AHMED KELLY- PARA- OLYMPIAN

Ahmed is well known to Preston Rotarians. Bringing together 4,400 of the world’s most outstanding Paralympic athletes , the Paris Summer Games 2024 is set to take place over 12 magical days from 28 August to 8 September 2024.

 

    “Preston’s” Ahmed is well into his training while members are helping member, David De La Couer get his finances together. The overall price for training, travel and competing is heavy; around $30,000. David reports there is still a need of a few biggish contributions. ( $8000 in total) David is keeping his flippers on!

 

 

DARBY WILKES- INSTANT ITALIAN FRIENDSHIPS!

Darby sent this shot of her joy of life in Italy. This is the last month of the Italian autumn and she is making the most of it! Hers is a short form of the Rotary Exchange Student Program ( 3 months) but a marvelous experience.

The program is a magnificent opportunity for a student to experience a foreign culture, adapt ones lifestyle for a short time and learn to move out of one’s enclosure for a set space of time. In short, a most enriching experience for both the student and the club.

 

BBQ FUN!

Saddling up to monthly Bunnings BBQ’s as part of our necessary fund raiser to support our great causes  is often a bit of fun.

 

We braved the howling wind as it swept through the carpark last Saturday, and some of us needed an extra hug to stay warm.

 

 

 

Bon Voyage Rotary Exchange Student Darby Wilkes

An excited Darby joined the club for our annual “Lift the Lid on Mental Illness”  ( & wear a crazy hat!) Day recently.

Darby is bound for Italy for 3 months where she will be hosted by recent Rotary Youth Exchange student Asia Cirillo and family.

Darby is a fabulous young woman, a dedicated sportswoman, and fine ambassador for Rotary.

We wish her all the best for a great experience.

 

Lift the Lid on Mental Health and Silent Auction

Raising much needed funds for  Mental Health via  Australian  Rotary Health this annual event is always supported enthusiastically by Rotary Preston.

Rotarian Joe Morris did a terrific  job in organizing and collating goods for auction and we thank him most sincerely.

Thanks to club members who donated funds.

 

 

Massive Murray River Paddle Event.

This event will go ahead in 2024, and over a 5 day period 415 kms will be paddled by enthusiastic paddlers! Darebin Police are supporting  12 Indigenous youths to participate as a way of building positive relationships in the area.

Rotary Preston presented Senior Constable Peta Williams with 100 hygiene packs donated by Honorary Rotarian, Kate Austin from Pinchapoo.

Present on the day was First Constable Andrew Moreton, and Aboriginal Liason Officer, John Brown.

 

Food Forrest at the Thornbury residence of Yooralla’s VASS ( Ventilator Accommodation Support Service)

The “vibe” was warm and bubbly as Rotarians from Preston joined volunteers and friends of the Global Gardens of Peace recently in the near -completion of the  Food Forrest at the Thornbury residence of Yooralla’s VASS ( Ventilator Accommodation Support Service)

• We planted, mulched and watered numerous plants, herbs, and trees in beautifully landscaped terrain. Global Garden of Peace President and Landscape Architect Andrew Laidlaw, has done an incredible job in his design and management of the Food Forrest, and was on hand to direct us on the day.

Sue Stevenson, husband of the Late Gerard Stevenson, whose vision this was,  together with one of their sons Zac, proudly took part, and one can only imagine now poignant it was to see Gerard’s dream come to fruition.

This has been a truly beautiful project to be part of- even in a small way. A great reason to be part of the Rotary family!!

 

 

 

Some Food for Thought – Saying NO to Plastic Bags Does Matter!

One way to answer Columbo’s question is to decide it’s pointless to worry about plastic bags, given all the other plastic in the grocery store and to give up making a difference.  The other way to answer that question is to continue to say NO to the plastic bags AND to keep using alternatives to plastic whenever you can.  You can easily find non-plastic alternatives to the milk – old-fashioned paper cartons (which are compostable too by the way); the napkins – use cloth or order from some of our favorite sites; the salad – make your own; the mustard and the ketchup – buy them in glass jars.  Even small changes add up to big differences in our plastic use.

