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It was the week before Christmas and .....
Greetings everyone,There was such joy along with the conversation as many of us were able to gather together at the Doutta Galla Hotel last week.  As at any gathering at this time of year there were people who could not attend - as well as our members who are still unwell.  But those who did had a wonderful time catching up on a  the news and events of the year.
 
 
Almoner's Report:
Ted Frank continues to undergo rehabilitation at Caulfield Hospital with progress but slowly.  Helene reports that he has been allowed to have family visit now, and son Richard has come down from Queensland.  
 
Geoff is on the mend after a recent hospital visit and with new medication and hopes to be back in action at bowls in the new year.
 
Len had a nasty fall 2 weeks ago resulting in 5 broken ribs and pneumonia and was in hospital for some time. He is now home and will have a quiet Christmas.
 
Josie reports that her partner Brian is experiencing poor health - as she says he is 85 now and with that age come some frailties.  We hope they are able to enjoy their Christmas celebrations in good spirit.

Wishing you all a safe, happy and healthy Christmas and New Year.  Enjoy being with family and friends again but continue to take precautions and look after each other.
 
Our first meeting for 2022 will be breakfast at Mama Bear Cafe, corner Crown Street and Racecourse Road Flemington on Wednesday 2nd February.  7.30am for a 7.45am start.
 
We will have a social get together for dinner in January, date TBC.
 
Lesley
 
 
Member news:
Betty Kitchener and husband Tony Jorm have purchased a gorgeous new home at Korora on the northern New South Wales coast and will move in late January 2022.  After living at Kingscliff for several months when a holiday turned into lockdown, they fell in love with the climate and environment and have made the move.
Betty worked her last day in the Op Shop last week and she and Tony are currently busy packing up their busy lives and home ready for the move.
Our sincere thanks to Betty and Tony for their contributions over the last 2 years - at the Op Shop specially, but also at the Art Show and on our planting day. 
They will be missed and we wish them well.
 
PP Anne Heyes is holidaying with family at Somers on the Mornington Peninsular.  She is enjoying a very well earned rest after the tumult and emotional upheaval of the last 10 months.    We hope she together with sons David,Paul and Matthew, daughters in law Lea and Bec and grandsons Luke and Jake take the time to rewind and refresh.
 
Shraddha Sharma and daughter Samira have been reunited with husband/father Rakesh in Jaipur.  They will travel back to Kathmandu to sped Christmas with Shraddha's family before returning to Australia in late January.  Shradd has been exploring Rotary opportunities during her 8 month stay in Nepal and delving deeper into her Yoga studies.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Congratulations Matiu Bush
Matiu has been granted a full scholarship to undertake a PhD at Deakin University based on hotel quarantine.  With his experience of the last 2 years and his knowledge of epidemiology this is a perfect fit for him.  We wish him well.
In addition, Matiu's partner Graham has landed a permanent teaching job starting in 2022 teaching English and Psychology - in his first year as a qualified teacher.  Well done Graham.  
Del King Scholarship
The Del King Scholarship was inaugurated in 2019 following the tragic death of our Past President Del King. 

Del had been a serving policewoman in the Flemington and Kensington areas for many years, working with multicultural families and young people.  She had a passion for empowering these young people through education and "walked the talk".  She took on a role with our district in supporting the Rotary Youth Exchange program and hosted many international students for their exchanges here in Melbourne.  She also undertook the Kokoda Trek with students from MAC and St Bernard's with other police officers on 2 occasions.  Del also visited India on a Vocational Study Exchange with PDG Murray Verso.
 
The Del King Scholarship is awarded annually to a student entering Year11 and covers the 2 years of VCE for the nominated student.  
Award recipients have been:
Haniyah Abdou Said - 2019-2020 now studying art and fashion design at RMIT.
Zebin Gebreslase - 2021-2021.  Zebib has just completed VCE and will study International Relations and Politics at LaTrobe University in 2022.
Inas Adil Ahmed - 2021 - 2022 Inas has just completed year 11 and will also attend NYSF in January 2022
Habon Sani - 2022 - 2023
2021 School Scholarships:
Our club has continued to support local schools with scholarships this year.  Edith Chen attended the ceremony at Kensington Community High School and was able to present this year's awards.
 
Unfortunately, we did not have a member able to present at either Ascot Vale West Primary School or Ascot Vale Heights Special School but certificates and funds were sent.
 
The MAC ceremony was virtual and Lesley submitted a short video to go with the Honour Board and certificate.
The Edith Chen Award
Following a request from Board Member Edith, an award for a student from a multicultural background has been approved.  The criteria were English as a second language, strong academic results, female and in socio economic need.
 
The recipient of this year's award is Tiffany Bo who attended our Christmas dinner with her mother Carol.
Australian Rotary Health PhD Scholarship
As reported some months ago, the Board approved the club to nominate in sponsoring a PhD scholar through ARH to research mental health programs for children. 
 
I am pleased to announce that ARH have advised the successful candidate is Catherine Johnson who spoke to us back in August on her work on mental health.  Her research will involve training teachers to provide early intervention to primary school aged children. 
 
Catherine will study through the University of Melbourne under the supervision of Dr Laura Hart and Dr Jon Quach.    She has worked with Prof Tony Jorm and Betty Kitchener on MHFA in the past.
We look forward to having Catherine speak to us again in the new year.
 
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RIMERN continues to power ahead 
 
Today, I took a load of goods from or Flemington Op Shop to RIMERN to answer Susie's plea.  With a large number of Afghan refugees needing support, stock was low. 

Thanks to Mel, our Manager and daughter Alex, for organising goods we had on hand - sheets, blankets, pillows, doonas, pots and pans, slow cookers, frypans and more - all tested & tagged!
 
Richard Chater and I filled the lift!
 
RIMERN is still short of volunteers to help with sorting, unpacking and organising donations.  Volunteers {Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday 9.30-12.30 or 1.30-4.30} must be fully vaccinated.    Our club has nominated Thursdays so if you have some spare time and want to actively serve, this is the job for you.  It's fun, friendly, easy and rewarding.  Contact Lesley or Carolina to join us.
 
Any questions re tasks, please contact susie.cole@rotaryprahran.org.au or 0414 907 263.
 
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Op Shop electrical upgrade
Thanks to Denis O'Brien from Rotary West Footscray, the works have been completed at the shop.  Lesley applied for a grant through the Powering Communities Program of the Commonwealth Government.  Works included installation of a new, energy efficient reverse cycle airconditioner/heating unit.  All lights were upgraded and new lighting installed upstairs and on the stairs where it was very dark.  Exit signs and lights have also been installed.  Mel is delighted!
  
The Op Shop has now closed for the year and will reopen on 18 January 2022.  In3 weeks of trading, the shop has again exceeded its target.  Well done to Mel, Alex and all the volunteers for their efforts.
 
If people contact you re donations, Mel has asked they contact her rather than leave goods at the back/front door please.
 
Have you seen North West Inner City News yet?  We are pleased to be able to contribute stories each month and share our work and activities with residents of Melbourne, North and West Melbourne, Flemington, Kensington, Parkdale and Carlton.
 
 
To all our members, family, friends, colleagues and supporters, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a safe, happy, healthy and rewarding New Year in 2022.
 
 
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