
for the homeless.
David Jessup, the Australian High Commissioner to the Maldives has sent through this report from DFAT’s Public Diplomacy update.
He says that they are really pleased at the reception the project has received both in Maldives and within DFAT. I wanted to share this with you as the significant contribution from the Rotary Club of Flemington/Kensington to the project has been recognised here.The donation of thousands of books to 29 schools and public libraries across 15 atolls in the Maldives will reap goodwill for Australia in Maldivian communities for years to come. Maldives has 187 inhabited islands, the majority of which have their own local schools with great unmet demand for books and teaching resources – by providing the books to schools and libraries, Australia responded to this need.
The books and school resources were collected by the Rotary Club of Flemington/Kensington in Melbourne, sourced from Rotary Donations in Kind, individual donations and a partnership with a former South Melbourne Market bookseller, Robert.Post then leveraged its Maldivian connections to handle, sort, and distribute the books.
An Australia Awards alumna, Asima Abdul Gadir, led a team of volunteers that vetted, stamped, and organised the distribution of all the books to different communities.
Imagine a classroom filled with refugee students, eager to learn but uncertain of their future; and teachers who are also refugees, relying solely on tuition fees for their livelihood. When fees can’t be paid, education stops, and both students and teachers face hardship. This is the situation at the refugee camp in Kassala, South Sudan. UN Media
Your donation can change this. By contributing, you provide a lifeline for teachers to continue their work without interruption, and for students to receive the education they deserve. This program ensures stability and hope for all involved, creating a brighter future where learning never stops. Together, we can break the cycle of uncertainty and empower a generation of refugees with knowledge and opportunity. Join us in making a lasting impact today.
Rotary is supporting fundraising with BBQ at Moonee Valley Festival on 22 February where all proceeds will go towards this project.
The atmosphere buzzed with excitement and anticipation as they learned the ins and outs of operating these powerful machines.After two days of hands-on training and teamwork, the moment of truth arrived: all six volunteers passed the course with flying colours! Their hard work and determination paid off, and the sense of accomplishment was palpable.
Well done Peter and the other dedicated volunteers - this will ensure that the load doesn't just fall on one or two.
The DIK team couldn’t have been prouder. Thanks to the newfound skills of these volunteers, the warehouse now had enhanced capacity, allowing for more efficient movement of the vast array of goods. With their collective efforts, the team was poised to make an even greater impact in the community.Run by a WorkSafe expert trainer, the training was thorough and included OH&S, basics of safety using a forklft and checks prior to and postuse.
The Polio Plus Society, a fundraising and recognition program specifically to support the worldwide effort to eradicate polio, is now open to District 9800 Rotarians. Members pledge to donate at least US$100 annually to the PolioPlus Fund until polio is gone from the world. To become part of this exciting venture, simply complete the Commitment Form and continue to donate to this vital program until polio is only a memory. You will receive a certificate and pin; and your contribution will count towards Paul Harris Fellow recognition and Major Donor status.
Inaugural members of the District 9800 Polio Plus Society will receive their recognitions at a launch event is planned for 15 April.
The Polio Plus Society brochure and commitment form are here: https://www.rotarydistrict9800.org.au/sitepage/foundation/polio-plus-society
If you have any questions or would like more information please contact Polio Plus Co-ordinator,
Jane Pennington. Email: Jane.Pennington@rotary9800.org
A new PhD research project funded by Australian Rotary Health and the /Rotary Club of Flemington Kensington PhD Scholarship. is aiming to equip schoolteachers with evidence-based strategies to tackle mental health problems in the classroom.
Former teacher and hD candidate Catherine Johnson knows first-hand about the impact a student’s sense of wellbeing has on their ability to learn and reach their potential.
“When I started in the classroom, my training did not prepare me for the complexity of student concerns and needs that arose, which led me to want to explore how to best provide training to teachers in supporting student mental health,” Ms Johnson said.
Service Above Self
Flemington, VIC 3031
Australia