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.
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Club Meeting Conochie Hall - Wednesday 13th March 24
We were also fortunate to hear from Susie Lachal who gave us an update on the Running Water & Education Projects in Kampong Thom, Cambodia. Some interesting facts which I did not know about and no doubt neither did our members know are:
Kathy Feil and Susie Lachal have worked closely with Don Jago of Camberwell Rotary since 2009.
Susie and her team have worked with 14,500 students & 350 + teachers and 60 schools
Camberwell Rotary have provided funds for the following educational activities in Kampong Thom:
2009 -2014 funds were provided to run teacher training workshops for 6 years
2015-2018 funds were provided to transport teachers from rural areas to the Provincial Teacher Training College for Teachers Across Borders workshops for 5 days
Total funds donated by Camberwell Rotary to further education in Kampong Thom is approx $80,000AUD over 16 years
Total funds donated by Camberwell Rotary to Running water project is $36,500
Vale Audrey Steven
I have been advised that Audrey Steven (wife of the late John Steven) passed away on Wednesday 13th March 2024. Funeral details have been emailed and are also in the Club news section.
Let’s work together, to take action to create hope in the world and in our local communities.
We have received an update from our Cambodia Rural Students Trust representative Sreypeou Mao.
She has just finished her Level 4 English class at university and has so far maintained an excellent grade of over 90% for the last year. In addition to her studies, she has been a volunteer at the local hospital helping out in the Pharmacy, a role which she has just finished. She is also a very active member of the Trust and the local Rotoract Club. From building houses to empowering young women to repairing bikes and delivering solar lights to rural students, I am sure you will find her update interesting.
Hello from Cambodia, my name is Sreypeou Mao. Currently, I live in Siem Reap Province. I was born in a farming family with my parents, three brothers, and two other sisters, which is a countryside area in Pursat Province. The distance from Pursat to my home is about 70 kilometres. As we are a poor family, most of my siblings had no chance to go to school and only my younger brother and I could go to study.
My brothers and my sisters went to find jobs to support our family, but their jobs were not professional, just the staff at a garment factory or construction. When I was in secondary school, they couldn't help us anymore because they had their own family and they needed to help their family, too. I faced a lot of problems because my family had no money to support my studies, especially the secondary school that I needed to learn was located near the local market which as around 30 kilometres from my home.
No matter how difficult it was, my parents still decided to continue to support my studies. They work for pay from others in the village that we live in. Of course, I was happy to continue my studies but I was upset that I could not help my parents. In 2020 I was in grade 10 my parents were getting old, and they could not support me. Fortunately, for me, COVID-19 school closed, I went to find a job to support my family but I still study as normal because the teacher taught online. In 2021 I saw a scholarship announcement on the internet from Cambodia Rural Students Trust ( CRST). Next, I applied, and I passed this scholarship at the end of the year. I moved to SiemReap alone. I started grade 12 at SiemReap, a new environment, and a new look, everything is new for me.
My life is completely different because I studied at a private school with high quality named Future Bright International School (FBIS). I faced a lot of challenges but I could solve those problems and I could improve myself to be a strong girl. After that, I finished high school at FBIS in 2023, and I went to Paññāsāstra University of Cambodia (PUC). Now I am in level 4 of the English program and maybe in April I will be in university majoring in Business Administration.
I admire CRST because it gives me a lot of opportunities to get new experiences. Nowadays, I have held roles as a Production team member of Project G – Empowering Girls and Assistant Communication Manager of Project L – Light for Education. I joined as a Rotaract member in the middle of 2023. Since I was selected as a CRST member, I could join activities to help society such as building houses for families who need our help and fixing bikes for students who study in rural schools. Last but not least, I am happy to be a part of helping my society, I want to see their hope for a better life.
I was selected as a Rotaract member of the Club of Siem Reap (RACSR) in the middle of 2023. The reason that I joined this club is because I want to help my society and make a connection to the world, especially because I want to get new experiences. I know the RACSR through CRST organizations. Since I joined this club, I have involved with many activities and meetings and I can understand what is the Rotaract means. Recently, the club had an election but I did not apply because I want to know more and more about the Rotaract. Moreover, I am fantastic that I can be a part of helping my society through this opportunity.
With the period of challenge having now passed, I am very pleased to confirm the appointment of Past President Graeme Hope, Rotary Club of Camberwell, as District 9800 Governor Nominee (Designate), to serve as Governor in 2026-2027.
Again, I extend congratulations and best wishes to Graeme and Sue on behalf of us all and am sure that he will represent us in a most professional and supportive manner.
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!
The planning for the D9800 Conference has definitely ramped up, with the conference now just a few short weeks away. You may recall that during the registration process when you puchased your tickets for the Conference, we asked for an indication as to your potential interest in activities to be planned for Friday 12th April.
Based on the feedback received we have now arranged two activities, a social round of golf at the Bendigo Golf Course or a social game of bowls at the Kangaroo Flat Bowls Club. Details of each option are as follows -
D9800 Conference Social Golf - Friday, 12th April - 1pm Start
Bendigo Golf Club
33 Golf Course Road, Ascot 3551
A 9 Hole Round
Cost is $20.00 per player (paid on the day) - Drinks at Bar Prices
Clubs and/or Golf Cart Hire is available - bookings in advance are recommended
D9800 Conference Social Bowls - Friday, 12th April - 12:30pm Start
Kangaroo Flat Bowls Club
1 Station Street, Kangaroo Flat 3555
2 Games of 10 Ends - Drawn Pairs
$15 Green Fee (paid on the day) includes nibbles, tea & coffee. Drinks at bar prices.
Casual dress. Flat sole shoes or bare feet.
Bowls available for use if required.
Are you interested and keen to enjoy a social afternoon playing either of these sports? Then simply email d9800conference@gmail.com to book your place, indicate which sport you want to play and then turn up on the day ready to enjoy one of our wonderful sporting facilities in Bendigo.
Bookings for both events will close on 25th March 2024 - this gives you plenty of time to pack the clubs or polish the bowls in readiness to head to Bendigo for a great social gathering leading into our wonderful 'Gathering on the Goldfields' Conference.
