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".
For those wondering where in the heck is Past President Thelma Hutchison, the Club Almoner has some good news. Thelma has undergone an operation on her foot to remove unnecessary accessories therefrom, and is now recovering at home with her foot in a special boot. The matter was attended to promptly through day surgery at Masada Private Hospital in St Kilda East, just a hop, skip and a limp from Thelma's place I'm told.
Thelma reports that the operation went well and that she is now recovering, ably attended by Andrew who's patience knows no bounds. Get well soon Thelma, we miss you! Looking forward to seeing you sprinting into a meeting at Kooyong soon.
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.
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.
For the second week in a row the club has gathered to dismantle a playground, transfer it to Rotary Donations in Kind, and load it into an overseas shipping container. The playground at Nettleton Park Glen Iris is now snugly tucked into the container ready for shipment to Kathmandu, where it will be reassembled by Rotarians - to the delight of local children, many of whom will never have seen a playground.
Members of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie combined with members from the Rotary Club of Camberwell and the Rotaract e-Club of Melbourne to complete the project. The Rotary Overseas Recycled Playground project was established and is led by the Rotary Club of Flemington Kensington. To see pictures of the harvesting of the playground, click on 'Read more.."
A very big thank you to Bunnings Warehouse in Hawthorn for their generous donation to the club of an impact driver, complete with two rechargeable batteries and a battery charger. The impact driver is an essential item of equipment for the dismantlement of playground equipment as part of the club's new Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds (RORP) project. Thank you also goes to Simon Messenger for liaising with Bunnings to obtain the gift. Bunnings are strong supporters of community organisations, including the Rotary Club of Glenferrie, as well as being a great place to buy an impact driver! Thank you from all of us at Rotary Glenferrie.
It was a pleasure to welcome Peter Cribb, the founder of RORP, as guest speaker for the club meeting on Tuesday, February 16th. The meeting was supposed to be held at KLTC and eventually Glenferrie Rotarians had to meet via zoom again after a fantastic BBQ night at KLTC.
Peter gave a talk about the Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds project (RORP) at the club meeting a couple of years ago. The Rotary Club of Glenferrie has tried to catch up about the RORP project ever since. In 2021, under the leadership of International Service Director Mark Howlett, the club has launched its first Glenferrie RORP project, with the support of Boroondara Council. Welcome back this time, Peter Cribb.
In what seemed like a blink of the eye, the children's playground at Pridmore Park Hawthorn was unscrewed, unbolted, undone and unearthed and was in the back of a Rotary Donations in Kind truck and on its way to the DIK warehouse in West Footscray. There it was unloaded and packed into a container, now on its way to Nepal. Children in Kathmandu will soon be sliding down that little blue slide, a gift from Rotary, the City of Boroondara and the children of Hawthorn. And we all know how much little kids love slides! With thanks to Mark Howlett, Jerzy Ordega, Teresa Liu, Robert Hogan, from RC Glenferrie, and John Walmsley, Vijay Sousala and all the other willing hands from RC Camberwell. Job well done. And what fun we big kids had! To see more photos, click on 'Read more..'
There were some familiar faces and some new faces at the Boroondara Farmers Market on Saturday February 20th and what welcome faces they were. PP Charles Tran is back on deck as energetic as ever after a period of absence teaching north of the Yarra. Friend of Rotary Simon Messenger who, by now, will be familiar to members, was a real asset on the entrance gate, where patrons were greeted with smiles and good humour. The market was well attended by some fine stallholders with an outstanding array of wonderful produce, but patron numbers are still below the pre-Covid levels. People will wander back eventually no doubt, lured to Patterson Reserve by the fresh produce, friendly faces and rich variety of products. Past Mayor of Boroondara Coral Ross was spotted among the stalls, shopping with a keen eye. Shopping with friends. A great way to spend a Saturday morning. The next market will be on Saturday March 6th.
PP John Hudson prepares to dive in while Eril Hudson and Trish Ritman dare him to do it
It really was 'Such a Night', with apologies to Elvis, as the Rotary Club of Glenferrie came out of Covid hibernation to meet for the first time in person since March 2020. Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club did a wonderful job with the catering, the set-up and the very warm welcome for a wonderful 'BBQ on the Terrace'. Thank you to Kooyong LTC, and organisers John Hudson and Lynette Spencer for a wonderful, warm summer welcome back!
Click on 'Read more' to view some photos of the evening. A Night to Remember!
Alex Marshall places identification marks on playground equipment at Pridmore Park, Hawthorn
Work got underway this week for the club's first playground harvesting, with identification marking of the equipment at Pridmore Park, Hawthorn and Nettleton Park, Glen Iris.
The equipment will be dismantled commencing the week of February 15th and shipped to Rotary Donations in Kind in West Footscray, where it will be loaded into a container bound for a children's playground in Sri Lanka. To see photos of the team at work at both parks, click on 'Read more..."
Incoming Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta urged members to become more involved in service projects, saying that caring for and serving others is the best way to live because it changes not only other people’s lives, but also our own. The Presidential Theme for 2021-22 is let us "Serve to Change Lives".
Rotary's unique interactive play sculpture will define the new playground at Yarra Bank Reserve, Hawthorn
The club's project to build a superb interactive play sculpture at Yarra Bank Reserve Hawthorn is well underway, with contracts now let for the dismantlement of the existing playground and for the landscaping and construction of the new. The City of Boroondara has contracted Yellowstone Contracting for the job, which is good news as we embark on Rotary's 100th year Down Under. Yellowstone have considerable experience working with Rotary through the Rotary Overseas Recycled Playground project, and will partner with Rotary Glenferrie to dismantle and harvest the existing Yarra Bank Reserve playground under the RORP program.
Being a Rotarian means to be actively involved in the affairs and service projects of one’s club. Rotarians look for ways to get involved. Rotarians demonstrate the strength of their commitment to Rotary in the service they render to their club, through their club to the community, and through the Rotary Foundation to people throughout the world. Being a Rotarian is a way of life and can be a satisfying lifelong adventure for those who are willing to give of themselves to enjoy and benefit from all that Rotary has to offer.
The playground at restful Nettleton Park, Glen Iris will be the first playground to be harvested by Glenferrie Rotarians for shipping to children in developing countries.
International Service Director Mark Howlett is finalising plans for the harvesting of the first two playgrounds in Boroondara, slated for shipment to Sri Lanka under theRotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds Project. The playground equipment at Nettleton Park Glen Iris will be harvested the week commencing February 15th, followed by the Pridmore Park, Hawthorn playground a week later. In both cases, help is needed to dismantle the playground equipment, load it into the Donations in Kind Truck and ship it out to the DIK warehouse in West Footscray for loading into a container.
The Rotary Overseas Recycled Playground project brings big smiles to little faces in far off countries. Please volunteer to be part of this wonderful project. Contact Mark Howlett now if you can help. Mark's phone number is in the Member's Directory, on your ClubRunner app., or grab him at the BBQ on Tuesday.
“Never was so much done by so few for the greater good” With apologies to Winston Churchill on his wartime speech on 20 August 1940. However, when I think back to our Australia Day effort, I think of this line. I was against the Australia Day Cluster event for the one reason that it was on a long weekend and most of our members were justifiably on vocation including myself on a week’s leave. I thank those who did get back to whether able, away or sick.
