I hope this email finds you well. There's been quite a bit going on in the last month or so, which is not surprising. Our Club is active and on the move!
March saw our Club at the Moonee Valley Festival at Queens Park, cooking up a storm and chatting about all things Rotary! Thank you to the wonderful volunteers who gave their time to set up, cook, clean and serve. Thank you also to Anwar for the use of the trailer and John Sklenar for overseeing the successful day. READ MORE
At Donations in Kind, Peter and Lesley met Past RI President Jennifer Jones, who saw firsthand the important work that Donations in Kind does in the community.
She interviewed Lesley on the opportunities available in the education aisle and chatted to Peter while he sorted clothing. Our member Anwar spent 2 days the week prior painting the staffroom in preparation for Jennifer's visit.
In partnership with DIK and the Rotary Clubs of Essendon and Columbo, we supplied our third container of medical goods to Sri Lanka for the Stroke units. Thanks to a stellar effort from members such as Lesley McCarthy, Shraddha Sharma, Nicole Marshall, Peter Cribb, John Sklenar, Jo Walker and Chris Richardson, this equipment was collected, sorted, packed and loaded and will be invaluable to the 2 hospitals targetted: Kalutara and Hambatota. Facebook
The RORP project continues with significant support from the Rotary Clubs of Pascoe Vale and Williamstown. With John Farmery overseas, PP Grant Stanfield has taken in the task of developing plans. See report.
The guest speaker at this month's Fellowship dinner was TJ Truong and his mum Giang Le. TJ was the recipient of last year's Ted Frank award at Mount Alexander College. TJ shows great promise, studying Commerce at Melbourne University, and is very interested in working with our club on future projects.
It was also lovely to welcome back Anthony McManus and Josie Magri after their long hiatus!
The Food and Friends project is still on hold whilst we await further clarification from Moonee Valley City Council. This is proving quite challenging, and I am trying to find other options so we can continue this important community project.
On behalf of the Board and members, I would like to wish retiring Federal Labour Minister and dear friend of Rotary Mr Danny Pearson every success for his future endeavours, and thank him for the wonderful support that he has given Rotary over the years. I hope and his family can now take a well-deserved break before embarking on his next adventure, whatever that may be!
Almoner's Report:
Karolina had a nasty fall on the railway tracks at Sandringham and is sporting a black eye and bandaged forehead. Get well soon!
Geoff and Dulcie have moved into their new home at Ardmillan House - 315/11 Derby Place, Moonee Ponds. Contact Lesley for the address, visitors welcome.
Geoff has been in hospital again, having some more skin cancer removals including a nasty one in his throat. He is eating OK!!
Shraddha has just returned from an emergency trip to India. Rakesh's father passed away suddenly necessitating a family trip to support his mum. Our love and thoughts are with Rakesh and Shraddha, Ricky and Nina, the children and family back in India.
Rotary Youth Exchange - Lenka
Lenka has had a very busy couple of months and a very full Easter school holiday.
She attended a Melbourne Storm Rugby match with Hayden and Jess Smith - luckily Storm won. She met her first bogan Rugby fan.
With her host family, she then spent the long weekend at Goughs Bay and Mansfield and visited Lake Eildon. They also went to a rodeo. Surprisingly, there were fewer injuries than in rugby, which everyone can interpret in their own way.
She hiked part of Mt Buller after going most of the way in a cable car and took lots of photos.
One more important thing: the area around the cottage was absolutely great for bird watching. You could see a lot of them from the terrace alone, and someone reportedly spotted 23 different species there in one day. So yes, the trip was great — rugby, lakes, rodeo, mountains — but of course birds too.
Over Easter, Lenka went to Mornington with Hayden and Jess, then spent a week on Airlie Beach with them.
On return she and her host family travelled to Tasmania for a week.
Report on the way!!
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RORP 9800: Peter Cribb
With support from Pascoe Vale and Williamstown Rotary, playground tasks continue.
1. The playground at Warringa Reserve, Hillside has been dismantled, collected and is waiting at the West Sunshine depot.
2. The playgrounds at Springbank and Sugargum Reserves, Taylors Hill will be collected this week by Pascoe Vale.
3. The playground at Cliff Harvey Lagoon, Keilor was inspected and photographed by Lesley and Grant Stanfield is now developing the plans. Harvest date late July.
4. The playground at Balmoral Park, Derrimut was inspected by Stuart Catley and team from Williamstown, and photographs taken. Harvest date 1st week of May.
5. Playgrounds at West Melton Reserve and Edina Street, Hobsons Bay have been inspected and photographed.
Payments have been received for Springbank, Sugargum, Warringah and invoices sent for Cliff Harvey, Balmoral Park and West Melton.
All going to plan, this container will be ready to ship to the Maldives {with 6 pallets of books for children} end July.
1. 10 hospital beds for the emergency care unit in Western Province Sri Lanka has been arranged through RARE, South Australia. This has been subsidised by a donation from BEAP and Nihal De Run.
