The tragic COVID-19 situation in India has touched us all and I’m pleased to advise that District 9800 has instigated urgent support. In partnership with the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank’s Community Enterprise Foundation and the Rotary Foundation Australia Limited, we are raising vital funds for this humanitarian crisis through two major corporates with deep connections into the top 100 companies and private ancillary funds. The immediate focus is to secure and send across medical oxygen from two manufacturers – one in Perth and one in the US. Some are already on their way. Following this first focus, we will continue consultation with Rotary Districts in India, to decide the next urgent requirement. Further details on ways in which you can be involved will be provided to you over the next week.
After our wonderful and highly motivating online Multi District Conference, Virtual Victoria, I’m pleased to advise that the videos of the two sessions are now available via these links: Rotary Virtual Victoria Conference Day 1Rotary Virtual Victoria Conference Day 2 If you were unable to participate in the conference last week, I have no doubt you will find these videos extremely inspiring.
Speaking of all things ‘virtual’, District Assembly is on Saturday 22nd May from 9.30am to 11.30am. This is a valuable session for new members and all those taking up office bearer roles in the coming Rotary year. I encourage you to book.
Also an online event, the Multi District Interact Conference is scheduled for 30th May via Zoom. Clubs considering sponsoring a new Interact club will find participating in this event well worthwhile. Details of the Zoom link are at the end of this edition of Networker.
We have now entered the time of year when changeovers are being planned and the Governor Train is eager to support you. Please advise Jane Pennington via email: Jane.Pennington@rotary9800.org of your club’s changeover details so that either one or several of us (District Governor, District Governor-elect, District Governor-nominee or District Governor Nominee-designate) can attend.
The Rotary Peace Symposium, held online April 21-22, was an outstanding event highlighting the work Rotary does globally to promote Peace and the key influence that Rotary, as an independent volunteer based global organisation, has on world forums.
There were superb presentations by Nobel Laureates, Rotary Peace Fellows, Rotary dignitaries and other peacemakers.
Each of the plenary speakers was outstanding from Tilman Ruff calmly but chillingly informing us of the real threat of nuclear weapons, to Dr Jose Ramos-Horta outlining his journey as a peacemaker in Timor-Leste and around the world. The engaging Emma Leslie told us of the 6 C’s of peacemaking and Natascha Hryckrow spoke about her impactful work for the UN In Somalia and elsewhere.
There were interactive sessions on Indigenous Reconciliation, Family Violence, Economics & Peace, Humanitarian Action, Business & Human Rights and What you can do for Peace.
The final session, chaired by the ABC's Ali Moore, and featuring an outstanding panel comprising Prof. The Hon. Gareth Evans AC, Dr Emma Leslie AM, Stephen Killelea AM and Past RI President Ian Riseley OAM conducted an engaging and thought provoking discussion addressing the significant global issues threatening peace today, but ending on an optimistic note for the future.
Feedback from participants:
“Great peace symposium this week - and what a call to arms! It was energising and inspiring, and I walked away feeling like peace is possible.”
“On Wednesday, I attended the Peace Symposium, which was superbly organised initially by Rob Helme and later by PDG Murray Verso. The workshops included an extraordinary array of guest speakers.”
“By listening, partnering and working together, Rotary and other partners involved in humanitarian action can build a safer and more sustainable peace with communities around the world.”
“The symposium was a wonderful platform, and kudos to the organisers for pulling off such an event, which is more challenging in a hybrid way then either online or in person!”
“It was stimulating to watch the conference unfold. The quality of the presentations was excellent. I hope that the lessons learnt by each of us about the issues and what can be done will gradually bear fruit during coming months and years.”
“In all my years in Rotary, the peace conference was the best two days I have ever spent.”
“I enjoyed the occasion and am pleased that the panel was well received by the delegates. I believe that a one-day Australian Rotary peace symposium every year would be an excellent addition to the calendar.”
The Rotary Peace Symposium was one of several special events planned throughout 2021 to mark the 100th anniversary of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand. Recordings from the symposium will be available on the conference website: The Future of Peace Leadership – Rotary Peace Building Symposium 2021
Care packs are a welcome gift for all inpatients on their arrival for a stay at the psychiatry ward at both the Alfred and Box Hill Hospitals. A local sewing group of volunteers make the bags that house items suggested by the ward’s nurses and social workers to make the inpatient’s stay more comfortable. These items include a hairbrush, moisturiser, lip balm, journal, pens and more. Since many of the inpatients arrive in an emergency context, and 40% are homeless, basic clothing is also provided that the staff distributes as required.
How the project was set up and managed
After hearing how people often come into the Alfred Mental Health psychiatry inpatient ward without any personal items, Bronwyn Stephens from Rotary Melbourne South, established the Care Pack Project to assist the hospital and her friend, Elsa Carr, The Alfred’s Psychiatric Unit's Chief Social Worker.