Why does it matter?
Even if you just say NO to the plastic bags and keep using those other plastic containers, you will make a difference. (Not that we are suggesting you do that!!) Plastic bags make up an extraordinarily high percentage of the plastic waste that ends up in the ocean.  The National Geographic Society estimates that there are more than one trillion plastic bags in the ocean (1,333,333,333,333 plastic bags equals 8 million metric tons of plastic). 

An organization in the United Kingdom estimates that more than 1 million plastic bags end up in the trash every minute.  The world uses 500 billion plastic bags a year.  This equals 150 bags per person, that’s kind of crazy! Have you ever noticed that most of the trash on the streets and highways is plastic, and most of that plastic is single-use plastic, and most of that single-use plastic are plastic bags?  If plastic bags are so essential, why do they get thrown away?  When we McSisters say no to plastic bags in the stores, we think we may have just saved a sea turtle or kept microplastics out of our bodies.   

All this plastic keeps harming our environment and our health:  One in three fish caught for human consumption contains plastic.  100% of baby sea turtles have plastic in their stomachs.  

Just think:  If just one in ten people stopped using plastic bags, the difference to the environment would be enormous.  It’s easy to make a difference. 

What can you do?
Say no to plastic.

Use alternatives to plastic. . . bring your own bags, cutlery, cups, bottles etc.

For napkins and other paper products not wrapped or shipped in plastic, check out the many companies and refill stores that sell alternatives. Here are a few favorites: 

Who Gives a Crap donates 50% of their profits to clean water and sanitation non-profit groups. https://us.whogivesacrap.org/collections/all

The Grove Collaborative (https://www.grove.co)

Reelpaper (https://reelpaper.com/)

Read more about plastic pollution and impacts of plastic bags:

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/ocean-trash-525-trillion-pieces-and-counting-big-questions-remain/

https://www.iucn.org/resources/issues-brief/marine-plastic-pollution

https://www.condorferries.co.uk/plastic-in-the-ocean-statistics

 

TELL YOUR FRIENDS!! 
SHARE OUR BLOG!! www.mcsisters.org

 

 

PLANTING UP YOORALLA’S VASS ( VENTILATOR ASSISTANCE SUPPORT SERVICE) FOOD FORREST !!

This Friday, 29^th September Rotarians will be joining volunteers and friends of the Thornbury VASS from 10am to 12 midday as this GLOBAL GARDEN OF PEACE project comes to fruition.

An exciting project to enhance the lives of residents living with severe Spinal injuries, this green habitat will be a place of nurture and  beauty.

 

WHERE? 335 Clarendon St Thornbury

WHEN: Friday 29^th September, 10am to 12 midday

BRING: gardening gloves, closed shoes, sun protection.

MORNING TEA PROVIDED

 

Rotary Preston were very pleased to donate to this project, and lend a hand in stage 1 planting. A community and Environmental outreach of our club.

 

 

 

Darebin clean-ups

 

‘The Merri Paddle’

 

Ahmed Kelly

COMMUNITY CAR RAFFLE- ROTARY CLUB OF MOOROOPNA

LATEST NEWS

Wow! What a busy time for our Rotarians! Over the past few days our dedicated Rotarians have been Barbecuing frantically to raise much needed funds to support all the amazing organizations both locally and abroad.

 

Team Preston have been on deck at the fabulous Thornbury Theatre  for Circus performances given by the amazing Circus Quirkas.

 

 

Circus Quirkas offer a contemporary take on your traditional circus. Acrobats, clowns, and Artistes delight so many families, - many of them with “special- needs” children. Sponsored by Victorian businesses, these shows are offered at no charge. A beautiful way to “give back” to the community!

 

 

Foodbank delivery to Reservoir Neighbourhood House

• Every Fortnight our club delivers a truck- load of donated food from the Footscray Foodbank warehouse. It involves picking up the truck from Footscray- loading & unloading at the Neighbourhood House, and returning the truck to Footscray.
• Well over 150 families benefit from this service, and the team from RNH report that demand just continues to spiral. We are proud of our contribution- and our thanks go to the dedicated team from Preston who makes this all happen. 

A great reason to be in Rotary!!

