ASRC Foodbank - Kate Quin
Coordinator for the Refugee Resource Hub in Dandenong
Next Week's Meeting
24th September 2024
Footy-Themed Social Event
Last Week's Meeting
10th September 2024
Special Presentation
My Room - CEO Margaret Zita & Mayor CGD Cr. Lana Formoso
R U OK Day at Chisholm
On Wednesday, 11th September, Chisholm proudly hosted its annual R U OK Day, a key initiative dedicated to supporting the mental health and well-being of our trade students. This important event allowed students to engage in open conversations about mental health, learn about available support services, and build a stronger sense of community within the college.
We are grateful to Howard de Zylva for capturing the essence of the day through his photos.
Thank you to everyone involved in making R U OK Day a success and for contributing to a culture of care and support.
Disaster Aid Response in Thailand
Brian Ashworth and DART (Disaster Aid Response Team) member Wendy De Luca have recently returned from a nine-day mission in Thailand, responding to severe flooding at the request of Disaster Aid Thailand.
Their efforts focused on installing four SkyHydrant GEM Rapid Response Packs, ensuring access to safe drinking water in impacted areas. Working closely with Disaster Aid Thailand and local Rotarians, they achieved the following:
Three communities now have access to safe drinking water.
Each of the communities received a 25,000 baht grant from the local Rotary Club to assist with ongoing recovery efforts.
A school with 550 students, including 100 boarding pupils, now has safe drinking water, as well as a 25,000 baht grant to replace damaged equipment.
A 20,000 baht grant will provide rice for distribution by the local Rotary Club in the coming weeks.
We extend our thanks to Brian Ashworth for kindly providing photos from the North Thailand flood response.
The Rotary Club of Panamá Norte began its path toward addressing Panama’s digital divide with a simple backpack drive. Club members then noticed the technology needs in schools and began to provide high-tech resources and teacher training.
A partnership with the Rotary Club of Westchester (Los Angeles), California, USA, secured US$72,000 through a Rotary Foundation grant for laptops, interactive whiteboards, and other equipment. The project had some success, but frequent teacher rotations necessitated repeated training.
Club members then worked with the Rotary Club of Kansas City-Plaza, Missouri, USA, and other clubs to secure a Rotary Foundation grant of more than US$230,000 to put interactive classrooms in the main teaching college and emphasize innovative teaching methods.
The project continues to reach thousands of students and enables teachers to train other educators. These types of life-changing projects are possible because of grants funded by our Foundation and members worldwide who are dedicated to making a sustainable impact.
On 17th September, we are pleased to welcome Kate Quin, a representative from the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) Foodbank, to our Rotary Club meeting.
The ASRC Foodbank plays a crucial role in supporting asylum seekers by providing access to essential food and grocery items. With the rising cost of living, their services have become more vital than ever, ensuring that individuals and families seeking asylum have the nourishment they need to survive and thrive.
Kate will be giving a special presentation, where we’ll learn more about the important work the ASRC Foodbank does, the challenges they face, and how we, as Rotarians, can support their mission.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear firsthand about the impact of the ASRC Foodbank and how we can contribute to making a difference.
Get ready for a night of fellowship, fun, and friendly competition at our Footy Themed Social Event!
Join us as we come together to celebrate the excitement of the footy season with fellow members and friends. Enjoy a delicious two-course meal while immersing yourself in the lively atmosphere.
Date:
Tuesday, 24th September
Time:
6:30 PM for a 7:00 PM start
Venue:
The Dandenong Club, Heatherton Road, Dandenong North
Cost:
$35 per head for a 2-course meal (Drinks available at bar prices)
Wear your team's colours with pride and join us for what promises to be a memorable night.
Mark your calendars—we look forward to seeing you there!
Joint Meeting Invitation Thursday, 3rd October
We have received a gracious invitation from the Rotary Club of Noble Park-Dingley to join them for a special joint meeting on Tuesday, 3rd October.
Guest Speaker:
District Governor Colin
Date & Time:
Tuesday, 3rd October, 6:30 PM
Venue:
Keysborough Golf Club
55 Hutton Road, Keysborough
Cost:
$30 per person for a two-course meal (Drinks available at bar prices)
The members of the Springvale City Rotary Club will also be joining us for this event. This is an excellent opportunity to strengthen our bonds with neighboring clubs and enjoy an evening of insightful discussion, fellowship, and networking.
RSVP: If you haven't already, please confirm your attendance with Phil Thurgood as soon as possible so that final numbers can be provided to the host club.
NB: There will be no club meeting on Tuesday, 1st October.