The club will resume in-person meetings with the ever popular and perennially fantastic Gourmet BBQ on the Terrace at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club on February 9th 2021
Due to Covid-19 precautions, Kooyong LTC require that the names and phone numbers of attendees be advised to them in advance, so pre-registration is essential.
The Rotary Australia Day in the Park event at Victoria Park, Kew on January 26th highlighted the richness in the diversity of culture in the Australian community, with food and artistic displays from Australians from many cultural backgrounds, under the theme "We're all part of the story".
Commencing with a morning downpour, the day looked like it was going to be long and damp. But those who braved the elements were treated to, amongst other things, the Pipa Dance and Tai Chi demonstrations from the Chinese community, Hindu dancing from the India community and a Tango from the Argentinian community, highlighting that Australia is a country with an ancient heritage, a British tradition and a diverse modern culture. Rotary shone on a day darkened by rain clouds but illuminated with inclusiveness. To see the photo album from Australia Day in Park
International Service Director Mark Howlett is looking for volunteers to help with the harvesting of two playgrounds in February, as part of the Rotary Overseas Recycled Playground Program. The City of Boroondara has advised that the playground at Nettleton Park Glen Iris will be removed during the week of February 8th. Members will recall Nettleton Park from the tree planting the club did there in 2018. The second playground, at Pridmore Park, Hawthorn will be dismantled during the week commencing February 15th.
The equipment will be collected by Glenferrie Rotarians and shipped to Rotary Donations in Kind in West Footscray. Four willing hands are needed for each (or both) playgrounds. If you would like to be part of this wonderful new project, please contact Mark Howlett and let him know asap. And welcome aboard!
The Rotary Family Australia Day Fair at Victoria Park, Kew on Tuesday January 26th 2021 will celebrate Australia, and the strong links between Rotary and the Boroondara community. Happy Australia Day Australia!
The International Service Committee, led by International Service Director Mark Howlett, has successfully launched a new project for the club which will bring great joy to children in developing nations. Partnering with the City of Boroondara and the Rotary Overseas Recycled Playground (RORP) program, the project will harvest playgrounds in the city that are due for replacement, and ship them via Rotary Donations in Kind to communities in developing countries, including Sri Lanka, Timor Leste, the Philippines, Cambodia and Tanzania, where they will be reassembled by local Rotary clubs.
The first four playgrounds scheduled for harvesting have been identified. Please let Mark know via email or in person if you would like to volunteer to help out with this wonderful program, and watch for more details in future Bulletins.
Reflecting the theme Reflect. Respect. Celebrate. We’re all part of the story, the combined Rotary Clubs of Boroondara are providing a family-friendly, inclusive and respectful Australia Day celebration in Victoria Park, Kew at the corner of High Street and Adeney Avenue on Tuesday 26th January 2021.
Rotary will lead Australia Day celebrations across the nation in 2021, with the theme "Reflect, Respect, Celebrate - We are all part of the story". 56 “super clusters”, each with up to 15 Rotary clubs, from across Australia have been successful in obtaining grants of $20,000 each from the National Australia Day Council for our Rotarians and clubs to celebrate Australia Day in a super event that will kick off Rotary's 100th Anniversary year.
Rotary across Australia will be live-streaming an exciting central event from Melbourne that will feature a fabulous line-up of speakers and entertainment, commencing at 12pm. In Boroondara, all seven Rotary Clubs are combining with the City of Boroondara for an Australia Day Fair at Victoria Park, Kew, celebrating the wonderful diversity that is Australia, with entertainment and food stalls. Click on 'Read More' to see what is being planned for Boroondara, represented by David Fallick for the RC Glenferrie.
For the past three years the club, with the support of two Rotary Foundation District Grants, has offered scholarships to talented and motivated students at Auburn High School to help them complete Year 11 and 12 studies and encourage them to go on to tertiary education. Two students were each awarded scholarships of $2,000, the first for the school years 2018-19, and the second for 2019-20.
We are very pleased to be able to report that both scholarship recipients have successfully completed high school, and both have gained entrance to university, a 100% success rate!
The scholarship program was implemented by the Youth Service Committee, then led by President Elect Teresa Liu, with the enthusiastic support of the Auburn High School Student Welfare Coordinator Leah Rintoule. Congratulations and well done to both students from the Rotary Club of Glenferrie. We are so pleased for you and so proud of you. Well done!
The club has reached agreement with the City of Boroondara to participate in the Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds project, which recycles playgrounds deemed obsolete locally but of immense value to children overseas. Born out of the Rotary 100th Anniversary project that will see a unique interactive play sculpture erected in 2021 at Yarra Bank Reserve Hawthorn, the project will be led by the club's International Service Director Mark Howlett. The club is collaborating with the Rotary clubs of Camberwell, Canterbury and Hawthorn on the project.
The Farmers Market bell rang loud and clear heralding the arrival of Santa, fresh out of quarantine and chauffeured around Patterson Reserve by one of his elves, both of whom looked vaguely familiar for some reason. To the delight of children small and tall, Santa's elf distributed Smarties, smiles and waves as he progressed slowly around the reserve in his very own special automobile. It was a fine day for a market, and sales were strong, including of the ever popular Rotary Christmas cakes and puddings. And as if that wasn't enough, there was even a Rotary Sausage Sizzle in full swing. Merry Christmas everyone. And a safe, happy, prosperous New Year!
Education CHANCES is the charity that receives 50% of the net profits from the Boroondara Farmers market. These funds are used to help provide scholarships to talented secondary and tertiary students who live in Boroondara, or study at a government secondary school or tertiary institute in Boroondara, and who come from a proven low income background.
This year has been more than usually busy for us because of the effects of Covid 19 on family incomes, particularly people who have insecure and poorly paid occupations and/or a single mums.
Our Christmas Party this year will be a party with a difference, outdoors in a special place that looms large in the club's plans in 2001. Bring family and friends and a picnic or something for the BBQ for the Annual Christmas Party of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie, this year at Yarra Bank Reserve, Hawthorn. Yarra Bank Reserve is the site of the new Rotary 100 Interactive Play Sculpture that will be built as part of a playground replacement project for the park in 2001. It will be the scene of much derry-do next year, so let's start it all off together. See you for some Christmas fun!
ps. please bring chairs, plates etc. for your picnic.
Twenty-seven members and one visitor logged in via Zoom last Tuesday to hear the club's Youth Service Director Matt Fitton deliver his Member Behind the Badge address. Those who were able to join the meeting were treated to something special as Matt delivered an engaging and inspiring talk following the club's AGM. Matt, whose quiet demeanour belies a lifetime of enterprise and achievement, spoke to the club about his origins in Hobart, a childhood in East Bentleigh, and a lifetime of recognizing opportunities, taking a risk and having a go. The fact that Matt, is so busy with his current business, Nurse Next Door, which he operates with his wife Amber, is testament to his business acumen, entrepreneurial skills, organisational capabilities and commitment to delivering value to clients.
We will remember for ever this year and what the feeling of a “lockdown” means. It was the year of funny slogans like -
“A mask is better than a ventilator Home is better than ICU Prevention is better than cure It’s not CURFEW It’s Care For U”
That did catch my eye on Facebook. I will also look at doughnuts in a completely new way. Even in photos, I keep the mask on since it will be easier to identify when that photo was taken!! Although we don’t have to wear masks outside, when we meet to celebrate Christmas in the park, photos with our masks on will be a bittersweet reunion and a remembrance of the year that was!
