The new Rotary year will be upon us in just over five weeks and much is happening at District in preparation. A fantastic District Assembly was held Saturday and highlighted our move from the theme of Rotary Opens Opportunities to Serve to Change Lives. I sincerely congratulate District Governor-elect Dale Hoy, his incoming team and all those who were involved for an exceptionally well-run and informative online event that included 18 speakers and 15 breakout rooms over a two-hour period. The Rotary year ahead is in great hands!
This is also the time for all clubs to reflect on your favourite projects for the year; to make sure you have captured them in some way and to think about how you will tell your stories and share your passion for Rotary to the community, including the wider Rotary family. It is important not to lose our success stories, but to ensure they are recorded in a medium through which they can be shared with others, and articulated in general conversations. Many fantastic projects have been shared in Networker, but I am certain there are many more that demonstrate how Rotarians are People of Action.
Youth Service Month is soon to end and it’s also another good time to look back on the youth projects in which your club has been involved and ensure they are included in your club plans for next year. MUNA, National Youth Science Forum, RYLA, RYPEN, Rotary Youth Exchange, Earlyact, Interact and Rotaract are key Rotary programs that will ensure we help to develop the leaders of the future. In addition, if you would like to serve at District level on the Youth Service Committee or any one of the committees for these important youth programs, please contact Khurram Khan, Chair District Youth Services Committee via khurramjk786@gmail.com
On a final note, do consider inviting those in your networks, past and present, including past Rotarians to club meetings. Let’s share with pride the amazing work of Rotary!
A District 9800 Recognition Award Project for Vocational Service
In partnership with Young Change Agents (a NFP social enterprise), Rotary Brighton late last year hosted an opportunity for 58 young women aged 12–18 years to participate in The Bayside Academy of Enterprising Girls, an immersive workshop experience to learn social entrepreneurship skills.
To select participants, Rotary Brighton invited female students from Brighton Secondary College, St Leonard’s College, Star of the Sea College and Firbank Grammar to provide an Expression of Interest on why they wanted to make a positive change in the world through business. The selection process allowed Rotary Brighton to identify a new generation of future leaders (and potential Interactors) who want to make a difference in their community.
In the one-day workshop, the participants were given the opportunity to develop the skillset, mindset and toolkit for social enterprise. They were able to learn resilience, understand the art of problem-solving, and develop the confidence to bring their ideas to life and how their ideas could change the world.
Working in groups, the participants looked at a number of community issues ranging from youth mental health (including depression, loneliness and connection), environment and sustainability and youth unemployment.
To ensure program sustainability and capacity building, a number of educators from the participating schools along with several Rotary Brighton members also shared an immersive experience in the program. These adult participants are now equipped with a greater understanding of social enterprise thinking and the skill to mentor students in the program. They will also be able to champion programs in their school or with future groups.
In a year where traditional school and Rotary programs such as RYPEN were not conducted due to COVID, this program provided a well-needed opportunity for the participating girls to engage in some extracurricular learning opportunities. This has empowered them with a new range of skills, and at the same time, enabled Rotary Brighton to re-engage and foster greater relationships with the participating schools, also raising Rotary’s profile in a current and relevant space. Additionally, it has provided a platform on which to discuss other Rotary 2021 projects/initiatives such as Bayspeak, RYPEN and Interact.
A Year 10 Student Reflection of the Program
On Friday the 2nd of October, I attended the Academy of Enterprising Girls workshop. The primary focus of this workshop was how to create, validate, and present a business idea. Throughout the day, we were put into small groups with other students from different schools where we had to come up with a business idea that was beneficial to the community, and work on the steps to form the whole concept of our idea. I found this workshop really helpful for me personally as it showed me what the next steps are once you have a business idea, whilst also building teamwork and communication skills with students from other schools, who we had never met before! I strongly recommend this workshop, if our school has this opportunity again, especially for students out there who are still unsure of what they want to do when they finish school, as it really opened my eyes to this aspect of the workplace.
Rotarians Jenny Foster, Helen Penna and Deb Sloggett have been visiting Lighthouse, Battambang for the past 8 years. Lighthouse is a registered not-for-profit organisation, providing a secure boarding facility for disadvantaged youth. Students come from poor rural areas and are given this ‘hand-up’ opportunity so they can move to the city to gain higher levels of education. It is unfortunate, but still in Cambodia today rural schools face inadequate facilities, lack of resources, poor governance and a very high dropout rate. Without a facility such as Lighthouse, these students’ futures would be compromised. Lighthouse also invites students from the surrounding community to participate in the additional classes offered at the facility in english, mathematics, computers and music.