 

LATEST NEWS

NAIDOC 2023

What a week it was! NAIDOC- National Aborigines’ and Islanders’ Day Observance Committee rolled out an amazing week of honouring and  celebrating the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Rotarian Gerry Lyons, aka G- Man, member of Rotary Preston was front and centre, along with his fantastic team from Indigenous Radio station 3KND broadcasting live at many events. Immediate Past President Ruth McCall was present at a number of events; a highlight ( for her)  was watching the NAIDOC march along Nicholson St Fitzroy to Federation Square. The enthusiasm, pride, and joy was palpable!

    Numerous exhibitions, art installations, concerts, ceremonies….. it was a rich week indeed celebrating First Nations’ Peoples.

 

 

 

 

FIRST MEETING FOR THE 2023-2024 ROTARY YEAR WITH PRESIDENT KANNAN SUBRAMANIAN

Always a question,- “is the microphone ON!” & yes, Kannan was wired for sound as he hosted our first Rotary Meeting for 2023-2024 year.
We held a “Brainstorming” time – looking at ways we can enhance our Rotary experience, while attracting new people to our club.

A numbers of ideas were shared, and Vice President Paul Smarrelliwill carefully tally up suggestions and distribute them to members in the coming week.

We have much to celebrate and acknowledge that we are an active & relevant body. AND we need to spread the word!

 

 

ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE

It’s great that we are sponsoring incoming short- term Youth Exchange Asia Cirillo who arrived from Italy over the weekend. Asia will be living with host family Darby Wilkes and her mother Faye Richards, and will attend Darby’s school, Our Lady of Mercy College in Heidleberg. Darby will leave for Italy in October for 3 months and stay with the Cirillo family.

It was lovely to meet Darby, her Mum Faye, and Dad, David at Changeover Night.

We look forward to having both Darby and Asia come to our next Club meeting on the 12^th July.

( below on Left Asia Cirillo, & on RHS Darby Wilkes with 2022-2023 Youth Director Elaine Price &  outgoing President Ruth McCall

 

  

 

Below ( photo of Youth Chairperson Elaine Price, Darby Wilkes, and parents David and Faye.

 

 

ROTARY FOUNDATION CONGRATULATES MAJOR DONORS PETER & BARBARA GILBERT

Past District Governor for District 9790, and Past President of Rotary Preston ( twice), Peter Gilbert, and his lovely wife Barbara were roundly thanked by all at the Club Changeover Night as District Foundation Chairperson David Anderson presented them with their Level 2 Major Donor pins, pendants and trophy.

 

As David noted, “Contributing to the Rotary Foundation is a personal choice as is giving to any charity. The Rotary Foundation Trustees are extremely grateful to all Rotarians who make the Foundation their charity of choice or one of the charities to whom they make a donation during the course of the year. Major donors change the lives of children, young people, adults in communities and in the wider world….”

Peter and Barbara who contribute so much of themselves to Rotary are tireless in their “giving” – not just ( and significantly!) in their financial donations to the Rotary Foundation, but in Rotary service. We too at the Rotary Club of Preston thank the Gilberts, for all that they continue to bring in the life of our club and yes, to so many others.

Congratulations Peter & Barbara!!!  ( pictured David Anderson and his wife Tippy, Peter & Barbara Gilbert)

 

 

Congratulations also to Elaine Price, ( PHF 4 Sapphires)  Tim Weir ( PHF 1 sapphire)  , for their Paul Harris Recognitions, and to Shanice Abdelerhedrim, and Pete Sambell for being admitted as Paul Harris Fellows for their outstanding service to community!!

( pics below Elaine Price, Tim Weir & David Anderson, Shanice & Pete)

 

    

 

ROTARY CLUB OF PRESTON VOCATIONAL AWARDS

 

FAREWELL CEO RESERVOIR NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE ANGIE DAVIDSON

After 12 years of dynamic innovation and leadership the much- loved Angie Davidson is moving on. Rotary Preston has had a long- standing and close relationship with Angie and the excellent team at RNH. It is a Neighbourhood House that oozes warmth, welcome, and good energy,- all fostered by Angie and team. Speeches at the event were from Local Preston M.P. Nathan Lambert, who spoke about the interesting history of housing development of Reservoir from WW2. President of Rotary Ruth McCall spoke of the respect and deep fondness our club has with Angie, highlighting her leadership during the Covid Pandemic lockdowns. RNH Chairperson, Rowena, spoke of Angie’s huge work ethic going well beyond a 9- 5 day job. Others joined in with lots of applause, flowers, hugs and tears as we celebrated the wonderful Angie.An outstanding highlight too was the traditional Maori ritual of honouring and respect, delivered passionately by Rotarian, and GM of Indigenous Radio Station 3 KND.Not a dry eye in the place! We all wish her the very best for the future.