Spring was definitely in the air at the Boroondara Farmers Market last Saturday, November 21st, as sunshine and a sense of returning normality encouraged crowds to Patterson Reserve, Hawthorn. Patrons commented very favourably on the new seating arrangements under the trees, allowing a cup of coffee and a chat in a friendly fairground atmosphere. The Rotary Christmas Cakes and Puddings Stall was hugely popular, with substantial funds raised for The Rotary Foundation.
Next month's Market promises to be even bigger, with a special visitor expected to pop in from the northern hemisphere, once he has cleared quarantine and completed his list of who's been naughty and nice. It's great to be back bigger and better, and in time for Christmas too! Click on 'Read more' for a few happy snaps from Saturday's market.
We will be selling again this year at both the 21 November and 19 December Boroondara Farmers Markets our Rotary Foundation Cakes and Puddings. They were very popular last year and we sold out. Please get in early and place your forward orders with me now by either e-mail or Mobile. It will be of great assistance in ordering additional stock.
Glenferrie Rotary is to be part of a Rotary Network celebration of Australia Day Jan 26, 2021. We have been given the opportunity to bring our Rotary Network together…our community partners, first responders, business and government friends, and most importantly, our community…to celebrate all that is Australian. The theme for Australia Day this year is: Reflect, Respect, Celebrate. We’re all part of the story. For 100 years Rotary in Australia has been bringing communities together.
After our drought, bushfires and COVID-19, this is a wonderful opportunity to bring us together in a COVID-safe way in all our respective towns and cities, and be part of one event that will inspire.
It was a pleasure to welcome Dean Lee CEO of the Shrine of Remembrance as Guest Speaker on the eve of Remembrance Day. Dean was appointed CEO on 13 July 2015.
Dean explained the Shrine was established at the instigation of Sir John Monash to ensure that Victorian Service Personnel involved in World War 1 were never forgotten.
A competition was held for the design of the Shrine. Eighty three designs were submitted and the winning design was awarded to two Melbourne returned soldiers, Architects, Phillip Hudson and James Wardrop.
November is Foundation Month and our Glenferrie Rotary has just received some fabulous news. Members may recall the news way back in August of a planned project to convert an existing community hall in Sarsfield, East Gippsland, into a bushfire evacuation centre. The news is that this Global Grant has been successful.
The project led by District 9800 Rotarian Mark Stephens and the RC of Brighton North with co-sponsorship by Rotary clubs of Glenferrie and Traralgon has attracted international funding with the pledging of funds totalling USD16,000 from the Rotary Club of Taipai-Tund and Rotary District 3522 Taiwan. This adds to the USD10,000 awarded by the Rotary District 9800 Foundation Committee and a further AUD14,000 awarded by the District 9800 Bushfire Relief Committee.
Lockdown definition - a state of isolation or restricted access instituted as a security measure. Well, we all have felt the effects of this lockdown and understand the stresses it causes. We have been prisoners within our state. So glad the lockdown seems to be coming to an end. I can understand a slow process of recovery since, we couldn’t go through a 3rd wave. However, it is satisfying to witness a return to something like normal. Also, the underemployed and financially stressed people can get back to earning a living and paying the mounting bills.
The Annual Report of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie was tabled at the Annual General Meeting of the club on Tuesday evening, November 24th 2020. The Report describes a year of considerable achievement for the club under the leadership of Past President Thelma Hutchison and a highly active Board of Directors, in a challenging year.
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, CB, CMG, DSO, DCM, VD. 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.
Whilst the club has done an excellent job in raising funds for the End Polio event, the Community Service Committee is seeking member support for the 27for Parkinson’s event. The committee of Lyn, Chris, Helena, Alex and Michael has registered with Parkinson’s Victoria under the name the “Glenferrie Walkers". Donations can be made to the attached link. Glenferrie Walkers
The club has supported Parkinson’s Victoria for many years with the manning of the BBQ at Federation Square, this year the annual “Walk in the Park” was cancelled due to the Covid-19 lockdown, this major fund raiser for Parkinson's Victoria has hurt them financially, and their services that they offer to Parkinson’s sufferers.
We were pleased to welcome Bernie as our guest speaker last week to provide an update on the bushfire recovery progress in East Gippsland. Bernie explained that on 31 December 2019 the main front of the bushfire created a plume 12 km high with hot northerly winds fanning the flames. Around midnight the plume collapsed over the Clifton Creek and Sarsfield areas with other fires moving across East Gippsland devastating property, livestock, housing, wildlife, and fauna as it spread. As a first and early response the five Rotary Clubs in East Gippsland formed the EG Rotary Fire Aid Committee.
Now there is “Light at the end of the tunnel”. A very Aussie saying pointing to the fact that the end is in sight. However, there have been many “bends” in the road. Ever wondered why road tunnels are not straight? In a straight tunnel, the driver would be dazzled by the ambient light at the end, but if the tunnel is curved, the light gradually increases. Maybe, we can liken our recovery to this? We have been through many bends in the road to get back to normal.
Good to see stores open and people mingling at socially acceptable distances with masks. The Farmer’s Market this Saturday was a good example of people getting out of the house. I noted that members have been suitably “shorn”.
With many consumers asking where their food is sourced in a quest to buy fresh, sustainably produced goods, the Farmers’ Market movement has been readily accepted in meeting this need.
When the City of Boroondara sought expressions of interest from Rotary in 2003 to manage a Farmers’ Market, the Rotary Club of Glenferrie rose to the challenge. Under the leadership of now Honorary Member, Geoff Wood, the club established the Boroondara Farmers’ Market held on the third and fifth Saturday morning each month at Patterson Reserve in East Hawthorn.
In its 17 years of operation, the market has contributed to the community in a variety of ways. The suppliers have a ready market for a huge range of fresh produce straight from the grower, as well as many valued added products such as wine, chocolate and liquorice.
Getting back to (Covid?) normal and the Boroondara Farmers Market is back in town. Fresh air, fresh produce and even some fresh faces amongst the stallholders - meaning greater choice for customers, alongside all your favourites. Looking forward to seeing you at Patterson Reserve, Hawthorn East next Saturday from 8am!
As Stallholders were greeted at their Entrance Gate by Robert Winspear from before 6:00am rain was falling on Patterson Reserve. A check on the radar map at 6:26am showed rain still falling over Melbourne but passing quickly down to the south -east. By the time Early Shift Volunteers were being briefed at 6:55am the rain had ceased and apart from a small amount of drizzle mid-morning the rain stayed away providing some sunny patches. Temperatures were around 18 °C.
For many years now, our Club has been involved with Parkinson's Australia with their 'Walk in the Park" annual fundraising event. The event is normally held in Federation Square, encouraging more than 3000 people to come together in a show of support, unity, fun and encouragement, while helping to raise funds.
Currently, approximately 27,000 Victorians are living with Parkinson's disease. Presently, there is no cure nor do we know the cause of this degenerative neurological disease. Obviously, due to COVID-19, the event could not be held this year. Instead, Parkinson's Australia created 27forParkinson's, a simple concept of walking 27 times over 27 days, which was held during the month of October.
