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Guest Speaker

Our club meeting this Wednesday 7.45am for an 8am start.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84563388299

Meeting ID 84563388299 no passcode required

Wear your craziest hat as we Lift the Lid on mental illness.

Our guest speaker will be Dr Suresh Marcandan from the Rotary Club of Melbourne. Suresh is the District rep for ARH. He is originally from Sri Lanka and has had an interesting career as a Master Mariner, with degrees in business, law, marketing and education and international diplomacy from Oxford, Harvard and others.

He runs a marine consultancy business. He is a strong believer in the power of education to improve lives.

Our club has agreed to fund a PhD scholarship through Australian Rotary Health focussing on the mental health of children aged 0-12. Applications closed last week and the Board is now awaiting an announcement about the successful candidate. What a legacy this will be for our club and the dedicated fundraising efforts of so many members over the years!!

Donations to Lift the Lid can be made to the club's account:
BSB 633-000 Account 151 262 821 and we will forward to ARH on your behalf.

District Governor Dale Hoy visits our club

On Wednesday 6 October, District Governor Dale Hoy will visit our club meeting via ZOOM.

This will be Dale's first visit to us and is a wonderful opportunity for all members and friends to meet him and hear of his plans for the coming year.

Please make every effort to attend.

ZOOM https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84563388299

Dale would like to catch up with members of the Board at the end of he meeting too. Please try to allow time for this.

Fundraising Raffle - Solar in Schools Fiji

Would you like to WIN or GIFT a great resort holiday in tropical Fiji? https://sustainablesocial.org/Home/RafflePage/105517

Support the Rotary Club of Flemington Kensington projects + Give kids on remote islands a modern education + Save carbon emissions and plastics.

Paradise Taveuni Resort, Its Time Foundation and Rotary are giving you the chance to win a holiday of a lifetime on the beautiful Fijian island of Taveuni. The Fijian people will make you feel welcome like no other. A well earned treat after COVID restrictions or perhaps a nice gift for a friend to let them know you are thinking of them (an editable gift certificate comes with your receipt).

50% of ticket sales is returned to our club. 40% pays for solar panels and 10% for Ocean Cleanups.

The Its Time Foundation and Sustainable Social are registered charities. Rob Edwards, OAM, is the founder and a member of the Rotary Club of Corrimal, NSW.

Walk for Polio

Join our Flemington Kensington Family and walk or donate to End Polio this October.

Rotary Walk With Us End Polio - Flemington Kensington family

RIMERN Volunteers needed

We are founding members of RIMERN - the Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Network.Warehouse Volunteers Needed RIMERN has authority to issue permits for essential work to double vaccinated Rotarians, 2 People per ShiftRole Description: Linen Lads or Lassies; Kitchen Kit Kids, Truck Driver & Jockey and more... Please refer to detail below

Days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays - Address: 32-34 Lincoln Street, East Brunswick
Morning Shift: 9.30am – 12.30pm
Afternoon Shift: 12.30pm – 3.30pm

Please contact Susie Cole: susie.cole@rotaryprahran.org.au or 0414 907 263.

Please Note: to be covid safe, all volunteers must be fully vaccinated, wear a mask while on duty, check in on arrival with our QR code, enter their details on the time sheet on arrival and departure and only volunteer on one designated day per fortnight. Our space will allow for social distancing in each work area, we have hand sanitiser available on site and all volunteers will be issued with Authorised Work Permits as our category of “End of lease furniture removal/Domestic & Commercial Waste/resource recovery service” is permissible and the Care of people exiting homelessness et al cannot happen without the collection of goods.

Work from home volunteers are also needed - Donated Goods Coordinator - one or two people
Role Description: Coordinate Donation of goods......Please refer to detail below

Please contact Rohan Williams: rdwrcm@gmail.com or 0414 907 263.

Fit4 Use Store assisting Afghan refugees in Wyndham

Supplies for new arrivals from Afghanistan reach Christine at the Wyndham Park Community Centre.
Grocery packs and clothing were supplied from the JET Foundation and Flemington Kensington Rotary's Fit for Use store in Werribee.

