Now that the 2024-2025 Rotary year of The Magic of Rotary has come to an end, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all members, friends and supporters who have helped make magic this year.
As the presentation and flier at our changeover demonstrated, we have been People of Action, Making d Difference in the World.
Our successes would not have been possible without the extraordinary efforts of some of our members and I wish to acknowledge Shraddha Sharma, Peter Cribb, Jo Walker, Abdi Hassan and Debra Ryan for their contributions.
Lesley
Presidents Changeover:
It was a lovely evening where we were able to showcase and celebrate the year. We had the pleasure of welcoming some special guests:
District Governor Elect Peter Shepheard and his father Neil,
David Dippie, Community Group Leader,
Other Rotarians in attendance were Larry and Susan Robb North Melbourne, Elizabeth Drozd Footscray, Debra Sloggett Keilor East and Denis O'Brien West Footscray.
Mr Nirajan Gauli, Consul General for Nepal and his wife, Mr Danny Pearson MP,
Mr Nihal De Run and Mr Sathanantha Kirupanantha from the Sri Lanka BEAP Foundation,
David Fisher and Dr Aedre Grant from FlemKen News,
Ilona Hamiton and Yen Dao from Djerring Hub,
Chng Chan and Simeon Baker from MAC,
Ms Soreeyo Mohamed and her daughter representing the Puntland Somali community and Barbara Ryuan and Nahla Khadhir from the Op Shop.
District Governor Elect Peter Shepheard assisted with the induction of new member Frances Stratford.
He then assisted with presentation of Paul Harris Fellow Awards:
Paul Harris Fellow to Abdi Hassan and Karlina Sevcikova;
Paul Harris 3 sapphire to Shraddha Sharma
Paul Harris 5 sapphire to Peter Cribb, with a special commendation for his work in Sri Lanka.
Lesley then presented the Vance Hilton Community Leadership Award to David Fisher on behalf of FlemKen News.
A certificate of Recognition to Nahla Khadhir for 15 years service in the op Shop.
Jo Walker, Paul Harris sapphire and John Sklenar Jim Hosie Award were unable to attend and will be presented with their awards at the next meeting.
Peter then assisted in the President Changeover ceremony with the handover of the chain of office to Melina Caccetta.
PEACE POLE INSTALLATION AT MOUNT ALEXANDER COLLEGE:
Many thanks to Abdi Hassan, John Farmery and Shraddha Sharma for their assistance in the actual installation: digging holes, pouring cement and water, levelling and John's magical divining rods!!
The formal ceremony on Wednesday 18th saw us welcome District Governor Michael Lapina, Alex Lapina, PDG Murray Verso, David Dippie, Dr Elaine Pratley - Rotary Peace Fellow and speaker, MVCC Mayor Ava Adams, Peter and Bev Cribb and Chris Richardson and Toby.
Elaine spoke the student leadership team on peace, and the decisions we make about people, our beliefs, understandings and prejudices. She told a story to highlight that although we may be of a different culture, perhaps be in conflict, we can still be human and humane and show kindness.
Thank you to Duncan Hillier for his organisation and to Amelia and Elliott for their welcomes,
Thanks to District 9800 for the matching grant for the poles.
ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE STUDENT:
Lenka Pocarovska, our shared student with Footscray Rotary will arrive in Melbourne on Sunday 13th July in the evening.
Her first host family is Carla and Scott Tatulaschwili {Jay's parents} and she will attend Mount Alexander College in year 11.
Lenka has chosen subjects for the semester: Biology, Media, Philosophy, English, Art and Specialist Maths.
Maria Silber from Footscray and Lesley are her shared counsellors.
FROM OUR TRAVELLERS:
Peter and Bev Cribb are in the Philippines and will soon travel to Bali {where they will have a family celebration for the twins 50th birthdays}.
Left: Middle and right: Filipino and US war memorials
historic fort built around 1500 by the Spanish, briefly occupied by the British late 19th
century, by the American early 20th and then the Japanese. In the photo I am about to cross the moat
Jo Walker has been in the Maldives with her cousin and is now at Sputnik where she is volunteering for a few days.
She says that Jackfruit is very difficult to prepare but delicious.
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OP SHOP REPORT:
The shop is running well and despite the weather, sales are steady.
We have a new volunteer Laura who has taken over the job of dressing the window, display table and some models.
Parking in Clarence Street is restricted on event days at the racecourse and the showgrounds. I have negotiated for us to be able to park in the Industrie Carpark.
Building works at the childcare centre due to lead in the soil are impacting on parking too.
There are upcoming road works n Racecourse Road adjacent to Pin Oak Crescent and Bellair Street which will impact on traffic.
Hours are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 11am to 4pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm
Volunteers are needed. If you are able, please allocate a few hours a month to OUR hands on project! We would like to reopen on Tuesdays.
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*********************************************************** DATES FOR YOUR DIARY:
Wednesday 2nd July: Breakfast at Mama Bear 8am, 7.45 for 8am start
Saturday 5th June: District Governors Changeover
Wednesday 16th June: Dinner at Hardimans Hotel - CLUB FORUM
Sunday 27 July: National Tree Day and BBQ. - Afton Street Conservation Reserve, 58 Afton Street, Essendon West. 10am to 1pm.
Wednesday 6th August: Breakfast at Mama Bear 8am, 7.45 for 8am start
ROTARY FLEMINGTON KENSINGTON IN THE NEWS;
The Jarriban Somalia project was featured in Rotary On the Move - the newsletter of Zone 8 in June. MEDICAL EQUIPMENT SUPPORTED BY A DISTRICT GRANT
new member Frances Stratford.
