Rotary Flemington

Date	Topic
4 July 2012	Dr. Berhan Ahmed visits the Rotary Club of Flemington Dr. Berhan Ahmed, PhD, was an impromptu guest speaker at the club meeting today. Dr. Ahmed, who is the 2009 winner of the Victorian Australian of The Year announced that he was running as an idependent candidate in the Melbourne bi-election for the seat recently vacated by former Education Mininter Browyn Pike. Mr. Ahmed has run for parliament on previous occaisions. Dr. Ahmed was born in Eritrea but became a refugee in Sudan during the civil war. He obtained his first degree in Egypt and came to Australia where he worked as a tram conductor and taxi driver to improve his english. He graduated with a masters degree and PhD from the University of Melbourne. Dr. Ahmed spoke today about the educational challenges for newly-arrived immigrants and refugees and his work on improving the quality of education for these people. See Photo.
4 July 2012	Rotary Club of Flemington wins District 9800 Rotary Image Award. The Rotary Club of Flemington has won the Bill King Trophy presented by the district governor to the club for its work in improving Rotary's image in the local community. The plaque was presented to retiring president, Allan Bruno at the District Governor's Official Changeover held on Sunday 1 July at South Morang. The award was presented to RC Flemington for their successful Opportunity Shop and several other high-profile projects in the local community. See Photo.
22 June 2012	Congratulations to Ms. Lesley McCarthy on being inducted as President of The Rotary Club of Flemington. Lesley McCarthy was inducted as twenty seventh president of the Rotary Club of Flemington at the club's changeover dinner this evening. Lesley, who is principal of Flemington Primary School, joined Rotary in 2006 and has served in several board positions as well as club bulletin editor. Lesley becomes only the second female president of the club. Lesley's husband Bill, family members and several members of staff from the school attended to be part of the occasion. See photo.
22 June 2012	Past President Peter Cribb awarded with PHF Sapphire Recognition. Past President Peter Cribb was awarded a Paul Harris Sapphire Recognition by the Rotary Club of Flemington in recognition of his outstanding work in the local Flemington/Kensignton community. Peter has been extremely active in commencing and completing many projects over recent years including projects to support the local migrant communities and in opening the club Opportunity Shop. The award was presented at by President Allan Bruno at the club's annual changeover dinnner on 22 June, 2012. See photo.
22 June 2012	Moonee Valley Mayor praises Flemington Rotary. The mayor of the City of Moonee Valley, Cr. Jim Cusack, praised the continued work of the Rotary Club of Flemington in the local community and thanked the club members for their initiative and willingness to assist with council projects. Cr. Cusack spoke at the club's annual changeover dinner held at the Brass Tavern restaurant in Moonee Ponds. He made special mention of the club's work with the Flemington urban renewal project, the support for the local horn-of-African commuity soccer clubs and for organising the Roadstart program, designed to assist new arrival migrants to obtain their drivers license. See photo.
4 March 2012	Rotary Club of Welcomes GSE Team From India The members of the Rotary Club of Flemington are currently hosting a Group Study Exchange team from District 3030 in Maharastra State in India. The team, led by Past President Vaijayanti Padyhe from RC Jalagon East, all attended a welcome function at the home of club president Allan Bruno and Margaret. Team members were presented with a gift and Rotary mini banners were exchanged. President Allan thanked all the RC Flemington members, especially the families home hosting the team. These were Eugene and Barbara Odachowski, Hugh and Glenda Stewart, Peter and Bev Cribb and Paul and Alison Perrottet as well as Allan and Margaret Bruno. Members of the team also entertained those present with singing and Bollywood dancing. See photos.
26 February 2012	Rotary Assists Eritrean Community Aid Project Members of The Rotary Club of Flemington attended and assisted the Flemington Eritrean Association with a barbeque fundraiser at the Monnee Valley Festival in Queens Park, Moonee Ponds on Sunday 26 February. The Eritrean Association were raising funds to assist their Overseas Aid project to send educational books and stationery to schools and refugee camps in the Horn of Africa. Association members staffed the barbeque throughout the day and arranged the cooking. The Rotary Club of Flemington members attended to assist and also arranged the location and permits with the City of Moonee Valley as well as supplying the barbeque equipment, food and drinks. See photo.