Inaugural District 9815 Conference 8 - 30 March 2025
Bookings for the Inaugural District 9815 Conference to be held in Bendigo 28 - 30 March 2025 open from Monday 29th of July.
Partners, family, friends, potential members, supporters, and alumni are welcome.
Early Bird Tickets are available between 29 July - 30 September 2024 for $295. Individual session details and costs are outlined on the booking site.
Please check out the menu on the left-hand side for useful links including FAQs, Accommodation, Tourist Information, Exclusive Winery Tour details, and Committee information.
We look forward to collaborating and celebrating with you in Bendigo.
2024-25 District Conference Committee
FUNDRAISING EVENTS
Our Club has secured two upcoming Bunnings BBQ fundraising events, which are scheduled as follows:
21st September & 13th October
Our upcoming BBQ events are more than just a chance to connect with the community—they play a crucial role in funding our projects and initiatives.
Your help is vital in making these BBQs a success.
We encourage you to join us and lend a hand, as every contribution makes a difference.
For centuries, people have gathered at the confluence of the Bow and Elbow Rivers in Calgary, Canada. Next year, it will be Rotary’s turn, as members, family, and friends worldwide will gather there for the 2025 Rotary International Convention, 21-25 June. Get a preview of what lies in store for those attending the convention in the September issue of Rotary magazine. And read about Canada’s fourth-largest metropolitan area, a big city without big city problems. Register now to be a part of the magic in Calgary in June.
A message from Cherie Ramsay Disaster Aid Australia
Hello friends,
I am holding down the fort here as Brian is currently in Chang Rai, Thailand with our partner DA Thailand responding to floods there. Check out our Facebook page to see Brian’s updates. Here are just some of our activities for August:
Delivery of Aid
Trisha continues to liaise with our partners in the Philippines and Bhutan and update our sponsors.
Made initial contact with DA Thailand about North Thailand Floods
Brian and one of our newest DARTs Wendy De Luca flew to Thailand on Saturday, the 31st to meet up with DA Thailand and respond to devastating floods in Chang Rai, north Thailand.
Posted SkyHydrant spare plumbing parts to our partners in Timor-Leste
Assisted Shellee Newell, our partner in Safe Water Vanuatu who is currently completing SkyHydrant installations in 3 villages.
First SkyHydrant installations have taken place by our newest partner Safe Water for Every Child Philippines.
Financial
Great start to this year with donations up 12% on the same time last year.
Meeting with Peter Fernandez who is interested in helping raise funds for DAA
Attended a fundraising evening run by ‘Sharing Hope’, raising money for SkyHydrants for Myanmar.
Our DAA partner, Safe Water for Every Child - Philippines, has been hard at work with a recent installation in Mindanao. On 26th August, the formal handover took place, marking a significant moment as the children of the Barangay enjoyed safe drinking water for the first time. This achievement underscores our ongoing commitment to improving lives through access to clean water.
After very heavy rain over several days, a massive downpour has hit the waterlogged mountains in Northern Thailand in the last two days. This has
led to major damage across a wide area. The situation is dire in Chiang Rai,
where 12,700 households have been severely impacted, and tragically, 4
lives have been lost.
Attendance and Participation: Regularly attend club meetings and participate actively in club activities and projects.
Service Projects: Engage in community service projects, both locally and internationally, aimed at addressing humanitarian needs, promoting goodwill, and fostering peace.
Fundraising: Contribute to fundraising efforts that support Rotary's service projects and charitable activities.
Vocational Expertise: Share their professional skills and expertise to benefit others within the club and in service projects.
Ethical Standards: Adhere to high ethical standards in their personal and professional lives, reflecting Rotary's commitment to integrity and ethical behavior.
Networking and Fellowship: Build relationships and network with other Rotarians and community leaders, fostering goodwill and understanding.
Membership Growth: Support efforts to grow Rotary's membership and extend invitations to prospective members who embody Rotary's ideals.
Rotary Foundation: Contribute financially to the Rotary Foundation, which funds international scholarships, humanitarian projects, and other charitable efforts.
Public Image: Promote Rotary's mission and achievements within the community and advocate for Rotary's values and initiatives.
Leadership: Serve in leadership roles within the club or district, providing guidance and direction to advance Rotary's goals.
Overall, Rotarians are dedicated to making a positive impact in their communities and the world at large through service, fellowship, and ethical leadership.
All members are invited to contribute to our newsletter.
If you have an interesting article or some great pictures, please share them with us by Thursday so we can include them in Friday's edition.
Send all articles and notifications to our Editor, David Langworthy, at david@bevmarks.com.au.
