Stories

Box Hill Institute Centenary

On Wednesday 4 September 2024, the Box Hill Institute (BHI) celebrated its Centenary. Due to our long-standing relationship underpinned by providing multiple Bert Stevens Apprentice Awards over decades, Rotary Camberwell Michael Blood and Fabienne Nichola, were amongst over 350 guests which included past students, staff and government representatives.

Distinguished BHI speakers covered many milestones of the past 100 years following the modest beginning as a Technical School for girls and women in 1924.

The recurring theme was the remarkable impact BHI provided and continues to provide young students a pathway to successful and diverse careers, in an environment where trade-based apprentices and related further studies, was very limited.

Rotary Camberwell is proud to have supported BHI students with multiple Bert Stevens Apprentice Award over many years.

Youth Homelessness Morning Tea

On Friday 30 August 2024, a morning tea for youth homelessness was held at Verona Café in Kew sponsored by Australian Asian Business Women’s association.

The focus was on the work of Concern Australia - Steps Outreach Service https://www.concernaustralia.org.au/steps/.

Program Manager Anne Mitchell (pictured with Kim Wren - Rotary Kew) has provided around 20 years of support and advocacy to young people experiencing homelessness. She leads a team who engage with young men and women on the ground, wherever they are located and provides caring and practical support.

The highlight was hearing the inspirational and moving stories from people who have experienced homelessness and have transformed their lives with the dedication, encouragement, advocacy and guidance of the Steps Outreach Service workers.

Rotary Camberwell supports 'Off Your Back' Winter Coat Drive

At short notice on 21 August, 2024 Rotary Camberwell members were asked to donate a pre-loved coat to support the work of the ‘Off Your Back’ winter coat drive to distribute to homeless Victorians. After a long spell of chilly weather, it was gratifying to have the generous response of over 45 coats to help keep a homeless person warm. Our thanks to Andy Chappell for coordinating. https://offyourback.com.au/

CLUB DINNER - President Presentation 31 July 2024

Members enjoyed a social gathering recently. To support one of our local businesses, the dinner was held at Blue River Thai restaurant.

One of the highlights of the night was awarding President George de Souza with a silver plaque recognising his presidency of 2023-2024. This presidential recognition is a long-standing tradition of the club.

DONATIONS in KIND - transforming lives

Club members attended the Donations in Kind (DIK) open day on 10 August in West Footscray. A non-descript grey warehouse building indistinguishable from other warehouses on the site, identified only by a relatively small Rotary wheel at its from entrance. Visitors were greeted with the enticing smell of a sausage sizzle.

From there, a number of tours were busy explaining its purpose walking along what appeared to be a never-ending row of racks, labelled with each carefully stacked with the largest variety of donated goods (as pictured) for Rotary clubs for their local and international projects.

Stung Sen High School Update

Progress is well underway, reports Susie Lachal from the Running Water Project in Cambodia. https://www.runningwaterproject.org/

The mid-July 2024 update includes progress with the construction of new toilets at the Stung Sen High School, Cambodia. The school has 1,450 students and staff but only 18 toilets and 3 urinals. Rotary Camberwell is helping fund 4 new menstrual health management toilets and 3 urinals, as part of a larger project.

Hearing and Beyond

Tears as Deaf Girl Enters Mainstream School - Letter from Mai McCann, July 2024 - Founding Director Hearing and Beyond in Vietnam:

‘Dear friends…. A bittersweet moment as we farewelled a much-loved student, Kim Ngân. There were tears and happiness all around. What an amazing achievement for Kim Ngân. She is our seventh child to attend mainstream schooling! (after attending Hearing and Beyond)’. Mai McCann, Founder https://hearingandbeyondinvietnam.org/

Below is a link to a TV documentary covering her initiative to construct of a new school for deaf children in Vietnam: https://youtu.be/rvDkJs4pKk8?si=tY0mkooNkQWlV-kr

Regionalization Update - Rotary Community Leader

Congratulations to Gary Goldsmith who has been appointed as Rotary Community Leader for RCG 9800 -1.

