Issue 08 :: February / March 2023  ::  Imagine Rotary
Around the District
It's the time of year to celebrate and have fun in the name of Rotary

Happy International Women’s Day

I’m incredibly thankful for all the wonderful women I know through Rotary: mentors, friends and people I continue to look up to and learn from every day. 

Please take a moment today to acknowledge the women in your clubs and those who lead throughout District 9800, particularly our Club Presidents and District Leadership Team.

Club Presidents

Sally Armstrong, Macedon Ranges

Pennie Cornwell, Kew

Michele Kennedy, Chadstone/East Malvern

Faye Kirkwood, Caulfield

Seema Lal, Wyndham Harbour 

Teresa Liu, Glenferrie

Vera Maljevac, Essendon

Donna Martin, Bacchus Marsh

Sue McDonald, North Balwyn

Judy Miatke, Bendigo Sandhurst

Kate Miller, Echuca-Moama

Sue Moses-Critchley, Fitzroy

Cheryl Nash, Laverton Point Cook

Fabienne Nichola, Camberwell

Terri Oprean, Daylesford

Janice Peeler, Richmond

Helena Peng, Rotaract E-Club of Melbourne

Merlyn Quaife AM, Bendigo South

Lynette Robinson, Gisborne

Shraddha Sharma, Flemington Kensington

Sainab Sheikh, North Melbourne

Maria Silber, Footscray

Debra Sloggett, Keillor East

Deborah Tucker, Eynesbury

Vera Vasilchenko, Brunswick Tullamarine

Heather Watson, Rochester

Edda Williams, Canterbury

 

District 9800 Leadership Team 

Anne King, District Secretary

Justine Murphy, District Secretariat

Marjorie Gerlinger, District Secretariat

Lili Teichmann, Director, Service

Sue Foley, Director, Fundraising

Sarah Overton, Chair, Vocational Service

Rosemary Waghorne, Chair, Club Service

Sue Vincent, Chair Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Kitty O’Connor, AG Beachside

Alison Bacon, AG Goldfields North

Anthea Rutter, AG Stonnington

Anne Frueh, AG Port Philip and Riverside

Mary Barry, Chair Host Organising Committee

Thank you to everyone who supports women in their clubs, community and in Rotary!

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Celebrate IWD with RI President Jennifer Jones and special guests
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Internet Education Inspires Girls and Women in Afghanistan 

As a result of their government requiring traditional Muslim education, girls and young women in Afghanistan lost their broader education dreams. They have lost their right to determine their own future; and have lost the capacity to inspire their children. Rotary Carlton will use the internet to change this.

 

The girls and women will be inspired to dream again! 

The Rotary Club of Carlton received a grant of $5,000 from the Rotary Foundation towards a $15,000 project to improve the education of women and girls in Afghanistan through an internet portal. 

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Introducing District Governor 2025-2026 Peter Shepheard

“I want to say how honoured, humbled and extremely excited I am to have been appointed as District Governor Nominee Designate for Rotary D9800.

Really pleased that as my club Rotary Altona celebrates its 60th anniversary my gift to the members and partners is that the club will be Home of the District Governor in 25/26.

Looking forward to learning from current DG Amanda Wendt, DGE Ron Payne and DGN Michael Lapina and hoping to make proud all the PDGs I have had the pleasure to work with over my almost 20 years in Rotary. Let the adventure begin!"
- DGND Peter Shepheard
 
Known for his reassuring and supportive approach, and being a great mate to many, our District is in terrific hands during 2025-2026. Congratulations Peter, enjoy the ride!
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Volunteering with the DG in Kerang
 
On Sunday 5 February, members of District 9800 rolled up their sleeves and partnered with members from Rotary clubs in District 9780, with assistance from the President of the Rotary Club of Kerang (D9780), Gerardine Prendergast, who inspired and motivated both Rotarians and non-Rotarians to come together and volunteer to make meal kits for families who have been impacted by the floods in her region. 
 
Incorporating FORaMEAL packs made the day before at our Gateway DG Cluster visit in Bendigo, with some additional ingredients, we set a new record in preparing meal kits! 16 volunteers from both Rotary and community groups took just 30 minutes to put together 300 meal kits which would provide a total of 1500 meals. It was an awesome, hands on volunteering experience with participants sharing their experiences, many, ‘at the coal face’ and living first hand through the difficulties presented by the floods.
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Rotary Bendigo’s Starthrower Wellbeing Project Hosts Rochester Flood Victims 

Rotary Bendigo’s Starthrower Wellbeing Project, hosting 6 women last week from flood devastated Rochester, was fabulous and heart-warming. 

In Queenscliff/Point Lonsdale, a wonderful group of local women generously gave our guests time out from their day-to-day stress. They were filled with gratitude for the caring, nurturing and fun that was shared. Friendships were formed, memories made and our guests returned to Rochester relaxed, with more positivity and energy to meet the challenges that still await them until their homes become liveable again. 

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The Melbourne Celtic Festival Rotary Fundraiser is Back! 

The Melbourne Celtic Festival is back on St Patrick’s Day, Friday, March 17 2023 from 12pm to 11pm at Melbourne’s iconic Mission to Seafarers, 717 Flinders Street. 

100% of ticket proceeds go to Rotary Foundation Australia and Australian Rotary Health Mental Health Support and Research Programs. 