26 January 2012	Former Member Dr. Theong Low Finally an Australian. The members of the Rotary Club of Flemington congratulate former member, Dr. Theong Low on recieving his Certificate of Australian Citizenship. A charter member of the club, Dr. Theong Low was born in Malaysia and came to Australia to study and gain his medical degrees from the University of Melbourne. After completing his residency he returned to Malaysia to work for two years and then came back to Australia in 1986 and set up general practice in Flemington. In 1987 Dr. Low was inducted as a charter member of the Rotary Club of Flemington. During his time in Rotary, Theong was actively involved in forming ROMAC, Rotary Overseas Medical Aid for Children. This project was started to bring children with cranio-facial deformities, burns and other injuries from third world countries to Australia for medical treatment. Theong was the first medical director of ROMAC. Started by The Rotary Club of Kangaroo Flat and supported by Rotary clubs throughout Victoria, ROMAC arranged treatment for many children, including the separation of the Bosin conjoined twins from Bougainville. Theong’s role was to arrange the medical services and hospital care for the children. ROMAC has now expanded from a small beginning in Bendigo to a nation-wide project helping many hundred children from 17 different countries over the last 20 years. With help from his contacts with the local Vietnamese community and through the Rotary Club of Flemington, Theong successfully applied for a Rotary Foundation matching grant to fund medical services to regional areas in southern Vietnam. $35,000 was raised that funded over 65,000 medical visits over a two-year period. Since 2000, Dr. Low has been active in the Australian Chinese Medical Association Victoria serving several terms, including currently, as president. Through this association Theong has brought more children from Vietnam to Australia for cranio-facial plastic surgery. He has also been involved with raising funds for several aid projects in Timor Leste.
12 October 2011	Rotary Supports National "Ride to Work" Day The Rotary Club of Flemington assisted the Moonee Valley City Council by providing a breakfast barbeque in Queen's Park, Essendon, as part of celebrations for National Ride to Work Day. Cyclists were supplied with a free hot breakfast funded by the council and prepared and served by members of Flemington Rotary. The crowd was entertained by the Moonee Ponds Central Primary School band. Councillor Ange Kenos, representing the council, welcomed everyone and stated that the council supported bike riding and was investing in more bike paths and facilities for bike riders. The council donated a Giant Transition bike that was won by a lucky attendee. Over 200 breakfasts were served from 7am. See photos.
5 October 2011	District Governor's Official Visit Rotary International District Governor, Keith Ryall and Gabrielle visited the Rotary Club of Flemington on the occasion of the his official club visit on 5 October. Keith addressed the members and guests on Rotary's goals and promoted the district conference to be held in Melbourne in March, 2012 . See Photo
29 September 2011	Rotary Helps Flemington Eagles Football Club The Rotary Club of Flemington assisted the Flemington Eagles Football Club with sponsorship of their jumpers and travel costs for their upcoming trip to Sydney for the U12 Volkswagen Junior Masters tournement. See ABC News Story. See Photos. Watch video of Flemington Eagles Soccer Club
4 August 2011	PDG Vance Hilton Receives RDU Distinguished Service Award Rotary Down Under Executive Director, PDG Bob Aitken, visited The Rotary Club of Flemington for their meeting this week and presented Flemington Rotarian, PDG Vance Hilton with a RDU Distinguished Service Award. This award recognises Vance's role on the Australian Rotary Council of Governors and as a Board Member of Rotary Down Under from 2004-2010. Vance served as RDU chairman from 2008-2010. During this period Vance oversaw many major structural changes with the Rotary Down Under calling on his vast experience in marketing, media and advertising and was responsible for consolidation of the organisation. See photo.
