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National Volunteer Week

May is Youth Service Month in Rotary

Guest Speakers

At this week's ZOOM Meetings we will hear from our former Youth Exchange participants, Maddi Collis and Riley Jackson about what they are up to.

Maddi was a student at Mount Alexander College when she was sponsored by us to spend a year in Austria in 2017. She is studying in Queensland.

Riley came to us from Albuquerque in the US in 2012 and was hosted by members for the year including Chris & Ros Drenen and Del & Sean.

ZOOM Meeting ID: 329 803 463 8w7Bez

Staying Ahead of depression and anxiety

Professor Tony Jorm of the Rotary Club of Carlton has been working with Steven Carbone from Prevention United on developing support for people with depression and anxiety.

So let's talk about mental wellbeing.

Tony and Steven co-authored an article on The Conversation which identifies what the government needs to do to reduce the mental health impacts during COVID-19.

https://theconversation.com/we-need-to-flatten-the-other-coronavirus-curve-our-looming-mental-health-crisis-137170

There is also a free ebook available on Staying ahead: https://preventionunited.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/PU-Staying-Ahead-ebook-FINAL-WEB-version.pdf
A Awareness
H Healthy lifestyle

   E Emotional flexibility
   A Adversity support
   D Direction

Thanks to Betty Kitchener for sharing these resources.

Rotary International Virtual Convention

Mark your calendars for 20-26 June for an exciting opportunity to gather online with the family of Rotary for our first online convention.
https://www.riconvention.org/en/current-convention

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.

Front Yarding

Introducing #frontyarding

Pre COVID19, Australians have lived in their backyards, enjoyed the space and privacy, now with spatial distancing our social needs
can be met in new & safe ways.

www.goodstreet.com.au has started tea@3.
#frontyarding is a simple way to have social collisions with your neighbours, BYO cup/glass and drink and talk at a distance over front wards and picket fences. #drivewaydrinks@3pm in Wollongong, its a regular check in to share resources and check in with the people on your street, especially those who are older. #anxietyrelief #wellbeing #loneliness #community #socialimpact #communityengagement #socialgood

Art Show postponed

With the impact of social isolation and the downturn in the economy, the Board has agreed to postpone the 2020 Art Show.

The show will now be held on the last weekend of March and run in conjunction with the Kensington Festival to present a Flemington Kensington celebration.
We are grateful to the City of Melbourne for a grant to support this event.

The show will be held at Kensington Town Hall as planned and include a number of arts events and activities at local venues.

Gallery 247 will still be the vehicle of management of art works.

To be part of this amazing event, please contact Art Show Chair Anne Heyes or Festival Treasurer Edith Chen.

Coronavirus information in other languages

SBS has released information sheets in many languages for our friends whose first language is not English.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Print ads – Good hygiene is in your hands ...

Please assist them with access this material.

https://www.sbs.com.au/language/coronavirus

Donate to our causes

The Rotary Club of Flemington Kensington is a community service organisation working in and around the communities of Flemington, Kensington, Ascot Vale, North and West Melbourne and Moonee Valley. Over 34 years we have supported local residents through education and literacy, health and wellbeing, maternal and child health, disease prevention and eradication, peace and conflict resolution and improving the lives of people in need. We fundraise to support our projects, through Bunnings BBQs, our Op Shops at 444 Racecourse Road Flemington and 135 Railway Avenue Werribee. We run raffles, assist other community groups and obtain funds through a number of innovative activities. Our members are all volunteers.

In 2019, we were acknowledged as a charity by the Australian Charities and Not For Profit Commission and are thus able to offer a tax deduction for gifts over $2. Every dollar we raise through fundraising is returned through our works.

We also support the Rotary Foundation which provides grants to groups delivering chartable work; to the End Polio Now program which has almost eradicated polio from the world, to Donations in Kind who source and donate educational and medical goods to those in need and to the Western Emergency Relief Network which provides household goods for people suffering trauma and loss.

Please donate to one of our causes and know you are helping us to DO GOOD IN THE WORLD!

Contact Sam at the Op Shop for bank account details and to receive a Tax Deductible receipt. captdan@netspacenet.au or 0487 334 068

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.

BENDIGO BANK As a Community Bank, we are pleased to deposit our funds with them and contribute to their community grants. Bendigo Bank is now located in Epsom Road Ascot Vale having relocated from Racecourse Road last year. The Manager, Vijay, and staff are most helpful and supportive of our club and events. Members of Flemington Kensington Rotary have served on the Board over recent years. The Bendigo Bank has supported our club projects over many years, and has provided sponsorship of the Art Show for the last 2 years.

