In recognition of the significance of the 100 years of Rotary in Australia, Rotary Keilor decided to distribute the funds in its Keilor Community Trust to several projects. The Trust had been established in 1985 with some of the profits from a successful Melbourne Airport Open Day and over the following years had funded many projects. So in 2021, Rotary Keilor distributed more than $100,000 as follows:
$20,000 to the Give Every Child a Future, a joint Rotary, UNICEF project to provide three life-saving vaccines to 100,000 children across nine Pacific Island countries and establish a sustainable vaccination program for the future. This signature Centenary International Project which is now underway was initiated by the four city Centenary Clubs in Australia and New Zealand – Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland and Wellington.
$20,000 to Western Chances for scholarships to assist students in the Brimbank Local Government area who are experiencing financial difficulties to realise their educational goals. Western Chances was established in 2003 and supports each scholarship recipient on their educational journey for as long as they remain eligible. Scholarships provide funding for small items that have a big impact: things such as textbooks, laptops and internet access, maths calculators and MYKI cards. In addition to scholarship support, Western Chances facilitates a range of excellent and potentially life-changing opportunities via its education, business and community partners. All applicants must demonstrate that they are talented, motivated and require financial assistance and be enrolled at a government secondary school, TAFE, university or community service organisation.
$15,000 to McAuley Community Services for Women to establish a children’s playroom. This charity provides accommodation, support and advocacy for women and their children who have experienced family violence and homelessness.
$10,000 to Concern Australia for Hand Brake Turn for an educational development project. Hand Brake Turn is finding that many students currently attending its courses in Dandenong and Braybrook are experiencing difficulties with literacy and numeracy. The project is designed to address these skill shortfalls. Through a 5-week training program offering three days per week of technical skills practice and life skill development, Hand Brake Turn assists at risk young people between 15-21 years to transition into education and employment pathways. Technical skills include automotive care, OH&S, industry knowledge, computer, finance, numeracy and literacy, and language. Life skills include self-reflection, goal setting, managing expectations, creative expression, self-confidence, social and communication skills.
$10,000 for a RAWCS project for Tonga Dental (a Rotary Ballarat West project) to assist with the provision of dental care to the people of Tonga.
$20,000 to Foodbank Victoria to purchase a ride on floor sweeper for its warehouse in Yarraville, Victoria. The ride on sweeper will allow Foodbank to improve the cleaning process, making it a more effective and efficient process. This will also reduce the time spent on cleaning, freeing up valuable resources and volunteer time to focus on their core activity of food distribution.
$20,000 remains in the Trust and is earmarked for a cancer project.