15 July 2011	Rotary Assists with Regional Rail Link Project The Rotary Club of Flemington was contracted by Metro Trains Melbourne to provide a sausage sizzle at Flemington Racecouse rail platform each weekday for two weeks. This was to provide free sausage to Metro rail customers travelling to the city during the period of closure of the Sydenham line. The closure was necessary to allow for major contruction works associated with the Regional Rail Link project. Over the ten days Flemington Rotarians, assisted by the local Eritrean Association, served over 350 kilos of sausages and vegitarian food, up to 1200 serves per day. See photos.
22 June 2011	Rotary Club of Flemington Names New Paul Harris Fellow The Rotary Club of Flemington has presented a Paul Harris Fellow to Past President Chris Drenen recognising his services to Rotary. Chris has previously been a member of Rotary clubs on the Gold Coast and in Traralgon, prior to joining RC Flemington in 2007 when his legal practice moved to Melbourne. Chris has served on several committees since his induction and was president in 2010-2011. The members and partners congratulated Chris on his nomination at the club changeover breakfast at Quest Apartments, Flemington. See Photo.
20 April 2011	Rotary Club of Flemington - 2011 Past Runners' Breakfast The Rotary Club of Flemington conducted the successful past runners' breakfast today at the Medway Golf Club, in the lead up to the 2011 Stawell Easter Gift carnival. The principal guest was Victorian Minister of Sport and Recreation, Hugh Delahunty, who advised that the Victorian Government had increased its grant to the Stawell Gift to $150,000, in line with its policy to promote and increase sporting events in regional Victoria. Club president, Chris Drenen presented Past Runners' Association president, Ricky Dunbar, with a cheque for $500 to assist with the sponsorship of the Past Runners' event at the Stawell carnival. Stawell Gift winners, Andrew McManus, (1992) and Glenn Crawford, (1995) were interviewed, Ricky Dunbar analysed form, John Henry speculated on the betting market and Edward Sadler provided a very entertaining phantom race call. See photos.
27 March 2011	Kensington Primary School - Organise Successful "Living in Harmony" Fete The Rotary Club of Flemington members conducted a sausage sizzle at the Kensington primary School fete on Sunday 27 March. The fete promoted "Living in Harmony" recognising the community diversity in this inner-city suburb of Melbourne. RCF members attended and met with local residents and the school community as well as raising $2000 toward the school's community projects. See photo.
26 June 2010	Rotary Club of Flemington Wins District Centurion Challenge Award The Rotary Club of Flemington has won the District Centurion Challenge Award for the second consecutive year. This award was presented to PDG Vance Hilton by 2009-2010 District Governor, Colin Muir at the District Governors' Changeover lunch, held at the Crown Casino. The award is given to the club with the highest percentage of members who contribute at least $100 to the rotary Foundation, through the Every Rotarian, Every Year programme. See photo.
18 June 2010	Rotary Club of Flemington Names Two Paul Harris Fellows The Rotary Club of Flemington has presented Immediate Past President, Peter Cribb and Rotarian Ms. Lesley McCarthy Paul Harris Fellow Recognitions at the annual chengeover dinner, held at the Brass Tavern Restaurant on Friday 18 June. Peter Cribb has served as president for 2009-2010, during which the club increased its profile in the community and opened the Rotary Club of Flemington opportunity shop. During his presidency, the club won two district awards. See Photo Lesley McCarthy, is the principal of the Flemington primary School and has organised many community events over many years. Lesley has served as club bulletin editor over the last two years. See Photo.
2 May 2010	Rotary Club of Flemington Opportunity Shop Opened by District Governor Rotary District 9800 Governor, Colin Muir, accompanied by Pauline, officially opened the Rotary Club of Flemington opportunity shop in Racecourse Road, Flemington on Sunday 2 May 2010. Colin said that he was pleased and honoured to be asked to open the shop and believed that clubs with High Street business addresses create an excellent location to promote Rotary within their communities as well as raise funds for Rotary projects. The mayor of Moonee Valley, Councillor Shirley Cornish attended and also wished the club every success with their new venture. Councillors Jim Cusack and Rose Iser also attended the official opening. See Photos.