Thanks to Phil Hartcher and Sue Selleck at Wyndham Rotary and to Lorry Rowe, Manager at the Fit4 Use Store and her volunteers.

Funeral for John Heyes

The funeral for John Vernon Heyes will be held at Le Pine Funerals Essendon on Friday 17 September 2.25-3.55.

The funeral will be livestreamed due to COVID restrictions.

https://www.oneroomstreaming.com/login password 313H72

Guest Speaker 15 September

Our Guest Speaker this Wednesday 15th September will be Yvonne Farquharson, Director of Filter Your Future. She will speak to us about kidney health and educating children on healthy kidney lifestyles.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84563388299

VALE John Heyes

It is with deep sadness that I advise that our Honorary Member John Heyes passed away last night September 9th after a short fight against liver cancer.

Our sincere sympathies are extended to Anne, David and Bec, Matthew, Paul and Lee, Jake and Luke.

Guest Speaker Wednesday 18th August

Our Guest Speaker this Wednesday will be Catherine Johnson. She is a researcher at the Centre for Mental Health at the University of Melbourne and was referred to us by Betty Kitchener.

Catherine will speak to us on her research into mental health in children and her interviews with teaches and parents.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8581980266?pwd=YWhQM2tYR2U5ZkNSTFIyd3J1Z0FNQT09

Meeting ID: 858 198 0266
Passcode: 675123

Intergenerational Maps

Professor Maureen Ryan from the Arts and Education Department at VU has invited us to participate in this project which has been funded by a grant from Moonee Valley Council.

The projects aims to collect visual and written responses to the important places and buildings in Flemington as gained from long term residents, newer migrants and children.

PP Anne Heyes, Edith Chen and President Lesley have been joined by historian Sheila Byard and others to commence exploring the concepts and plans.

Donation from Flemington Central to RIMERN

On Tuesday, I visited Peter the Manager at Flemington Central, formerly Quest Flemington. He had advised of a donation of surplus blankets and doonas for us. May be an image of 2 people and indoor

Together with Susie Cole and her partner Peter, we filled our cars with blankets, doonas, pillows and mattress protectors - all in fabulous condition. 6 car loads of goods were driven to RIMERN in Brunswick East where they were carried up the 2 very long flights of stairs - the lift isn't in yet!

What an amazing donation to set RIMERN up for helping people in need. Thank you so very much to Peter for thinking of us,

Rotary has a reputation for good and these items will be of such value.

May be an image of 2 people, including Lesley McCarthy, people standing and footwear

Congratulations Mount Alexander College

We are delighted with the news that our Corporate Member, Mount Alexander College has achieved such strong results in 2020 despite COVID.

MAC was named as having the most improved VCE Study Score results with a median score of 31.

Congratulations to Principal Dani Angelico, all students and staff on their efforts.

Flemington Kensington Rotary is proud to have supported many students in recent years including 2020 DUX Alex Langley who attended National Youth Science Forum in 2020 and 2020 Growth DUX Haniyah Abdou Said who was the inaugural Del King Scholarship recipient.

Schools that Excel 2021: View results over the past decade for Victorian schools (theage.com.au)

Virtual Changeover

After 2 cancellations due to COVID lockdowns, Anne and Lesley agreed that a virtual event was necessary.

Thanks to Betty Kitchener for preparing the photographic record of the year of COVID. So much was achieved despite the months of lockdowns.

Paul Harris Awards:

PP Peter Cribb: 3

sapphires - for his outstanding and dedicated work on the Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds Project.

Lyn Borghouts: 1 sapphire - for her work as plan coder on the Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds Project as well as her assistance as a Board Member.

Shraddha Sharma - for her work on Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds Project and as a Board Member.

Edith Chen: for her work as Club treasurer and with the op Shop and the Art Show.

Betty Kitchener: for her support at the Op Shop, with the Art Show and as a Board Member.