Audrey Steven's Funeral

Last Friday a large number of Rotary Camberwell Members, partners and Past members gathered to farewell Audrey Steven, the wife of over 70 years of long-serving Club Member John Steven, who predeceased her less than a year ago. Audrey was deeply involved with Rotary with her much loved husband and was awarded two Paul Harris recognitions. Our thoughts are with her surviving adult children John, Jo and Peter (Past Member), and the many grand- and great grand-children.

Last Week's Speaker Dr Gayle Smerdon and Chair Nav Muniratna

Guest speaker Dr Gayle Smerdon Management Coach, presented on the topic of ‘Overcoming Overwhelm’. Gayle is a writer, speaker, coach and trainer. She holds a PhD in the Social Sciences, and Grad. Dip. in Psychology. Her professional mantra is ‘Doing work that matters’.

Amongst the books she’s authored are ‘iDevelop: How to take charge of your professional development by becoming a conscious learner’, ‘DO ONE THING and do it deep: How to focus and energise your workplace’ and a work in progress titled on ‘Team Up: How to lift your people and productivity’, due for publication later in 2023.

With many people finding their lives are beyond busy, with too much to do and too little time, Gayle asked us to consider not just how to get better at being productive but to find ways to prioritise our tasks. But she encouraged us to ask bigger questions about what’s important to our lives and how we balance the different aspects that enrich us and help us be happy and healthy.

We don’t want to look back on lives that were busy but on lives that were full. Gayle acknowledged that while these are not things we don’t know, it’s easy to lose sight of them when overwhelmed with information, activities and distractions.

Gayle provided a number of tools we can use for clarity about what's important in our many roles at any stage of life and assist us in managing multiple tasks effectively. In short, she shared great insights on how to care for our own welfare by adopting some practical tips as we navigate the life’s ongoing demands.

ROMP Road Show – August 2023 Traralgon, Victoria

Background

The Rotary Club of Camberwell has been engaged with Myeloma Australia since it began more than twenty-five years ago. The Rotary Outreach Myeloma Program (ROMP) is an ongoing community service program of the Rotary Club of Camberwell in collaboration with Myeloma Australia.

The ROMP Scholarship is a project run by a Rotary Club of Camberwell Committee, collaborating with Rotary Clubs of regional Victoria. The scholarship is offered to selected registered nurses employed in rural and regional cancer centres or clinics in Victoria to complete a Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing at Melbourne University. The online course is over a year on a part time basis. The scholarship is funded by participating Rotary clubs, their communities and sponsors.

‘We are tackling myeloma - and all cancers - in regional Victoria, one Rotary Club and one nurse at a time'.

Timor Rotary Consortium - Update 5th May 2023

The 2023 Camberwell Art Show

We are pleased to announce that the 2023 Camberwell Art Show will again be held in the Advanced Technologies Centre at Swinburne University (427 Burwood Road, Hawthorn), commencing with the Gala Opening on Friday 23 June, and then open to the public Saturday 24 June to Sunday 2 July.

For further information for both Artists and Patrons, ticket purchases and Subscription to the Camberwell Art Show Mailing List, please go to our dedicated website at http://www.camberwellartshow.org.au

The 2023 Boroondara Volunteer Expo

Camberwell Rotary needs more Volunteers!

To do good in the world, we rely on our Club Members to help with our fundraising projects and help with our various charitable projects. Think of the Camberwell Art Show, the Camberwell Sunday Market, the Hawthorn Makers Market, Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Network, Camp Getaway, even Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds.

And wouldn't it be great if new could engage some non-Rotarians to help us? They may even eventually become new Members!

Well, the City of Boroondara is holding the Boroondara Volunteer Expo on Wednesday 22 March at the Hawthorn Town Hall from 12pm - 6pm and President Fabienne has agreed to have a table at the Expo to attract new volunteers.