 

News

VASS: Ventliator Accomodation Support Service: Thornbury.

Fantastic News! The first planting of garden beds is taking place Tuesday 23^rd May.

• Under the guidance of Global Gardens of Peace President, Andrew Laidlaw, this is indeed GOOD NEWS.
• Supported by Friends & family of VASS residents, Yooralla, and…many good people who have kept the dream alive to create a “Food Forrest” and green habitat for residents who live with so many challenges. And  yes, the Rotary Club of Preston has had a part to play.
• Join us on Tuesday- BYO gloves, 11am.

 

FUNDRAISERS!!!

RIMERN
Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Network has launched a u- beaut fundraiser to help with warehouse rental and all expenses associated with operating such a wonderful outreach.

Select & sip from 8 great wines:

 

• Adelaide Hills 2022 Sauvignon Blanc
• Barossa Valley 2021 Chardonnay
• Victorian Sparkling Prosecco
• Adelaide Hills Sparkling Shiraz
• Yarra Valley 2021 Reserve Rose (vegan)
• Coonawarra 2020 Reserve Shiraz
• Coonawarra 2019 Reserve Cabernet
• South Australian 2020 Cabernet Merlot
• South Australian 2020 Shiraz

 

For all the tasting notes and to order please click here:

https://prospectwines.com.au/product/rimern

 

Stand with Somalia

Sainab Sheikh, President of the Rotary Club of North Melbourne has established a wonderful foundation supporting Somalia. Somalians have lived with Civil war, Drought and famine for over 20 years. Please support this great fundraiser and purchase your tickets!!!

 

 

President Aparna Sunku, and husband Sunku Radesh Kumar visit

Great to have President Aparna Sunku, and husband Sunku Radesh Kumar visit from Coimbatore Smart City Club, India recently.

Bringing colour and vibrancy, Aparna updated the club after her last visit to us in 2022. Her club has successfully been granted a Global Grant in assisting women with Cervical/Breast Cancer. They fund a Pet Crematorium, which, may sound odd, but with so many people who cannot afford to have their beloved pet cremated, this is such a humane project. The Club provides thousands of kits for children to test for Juvenile Diabetes. And there are still plans to get the Environmental project  which we hoped to contribute to, to plant 30,000 trees in otherwise barren land.

 

Anzac Day 2023.

Such a powerful day always, and at All Nations Park Northcote our club were out in force, attending the Dawn Service, and providing a “Gunfire Breakfast” of freshly cooked egg and bacon rolls. 400 in fact! This has been a service provided by our club since 2013, the brainchild of much loved Rotarian Paul Josephson, who sadly passed away several years ago. Paul’s wife Pauline gave us a willing hand, and Rotarians were setting up the tent well before 4 am. All hands were on deck,and though hard work, it was incredibly satisfying.   It was wonderful to hear some beautiful readings, poems, songs and reflections as the Dawn broke and we reflected on the dreadful loss of life, and ongoing trauma experienced by so many who have lost loved ones through war.

…… The wonderful setting of All Nations Park made for a memorable ritual of rememberance, along with the participation of many.

Lest We Forget.

 

  

 

  

Newest member Pete Sambell

  

Another busy week for Rotary Preston.

1. We assisted a local fellow move house by equipping him with a full truckload of household furniture generously donated, and collected by RIMERN- the Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Network  ( rimern.org.au )
   
   

2. PP Julie Morris & President Ruth McCall attended a great workshop facilitated by PDG 9800 Keith Ryall. The theme- “STORYTELLING”- how do we tell the excellent ROTARY GOOD NEWS STORIES!
   - We took away some helpful tips, and this will feature in an upcoming meeting so all members can learn from it.
    