What a great night thanks to the hard work of Elizabeth Dumonic and President Mark. Money raised was $4,590.00 (a great effort). Not to mention the informative and relevant talk on mental health by Mithzay Pomenta. Up to 100 selfies of people wearing all types of hats were sent to President Mark. These were shown on Tuesday night to the club members and invited guests. To the songs of Priscilla Queen of the Desert we were shown hats of all sizes, with attachments such as foliage and other materials. Winners of all the different categories can be seen on the next page.
Mithzay headed her talk with a primary message: Don’t Wait. With the current crisis of COVID-19 I am sure that many people could relate in some way to the information that was covered.
The Rotary Club of Glenferrie has celebrated its 45th anniversary on October 22nd, having been chartered on that date in 1975. There were other things going on at the time! The Whitlam Federal Government was struggling to get Supply through the Senate, an action that ended in the famous "Dismissal". The Premier of Victoria was the widely respected Sir Rupert Hamer, and the Governor of Victoria was Sir Henry Winneke. The Tasman Bridge in Hobart had collapsed earlier in the year. Medibank had just been introduced and Papua New Guinea gained its independence from Australia. North Melbourne had defeated Hawthorn by 9 goals 1 behind in the VFL Grand Final, in front of 110,551 spectators. The Balibo Five had tragically fallen victim to Indonesian troops invading East Timor, and it was the wettest month since at least 1900, when records began.
And while all that was going on a group of eight Hawthorn Rotarians and nineteen prospective new Rotarians gathered at the home of Bib Stillwell, Hawthorn Rotary Past President, to discuss the establishment of a new club, The Rotary Club of Glenferrie. And what happened next? Read on by clicking on "Read more..."
Well it is on again the annual clash of teams – this time a “catfight” between domestic and nondomestic type felines, but importantly and proudly Victorian! At the timing of writing this article, the game has yet to be on. However, another big event for a Glenferrie Rotarian is a big celebration for our club’s 45th Anniversary on Oct 22th last Thursday. From outside the club, there has been a barrage of congratulatory emails from local and overseas clubs.
The Rotary Club of Glenferrie was granted a charter on 22 October 1975. The Club’s first formal meeting took place a month later in the Hawthorn Town Hall, with 30 people inducted into membership. We are so lucky to still have two Charter members remaining Don Moore and Ian Dobson and who are still active members.
The Rotary interactive play sculpture at Yarra Bank Reserve, Hawthorn will capture the spirit of place, defining the new playground to be constructed there in early 2021. Situated in Glenferrie Ward in the City of Boroondara, and on the banks of the lazy ol' Yarra River, the playground will be a gift to the community from the Rotary Clubs of Glenferrie, Camberwell, Hawthorn and Canterbury with a grant from The Rotary Foundation, marking a fruitful community partnership that has existed for 100 years.
The key message of the all-abilities play feature will mark the theme: "When people work together they can create something magnificent"
To see what the playground will look like when opened in 2021, Rotary ANZ's Centenary Year, click on "Read more..."
Glenferrie is a peaceful sounding name evoking images of wooded slopes and distant waters with a small punt enabling its crossing. Back in 1840, that image was about to change when a solicitor named Peter Ferrie built a property on the banks of Gardiners Creek, which he unsurprisingly named, Glen Ferrie. Soon, the abutting north-south access road became Glenferrie Road and the village to the north, originally called Upper Hawthorn, developed into today’s vibrant shopping and university precinct called Glenferrie, but much in need of a Rotary Club.
The Rotary Club of Hawthorn chartered the Rotary Club of Glenferrie on 22 October 1975 with two of the charter members still active in the Club. About one-third of the current membership is female, many holding active positions in the Club.
At last Tuesday night’s club meeting we were fortunate to be addressed by John Crofts, President of the Seymour Railway Heritage Centre (SRHC). John’s work history was not railways, but mining; he spent almost 24 years with BHP both before and during the BHP-Billiton merger, working in such diverse locations as Chile, Singapore, United Kingdom and, of course, Australia.
However, his topic on Tuesday night was, Victorian Railways and, more specifically, The history and future of the SRHC – the challenge of trying to create world class tourism products in Victoria’s tourist and heritage railway sector. And this challenge was before COVID-19 restrictions added a whole new dimension.
I was pondering on the quoted words from John Cleese the other day -
“We all operate in two contrasting modes, which might be called open and closed. The open mode is more relaxed, more receptive, more exploratory, more democratic, more playful and more humorous. The closed mode is the tighter, more rigid, more hierarchical, more tunnel-visioned. Most people, unfortunately, spend most of their time in the closed mode... We must return to the open mode, because in that mode we are the most aware, most receptive, most creative, and therefore at our most intelligent.”
Rotarians contribute significantly to the wellbeing of the local community from projects that encourage young people to grow and succeed, assist families, aid the homeless, bring joy to the socially isolated, relieve the sick. They provide opportunities for friendship, engagement, the development of new skills, self-confidence, leadership and giving to our community. They promote opportunities to work together, encourage social responsibility, promote ethical dealings in our business and personal lives. Click on 'Read more..' below to see the list of incredible ways Rotarians interact with the community in Boroondara to improve the quality of life for so many.
But we do a terrible job of letting people know what we do. And letting people know about the impact Rotarians have in the world is key to attracting new members and empowering them to continue the good work. Read the list and see what I mean.
October is 4 days in and our Glenferrie Grinners are out there walking already. Our team is a mixture of Glenferrie Members and friends of members. We had almost reached our "conservative" goal of $1,500 by the beginning of October, so let's just raise the bar ...
At the "Lift the Lid" night on Tuesday 20th October at 7.15pm we are asking all people who attend to wear a hat on zoom.
Also, we are asking for a donation of $5 from each person who is interested in contributing to this good cause. COVID-19’s impact on mental health is pervasive and the Lift the Lid foundation would love everyone to get together, take a fun selfie and donate for vital mental health research.
This donation of $5 can be by direct debit into the club's bank account. This is Rotary Club of Glenferrie. Bendigo Branch: 633-000 Account: 144713757 Ref: LTL and Surname.
The zoom link for the meeting can be found by clicking read more.
The Rotary Club of Glenferrie formed Glenferrie Probus in 1991, when distinguished and urbane Past President John Suriano was in the chair. And since that time, Glenferrie Probus has gone from strength to strength. In normal times they meet monthly at the Balwyn Community Centre, which is way too far away. However at the moment they are meeting monthly via Zoom, and President Glenferrie Probus, Celia Cornick, has contacted us to invite Glenferrie Rotarians to their next meeting. The speaker will be Dr Kate Cornick, CEO of LaunchVic, an independent company established by the Victorian Government to support and grow the state's startup ecosystem. Dr Cornick will speak on the topic – Supporting the Economic Recovery of Victoria.
Date: Friday October 16th Time: 10:45AM Venue: Via Zoom of course!
If you are interested in more information about Glenferrie Probus, or would like to attend the meeting featuring Dr Cornick, please email President Celia at: GlenferrieProbus@gmail.com
World Mental Health Day is October 10. World Mental Health Day is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma.
A timely topic in our COVID lockdown is the problem of Mental Health in our population. It got me thinking - What is mental health? I quote from the “Beyond Blue” web site,‘Mentalhealth’ is often used as a substitute for mentalillnesses – such as depression, anxiety conditions, schizophrenia, and others. According to the World Health Organization, however, mental health is “a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.” Mental health is about wellness rather than illness. Ultimately, mental health is about being cognitively, emotionally and socially healthy – the way we think, feel and develop relationships - and not merely the absence of a mental health condition.