“We have seen firsthand the challenges these students face and what Lighthouse offers to help improve their future” says Deb Sloggett. “It is not just the importance of school education but also learning how to give back to the community, helping and caring for each other and looking after what they have. Each time we go to Lighthouse we see positive change, even for those who may not live there.”
Lukas Bernhardt (founder of Lighthouse) IPP & Foundation Director of the Rotary Club of Sangke Battambang (RCSB) approached Deb, Jenny and Helen to see if their Rotary Clubs would consider connecting to provide a sustainable solution to the issues that Lighthouse was facing—these being inadequate washroom facilities and an insufficient water filter system. Students were running late for school due to lack of facilities, not drinking enough and becoming unwell and dehydrated.
Lukas was thrilled that the Rotary Sangke Battambang agreed to support this project. The project proposal was presented to Rotary Passport Melbourne (RPM) and Rotary Keilor East (RCKE) and together they took action. A D9800 District Grant (International) Application was submitted to The Rotary Foundation and a fund-raiser was conducted by both Melbourne based clubs. RCSB agreed to be the in-country project hosts. A RAWCS Project account was also signed off.
“We were not going to ignore this call for action when it had the potential to help so many young people to achieve their dreams of completing further education and in-turn, the chance of a better future. We understand the high impact that doing projects in these areas of focus have and felt confident that Rotary was the best partnership option to bring this project to success,” said Project Manager, Jenny Foster.
What made this project different was the innovation of having 2 x 20ft containers custom fitted with shower and toilet cubicles. While hygiene in a container may not be unusual in Melbourne, in Cambodia it was seen as a wonderful solution with the added benefit of being transportable from property to property. It is very common for rental property owners suddenly to ask tenants to leave or increase the rent. Having a portable hygiene block is a sustainable option.
Once built, the containers were transported by road, positioned and connected with help from the Lighthouse Leaders, students and RCSB, with the students being responsible for ongoing maintenance and cleaning. The water filter unit can also be moved to a new location if required.
With the support of The Rotary Foundation and the partnership between Rotary Passport Melbourne, Keilor East, and Sangke Battambang and the fantastic team at Lighthouse, we have delivered a successful WASH project that will have a positive impact on many young people.
One of the many skills we develop as Rotarians is delivering presentations, and preparation really is key to success. The following tips might help to ensure your presentation hits the mark:
Have you analysed your audience and used this information to tailor your presentation in a way that will interest them?
Is your main recommendation clearly and simply worded?
Does your presentation include what the audience needs and wants to know, as well as what you want to tell them?
Is the sequence of your supporting materials clear and logical to your audience?
Do you have a clean opening and clean closing for your presentation?
Does each of your visual aids accomplish a specific purpose?
If delivering a PowerPoint presentation, have you kept wording to main points?
Have you made it clear to your listeners why your presentation is particularly important to them at this time?
Have you eliminated purposeless repetition?
Have you added interest to monotonous or potentially boring portions?
Does each item you intend to present contribute to achieving your objectives?
Are the transitions from slide to slide or point to point clear and logical?
Are priorities clearly indicated?
Have you allowed for questions?
Have you timed your presentation to make sure it fits within the time allowed?
Is the room set up so that everyone can see and hear your presentation?
Is the equipment in working order?
Have you a list of participants and do you need to acknowledge certain people?
It was an epiphany sparked by yet another sea of never-ending batik shirts at a formal business function that caused Dale to think that perhaps it was time to end his ten-year business venture in Jakarta, Indonesia, and return home to Australia. Adding weight to this decision was the worsening political situation and so, despite the success he was enjoying with his financial planning business, Dale together with wife Maureen and their young son, moved back to Victoria, eventually settling in Brighton.
Dale has continued to work in the financial services area creating an international superannuation platform for expatriates located around the globe. Eager to also use his professional skills to give back to the community, he joined Brighton Rotary in 2004.
When selected as President-elect, Dale took the role on with the view that Brighton Rotary membership should be open to women, fully supporting then-president Barry Hickman in ensuring this happened. Dale felt strongly that the Club needed to represent the whole community, not just half. Today, 10-15% of the Club’s membership is female with good people coming through for leadership roles.