3. FOODBANK FORTNIGHTLY- to the Reservoir Neighborhood House- stalwarts, Geoff, David, Joe, Gary, Max, Peter Peyton obtain a truckload of food from the FOODBANK in West Footsgray & regularly deliver to the RNH. So many people doing it tough,and this is a drop in the ocean, but it all helps! Thanks to the great people of our club, and to the amazing team at RNH
   
       
    
4. ROTARY DOWNUNDER- the excellent quarterly magazine featuring both local and international ROTARY news is especially poignant right now. The front cover ( see photo) shows the harsh reality of communities in Turkiye and Syria devastated by the Earthquake. Rotary’s response is inspiring.
   
    
5. Baby Joseph Morris is fascinated by Secretary Geoff! Lovely to have Julie & Jo Morris’s newest Grandson attend our meeting, with his mother, Ruth.
   
    

Peter Lamers RIP

We were deeply saddened at the news of the death of Peter Lamers. Peter was a dear friend, and hard- worker who had a “heart of gold.” Sadly, Peter died from complications of a heart attack, far too young. Comments from fellow Rotarians included…

 “ “Basically Peter managed the Children First Foundation ( Retreat in Kilmore) mowing and gardening. He had his way of doing things and always worked using his talents, and despite our occasional differences he was always good fun.…..”

 

“ …..Give him a job to be done and it was done. Learning from his Dad, he was capable with any tool even to driving equipment to repair a dam wall at Kilmore. He enjoyed his mates and was very loyal to them all….”

 

“ He was a great human being. He had his ways but he had a big heart…..”

 

“ a wonderful spirit of generosity….”

 

“ some people come through your life and they touch you very deeply….. some people fly under the radar and they don’t blow their own trumpet… that was Peter.”

 

RIP Peter Lamers. Our heartfelt condolences to Gerry, and all the family.

 

   

 

VISITORS TO THE CLUB

It was wonderful to have Honorary Member of Rotary Preston, Margaret Smith, ( Deputy Chairperson Eva Tilley Memorial Homes, Patron & Chairperson of Lamers Foundation Board,  & Noel Baker, Member of Rotary Southern Mitchell, and generous benefactor  to the Children First Foundation share in our “Remembering Peter Lamers” time recently.

Both Noel and Margaret shared some of their memories of Peter adding to the rich spirit of the occasion.

We thank them both for joining us.

 

 

 

DARDI MUNWURRO (Strong Spirit) 

Based in High Street Preston “is a specialist Aboriginal family violence service…. ( their vision is to) “Build stronger families and safer communities by delivering a range of family violence programs to break the cycle of inter-generational trauma in Aboriginal families and communities.”

CELEBRATION OF PRESTON RAILWAY OVERPASS

  

BBQ

While some of us have been enjoying the delights of our wonderful coast- line this Summer, (President Ruth) a number of our stalwarts in the Rotary Club of Preston have been doing a great job- raising much needed funds via BBQ’s at Bunnings for the many worthwhile causes we assist. Even in searing heat in mid Jan our workers raised nearly $2000. Terrific effort!

 

Jacob’s Well Foundation

Rotarian Joan Roose whose Jacob’s Well Foundation https://www.jacobswell.org.au which provides clean water and Education for Children in poverty is a cause close to the Rotary Club of Preston’s hearts. Over January, some of our members & friends banded together to clear office equipment  & furniture to be shipped over to India via Rotary’s Donations In Kind. Another fantastic effort!

 

Children First Foundation Gala Ball- is coming up!

The Children First Foundation is another organization close to our hearts. Providing children the means to be flown to Australia for highly specialized Paediatric Surgery, supporting their families and providing important respite and rehabilitation, the annual fund- raising Gala Ball is a great event. Always inspiring, is to hear directly from Specialist Surgeons what they are doing to save the dignity and lives of otherwise impoverished families.

 

 

RIMERN ( Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Network

Is going from strength to strength.

It really is inspiring to know that all  donated household goods are going directly to people who desperately need them. Volunteering with RIMERN brings immense satisfaction. There are no- ‘Middle- men”- no one is profiting by this excellent Rotary venture- like all things Rotary- all efforts are voluntary, and people in desperate need are being assisted by having their homes furnished.