The project quickly gained support from other Rotary Clubs and is now managed as a consortium of St Stephen’s Church Gardenvale, Rotary Donations in Kind, plus Rotary Albert Park, Glen Eira, Hawthorn, Malvern, Melbourne South, Port Melbourne and Prahran with matched funding from a Rotary Foundation District Grant. Club members volunteer to source the items and pack the bags.
Individuals and corporate organisations donate many of the care pack items and clothing. The project is advertised on GIVIT, a charity connection online platform, which attracts generous donors from across Australia.
In more recent months, via the work of Rotary Hawthorn members Dr Tilak Dissanayake and Katrina Flinn, the project has further expanded to provide similar care packs to Upton House, the adult psychiatric inpatient unit located at Eastern Health’s Box Hill Hospital.
The Impact Of The Care Bag & Clothing Project
The packs provide a sense of welcome and care, enormously helping the patients’ sense of wellbeing and significantly improving their rate of recovery. Also, by making each patient’s stay more comfortable, the provision of the care bags and clothing alleviates pressure on health workers to meet the needs of patients.
Between the two wards, over 1500 packs a year are provided to some of the most vulnerable in our community.
This project is a wonderful example of achieving more together, Rotary making a difference and how new projects can be expanded with the support of a District Grant from the Rotary Foundation.
For more information contact Bronwyn Stephens, Rotary Club of Melbourne South email: bronstephens@gmail.com
Would you like to impact the reach and outcomes of the Rotary Foundation in our District?
Two key positions are now open.
D9800 Foundation Stewardship Chair (commencing 1 July 2021)
Stewardship is the cornerstone of The Rotary Foundation. It ensures the careful management of funds donated to the Foundation for its grant programs and the education of Rotarians on proper and effective grant management. You will work closely with District Grants Chair, Richard Blakeman, and District Foundation Chair, PDG Murray Verso, and will be a member of the District Foundation Committee.
The position of District Foundation Chair is officially a three-year term and we strongly encourage the successful applicant to also work closely with the current Chair, PDG Murray Verso and associated committees throughout 2021-22. The role’s term also reflects its importance and the need for continuity of leadership for Foundation fundraising and grant activities within the district. Under the Governor’s leadership, you will work closely with regional staff and subcommittee chairs to plan, coordinate, and evaluate Foundation activities.
For the full list of duties in this role, please use this link.
You do not need to be a Past District Governor in order to serve in this role, however a demonstrable interest and commitment to the Rotary Foundation is essential. To be considered, you are invited to submit a 250-word outline of the value you believe you would bring to the role along with a summary of your Rotary and professional experience.
Applications are to be emailed to DGN Amanda Wendt via amandawendt.rotarian@gmail.com by Friday 21st May 2021.
Interviews will be conducted via zoom week commencing 24th May 2021.
Most Rotary clubs receive proposals, submissions or approaches, often on a regular basis, to provide financial assistance to a range of different community causes, charitable bodies and even individuals with needs, and it can be challenging making decisions on whether to provide support or not. Once a precedent is set, it is not easy to decline the next request for support from a similar organisation or individual. Setting clear guidelines around what the club deems as appropriate support is therefore prudent, and can save clubs from both internal and external disappointment, disgruntlement and even controversy if support for a cause is declined.
Rotary suggests that guidelines should endeavour to encourage a more “hands-on” approach to community and humanitarian service rather than just funds disbursement, and there are many clubs that also take “a hand up rather than a hand out” approach to funding requests. However, where a Rotary club does agree or offer to assist financially, then due recognition of the club in relevant media and publications should be a precondition of that support.
Prior to proposals or submissions being made to the club’s board, it is recommended the appropriate guidelines for your club be set in place by considering the following questions:
Is there a clear, demonstrated need?
Should/could the need be met in other ways?
Would we be simply supplementing government or other major sources of revenue?
Does the project meet our preference for those that: relate to a “one-off” need rather than recurrent or maintenance needs; would be unlikely to happen without our help; allow for the development of a relationship with our club, i.e. good communications and/or opportunities for some involvement and interest on the part of our members; give due recognition to assistance from our club?
What is the potential to enhance our public relations?
Will we avoid tipping funds into an organisation’s “consolidated revenue”?
Will we avoid being involved in divisive controversy either within the club or the wider community?
Would financial involvement see us having a local community orientation?
Does the request fall within the club’s/committee’s objectives (and budgets)?
Is there an existing relationship?
What is the potential for new members as a result of the club being involved?