Greetings from Everyone at Hearing and Beyond

Posted by Kieran Healy

As the year is coming to a close I look back on what has been, yet again, another difficult year financially. However, we have again made it through the year.

Thanks to a small Band of Angels who continue to offer their unwavering support. We are so Blest to be surrounded by our Angels.

“ROMP” - successfully tackling cancer in regional Victoria
“One Rotary Club at a time... one nurse at a time”

Imagine it! Could one Rotary Club in suburban Melbourne make a meaningful difference in treatment and outcomes for cancer patients in regional Victoria and beyond?

That question has been positively answered recently by “ROMP” - the Rotary Club of Camberwell’s Rotary Outreach Myeloma Program.

ClubRunner Corner - December

Ever wondered if you have already registered for the next Club Meeting? Did you remember to register your spouse/partner/guest? Ever wondered what your upcoming volunteer commitments are? Then look no further than "My ClubRunner" and "My Profile/Commitments"!

Simply log in to the Member Area on the Home Page (top right-hand corner) and select My ClubRunner then Commitments - simples (as the meerkat says)!

I also notice that some Members have never logged in to the Member Area of the Home Page, and others are infrequent - I encourage all Members to log in regularly (you only have to do it once as your computer/device will remember your login details), as this gives you access to a wide range of Club documentation and functionality not available to non-members. For instance, once you are logged in, you can use the Calendar that appears on our Home Page to register and pay for events - you don't have to wait for emails and reminders.

So please log in and check out your profile - if you have forgotten your password, there is a reset functionality available on the website, and if you require any further assistance, as always please don't hesitate to contact me.

End Polio Now Movie Fundraiser - The Lost King

2022 Rotary Zone 8 Conference

The conference was held at The National Convention Centre, Canberra located within the city centre. 400 Rotarians and spouses attended from across Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands. The conference recently opened to anyone in Rotary in the Oceania region.

There was a distinct level of additional energy and enthusiasm with the representation of a younger cohort. The conference was jointly chaired and both had equal representation on topics covered. A quote that reinforces the importance of this partnership is ‘What we do today will determine if Rotary is here in the future’. The impact Rotaractors in Oceania and globally augurs well for the future of Rotary. A relatively new development I was unaware of is that it is now possible to have dual membership, that is, be a member of both a Rotary club and a Rotaract club - something I will consider pursuing.

Timor Rotary Consortium - Update

Greetings Fellow Consortium Members and Supporters,
We are now able to report that a very successful visit to Timor-Leste has been completed on behalf of the Consortium to view the progress made over the past two years on this project.

Moshi Week 3

Another week doing the updates for the students at our secondary schools and Kaloleni primary. So lovely to hear “Mama Kerry” around the community. They haven’t forgotten this mzungu...

Message from District Secretary

Moshi Week 2

Hi all,

As always things are polepole (slow) so achieving my list of ‘jobs to do’ each week never really happens.

We spent most of the week catching up with the various primary schools, checking on the kids and trying to get a letter written and a short video. Their English is so incredibly poor.

Accommodation is very basic and to get enough warm water to wash my hair is a challenge. There is also no wifi at the accommodation.

I have resorted to buying a ‘router’ for wifi for Team Vista house. Costly but what a difference it has made.....

2022_07_06_Changeover-Dinner

2022 Changeover Dinner

It was a wonderful night had by all at this year's changeover dinner, as we thank outgoing President Patrick for his service and welcome incoming President Fabienne.