Last Tuesday we were privileged to have Dr Andrea Kimler as our guest speaker. It is always good to have one of our own newer members give us their “Member behind the Badge” story. It is an opportunity to learn a bit more about their background, vocation and special interests. Andrea is a Veterinarian, Environmentalist and very much a free spirit.
Things have been progressing at quite a pace with the club's project to mark the 100th anniversary of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand. The layout for the playground at Yarra Bank Reserve is almost finalised, as is the design for the unique Rotary interactive sculpture.
Over the next weeks articles will appear in this Bulletin detailing the comprehensive community engagement plans that are being put together by the consortium of Boroondara clubs engaged in the project. In the meantime, to take a look at the latest design and to read the page now set up on the City of Boroondara website for the playground, please click on this link.
“Not everyone can be famous, but everyone can be great, because greatness is determined by service”. What terrific words from Martin Luther King, which characterises a Rotarian well. Thank you to Rotary International Director Nominee Jessie Harman for her mentioning this quote in her inspirational address at the recent Zone 8 Rotary International Conference held last weekend. Also, “If you want to live in a good society, you have to build it”.
If I quote correctly from our Rotary International President nominee Jennifer Jones. As also pointed out by Jennifer, Rotary can give benefits to the individual in developing their interpersonal skills, leadership, education, experience in governance and cultural matters. This was a thought provoking conference. You can only be amazed at the wealth of achievements from small to large projects. Also, the International nature of Rotary.
At our recent strategic planning workshops, members made it very clear that the number one priority for the club is to publicise far and wide the good work of Rotary and the club, with an emphasis on the impact of that work. The club's Communication and Public Image Team is doing a great job with regular and informative editions of The Glenferrie Rotarian, a much revamped club website, more regular and topical postings on Facebook, and a number of articles this year in Rotary Down Under and in the District 9800 Networker. But the help of every member and friend of the club is needed to build on our PR.
One thing you can do is to keep feeding your Rotary stories to the club's Bulletin Editor, Chris Raw. Articles in the Bulletin can now be posted simultaneously on the website and on Facebook. And another very important thing we all should do is to 'Like' the club's Facebook pageand the articles that appear. It is important that you 'Like' the club's Facebook page, and that you 'Like' the postings (even if you don't like them!)
The sponsors of our Glenferrie Grinners Team are rolling in. And we are just over a third of our goal of $1,500.00. If you aren't able to run, skip, walk (or hobble) in the month of October, perhaps you could follow the example of President Mark and sponsor the team or an individual. Let's paint the streets within your 5km area End Polio Red!!
It can mean “Move or travel very quickly” or “A camera changing focus rapidly to close up” or “(as in prices) rising sharply”. By the end of this year, it will probably be a new entry into the dictionary as “The only means of communication in 2020!!”. Some warped minds had a great barnstorming session over the naming of that video link service. Might be able to put instead of prices – “Tempers rising”!!!! We are not even able to travel quickly and definitely only within a 5 km limit!!
Well, we have Zoom to thank for assisting to keep our club together. The food and beverage at our meetings have been second to none. “None” if I did complain to the chef!! Also, Zoom might have got it’s name for the ability it gives the voyeur to “zoom in” and see snip bits into people’s houses and choice of domestic clothing.
You may not be able to read it in the picture on the left, but if you click on Read more... below you will see a larger version of it and you should be able to read the words branded into the brick: 'Fritsch Holzer'.
But who the heck is Fritsch Holzer? What is the story behind this brick, found in Burwood just lying around? And what has it got to do with Rotary?
Posted by Ian Salek, David Proud, Jonathan Shepherd
Since 2005, ‘The Rotary and Community Service Radio Show’ on 94.1FM 3WBC has gone to air between 6 and 8 pm every Friday. It also ‘Live Streams’ on www.3wbc.org.au.
Born from a visit by RC Canterbury to Vision Australia’s radio station 3RPH, Past President Neil Williams, assisted by former Canterbury Rotarian David Proud, prepared some trial shows for Rotary that soon became a regular fixture. In the early years the studio was in the front room of a community house in Bennettswood. It then moved to a professional suite of studios in the Box Hill Town Hall hub in Whitehorse Road.
The Rotary Club of Glenferrie has been awarded a Rotary International Rotary Citation with Platinum Distinction for the year 2019-2020. This is the second year in a row that the club has been honoured with this award.
In an email to Past President Thelma Hutchison and President 2020-2021 Mark Ellis AM advising of the award, Past District Governor Grant Hocking wrote: "The Rotary Citation recognises Rotary clubs that support Rotary strategic priorities by completing certain activities. The Rotary Citation is a significant award that honours clubs whose leaders and members show a commitment to success. Clubs that achieve the goals required to earn the Rotary Citation are strengthening Rotary and shaping our future.
The Rotary project to convert an existing community hall in Sarsfield, East Gippsland, into a bushfire evacuation centre has attracted international funding with the pledging of funds totalling USD16,000 from the Rotary Club of Taipai-Tund and Rotary District 3522 Taiwan. This adds to the USD10,000 awarded by the Rotary District 9800 Foundation Committee and a further AUD14,000 awarded by the District 9800 Bushfire Relief Committee. The project, led by Rotarian Mark Stephens and the RC Brighton North, and co-sponsored by the Rotary clubs of Glenferrie and Traralgon, is in the process of applying for a Rotary Foundation Global Grant with a total project budget of AUD138,000.
Club Members unanimously endorsed the three year plan presented for adoption by President Mark Ellis at the club meeting last Tuesday. The plan sets out the path for the next three years and will guide the decision of the club's boards over that time. Framed within the global goals for Rotary, the plan aims to: Increase our Impact, Expand our Reach, Enhance Participant Engagement and Increase our Ability to Adapt. Included in the plan are new initiatives that will be prioritised and implemented by the Board, and clearly identifies President Mark's Big Hairy Audacious Goal - to increase by 10 the number of Active Members of the club by the end of 2021. To see the full plan: Click on this link
The Salvation Army has been active in Camberwell for more than 100 years. For many years they were located in Burke Road just up from Camberwell Junction. They then relocated to their current home in Bowen St, in the late 1970’s. The Rotary Glenferrie Club has had a strong association with the Salvation Army for many years. The Salvation Army could not exist nor perform the wonderful tasks that they do if it were not for the volunteers.
My father was a keen Rotarian, first with Keilor and then with Carlton, and from him, I developed respect for what Rotary does.
I was active on a humanitarian project in Timor Leste involving eye-surgery, and was asked to fill in as guest speaker on this topic at short notice at Rotary Glenferrie. I liked the club, joined 13 years ago, and have great admiration for my colleagues.
The International Director at the time asked me to find an offshore project. I had been to Timor Leste with a team twice, but the 2006 uprising made it unsafe so I went to Indonesia instead. I discovered that Sumba needed considerable help.
Over the years Glenferrie hosted quite a few Exchange Students — mostly well behaved but a couple were disappointing —- one American girl in particular —- she refused to wear a uniform at Fintona —- she was very disruptive and the Principal asked us to remove her. It turned out that her uncle came home from his local Rotary meeting and asked her if she would like a “holiday” in Australia for a year. I have a feeling ( but can’t really remember if it was her ) but one girl was sent home for poor behaviour. Another European girl used to slip out of her bedroom window after 'lights out' and go to night clubs.