RIMERN’s fundraiser of a mixed dozen bottles of wine is a much needed source of funds.
Please purchase if you can!!

 

Uphold the Right - Community Police Awards.

Coming up: 30th November:  Club Visit to Community Radio Station 3KND.

JOE MORRIS

Genuine care & support for our members is a hallmark of our club. If we know someone is not travelling all that well, be it health, emotional stress, we reach- out. Rotarian Joe contributes much to our club, and is often first cab off the rank to help with any of our
community outreach.
Recently recovering from BIG surgery, Joe surprised us by turning up at our regular Wednesday meeting.
We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to present Joe with some BIG balloons, especially since it was his Birthday too!
GO JOE!!

 

 

MENTAL HEALTH MONTH

 

VACCHO: Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation

"Fall in love with the Earth again!"

"Fall in love with the Earth again!" .... & how! Our Environment committee were keen for our  Rotary club  to  visit this beautiful urban farm in the heart of Melbourne's north. For some of our members who had not had the "Ceres experience" it was magical!

 

ceres.org.au -" Ceres is an environmental  education centre, community garden, urban farm, & social enterprise hub spread across four locations linked by the Merri & Darebin Creeks in Wurrundjeri country Melbourne." 

 

Our visit was to the East Brunswick location, with a wonderful guide, Chloe, whose passion for the environment & sustainable solutions was very evident. It  was inspiring to hear how Ceres engages community in fostering connection to the earth. Beautiful produce all meticulously farmed organically, - just a feast for the eyes!  Lunch at the Merri Cafe was delicious, and some of us couldn't resist shopping in the organic grocery store, and nursery at the end of our tour. Folks.... "do yourself a favour" & get down to Ceres.

 

    

 

 

Improving Darebin’s Biodiversity!

  

SOCIAL NIGHT

A fantastic night was had by all- well we think we can safely say that! It was wonderful to meet up with the President of Coimbatore Smartcity Rotary Club, Aparna Sonku, all the way from Tamil Nadu, India. Aparna is visiting Melbourne briefly, and we thoroughly enjoyed her company. Great food, wine was flowing, and we all agreed we were overdue to enjoy a good old knees up!

Pathways to Employment Grants : Inner North Community Foundation

Rotary Preston greatly admires & supports the work of Inner North Community Foundation. Attending the ‘Pathways to Employment Grants’ recently highlights the innovative approach the Foundation has to removing barriers people face on their journey to work. Foundation Chair, Carolyn Phiddian writes: “ This year celebrates the start of a new partnership between the Darebin, Moreland & Yarra City Council, the Inner North Community Foundation and IntoWork Australia to address disadvantage through employment opportunities in the inner north of Melbourne… This year 10 community organisations across Darebin, Morleand & Yarra will receive a grant of $20,000.. We all have a role to play- business, not- for- profit, & individuals – in supporting local communities to thrive.,,Our communities are much more resilient and caring as a result. Some of the projects included: Free to Feed: Commercial Cooking Training & Employment, Sisterworks Inc, Resilience & Wellbeing to Employment for CALD Women, CERES: Green Gap Year, & many more. Wonderful stuff!!

“How to Thrive”

Global garden of Peace

Changeover Night

  

UKRAINE CRISIS APPEAL

The ongoing humanitarian disaster & destruction of Ukraine is wreaking havoc, and great trauma to that country. Many Rotarian Clubs, as is our club  are getting behind Ukraine, and actively supporting them with financial & material aid.

For more information to donate: https://Ukrainecrisisappeal.org/

Every little bit helps! 

 

 

INVITATION to The Rotary Club of Preston 2022 - 2023 Changeover Dinner

ROTARY YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD  ( RYLA)

The RYLA ( Rotary Youth Leadership Award) will be back this year – the first since 2019. RYLA is an intensive program for people 18-30 years old and will be held for the week 20^th-26^th November at the Doxa Youth Foundation Camp Site in Malmsbury.

        Rotary Preston is keen to support & sponsor applicants, and assist in transport to the Kilmore, where participants are then taken by bus to Malmsbury.

