We gather together on the lands of the traditional custodians, the Wurundjeri people. We pay our respects to all of Melbourne’s First Peoples, to their ancestors and Elders, and to our shared future together.
A number of members and guests visited the warehouse in Brunswick and were greeted by Suzie Cole and given a presentation and tour of the facility.
RIMERN is a multi-club Rotary project operating in Inner Melbourne, providing furniture, appliances & homewares to welfare agency clients who have experienced homelessness, domestic violence, incarceration, refugee displacement and other crises.
It is an impressive operation, managed by few people, desperately in need of more people to volunteer. Camberwell Rotary members Jo-Anne Tamlyn, David Troon & Phil Young volunteer their time regularly and in the past Steve Clarke has tagged and tested the electronic goods coming into the facility.
RIMERN is in its fourth year of operation, and it was interesting to note that there were members on the night who had not previously seen the facility. I urge all members and especially our newer members to visit and volunteer at the facility. Also tell anyone you can that all manner of goods can be donated which serves the community and saves the environment.
Our visiting Rotarian from Nigeria, Patrick Ngasso was gob smacked and absolutely in awe and “Inspired” by what RIMERN is doing. I would not be at all surprised to see something happen in Abuja, Nigeria.
We then adjourned to the Moreland Hotel Bistro for some very enjoyable fellowship and to bid farewell to Patrick and his wife Miriam who were returning to Nigeria after holidaying in Australia.
My Greatest Walk at Hawthorn Makers Market Sunday 3rd March
My Greatest Walk a community event was held on Sunday 3rd March 2024 designed to raise funds and awareness for Myeloma Australia. The weather started out promising but soon cooled but this did not deter the 40-50 walkers (two of who also have Myeloma, Hayley Beer – Support Nurse with Myeloma Australia) who came out to support our member Adrian Campbell and Myeloma Australia to raise funds.
We were also fortunate that the Glenferrie Festival was on which meant we could walk down the middle of Glenferrie Road from Burwood Road to Barkers Road and back. There were many other community groups and businesses on display.
We raised more than $4,000 and as usual the camaraderie and fellowship between members was on show.
Start of the Walk
End of the Walk
A full story and more pictures will be in our next Bulletin and on our website.
Let’s work together, to take action to create hope in the world and in our local communities.
After a long delay, we are finally sharing some exciting news with you all. We hope that this news fills you with anticipation and joy, just as it has for our dedicated staff and myself.
Let me provide you with some background information. In 2017, my dear friend Miriam generously made a donation to Hearing and Beyond with the specific intention of funding the construction of our very own school. Additionally, Miriam also left a personal donation for me, which I added to the school fund. In 2020, I sadly lost my Beloved Dad, Paddy McCann, who left a small sum of money to each of his 8 children. Once again, I added Dad's contribution to the school fund. In 2023, upon my retirement from Nursing, I was able to access my Superannuation, adding even more funds to our school project. Furthermore, in the same year, we received a significant bequeathment from a long-time donor.
Thanks to the kindness of some amazing individuals, we were incredibly lucky last year to acquire land for the school! While we are thrilled about acquiring the land, the next phase of our journey involves raising funds for the construction of the school. An Architect has kindly offered to provide us with plans at no cost, saving us a substantial amount of money.
Now, here comes the big challenge - we need to raise a total of AUD$260,000.00 to turn our dream into reality. While this may seem like a daunting task, it is achievable with the support of our community and contacts in the corporate sector.
Donations made in Australia and the USA are tax-deductible, which is an added incentive to contribute to our cause. When I reflect on the scepticism, I faced in 2008 when I first set out to establish a school for Deaf children in Vietnam, I am reminded that with determination and collective effort, we can achieve great things.
It's been 12 months in the making but I'm very pleased to announce that we have a new brand for Myeloma Australia. Many of you had commented to me how the old branding was starting to wear thin. A little outdated, somewhat old fashioned and not as optimistic as we need to be.
So, we got to work and with the help and support of many in the community and the probono support of agency, TBWA, we produced a whole new brand. More than just a logo, our new brand picks up all the things we know and love about the myeloma community and why we exist. We landed on statements like; "To be a continuous source of action, education and support for Australian's fighting myeloma." This statement reinforced our purpose.