The District 9800 Rotary Foundation Committee is required to report to members at the end of each Rotary year on the state of giving and the distribution of grant financing. The report describes in detail the wonderful work being done within Australia and globally by Rotarians from District 9800 clubs with the support of your Foundation. Published by the District 9800 Foundation Committee Chair, Murray Verso and compiled and produced by Glenferrie Rotarian Cheryl Pisterman, the Winter 2020 edition of the newsletter is choc full of great ideas put into action through D9800 clubs.
For some years now Past President John Hudson has collected those pesky foreign coins that get thrown into the buckets at the Farmers Market, combined them with coins collected from local banks and members, and sent them on to The Rotary Club of Hornsby District in Sydney where, with the help of Qantas, they are repatriated to their country of origin. The program nationally has now raised over $560,000 in the more than twenty years it has been in existence - much of which has gone towards helping to fight malaria. Those pesky coins can really add up to something.
In an age of heightened awareness of the need for organisations to prioritise the safety of children above all else, your club has made great progress in its level of compliance with Rotary Youth Policies, Every Active Member now has a valid Victorian Working With Children Check, which is a mandatory requirement for membership, and almost all have completed a Rotary Volunteer Information and Declaration.
There has been some doubt until now about whether the Declaration Form is required for every member, particularly if they are not in a role that usually brings them into direct contact with minors. District 9800 Insurance Office Mark Perree has written to all clubs to explain why all members are now being asked to complete this declaration. Click on this link to read Marks' letter.
This article first appeared in The Networker on August 8th 2020.
Having grown up in Boroondara, Glenferrie Rotarian, John Hudson, has been devoting his retirement years to volunteering in the community that provided he and his family so many benefits.
A Fellow of CPA Australia and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Secretaries, John’s career included the role of Company Secretary at McIlwraith Davey Ltd, which employed over 7,000 people, and finally as Finance Manager at Trinity Grammar until 1990.
Jennifer E. Jones, a member of the Rotary Club of Windsor-Roseland, Ontario, Canada, has been nominated to become Rotary International’s president for 2022-23, a groundbreaking selection that will make her the first woman to hold that office in the organization’s 115-year history.
The Rotary Club of Glenferrie has partnered with the Rotary Foundation and other clubs to deliver some truly inspiring projects over the past few years. Those projects include the establishment of the Hawthorn Men's Shed, the Clean Water and Sanitation Project in Timor Leste, the Bike Rescue Project with the Yiyili Aboriginal School in northern Western Australia, and the clubs Rotary 100 project to build a unique interactive playground feature at Yarra Bank Reserve Hawthorn. This incredible story about a recycling project in Brazil speaks volumes about the power of Rotary and the value of the Rotary Foundation.
It was great to hear from Alex Marshall a new member at our recent Zoom meeting.
Alex, a country boy from Wycheproof passed on the story of his life experiences from being the son of a doctor to being a leading Gastrologist working in the Austin Hospital, a leading public hospital in Melbourne.
The Club is closing in on achieving 100% compliance with Rotary Youth policies as more and more members complete and lodge their Rotary Volunteer Youth Declaration Form. The concerted push for full accreditation began in 2017 following the updating of State Government legislation that required all organisations involved with youth promote child safety as the highest priority. With the assistance of District 9800 legal advisors, the club board published the club's Child Safe Environment Policy in October of that year. 100% of members now have a valid Victorian Working With Children Check and 68% of members have completed and lodged their Rotary Volunteer Youth Declaration. President Mark has now asked members who have not yet done so to complete their Declarations as soon as possible so that the club can achieve 100% on both counts.
The celebration of 100 Years of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand got of to a spectacular start Friday, with an event broadcast via YouTube from Government House, Canberra featuring His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor-General of Australia, and a litany of stars. The signature project for the event Give Every Child a Future was spotlighted during an online event that celebrated Rotary, Rotarians and the wonderful work done over the past 100 years.
The Weather Bureau rarely gets it wrong but fortunately on June 20th it did. With a very high likely percentage of rain forecast we were pleased that the morning turned out to be both dry and sunny. The Market was run under the set COVID-19 Safety Requirements. There were 51 Stalls of fresh produce including beef, fruit and vegetables, bread, biscuits, cakes, pastries, fish and once again, oysters. Green Eggs returned so we had eggs that were not available on May 30th.
To recognise the worthiness of all useful occupations
Paul Harris wrote: "Each Rotarian is a connecting link between the idealism of Rotary and their trade or profession". Vocational Service may be the least understood of the Rotary Avenues of Service, and yet it is the very foundation of Rotary itself. The introductory statement and three of the four objectives of Rotary relate to Vocational Service, underlining its importance to the philosophy and culture of Rotary.
The origins of the Four Way Test date back to 1932 when creditors of a near bankrupt aluminum company assigned the author of the Four Way Test, Rotarian Herbert Taylor, to save it from further financial ruin. Competition in the aluminum industry was fierce. Mr. Taylor was looking for a way to distinguish his new company from the others, while at the same time achieving financial prosperity. Mr. Taylor decided that ethics and doing what was right would be the key to the turnaround.
The Club's Strategic Planning workshop, held via Zoom on June 23rd and led by facilitator Warwick Cavell, has been hugely successful in helping identify club priorities for the next three years, reinforced by the very positive feedback received from those able to participate. Following on from the first workshop on June 9th the purpose of the second workshop was to get input from club members as to what they see as the focus of the club going forward.
After many years of ducking this great responsibility, I felt it selfish not to do my bit for the club that I have grown fond of over the 12 to 13 years that I have been a member. I am in awe of the past presidents and how they handled their year with wisdom and energy. We have had teachers, businesspeople, board chair and such who are used to dealing with large amounts of people at once. So now, you have a doctor and surgeon, used to dealing with one on one.
The club Board has voted to join with the Rotary Club of Brighton North in support of a Rotary Foundation Global Grant application to assist victims of the devastating bushfires in Sarsfield over summer. From a contribution of $2,000 from each of Rotary Glenferrie and Rotary Brighton North, total funds available for the project are likely to grow to $150,000 with support from a generous public donor, the District 9800 Foundation Grants Committee, Rotary District 9800 and The Rotary Foundation Global Fund, highlighting the power of Rotary Foundation Grants in multiplying impact. The grant application is being led by Rotarian Mark Stephens of the Rotary Club of Brighton North.
The club has made a donation of $1,100 to Australian Rotary Health as an expression of appreciation for club dinner meeting speakers through 2019-2020. A donation of $100 is made by the club for each non-Rotarian speaker, who gets a Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of their time with us and their presentation.
As we have all come to learn, headlines can sometime be misleading, and this one is no exception. Nevertheless photos have emerged of what was going on just beyond the camera during the club's historic best ever Zoom Changeover Event, held without an official dinner on June 16th 2020. Congratulations to Club Service Award Recipients Michael Hills, Don Heath and Ian Salek, and to Paul Harris Fellows Don Heath and Richard Blakeman. And congratulations to outgoing President Thelma Hutchison and the Incoming President Mark Ellis for a superb celebration of what it means to be a Rotarian.
