Meeting commenced at RACV, 7.40am.
President Michelle acknowledged the traditional custodians of the land on which we met.
David Jones (Chair) proposed a “tribute” to Rotary International.
President Michelle welcomed our two guests, our guest speaker Anne Mitchell and also Patricia Wilson.
David Jones announced the following milestones:
Members’ birthdays
Warwick Cavell 21 July
Sarah Overton 22 July
Russell Rolls 23 July
Partner birthdays
Con Matsamakis partner of Stella Avramopoulis 25 July
Wedding anniversaries
Heather and Malcolm Fielden (15 years since 25 July 2008)
Guest speaker
David Jones then introduced Anne Mitchell to address the members and guests present on the topic “The Bernie Gerlinger Hope for the Future Scholarship”. Anne is well known to us, being the manager of Steps Outreach Service, the Youth Homelessness Program of Concern Australia with which she has been involved for 25 years.
The Bernie Gerlinger Hope for the Future Scholarship was instituted by our Club in September 2021, funded out of Club funds and through a fund established with the Club from donations from Rotarians and friends in Bernie’s memory. The Scholarship enables Steps Outreach to support young people with both material and activities with a youth worker and a volunteer mentor.
Anne reminded us that, in Australia, there are over 122,000 homeless persons, of which 31,000 are in Victoria. The percentage of young children less than 12 years of age (generally with their parent) is some 14.4% (17,646 in Australia), with another 23% between the ages of 12 and 24 years.
Steps Outreach Service started at the steps of Flinders Street Station to engage with homeless young people who congregated there. This still occurs one night a week.
Engagement comes with lots of driving to venues including Courts and Centrelink. The aim is to provide long term support on a one to one basis to provide a protective factor to give them a ”soft place to fall”, with intensive support and outreach during the day. Long term relationships are established with practical support (for example by providing new socks and, in partnership with Brooks, running shoes for children). The scholarship program can offer family support for a child, for primary up to 21 years including material aid such as haircuts, uniforms, and school shoes. Anne provided us with some examples of young children who had benefitted and their background stories, and how the scholarship and engagement has enabled them to engage with school and other activities. Rotary’s support helps to make a difference.
Steps has a strategy of “circle of courage”, to encourage mastery of subjects or achievement in something such as sport or music and to help children reach their potential. It is very important to have face to face interaction.
The aim is to increase the protective factors and decrease the risk factors for children. The aim is to provide safe places to live and someone who believes in the children. The aim is to have hope.
Steps operates on a shoestring budget with a small targeted program assisting hundreds every year with the help of mentors.
Anne referred to the hidden homeless (those who might be described as “couchers”). In response to a question as to what facilities are available for immediate homeless help, Anne said that we are 20 years behind in social housing with waiting lists for 10 years.
Steps operates out of a head office in Sunshine West and another office in Dandenong.
David Jones as Chair thanked Anne for her presentation and noted that, once again, she has inspired us. Her passion is very apparent.
Member announcements
Rebecca John: Youth Projects has a need for toiletries both for men’s items and female items. Can members put packages together and bring them to our 1 August 2023 meeting (Maureen Jackson is co-ordinating)? She also expressed thanks to Herb Greenwood for providing another half dozen sleeping bags that morning.
Neville John: Noted $900.00 raised at Bunnings barbecue last Sunday. The next is 19 August 2023 with one spot left between 2 and 4pm.
Roger Thornton: Reminded members of the Phillip Island tree planting day on 12 August. Response is presently slow. A new area is to be planted.
Warwick Cavell: Is looking for people who might have basic contacts (introductions) to assist place persons with intellectual disabilities in employment.
President’s announcements
Next Board meeting 19 July 2023.
Ignacio Inchausti is seeking a person with web master skills and experience to assist the Club’s mentoring program. The website has a technical glitch preventing successful registration for any of the Club’s mentoring programs. He is appealing to the Club members to ply our networks to source suitable candidates willing and able to lend a hand. Please refer interested volunteers to Ignacio directly (mobile 0419 349 974, email: inchausti.ignacio@gmail.com
President Michelle informed us that Rotary Central Melbourne’s involvement with Steps Outreach Service was a reason why she joined the Club.
President Michelle noted that this Rotary year theme is “create hope in the world” (hope also being an aim of Steps). She quoted Desmond Tutu: “Hope is being able to see there is life despite all the darkness”.
Next week’s meeting is 5.30pm Tuesday 25 July 2023 – a zoom meeting.