 

      RYLA gives participants the invaluable space to reflect on themselves,  to develop leadership skills, & develop self confidence  The program brings together a selection of experts in their fields to deliver topics and interactive sessions. It’s an opportunity to make connections with others, and have fun!

 

      Formal and technical skills are only part of the requirements for modern employees. RYLA works to develop ‘soft skills’ and personal attributes that are shown to be just as important to success. The values of these soft skills are outlined I a recent report by Deloitte Access Economics & Deakin Co.

 

    RYLA gives young leaders and emerging leaders the opportunity to serving their own communities and beyond.

 

For more information : http://www.ryla9790.org.au

 

  

 

 

RESERVOIR NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE FOODBANK

Another busy month for our club, and its been great to welcome some visitors to meetings.

 

Reservoir Neighbourhood House Foodbank support continues, with Rotarians assisting with the fortnightly delivery of much needed food. Angie Fay, CEO of RNH described demand for assistance with food & hygiene products as being “overwhelming”. For the month of March alone, over 1300 families were assisted with food donations.

 

 

ROTARY YOUTH DRIVER AWARENESS, ( RYDA)

 

RIMERN  ( Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Network )

Volunteers from Rotary Preston will be lending a hand at the Brunswick East Warehouse in the coming week. A wonderful outreach to assist those in crisis in setting up home with a large range of good quality donated goods.

 

Donations of goods & $$ for RIMERN are very welcome!

FIRST NATIONS STATEMENT FULLY ENDORSED BY OUR CLUB.

Rotary Preston deeply values contributions by First Nations Peoples, and encourages their membership.  Member Gerry Lyons, GM of Indigenous Radio Station 3 KND continues to give us great insights into the challenges, resilience and creativity that makes up  Indigenous communities. As a club we proudly endorse our First Nations Statement, recently ratified by club members.

RIMERN: Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Network

APRIL NEWS

April has been a busy time for Rotary Preston. Members, Elaine Price, Police Convenor for Rotary, and Geoff McIlvenna, attended the official opening of the Reservoir Police Station.

As our club is very proud of our tradition of sponsoring the Annual Police Awards and Service to Community, this was an occasion close to Elaine & Geoff’s hearts!

Reservoir Police Station has moved from its old Edward Street site, to Mahoney’s Road.

It is a new, purpose- built facility, carefully designed to accommodate the complex and diverse requirements of contempory policing.

Elaine noted, “ the facility gives Police and those detained, greater separation for safety, and it’s a great environment to work as Police Officers, and the community members with which they serve.”

The Sallyport area, which is a safe & secure area to transport suspects into custody, and private areas in which to meet members of the community, along with high quality staff facilities are impressive.

This is Police Station designed to meet future growth. It houses the Reservoir Uniform branch, Family Violence Investigation Unit, Victim Support Service Areas, & Darebin Taskforce Team.

Special Guests to the Opening included, Wurundjeri Elder, Norman Terrick, Police Chief Commissioner, Shane Patton, State Police Minister Lisa Neville, Federal MP for Cooper, Ged Kearney and Senior Sergeant Mark Van Rooyen.

HOW GOOD IS RIMERN- ROTARY INNER MELBOURNE EMERGENCY NETWORK?

Last year Chairperson of RIMERN, Susie Cole, spoke to our club about this Rotary initiative which re- homes donated household furniture, and goods to people in desperate need. This includes folk who have been recently released from prison who are being re- housed, families escaping domestic violence, - you name it! Referrals come far & wide, - mostly from agencies, such as Neighbourhood Houses, Salvo's Vinnies, etc. The warehouse is located in East Brunswick, and Rotarians pay to  rent the warehouse, and put in numerous hours to sort donated gear. It is all highly organised, and RIMERN is doing an AMAZING job. 

 

Rotarian Ruth McCall was contacted last Wednesday by fellow Rotarian, Gerry Lyons from Radio 3 KND. A newly arrived team- member from N.T. - due to unforseen circumstances, required furniture and household items ASAP. RIMERN was contacted, and immediately responded. A team from Rotary Preston were at the Warehouse Thursday morning, the client was invited to tour the facility and select everything she required. A Rotary truck was sourced from the Rotary DIK ( Donations in Kind warehouse in Footscray) by the ever- resourceful, and dedicated, Geoff Mcilvenna, and Preston Rotarians loaded up the truck and literally moved & helped to set up the person's new home that day. Great outcome, and inspiring effort. Shows what Rotary can do! 

