We seem to have forgotten how to live well together. Increasing polarisation, enabled by social media and expressed through populist politics, has people shouting across the divide at ‘the other’. Othering is a dehumanising process that reduces its targets to one-dimensional enemies. We need to rediscover our ability to live well with people whose opinions and beliefs
As you all know by now, as part of Cultural Diversity Week (21-29 March 2020), Victoria's largest multicultural celebration, Rotary Central Melbourne(RCM) is inviting members and guests to attend a special breakfast on 24 March 2020, 7:30 am, at the William Angliss InstituteRestaurant to celebrate the diversity that exists within the Rotary International family in Australia and around the world.
RCM will host Hana Assafiri OAM as the keynote speaker on the day. Hana will speak about her journey as a woman entrepreneur from a diverse ethnoreligious background and the challenges multiculturism faces around the world today. The title of her talk is “Meet us at the crossroads”
I am also pleased to inform you that Chairperson, Vivienne Nguyen and Deputy Chairperson, Maria Dimopoulos of Victorian Multicultural Commission will also be joining us on the day as an esteemed guest of the club.
We currently only have had 10 bookings on trybooking for the event, but I am confident that there is a lot more interest in the club for this event. We need at least 40-50 bookings to make this event a success.
I encourage RCM Members to invite family, friends and colleagues to the event. Please use the following try booking link to make your bookings.
Funds raised at this event will go towards Rotary Central Melbourne Projects.
Melbourne's brand-new music and arts festival celebrates all things Celtic on St Patrick's Day in the heart of the city. The event is family-friendly, and ticket proceeds will go to Mission to Seafarers and Rotary mental health initiatives.
The stellar line-up of Australia's most celebrated Celtic musicians features Mike Brady, Claymore,
Wendy Stapleton's Australian Women's Choir, Bhan Tre, Claire Patti, Saoirse Oz, Emma-Kate Tobia, Maria Forde, Play it Martha, Victoria Welsh Choir, Platform 9 3/4, Comhaltas Melbourne, Geoff Jones (Scottish smallpipes), Cath Connelly and Kathryn Clements (acts are subject to change).
Special events include a Celtic Brunch at 10am, with MC Russell 'Robbo' Robertson, special guest artist Mike Brady, guest speakers and Irish dancers. At 7.30pm, the musical drama Barry Versus Kelly, by Felix Meagher, tells the intriguing story of Australia's controversial folk hero, Ned Kelly, and the judge who sentenced him.
Hosted by Sherri McIver, writing workshops at 2pm and 6pm will help you explore your hidden poet or work on your craft in a friendly, expressive and supportive space.
There will be free children's activities from 4pm to 6pm, with storytelling, face painting, interactive music and a traditional Irish singing workshop with Kathryn Clements.
First Youth Indigenous Encouragement Award Granted by Rotary Central Melbourne
Reporter Frank O’Brien
On Thursday 12 March 2020, Youth Services Director Elias Lebbos and PP Frank O’Brien were privileged on behalf of Rotary Central Melbourne to attend the Graduation and Special Achievements Awards Ceremony at William Angliss Institute whereat during the week some 500 students graduated with various Diplomas and awards.
William Angliss Institute is now recognised as Australia’s largest specialist provider of foods, tourism, hospitality and events training and education.
The reason for our attendance was to not only view the Presentation of the Diploma of Travel and Tourism by the CEO Nicholas Hunt and Ministerial Director Vicky McKiver to Emma Stock but to also enable the presentation by RCM Director Elias Lebbos on behalf of RCM to Emma Stock for the Indigenous Encouragement Award, valued at $500.
Emma has successfully completed her Diploma and demonstrated potential in relation to her career of choice. On the basis of her unpaid practical placement with Abercrombie & Kent, she has secured employment with the firm.
Emma was the only indigenous student to complete a Diploma in 2019..... and we hope to have her attending our Club meeting later this year.
This award is somewhat of a milestone for RCM. Of recent years, we have actively pursued acknowledging Indigenous Student Education......from little things grow.
Last Tuesday (10/3) was a big day for member Tony Thomas. In the morning he chaired the first meeting of the newly-formed Melbourne Bearbrass Probus at the Dock Library, and in the evening his publisher Connor Court launched his third collection of essays in the past four years.
BEARBRASS HITCH
Bearbrass had a hitch when its President elected at the “interest meeting” on February 12 met a health issue and had to withdraw. A former Rotary Club president has nominated but has been caught on holidays in Italy and his return date is uncertain. Tony is standing in as Acting President.
Anne Fairhall, wife of our honorary member Geoff Fairhall and a tireless advocated for dementia care, was elected Vice-President on Tuesday. Secretary Sue Hoyle is a past primary-school principal and now an entrepreneur in the education business. Treasurer is Mike Brophy, a retired Deloitte consultant.
Bearbrass membership is now close to 30. Eighteen attended on Tuesday and the meeting comprised members giving brief biographies.
Our big marketing chance at the Community Day at Boyd Park, Southbank next Saturday has fallen through with the event now cancelled. We’re back to letterboxing flyers and Facebook marketing.
If you know potential members (city or suburbs) please refer them to Tony or the website
Tuesday’s book launch attracted close to 60 people including many from RCM. The book is titled “Come to think of it – essays to tickle the brain” and is mainly essays from Quadrant and Spectator in the past couple of years. Tony’s daughter Ros, herself an author/journalist in Perth made a speech emphasising Tony’s grammatical exactitude. Tony said he continued to write “like a maniac” to defy the gathering social wave against free and uncensored speech. The publisher went home pleased after unloading close to 40 copies. The book’s available online here or from Tony.
Given the long standing partnership that the club has with Concern Australia’s STEPS Program, it occurred to me to invite you, your workplace, community group or people you know to support one of our major fundraisers for our work with young people experiencing homelessness through joining our Run Melbourne team this year.
Last year we raised $23,048.41 and our target for 2020 is $20,000, however we would be thrilled to exceed this.
By way of background, each year Steps Outreach Service has a team of runners and walkers take part in Run Melbourne to raise much needed funds for Steps. Since 1985, Steps has provided long-term relational and practical support to young people who are experiencing homelessness or at-risk of homelessness.
We would love Rotary Central Melbourne to join our team in Run Melbourne 2020! Participants can take part in either a 5km walk/run, 10km run or a half marathon on Sunday July 26th 2020around Melbourne to help us raise funds so that Steps can continue for another year.
Early bird pricing finishes on April 23rd so save on registration by getting in early.
People interested in being part of our ‘Steps for Youth Homelessness’ team can email grace.baulch@concernaustralia.org.au and she will send you more details on how to register and start a fundraising page.