Anne then presented 2 Life Membership awards:
Geoff Cawsey: Charter Member 1987, Past President 1988-1989: 2001-2002, James Hosie Awardee, Paul Harris Fellow Sapphires. BBQ and Onto Conference Champion.

Len Seddon: 30+ year member, James Hosie Awardee, Paul Harris Fellow, BBQ, Op Shop and Club Service Champion.

The James Hosie Trophy was presented to John Heyes for his contributions to the op Shop, the Art Show and for club service during the year of COVID.

The Vance Hilton Community Leadership Award was given to Sandy Belcher for her outstanding leadership of the Art Show.

Introducing RIMERN

We are pleased to announce our support for RIMERN - the Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Network which has recently opened in Brunswick.

We are joining the Rotary Clubs of Prahran, Albert Park, Central Melbourne, Carlton, North Melbourne, Balwyn, Camberwell and Canterbury to establish the organisation.

Based at 32-34 Lincoln Street, East Brunswick this charity provides free household goods to people experiencing loss and trauma.

They may have suffered from a range of crises, including long term illness, unemployment, domestic violence or homelessness, refugee displacement, incarceration or other situations of hardship, such as fire or flood.

The premise is that followed by the Eastern Relief Network in Mitcham and Western Emergency Relief Network in Melton.

Through donations from businesses, real estate agencies and everyday people, they are able to offer basic household furniture, bedding, manchester and kitchen goods.

Referrals are accepted from accredited social service organisations who support those needing aid with the process. Agencies working in the of Melbourne, south Moonee Valley, Port Phillip, Darebin, east Moreland, south Banyule and northern Bayside and Yarra are invited to apply for accreditation and to access resources.
Access the application form here.

RIMERN is run solely by volunteers so if you would like to assist, please contact Lesley.

Guest Speaker Wednesday 21 July at 7PM

A change of time and another ZOOM meeting.

Join us to hear from Susie Cole, Rotary Prahran Past President and Co-Chair of RIMERN - Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Network based in Brunswick.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83170635925?pwd=c2FkLy9XZFJObHducmNBa0RRTUhtUT09

Meeting ID: 831 7063 5925
Passcode: 692247

Have you seen our video

Op Shop TV on Vimeo

Share and celebrate the work we have done and the impact we have had.

District Governor's Changeover

It was a celebration not only of the year that was, but of the opportunity to get together and enjoy the company of other Rotarians.

Past District Governor Phillip Archer recognised some remarkable Rotarians and corporate partners before welcome incoming District Governor Dale Hoy to the role.

The Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Award was presented to Bob Fels from Rotary Melbourne for his many, many years of work on the Peace Scholars program, and a feat unmatched by any other district in sponsoring 41 scholars over the years.

The Rotary Melbourne Fels Peace Award was given to Robert Helme of Rotary Melbourne for his work in the Peace scholars program alongside Bob.

Paul Harris awards were made to Melissa Hocking, PDG Grant Hocking.

Dale spoke of his vision for the year and the focus on service and doing good in the world based on this year's theme of Serve to Change Lives, surely the basis of all our work in Rotary.

North West Inner City News

Have you shared this story with your friends, family and
neighbours? It gives a strong overview of what we do,
who we are and how we work to improve lives.

Join us

The Rotary Club of Flemington Kensington has been serving our local & international communities since 1987. We have an active social and project program. Our members love being part of our Club and enjoy participating in all our activities. You are invited to come along to:

join in with our many volunteering opportunities
make new friends and
learn new things.
give back

Once you get to know us, you might like to become a Rotary Friend or even to join the 1.2 million Rotarians as a club member. We will make you feel very welcome.

World Polio update

There have only been two recorded cases of wild polio virus infection in 2021, one case in Afghanistan and one case in Pakistan.

They were both detected in January. This is outstanding compared to a total of 140 cases in 2020.
More work needs to be done to reach rural and hard to reach communities and the need for ongoing funding to eradicate the disease completely remains.

All contributions will be matched 2:1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation again this year. Donate online here or contact the treasurer to make a donation through the club.

