President Elias opened the meeting and gave an acknowledgement of country.
Chair Alan Seale gave the toast.
President Elias welcomed guests Suzette Taylor, Selba-Gondoza Luka and Ken Gunsalu who attended from Malawi. Selba started her presentation by also acknowledging country and talked about how she founded Afri-Aus Care and her connections to Rotary which include being a member of the Passport Club of Melbourne. Selba thanked District Governor Dale Hoy for his support and the members for welcoming her.
Selba said that Afri-Aus care was founded on her kitchen table with her daughter in 2015. Afri-Aus Care is a group of professionals providing services to African youth at risk.
Selba talked about the underlying philosophy of ubuntu - I am because we are - and the positive change model, which teaches that we shouldn't focus on what negative thing has happened, but focus on positives. Ubuntu is mostly practiced in southern Africa and teaches that we must look after each other, sharing food, money, clothes. If you borrowed less than $50 you would not be expected to pay it back.
She shared with members about arriving in Australia and the challenges she faced as well as other African refugees and migrants, including unresolved trauma (eg war-torn environments), language barriers, dysfunctional families with some people still living in Africa; racism, young people going into justice system through defending themselves from racism, and drinking too much; drinking culture here is very different, self-medicating eg cocaine and ice, drinking; school dropouts - based on age not ability to understand language and curriculum, and many can't cope with education, now in prison; there has also been a big increase in suicides, and underemployment is also an issue with some having tertiary degrees.
Selba had been second lady in her country, but couldn't work here initially, her marriage broke down, and she was admitted to a psychiatric ward, however she was determined and got her doctorate and is qualified as a mental health physician; people supported her.
Afri-Aus Care was founded to help give people a sense of belonging; engaging them and then referring them to services. The focus is youth, and Afri-Aus Care focusing on the positive skills they have, like good at computers/technology but also teach ubuntu. They have trained psychologists and social workers and use a peer-to-peer restorative model which is youth led. While young people had been in trouble they were now leaders of today. Selba talked about the misrepresentation of South Sudanese as being more likely to be involved in crime. She showed statistics that showed that 1% of community were in jail, and 70% had Australian as country of origin. Selba posted photos of some of the programs offered through Afri-Aus Care, including empowering African mothers (50 women, most now working, helping with CVs and interview skills); Black Rhinos basketball club (crime prevention, most young people now working and graduated); peer to girls program (crime by girls addressed with seed funding from City of Melbourne, many participants are now working) Black Rhinos soccer team; anti-racism school project, lyndell - chat with kids, doing well); working with prisoners before they come out; Rotarian Robert Fisher helped a lot with programs; women’s employment pathway; also work with mothers and daughters focus group to promote good relations. Selba has also started an international project in Malawi with $800 from Lyndale Secondary College. In Malawi, farmers had drought, planted maize, but then crops were destroyed with floods. Selba raised $1200 for potato vines, saved 1500 families with irrigation.
Selba has strong Rotary connections - including with Melbourne, Prahran, North Melbourne, Passport, Canterbury, Glen Eira.
Selba and Afri-Aus Care have won awards for her work including citizen of the Year 2021 by City of Dandenong, Afroshine Australia Awards 2018 for youth leadership; Rotary North Melbourne - Phonse Tobin Aware in 2019, and Victorian Multicultural Commission meritorious service award. As Selba said, she has come a long way from a psychiatric ward. She indicated that more support was required and there is a need for more programs. Donations are tax-deductible, and programs include extending the ubuntu centre; given land in Springvale discussing property; working with young mothers; Malawi irrigation projects.
Members suggested putting Selba in touch with the Rotary program, Plant Share, for the community gardening and international work in Malawi.
Doug Robertson asked how Afri-Aus Care could get employment for young people? Selba talked about the difficulties in getting an interview eg African names and accent, and they get rejected, with some people changing their names. It used to be easier, but now many employers ask for 6 months' experience; providing volunteer opportunities teaches them skills, led them to employment.
Alan Seale asked if Afri-Aus Care relies on donations or govt support? Selba said that she started the organisation from her pocket, but over time was introduced to magistrates court and government grants then got a grant writer. Most grants are short-term but get funds from Commonwealth, state, local; she worked 9 days a week if that was possible, got a bookkeeper, board, accountant; careful with money.
Neville John raised the work Sean Carr is leading to build a medical clinic in Malawi; and that we are looking to do a project in South Sudan with Arik. Selba was happy to help and has connections to both countries.
Michelle Crawford asked what areas Afri-Aus Care covers. Selba said that they cover all of the local government areas in southwest Melbourne and are negotiating with organisations in west Melbourne.
Alan Seale thanked Selba for her presentation.
Allan Driver provided the following milestone announcements:
Member Birthdays
Hon Member Cec Ackerley 28th July
Ignacio Inchausti 2nd August
Partner Birthdays
Pamela Robertson, Doug’s partner 28th July
Pauline O’Brien, Frank’s partner 31st July
Wedding Anniversaries
Warwick and Jill Cavell, 30th July 1977 44 years!!
Date Joined Rotary
Hon Members Keith Frampton 30 years 29th July 1991
Announcements
· Peter Duras - visit to Caprice Youth Projects on 26 August, 6:30-8:00pm nibbles and drinks, survey of program, tour of facility, RSVP to Peter by Friday 13 August, 9 members so far had expressed interest, and covid rules apply
· Kevin Love - how to honour Bernie, member for 30 years plus and very active in club and district; Board had agreed to rename Hope Scholarships in his honour and expand scope. Kevin is talking to Michelle about this. We will seek contributions from club members and Kevin will email with more details. Marjorie really likes this idea; Bernie was strongly connected to Concern Australia and Steps Outreach.
· There is a district workshop on 15 August for diversity, equity and inclusion with details in bulletin
· Allan Driver - Hopeful that next meeting is hopeful for face to face but members will need to book.
· Alan Seale - National Youth Science Forum interviews are coming up and we participate in interviews. Neville John has done it, as has Alan Seale, who is happy to do it again. If any members are interested let him know. It is about 8 hours of interviews working with alumni across two mornings, 8 hours, online.
President Elias congratulated Selba and noted her passion came across very strongly and how she continues to change lives. President Elias also reminded members about the Rotary Leadership Institute, which is a four-part program, starting 4 Aug. If members are interested, you should contact Jane Pennington; need to RSVP.
President Elias reported that the Board met last week. Key items discussed included annual fees which will be set at the same price as last year, and a slight increase in breakfast costs to $33. President Elias also reminded members that next week's meeting is face to face, and need to book early. District Governor Dale Hoy will be attending and presenting on his plans for the year, and he will be inducting Maureen Jackson if the meeting goes ahead face to face. He has also asked Directors to put together their budget for the next meeting to give the fundraising team an idea for a target. President Elias also talked about the return to face-to-face meetings with increase from end of August from 1 per month to 2-3 per month but will replace with zoom meetings as required. Also discussed was the work to recruit members and retain them. When members leave, it is important to understand why and RCM wants to initiate an exit interview process, with Adele leading this work for obvious reasons
President Elias closed the meeting by thanking Suzette Taylor, Selba Gondoza-Luka and Ken Gunsalu. He also acknowledged Therese Robinson becoming a grandmother.