Dale was President of Brighton Rotary in 2016-17, and then Assistant Governor for Batman Cluster in 2018-20. The role of District Governor was not on his radar—until he was strongly encouraged to throw his hat into the ring, a decision he has not regretted. The guidance, support and camaraderie of the G-Train (Governors’ Train) have assisted Dale in laying the foundation to set a clear vision for his Governorship in 21/22. Working with Past Governor Grant Hocking, current Governor Philip Archer, and more recently Governor-nominee Amanda Wendt and Governor Nominee-designate Ron Payne, has been a highlight of his G-Train journey.
A mantra that will underpin Dale’s vision is to make Rotary relevant to the community to attract people. “We are in the attraction business, not recruitment business,” Dale says. “I want to make it easier for like-minded people to participate in service projects as volunteers and in time, members,” he adds. Part of achieving this will be ensuring the right messaging, as Dale doesn’t believe that Rotarians tell their stories well enough. “Whilst Rotarians have big hearts and connect well with their communities, the work being done remains the best kept secret,” Dale feels.
Building a strong public image and communications strategy will be a key aspect to Dale’s plan. He wants to see communication lines between Interactors, Rotaractors and Rotarians strengthened, encouraging young people to retain their interest in Rotary after leaving school. Dale has also been working closely with Warwick Cavell (Rotary Central Melbourne), who is leading Rotary’s involvement with the Victorian Government on developing a scalable mentor platform for university aged youth.
Keen to further develop corporate engagement and build on the work DG Philip Archer has done in this area, Dale sees Rotary being good for business, especially aligning shared values, going beyond the ‘corporate social responsibility’ hymn and introducing strong partnering with The Rotary Foundation. Simply handing over cheques to other charitable organisations and fundraisers is not enough in Dale’s view, as Rotary’s brand and activities worldwide need to be highlighted.
There is much ahead to look forward to in Dale’s year and he is keen to emphasise that the sole purpose of District is to support and serve clubs, enabling them to increase their community impact.
By Anne Peace, Rotary Bendigo South on behalf of all involved
The beginning – Two Club Presidents (from Bendigo South and Bairnsdale Sunrise) meet for the first time at Presidents-elect training, strike up a friendship and organise a joint club Zoom meeting.
A question was asked…what can we do to help the bushfire recovery? The reply was no more tangible articles such as clothing and bedding etc., as there is enough in storage. The farmers have enough support with replacing fences, sheds, machinery and small items.
Then ABC Landline highlighted the destruction of shade trees, shelterbelts and wildlife corridors and the adverse effect on the remaining stock.
An idea grew.
A District 9800 Grant application was submitted and succeeded to purchase covers for igloos, tubes, tree guards, planting soil etc.
Seeds arrived from Gippsland … the project started.
Working bees commenced. Rotarians are geminating the seeds at home and ‘tree-sitting’ where they can.
When the time is right – the tube stock will be transported to Gippsland and those Rotarians who are willing and able will work alongside the farmers, under their direction, to replant and rejuvenate the land. Rotary Rochester’s Community bus will be used as the transport.
Project benefits – fellowship between Rotary clubs and with farmers who can share their stories as they work beside a Rotarian who cares. This is a practical project with an environmental theme. And the results? Well, they will remain for years to come!
This project received the District 9800 Recognition Award for Supporting the Environment.
The first round of Bayspeak, Rotary’s public speaking competition for secondary students, was held on Wednesday 11th May, hosted by Brighton Grammar School.
Teams from four schools competed:Brighton Grammar, Firbank Grammar, Sandringham College and Star of the Sea. The standard of this first round was high, and six students from the twelve speakers have been chosen to progress to the finals to be held at Firbank Grammar on 2nd June.
In their comments, the judges, from Bayside Toastmasters Club, highlighted the importance of well-researched topics, audience engagement, confidence and commitment and clarity of diction.
The next round of the competition will be held on 18th May, again hosted by Brighton Grammar School and with students from St Leonards College, Haileybury College, Brighton Secondary and Mentone Grammar.
Without doubt the Earl of Richmond, later to be crowned King Henry VII, would have been flattered that the new village located two kilometres east of Melbourne town was named “Richmond on the Hill”. Starting from the 1840s this is where fine gentlemen’s residences were being established, but the earl may have been somewhat less than flattered to see his name associated with the gritty industry and workers’ cottages that spread out over the following decades around that desirable hill.
