The September evening meeting was filled with fun, friendship and frolics as we welcomed District Governor Michael Lapina and his entourage to Riverside Golf Club. The magic hat made another appearance was flourished for "Michael's Magical Minute".
District Governor Michael presented PP Shraddha with a Rotary International President's Citation for achieving the club goals so strongly in 2023-2024.
Also attending were NYSF candidates Simeon Butler and Charlotte Marshall-Pearson, Del King scholar Sarah Alman and RYPEN candidate Ava. Maria Silber {Footscray} and Chri Richardson {Essendon North} from the District youth team joined us and welcomed students.
A feature of the evening was the induction of new member Deborah Ryan, a long time Op Shop volunteer who was formally welcomed by DG Michael. She brought along her husband Kevin who was familiar face to many. Congratulations and welcome Deborah.
Prospective member Hayden Smith was a welcome guest and had the pleasure of conversation with Drew, Jo and DG Michael as well as other members.
Thaks to Susan Robb from North Melbourne Rotary who shared with us the forthcoming "Big Serve" Tennis tournament - thanks to Alex Lapina and Drew for the exhibition with the big racquets. See flyer below.
1. CONGRATULATIONS PP Peter Cribb. Peter was advised this week that he has been shortlisted in theVictorian Senior of the Year Awards. The awards ceremony will be held at Government House on 24 October. Peter was nominated for his inspirational leadership and implementation of a number of significant projects through Rotary over many years.
2. Did you see our club story in this month's issue of Rotary Down Under? Congratulations to Shraddha's niece Maria for her photo of Samira with a seedling - a lovely focus to the National Tree Day article.
3. PP Shraddha together with PP Peter Cribb applied for a grant through the Bendigo Bank Inner West Community Enterprises. This grant, to support the development of a fundraising APP has been successful. The APP will be similar to that used by the Sputnik Girls Orphanage in Kurunegala, Sri Lanka.
4. Lesley McCarthy, Nicole Marshall, Jo Walker and Karolina Sevcikova attended the 1st birthday celebrations at Djerring Hub on 9th September. We took the opportunity to catch up with many local community members including Hadia, Shadia and Edem, MHFA participants, as well as Chris Richardson {Essendon North}. Cathy Connop, Boyd Maplestone, Frank Di Noto and others.
The event was the focus to acknowledge recent graduates from the MVCC Women Leadership program -with some very talented and positive women. READ MORE
5. We have agreed to collaborate with the BEAP Foundation and the Rotary of Colombo, our long-term sister club in supporting the Accident & Emergency Trauma Hospital at Batticoloa in the remote eastern part of Sri Lanka. Mr Nihal De Run and PDG Senake Ameresinghe have worked with Peter Cribb on projects previously.
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PROJECT UPDATES: 1. Sri Lanka Stroke Project: Peter continues to liaise with Dr Harsha. Container #2 sent from DiK is now released on direct authority from the Ministry of Health. A distribution last has been created and items will now be sent to 15 different hospitals across Sri Lanka. The 50 beds have gone to the 8 hospitals most in need. READ MORE
2. Books to the Maldives - Peter was informed that the books and stationery have arrived in Male and were transferred to a facility awaiting distribution. READ MORE.
3. Jarriban Hospital - this container has shipped.
4. Nepal Education and teacher training: Payment of our contribution to this Global Grant project has been finalised. Shraddha has scheduled monthly meetings with RC Tri[pureswor on implementation.
5. RYDA - We have received a grant from Transurban to assist with transport costs for the program. The initial program will run on 12 November at the Broadmeadows training site with 150 students from MAC. We need 5 members to assist with supervision of groups and activities.
Contact Shraddha to RSVP - no heavy activity.
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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Wednesday 2 October: Breakfast at Mama Bear 7.45am
October: Walk With Us to End Polio - join our team
Wednesday 16 October: Dinner at Hardimans Hotel. Speaker TBC.
Friday 25 to Sunday 29 October - RYPEN at Doxa, Malmsbury
Wednesday 6 November: Breakfast
Saturday 9 November: Bunnings BBQ Maribyrnong - all members needed to help
12 November: RYDA program at Broadmeadows - member assistance needed
Saturday 16 November: RLI
Sunday 17 November: Kensington Market - member assistance needed
Wednesday 20 November: Dinner meeting venue TBC ==========================================
The Big Serve:
We were delighted to welcome Susan Robb from North Melbourne Rotary to last week's meeting where she spoke to us about The Big Serve. This wonderful event will showcase and fundraise for mental health and is an initiative of Brighton North, North Melbourne and Southbank. The event involves a fun twist: playing tennis individually or as teams using a 'Jumbo Size' Tennis racket.
It will be held at the Maribyrnong Park Tennis Club on Sunday 27 October 1-4pm.
Entry is free with gold coin donations. Register at Humanitix
OCTOBER IN ROTARY IS VERY BUSY:
October is Community Economic Development Month BUT we also focus on: Walk With Us to End Polio - LINK Lift the Lid for Mental Health LINK
7-13 October — Rotary Alumni Reconnect Week
24 October — World Polio Day
30 October–2 November — Rotaract UN Days: Future Global Leaders in Action
It is just a plane trip away! This World Polio Day, we’re relying on people like you to lead the way as we keep working to provide critical funding for vaccination campaigns, public awareness initiatives, and health care infrastructure.
With our supporters, partners, and leaders, we’ve helped immunize more than 3 billion children against polio in 122 countries.
All District 9800 Clubs are invited to nominate a candidate for the position of District Governor, Rotary International District 9800 Inc., to take office in the Rotary year 2027-2028.
As you would be aware there will be changes to the role of the District Governor which are being piloted as part of the Zone 8 Regionalisation Pilot. The pilot is scheduled to conclude in June 2026, following which there will be a review of the pilot outcomes, and further decisions will be made concerning the future role of the District Governor.
Any applicants for the role of District Governor in 2027-28 must be advised that the responsibilities at that time may be different to the current District Governor role as defined by Rotary International in the RI Bylaw 16.030.
The successful candidate will be required to attend the Governor Nominee Training Seminar (GNTS) and the RI Zone Institute. The precise dates and location will be advised when available. The cost of attending this event will be covered by District. The closing date for nominations for District Governor Nominee 2027-2028 who will take office on 1st July 2027 is Friday, 10 January 2025.
Eligible candidates must have been a Rotarian for a minimum of seven years and have been a past president of a Rotary Club.
Please see Lesley for further information if you are interested in this opportunity.
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LOOKING FOR WORK:
Anwar Alishek, former member and good friend of the club and our members is seeking work. Anwar has done home handyman and maintenance jobs for many of us and previously assisted Ted Frank on maintenance of his rental properties. He lives in St Albans and has an ABN.
He is skilled at:
- carpentry
- painting
- general home repairs
- gardening
- home handyman type jobs
Contact Anwar on 0401 372 713
Peter Cribb, Allan Bruno, Lesley McCarthy and Anne Dynon can provide references.
Ongoing person to manage IT. (Google based emails and documents, and webpress webpage)
Home based
Supervisor for 1-2 Saturdays per month
Warehouse
Additional Good Selection Hosts required
Warehouse
An accountant to be a back up for current accountant when on leave etc
Home based
General warehouse volunteers – don’t have to be Rotary members. Regular commitment preferred – doesn’t have to be weekly, can be fortnightly or monthly
Warehouse
More volunteers for Saturday collection team – particularly jockeys
Warehouse
Person to train in testing and tagging of electrical goods. Can do in own time, warehouse doesn’t have to be open
Warehouse
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