Tickets are Live and you are the first to know so don’t walk, JIG to book your Festival Pass. BOOK NOW: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing?eid=1005055& 

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Let's celebrate at Rotary Gala Dinner, 1 June 2023
 
 
 
 
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District 9800 sponsoring five Rotarians/Rotaractors aged under 40 to attend International Convention

This May, we’re hosting tens of thousands of Rotarians right here in Melbourne, offering us all a unique opportunity to experience the amazing energy and fellowship, global knowledge sharing and shared purpose of a Rotary International Convention. Catch a glimpse of what to expect at https://fb.watch/hnztR9vWCg/

I attended my first international convention in 2016 in Seoul, and experiencing the purpose, scale and impact of our organisation changed the course of my community leadership journey. It is my hope that you are able to have your very own life-changing experience at this year’s International Convention here in Melbourne. 

To help, District is sponsoring five Rotarians/Rotaractors from our District aged under 40 to attend, along with a little spending money and accommodation. 

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Showcasing Environmental Sustainability at RICON23 Melbourne 

The Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group (ESRAG) is organising a diverse range of activities for convention delegates, prior to and during the Rotary International Convention in May 2023.   

These activities include Environmental Tours, an Action Summit, a RAGtime event pre-RICOON; and break-out sessions during the convention.  The aim is to showcase a sample of Rotary environmental initiatives across the world; and to encourage Rotarians to take further action to support and recover our environment.  

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Telling Your Rotary Story– Workshop 25th March 

Rotary has some wonderful stories to tell....but how many of us ever had practical tips on how to improve our own skills and the chance for real time practice? This FREE and highly interactive Workshop will feature a minimum of theory and a maximum of hands-on practice in a very friendly, safe environment. 

The theory will be provided by Video Link from former Essendon Rotarian, Bernadette Schwerdt, an expert in the Art of Storytelling. 

Date: Saturday March 25, 9.30am to 11.30am  

Location: RIMERN Warehouse, The Learning Suite at 32-34 Lincoln Street, Brunswick East. 

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Rotary Takes Action for Turkey, Syria and NZ
 

RAWCS has commenced fundraising activities to support the impacted communities resulting from the Turkey and Syria Earthquake and the New Zealand Floods. Rotary Australia World Community Service Ltd (RAWCS) will work with local and international Rotary networks to facilitate the distribution of funds raised. The fundraising campaign was launched last week to support the communities in need as these disasters continue to cause significant loss.

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Rotary Youth Challenge Sailing Program Comes to Victoria 

Victorian clubs from all districts are invited to become involved in sponsoring participants in two very special interstate Youth Challenge sails on South Australia’s ship, ‘One & All’ in 2023.  

The expansion of the Rotary Youth Challenge Sailing Program into Victoria, where a Youth Challenge Sail Committee has just been formed, will be enhanced by these special voyages in conjunction with the Rotary International World Convention in Melbourne. 

The first 7-day sail will voyage from Adelaide to Melbourne prior to the Convention; the second will return from Melbourne to Adelaide after its conclusion. 

As part of the Rotary International Convention, One & All will also be taking Conference delegates on short lunch and dinner cruises on the Yarra River from Docklands. 

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Peter Doherty Institute seeking healthy adults 65 years and older 

The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity is conducting a study of an experimental influenza (flu) vaccine using new mRNA technology and is seeking healthy adults 65 years and older.  

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RC Werribee Steps in with Funds for Philippines Classroom Equipment 

Werribee Rotary Club raised $10,000 and was awarded a District 9800 Foundation Overseas Grant of $5,000 to work in partnership with the local Cabanatuan City Rotary Club to provide classroom equipment at the Bahay Ni San Jose Orphanage, near San Antonia in the Philippines.     

The four Dominican Sisters of St Joseph who run the orphanage school are thrilled that these disadvantaged children will have an enhanced learning and educational experiences in a wonderful new school.  

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Caulfield Racecourse Community Market Creates a Buzz 

After a lot of planning and preparation the Rotary Clubs of Caulfield and Elsternwick (not yet chartered) have started the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve Community Market.  The inaugural Market, with over 120 stall holders, was held on February 5th 2023 and was alive with people, stalls and dogs.  

There will be a Market on the first Sunday of every month from here on. 

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SleepOut Rough Postponed to April 14
 
 
 
 
Rotary Chadstone/East Malvern SleepOut to help end family violence and homelessness has been postponed to Friday April 14, 5.30pm to sunrise, at Central Park Malvern East.
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Donations in Kind Open Day 18th March

Donations in Kind (DIK) - What's it all about?  Find out at the 2023 Open Day, Satuturday 18th March 10am-3pm.

Discover what your club might utilise for local community projects as well as talking to DIK about container opportunities.

 

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Applications for District Recognitions 2023 are open! 

 

 

 

 

Applications for District 9800 awards and recognitions are now open and close 31 March 2023. 

Further information is available on the District website Club Service page.

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Rotary’s Council on Resolutions 2023 

Rotary’s Council on Resolutions and Council on Legislation give Rotary members a voice in how our organisation is governed. 

The deadline for submission of resolutions to the 2022 Council on Resolutions is 30 June. 

To meet the 30 June deadline for submission, clubs wishing to submit a resolution should let me know at least six weeks beforehand to enable time for a vote of the district’s clubs to be arranged. 

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Your Invitation to the Rotary Leadership Institute

Rotary Leadership Institute InternationalRotary Members are invited to register for the next Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI) program in March 2023.

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Upcoming events
Melbourne Celtic Festival
Mission to Seafarers
Mar 17, 2023
12:00 PM – 11:00 PM
 
The Big Serve
Melbourne Park
Mar 24, 2023 12:00 PM
 
Avalon Centre :: Volunteering with the DG
Apr 01, 2023
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
 
Footscray Rotary Golf Day - Friday 21st April 2023
Sanctuary Lakes Golf Club
Apr 21, 2023
7:30 AM – 3:00 PM
 
PETS(3) Program
Jasper Hotel
Apr 23, 2023
9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
 
View entire list
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