 

  

 

LATEST SPEAKER

 

NEWEST MEMBER

 

District 9790 Annual Conference: March 18, 19, 2022.

RECYCLING PLAY EQUIPMENT!! (RORP)

NEW PEOPLE NEW YEAR

It's great to welcome new people into our Rotary family, & the year has started off with great energy & enthusiasm.

There is no doubt that Rotary expands one's horizons, and in the few short weeks we have reconvened, we have heard from Esther Boateng from Ghana, Bruce, from Benalla, representing ROMAC- 'Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children', & we hosted the 10th Community Police Awards!! Plus, members & visitors alike, are enjoying the Preston Rotary Vibe!!!

Lots more to come in the near future!!!

 

      

 

 

 

CLUB MEETINGS

Club meetings are held each Wednesday 1230 for 1245 at Darebin RSL, lunch followed by Guest Speaker.

 

Coming Up: 

- 9th March Exciting Plans for Reservoir Neighbourhood House - with the delightful Angie Fay.

- 16th March: 'International Needs Australia.'

 

FAREWELL TO A GREAT BLOKE!

It was with great sadness we said "adieu" to Rotarian, Peter McGuiggan.

 

Peter has been with our club for 3 years, and as a wonderful Salvation Army Officer, he brought with him compassion, warmth and empathy,values all congruent with Rotary. Peter moves to Sydney shortly. It was great to have Peter as Chairperson of the newly established Environment & Sustainability Committee, with  the encouragement  & support from P.P Lisa Defazio. Peter leaves a big imprint on our club. We wish him & his family our very best wishes.

 

    

 

Friends of Merri Creek Labyrinth

Rotarians, Lisa & Ruth recently assisted the Friends of Merri Creek Labyrinth in some serious weeding." This beautiful Labyrinth - the only one in Melbourne situated in parklands is located along the bike/walking path in Clifton Hill. It is a community resource built by the community for the community 20 years ago.

 

Rotary Preston is keen to get involved in Environmental Projects locally & more broadly. Enhancing our environment is in everyone's best interest, and gives such pleasure.

 

Great to meet some dedicated volunteers through Friends of Merri Creek Labyrinth!

 

  

 

 

early Christmas Lunch

Hosting an early Christmas Lunch for some of the Darebin RSL committee & auxillary was a delight. Great to all be in one room together, sharing a meal and some laughs.

Rotarians were in full- flight!

The Melbourne Awards’

The city of Melbourne’s highest accolade, ‘The Melbourne Awards’ now in its 19th year recognises and celebrates 8 key areas identified to reflect the way in which programs and organisations contribute to Melbourne as a thriving, forward thinking capital city.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp stated, “ we were thrilled to recognise and celebrate the inspirational people who make a valuable contribution to our city. Award finalists are a testament to our passionate and innovative community.” 

The Rotary Club of Preston congratulate ‘the TORCH’ – this years winners of the Melbourne Aboriginal 2021 Awards, “Kommargee Ketherba” (Rise up Together)

“The Torch provide art, cultural and arts industry support to Indigenous offenders and ex- offenders in Vic. The aim is to reduce the rate of reoffending by encouraging the exploration of identity and culture through arts programs to define new pathways upon release.” 

  

PAUL HARRIS AWARD

Congratulations also to Preston  Rotarian, & Vocational Service Director  Tim Weir on being awarded the Rotary International  Paul Harris Fellowship Award.

Tim’s generous contribution to Foundation, the hallmark Rotary Charity will be of enormous benefit, and we thank Tim for all that he contributes to our club and the broader Rotary community.

Celebrating a special Birthday

LIFT THE LID: MENTAL HEALTH DAY

A Great day to walk in the local neighbourhood with our "Lift the Lid" Mental Health Awareness week T- shirts- raising awareness for Mental Health Week.  Great to combine our "silent- auction" fundraising efforts with a great walk in our 'hood.!