14 April 2010	Rotary Foundation Centurion Challenge Award presented to Rotary Club of Flemington The Rotary Club of Flemington was awarded the district Centurion Challenge Award for 2008-2009. The trophy is awarded annually the the Rotary club that has the highest number of contributors on a per-capita basis to the "Every Rotarian - Every Year" contribution to the Rotary Foundation. The trophy was presented to the club by district 9800 Foundation Chairman, Chris Don at today's weekly meeting. This is a outstanding achievement for the Rotary Club of Flemington and demonstrates the club members' commitment to funding the projects of the Rotary Foundation. Past President, Mark Ingram accepted the trophy and thanked the members for their contributions. See Photo.
7 March 2010	Rotary Club of Flemington wins Conference Attendance Award The Rotary Club of Flemington was awarded the Club Attendance Trophy for having the highest percentage attendance at the Rotary District 9800 Annual Conference, held in Perth, Western Australia, between 4-7 March 2010. The trophy was presented to president Peter Cribb by district governor Colin Muir at the closing session of the conference, held in Perth's Convention Centre. See Photo.
1 July 2009	Rotarian Josie Magri Named a Paul Harris Fellow The Rotary Club of Flemington presented Rotarian Ms. Josie Magri with a Paul Harris Fellow reocognition at the weekly meeting today. Her citation is as follows: The club has awarded a Paul Harris Fellow Recognition to Rotarian Josie Magri. The Rotary Club of Flemington inducted Josie Magri in 1992, when she transferred from Melbourne North. Josie was the first female member of our club and joined with a strong background in Rotaract and a great knowledge of Rotary and it its projects. Josie has served the club over the last 17 years in many roles, including club secretary, international service director and most recently as club bulletin editor. The club was honoured last year when it was presented with the Best Bulletin Award as a result of Josie’s editorial and creative skills. Josie has also represented the club at many international service events, including Café Internationale and has been part of the club’s delegation at many district conferences.
27 June 2009	Rotary Club of Flemington Wins District Award The Rotary Club of Flemington has won the District Rotary 2008 Foundation Centurion Award for having the highest percentage of members contribute to the Rotary Foundation “Every Rotarian-Ever Year” Program and qualifying as Rotary Centurions. Congratulations to all the members of the club who contributed this year to this very worthy cause. See photo.
26 June 2009	Rotary Club of Flemington Gains RI President's Citation The Assistant Govenor for Hobsons Bay, Peter Shepheard presented retiring president Mark Ingram with the Rotary International Presedent D. K. Lee's presidential citation awarded to the Rotary Club of Flemington. The citation recognises a balanced and successful year with positive membership growth. Congratulation to all members for their fantastic contribution to the success of the club.
26 June 2009	President Mark Ingram Named a Paul Harris Fellow The Rotary Club of Flemington presented retiring president Mark Ingram with a Paul Harris Fellow reocognition at the annual changeover. His citation is as follows: Mark, joined the Rotary Club of Flemington in June 2005. He has served as international service chairperson, president elect, club service director and is current president. He immediately became involved in the club’s activities and conducted the Pencils for East Timor project, collecting pencils, pens, erasers, rulers and other stationery items by the box-load which were presented to PDG Bernie Walshe’s wife, Margaret as part of a very successful district project. He ran the very successful “Give It a Go” children’s activity event in November 2008. This event was the result of his extensive and detailed planning with the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, the City of Melbourne, district Marketing committee and the event organiser. He organised sponsorships, assistance from other Rotary clubs and sought and received great cooperation and contribution by the members on the day. He has been a successful and well organised president. He has led the board activities, maintained a healthy and growing club, conducted well run weekly meetings with lots of interesting speakers and has achieved a RI President’s Citation from President D.K. Lee.