Blakeman). Grab some to hand to friends when you talk to them about Rotary membership. Supplies will be available for distribution at every Farmers Market.
One of the left over perks from the Rotary Centenary Playground opening is the gift of two new Rotary teardrop banners to the Boroondara Farmers Market. Branding the market 'Rotary' is a great way of letting people know just what Rotary does, and helps strengthen both the reputation of Rotary and Rotary's future. Rotarians Kay Widmer and PP Ian Salek are pictured here with the new banners at the November 30th market.
I was chatting recently with Norman Gale, Coordinator of Community Services for the Salvation Army, and it seems that food insecurity remains a significant problem across parts of Melbourne, including Boroondara. As the Salvation Army emergency relief pantry was quite depleted, Geoff Widmer and I visited Campbells Bulkstore in Clayton. We managed to deliver two car loads of food items and some toiletries requested by Norman Gale. The photo below shows Geoff with some of the food and Meredith taking delivery on behalf of the Salvation Army.
Our Community Service Group is planning to also provide some Christmas hampers for the Salvation Army in Camberwell.
What a week we have had! Thanks all for turning up to the Annual General Meeting, which was basically a summary of the past year 2020-1. I look forward with excitement for the year ahead with the announcing of the new board to take up into 2022-3, under the leadership of Teresa Liu followed by Mark Howlett. Thus, our club is in for some good years with very strong leadership from these two excellent candidates.
With sadness I note that Cheryl Pisterman (Foundation) and Elizabeth Dumonic (Membership) are stepping down. I personally thank them for their assistance in my 2 year reign as President. I look forward to Charles Tran taking over the Foundation Chair. I look forward to co-chairing Membership with Thelma Hutchison. I also thank all Board Members, who are continuing their roles. Obviously, I didn’t put them off and I will enjoy being on the Board with them all (but not as the boss).
The club has been awarded a District Grant from The Rotary Foundation in support of a secondary school scholarship to be offered through Swinburne Senior Secondary College. Commencing with the 2022 school year, the scholarship will assist a talented and motivated young person facing financial barriers to successfully complete their Year 11 and Year 12 secondary education.
The scholarship is valued at $1,000 per annum, of which the club will contribute $1,000, with the remaining $1,000 provided from the District Grant.
The opening of the playground at Yarra Bank Reserve Hawthorn on November 21st was a fitting climax to more than two years of planning and implementation work for the multi-club team coordinating the project. Initiated and led by the Rotary Club of Glenferrie, in partnership with the City of Boroondara, together with the Rotary clubs of Camberwell, Hawthorn and Canterbury, the project celebrated the 100th anniversary in 2021 of the establishment of Rotary in Australia. The clubs were joined for the opening celebration by the Rotary clubs of North Balwyn and Balwyn, and Melbourne Water.
Bathed in sparkling sunshine, the historic and beautiful park at Yarra Bank Reserve was opened at a Family Fun Day on November 21st, bringing to fruition a project that will long be remembered as a signature achievement for the club and for Rotary in Boroondara.
From left to right, declaring the playground officially open, District Governor Dale Hoy, Past President RC Camberwell Murray Anderson, Mayor of Boroondara Garry Thompson, and President of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie, Dr Mark Ellis AM
We were privileged to hear from Australian Diplomat, Singer/Songwriter and Comedian Iain (Fred) Campbell Smith on Tuesday evening. Fred is the recipient of the 2021 ACT Chief Minister’s Rotary Peace Award for his work in Afghanistan. He is also the author of “The Dust of Uruzgan” published in 2016.
Fred was posted to the Afghanistan province of Uruzgan in 2009 as part of the second mentoring and reconstruction task force.
He told us how life had improved for so many Afghan people during the 20 years of US and Allied Forces occupation with business, healthcare, and the economy all improving but, most importantly education for women and children.
A tip for every Rotarian - “Always keep your eyes open. Keep watching. Because whatever you can see can inspire you.” Grace Coddington – ex editor of American Vogue magazine.
So being present at the last Tuesday meeting should not have disappointed those doubled vaxed Rotarians, who turned up to our general meeting featuring the Rotary Foundation with an inspiring speech by PDG Murray Verso, Chairperson of the Rotary Foundation. It was a great opportunity to induct Charles Tran, Robert Hogan and Elizbeth Dumonic into the Paul Harris Society. These people have pledged donations for many years. As both Charles and Rob stated, they know, appreciate and trust where their donations are going to. The Rotary Foundation being largely volunteer have very low administration costs as pointed out by Murray Verso.
Added to this special night were the inductions of new members Paul Shekleton and Oxana Belyaeva into our family. We are thrilled to have 3 new members recently join our club (if you consider Amelia Anderson joining us during lockdown). I am sure you will all warmly welcome them into our family.
On 17th October I participated in the D9800 Orientation program for the 60 Year 11 students who were selected to participate in this program in January next year. Due to Covid 19 students will not go to Canberra next year, but will have a combination of top scientists addressing them online. As well as a number of visits to top science precincts such as the Cyclotron and the laboratories at the Burnett Institute and Peter McCallum. The NYSF program is of major benefit to students studying in the STEM areas of Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics. (obviously I am somewhat biased in my support of this program!). The student that our Club is sponsoring, Jerry Ji from Camberwell Grammar, is really looking forward to the opportunity that Glenferrie Rotary has provided.
To borrow from Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons Oh What a Night, Mid-November in '21, last Tuesday evening, President Mark inducted two new members, Oxana (Anne) Belyaeva and Paul Shekleton. As part of a very busy meeting our Guest Speaker, PDG Murray Verso, District 9800 Rotary Foundation Chair, as part of his presentation, welcomed Charles Tran and Robert Hogan to the Paul Harris Society (PHS); one of the many ways that one can financially support The Rotary Foundation and its many projects Doing Good in the World.
Welcome to Rotary! The club welcomed new members Oxana Belyaeva, Dr Paul Shekleton and Amelia Anderson at the club meeting on November 16th, pictured here with Membership Development Director Elizabeth Dumonic (far left) and President Dr. Mark Ellis AM.
The new playground at Yarra Bank Reserve in Hawthorn was officially opened at a special Family Fun Day on Sunday November 21st, accompanied by glorious sunshine, magic, music and mayhem, and the delightful laughter of children and families at play. A crowd of some hundreds of Rotarians and residents gathered to celebrate the theme of working and playing together in what was a resounding success for the club and our consortium partners. Well done Rotary! Thank you Rotarians! More to come.
The crowd gravitated towards the famous Bees Waggle Dance at the Yarra Bank Reserve Playground on Sunday, led by the Champion Wagglers at the Rotary Club of Canterbury. And what fun it was!
The Saturday 20 November's Farmers' Market saw a successful start to the sales of the famous Rotary Cakes and Puddings. Hawthorn Rotary David Pisterman and our treasurer Thelma Hutchison ensured that all visitors and stall holders learned of this quality product from Traditional Foods who have been supporting Rotary for many years.
On 21/10/2021 a number of intrepid Glenferrie Rotarians converged on the RIMERN(Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Network) warehouse at the corner of Moreland Road and Lincoln Street, East Brunswick. As shown in the accompaning photos, the warehouse is well set-up with two levels of stored furniture, bedding, kitchen items and all manner of electrical white-goods. These items have all been donated and only retained for distribution if deemed to be of reasonable quality. RIMERN has been established for 3 months and has already supplied complete packages for setting up a new home, be it an apartment or unit for 14 clients.
Last Tuesday was our first face to face meeting since July. There were many happy, excited double vaxed members and guests attending our club headquarters at Kooyong Tennis Club. What a way to kick off the proceedings with our club member Ted Baillieu presenting about the ANZACS, in a fitting tribute to Remembrance Day on the Thursday (Nov 11th) as well as receiving his Paul Harris Club recognition.
Tomorrow night is an important meeting with the Rotary Foundation Chairperson Murray Verso, presenting in recognition of November being Rotary Foundation night. There will be Paul Harris Society recognition awards presentations, as well as the inductions of new members Paul Shekleton and Oxana Belyaeva into our family club. Please remember to book, since there are no members collecting the money anymore.
It was a great pleasure to have member Ted Baillieu address us in expectation of Remembrance Day, which is on the Thursday Nov 11th. This was the occasion of presenting him with a Club Paul Harris Fellowship recognition for his service above self to our club and, to the community by his numerous roles in our society. Ted has been a member of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie since 2006 and when he is able, he has participated in many an event within our club, in particularly Farmer’s Market duties.
However, as Chair of the Victorian Government’s ANZCA Centenary committee and his influence in these areas, he was asked to give his thoughts on Remembrance Day.
President Mark Ellis AM presented club member Hon Ted Baillieu AO, Former Premier of Victoria, with a Paul Harris Fellow Recognition at the club meeting December 9th in recognition of his significant contribution to preserving the memory of the sacrifices of many 1914-1918
The Rotary Club of Glenferrie is featured in the November 2021 edition of The Glenferrie Times, an independent local paper for the traders, residents and visitors to the Glenferrie precinct in Hawthorn. The article highlights the clubs achievements, the contribution made to the community aided by funds raised through the Boroondara Farmers Market and the upcoming opening of the playground at Yarra Bank Reserve to mark the Centenary of Rotary in Australia.
“Hallelujah”– We are back to a “normal” way of life with the reintroduction of face to face meetings this month. What a way to kick off the proceedings with our club member Ted Baillieu presenting about the ANZACS in a fitting tribute to Remembrance Day on the Thursday (Nov 11th). For me, it will be unusual to be Presidential having been in T shirts and track pants for most zoom meetings! I will be there in all my 3 Dimensional glories! The ability to mute and close off video feeds is gone.
The face to face was our Changeover in July, so I have some presentations to give out to those who missed that meeting. On Nov 16th meeting, I will have the pleasure of inducting Paul Shekleton and Oxana Belyaeva into our club.
