Mama Bear was again the venue for a positive and enjoyable meeting as we welcomed some new members.
This was Deborah Ryan's first meeting as a new member after her induction on 18 September and she was joined by fellow Op Shop volunteer Fran Stratford. Hayden Smith also joined us along with partner Jess. Hayden has applied for membership after experiencing such a warm welcome during the DG visit. A former youth exchange student, Hayden and Jess were able to meet several members who had not been able to attend.
Also joining us today, Adam Vaid, a friend of Shraddha's who is interested in Rotary,
It was good to welcome back Josie who has been unwell and Haruka who has been very busy with her studies.
Lesley congratulated John and Anna Sklenar on the birth of their 5th grandchild, a boy Luka born on 27/9 , 3rd child for daughter Ann and husband Ante. Luka joins Nicholas and Maja. John's son John and his wife Melissa have 2 girls; Emma 3 and Ava 2 months.
She also put out a call for help at 3 upcoming events:
Bunnings BBQ Saturday 9 November 9-4
Bunnings BBQ Saturday 9 November 9-4
RYDA Tuesday 12 November in Broadmeadows 9.30-2.30
MVCC Carols in Queens Park Saturday 7 December 4-8
Present.
Jo Walker, Lesley McCarthy, Jess and Hayden Smith, Adam Vaid, Mahommed Abbas Omar, Josie Magri, Peter Cribb, Deborah Ryan, Frances Stratford, Haruka Tanaka, Abdi Hassan
Apologies
John Slenar, Shraddha Sharma, Melina Caccettaa, Alex De Bortoli, Karolina Sevcikova, Jeff Weitzel, Beate McManus, Nicole Marshall
Announcements
- Lesley introduced Adam Vaid, a friend of Rakesh Bhagwani. Adam is planning to become a member.
- RYDA project (Rotary Youth Driver Awareness). This event will be held on 12 November at Broadmeadows. MAC has confirmed attendance of 150 students. Five members needed on the day to supervise groups of students. Shraddha, Lesley, Peter, Jo volunteered.
- Our youth exchange student, Jay will be starting his youth exchange program at a school in Copenhagen on 6 January 2025.
Project Updates
- Stroke Recovery Project Sri Lanka. The second container of equipment of 85 beds and mattresses has been delivered to Columbo and unpacked. They are on their way to the dedicated stroke units.
- Books to Maldives. The shipment of books has arrived in Male and been unpacked. These will be sorted and used to establish small community libraries throughout the islands.
- Back to School Global Grant program, Nepal. The second core group committee meeting was held by zoom on Friday 27 September. Attendees were from RC Flem-Ken and RC Tripureswore.
Shraddha and Peter have developed an online web App to be used by the Club to collect and process donations modelled on the App developed by Sputnik Girls Home. Once set up, the App can be used to received donations for our projects – one in Kassala in association with EAHA, and the other in Nepal with RC Tripureswore. Adam has agreed to review the Draft Letter of Understanding with Sputnik. Bendigo Bank has contributed $3300 towards the project.
Jo announced she will be attending the Zone 8 Conference in Queenstown, NZ 1-3 November. Adam also expressed his interest in attending and Jo will send the link.