At the District Governor's Changeover luncheon on June 30th, The Rotary Club of Flemington Kensington was presented with a District award for Community Service..jpg)
This award was presented for the Flem-Ken Festival of Arts and Ideas held in October 2018 which connected the community through arts.
The commentary read:
For the creative impact on the wider community which celebrated and connected people through arts.
The magnitude and quality of this event meant that there were activities for all ages, demographics, interests and residents who experienced all genres of the arts.
President Lesley McCarthy accepted the award from District Governor Bronwyn Stephens.
Members of the Rotary Club of Flemington were out and about greeting festival goers and warming them with hot chocolate and donuts as
Flemington Traders held their version of White Night.
Flemington Traders held their version of White Night.
With a variety of performers, musicians and lots of joy, there was fun and excitement in the air as people from all around gathered to enjoy the
light displays created by Clare.
light displays created by Clare.
Members, friends and guests celebrated an outstanding year of service in the community at the club changeover on June 28th. Ascot House was full of excited chat as members and partners caught up with the events of the past few months.
Guest of Honour was Past District Gove
rnor Julie Mason, who President Lesley McCarthy referred to as her mentor and role model. Also in attendance Assistant Governor Ian Ada and Ann, Councillor Nicole Marshall from Moonee Valley Council and Danny Pearson MP for Essendon.
rnor Julie Mason, who President Lesley McCarthy referred to as her mentor and role model. Also in attendance Assistant Governor Ian Ada and Ann, Councillor Nicole Marshall from Moonee Valley Council and Danny Pearson MP for Essendon.MC Cody Bettanin gave an Acknowledgement of Country and then called Dulcie Heard to light the Memorial Candle for Charter Member and Past District Governor Vance Hilton, who passed away in October 2018.
In her President's speech, Lesley spoke of the number and quality of events the club has been involved with over the year; she referred to two major events, the Flem-Ken Festival of Arts and Ideas and the Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds project. These 2 projects have involved almost every club member and a vast number of supporters from other clubs, service organisations, community groups and businesses.
Thanking members, Lesley and Julie made Paul Harris Awards to:
Anne McMahon - for her outstanding efforts on suggesting, planning, organising and implementing the Flem-Ken Festival of Arts and Ideas.
Anne McMahon - for her outstanding efforts on suggesting, planning, organising and implementing the Flem-Ken Festival of Arts and Ideas.
Anne Heyes - for her outstanding work in assisting with the organisation and implementation of the Flem-Ken Festival of Arts and Ideas.
Lyn Borghouts - for her skills and time in creating the coding for the playground equipment for RORP and for her monthly attendance at Kensington Market on behalf of Rotary.
Peter Donnellan - for his skills, efforts and work as Club Treasurer, especially the work in obtaining legal and compliance documents and work towards creating the club trust.
Jon Temby PHF +1 - for his efforts in Occupational Health & Safety in the Op Shop and the Fit4 Use Store and in managing the club's investment poretfolio.
Peter Cribb PHF +2 - for his inspirational and dedicated work on the Rotary Overseas recycled Playground project.
Allan Bruno PHF +3 - for his years of dedication, service, effort and support of the club in the Op Shop, Fit4 Use Store, BBQs, Arts Festival and at Donations in Kind and WERN on the club's behalf.
Roger Leask from the Rotary Club of Essendon assisted Lesley in the presentation of a Royce abbey Award to Cody Bettanin for his work on the Youth chair, as a Board Member, on sponsorship for the Arts Festival and with investment support.
Lesley then invited Assistant Governor Ian Ada to assist with presentation of Rotary International Avenues of Service Awards to:
Lyn Borghouts, Allan Bruno, Geoff Cawsey, Peter Cribb, Ted Frank, Anne McMahon, Paul Perrottet.
Lyn Borghouts, Allan Bruno, Geoff Cawsey, Peter Cribb, Ted Frank, Anne McMahon, Paul Perrottet.
She then invited Charter members Geoff Cawsey and Ted Frank to present the Jim Hosie Trophy. This was presented to PP Paul Perrottet for his years of dedication and work on the club website.
Lesley then welcomed the Board for 2019-2020 to receive their badges.
Students and staff joined Rota
rians to plant out the new gardens at Debney Meadows Primary School.
rians to plant out the new gardens at Debney Meadows Primary School.Getting their hands dirty and learning how to plant were part of the fun for the students who helped renew the gardens at the school at an after school working bee in April.
A grant from the Rotary Foundation has doubled the impact of Flemington Kensington Rotary's garden renewal project at Debney Meadows Primary School.
Flemington Kensington Rotary's Vocational Chair, Dr Anne McMahon, developed the project in conjunction with Principal Rachel Rasmussen who has been delighted with the support.
"Together We Grow" is a 3-stage plan to renew and develop the gardens and playing areas for the children who mainly come from the high-rise estate and have little experience with plants and growing things. On one planting session, some children were planting the plants, pots and all.
Over 5 working bees so far, members have removed the tired old mulch and soil, replaced it with fresh, rich growing materials and compost, and installed a drip irrigation system. Citrus, apple and olive trees were donated by Bunnings and have been included in the main garden beds.
After school one day, Parents, children and staff assisted with planting a range of appropriate native plants, shrubs and ground covers, and some edible native plants. There was wonderful conversation about plants, planting methods and care.
The project has had support from Bunnings; the VRC; and Professor Hugh Stewart, Jon Temby and Jacqui Van Heerden, who recommended plants most suitable for the climate, soil and location.
Stage 2, “Digging into Learning”, will see removal of the old planter boxes, installation of new boxes constructed by the Men’s Shed, and planting of vegetable gardens. Teaching about the different vegetables, fruits and edible plants, and inclusion of cooking classes for children and mothers will also occur.