Club Changeover

CLUB CHANGEOVER:
Join us to celebrate President Anne Heyes year of COVID and Rotary Opens Opportunities and handover to Lesley McCarthy for Serve to Change Lives. Rotary Theme 2021-2022 – Awards California

Rotary Theme 2021-2022 – Awards California

Due to COVID restrictions the event has been rescheduled.

Sunday 18th July 12.30 to 3.30pm

The Hotham Room, Mercure Hotel, corner Flemington Road and Harker Streets, North Melbourne.

$45pp for a 2 course meal, water, tea and coffee.
Drinks at bar prices.

RSVP to Secretary@rotaryflemington.org.au by 12 June.

20 Helium Balloons - Chrome Assortment - Melbourne Helium Balloon Bouquets

Weekly update

Thanks to our donors, Rotary members in your community and around the world have been able to take action and make an impact. Your support of our Foundation meant more projects were possible, more people were served, and more problems were solved.
The Foundation has awarded over 1,900 global grants totaling more than $139 million so far this Rotary year.
Together with our partners, we’ve immunized nearly 3 billion children against polio since 1988.
Rotary members around the world continue working to keep their communities healthy and safe from diseases like COVID-19.

We are pleased to announce that we have committed to support RIMERN - Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Centre situated in Brunswick. RIMERN is the brainchild of Rotary Prahran and is supported by Albert Park, Balwyn, Carlton, Camberwell, Canterbury, Central Melbourne, North Balwyn and North Melbourne as well.
The ERNs supply good quality second hand furniture and household goods, to people in need without charge. They assist people suffering traumas include long-term illness, unemployment, loss of home and belongings through fire, domestic violence, lack of family support, homelessness, or refugee status. Authorised welfare agencies’ refer clients and support with collections.

This is a hands on service project which all members are able to participate in alongside our support of WERN based in Melton.
All members are invited to chat to Anne or Lesley about the opportunities.

The 4th annual Progressive Dinner is set for Wednesday 18th August. Always a fabulous night of dining and fun, this event is a must for all. Visit Doutta Galla Hotel (starting location/meeting point), * Flemington Kebab House , * Pepper Cafe , * Laksa King , * New Somali Kitchen, * Wayo Japanese, * I Love Dumplings, * Pho House, * Curry Cafe Canteen.

$75 pp Book through the Traders Facebook - eventbrite page

When people ask us what we do.

National Volunteer Week

This National Volunteer Week we acknowledge it’s time to RECOGNISE. RECONNECT. REIMAGINE. volunteering in Australia. #NVW2021 #waveforvolunteers
Did you know that each year these volunteers dedicate over 600 million hours to help others. Let’s recognise the significant contribution of Australia’s almost six million volunteers and reconnect with what is important by giving your time to help others.

We thank all the volunteers who have helped us help others this year: those who work in our Op Shop and Fit4 Use Store every week, the man people who suport5ed the Art Show, the Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds Project, at Donations in Kind and Western Emergency Relief Network and at the Rotary100 Tree Planting and Habitat Development Day.

We are looking forward to a bigger, better and brighter future where we can all make a difference.

Rotary 100 Tree Planting Day report

What an inspirational and rewarding morning we had on the banks of the Maribyrnong River in Asco Vale today.

Working with Moonee Valley Council, we were able to plant 100 trees and 380 groundcover plants sourced from the Victorian Indigenous Nursery Co-Op in Fairfield. Council also planted 4 River Red Gums and 6 Banksia on our behalf - 1.5 metre tall trees to give some structure and support for the new plantation. 3 large blue mudstone rocks were sourced from TransRock in Wonga Park and will form both a barrier and seating. A plaque commemorating the planting is placed on the front rock.

Moonee Valley Council Conservation Officer Milly Burke has been outstanding in her support and encouragement for this project and was a joy to work with, as were her crew Aron, Charlie and Ruth today. Councillors Katrina Hodgson and Rose Iser participated in the planting and formally opened the Rotary Flemington Kensington Forest - a wildlife corridor and pollination source for wildlife travelling along the river. Councillor Samantha Byrne also attended.

