The Rotary Club of Flemington has been deservedly acknowledged for the outstanding work it has completed in the previous twelve months winning 3 awards at the District Changeover  this evening.

Firstly, the Bill King Rotary Image Award for the strategically placed and highly visible Opportunity Shop, where we provide an essential service to the local community.

Secondly, the Significant Achievement Award for the RoadSTART Program, providing a mentor program for disadvantaged learner drivers having created partnerships with government and NGO agencies.

Thirdly, the Hugh Paton Award for the Overall Best Club Bulletin. Congratulations and thank you to all Rotarians, partners, friends and supporters for your involvement, time and effort in helping our club to live the Rotary ideals. See  photos.

In turn, EAHA members and others from the Eritrean community have assisted with Rotary fundraising and community projects including profit sharing.  This has included activities at the Moonee Valley community festival and several Horn-of-Africa projects.

Recently Rotary club members assisted in preparing a community grant application  to the City of Moonee Valley seeking funds for a purpose-built barbeque trailer. The council accepted and approved the application and granted $3,900 to EAHA. The Rotary Club of Flemington provided the specification and arranged the purchase of the trailer. The club also funded additional items required to have the trailer fully-functional.

At the club’s weekly meeting on 15 May, Moonee Valley Deputy Mayor, Jim Cusack, attended and presened the completed and fully-equipped trailer to Anwar Alishek and Louise Olliff representing EAHA. Councillor Cusack praised the work of Rotary and EAHA and stated that granting the funds was the easy part. The joint grant preparation process and community work was an innovative way to assist a new community group. The Rotary club of Flemington wishes to thank Moonee Valley City Council and past-presidesnts Peter Cribb and Allan Bruno for their efforts in gaining this community grant and making the project happen.

See photos:
EAHA website

FLEMINGTON resident Peter Cribb has been named Moonee Valley's Citizen of the Year.

Mr Cribb was recognised for his community work in the municipality's south, particularly with emerging communities from the Flemington high-rises. Since returning from the United Kingdom 15 years ago, and retiring from full-time work, Mr Cribb has devoted much of his time to various community projects.

As a member of Flemington Rotary, Mr Cribb has been the driving force behind the club's support for Horn of Africa migrants and galvanised support from the wider community for many projects, including the setting up of an opportunity shop in Racecourse Road. The shop provides adults with employment and training skills, while selling secondhand goods to residents.

Mr Cribb was also the brains behind the development of the Roadstart Project, which helps adult learner drivers obtain the required number of hours of driving practice to pass their test.

Mr Cribb, who was shocked to win the award, said he accepted the gong on behalf of dozens of community-minded people who had made a difference. "I've had a very fortunate life, but some of the people down on the estate have not."The Horn of Africa residents, Chinese and Vietnamese, I guess I've just fallen in love with them, their pride and their wonderful culture."I've had wonderful support, the councillors I've worked with, the Flemington Neighbourhood Renewal staff are inspirational, really what I do is follow their leads."  (from Moonee Valley Weekly) See Story.