Having clear guidelines will save time, avoid potential robust or unpleasant club debate, ensure the sound use of club funds and maximise external relationships. We need Rotary funding to be safe and meaningful. When approached for funding the club board should understand any risks associated with the proposed project/activity and how sustainable it is. Also, this information will often allow better comparisons between bids for financial help.
He may have come to Rotary late, but Robert Edgar has wasted no time since joining in getting straight to work on a number of community projects.
Robert originally joined the Frankston North club in 1993, serving as president in 2002.
It was never his plan to join Rotary; school council friends had often invited him, but Robert felt that his job at the time, which involved a lot of travel, would inhibit his ability to give his time to the club.
Eventually, he gave in – and he hasn’t looked back.
A major focus of Robert’s presidency was on International Service, developing projects in Tonga over approximately ten years. He recalls working on restoring a farm machinery training building for Tongans during 1999 and 2004. Then, after receiving a Foundation Discovery Grant in 2004, he travelled to Tonga himself to work on constructing gardens in the village of Popua.
The project captured the attention of Rotary in New Zealand, which contributed $250,000 for similar gardens in three other villages and assisting 300 households with growing their own edible gardens.
In 2013 it was time for a change and Robert shifted to Rotary Bendigo. The club has a strong focus on Samoa, and Robert soon found himself working on projects for a new island nation.
COVID put a stop to some projects, including plans for a beekeeping course in the country, but it hasn’t dampened Robert’s enthusiasm. Now that he is (as he puts it), “getting on a bit”, Robert says he is “a bit past volunteering overseas”. Instead, he is now focusing his efforts on vocational training for youth in the region. Servicing on the Vocational Service committee, he has helped promote a university scholarship for graduate study in agriculture. This scholarship is one of his proudest achievements.
Another achievement was a 2019 art show that raised $80,000, which was promptly donated to East Loddon Food Share, Drought Angels and the School of the Air.
Robert describes being part of Rotary as “quite satisfying” – a pastime that has allowed him to live his dream of travelling to the Pacific, and build friendships and connections across Australia.
“The fellowship and friendship of Rotary is excellent,” he said.
Robert plans to continue his work on drought relief and agricultural projects and is particularly keen to see the continued development of the scholarship program.
Somaliland is a breakaway Republic from Somalia and is mostly unrecognised by mainstream charities.
Nurse-midwife, activist, and the first female Foreign Minister of Somaliland from 2003-2006, Edna Adan, knew the urgent need for a maternity hospital and began building one in Hardeisa on the site of a rubbish dump and burial ground. Using her retirement funds to help part-finance the hospital, she “begged” (as she puts it) and worked tirelessly for the rest.
Inspired by a presentation from Edna Adan at a Rotary Multi District Conference and Peace Symposium, Richmond Club member Annette Pepper travelled to Somaliland in 2019 and volunteered at the hospital for a month, identifying the medical equipment and supplies that would benefit the patients seeking treatment there. The hospital has 200 high-risk baby deliveries per month, had no baby warmers, was short on other equipment and existing equipment was very old. The trip was also an opportunity to assess the sustainability of an-ongoing project to support the training of midwives. During her visit, Annette was able to observe clinics and wards, as well as assess and discuss her observations with Edna.
On Annette’s return, the Club agreed to support a project to provide equipment, but as there was no budget for such a project, money was raised through family, friends and fellow Rotarians. A District 9800 Foundation Grant then allowed the Club to complete the project and send a container of goods to the hospital from Donations in Kind.
Rotarian Annette also presented the project to North Brighton Rotary Club, which resulted in their support with hands-on help, sourcing the medical supplies and packing the container at DIK. The Club acknowledges and appreciates their involvement, as well as the wonderful opportunity provided by Donations in Kind and Bob Glindemann.
Whilst there was a delay in sending the medical supplies due to COVID-19 and the closure of DIK, the Club is delighted that the container has been shipped and has now arrived with supplies reaching the Edna Adan Hospital. The following letter was received from Edna:
“Dear Annette,
I am happy to let you know that the supplies in the container that you sent arrived yesterday. Thank you for the Incubators as our Dr. Matt and Dr. Amal are happy to have them in our NICU where we have 5 preemies today. Thank you also for the wheelchairs and other supplies, furniture and baby warmers. Sadly, we found one of the warmers with a break although it does not seem to affect the function, we wish to do something with it to cover the exposed wires. With much appreciation for your generous supplies. Please pass on my best regards and appreciation to all Rotarians who collected, packed them, and sent us these supplies.
This august publication and humble writer would never stoop to crass commercial promotion, but a recent trip to Castlemaine started a process.