We will be letterboxing the area around Yarra Bank Reserve over the weekend commencing Friday November 12th. At least two more volunteers are needed with stout hearts and even stouter walking shoes to letterbox the immediate area. We should be finished within a couple of hours, depending on the weather. If you can help out please add your name to the volunteer roster.Click here to volunteer. You will be made very welcome!
On last Friday, I had the pleasure of being a Guest Speaker at the 30 year celebration of Glenferrie Probus. RC Glenferrie was involved right from the start in 1991 in setting up the Glenferrie Probus Club INC. Basically, Probus is the next step after Rotary. Probus has over 4,000 worldwide member clubs for retirees and those planning retirement. My parting words could easily be stated about our club. Since our Rotary Club of Glenferrie is evolving in this same situation. We have had to adapt to electronic media.
“I see a real challenge to Probus to keep your members mentally and physically active".
This threat to our health and wellbeing will, I am confident, be overcome with thought, planning and a good community will. Quoting from motivational speaker Les Brown – “Life has no limitations; except the ones you make.” I am particularly keen to try and get all our members to be involved and enjoy being in a progressive club like ours.
On Tuesday evening 27 October last our member Helena Wimpole delivered her presentation on her association with Rotary Overseas Medical Aid For Children (ROMAC), She related to us her experiences in helping bring better prospects to children from developing countries. She found that hosting a child in her home was a very enjoyable and rewarding experience. Crisma came to stay with Helena with her mother Caroline. Crisma then spent time at Royal Children's Hospital where her medical problems were assessed and corrected.
Helena took in Crisma who was shy, but mostly outgoing. She enjoyed doing different tasks such as shopping, washing, drying dishes and bringing in the laundry. She enjoyed writing, and drawing in her scrapbook. She had some lovely outings ranging from visiting the local cafe (where she had a hot chocolate) and she had a great time when she went to the zoo.
The number and depth of questions from fellow members and guests showed just how impressed and moved they were with what Helena had to share with us,. A very enjoyable and informative evening was had by everyone including myself.
Community Services has been very busy throughout lockdown. At the moment it is involved in projects such as Camcare, 27ForParkinson's, RIMERN and the Bread Run. A description of these activities are described below.
27 For Parkinson's
We are now halfway through October and many thanks to those members who have contributed to this cause. We have now reached a little more than $2000 in our quest to donate $3000. Further involvement and any contribution would be very welcome. Access to the website is straightforward via the highlighted link in the recent Glenferrie Rotarian.
Camcare
As many of you are aware we have supported Camcare for many years. They have a marvellous kitchen garden on the property and require removal of a small tree, rubbish, an old garden shed and a concrete slab. There are plans to plant a few fruit trees in this area. They've had quotes for $1500 and it seemed reasonable for us to do this job. We would need 5-6 people for a few hours but a date has not been set, as the transfer station in Riversdale Road remains closed. Please contact me if you would be able to help. Anyone with a chainsaw and an angle grinder would be most welcome.
Last Tuesday evening 34 of the Club’s members and guests were blessed with not one, but two guest speakers, Najaf and Maria Mazari, the father and daughter responsible for Najaf Rugs and Textiles. Located in High Street, Prahran. We had originally invited Najaf to address our Club after learning of his amazing life story. However, after a brief phone conversation with his daughter, Maria, we extended the invitation to her. As she joked, ‘I can assist Dad with the technology of Zooming, and ensure that he joins at the correct time’.
And what a delightful pair the Mazaris were; a wonderful example of what so many refugees contribute to our country. After learning the skills of rugmaking at age 12, when, after the death of his father, Najaf’s oldest brother became the head of the household and school was beyond the family’s resources, Najaf escaped the violence of the Taliban, reaching Australia in 2001.
When John Hudson advised that he wished to resign as Chairman of the Farmers Market Committee some years ago, there was a minor panic about who should be his replacement.
Ian Salek was the obvious choice as he was assisting John at the time, with matters relating to the Boroondara Council and was his 2IC.
Ian, for some reason insisted that I join him as Co- Chairman. I had no option but to accept, as with all organisations there needs to be back up and for someone to step up in case of illness etc, as Ian pointed out.
Many members of the Club have approached me and conveyed their appreciation for all the work we have done to improve the market especially now we are operating the additional opening on the first week of the month.
I wish to point out that all I do is open the gates to the stallholders in the morning and get them in position. All the work on behalf of the Co-Chair is done by Ian alone.
WHY:One in every five Australians aged 16-85 experience some form of mental illness in any year.
COVID-19 has exacerbated the problem. Everyone in the community can play a role in early intervention to support a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis.
HOW: The knowledge and skills and how to provide initial assistance can be acquired by doing a Mental Health First Aid Course.
WHAT: The standard mental health first aid course will be presented as a 12-hour blended course. This course teaches the skills to help a person developing depression, troublesome anxiety, psychosis and substance use problems or a person who may be in a mental health crisis such as feeling suicidal or having a panic attack.
With the lifting of restrictions coming out of Lockdown, we can confirm the Family Fun Day/Gala Opening of the R100 Yarra Bank Playground will be going ahead on Sunday 21 November, commencing 12 midday. Make sure you mark the date in your diary, there will be a range of entertainment, food and coffee available, so bring your kids and grandkids along.
Our club, assisted by a $9,000 grant from The Rotary Foundation, has made a significant financial contribution towards this playground, and our Rotary 100 Playground Committee has worked hard over two years to bring the project to fruition, so please show your support by attending this fun afternoon.
There will also be volunteers needed, firstly to letterbox a specific area with resident notification flyers (a Council requirement) the week before the event, and on the day we need volunteers to act as COVID Marshalls and the like. Keep an eye out for calls for volunteers and save the date for all the fun of the Fair at Yarra Bank Reserve, November 21st.
The Victorian Government requires that people over the age of 16 entering the Reserve check in using the Victoria Services app and, unless possessing a valid exemption, wear a properly fitted mask and provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Thank you for doing your part to keep us safe
We are now halfway through October and many thanks to those members who have contributed to this cause. We have now reached a little more than $2000 in our quest to donate $3000. Further involvement and any contribution would be very welcome. Access to the website is straightforward via the highlighted link below.
“People do not decide to be extraordinary. They decide to accomplish extraordinary things.” Sir Edmund Hillary.
This came to mind listening to last Tuesday’s presentation from Peter and Sharon Crean who are co-founders of BeyondWater. Their extraordinary work is just that – see a problem and fix it. Rarely have I been so impressed. Having been involved in overseas aid work myself, I can appreciate the complexities and magnitude of what they are achieving. Nothing happens overnight. It is hard with many obstacles to overcome.
Nothing much to report on our meeting situation. We are still awaiting to find out when the isolation will lift. All my elective surgery again has been cancelled for the unforeseeable future causing a backlog of disappointed poorly seeing patients. Category 3 means they can wait more than 3 months but easy for the government to say. Having poor vision can lead to falls, major mishaps and car accidents.
Last Tuesdays presentation was from Peter and Sharon Crean from Beyond Water, which helps provide safe drinking water across East Africa. They started this charitable trust in 2007, which now works across ten countries and helps over 100000 people each day to receive clean water. I myself am very much aware of the need to conserve water and I think this excellent presentation shows again how lucky we are here in Australia, to be able to enjoy fresh clean water. The number of questions asked of Peter and Sharon as well as their content, highlighted again how lucky we were to have them with us last Tuesday night.
With World Polio Day taking centre stage this month, we thought it a timely opportunity to provide an overview of Rotary's polio eradication efforts to date.
What is Polio - Poliomyelitus, or polio, is a paralysing and potential fatal disease that primarily threatens children under the age of five. It invades the nervous system, potentially causing paralysis. Polio can be prevented by vaccines, but it is not curable. History - Rotary conducted its first polio immunisation campaign in the Phillipines in 1979 and, based on its success, launched its PolioPlus program in 1985 with a goal to raise US$100 million to immunise the world's children against the debilitating disease. By 1988, Rotary members had raised US$247 million for polio immunisation efforts, which served as the catalyst for the WHO to adapt the resolution to eradicate polio in 1988.
While student support continues, because of Covid we are waiting to commence three important projects:
- a partnership with Vietnam National University to assess water (quality and quantities) for the five communities now being supported by District 9800 Rotary clubs.
- an infant dental project with dentists from Melbourne applying fluoride paste on young children's teeth and training clinic staff, teachers and parents for sustainability.
- eye-screening in the five communities. Our partners, Optometry Vietnam, are the leading trainers of optometrists.
It was good for me to get back to work and a well-entrenched routine that I have followed for years. Patients are a priority, and I must give my expertise to them. So, in the 3 weeks sick leave I felt I was cast adrift and useless. So, I appreciate the angst and concern of all those stuck at home in this seemingly endless lockdown. My mental health did suffer.
“When people don't have a routine or structure to their day it can cause increased stress and anxiety, as well as overwhelming feelings, lack of concentration, and focus." RACHEL GOLDMAN, PHD
Rotary members train people to become resources for their community, offering networking activities, advice on new business development, and mathematics and financial management training.
Rotarians make amazing things happen, like:
Breaking the cycle of poverty for women: Most of the women living in rural Guatemala do not have the collateral to get loans from regulated financial institutions. The Rotary Club of Guatemala de la Ermita helped 400 local women complete financial literacy courses so they could pool their money and fund their own microlending program.
The club inducted its first new member this Rotary year, and the first ever on Zoom, when Amelia Anderson became a Rotarian at the club meeting on September 28th. Amelia moved to Hawthorn almost two years ago, and made enquiries via the club's website. Attendance at some club meetings since then, including one at Kooyong - a rare event these days - convinced Amelia to join.
