This week we are pleased that our 9685 District Governor, Mina Howard, is attending our meeting for her Official Visit. We thank her for her support and for the numerous times she has attended our meetings.
Once again we had an enjoyable evening at the Rotary Clubs of NSW Police Officer of the Year Awards. It was great to share it with Ross Johnson and our past member Fleur Hourihan.
The great news for our club this week is the success of Lucy Hobgood -Brown’s grant application. Please read the following “Congratulations” item.
At present we have members working on their projects here and overseas. At present we have Barbara (permanently) in Kenya, Judith in Timor Leste, Jeff in Cambodia.
Lucy is in Oregon, USA, celebrating Thanksgiving with her family. Kian is in Malaysia.
We wish you all safe travels.
Our next meeting’s guest will be Past Rotary International President Ian Riseley, who is the current Chair of The Rotary Foundation. Please advertise this widely for 4 December.
On Wednesday 23 November I have been invited to speak about Rotary e-clubs at the Rotary Club of Umina Beach. All of our members are invited to attend. Please let me know asap if you wish to come – 6:00 PM at Everglades Country Club, Woy Woy. Meals cost $15-25.
Welcome to the new members who are joining our club this meeting: Kim Mannion, and Wendy Stein
Until next time
Marilyn
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of Rotary in Australia in 2021 the Rotary Club of Balwyn will donate a significant portion of its annual income generated from its Camberwell Sunday Market to assist other Rotary Clubs in Australia in their humanitarian endeavours. Since 1976 the Sunday Market has become a Melbourne icon and tourist attraction and the many millions of dollars generated from the Sunday Market has enabled the RCB to start many major community projects and assist in philanthropic initiatives within Australia and internationally.
The Rotary Club of Balwyn is sharing its good fortune by providing Balwyn Centenary Grants to other Rotary Clubs to give their members the opportunity to fulfill their dreams in making the world a better place.
The Rotary Club of Balwyn has committed approximately $1,000,000 over the next 5 years to aid other Rotary Clubs in Australia.
Well done Lucy Hobgood-Brown. News has just come that her application for a grant of AUD 33,264 to construct a community hub at Lotumbe, DRC, has been successful. I will leave it to Lucy to talk about this later.
The three new industrial sewing machines and one new industrial overlocker were delivered to the School for Life in Uganda last week. The ladies are very excited about these new machines as they are a big set up from what they have had. The new machines have built in motors with electronic speed control and are extremely fast - something like 4,000 SPM ( stitches per minute); for comparison a domestic sewing machine runs at about 800 SPM. These machines will greatly improve the quality and productivity of their tailoring program.
Plans are starting to come together for a sewing teacher training program, at the school for Life in July 2023. At that time we will be teaching sewing teachers coming from Kenya, Tanzania and Congo (DRC)
Refugee teaching:
Our refugee teaching program in Sydney starts on Monday 29th and we are currently setting up for that. Additionally Rhonda in Queensland is now investigating starting a refugee training program on the Gold Coast. More on this later.
Thank you to everyone who is helping us with these programs.
Monday 24 October is WORLD POLIO DAY. Ending Polio is the number one priority of both Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation. Each Club is asked to make a commitment to contribute US$1,500 ($2,175). Over the past four years we have conducted the All Stations challenge train ride to End Polio. Over those four years we have raised in Greater Sydney over $450,000 to ending Polio before the Gates Match. This year more than ever we need you commitment and support.
Attached is the train timetable at lets you know when we will be stopping at a station near you. Even if you Club is not on a trainline, PLEASE do you bit by joining us and riding with us for a station or two. It is a great Fellowship day, a great PUBLIC IMAGE Day and it puts the Rotary Brand out there in front of the public.
If a Rotarian contributes via this site, the members Club gets the credit. If a non-Rotarian contributes, than the District gets the credit. The donor email address is the identifying link to your Club or District.
The plan this year is to raise $200,000. Please do your bit to ensure that your Club meets its commitment to ENDING POLIO. Please look to sponsorship of Dave and myself. $1 per station from an individual or even $10 per station from Clubs together with your individual member sponsorship can help you achieve you Club commitment. Also if you have not already done so, Please go to www.rotary.org and go to Rotary Club Central and put your goal in place for Ending Polio. 100% of Clubs that did not put a Goal in place last Rotary year, did not give to ending polio.
Dave and I look forward to meeting all of you on the train on MONDAY 24 October. It is a big day if you want to ride the full 181 stations with us, starting at Cronulla ay 4:30AM. PLEASE COME and join us. And as a famous Rotarian from the 1960’s (Joe the gadget man) used to say “Don’t forget to bring you money with you?” Cheque or proof of bank transfer would also be good.
Throughout November, Rotary Foundation Month, you’ll have a lot of opportunities to show your support for the Foundation. In addition to celebrating with a gift on Giving Tuesday, 29 November, you can find ways to thank donors in your club or district. As we reflect on the good we’ve done together, the Foundation will be sending many thank-you notes to our supporters, who make all of our work possible.
Giving Tuesday
Support The Rotary Foundation this Giving Tuesday. On 29 November, we hope to have as many Rotary members as possible take action and give to our Foundation so we can continue to make a difference in communities that need our help. Giving Tuesday is a global day of generosity that empowers all of us to give through service, kindness, and financial support. We hope you and your club celebrate by Doing Good in the World and supporting our Foundation. The top engaged clubs will be featured on My Rotary. See last year’s top performers.
First hand acquaince with Foudation by Edward Hicks, a member of the Rotary Club of Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
I first became acquainted with The Rotary Foundation and its Fellowship for Undergraduate Study Abroad in 1970, as a sophomore at the University of Oklahoma. My faculty adviser suggested I apply for the fellowship. Little did I imagine how much it would change my life. I used the fellowship to study Economics at the University of Melbourne in Australia during the 1971 academic term.
To read the full story of his time in Melbourne and later click here
Our RACS RARE (Rotary Australia Repurposing Equipment)project (Previously known as DIK) is in desperate need of a Manager and Assistant Manager to avoid a permanent shutdown.
PDG Keith Roffey has had the position for the last 5 years and is to retire next year.
ROTARY VISION: Turning its aims and ideals into action
"Rotary's influence on the heart of the world will be in direct proportion to the number of communities that are exposed to the Rotary ideal. So let us help to found new clubs wherever the soil is at all fertile"" -- - 'Five Goals for Friendly Men', The Rotarian, July, 1950
With the success of the 2022 Rotary International Convention in Houston, our first in-person convention since 2019, we’re more excited than ever about meeting again at the 2023 Rotary International Convention in Melbourne, Australia, 27-31 May. Join us in this beautiful city to connect with other people of action. We’ll hear from great speakers, enjoy fantastic entertainment, take part in inspirational breakout sessions, and so much more.
Did you know that if you register today you’ll receive the reduced rate? Don’t wait —pay in full by 15 December, when this rate expires.
You won’t want to miss this opportunity to share your passion for Rotary with fellow members in Melbourne. We can’t wait to see you there!