2. The container of medical equipment for the stroke units in Sri Lanka has been completed. Thanks to DiK and to Lesley, Shraddha, Nicole, John Sklenar, Chris and Jo who assisted with collecting, packing and loading.
Sunil Perera and John Odgers from Essendon Rotary assisted on loading day – their club donated $2000 to support shipping costs.
3. Medical container #2 to Puntland. Awaiting information from Abdi, Sareeyo and Shirhan. Fundraising in progress, wishlist received. Not yet in the queue at DiK.
4. Request for assistance in sending emergency services equipment to Gambia. Jason from RC Pascoe Vale has already sent one when he was in the UK. Fundraising and goods collection in progress. As we are DiK members we have access to goods and shipping and can facilitate.
OP SHOP REPORT: Lesley McCarthy March was a very good month, and April started well boosted by Easter sales. Thanks to Jo for her fabulous Easter window display.
Juliet and Liam, 2 of Nicole's children are volunteering on a Saturday. They are both working towards the Duke of Edinburgh Award and this assists with their community service.
The shop will be closed on Anzac Day.
Jo has started a Mother's Day window display and shop dressing with assistance from Nahla.
Our donations to RIMERN and Red Nose Day continue on a fortnightly basis.
Peter Duras from Central Melbourne Rotary also collects for Youth Projects - homeless.
Ascot Vale Heights Special School asked last year if we could assist with a garden project. They did not have a year 12 student for the Shine On Award so requested this in lieu. The Board approved and added some $ to assist. We are waiting for confirmation of start date.
Applications for NYSF open this week.
The program invites current Year 11 students from across Australia who are interested in STEM to explore future study and career pathways. Participants attend residential sessions in January, where they visit leading STEM facilities, meet researchers and industry professionals, and connect with like-minded peers.
For more information, including program dates, financial support options, and how to apply, visit nysf.edu.au/year-12-program
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Rotary Service Above Self award.
Congratulations to PDG Ross Butterworth on receiving the Rotary Service Above Self award.
This recognises his many years of work supporting District 9800 projects and particularly Western Emergency Relief Network (WERN) and Busyfeet.
It was wonderful that it could be presented by past RI President Jennifer Jones and Foundation trustee Dennis Shore.
RIMERN:
Susie has put out a request for clubs to assist with a new aid package.
There is need for extra support for aboriginal clients as they are setting up homes, often with no agency funding to cover fridges, washing machines or deliveries.
We're hoping that all 22 Clubs will get behind a special project to support clients referred by our 8 aboriginal agencies, either as individual Clubs or in small groups to achieve District (Rotary Foundation) Matching Grants, to cover the cost of whitegoods and to either pay in full or subsidise professional delivery fees.
There is also a call for saucepans with lids as stock is very low.
Contact Lesley for more information.
A reminder that volunteers are needed Tuesday to Thursday and Saturday mornings.
Club Leadership and Learning Seminar (formerly known as the District Assembly)
Sunday 24 May 9am to 1pm at Camberwell High School.
All Board members and interested members are invited to attend. There are presentations for Board roles as well as Foundation, Public Image and Membership.
Mel will provide details as they are advised to her.
Rotary South Pacific's Andrew Best appeared on Today this morning, citing a shift in dietary requirements as the motivation. In a move that's sure to divide opinion, a community group has said they have controversially chosen to stop fundraising, using the traditional Bunnings sausage sizzle. LOL
Victorian Volunteering Awards.
The Victorian Volunteering Awards are an opportunity to recognise and thank volunteers across Victoria for the incredible contributions they make to our state and local communities.
Nominate someone now - we all know someone who deserves to be recognised for their service. HERE
GRANT OPPORTUNITIES:
Transurban is running a special round of Community Grants to support local organisations where we operate our roads. This is in addition to our annual Community Grants Program that will run later in 2026.
Transurban is conscious of the pressures being felt by our customers and communities. To help meet the increased demand for essentials, this additional round will offer grants of up to $10,000 to community organisations providing emergency relief such as access to food, housing, and transport.
Further information and a link to the application form is available on the Transurban website. Applications will close on 5 May 2026.
2. Albert & Barbara Tucker Foundation Annual Grant Program 2026 READ MORE
President Elect Training weekend: 2-3 May Wednesday 6 May: Breakfast at Mama Bear
Saturday 16 May: Rotary's Epic Day of Service
Wednesday 20 May: Dinner at Doutta Galla
Thursday 21 May: DIstrict Foundation Seminar online 8pm
OR Sunday 24 May at 4pm BOOK HERE
Sunday 24 May: CLLS
Wednesday 3 June: Breakfast at Mama Bear
Rotary founder Paul Harris was born on 19 April 1868 in Racine, Wisconsin, USA. Thanks to his extraordinary vision, Rotary members around the world remain united to this day by a shared sense of purpose and dedication to service.
Smith - luckily Storm won. She met her first bogan Rugby fan.
roved and added some $ to assist. We are waiting for confirmation of start date.
Congratulations to PDG Ross Butterworth on receiving the Rotary Service Above Self award. 
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