A graduate of the University of Queensland and currently with JCurve Solutions, a digital technology company, Amelia has had considerable experience as an IT professional, in communications and information technology, including a period with Oracle and Hewlett Packard. Her past community service includes four years as President of the Mt Waverley Scout Group where her leadership and achievements contributed greatly to the strength of that Scout Group today.
Welcome to Rotary, Amelia. We are very pleased to be able to count you as a Rotarian and look forward to working alongside you to make a difference in the years to come.
Some of our best speakers are our own members and Geoff and Kay Widmer certainly reinforced that comment. They have joined as Family Members.
Geoff and Kay answered an invitation to be involved with Rotary. They are both recently retired from busy and fulfilling careers and the timing was perfect. As Geoff said: "We were looking for something to do together and Rotary was the right fit". At last Tuesday's meeting they shared with us their stories. They were looking for ways to give back to the community having been lucky to have been born in Melbourne. Their presentation was a joint effort with both providing insights into their previous careers, their families and their experiences travelling here in Australia and overseas. Both of them have already been great supporters of the Boroondara Farmers Market and look forward to more shifts.
“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” So says Jimmy Dean country singer, actor and businessman. Our club has been enduring the “direction of the wind”, but we certainly have set our sails to be able to continue our projects, as well as continuing the Farmer’s Market and the Salvation Bread Run. How ironic when the Rotary Theme for October is “Economic and Community Development”.
We also had the pleasure of welcoming Amelia Anderson into our club as my first zoom inductee. An interesting experience for me as well. We wish Amelia well in her new family – The Rotary Club of Glenferrie. Paul Shekleton will be inducted hopefully in November.
We were treated to a fascinating “Family” – Member behind the badge. Geoff and Kay Widmer are our first family membership. I say repeatedly that the best talks we have are often given by in house. The Widmers had a wealth of past experiences to share with us. Must get to sit with them on a Farmer’s Market duty since I would love to hear more.
“It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world and moral courage so rare.” Mark Twain’s quote comes to mind with this week’s riots, although much would appear alcohol fuelled!
What a week – Riots, Earthquakes and a Perth Grand Final for two Melbourne based teams - at least a good feeling with Melbourne winning providing a silver lining. Lots of entertainment for last week but for all the wrong reasons. I am used to watching TV riots usually from somewhere overseas, but not in our own backyard. I guess the same for the earthquake!
As I have pointed out in the past where vaccinations for diseases like Polio, thanks to Rotary have been nearly eliminated. It would be in our dreams to have the same happen to COVID-19!!
Posted by Rotary International Director Jessie Harman
I have been speaking a lot lately with club and district leaders about the importance of member engagement. Engaged members are at the heart of who we are and what we do and they’re the key to delivering Rotary’s impact. When I speak with leaders, I talk about the important role they play in delivering a positive membership experience; about the things leaders can do to ensure members are involved, engaged and enjoying Rotary.
Yet I’m very aware that member engagement is a two-way street. There are a host of things that individual members can do to ensure they are getting value from Rotary.
Unfortunately, the Parkinson's Walk in the Park has again been cancelled. During the pre-pandemic years the funds raised by the Rotary Club of Glenferrie BBQ in the City Square, were donated to Parkinson's Victoria. As Spring is upon us we now have the opportunity to be active with the goal of raising funds for Parkinson's Victoria.
I therefore invite you to join the Glenferrie Rotary Harriers, a rather optimistically named group with the aim of being active in some form for the first 27 days of October. Being active may include cycling, running, walking or merely reducing one's consumption of alcohol! So please click on the link to join the group and encourage friends, family and others to be part of the action. Also, specific information about joining as part of the team or donating only, can be seen when you press Read more..
Leonardo da Vinci once stated “Make your work to be in keeping with your purpose.”
Our recent member, Isaiah Lahai, gave a thought provoking and often a distressing picture of what he has gone through to come to Australia as a refugee. With his family he had to begin a new life in a foreign land with language, cultural and even temperature adjustments. which his family has had to acclimatise to.
Isaiah’s stated his resolve to not only assimilate into our country, but to give back in his activities to both our community and that of Sierra Leone. Personally, I believe we have a true hero in our club. I would encourage you all to get behind this civic minded person and assist him to work well as a Rotarian.
We are all moaning at our plight, but his story just goes to show that there is always someone, who has had to struggle a bit more than you!
Thirty-three members and guests attended the club meeting on Tuesday September 14th to hear perhaps one of the most extraordinary and absorbing Member Behind the Badge addresses in recent memory. Rotarian Isaiah Lahai recounted his remarkable story, from refugee in Guinea, fleeing bitter civil war in Sierra Leone, to his arrival in Australia with wife Lovet and a growing family. In his talk, Isaiah described the horror of life as a refugee, his personal struggle to gain a foothold in his new country, his rise to prominence and his considerable philanthropic contribution, both here in Australia and in his country of birth.
Underpinned by deeply held religious convictions, Isaiah's story is one of resilience, courage, inner strength and a generosity of spirit that most would find very difficult to emulate.
More than 775 million people over the age of 15 are illiterate. That’s 17 percent of the world’s adult population. Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy. We support education for all children and literacy for children and adults.
Rotary's Impact on Education
The Rotary Foundation supports education through scholarships, donations, and service projects around the world.
The NYSF Year 12 Program offers an exciting range of in-person and digital science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) experiences for participants across Australia. This year the NYSF Year 12 Program is a 12-day hybrid (digital and in-person) program designed to give students a broader understanding of the diverse study and career options available in STEM and to encourage continued studies in these fields.
Visits to some of the best science projects in Australia, such as the Cyclotron at Monash University and the laboratories at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute are a highlight of NYSF. The program has been strongly supported by Rotary and has been inspiring young Australian scientists since 1984.
With the Taliban taking control of Afghanistan, many Rotarians are asking what implications this has for the End Polio campaign.
The situation in Afghanistan has escalated since the last Zoom meeting of Rotary International END POLIO NOW Coordinators held early in August, however several messages with great impact were delivered by our senior leaders during that meeting.
Many Rotarians have expressed concern about the future of our Polio Eradication Initiative – when ultimate success is so close.
However, RI Past President and 2021/22 Chair of The Rotary Foundation, John Germ, told the meeting Rotary’s team has been working with the Taliban for some time and we need to remember ‘the Taliban have children too – and want them protected against Polio’.
Well, I have just come out of surgery to my elbow and convalescing. It is a very humbling experience to be on the receiving end of the Health System. AsJ.K Rowling stated “We do not need magic to transform our world. We carry all of the power we need inside ourselves already.” I am hoping for a bit of magic and getting better fast since, I am an impatient person (typical surgeon).
Speaking about patience within a pandemic!!! We probably don’t have more choice.
I note with the sadness the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks over the past weekend. With an “eye for an eye” attitude, we will never see peace.
So you can’t meet socially face-to-face during this ongoing COVID pandemic? But if you are a member of the Rotarians on Social Networks Fellowship, you can still connect, Tweet or be LinkedIn and enjoy the company of fellow Rotarians; you can share their activities and “Like” their projects.
The Rotarians on Social Networks Fellowship is just one of the numerous Rotary International Fellowships that are available for Rotarians and their families to join. These Fellowships are initially established by a particular Rotarian or group of Rotarians, who have a strong personal interest or passion and who would like to share this with other Rotarians worldwide. There are currently close to 100 Fellowships, but this number varies as new Fellowships are formed and a few discontinue.
RC Glenferrie continues its involvement with RORP with planning still underway for the recycling of Boroondara playgrounds (its not yet clear if they will be harvested this year?) And the broader RORP program continues in earnest as we can see from the update provided by RORP central attached. RORP Report
If anyone wants to volunteer for playground projects outside our area, please liaise with Mark Howlett.
At this difficult time during the pandemic, the demand for emergency food relief has increased significantly. In previous years the Community Services group has provided emergency homeless packs but, since the start of the pandemic, these have not been in great demand, as the Government has provided accommodation for the homeless. Norman Gale, Coordinator of Community Services, Salvation army, provided a list of high demand items required such as rice, sugar and tooth-paste.
The members of the Community Services Group, Michael Berry, Simon Messenger, Isaiah Lahai, Geoff Widmer, and Helena Wimpole were each allocated 3-4 items to purchase for donation. We spent more than $900 to buy 22 useful items across a wide spectrum; from Vegemite, honey, coffee, tea to deodorant and soap. Coles Supermarkets were very supportive and provided a total discount of $295.
There's no doubt that Covid-19 is playing havoc with the best laid plans, and our Grand Opening and Family Fun Day event at the Yarra Bank Reserve playground has not been exempt. The organising committee, comprising representatives from all six Boroondara clubs involved with this gala event, met via Zoom last Friday to take stock after the latest announcements from the Victorian Government. For the third time this year a new date has been set for the event. Third time lucky!
Learning, Leading, Action -Showcasing the Wonderful Impact of Rotary
Enjoy the online Zone Conference from anywhere you choose - alone or together with others.
Learning, Leading, Action is this year’s Zone 8 conference theme, putting a spotlight on the essence of Rotarians and the way we get things done.
The theme also gives a clue to the conference content. Hear from speakers who are leading our organisation and our impact, learn from thought leaders and be impressed by a host of Rotarians taking action to change lives in our communities.
Be inspired to Lead Learn Act in new ways that deepen our engagement and increase Rotary’s impact.
We had another excellent Guest Speaker at our Rotary meeting on Tuesday 24th August.
George Housakis is a Managing Director at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) Real Estate Advisory practice and has over 20 years’ experience in real estate advisory and senior management. George leads a team of specialists that exclusively focus on housing challenges for low-to-moderate income households across Australia. He works with all levels of Government, as well as not-for-profits and the private sector on a broad range of policy and strategy roles. He gave us an insight into housing affordability, social housing, home ownership, stability and quality of rental housing and the delivery of more social housing.
Eight Rotarians were each presented with the Royce Abbey Award during the 2021 Changeovers. Our awardee member was Ian Salek.