Other work to define who we are centred on our personality as an organisation; driven by empathy, passion, being positive upbeat and knowledgeable. The process has been great. From now you'll see the colour and vibrancy in all that we do. We continue to be driven by the needs of our myeloma community. We are there for you and with you.
The launch of the new brand has come just in time for Myeloma Action Month. During the month of March, we will be hosting a variety of events to raise community awareness of myeloma. These are My Greatest Walk Sunday 3rd March 2024 and My Greatest Call Long Lunch Wednesday 6th March 2024
National Myeloma Month Online Seminars This year we will host two online seminars broadcast live from our website with presentations covering a variety of topics from information about new treatments from tips on living well with myeloma long-term.
These events will be held:
Monday 18/3/24 at 12pm - 2:30pm and Wednesday 28/3/24 at 12pm - 2:30pm
No registrations or logins required. The seminars can be viewed via our website and will be available on playback. We look forward to our community coming together during the month of March.
Districts and Rotary and Rotaract clubs play a key role in recruiting and recommending Rotary Peace Fellow candidates. Each year, The Rotary Foundation awards fellowships to leaders in peace and development to study at one of the Rotary Peace Centers at premier universities around the world. The fellows can earn a master’s degree or a postgraduate diploma through the professional development certificate program.
The application will be open 1 February through 15 May, and the peace fellows who are selected will begin their studies in 2025. Find out who is eligible and how they can apply.
Wednesday 13th March – New Member Induction (Partner of Club Member)
All members and partners are asked to attend the induction of the partner of one of our current members.
Also hear from member Rick Westcott who will deliver a Member Behind the Badge presentation.
Tuesday 16th April 24 – Cluster Club Meeting
There is a discussion among the cluster club presidents of a proposed Cluster Club Meeting to be held on Tuesday 16th April, 2024. Therefore, this will take the place of our meeting on Wednesday 17th April. The details for now are:
Have you ever wondered which Sunday you have been allocated to? Can't find the email from Alan?
Then look no further! This new widget has been added to both our website Home Page - it's at the bottom of the right-hand column, right under the 3 most recent Bulletins. And it will be in each Bulletin as well. Just click on the blue "CSM Signup List" link. It's that simple - try it!
On 8 March, 2024, Rotary International is hosting a 60-minute panel discussion as a way to celebrate and recognize International Women’s Day, and we would love for you to join us!
The discussion will focus on the importance of not only including but being a champion of women in leadership — in the workplace and beyond. We will discuss the importance of identifying leaders early, establishing mentorship and sponsorship programs, supporting women in joining women-led professional organizations, and focusing on allyship. We’ll also announce and celebrate the recipient of the 2023-24 Sylvia Whitlock Leadership Award.
This event is open to Rotary members and members of the public of all genders. Feel free to share with your networks.
Empowering and Elevating Women in the Workplace
Click here to see the event details in your time zone.
Following the event, a recording will be available to everyone who registers.
Deb and I invite you to join us at the District Conference in Bendigo.
This is a wonderful opportunity for Rotarians to get together in-person, and enjoy all things Rotary. What a brilliant way for Rotarians to network while hearing from guest speakers and experiencing all that Bendigo and the surrounding area has to offer.
Venue
Ulumbarra Theatre, 10 Gaol Rd, Bendigo
The Ulumbarra Theatre is a 953-seat theater in Bendigo, Victoria. It opened in 2015 and is located on the site of the Sandhurst Goal which closed in 2004.
Accommodation
A variety of accommodation options are available for all budgets.
A Showcase area will be available for the display of Rotary projects for the benefit of the conference attendees to enjoy.
Further information will be available shortly.
About Bendigo
From its grand historic buildings that sprouted up during the gold boom to its famous potteries and growing food scene, there is a lot to love about this regional city.
Experience the contrasts of Bendigo, a city with a vibrant arts hub and world-class food and wine scene, rich gold-rush history, grand architecture and magnificent gardens. Sample stunning contemporary cuisine in historic buildings. Admire modern art in venues new and old, and explore the city's fascinating history at museums, gardens and galleries. When exploring Bendigo, you're visiting the lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung People.
Deb and I invite you to join us at the District Conference in Bendigo. 