This project is our club's Rotary 100 Project celebrating 100 years of Rotary in Australia and we were delighted with the support from the Moonee Valley Conservation group and the Indian Environment group who assisted us today. Working together with partners has increased and enhanced the impact of this work and led to the furthering of relationships for the next event.

To learn more about Rotary and Environment as the new Area of Focus, go to esraganzpi.org

RORP wins District Award

At the District 9800 Conference on Saturday 1st May a number of awards were given out to clubs which had shown significant action and impact across the areas of focus.

The Rotary Club of Flemington Kensington accepted the environment award for Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds project which saves a significant quantity of metal, plastic and timber from landfill each year by repurposing playgrounds. See RORP

Congratulations to PP Peter Cribb, PP Sam Nicol, Lyn Borghouts and Shraddha Sharma who have led the RORP team in our club.

Congratulations must also go to every club, council and contractor who has participated in the project since 2016 especially the multi district leaders Bob Allardice, Wayne Jenkins, David Balshaw and Don Shields.

RORP demonstrates impact and achievement of the recognitions through:

Volunteer Opportunities
Humanitarian Focus
Community Engagement
Public Image Focus

Secretary Lesley McCarthy accepted the award on behalf of the RORP team.

Happy 100th Birthday Rotary Melbourne

At our meeting on April 21st, members celebrated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Rotary Club of Melbourne and of Rotary in Australia.

Rotary100 is a project for Australia and New Zealand with clubs being established in Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland and Wellington this year.

President Anne Heyes had arranged for a birthday cake which we enjoyed after breakfast.

Our Op Shop and Fit4Use volunteers were not forgotten having cake and a celebration too.

Celebrating the 2021 Rotary Art Show

After 18 months of planning and readjusting our timelines due to COVID, the 3rd Art Show is over!

What a wonderful celebration of community as we shared the creativity of artists across Australia - yes Australia, not just Victoria, with entries from New South Wales and South Australia as well as many from country Victoria. The Art Show Committee members have contributed 1000's of hours each on the many planning, logistics and organisational tasks - a number which will magnify the work of Rotarians in our District.

Sincere thanks to our supportive sponsors.

Congratulations to the artists who received awards from our very experienced artist and judge Gwen Krummins:

Hospital Beds to Sri Lanka

Delighted to hear of the arrival and handover of the container of hospital beds and mattresses to assist in Sri Lanka. Many thanks to Laurie Fisher at donations in Kind, the Rotary Colombo and Nihal De Run of the BEAP Foundation for making this happen.

State Minister of Health Dr. Mrs. Sudarshani Fernandopulle officially accepted the beds at the Ministry of Health warehouse. During her short speech she thanked Rotary for all the assistance given to support the Sri Lanka Government to treat the Covid-19 affected patients. She specially mentioned our Rotary Club as well as Colombo. She is pictured with PDG Senake Amerasinghe and President Nithi Murugesu.

Op Shop featured with Flemington Traders

Jason Watts from Nelson Alexander interviewed President Anne Heyes at the Op Shop last week. See the video here.

Flemington Kensington Walk for Polio

Posted by Anne Heyes

Join President Anne and the members to walk and fundraise for End Polio Now. We are ..... this close.

The Flemington Kensington team are well on the way! Please donate now at the link below.

https://www.rotarywalkwithus.org/fundraisers/FlemingtonKensington/walk-with-us

https://www.rotarywalkwithus.org/

Flemington Kensington receives Rotary International President's Gold Citation

Past District Governor Grant Hocking attended the club's meeting on September 17th to present this citation to Past President Lesley and members.

The Rotary Citation recognizes 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.

For the 2019-2020 year, clubs could also receive the Rotary Citation with Distinction when they achieve the Rotary Citation plus one to three additional goals under the headings; Connect leaders, connect families, connect professionally, and connect community.

