By now you will have heard that Melina has resigned.
We thank her for her contributions to the club and her efforts at the Op Shop.
She is particularly commended for her initiative in organising the Food and Friends dinners held in November and December at Djerring Hub. These meals were very much appreciated by the local community and drew support from Rotarians in other clubs.
Peter and Lesley attended the Foundation Grants Seminar online this week. Attendance at this seminar is required for the club to apply for Foundation grants.
Chris, Jo, Jeff, John F and Lesley will attend the District Club Learning and Leadership Seminar on Sunday.
VALE Jim Cook
Jim was President of Rotary North Melbourne 1987-1988 during the time of our club charter. He was a very good friend to our club and as the local Real Estate Agent, hand-in-hand with our own Ted Frank.
He was the auctioneer 54 years when Sheila Byard purchased her home in Bangalore Street for 14,000 pounds; and was the landlord of Pepper Cafe when Frank DiNoto was owner.
Jim was a keen tennis player and with PDG Greg Ross, was one of Hamer's Heroes team.
Jim passed away a fortnight ago and his widow Olga reached out to me to advise friends and Rotarians of this sad news.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday 18 June at the West Brighton Club where Jim was a member. 2pm
At the recent Board meeting, the issue of club leadership was discussed. While a there are no immediate nominations for the role of President, conversations around a shared role are being held.
Recent donations have been approved for the following:
1. $350 towards a NICU bed at the Royal Children's Hospital in a multiclub project led by Rotary Pascoe Vale.
2. $500 towards an indigenous Op Shop multiclub project led by Rotary Brighton in conjunction with DiK.
3. $1000 towards the Laligurash education multiclub project in Nepal led by Rotary Central Melbourne.
4. $1000 to Ascot Vale Heights Special School towards a sensory garden project. They did not have a Year 12 student for the scholarship last year, so asked for assistance for this project in lieu.
This month's meetings have been Club Forums where members have been asked for their input around club leadership, operations and future project ideas. A number of possibilities have been suggested which will be discussed and formalised in coming weeks.
All members are encouraged to submit ideas for their 'passion project" - every successful Rotary project starts with one person's enthusiasm and lightbulb!
Please consider what enthuses you and how the club can act on this - no idea is out of bounds.
1. 10 hospital beds for the emergency care unit in Western Province Sri Lanka has been shipped through RARE, South Australia. This has been subsidised by a donation from BEAP and Nihal De Run.
2. The medical container #2 to Puntland. Awaiting information from Abdi, Sareeyo and Shirhan. Fundraising in progress, wishlist received. Not yet in the queue at DiK.
OP SHOP REPORT: Lesley McCarthy
April was a very good month, boosted by Easter sales. May has also been strong supported by the Mothers Day promotion, sales of high-cost items and Facebook Marketplace sales.
Thanks again to Jo for her window and table displays.
We now have a range of plants available for sale as well.
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.
We also welcomed Julia a new volunteer on Thursdays and Fridays. Julia has been a regular shopper with us for some time and brings youth, energy and graphic design skills to our team.
Another volunteer is awaiting her WWCC before starting.
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.
Thank you to our dedicated Op Shop volunteers who give their time and energy to helping our community.
Debra, Vinh, Rui, Nahla, Fran, Gael, Jo, Shraddha, Chris, Karolina, Lesley, Liam, Juliet, Julia.
Together they donate about 100 hours each 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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RIMERN:
Thank you to Suzanne and the Bendigo Bank Seddon for their grant towards assisting with transport costs for families accessing RIMERN. Many agencies are unable to afford the costs associated with delivering goods so this is a boon.
RIMERN has also asked 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.
Wednesday 1 July: Club Changeover at Riverside Golf Club
Friday 3 July: RIMERN's 5th birthday
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City of Melbourne news:
1. National Reconciliation Week Free Film Screening this Wed 27 May, 7pm – 9pm, Kensington Neighbourhood House
2. Come and play The Adaption Game! Monday 22 June 6-8pm
Using local maps and data, players will explore how Kensington could be impacted by events like storms, extreme heat and floods, and what we can do to best navigate them.
3. Transition Town Kensington is running a series of 10 classes, 2 hours each, introducing the main themes behind Permaculture. REGISTER HERE
4. Mental Health First Aid Course at Kensington Town Hall. See flyer
Moonee Valley Council news:
Congratulations to this year's Neighbourhood Spirit Award recipients.
Community Organisation of the Year: Connecting Mothers in Grief Young Person of the Year: Arissa Berryman
Award winners: Glenys Barnes, Stephanie Failla, Brian Gillespie, Sam Glenn, Leading Senior Constable Bradley Keogh, Anthony Monteleone, Trang Nguyen, Chantal Obeid, Susan Rainey, Abbey Shepherd, VICSES Essendon Unit READ MORE
Reconciliation Week 2026 – “All In” at Djerring Flemington Hub
Wednesday 27 May 2026, 10.00am – 12:30pm
Program: Welcome and Smoking Ceremony performed by a Wurundjeri Woi‑wurrung Elder, followed by bush tucker cooking and ochre painting workshops facilitated by Cultural Gardens Aboriginal business.
Moonee Valley Sustainability
TREE GATHERING IN WOODLANDS PARK
Join us this Sunday 24th May at 4pm in Woodlands Park to help Save Woodland St Trees.
We are asking the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) to find safe, smart, sustainable solutions for Woodland Street instead of removing 20 mature canopy trees on Woodlands Street. These trees provide important shade, cooling and habitat, and once removed cannot be replaced for decades.
Mornington Peninsula, Airlie Beach and Tasmania.
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