The first chapter of the club's planning process was completed on 9 June with an outstanding presentation by workshop coordinator Warwick Cavell. Warwick, a professional business strategist, MD of Linnergy and current President of the Rotary Club of Central Melbourne, emphasised the benefit of focusing on impact rather than activities in our internal and external communications, and posed three questions for us regarding the future, in preparation for stage 2 of the process - the Planning Workshop on June 23rd via Zoom. The club's SAG (Strategic Action Group), comprising President Thelma, President Elect Mark and President Elect Nominee Teresa has been working with Warwick for some weeks now to set the scene for the plan for the next three years.
Sir Clem Renouf, an unassuming accountant from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Charter Secretary of the Rotary Club of Nambour and Past Rotary International President ignited the global Rotary campaign to end the scourge of Polio, a program that has saved untold millions of people from one of the world's most terrible diseases. Sir Clem passed away on Thursday 11th June 2020. Click on Read More to read the tribute from District Governor Grant Hocking. Click on this link to view this feature story on Sir Clem that went to air in April 2010 on the ABC's 7:30 Report . Vale PRIP Sir Clem Renouf.
Changeover is here! Tonight President Thelma Hutchison will pass the baton to President Elect Mark and his new leadership team. But this will be a Changeover like no other. For a start it's free! There's no dinner. There's no carparking worries, no having to go out into a cold Melbourne winter's night. What has the club got in store for a Changeover by Zoom? Be sure to sign in from 7:00pm. But you must register for the event by clicking on the ZOOM link that was sent to you when you registered. See you tonight, on ZOOM!
Helena had organised a Bunnings' BBQ to be held on 4th April but it had to be cancelled due to COVID 19. Our intention was to use the proceeds to support the work of Australian Rotary Health (ARH). Bunnings has now very generously given us a donation of $500 to make up for some of our lost charity income. We will forward this to ARH and we thank Bunnings Hawthorn for their generous support.
The Consortium of Rotary Clubs which included the Rotary Club of Glenferrie has completed the project to install water tanks and toilets in the Baguia region of Timor Leste. With a total budget of A$139k and supported by a Global Grant from The Rotary Foundation, the Consortium led by Vijay Susarla and John Walmsley of the Rotary Club of Camberwell installed four toilet blocks and thirty-two water tanks in primary schools throughout the remote Baguia region of Timor Leste. Baguia has a 'Sister Province' relationship with the City of Boroondara.
Some really great Rotary and Community news . The Boroondara Farmers’ Market returned on a sunny Saturday morning May 30th to Patterson Reserve at the corner of Auburn and Toorak Roads from 8:00am until 12:30pm.
Lewis Mulvay, Principal of the Yiyili Aboriginal Community School has written a very nice thank you letter to our Club, thanking us for our very generous support of their BikeRescue project.
Tired of all the boring chit chat on talk-back radio? I don't blame you. So here's a solution, at least for drive time radio on Friday evenings. Give the mainstream a miss and tune in to Rotary Radio 3WBC 94.1FM The Voice of the Inner East, for interesting interviews, great music and lively commentary.
Hugh Bucknall of the Rotary Club of Melbourne is the Team Leader for the Australia and New Zealand Rotary 100 Project, which marks the 100th Anniversary of the establishment of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand. Hugh wrote to the club to congratulate the consortium of clubs engaged on the Boroondara project, Glenferrie, Hawthorn, Camberwell and Canterbury, which he described as modelling perfectly the values of the Rotary 100 program, including community partnership, Rotary clubs working collaboratively, long-term sustainable value and the opportunities to promote and grow Rotary. But Hugh also had a personal story about the increasingly significant site of our project, Yarra Bank Reserve.
As is often the case, on Tuesday evening 12th May our Glenferrie Rotary Zoom Meeting proved that Club Members, more often than not, provide very different and interesting presentations.
Our own Peter Harries gave an interesting talk on how earth retaining walls work. We pass them daily without realising the technology behind them to keep them upright. The construction technique used today goes back 3000 years when the ancient Babylonians built ziggurats using papyrus reed in layers on structures still evident today. Babylon is now part of modern day Iraq.
The Yiyili Aboriginal Community School is a very poor school between Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek in the Kimberley Region in the north of Western Australia. The Yiyili community is based on the Louisa Downs Station. They have 60 students from Kindergarten to Year 10 and six teaching staff including one Indigenous Language teacher. They have an innovative vocational service program where the students are taught to dismantle and re-assemble bicycles. BikeRescue is an award-winning accredited program that uses bike mechanics as a vehicle for outreach, engagement and mentoring.
On Friday night 15th May the Rotary and Community Service Show on 94.1FM 3WBC or Live Streaming on www.3wbc.org.au between 6 and 8pm, will feature an interview with our President Thelma Hutchison.
Hosted by Jonathan Shepherd the Show will feature two pre-recorded interview segments by Ian Salek with Thelma. There are some fascinating insights into Thelma’s life of which most Glenferrie Rotarians would be unaware. Hear about these, the Club’s achievements and how our new President Elect Mark Ellis will be inducted. President Thelma is finishing her year in difficult circumstances but has achieved her Rotary goals to make this world a better place. Tune in to hear a very positive Thelma Hutchison and some great music that Jonathan loves to play, including some of Thelma’s favourites.
May is Rotary International Youth Service Month, when the focus is on young people and the development of the next generation of leaders. Under the leadership of Youth Service Director Teresa Liu, the Rotary Club of Glenferrie has been highly active in supporting and nurturing youth, including offering two Year 11-12 scholarships through the Auburn High School, sponsoring an outward bound Rotary Youth Exchange Student, supporting the attendance of two students at the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) and organising the most recent District 9800 Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA). Half of all the funds raised through the Boroondara Farmers Market are donated to the Boroondara Cares CHANCES Scholarship Program. Youth are our future, and a key component of Rotary endeavour. For more about Rotary Youth programs Click Here.
The latest edition of the Rotary District 9800 Foundation Newsletter has featured the club's Rotary 100 project, which is being undertaken with the support of a grant from The Rotary Foundation. Partnering with the Rotary clubs of Camberwell, Canterbury and Hawthorn, and with the City of Boroondara, the project will provide an innovative Rotary themed play sculpture at Yarra Bank Reserve Hawthorn. The latest newsletter is choc-a-bloc full of news about some of the wonderful things happening in the District, supported by our Foundation.
The Rotary Foundation is Rotary's charity. Since it's establishment it has provided more than US$4 billion to support community projects throughout the world, including Boroondara! To read the latest edition of the District Foundation Newsletter, click on this link.
The Rotary 100 Playground Project reached two new milestones during the past week, with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Boroondara, and the presentation of the preliminary design drawings to the project consortium. Capturing the essence of the site, the exciting, unique play equipment and art work will be unlike anything seen in a playground, not just in Boroondara, but across the world!
The Rotary feature captures the spirit of place and emphasises collaboration at all levels. Said designer Benjamin Gilbert: "The more people that play on the feature, the more fun they will have. It is meant to show that when people work together they can create something magnificent".
Three years ago the members of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie dedicated two extended meetings and many hours of extra work to the development of a comprehensive and detailed Three Year Plan, and called it Setting the Course. The club identified a number of key strategic objectives, primary among which was member recruitment.