This Award recognises a Club member who demonstrates enthusiasm and commitment, consistent with Royce Abbey’s Presidential Theme of 1988/89: ‘Put Life into Rotary, Your Life’. And it provides AUD$1,000.00 to support the Royce and Jean Abbey Vocational Scholarship.
Dr Robert Webster OAM, FCPA, FAPI, FRICS is president of the Victorian RSL. While studying accounting at Swinburne Robert was drafted and spent 12 months in the Vietnam war as a National Serviceman in 1970. In particular, he served with the Australian forces at Nui Dat in the battle of Long Tan. Robert felt that in the Vietnam War he experienced personal experiences there that were life changing. The effect it had on the course of his life, and how he came to grips with those significant personal challenges were discussed in his talk.
Robert talked about how each year on the 18th of August also known as Vietnam Veterans Day, we honour and commemorate all those who served in Vietnam, including the 521 Australians who died and more than 3,000 people who were wounded, injured or became ill as a result of the conflict.
In 2015, the newly formed Swinburne Rotaract Club established its first International Project working with the experienced Glenferrie Rotarians. The project was the establishment of a Basic Literacy & Vocational Training Centre in Gombe, Nigeria. A proposal was put forward by Ishaku Lemu Haruna, a double Masters student at Swinburne who later returned to Nigeria.
Bookings are now open for the club's major fundraiser, the First Annual Charity Golf Day in support of Australian Rotary Health, Tuesday October 26th 2021. Open to everyone so book now. Fabulous prizes to be won. With thanks to Kingston Heath Golf Course and our generous sponsors, Mercedes-Benz, Amer Sports, Wilson, TEAC and Scoops Australia.
The importance of the sustainability of a Rotary Club Project is paramount to its establishment and its suitability for a District Foundation Grant. So, it was great to receive news from Gombe, Nigeria of the continuing success of a Rotary Glenferrie project established way back in 2015 in conjunction with Swinburne Rotaract Club and the YMCA in Gombe.
GUEST SPEAKER: Dr Robert Webster OAM, President Victorian RSL
Tuesday August 17th via Zoom (of course!)
The battle of Long Tan was fought on 18 August 1966. One-hundred-and-five men from D Company, 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (6RAR) and three New Zealanders from an artillery forward observation party from New Zealand’s 161 Field Battery, encountered a force of more than 2,000 Viet Cong soldiers. During the battle, 17 Australians were killed and a further 25 were wounded, one of whom later died of wounds. This was the highest number of Australian casualties incurred in any one engagement of the Vietnam War.
Dr Robert Webster OAM, FCPA, FAPI, FRICS is president of the Victorian RSL. But in the 1960s, as a National Serviceman, he served with the Australian forces at Nui Dat. His personal experiences there were life changing. Join the meeting next Tuesday on Zoom to hear Robert's moving story of his personal experiences in Vietnam, the effect it had on the course of his life, and how he came to grips with those significant personal challenges.
Too early for Santa, but there's still going to be lots of things going on at Yarra Bank Reserve September 12th to bring big smiles to little faces. Don't forget to bring the kids and grandkids! Free face painting, TAM the 'Totally Awesome Magician', Hayley Hoopla, King Casey the new King of the Kids, and the famous Bees Waggle Dance. Official opening by the Mayor of Boroondara, Cr Garry Thompson and Rotary District 9800 Governor Dale Hoy after a Welcome to Country from an Elder of the traditional custodians of the land on which this beautiful park stands, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. Who else is coming? Why YOU of course! See you there on September 12th, 12 noon sharp!
Without warning, the snap lock down may have kept the crowds away from last Saturday's farmers market; however those who came to the Lift The Lid stand opened their hearts and gave generously.
During this time it is more important than ever to SHOUT OUT LOUD about Mental health, the pain and suffering so many are going through during these times.
We would like to acknowledge many small businesses who helped sponsor and support this event to raise money for mental health research.
Lets thank all our special sponsors, House of Biskota for baking the cookies, Bake Boss for supplying the edible icing tops, Fully Promoted for printing the polo shirts for our Volunteers, Melno Distributors Pty Ltd for distributing the flyers, Officeworks for printing the banners and lastly our wonderful Victorians who continue to support us at the farmers market and who bought a cookie, as did Isaiah our New Rotarian.
The Salvation Army Bread Run urgently needs new volunteers for the current roster to take us from September 2nd through to the end of the year.
This project calls for two volunteers to go to Bakers Delight in Riversdale Road, Camberwell, collect unsold bread which is generously donated by Bakers Delight, and deliver it the Salvation Army Camberwell.
If you can help, please sign up on the Volunteer Signup List on the club website via this link:
The Farmers Market is definitely on this Saturday, August 7th 2021, Lockdown or no Lockdown. But remember, you must wear a mask and you must sign in using the Victorian Government QR code app.
Something special this week - Rotary cookies for sale, to raise money in support of mental health research grants from Australian Rotary Health, the largest non-government funder of mental health research in Australia. See you at the market on Saturday August 7th!
MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH -- LIFT THE LID - Tuesday 5th October 2021
We are pleased to advise that Dr. Suresh Marcandan will be our guest speaker on this special meeting and dinner at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club on 5th October 2021. Rotary Club of Glenferrie with Elizabeth Dumonic have set out to raise funds for Australian Rotary Health - Mental Health Research with a number of events in conjunction with the Boroondara Farmers Market, and culminating in this special Lift The Lid meeting.
We have been fortunate to obtain Dr. Suresh Marcandan whose details are shown by pressing read more.
On 27 July our Club was privileged to hear a presentation by Tim Forcey, a chemical engineer who had worked for multi-national corporations but more recently has been involved in renewable energy research. His topic was the timely issue of “How to reduce your energy bills and stay warm”.
As well as covering the well-known factors of reducing drafts from doors and windows, appropriate window coverage, occluding the old-fashioned wall vents in the sub-ceiling area (these are now redundant unless we are still relying on solid fuel or gas-fired flame generating heating), and also where possible maximizing appropriate ceiling, wall and sub floor insulation.
Albert Einstein is quoted “The measure of intelligence is the ability to change”. My now retired accountant once told me when I was in the process of selling my practice and becoming an associate, that “the surest thing to count on to occur in life is change”. Life as we knew it is not going to be the same for many years. This pandemic is making us adapt to new ways of conducting our club via electronic media or being flexible with club meeting venues. We are intelligent enough to adapt and be flexible for changes brought upon us. I often wonder if we might end up being an “E Club” or a hybrid version of our Rotary E Clubs.
Hence, you will be aware that with present restrictions, Kooyong Tennis Club is not open for future meetings for the time being. I thank club members for seeking out alternate venues if only to provide a relief from speaking into a computer microphone in our “trackie dacs”.
The theme for the new playground project was stated quite casually, early in the planning cycle, by Benjamin Gilbert of Agency of Sculpture, creators of the Rotary interactive play sculpture. Benjamin said: "The play sculpture is meant to demonstrate that when people work together they can create something magnificent". The plaque will be unveiled by the Mayor of Boroondara at the Family Fun Day on Sunday September 12th.
(The plaque here still bears the original date, August 8th. The event has been re-scheduled to September 12th, but the plaque may remain the same for good luck!)
The Yarra Bank Reserve, site for the interactive play sculpture being presented to the community on September 12th as a gift from Rotary, is a beautiful park with an ancient history. The traditional land of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people, who hunted and fished along the Yarra banks, the reserve contains an ancient scar tree. A scar tree or scarred tree, also known as a canoe tree and shield tree, is a tree which has had bark removed by Aboriginal Australians for the creation of bark canoes, shelters, weapons such as shields, tools, traps, containers or other artefacts.
Visitors to the park on September 12th for the Opening Ceremony and Family Fun day will be able to view the scar tree, and reflect on and pay respect to the families who lived, worked and played along these banks in a distant past.
The Family Fun Day to open the new playground at Yarra Bank Reserve is back on, only this time for Sunday September 12th, 2021. Event celebrants the Mayor, Cr Garry Thompson, and our District Governor Dale Hoy, and our joint MCs for the day, President Mark Ellis and Immediate Past President Rotary Club of Camberwell, Murray Anderson have all signalled their availability for the day. One change, the magician has magically changed identity and will appear suddenly at the playground as Tam the Magician.
So bring the kids, bring the family, bring the dog for an afternoon in the park for Rotary 100. Sunday September 12th, 12 noon - 3pm, Yarra Bank Reserve, Hawthorn.
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.
“Do what is right, not what is easy nor what is popular.” So, states Roy T. Bennett, author of “ The Light in the Heart”. We can only hope that our Leaders are doing the right thing and we must adhere to their directions. Hence, another lockdown for Victorians. However, I am in constant contact with my Indonesian colleagues, who are overwhelmed by the delta variant. Claus Bogh’s brother in law in Jakarta has recently died at 45 years of Covid complications. The threat is real. I have heard of many of my friends’ relatives dying of Covid over there. Finally, I am fully vaccinated.
We in Australia are so lucky to be isolated. I do grieve for our young trying to make a buck in this environment of lockdown and decreased opportunities to prosper. The isolated with mental health issues is another issue. Rotary eradicated Polio with vaccinations – this is an example that vaccination is a logical way to go forward. I cannot understand the anti-vaxxers stance against all the medical evidence that vaccinations work. Come summer, I am sure we will emerge from this debacle.
The Yarra Bank Reserve playground project to mark the Rotary Centenary Down Under, led by the Rotary Club of Glenferrie and involving a partnership between a consortium of four Rotary clubs and the City of Boroondara, has now been lodged on Rotary Showcase, making it visible to more than 1.2 million Rotarians in over 36,000 clubs in more than 200 countries. Now that's impact!