ESRAG ANZPI

The ANZPI Chapter of ESRAG met again today with over 30 attendees from Australia and New Zealand.

Planning for project support, advice, templates and communication are underway. Work in District 9800 is being led by Fabienne Nichola RC Camberwell, John McCaskill RC Canterbury, David Dippie RC Keilor and Rob Anderson RC Canterbury.

Check out the draft website at https://www.staging4.esraganzpi.org/

There is no Planet B

Rotary's 7th area of Focus announced

The Rotary Foundation Trustees and Rotary International Board of Directors have both unanimously approved adding a new area of focus: supporting the environment.

Supporting the environment becomes Rotary's seventh area of focus, categories of service activities supported by global grants.

It joins peacebuilding and conflict prevention; disease prevention and treatment; water, sanitation, and hygiene; maternal and child health; basic education and literacy; and community economic development.

Sewing Machines for Sri Lanka

International Women's Day in Negombo Sri Lanka this year was marked by an extra special event thanks to the Rotary Club of Negombo.

Inspired by Mudara Weerasinghe, a member of the Rotary Club of Negombo and daughter of the District Governor Elect Ajith Weerasinghe, the first ever celebration and luncheonwith a Women's Empowerment Seminar, guest speakers and a trade fair for IWD was held on March 8th in Negombo. A very special guest, Mrs World, Caroline Jurie, a former a Sri Lankan actress and mother of one made presentations.

The Rotary Club of Flemington Kensington contributed to the unique event by funding the purchase of industrial sewing machines presented to several deserving women. These machines will enable the recipients to earn an income and support their families.

Our Partners

Flemington Kensington Rotary is proud to partner with a number of organisations in our surrounding suburbs. We work with a number of not for profits, councils and businesses to share and support the work with local residents and people in need.

Amongst our supporters are Bendigo Bank Ascot Vale, Bunnings, Flemington Cycles, Flemington Traders, Gregory Lodge, Moonee Valley Council, Moonee Valley Racing Club, Nelson Alexander, One Good Street, Pepper Café, the Victoria Racing Club.

Rotary Club of Flemington Kensington Foundation

Posted by Lesley McCarthy on Oct 16, 2019

The Rotary Club of Flemington Kensington has established a foundation to manage and disburse funds raised through their two Opportunity Shops. This foundation is a registered company and has received registration as a charity from the Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission effective 26 September 2019.

The Trustees for the Foundation are: Lesley McCarthy, Peter Donnellan and Lyn Borghouts.

All requests for funding/support from the foundation must be submitted in writing through a member of the Rotary Club of Flemington Kensington and will be considered at a monthly meeting. Criteria for support are those identified by the ACNC for benevolent need. The Rotary Club of Flemington Kensington Foundation also requires all project claims to adhere to the goals and areas of focus identified by Rotary International.

Ascot Vale West Primary School Sensory Garden

Posted by Lesley McCarthy on Sep 07, 2019

Today we held the first working bee at Ascot Vale West Primary School.

The plan is to create a sensory garden to surround the new Buddy Bench,
and create an enjoyable space for children to sit, chat and enjoy the fragrances.

This project has been supported by a Rotary District 9800 Foundation Grant.

The end result looks amazing.

photoalbums/ascot-vale-west-ps-garden

New Playground installed at Ampara

Posted by Peter Cribb on Aug 06, 2019

It is with immense delight we were advised that the first playground from the recent container to Sri Lanka has been installed and officially unveiled today. This playground has been placed at a children's play area in Ampara, about 360 km east of Columbo.

The formal ceremony was conducted by President Dr. Rohana Dayaratne of the Rotary Club of Ampara in the presence of President Sarav Soundar of the Rotary Club of Columbo, Past District Governor Senake Ameresinghe and PP Pubudu De Zoysa Chairman of District 3220 projects as well as Urban Council dignitaries and a large number of Rotarians.

This playground was extracted from the Quantin Binnah park in Werribee.

Pictured at far left is Past District Governor Senake Ameresinghe and far right Past President Pubudu De Zoysa.