Flemington Kensington News June 20, 2026 (Jun. 20, 2026)

Dear Members

We had a very enjoyable meeting and Club Forum last week. It was lovely to welcome Lenka back after the Youth Exchange Safari.

It was also great to welcome back Lachie Janewski, Antonia and Elaine Mendoza and Barbara Ryan.

There were several members missing due to family, work and travel commitments - in fact they were worldwide! Shraddha and Abdi in India, Peter in Bathurst, Beate and Bill at Leopold!

We also held our 2nd Club Forum reflecting on the last 12 months and discussing ideas, projects and goals for the coming year. Jeff, Peter and the Board now have feedback for the next Strategic Plan.

We had discussions about possible support for the area of the Philippines devastated by the recent earthquake. Antonio quickly made a contact.

Lachie and Elaine have offered to work on the club's social media sites.

Reminder that the Club Changeover will be held on Wednesday 1st July at Riverside Golf Club. We need to confirm numbers by 25th so please RSVP to me or pay into the club account BSB 633-000 Account number 151 262 821 with your name as reference.

ALMONER'S REPORT:
Geoff Cawsey is undergoing radiation treatment for cancer at the moment. Dulcie reports that he is going well. He has another minor surgery planned.

Soraya has recovered from her broken arm and fall.

We send encouragement and best wishes to all our students and the children of our members as they sit midyear exams!

REMINDERS:
Apply for your vehicle registration refund by 31 July. HERE

Are you over 75? The RSV vaccine is free for you. See your GP.

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FOR YOUR CALENDAR:
Saturday 27 June: District Changeover at Hawthorn Arts Centre, 12-3.

BOOK HERE

Wednesday 1 July: Club Changeover at Riverside Golf Club
Friday 3 July: RIMERN's 5th birthday
Camberwell Art Show opens
Wednesday 15th July: Dinner meeting
Sunday 26th July - National Tree Day at Boeing Reserve Strathmore.
As well as planting, we will be working with Kelor East on the BBQ and 'manning' an information booth.
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Board report:

At the recent Board meeting, we again discussed club health and leadership going forward.

The Treasurer's report indicated that our bank accounts are healthy.
The annual membership for DiK was paid.
International:
Maldives playground project has 7 playgrounds waiting, and 2 to be harvested in coming weeks. This together with 5 pallets of books from DiK will ship July hopefully.
Puntland/Somalia project #1 with Abdi and Mohammed is on hold waiting fnds for shipping.
Puntland/Somalia project #2 with Soraya, Shirhan and Abid is progressing fundraising well. A wishlist will be received soon. This medical container will go to Galkayo, the third-largest city in Somalia and serves as the capital of the north-central Mudug region.
Nepal:
Shraddha reported on assessments completed by the students and was pleased with the growth. REPORT
She also presented Rhys' report on the Laligurash School project which we support.

RYDA: a grant has been applied for to Kinetic to fund buses for another 4 schools in the coming year.

Youth: We have 2 candidates for NYSF so far - Liam and Ava. There has not been any nomination from MAC.

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Club Leadership and Learning Seminar:
This is the new name for what was District Assembly.

Jeff, Chris, Jo and Lesley attended on Sunday 24th May.

The morning included presentations for incoming presidents, secretaries, treasurers, club, community, international and youth service, environment and public image.
Links to the presentations:

A highlight of the morning was Past RI Zone Chair Jesse Harman's presentation on membership which Jo has precis'ed for us. LINK
The take-away:
We have spent a lot of time trying to make members fit our clubs. Now it’s time to make our clubs fit our members.

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Rotary Youth Exchange - Lenka

Lenka had an amazing Safari experiencing the size and distances of the Northern Territory.

Over the 10 days, 19 youth exchange students and 2 chaperones travelled about 9,000kms!

Darwin, Kakadu, Corroboree Billabong, Katherine, Nitnit Gorge, Alice Springs, Kata Tjuta, Artilla, Kings Canyon and Uluru.

National Volunteer Week:
Jo attended an event hosted by Volunteer West {she and Chris have attended their events on behalf of the club before}.