BUNNINGS We are supported by both Maribyrnong and West Footscray stores who include us on their BBQ rosters and also provide support for our Christmas Hampers for disadvantaged children, in our garden projects at local schools and by including us in the Family and Community days. The Activities Organisers at both stores are extremely supportive and helpful to all community organisations.

FLEMINGTON TRADERS Is the umbrella chamber of commerce group supporting and promoting businesses in Flemington specifically along Racecourse Road and Pin Oak Crescent. They organise a number of community events during the year encouraging residents and visitors to enjoy the delights to be found. We assist them with catering and promotion of their events. They have sponsored our Art Show for the last 2 years.

FLEMINGTON CYCLES. Damien Lack, owner of Flemington Cycles, is a former member of Flemington Kensington Rotary. He has been a long time supporter of Rotary and our club and has been particularly helpful with helping in the various bicycle projects we have completed over the years, including The Bicycle Hospital, Dr Cranky's and bicycles for disadvantaged overseas communities.

GREGORY LODGE is a Freemasons Aged Care home located in Newmarket Street. The TrioBike is located there and managed by Activities Coordinator Eleanor. Flemington Kensington Rotary also provides books and toiletries for residents as well as Christmas Hampers. When the Lodge has excess furniture or is updating their furniture, they offer it to our Op Shop for sale or donation.

MOONEE VALLEY COUNCIL Councillor Nicole Marshall is an Honorary Member who has supported us for many, many years in conjunction with fellow local councillor Jim Cusack. Moonee Valley Council are a generous supporter and assist with our many community events and activities. We share the commitment to connecting and celebrating community and assisting and encouraging connection between residents. We have participated in the Moonee Valley Festival, Carols by Candlelight, the Harmony Day celebrations and the International Women's Day breakfasts with council. Our menmbvers meet at the Crown Street Stables Cafe, managed by MVCC.

MOONEE VALLEY RACING CLUB has supported our club with donations and sponsorship of events. They also donate their excess and rotated furniture to us for sale or donation through one of our partner organisations. Last year they donated 500 chairs which were sold through the Fit4 Use Store and donated to the Western Emergency Relief Network for disadvantaged residents.

NELSON ALEXANDER. Member Cody Bettanin is a partner at Nelson Alexander Pascoe Vale having relocated from the Flemington Branch. Staff at Nelson Alexander have been long term members and supporters of Flemington Kensington Rotary. They are also members of Flemington Traders and donate to local community events and projects. They sponsored the art Show for the last 2 years also.

ONE GOOD STREET One of our members, Matiu Bush, founded One Good Street and associated enterprises in 2016. The basis is on linking neighbours to each other and enabling older residents to remain connected and part of the community. Reducing loneliness and isolation through caring communities also reduces hospital admissions, depression and social isolation.

One Good Street also provides the Library of aged Care Things ibn conjunction with Rotary Donations in Kind. Members are able to access disability and aged care type equipment on loan through Bolton Clark, Rotary Flemington Kensington and Donations in Kind.

Another initiative is the Ride to End Loneliness or the TrioBike Tour where fit rides take older people on bicycle/trishaw rides around the area in a specially built TrioBike. The bike was funded by Rotary Flemington Kensington, Pick My Project and Crowd Funding and is based at Gregory Lodge in Flemington.

PEPPER CAFE Simon Peterson at Pepper is a well know personality in Pin Oak Crescent, and a long term member of Flemington Traders. He has also served on the Board of the Bendigo Bank and is a strong supporter of the club.

VICTORIA RACING CLUB at Flemington Racecourse has been a strong supporter of our club over the years, both with donations for events and activities including sponsorship of the Art Show, and also by donating unwanted furniture and equipment to us for sale or donation through one of our partner organisations. In 2019, they donated 80 computers and peripherals which were taken to Donations in Kind for refurbishment and shipment to an overseas country.

Zoe at RYLA

I loved RYLA, but I still struggle to concisely summarise my experience.

Some advice that one of my facilitators gave me when I voiced my concern about discussing RYLA in the ‘real world’ was to say what I learnt.

I loved RYLA, and I learnt to keep doing what I am doing, to listen, to reflect, to be grateful for what I have, and to believe in myself.

After RYLA, I have tried to practice what I learnt, to challenge myself, and to be kinder to myself and others; in communicating, listening, and considering, without overthinking.

I came home with four challenges that I wanted to work on, and I am feeling more comfortable with them after practicing. I will move on to new challenges when I feel comfortable with these.