Last Tuesday was a great night for the Rotary Club of Glenferrie’s Changeover. We beat the lockdown and were able to celebrate the past year in style. Unfortunately, back to Zoom for our next meeting on 20th July.
We thank Kooyong Tennis Club for use of its newest conference room and the delicious food served. John Hudson is responsible for setting up this great value for money night. Lyn Spencer with her usual decorative flair created a visual spectacular. We had many dignitaries from various Rotary Clubs, past district governors, politicians, Boroondara Councillors and the Mayor of Boroondara, Gary Thompson. As stated, many there were my Rotary heroes.
There'll be music and laughter, face painting and a magician, a hoopist extraordinaire and much much more at Yarra Bank Reserve Sunday November 21st 2021 12 noon to 3pm. So bring the family and enjoy a Sunday afternoon at play. Official opening at 1pm by the Mayor of Boroondara, Cr. Garry Thompson, and Rotary District 9800 Governor Dale Hoy.
The first Rotary meeting in Australia and New Zealand was in 1921 with the formation of the Rotary Club of Melbourne, established with the assistance of Charter Member and later Club President (1922-23), celebrated Australian, Commander of the Australia Corps 1918 and hero of the Great War, General Sir John Monash GCMG, KCB, VD. From little things, big things grow.
President Mark Ellis AM welcomed his new board at Changeover on Tuesday July 13th in a celebration of the club's accomplishments and what it means to be a Rotarian. A number of members were recognised for their outstanding contribution to the club, to Rotary and to the community. Past President Ian Salek was awarded the club's first ever Royce Abbey Award for 'enthusiasm and commitment to the ideals of Rotary'. Paul Harris Fellow Recognitions were awarded to PP Thelma Hutchison, Dr Claus Bogh, Health Program Director for the Sumba Foundation, Indonesia, and to club Membership Development Director Elizabeth Dumonic. Special Certificates of Appreciation were awarded to Elizabeth Dumonic and International Service Director Mark Howlett.
Before an audience that included Mayor of Boroondara, Garry Thompson and the Member for Hawthorn, Mr John Kennedy, District Governor Dale Hoy and Immediate Past District Governor Philip Archer, an absorbing program skilfully MCd by Past President Charles Tran highlighted the extensive work of Rotary in the community, the diversity of Rotary membership and the strong bonds that unite us.
Well one day to our Changeover. There are many coming and you will not be disappointed by attending with the intention of celebrating our club’s achievements. The District Changeover was a great success and I noted with pleasure a good turnout of Glenferrie Rotarians.
I am looking forward to formally finishing off the last Rotary year and get on with the new year. Our new Board has already met last Tuesday and we are on the way to a good year. I appreciate the generosity of our club and the sacrifice of the Board members and their committees to assist me in this up coming year.
The American writer Sam Keen is quoted as saying “We can't build a good society on the principles of self-interest and entitlement alone. Without generosity there can be no community. Without the kindness of strangers, a society is turned into an armed camp....The atmosphere of compassion that transforms a mass of alienated individuals into a caring community is created by countless acts of kindness and charitable foresight.”
It's getting close to the big day and volunteers are needed to help make the day a success.
Help is needed firstly with letterboxing the immediate neighbourhood on the weekend before the event. Five clubs are each taking responsibility for a specific sector in the area around the Reserve, encompassing parts of Hawthorn, Kew and Richmond.
Help is also needed with setting up the marquis, tables, chairs etc at Yarra Bank Reserve on the day; stewards are needed to greet and direct the public and ensure Covid requirements are met; and help is needed to dismantle the equipment on the Sunday afternoon and return it to the Farmers Market container.
If you can help, please add your name to the volunteer roster. To access the Volunteer Roster, click here:
Changeover is one of the great nights in the Rotary year. It is the time when you dress up, bring your partner and enjoy the Changing of the Guard as it were.
The Rotary Year starts in July, following the financial calendar. Towards the end of June a special night is organised to mark the end of a Rotary year and the beginning of a new one. It is a time when appreciation is extended to committees for the work they have achieved and maybe to members who have earned the respect of the club by the awarding of a Paul Harris Fellow Recognition or a certificate of appreciation. The Paul Harris Fellow Recognition is one of the highest awards the club can bestow on a member.
At Changeover we induct a new president (or role over an existing one, as is the case this year. Ed.) and thank our outgoing president for the work they have done. It is also a time for the incoming president to introduce to the club his or her new team that will carry the club forward for the new year and to give a brief overview of what the club should look forward to in the new Rotary year.
I therefore encourage all members to attend and join with other Rotarians not only from our club but the visitors from our neighbouring clubs. It is a wonderful experience not to be missed.
Looking forward to seeing you at “Changeover.”
John Suriano
President 1990-1991
Changeover Celebrates Achievement and What it Means to be a Rotarian
Wasn’t it an exciting night. Last Tuesday night we inducted face to face (and not on zoom) 5 new members and welcomed back Jane Gilchrist. I was exhausted with nervous tension, since I have not had the pleasure to be involved in so much goodwill. We welcome these new members and wish them every success. “Fresh blood” is always good to see things differently and lead our club into areas not thought of. “We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.” To quote Anaïs Nin (American-French – Cuban diarist). Hence, welcome to adding to our club.
The new playground at Yarra Bank Reserve Hawthorn featuring the unique Rotary centrepiece is nearing completion. Here comes your new playground Boroondara!
We welcomed five new members and one past member returning to the Rotary family at its club meeting on Tuesday June 30th, just in time for the new year. The new Rotarians reflect diverse cultural and vocational backgrounds and life experience that will greatly strengthen the club as it moves forward. So welcome to Rotary you lot! We look forward to many years of friendship through Rotary, working side by side to do good in the world.
It is now almost 2 years since Glenferrie Rotary made the decision to support and sponsor the Vo Thanh district of Vietnam as part of the wider Rotary established Vietnam Communities Support (VCS) program, chaired by Rowan McClean. Unfortunately, the opportunities for support and certainly any visiting has been limited by COVID but the need undoubtedly remains.
We have supported the community in many ways. The most recent project the VCS is undertaking is the arranging for the sponsoring of children with the particular objective of allowing them to attend school. Currently over 40 kids receive such sponsorship.
Rotary Glenferrie has been advised that there are presently 3 children in particular who need such sponsorship (these 3 do not have parents so must work in fields for food and living) and we are all invited to sponsor one of these children.
“The Rotary Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. Cheers to a new Rotary Year and another chance for us to get it right” – With apologies to Ophray Winfrey!
Yes – This is my last ‘musings’ for the 2020-1 Rotary Year. There have been a few disappointments but incredible achievements in this difficult year past. I hope the ‘wisdom’ of our experience over the last year will forge a better year for all of us.
My Sydney mates, who joked at our expense on lockdown, are now experiencing the difficulties us Victorians have been through. We wish them every success in conquering the COVID-19 menace since ‘we are all in this together’.
It was during the long lockdown that Rotarian Elisabeth Dumonic came up with a creative way of raising money for Australian Rotary Health’s Lift the Lid on Mental Health during Mental Illness Awareness week. It was a ZOOM presentation of selfies taken of people wearing funny hats. A $5 minimum donation was required to have a selfie in the presentation.
The “Lift the Lid” event for our club is going to be held by Elizabeth Dumonic and her committee on October 5th, 2021. This is our annual commitment to mental health.
Lift the Lid on Mental Illness is Australian Rotary Health’s National annual fundraising day for mental health research.
it has now been extended to all Rotary Clubs across Australia.
Each year approximately 1-in-5 Australians will experience a mental illness and in order to help future generations of young Australians, we need to look ahead through research and find out how we can prevent this type of illness occurring.
More details will follow in the upcoming bulletins with details about this worthwhile event.
Rotary Districts in Australia and New Zealand initiated the Centurion Program many years ago as an easy way for all Rotarians to support their charity, The Rotary Foundation.
The program asks members to make a yearly contribution of AUS$100 or more to the Foundation’s Annual Fund. That’s about $2 per week.
With Rotary celebrating 100 years in Australia and New Zealand, how about becoming a Centenary Centurion!
We were given an informative talk on the growing insidious, and fatal, disease called Myeloma, a type of blood cancer of the bone marrow.
Myeloma is diagnosed in 38 Australians every week, with a life expectancy of seven to eight years. There is no known cause, it is not heredity, and there is no known cure at this time. There are a number of treatment options, including new antibody drugs and marrow transplants which may prolong a patient's life.
Well – All I can say is that I am very disappointed not to have the Changeover proceed due to the COVID-19 restrictions. I thank John Hudson for his quick thinking and work to get us a new date. Hopefully the timing will be better. The new Board will take over on July 1st and I will get to introduce them on our Changeover now for July 13th. Note this is a Tuesday and so you will not have to avoid black cats and other bad omens.
It is amazing how many web sites are devoted to coping with disappointment with the COVID restrictions. The Red Cross suggests
Acknowledge the disappointment – Yes - It is painful and a lot of reorganising.
Accept the new normal – We just must face up to the reality of our situation.
Look out for others – We are all feeling flat. Let’s party on July 13th!!
Do things – Precisely what we are doing – switching to plan B, to delay to July 13th.
Construction of the new Yarra Bank Reserve Playground is well underway with the first step being the installation of the unique Rotary Interactive Play Sculpture which will be the centrepiece of the new playground. With much more work still to be done, the sculpture already dominates this beautiful park and surrounds.
The playground will be officially opened by the Mayor of Boroondara Garry Thompson and Rotary District 9800 Governor 2021-2022 Dale Hoy at a Family Fun Day on Sunday August 8th 2021, commencing at midday. Keep your eye out for more information and be sure to spread the news and save the date.
To see more photos of the park under construction click on 'Read more'
Our inspiring speaker for the night was District Governor Philip Archer who was able to provide a summary of the aims and achievements of the district, and provide an opportunity to meet with Glenferrie Rotarians albeit in the renewed COVID online format.