ROMP Goes to Warrnambool

From L to R: Peter Allen (Rotary Camberwell), Bob McMullin (Rotary Club of Warrnambool Central), Chris Rantall (Guest speaker), John Hutson ( Rotary Club of Warrnambool Central & event organiser) and Adrian Campbell (Rotary Camberwell)

The City of Warrnambool celebrated the 150^th running of the Grand Annual Steeplechase this week, and the pre meet lunch organised by the Warrnambool Central Rotary Club was attended by 130 guests from all over the State. The charity partner of the event was Myeloma Australia, and our Club members Peter Allen and Adrian Campbell joined the lunch - representing the Club's award winning Rotary Outreach Myeloma Program (ROMP). We are pleased to report about $9,000 was raised for the Myeloma Foundation on the day through very generous donations and raffles - special thanks to local Rotary organisers John Hutson and Bob McMillan (who lives with myeloma).

The Warrnambool community are remarkable ambassadors & fundraisers for those living with Myeloma - with this lunch event together with the city's recent 38mate Walk in February, they have now raised close to $20,000 for the cause - which is the best result of any town or city in Australia. Well done Warrnambool.

The Camberwell Club's multi District ROMP initiative has sown seeds in Rotary Clubs all over the State, to support those living with blood cancers in regional Victoria and to improve health outcomes for those dealing with cancer. A cause worth fighting for in all our regional communities.

2022 Camberwell Art Show

2022 Camberwell Art Show - Dates Confirmed!

GREAT NEWS!

Swinburne University have now confirmed the following dates for the 2022 Camberwell Art Show. Put 20 June to 5 July in your diaries and calendars now. Remember a successful Art Show is by far our largest fund-raiser, which in turn powers our community projects both here and overseas.

Details are as follows:

Australia Day in the Park 2022

Fun of the Fair - Yarra Bank Playground Family Fun Day

Groceries for Asylum Seekers

Groceries for Asylum Seekers.

we seek the following items from club members.

They're looking for the following things;

Tuna in oil 400g
Tinned tomatoes 400g
Honey small bottles
Raw unsalted nuts almonds, walnuts, cashews
Spices small packs cumin, turmeric, chilli
Coconut cream
Sweet and savoury biscuits
Dried fruit apricots, dates
Peanut butter
Jam
Full cream UHT milk 1 litre
Deodorant spray
Disposable razors
Shampoo and conditioner
Laundry power max 1kg
Dishwashing liquid 1 litre

With the intention of helpfulness, I’m again offering to pick up groceries for asylum seekers in the following areas; Boroondara, Stonnington, Burwood, Doncastor and Templestowe.

Thanks to all those who have previously donated. The Refugee mob are so grateful. Richard O'Brien and I now using the Community Centre in Alphington to drop off your donations. Here's a snap of the Alphington Staff loading their cupboard.

All the best

Cheers Steve Clarke

Bairnsdale Cluster Project 31st July/1st August

Good Afternoon

I hope you are all keeping well. I am writing to you all today in a last bd effort to get a project done that our Cluster has been working on for over 12 months.

Working with the East Gippsland Rotary Clubs and Landcare we would like to achieve the planting of 7000 trees over the weekend of 31^st July/1^st August.

Due to the last Covid 19 lockdown our initial planting date has been and gone. We are running out of time to get these trees into the ground.

I ask if you could kindly extend an invitation to your members to join us at this wonderful project.

I do apologise for the very late notice but I am not prepared to cancel the project. As Victorians are free to travel many of our initial volunteers have taken the opportunity to travel interstate so I am seeking more volunteers.

The goal of this project was to plant as many trees as possible over a weekend, to inject much needed income into these towns who during covid have seen very few holiday makers and of course enjoy the fellowship of fellow Rotarians. Peter Sindrey, President of Lakes Entrance Rotary has worked tirelessly to make this project happen and it is up to us to ensure we see the project through.

Ideally I would like to confirm our numbers to Peter no later than Monday next week 31^st July/1^st August:

Rotarians and or friends of Rotarians to book their own accommodation. We will be based in Bairnsdale. A variety of accommodation is available.
Lunch will be provided on both the Saturday and the Sunday, buses will transport our volunteers out to 4 properties
A function will be organised at the Bairnsdale RSL for Saturday night 31^st August
We encourage our volunteers to bring basic gardening tools,. (gloves, hand tools, spades, rakes, picks etc..)
Good footwear is essential
Wet weather gear.