The program itself was really well organised, each seminar perfectly complemented the last. I was continuously challenged, and I became so addicted to that feeling of accomplishment after overcoming adversity that I seek out challenges in my day to day life. Everyone could benefit from RYLA.

I made so many friends that I am still catching up with, 12 weeks after the program finished. The friendships that I made at RYLA are different to my other friendships; we are a very diverse group, and the friends I made aren’t necessarily the people I would seek out in everyday life, but these people share the same values as me, and they now also share an experience. We keep each other accountable for our goals and honest, and I am very grateful to have friends that are so invested in my personal development.

Moving forward I am hoping to go back next year as a volunteer, (but that’s not really up to me). I am also going to join Rotaract, so that I can continue to meet other like-minded young people.

Thank you, Flemington-Kensington Rotary, a million times, for the opportunity, I learnt so much and made so many friends. I loved RYLA, and I’m so grateful for this opportunity!

Shine On Awards

Congratulations to Lucinda Simpson from Ascot Vale Special School on winning the Youth Category at this year's Shine On Awards.

We nominated Lucy on the recommendation of her teachers and Principal and she was chose for her contributions and dedication.
Unfortunately, the awards celebration was cancelled due to the COVID-19 restrictions but we hope to welcome Lucy to one of our meetings later this year.

Rotary in the time of COVID-19

Life as we Rotarians have known it has come to an abrupt standstill. Instead of travelling many kilometres each week on Rotary work - Donations in Kind, WERN, the Op Shop or Ft4 Use Store, collecting playgrounds, books or donated goods, we are suddenly housebound. While many of us continue to work by phone and computer, the hands on and socially fulfilling work has stopped.

How are we filling our time now?

We know that many of us are still working - whether onsite or at home.

But what are you doing in your extra time?

A Way to Wash the Water Clean

Ludovic Grosjean of the Melbourne City Rotaract Club was recognised last year as an innovator, and awarded at the UN Environment Program in Nairobi.

He is featured in this month's Rotarian where he speak about his work to clean up the rivers, starting with our own Yarra River where he and fellow Rotaractors hold clean up working bees monthy.

https://www.rotary.org/en/way-to-wash-water-clean

International Women's Day at Moonee Valley

Members of our club joined with some of our supportive sponsors and students from Lunt Alexander College in this year's revamped International Women's Day breakfast.
Held at the magnificent Clocktower venue and supported by all the Rotary Clubs in Moonee Valley, participants were treated to 4 outstanding speakers who shared their experiences and motivation to overcome disadvantage/difficulties in participating in or working in a sporting arena.

Michelle Errichello, Nawab Hersi, Melissa Ensink and Maria Englezakis all had different issues and challenges but powered through to success. Hearing their stories was motivational for all of us, not just the students.

Thank you to Moonee Valley Council, and particularly Mayor Samantha Byrne and Councillors Nicole Marshall, Rebecca Gauci Maurici, Narelle Sharpe and Andrea Surace, and the council and Clocktower staff.

Intergenerational Multicultural Choir

The Intergenerational Multicultural Choir meets to sing and enjoy each others company on Thursday mornings at the Kensington Neighbourhood Centre at 18 Anthony Street in Kensington, near the Town Hall. The purpose is to bring together people of all ages and from all cultural backgrounds through the joy of song. Led by experienced Choir Mistress Ruth Kennedy, the participants enjoy singing a range of songs, interacting with each other and watching the children sing and dance.

For more information contact Anne McMahon on 0424 560 621 READ MORE

Congratulations Matiu

Congratulations Matiu on being selected as one of the Impact25 in the 2019 ProBono Awards,
recognising positive impact in the community.

From a shortlist of 150 individuals, the sector has chosen the 25 most inspiring and influential people in the social economy for 2019. This year, more than 430 individuals were nominated to highlight their contributions to the social sector and their wider communities, individuals actively achieving positive change in the community..

The awards, run in partnership with Community Sector Banking, are a well-established accolade recognising the most influential people in civil society as nominated and voted for by their peers.

The Impact 25 winners will be now celebrated at the 2019 Impact 25 Awards night on 19 March, when the judges will also reveal who has been chosen as 2019’s innovator, collaborator and influencer.
humanitix.com/2019-impact-25-awards-and-20-years-of-pro-bono-australia/tickets

Installation of playground at Lunuwilla, North West Province, Sri Lanka

The latest playground installation has been at the Buddhist Primary School in Lunuwila, North West Province of Sri Lanka through the Rotary Club of Negombo.

This playground was sourced from Lake Avenue Ocean Grove by the Rotarians at Ocean Grove led by Rod Greer.

Photo album

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.