Philip Archer is a founding member of the Rotary club of Southbank, has been with Rotary for 22 years and has served in numerous leadership positions. In his other life, he is Managing Director of Archway group and has 35 years of experience in strategic management consulting, executive recruiting and executive coaching and mentoring.
As the Rotary year is fast coming to a close, we are still under restrictions. We all get a chance in two week’s time to contemplate at the various changeovers on what a year which has been unparalleled in Rotary History. I am so sorry that the 15th is again on Zoom. I am saving a fortune in dry cleaning. I read in the local press that we are all dressing down and there is no need to dress up smartly anymore. Pity, since “clothes maketh the man” – However, an expensive suit would be wasted on me anyway!! I tend to cheapen clothes when I wear them!
The new Rotary year will be interesting with my Leadership coming out from behind the electronic blanket and into the open face to face meetings that we are all longing for.
The club has signed a merchant agreement with eWay, a payment provider that processes secure credit card payments for merchants. eWay has an existing agreement with ClubRunner, which means that members will now be able to book and pay for events online using the clubs' ClubRunner website, instead of using external ticket agencies such as TryBooking or Humanitix. Members are not charged a transaction fee for payments via eWay.
The new payment facility also means that when members are invoiced with membership dues etc. through their ClubRunner account, they will have the option to 'Pay Now', using the eWay link.
Invoices for membership dues to be issued later this month will have the new 'Pay now' link and, commencing with the club meeting on June 29th (assuming no lockdown), club meeting attendance will be booked and paid in advance via the club website, thanks to eWay.
Compared to our Market on May 15th when it hailed and we needed to be in the carpark Saturday was cold and cloudy but thankfully there was no rain or hail. On arrival at 6:00am the temperature was 10.9⁰. As we packed up at 12:30pm the temperature reached its highest for the entire day at 13.1⁰.
The Market was run under strict COVID -19 protocols as directed by the Department of Health via the City of Boroondara. QR Codes were efficiently supplied for our use by the Council and those Patrons without mobile phones or unable to use them were required to manually sign in before entry to Patterson Reserve.
On June 1st, we conducted our last Board meeting for this year including the new members of the Board for next year. There have been a few changes since I detailed the new committee at our Annual General Meeting last November. I am very happy with the line up.
As James Hillman, the American Psychologist once wrote “We need a fresh way of looking at the importance of our lives.” We can view this comment that a new Board will assist our club with new fresh ideas and out of lockdown, we may be able to achieve more for the community than this year ending.
So, at the Board Meeting, all the areas of focus were able to update very much like at the Forum night a couple of weeks ago – can you remember face to face meetings and their impact!!!
The Royal Australian Mint has minted special $1 and $5 coins to mark the Rotary centenary in Australia and New Zealand and these can now be ordered online from specialist coin dealers, the Mint or from Australia Post. They make terrific gifts and wonderful souvenirs of a special year for Rotary.
Special commemorative postage stamps have also been issued by Australia Post to mark the Rotary Centenary
Fun for all the family is planned for the grand opening of the Rotary 100 Playground at Yarra Bank Reserve on August 8th, with children's entertainment, food and drink and, lots of music on the way to make it a sparkling day.
Acknowledging the significance of the Yarra bank area to First Nations peoples, a smoking ceremony and welcome to country is planned, to be offered by the traditional owners of the land, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation.
The Playground Opening, featuring the unique Rotary interactive play sculpture, will begin a series of events in Boroondara aimed at raising the profile of Rotary, attracting new members and celebrating 100 years to date of Doing Good in the World. It is hoped that every Rotarian will bring their families and friends, and especially the little ones, to experience the Grand Opening and the playground. So be sure to spread the word!
The playground will be opened by the Mayor of Boroondara, Cr. Garry Thompson, who will be joined by DGE Dale Hoy in a ceremony heralding a celebration of the achievements of the past century, and welcoming the start of the next 100 years. To see the latest photos of the Rotary Interactive Play Sculpture under construction, click on Read more...
Tuesday 25th of May was a club forum which involved each committee updating us on what is happening within their committees. This forum is a valuable exercise for the club to go through, having at least two reporting nights a year, Members are able to listen to what the Director of each service has to share about their programs. It is also, if time permits, a value to members to be able to have input by asking questions and possibly teasing out some of the points that had been mentioned.
Reports were delivered on International, Foundation, Environment, Membership and Community Service.
The evening was a very busy one and a valuable one especially for new/potential members to the club.
Well, here we are again in the lockdown we all predicted would happen. Janet and myself did predict this and that is why we took off along the coast east via Lakes Entrance, Merimbula, Mollymook to Kiama and home. Highly recommend the southeast coast of our great land. No better excuse now not to go local and help our country folk. Unfortunately, we had heavy rain along the Victorian coast, but it was thought provoking to see the scorched earth where, our fellow Victorians suffered and the feeling of pride, that Glenferrie Rotary had assisted their plight.
Thanks to all who attended the District Assembly (DA) and I appreciate Geoff and Isiah getting up to tell us of their experiences at the DA. Public speaking is not easy and I was really happy with all our directors not shying away from the limelight at our Forum Night.
It may have been Lockdown, but everyone is still allowed to shop and there's no better way to do it than in the fresh air, well away from recirculated bugs and communal carry baskets!
And it seems that many people in Boroondara and Stonnington agree, because the market was doing a bustling trade all morning on Saturday May 29th. Despite the greeting Rotarians looking like Darth Vader's deputies, there was a steady stream of shoppers well prepared with their mobile phone apps to check in on the Victorian Government website, and pay their $2 entry charge on Apple Pay or GPay, and enjoy shopping in the open air among friends. What better way to spend a Saturday morning! To see photos from Saturday's market, click on Read More.
As part of the year long celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand, Australia Post this month launched a special commemorative stamp. You can order them singly or in stamp books directly from Australia Post - who will ..... post them to you direct! How's that for service!
Rotarians everywhere go to great lengths to deliver projects that benefit the community. Rotarian Graham Middleton, Past President of the Rotary Club of Corryong in north eastern Victoria went to greater lengths than most when he became the first person to swim the length of the mighty Murray River. Truly an inspiration.
Photographed by a touring Glenferrie Rotarian who stumbled upon this plaque in a quiet park in the beautiful town of Corryong, NE Victoria.
Our speaker last Tuesday gave us an insight into Australia’s near neighbour – East Timor. In 1998 Dave Carlos and his wife Shirley formed a connection with the Timorese refuge community in Melbourne. They began visiting the country in 1998 and wanted to develop a sustainable business to help build the local communities, particularly those outside of the capital, Dili.
Yackandandah is a beautiful town in north eastern Victoria, between the tourist town of Beechworth and the regional cities of Wodonga and Albury. Population about 950. It is also the home of Agency of Sculpture, the business founded by artist-engineer Benjamin Gilbert, whose home in Yackandandah featured in the television program Grand Designs in 2016.
Agency of Sculpture has designed and is building the unique interactive play sculpture that will be the focal point of the new playground at Yarra Bank Reserve, a gift to the community from Rotary to mark the centenary of Rotary in Australia. Project Lead Past President Don Moore and PP Richard Blakeman visited Yackandandah on Tuesday May 18th to check on progress, and they weren't disappointed with what they found. To check out the photos, click on 'Read More'
It's official! The official opening, that is. The R100 Playground Committee has agreed with the City of Boroondara that the official celebrations for the opening of the Rotary 100 Playground at Yarra Bank Reserve will be on Sunday August 8th, 2021. The event will be a giant Family Fun Day, featuring children's entertainment, music, refreshment stalls, and the Rotary Club of North Balwyn is coming to the party too, to provide the sausage sizzle for the day.
The Rotary clubs of Glenferrie, Camberwell, Hawthorn, Canterbury and North Balwyn are partnering with the City of Boroondara for this special event. Families from all over Boroondara will be invited to come along and enjoy the day, and share with Rotarians, family and friends of Rotary this very special anniversary. So keep the date free. And keep eyes peeled for more news via the Bulletin and on Facebook!
Last Tuesday night our Club was fortunate to be joined by Jaswinder Singh, his wife Manjeet Kaur and nine-year old daughter Divjot Kaur.
Jaswinder, as a very active leader in the rapidly growing Australian Sikh community, wears many hats or, more accurately, turbans. He is Secretary of Sikh Volunteers Australia (SVA), serves on the Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria, speaks publicly on both the Sikh faith and the work of SVA whilst holding down his day-job as a mechanical engineer and project manager.
Pinchapoo is the biggest national supplier of personal hygiene products to hundreds of people in need. It is aimed to support projects with the communities most vulnerable, that includes the homeless, refugees, victims of domestic violence etc. RC of Prahran has created a partnership with Pinchapoo and District 9800 to provide their products to people in need within the district.
Each personal Care Pack contains travel size toiletries including soap, shampoo, conditioner, razor, toothbrush & toothpaste. Female products may include sanitary items.
RCG will be donating 90 packs (45 male/45 female) to the Salvation Army and 100 packs (50 male/50 female) to Camcare. We will be paying a donation to Pinchapoo of $1 for each pack.
With RCG providing $2000and Hawthorn RC $4000, this has enableda grant to be approved (Rotary Australia Compassionate grants RACG) for $6,000 based on a project budget of $12,000. The grant will include the purchasing of 3 exercise bikes (2 for Upton House and 1 for 1East both of which are mental health units of Box Hill hospital) plus a treadmill and a table tennis table. Any surplus money can be spent on other needs such as as art supplies and sports balls etc.
The weather on Saturday morning was perfect. Starting at 6:00am the temperature was around 11.5°c and worked its way up to just over 20°c during a very sunny morning. Of the four ‘First Saturday’ of the month Markets we have had, commencing in February, this was best weather we have experienced, and it matters, as was reflected in the turnout. I will be chasing up two Stallholders who were ‘No Shows’ to find out their reasons for not showing up. I will also be contacting Schulz Organic Dairy who turned up without notifying us or pre-paying as we now require.