If you have any members interested in attending or need more information, please do not hesitate to contact me:

Donna Martin, Bacchus Marsh Rotary Club

0437 177 031 dlmartin260@gmail.com

Photo Collage from Wednesday's Meeting

It was a beautiful evening at the Wednesday's meeting on the 7th of July, with former past president Murray as the anchor for the weeks meeting.

Our wonderful speaker for the week.

May Rotary updates

May is.....

Every month in Rotary has a special purpose.

Refer to your Club Directory if you are planning an event to correlate with the Rotary Calendar.

May is also National Myeloma month in Australia.

May is National Myeloma Month - and for the Rotary Club of Camberwell, our ROMP project.

ROMP - the Rotary Outreach Myeloma Program - is our Club's Centenary year project, in collaboration with Myeloma Australia. Myeloma is an incurable blood cancer, of no known cause, which affects approximately 2000 Australians every year.

This RC100 accredited project is designed to provide access for all people diagnosed with Myeloma in Victoria to have easy access to a Myeloma support nurse and support group, run in-person or via virtual means. Our club ROMP committee are pleased to report that all 9 jurisdictions across Victoria, supported by local Rotary clubs, are now linked into this excellent program. And this week, their "38mate" program was launched - checkout the photos below!

38 Australians are diagnosed with Myeloma every week - every myeloma patient, their family and regional myeloma communities deserve ready access to specialist myeloma nurses, information about evolving myeloma treatments and advice about living with myeloma.

If you haven't yet received your copy of the ROMP newsletter, ask Adrian Campbell or Peter Allen for a copy.

Rotarians against Malaria

AI beehives installed at Victorian ports to detect biosecurity threats

March 31, 2021

Artificially intelligent beehives are being installed at Victorian ports to protect against exotic pests and diseases.

Bega Cheese’s Purple Hive project, a solar-powered device that detects bee pest Varroa destructor, will be installed alongside several sentinel hives managed and monitored by Agriculture Victoria.

Purple Hive provides alerts in real-time using artificial intelligence and 360-degree camera technology. It has been tested in New Zealand, where the mite is established, to prepare for installation at the Port of Melbourne.

Rotary Donations in Kind West Footscray Store Achievements to March 2021

There have been many significant achievements in 21 years: DIK have a new Store, new equipment, and an increased capacity to assist our stakeholders to help others. We also wish to highlight achievements over the last 21 years and thank the people and organisations who have made this possible. Donations in Kind operations in other states conduct similar activities. Rotary’s involvement in this area started over 50 years ago and in 1987 Donations in Kind was established as the nation-wide Rotary project.

Achievements to date:

Induction

And yes!!!! we are plus two again at Rotary Camberwell.

A big welcome to our newest members, Yvonne Wills and Robert O'Reilly.

Yvonne Wills

Robert O'Reilly.

Camberwell Rotary - Bushfire Relief

2020 has been quite a year starting out with the bushfires and followed by the Covid pandemic. This article is intended to bring you up to date with our Club’s significant contribution to the bushfire relief effort after the catastrophic devastation which occurred at the start of this year.

Living on a rubbish dump in Tanzania

Scavenging a rubbish dump for food scraps to eat or for anything that can sold to buy food is life for the world's poorest of the poor.

Supporting refugees through Covid 19

Feeding Refugees in lockdown has become a major concern. Camberwell Rotary is lending it's support to this need.

Clean Drinking Water for Vietnam

Just two taps make an enormous difference for a Vietnamese village of 4000 people.

Disaster Relief Food Packaging

Our recent disaster relief food packaging night put together 18,000 meals ready to be delivered to a needy spot. Typically these meals are provide to villages wiped our by typhoon or flood. Consisting of 3 basic ingredients and a sachet of essential minerals these meals are stored in air tight foil and heat sealed bags, boxed and ready for delivery to disaster location.