RIMERN going gangbusters
RIMERN (Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Network) is a multi-club Rotary project that means 'Residential Recycling'! Household goods are collected and donated to people in need. RIMERN helps people coming out of homelessness, domestic violence, refugee displacement, jail, loss of homes due to disaster or crisis. These people are clients of member welfare agencies, who are helping them settle into homes. RIMERN helps to fit out these homes.
Rotary Central Melbourne, as you know, is a strong supporter of RIMERN, along with 23 other clubs in our District. We contribute $1000 per year towards the cost of its operation. In addition, once a month on a Saturday volunteers spend the morning at RIMERN’s Brunswick East warehouse, sorting, tidying, cleaning whitegoods and generally helping with the operation.
Plus, two club members spend a day each week working with clients, helping them to choose household contents for their new homes (and what a rewarding day it is too). However, perhaps the most significant contribution of all has been a gift of over $100,000, secured by one of our members.
Currently, RIMERN is open on four days a week, on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, to receive donations and deal with clients. Demand for RIMERN’s services is so strong, however, that moves are afoot to add Monday to the program. But for this to happen, more volunteers are required. Every month, more agencies are involved and more clients are satisfied. In the first 6 months of 2025-26, 242 deliveries, valued at $380,000, were made. This is a significant increase on the same period 12 months ago.
RIMERN responds to need wherever it can. The disastrous bushfires around Longwood and Ruffy are a case in point. In conjunction with similar Melbourne organisations, RIMERN is contributing bedding and furniture and has just made a $5000 donation to assist with purchase of water tanks and generators, to help farmers get back on their feet.
Whenever you have the opportunity, please spread the word to your friends and associates that RIMERN is always on the look out for good quality used household goods and white goods in particular. And if you have a day every week or two to volunteer your time, that would be fantastic. There are plenty of opportunities to help, either at the warehouse or from home.
Check out the website: www.rimern.org.au or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/495145215239091.