This is your chance to attend a virtual training and development opportunity hosted by D9800 for all Rotarians in the District. It is primarily aimed at incoming club office bearers for the 2021—2022 Rotary year to give them as much information as possible to enable them to carry out their roles successfully. Come and soak up information!!
The format of the Assembly will include an introduction to all members of the District Leadership Team and then each attendee will choose two breakout sessions to attend. Topics include; President Elect, Youth, Community (see next page for more topics). Registration is essential so you can get the link.
I often joke that “Youth is wasted on the Youth”. Wouldn’t you just love to go back in time and change some of the things that you did or didn’t do? That is because we have the “wisdom of age”. Sometimes in hindsight, we would choose to do things better. Well, that is where we can help our youth with our “wisdom and experience”. “Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing”. Quoting from that famous theologian, Albert Schweitzer.
One of Rotary’s key area of focus is Youth and we have a proud history of having a very involved commitment to Youth. COVID lockdown has made it a difficult year but I hope for good opportunities to assist our youth in the coming year.
The Swinburne Rotaract Club, formed by the Rotary Club of Glenferrie, unfortunately ceased operations some time ago, due to the difficulties in organising ongoing membership in a highly transient student population. The club was contacted recently by Past President Swinburne Rotaract Nkem Gatt-Rutter and past Rotaractor Jed Sharman to say that funds remained in the bank account for the club, which is in the process now of being closed. The club has forwarded the sum of $5,064.01 and requested that these funds be donated to The Rotary Foundation on behalf of the club and its past members. Thank you Swinburne Rotaractors for your very generous act. We do hope that your life's journey will one day bring you back to Rotary, where you are always very welcome.
Our new member Simon Messenger gave a superb talk for member’s moments. His varied life experiences show why he is such a multitalented gent. We are very lucky to have him and look forward to his contributions. As always, the best talks come from amongst the diverse nature of our club.
However, I was thinking as a result of his talk on the concept of Rotary as a family. Our club is interested in the wellbeing of every member, and our Board strives to give a chance for every member to participate in our activities. Joining our club ensures you have people who will take an interest in you.
The weather was dry on Saturday with mostly cloudy conditions and temperatures hovering around 15° during the morning. We had 70 Stallholders in attendance, the highest number since December 2018 when we had 72 Stalls.
Pleasingly we had three (3) Stallholders attend for the first time. They were Pippa’s Kitchen who prepare slow cooked meats, meals, veggie patties and condiments packaged for take home to heat and eat. Also Eddies Cider selling both alcoholic and non-alcoholic cider, plus a very busy Spring Creek Organics selling a well displayed range of vegetables.
Rotary's core values represent the guiding principles of the organisation's culture, including what guides members' priorities and actions within the organization. Values are an increasingly important component in guiding organisations because they drive the intent and direction of the organisation's leadership.
Rotary's core values are expressed in Rotary's Guiding Principles, comprising the Object of Rotary, the Four Way Test and the Avenues of Service. They have been summarised in this insightful article by the Rotary Club of Killeen Heights as Service, Fellowship, Diversity, Integrity and Leadership.
Simon Messenger delivered his Member Behind the Badge talk at the club meeting on April 27th, thoroughly captivating his audience with a tale of overcoming early adversity to triumph in life. Simon hails from England, the historic ancient Roman city of Exeter in Devon in fact. His early family life was challenging, but Simon displayed initiative and a willingness to 'have a go' even at that young age, holding a number of jobs to earn pocket money. His first full time job was in banking with Lloyds Bank in Torquay, and from that start came a career that involved a period with the RAF as an Officer Cadet, a sales role with a Shell subsidiary and then back to the financial services sector with London & Manchester in the Pensions Department. But there was more to come. Much more.
I attended the PET training for the new Presidents for 2021-2 at Woodend on last Sunday. It is so uplifting to sit with like minded people – Rotarians. Some a bit apprehensive of their upcoming roles. I did outline that if you are lucky to have a club like mine, where everyone wants to be involved, your job is so much easier.
As American writer, Margaret Wheatley states “The things we fear most in organizations--fluctuations, disturbances, imbalances--are the primary sources of creativity.” This past year has had all these elements, yet we are now shining back in face to face meetings. Now celebrating 100 years last week, we show our resilience to survive and do good in the world.
Last Tuesday evening our club was fortunate to have the CEO of Arrow Health, Toby Lawrence, as guest speaker. Arrow Health was set up by Toby and his family seven years ago to deal with all aspects of drug and alcohol addiction. While studying for his degree in Behavioural Neuroscience at Monash University, he became aware of various addictions and the different treatments for them. However, his interest in these fields of study became greatly heightened by his own family’s protracted challenges with Toby’s older brother, Sam.
On ANZAC Day 2021 we pause to remember those who have served in armed conflict on behalf of our nation, and especially those who made the supreme sacrifice. During the Great War 1914-1918, one Camberwell resident made a decisive contribution to the Allied war effort. We take time to honour him as one eminent, amongst many.
On November 11th 1918 the Armistice was signed between the Allies and Germany, ending the first global war, a war that made devastating use of new, deadly technology, the Great War. In his book Monash: The Outsider Who Won a War, historian Roland Perry writes that it was the decisive victory at Amiens by the combined British, Canadian and General Sir John Monash's Australian Imperial Force, that turned back the momentous German offensive that had threatened to overrun the Allies. Monash himself described the Second Battle of Villers-Bretonneux on 25th April 1918 after the Germans had overrun the 8th British Division as the turning point of the war.
A local man, a resident of Camberwell, was a huge contributor to the success of the AIF's campaigns on the Western Front in 1918. Major General Harold Edward Elliott, known to his men as 'Pompey' Elliott.
Elliott's leadership of the 15th Brigade, AIF, transformed a near-defeat at Villers-Bretonneux into a victory, changing the course of the war and hastening its end.
The latest edition of the Burwood Bulletin has featured a full page article on activities in the City of Whitehorse and the City of Boroondara commemorating the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand.
The Rotary Peace Symposium, held online over two days April 21-22, was an outstanding event, highlighting the work Rotary does globally to promote Peace and the key influence that Rotary, as an independent volunteer based global organisation, has in world forums. The final session, chaired by the ABC's Ali Moore, and featuring an outstanding panel comprising Pro. The Hon. Gareth Evans AC, Dr Emma Leslie AM, Stephen Killelea AM and Past RI President Ian Riseley OAM conducted an engaging and thought provoking discussion addressing the significant global issues threatening Peace today, but ended on an optimistic note for the future. The Rotary Peace Symposium was one of a number of special events planned throughout 2021 to mark the 100th anniversary of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand.
Family, work and then Rotary is a mantra with which Ian Salek strongly agrees. With a background in sales and general management in the plastics and electrical industries, he has a good understanding of people and leadership. But “giving back” is where he has achieved the real personal satisfaction.
Being deeply affected by the imagery of the ‘before and after’ surgery from Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (ROMAC), Ian didn’t take much convincing by his tennis mate, Ian Dobson, that he should join Rotary Glenferrie. At that time, the club had two key projects that are still important today … the Sumba Eye Program, their International focus (pun intended) and the Boroondara Farmers Market.
On Tuesday 13th of April, the Rotary Club of Glenferrie had an informative and engaging session about the Covid-19 vaccine that was presented by Professor Marc Pellegrini.
Professor Marc Pellegrini is an infectious diseases physician and Head of the Infectious Diseases and Immune Defence Division at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. His research focuses on improving the management of infectious diseases that threaten to become the major contributor to morbidity and mortality globally.
This activity is being delivered by the Community Services Committee. Upton House is the adult psychiatric inpatient unit located at Eastern 2 Health’s Box Hill Hospital. The unit has 25 beds, divided between an Intensive Care Area and the Low Dependence Unit. The current exercise equipment is in very poor shape and in some cases has been removed. The staff have advised us that by having activities to do, this aids the patient’s recovery. As a public hospital there is just not the funding for these items. The request is to provide the ward with the following recreational items. -a guitar -a table tennis table -a tread mill (commercial grade), -exercise bike (commercial grade) - a pool table (3/4 size).”
Last week, we had the sad news of Prince Philip’s, the Duke of Edinburgh, death. Newspaper reports and just about anyone who was someone were falling over themselves to point out the sense of duty and unselfish devotion he displayed to his wife and the British Empire.
Rotarians have a sense of duty to our community and some of our members have given years of unselfish devotion to our club and community. I have always maintained that “you get more out if you put more in” when it comes to being involved. There are benefits to being a Rotarian. Becoming a Rotary member connects you with a diverse group of professionals who share your drive to give back. Through regular meetings and events, we
Discuss your community’s needs and develop creative ways to meet them
Connect with other leaders who are changing the world
Rotary celebrates 100 years in Australia and New Zealand on April 21st, 2021, the 100th anniversary of the first Rotary meeting Down Under, when the Rotary Club of Melbourne met for the first time. Commissioners Jim Davidson and James Ralston had arrived in Melbourne from Canada aboard the SS 'Ventura', where they met with noted Australian Sir John Monash and other business leaders to establish the Rotary Club of Melbourne. Rotary launched with the original motto: "He profits most who serves best".
The weather was magnificent on Easter Saturday morning with blue skies and temperatures in the mid twenties. Whilst there were only 23 paying Stallholders present all key areas of produce were covered, fish, red meat, pork, bread, eggs, fruit and vegetables, honey, jam, wine and pasties etc. Our regular coffee vendor, Eureka, decided to take the Easter break and we were most grateful that Nickie Wainwright found us a late fill-in who we did not charge to be present. Along with the staples of meat, fruit, vegetable, bread and eggs coffee is essential at a Farmers Market. On a most pleasant warm Saturday morning it encouraged patrons to sit under the trees and enjoy the ambience with something to eat and drink.