Fast forward to the early to mid-1900s, when the Richmond Town Hall elections became the setting for bitter internal factional infighting where the edict “vote early and vote often” was the catchcry. Equally, there was no surprise with the deceased casting a vote or two either! Dynastic nepotism staffed the municipality, but each Saturday the fortunes of the Richmond Tigers “eat ‘em alive” footy team swept all the petty politics away.
Again, fast forward to current times with the vast Ikea complex and associated river frontage offices and apartments having replaced the huge Vickers Ruwolt heavy engineering works at the eastern end of Victoria Street. Go further west for contrast and you arrive in colourful Little Vietnam, which sprang up in the 70s and 80s with refugee immigration. Most of the industry in parallel Swan Street has now been replaced. Instead, glossy showrooms display the sort of vehicles that have exhaust notes to make auto journalist Jeremy Clarkson’s (Top Gear) “eyebrows itch” – residents in surrounding dwellings (old and new) dream of driving that sort of exotic transport.
Since its charter on 24 August 1964, Richmond Rotary has both witnessed and been very much part of these dramatic changes in the social fabric of the suburb. Community service from the early days has necessarily been at the forefront of club activities given the huge and varied migrant influx, slum clearances and the slow start of gentrification. The aim has always been to give youth, particularly migrant youth, life-skills through broad-based arts programs and opportunities such as the long-running Ainger Peck Public Speaking Award.
The Club also conducts mock job interviews for all and gives hands-on support such as homework classes and holiday programs for needy students to prepare for future employment. Essential literary skills are being fostered in years 7–11 students by way of a 1000-word essay on the topic “Opening Opportunities”.
Active in several international areas, the Club is particularly proud of being awarded the 2020-21 District 9800 International Service recognition for its Hospital in Somaliland project. For a full account of this successful and ongoing project click on this link: https://rotarydistrict9800.org.au/stories/international-project-in-somaliland/
President Anna Walpole’s feelings are clear when she says: “Richmond Rotarians are ‘People of Action!’ I am very proud of all my fellow Rotarians.”
Rotary International inaugurated the PoLEPFoR in 1994 making it one of the older Fellowships. Its founding Executive Committee included a Sergeant of the Rotary Club of (then) Wollstonecraft, Sydney.
As Rotarians the Fellowship members are anxious to promote the involvement of the proud vocation of Police and Law Enforcement in the work of Rotary, and conversely, encourage those who might not be Rotarians, to seriously consider Rotary involvement within their community.
The Police/Law Enforcement Professionals Fellowship of Rotarians looks to assist and complement its members’ Rotary service and help them to promote and enhance their own personal Rotary programs.
The Fellowship currently has two major program focus areas, being the Rotary District Peace Communities Program and projects around drug abuse and illegal drug trafficking. The delivery of ‘Drug Abuse Prevention’ lectures and seminars to youth is an important part of the Fellowship’s activities.
Membership of the Fellowship is open to Rotarian-serving and former serving members of Police and Law Enforcement, including Police/Sheriff/Corrective Services Departments and the Police and Law Enforcement elements of the Military Forces. The connection with Rotary includes past and present Rotarians, Rotaractors, Probus members, Honorary Rotarians, Paul Harris Fellow recipients and those who have served as a member of a Group Study Exchange Team from anywhere in the world to anywhere in the world. The Fellowship has grown over the years with social media platforms, such as Rotary International’s Facebook website, Linkedin and Twitter, proving valuable for networking opportunities and potential constituents.
Camp Getaway is a wonderful resource available to our District. Has your club considered arranging for youth groups in your community to make use of it?
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The new Rotary year will be upon us in just over five weeks and much is happening at District in preparation. A fantastic District Assembly was held Saturday and highlighted our move from the theme of Rotary Opens Opportunities to Serve to Change Lives. I sincerely congratulate District Governor-elect Dale Hoy, his incoming team and all those who were involved for an exceptionally well-run and informative online event that included 18 speakers and 15 breakout rooms over a two-hour period. The Rotary year ahead is in great hands!
“The future of Rotary is shrouded in expectant mystery. It is for you my new Rotarian friends to aid in the unfurling of the Rotarian destiny.”
A District 9800 Recognition Award Project for Vocational Service
By Rowan McClean, D9800 Club Service Chair
By Past President Tricia Reardon
By Anne Peace, Rotary Bendigo South on behalf of all involved
Camp Getaway is a wonderful resource available to our District. Has your club considered arranging for youth groups in your community to make use of it?