The Australian Multicultural Community Services (ACMS) centre is focused on uplifting the profile and practice of inclusive volunteering for economic and social wellbeing.

Some interesting insights and statistics:

69% of volunteers are female (23% are male and 8% unspecified.)
In 2025, 13 women new to Australia completed a six-month leadership and volunteering program that built confidence, practical skills and community connection with reducing isolation and encouraging active participation.
Growing demand and declining volunteer numbers are creating challenges across the volunteer sector.
Newly arrived migrants are eager to volunteer but face barriers in access, onboarding and support.
Inclusive, plain-language and culturally responsive practices can improve volunteer participation and belonging.
Stronger alignment between volunteer roles and organisational purpose creates benefits for both organisations and communities.

Presenters included hearing the inspiring stories from Newly Arrived Migrants who had started their Australian journey in a volunteer role and from that beginning, were able to enter the workforce with more confidence and skills.

The event concluded with a selection of delicious multi-cultural food.

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OP SHOP REPORT: Lesley McCarthy
May was a very good month, boosted by Mother's Day sales.
We sold $500 of items on Facebook Marketplace. Thanks again to Jo for her window and table displays. We now have a range of plants available for sale as well.

Donations to RIMERN and Red Nose Day continue on a fortnightly basis.
Peter Duras from Central Melbourne Rotary also collects for Youth Projects for the homeless.
Recycling and redistribution to several partner organisations continues.

Recently we have directed a number of items of musical equipment to MAC, books to Ascot Vale Heights school and arts and crafts items to Kensington Community HS.

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Rotary Op Shop 3031

We don't just sell secondhand goods. The shop collects items which are then directed to multiple destinations:

* baby and children's clothes for the Caroline Chisholm Society,

* kitchen and household goods for Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Network - RIMERN

* picture story books for Maternal & Child Health nurses and to The Venny and Djerring Hub children's programs to distribute to children

* sanitary and toiletry products for Share the Dignity

* Mobile Muster phone collection

* recycling of textiles and worn/damaged clothing

* toiletries, warm clothing and sleeping bags for the homeless through Youth Projects

* mobility aids for older and disabled people

* electric cables and chargers

*** coming soon batteries, plastic bottle lids, bread tags, foil medication packs, spectacles

Drop off to us at 444 Racecourse Road in Flemington.

Open Wednesday to Friday 11-4 and Saturdays 10-2. Access via rear lane for large drop offs.

Community Group Club changeovers:

Essendon - Friday 26th June, Windy Hill - contact Michael 0418991175
Footscray - Thursday 2nd July at the Plough Hotel - contact Maria Silber

Keilor East - Sunday 28th June at Riverside Golf Club for lunch. contact Yvonne

North Melbourne - Thursday 2nd July at the Mercure Hotel BOOK HERE

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Order of Timor Leste presented to Spend it Well.

Kris Webb, Simon Fenby and Nandy Gurr have been
presented with the Order of Timor Leste by His Excellency the President José Ramos Horta in recognition of their contribution to Timor-Leste and its' people.
Spend it Well established in 2009 and has now opened its 30th school 17 years later.

Donations in Kind sends several containers of educational furniture and goods to Timor Leste each year. Several schools have also received playgrounds from RORP.

Simon is the son of former member Barrie and a friend of Peter's.

Congratulations Kris, Simon and Nandy - your efforts are amazing.

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City of Melbourne news:

Melanie Del Monaco who has been our Kensington liaison for many years has moved to another role temporarily.

Our new contact is Lachlan Johansen who will step in as Acting Neighbourhood Partner for Kensington - Lachlan.Johansen@melbourne.vic.gov.au

Flem-Ken Writers Festival will be hitting the neighbourhood, July 17-19. Check out the range of activities and program here: https://www.flemkenwritersfestival.org/

Kensington Neighbourhood Portal.

Moonee Valley Council news:

Melbourne Water released the flood mapping for stormwater flooding in Moonee Valley. Moonee Valley flood mapping | Melbourne Water

Vallery View Magazine: Discover Valley View Magazine - Moonee Valley City Council

National Tree Day Sunday 26th July at Boeing Reserve Strathmore Heights.

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