Travelling from Melbourne CBD to Castlemaine by train takes less than two hours. And, seriously, Castlemaine is a delight! The ‘Goldfields’ area bespeaks the vibrant history of Victoria’s early development. There are nearby townships such as Chewton and its miners’ cottages, sometimes with wisps of chimney smoke. Also, there are many artefacts from that fabulous era that made Victoria and Melbourne a financial powerhouse in the 1880s. Castlemaine embraces its past … there’s the Theatre Royal where the controversial dancer Lola Montez once appeared, the local railway station hosting steam train trips to historical Maldon and the historical shopfront buildings. Then there are the 19th century coffee houses, which have given way to boutique eating venues, artistic pursuits, weekend craft and produce markets – and yes, even freshly brewed coffee. Castlemaine is a daytrip, an indulgent weekend or even something more enduring.
So, back to the “crass” … what a choice: a reserved train seat, time to read, email and prepare for the day ahead, instead of performing the urban ritual of ‘white knuckling’ up and down the Monash Freeway for an hour plus.
The Rotary Club of Castlemaine, sponsored by Rotary Bendigo, was chartered in 1935, making it one District 9800’s oldest clubs. Like all country clubs, Castlemaine has been an active community participant at all levels. As well, the Club has been very conscious of a commitment to youth and continues to sponsor participants in RYLA, RYPEN and the Rotary National Youth Science Forum. Donations In Kind (DIK) has facilitated the transport of Castlemaine containers to Papua New Guinea. Larry O’Toole, a recent Paul Harris Fellow recipient, has combined with the Club, and through Autoplex, a mentorship in the hot-rodding community, which extends to developing areas of mechanics, artwork and history. Fortuitously, the June long weekend sees the Rotary Castlemaine Art Show and the Castlemaine Jazz Festival held together – a great fillip for the Club and the town. Beyond that, the Rotary Club of Castlemaine Truck Show – a must for the aficionados – will be held for the 33rd time.
President Christine Barkla has advised that the meeting venue has changed – it is now at the Castlemaine Bowling Club on nominated Wednesdays 6.00 for 6.30pm (check the website).
Beautiful, historical Castlemaine … keep it on the ‘to do’ list!
Rotary Fellowship of Wildlifers for Conservation (RFWC) was conceptualised in Rotary District 3190 (Bangalore, India) in 2020 and soon received response to form a global group with Rotarians, Rotaractors and other interested individuals. It was officially recognised by Rotary International in December last year and has over 150 members from across the world.
This Fellowship is open to anyone within the Rotary community who share a common interest and willingness to work towards building a future in which people and nature thrive.
The purpose of this Rotary Fellowship is to:
Create awareness about the importance of wildlife amongst the public in general and youth in particular.
Promote lasting friendships outside of one's own club, district and country, which serve as a strong incentive for attracting new members to Rotary and for retention of its existing members.
Encourage participants to form fellowship chapters in their respective regions/countries and have exchange programs with each other to witness and explore the wildlife of that region/country while supporting each other’s Rotary projects.
Promote locally, regionally and globally the conservation of living resources as important to humans and for future generations to enjoy our natural world and the incredible species that live within it.
Explore new opportunities for service while having fun enhancing the Rotary experience.
Contribute their knowledge and expertise and help wildlife conservation wherever they live.
To make contact with this new Fellowship, visit their website:
Rotary Youth Exchange builds peace one young person at a time. Students learn a new language, discover another culture, and truly become global citizens. Exchanges for students ages 15-19 are sponsored by Rotary clubs in more than 100 countries. Many experienced Rotarians recall Youth Exchange as the most meaningful program in which they have been involved, and many past exchange students have described the program as “life-changing”. Has your club participated?
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The tragic COVID-19 situation in India has touched us all and I’m pleased to advise that District 9800 has instigated urgent support. In partnership with the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank’s Community Enterprise Foundation and the Rotary Foundation Australia Limited, we are raising vital funds for this humanitarian crisis through two major corporates with deep connections into the top 100 companies and private ancillary funds. The immediate focus is to secure and send across medical oxygen from two manufacturers – one in Perth and one in the US. Some are already on their way. Following this first focus, we will continue consultation with Rotary Districts in India, to decide the next urgent requirement. Further details on ways in which you can be involved will be provided to you over the next week.
Rotary clubs have proved themselves both research laboratories and testing grounds of new ideas to the glory of Rotary throughout the world.
By Katrina Flinn, Rotary Club of Hawthorn
By Past President Tricia Reardon
By Danielle Kutchell
By Jo Cowling, Rotary Richmond
By John Granger
Rotary Youth Exchange builds peace one young person at a time. Students learn a new language, discover another culture, and truly become global citizens. Exchanges for students ages 15-19 are sponsored by Rotary clubs in more than 100 countries. Many experienced Rotarians recall Youth Exchange as the most meaningful program in which they have been involved, and many past exchange students have described the program as “life-changing”. Has your club participated?