Changeover this year is as important as ever but it will be a Changeover with a difference. Normally the club's social highlight of the year, eclipsing even the Christmas Party and the Annual BBQ on the Terrace, Changeover is a time when the club comes together to reflect on the year's achievements, celebrate some outstanding contributions, thank the club's leaders and welcome the new leadership team.
This year however, Changeover will be different - for a start there will be no charge! And it will be via ZOOM, so you can attend from the comfort of your own home. Put this date in your diary. CHANGEOVER: June 16th, 2020, 7:15pm - 8:30pm, hosted by President Thelma and President Elect Mark Ellis. More to come!!
The Rotary Club of North Balwyn has been recognised by District 9800 for the excellence of its multi-club project in Vietnam which Glenferrie Rotary recently agreed to join.
The project is designed to support the poorer communities in Phu Tho Province, Vietnam, by providing support in child health, school equipment, medical supplies and creating income producing ventures. North Balwyn Rotary initiated the project and they have been working with three other Rotary clubs. Each club has adopted a village in the Phu Tho Province which is in the north west of Vietnam.
Glenferrie has now joined the project and adopted a fifth village, called Vo Thanh, in the same province.
Rotarians will join other Rotary participants around the world during a time of unprecedented challenges for every person. Virtually we will be able to mix, share stories, listen to speakers on varying subjects, hear of current and innovative projects under commencement and be involved in discussions. It aims to be an exciting and interesting time.
April is Rotary International Maternal and Child Health month, marking one of the six key focus areas for The Rotary Foundation. The Rotary Club of Glenferrie has marked the event with a presentation from Dianne Sides, President of the Boroondara Family Network (BFN), who was Guest Speaker at the club meeting via ZOOM on Tuesday. Dianne spoke of the establishment of BFN by the Rotary Club of Glenferrie in 1998 and was presented with a contribution of $5,000 from the Rotary Club of Glenferrie towards this year's running costs.
The club's first meeting via ZOOM last Tuesday enjoyed the biggest turnout for the year, when thirty-eight Rotarians, partners and guests logged in to share the latest club news and hear a presentation from Natasza Letowt-Vorbek from the City of Boroondara. Natasza, who is the Coordinator Waste Contracts and Projects at the City of Boroondara, explained the key objectives behind the City's FOGO program, and what residents can expect over the coming weeks.
The transition of the club's administration and communication functions from Streamscape to ClubRunner is now complete as evidenced by this, the first club Bulletin from the new software. ClubRunner is fully integrated with the Rotary District 9800 website and with My Rotary.
The project led by the Rotary Club of Glenferrie as part of nationwide celebrations of Rotary's 100th anniversary in Australia and New Zealand has been awarded a District Local Grant from The Rotary Foundation. The project consortium, comprising the Rotary Clubs of Camberwell, Canterbury, Glenferrie and Hawthorn will build a unique interactive playground feature as part of the new all-abilities playground being erected by the City of Boroondara at Yarra Bank Reserve Hawthorn.
As part of the Yarra Bank Reserve playground project led by the club to mark the anniversary in 2021 of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand, the Rotary Club of Glenferrie has launched a Vocational Service fundraiser featuring innovative walking sticks designed by entrepreneur and past member of The Rotary Club of Moorabbin Walter Glaser
The innovative walking sticks have a number of features which distinguish them from lesser products, most notably a built-in torch. The ‘Telescopic’ version has a shock absorber in the foot, to help prevent jarring of the shoulder.
The Rotary Club of Glenferrie voted at the recent board meeting to approve a proposal put forward by International Service Director Robert Hogan, that the club adopt the village of Vo Thanh in north west Vietnam, as part of a group of projects being led by the Rotary Club of Balwyn and the Overseas Kids Foundation. The idea is to provide scholarships to individual students in the village, install services such as water, toilets, libraries etc. in the schools, and generally promote welfare of the village.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the club will meet via the online meeting tool ZOOM until further notice. Meetings will be held twice monthly, with the first club meeting via ZOOM to be held on Tuesday April 7th, 2020 at 7:15pm. April's second meeting will be on April 21st. From May onwards the club will meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month until normal club meetings at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club resume.
On the weekend of Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th of March the Rotary Club of Glenferrie organised a team of members, partners and friends to drive to East Gippsland to help clean up the mess at Sarsfield left after the devastating bushfires. President Thelma, who was previously a member of the Rotary Club of Bairnsdale Sunrise, had local knowledge of the area so organised work sites for both days. Community Service Director Don Heath took on the role of organising volunteers for the work party, keeping them informed of our plans via email updates.
Working with the Salvation Army in Boroondara, the Rotary Club of Glenferrie's Care Packs for the Homeless project is a continuing success. These packs contain such essential toiletry items (eg toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, comb), clothing items (eg socks, underwear, t-shirts), towels and non-perishable food with long “best before” dates (eg muesli bars, pasta, soup, noodles, juices).
International Service Director Mark Howlett is looking for volunteers to help with the harvesting of two playgrounds in February, as part of the 
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, CB, CMG, DSO, DCM, VD. 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,
The club's first meeting via ZOOM last Tuesday enjoyed the biggest turnout for the year, when thirty-eight Rotarians, partners and guests logged in to share the latest club news and hear a presentation from Natasza Letowt-Vorbek from the City of Boroondara. Natasza, who is the Coordinator Waste Contracts and Projects at the City of Boroondara, explained the key objectives behind the City's FOGO program, and what residents can expect over the coming weeks.
The transition of the club's administration and communication functions from Streamscape to ClubRunner is now complete as evidenced by this, the first club Bulletin from the new software. ClubRunner is fully integrated with the Rotary District 9800 website and with My Rotary.
The project led by the Rotary Club of Glenferrie as part of nationwide celebrations of Rotary's 100th anniversary in Australia and New Zealand has been awarded a District Local Grant from The Rotary Foundation. The project consortium, comprising the Rotary Clubs of Camberwell, Canterbury, Glenferrie and Hawthorn will build a unique interactive playground feature as part of the new all-abilities playground being erected by the City of Boroondara at Yarra Bank Reserve Hawthorn.
As part of the Yarra Bank Reserve playground project led by the club to mark the anniversary in 2021 of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand, the Rotary Club of Glenferrie has launched a Vocational Service fundraiser featuring innovative walking sticks designed by entrepreneur and past member of The Rotary Club of Moorabbin Walter Glaser
The Rotary Club of Glenferrie voted at the recent board meeting to approve a proposal put forward by International Service Director Robert Hogan, that the club adopt the village of Vo Thanh in north west Vietnam, as part of a group of projects being led by the Rotary Club of Balwyn and the Overseas Kids Foundation. The idea is to provide scholarships to individual students in the village, install services such as water, toilets, libraries etc. in the schools, and generally promote welfare of the village.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the club will meet via the online meeting tool ZOOM until further notice. Meetings will be held twice monthly, with the first club meeting via ZOOM to be held on Tuesday April 7th, 2020 at 7:15pm. April's second meeting will be on April 21st. From May onwards the club will meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month until normal club meetings at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club resume.
Working with the Salvation Army in Boroondara, the Rotary Club of Glenferrie's Care Packs for the Homeless project is a continuing success. These packs contain such essential toiletry items (eg toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, comb), clothing items (eg socks, underwear, t-shirts), towels and non-perishable food with long “best before” dates (eg muesli bars, pasta, soup, noodles, juices).