Maternal and Child Health Month and also the “Centenary of Rotary in Australia.”
In the early 90s I had dragged my young family to live in Glasgow, Scotland, as I was one of 5 Senior Ophthalmic Registrars basically running eye health in the NHS, under 16 Ophthalmic specialists in various clinics within Greater Glasgow. The Scots were very hospitable and friendly, the opposite of their weather. One of my fond memories was that to warn a patient that you were going to give them an anaesthetic was “just giving you a whee jag and a freeze”. Well, our version of a “Jag - Jab” seems to be the new buzz word for COVID behaviour, where you are nearly a status symbol if you happen to be lucky enough to get the “Jab” or first vaccine injection.
The first steps towards the implementation of our combined project to mark the 100th anniversary of Rotary Down Under has commenced, with the removal of the existing playground at Yarra Bank Reserve on Wednesday.
The RORP Team, comprising members of the Rotary Clubs of Camberwell, Glenferrie, Hawthorn and the Rotary e-Club of Melbourne and led by RC Glenferrie International Service Director Mark Howlett and Rotary Camberwell member John Walmsley dismantled and removed the playground, transferring it to Rotary Donations in Kind in West Footscray where it was loaded into a container bound for Nepal. Our major project for 2021 is now well underway.
With Covid precautions requiring prepayments for club meetings and events for the foreseeable future, the club is moving its ticketing function to Humantix, replacing TryBooking, commencing with bookings for the club meeting on April 20th. Humantix is a not-for-profit ticketing facility. While the fees are the same, all profits from services provided by Humantix go to charity. All profits derived from RC Glenferrie ticket sales will go towards programs providing education for disadvantaged girls.
So after next Tuesday, it will be 'Bookings via Humantix', giving our club yet another way to help spread Good in the World.
Rotary is celebrating its 100th Anniversary in Australia and New Zealand in 2021, and the combined Rotary clubs in Boroondara are planning some key events to mark the occasion locally. The centrepiece is the installation of a unique Rotary Interactive Play Sculpture at the Yarra Bank Reserve in Hawthorn, part of a new playground being installed there. However there is more than just a playground being planned. A number of events are being scheduled to highlight this significant occasion for Rotary and the unique partnership between Rotary and the local community.
Work to dismantle the Yarra Bank Reserve Playground in Hawthorn will start this week, with the club's International Service Director Mark Howlett taking the lead for RC Glenferrie on recovering the play equipment for recycling. Yarra Bank Reserve is the site of a new playground featuring the Rotary Interactive Play Sculpture, a Rotary 100 project for the Rotary clubs of Camberwell, Glenferrie, Hawthorn and Canterbury. The installation of the new playground will begin soon, with an official opening ceremony planned for June.
But first things first. If you can help with the playground dismantlement, please sign up via the volunteers list. Click here to sign up. There are two shifts, so please choose which is most convenient. Or choose both! Either way, many hands make less work.
Maternal and Child Health Month and also the “Centenary of Rotary in Australia.”
March was so full of activity with getting back to normal after the lockdown. Now we are entering autumn and the absence of Day light savings.
Importantly for April - It was a pair of Canadian Rotarians from Halifax and Calgary, who got the ball rolling for Rotary in Australia and New Zealand. The first meeting for Rotary in Australia was the Rotary Club of Melbourne, held on April 21, 1921. With COVID, many plans were spoiled to celebrate this but don’t forget that our club has a very worthwhile project with the establishment of special architecturally designed playground sculpture, in conjunction with other clubs within our “Super cluster”.
Congratulations John and Eril on your 60th Wedding Anniversary!!
Hearty congratulations to John and Eril Hudson who celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary on March 24th. John and Eril were married on March 24th 1961 in the chapel at the Methodist Ladies College in Hawthorn, where Eril had been a student. They were having a home built for them in Glen Waverley at the time, so they had to move into temporary premises in Camberwell for six months. A lifetime together and now a large family, two sons and a daughter, seven grandchilden and one great grandchild (so far!). In a lifetime of giving and of achievement, John and Eril have made many friends both within and outside Rotary, and continue to do so. Their contribution to the community and to Rotary, and their genuine love of people, widely recognised in Boroondara and within Rotary, has enriched the lives of many.
The Hudson's have already received a letter of congratulations from Her Majesty the Queen, from the Governor General the Honourable David Hurley, and from the Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison. So, from all of us at the Rotary Club of Glenferrie through which you have both contributed so much, congratulations John and Eril, on this wonderful milestone in your lives together.
Last week we dedicated our night to celebrate what makes Rotary a reality. It was a time to focus our attention on 'spreading the word' about Rotary, helping our community and making a difference in the world.
I would like to personally thank all our special guests who came along and watched our presentation and took part in the process of inducting our New member to Rotary Simon Messenger to our club.
This will be the last week of our daylight savings time. The mornings have been bathed in darkness for me upon awakening every morning and the new day dawns as I go off to work. So, I expect I will be hearing “Winter is coming” as I will then denote, who was stuck on “Game of Thrones” last winter. Not having much of a summer, I hope the winter will be not as severe and long as denoted in the series.
As COVID vaccinations are rolling out, we will have more confidence in moving about in our community. RI President Holger Knaack and the TRF Chair K.R.Ravindran have recently put out statements to support COVID vaccinations, and we as Rotarians can play an important role in encouraging people to have the vaccinations and counteract anti-vaccination sentiment.
The Rotary District 9800 Ride for ROCAN event this year was dedicated to the Late Yvonne Moon OAM as the driving force behind its success over the last twenty years. Twenty-seven cyclists and six support crew set off from Avington for a week of cycling in north-east Victoria ...
A message from Rotary International President Holger Knaack and The Rotary Foundation Trustee Chair K. R. Ravindran
In these difficult days, we are so heartened to receive such uplifting reports on the unrelenting efforts of our Rotary members who have responded in their communities against the COVID-19 pandemic.
President Mark Ellis AM inducted new Rotarian Simon Messenger at the club meeting on March 23rd. Pictured here with Rotary mentor Past President Don Heath, Simon will hold the vocational classification IT Consultancy within the club. Simon has already made many friends and contributed much to the work of the club, as a volunteer at the Boroondara Farmers Market and with the Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds project.
A very warm welcome to Rotary, Simon, and to your partner Nicole Gatto. We look forward to your company and friendship, and to serving alongside you in the years ahead.
Five Rotary Districts in Victoria are being brought together for an inspiring Multi District Conference to be held over two days, Saturday 1st to Sunday 2nd May (11am till 1pm). The Conference will celebrate Rotary's achievements over the last 100 years, as well as act as a forum for new ideas and opportunities.
Rotary District 9800 will host a special in-person Breakout and Rotary Showcase session on Saturday May 1stat the Hyatt Place Convention Centre, Essendon Fields. All members are encouraged to attend this event in-person, that spotlights the many significant and inspiring programs run through Rotary District 9800 clubs. The Breakout will end with the presentation of the District Recognition Awards.
I have had many members ask for Leave of Absence for personal reasons and it makes me wonder how all our members are coping with life’s stresses. The last couple of months, I have personally come under great strain with just my workload. I am coping (I think!) but I am anxious that you all are able to continue in your roles as a model citizen expelling the virtues of Rotary in your life. Rotary has guiding principles to assist you in life.
On a gloomy cool Sunday morning a group of Glenferrie Rotarians together with six others gathered together at the Rotary container in Patterson Reserve. From there everyone radiated throughout the Patterson Reserve, along Gardiners Creek and into surrounding streets collecting rubbish. Overall we collected about 20 large bags consisting of discarded plastic, coffee cups, cigarette butts, paper rubbish, supermarket trolley, etc.
On Tuesday night, the 16th, our guest speaker was Jason Lee from Malvern East Physiotherapy. Jason is passionate about preventive medicine utilising exercise to improve the health and wellbeing of the ageing population.
Pointing out that 1 in 6 Australians are 65 or older, and that from 65 men can expect to live another 20 years, and women 22.5 years, Jason explained the health problems that come with ageing.
“All the leaves are brown, and the sky is grey” – Maybe that is “California Dreaming” but we today start Autumn. Where has the summer gone!! Being inside and masked up probably let summer slip by. The good news was that bushfires that ravaged our state weren’t as bad and since it was not too hot, we were able to wear those face masks quite comfortably.
Other good news is that we have finally met at a general gathering last Tuesday, where I got the chance to play as President. We were honoured to have our local councillor and spouse, Wes and Jane Gault, join our gathering, where he presented his ambitions and ideals. This was a terrific way to begin our “back to normal” routine hopefully for the final few months of this Rotary Year. Details of that night will be further in the Bulletin.
For the first formal club meeting for 2021 our speaker was Cr. Wes Gault, recently elected Councillor for Glenferrie Ward. Wes started his career as a Civil Engineer and over the last 40 years has been involved in project management of large projects such as hospitals.
He has travelled extensively. Has had a limited association with Rotary but is aware of what it does in Boroondara. He congratulated us for our work in the playground replacement program. He did make it clear that the rocket in Central Gardens is unlikely to be removed given the 8500+ signatories opposing its removal.
The scholarship is valued at $1,000 per annum, of which the club will contribute $1,000, with the remaining $1,000 provided from the District Grant. 
Don't forget to bring the kids and grandkids! Free face painting, TAM the 'Totally Awesome Magician', Hayley Hoopla, King Casey the new King of the Kids, and the famous Bees Waggle Dance. Official opening by the Mayor of Boroondara, Cr Garry Thompson and Rotary District 9800 Governor Dale Hoy after a Welcome to Country from an Elder of the traditional custodians of the land on which this beautiful park stands, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation. Who else is coming? Why YOU of course! 
See you there on September 12th, 12 noon sharp!
