Community Service 2011-12

The Community Service Committee have planned a diverse program this year .Our budget this year is yet to be determined. The programs the Committee is hoping to support this year are

Indigenous Community: One of Past President Rob’s key objectives was to identify and organize an ongoing project to help indigenous people. The Committee has commenced investigation into possibilities both locally and in Northern Territory.

Myeloma Foundation of Australia: MFA is an organisation the Club has supported over many years. MFA this year will run the Business of Winning Lunch on Friday 11 September 2010 at Crown Casino. The Committee has agreed to support MFA by endorsing the lunch as supported by the Rotary Club of Camberwell and by providing assistance in organising the lunch.

VicRelief FoodBank : VicRelief Foodbank is Victoria's largest independent food relief resource centre. The Committee has agreed to continue to support Foodbank by providing one tonne of rice per month.

Camp Getaway : Rotary Camp Getaway is an exciting project providing a camp / nature retreat for community based groups and Rotarians to use.  Our support this year will again be through a working bee and sleep over at Camp Getaway on 3rd to 5th September 2010.

Welfare Programs : Epilepsy Foundation and the Australian Leukodystrophy Support Group. We aim to continue our support this year through assisting parents and their children in attending support weekends so those families can learn further about their illness and also meet other families.  Swags for the Homeless :

Swags for Homeless is a National not for profit charity run 100% by unpaid volunteers. It is funded 100% by volunteers.  Swags for Homeless distribute the World's ONLY fire retardant Backpack Bed™ (swag) to homeless around Australia and the World. The Committee intends to form a stronger alliance with Swags for Homeless, so as to bring the skills of Rotary to help those without homes.  This program supports President Rob’s objective to investigate growing problems within Australian Society such as Homelessness.

Hands on Learning : Hands on Learning is a centre of excellence in applied learning and student wellbeing, engaging kids in their school and community. Hands On Learning Australia has developed a set of creative, flexible, learning programs designed to provide an alternative learning framework for disengaged students to reconnect with their school and community. Students are invited to join a small team formed from Years 7 to 10.  The Committee is hopeful this will develop into a program that the Club can support in 2010/2011.