A Rotary Central Melbourne Club Forum Meeting held by Zoom, 26 March 2024
Reported by Cecily Neil
Acting President: Anne King
Chair: Ignacio Inchausti
The meeting was opened with a toast to Rotary and an acknowledgement of country. The Chair added his own feelings about the sense of belonging to a family that being part of Rotary creates. There were no visitors.
Service Committee Updates
Vocational Service Committee (Ignacio Inchausti)
Victoria Police Leaders Mentoring Program: There are now two streams for this mentoring program – one for superintendents and above, and one for ranks below this. RCM is involved in mentoring members of the latter stream. Members from our Club have been matched with 5 of the 14 participating members of the Police Force.
Ambulance Victoria Leaders Mentoring Program: This program is still in hiatus, as Ambulance Victoria is currently undertaking a deep and broad review of the business.
International Student Mentoring Program: This is now closed. MentorMatch has now adopted a different course, which does not include Australia. In any case, RCM members involved were concerned that MentorMatch never adopted a partnership approach.
There is no current plan for a similar new program. However, there is evidence from a Victorian Government sponsored study that there is a need for a mentoring program for international students. The possibility has been raised that if it has the manpower, the motivation, and the capacity, it might be possible for RCM to develop and effectively plan to keep the program going with new partners, but with an employability focus.
New Generation Service Exchange: Mia Forsonaro, a physiotherapist from Northern Italy, has arrived and is staying with the Warwick and Jill Cavell. Thanks to the efforts of Alan Seale, the Club has secured her a limited vocational placement (2 days per week with the NAPA Centre HQ in Forest Hill). She has already also become very involved in RCM activities.
There is the possibility of another exchange taking place as part of the ongoing Operatic Program, a 23-year-old viola player having been recommended.
Special thanks are due to Alan Seale for his support of this exchange program. District 9800 is currently looking for someone to shadow Alan in the organisation of the program activities, with a view to eventually taking over. It is important to continue the partnerships that Alan has forged.
The Iftar Dinner of Friendship (Rana Ebrahimi)
Rana reminded members of the Iftar dinner to be held at the William Angliss Restaurant on the 5 April, supported by a grant from the city of Melbourne. Held in partnership with the Australian Intercultural Society, the dinner aims to bring together people from different cultural communities. It will provide the opportunity not only to meet new people, but also to learn more about Ramadan.
It will also be an opportunity for members of the Islamic community to learn more about Rotary. Rhys encouraged project champions to invite people they interact with in carrying out Rotary activities – it offers a good opportunity to encourage Islamic people to become engaged in Rotary projects. There are 80 slots available for participants. Rana also asked anyone who is coming who has dietary restrictions to let her know.
Community Service (Rohan Williams on behalf of Rebecca John)
The Community Service Committee is continuing to add to the programs and key partnerships with which it has been successfully involved over the years. Each year TAL Insurance employees provide Christmas gifts for children in families being supported by Lentara and Concern Australia.
The appeal for hampers last year produced one hundred grocery hampers for vulnerable people being supported by Lentara and STEPS.
In conjunction with the Rotary Club of Woodend, a washing machine was purchased for the Youth Projects’ Living Room. Also, toiletries and suitable clothing were collected at the initiative Peter Duras for distribution by Youth Services
RIMERN: In partnership with eighteen other Rotary Clubs RYPEN provides household goods to refugees, domestic violence survivors, and others who have experienced homelessness. Last fiscal year, 600 individuals were supported, and even more are receiving help this year.
RCM is providing $1000 a year for three years towards RIMERN’s operating costs. RCM members are also helping with working bees, while Roger Thorton has produced cutting boards, and Alan Seale tables and dressing tables for distribution.
The Gailey Lazarus Foundation has agreed to donated $40,000 for the 3 years towards the warehouse rent. This donation has come about because of Paul Fowler introducing RIMERN to the foundation.
Foundation Committee (Rohan Williams)
Initial discussions are already under way with RACV and potential speakers for the annual Paul Harris breakfast. Funds for the Rotary Foundation have already been raised from the Paul Harris breakfast and the silent auction.
Youth Service Committee (Rhys Williams)
Bernie Gerlinger Scholarships: There are 5 students on Bernie Gerlinger scholarships, all from very disadvantageous situations.
Silk-Miller Scholarship: A new recipient has awarded this Scholarship to study at the Centre for Adolescent Health at the University of Melbourne. The University likes this scholarship program and is currently considering putting in a little extra funding.
RYLA. RYPEN, NYSF: Since the partnership with Princes School folded, attempts are being made to find a new partner for these youth programs, preferably for 5 years. It may be necessary to look for more than one partner or a non-school partner.
Vic Pol Legacy: A number of legatees participated in a WOD trip to Cambodia to help on Rotary projects. It is hoped to organise similar future trips.
Vocational Education Student of the Year Award: On April 9 the Club will hear from two recipients of this award.
Youth Mental Health: This program is ongoing.
Police Mentoring: It has been recognised by Police staff members that this is making a big different to the teams from which police participating in the program come.
International Service Committee (Cecily Neil)
Cambodian Clean Water and Sanitation: The RCM will not be involved in the first Grant. It will however be involved in the second Grant, for the construction of washroom/toilets in the village of Kok Beng in Siem Reap. This second Grant is currently in draft form – and it is anticipated it will be submitted before the end of the financial year. There are already a sizeable number of promised contributions from different clubs in both Australia and overseas, including our Sister Club, the RC of Cork. An important element of the project will be the use of local supplies and labour, which will facilitate sustainability
The Laos School Library: The opening of the Laos school library took place on 26 March.
The South Sudan Sanitation and Hygiene for Girls: The distribution of re-usable menstrual kits menstrual hygiene training to 800 girls has meant that these girls may not have to miss 5 days a month when menstruating. The great news is that in recent exams, 17 girls from the schools participating in the project were in the top 10% in region. This has never happened before. Monitoring and evaluation of the impact of the project began at the beginning of March.
Vietnam Foundation Build for the Future: RCM is contributing $4,000 to the running of two camps by the Vietnam Foundation. One is a three-day employability and English skills summer camp for approximately 30 scholarship recipients from Years 10 and 11 attending two central Vietnam high schools and graduates of these schools currently in university. Attendees will include participants of the weekly zoom English practice program which Roy, Rhys, Fleur and Ignacio are involved. The other camp is a three-day adventure/recreation summer camp in HCM City for approximately 15 seriously disadvantaged scholarship recipients, between the ages of 10 and 16, who attend a private, philanthropic school in HCM City. The dates and programs for the camps will be announced in the next couple of weeks. They will be available to the RCM members in case anyone wishes to attend.
Philippine SkyHydrant Project: According to the latest reports both SkyHydrants are now installed. but without the overhead tanks. This will quickly damage them. The RC of Central Ortegas assures us that the barangay captains will rectify this.
In addition to the above projects, RCM is contributing to the funding of Interplast, Rotary Against Malaria, Disaster Aid Australia, and DIK, as well as carrying out regular working bees at DIK.
The meeting concluded with Anne thanking everyone for attending, with particular thanks to Bruce McBain, an honorary member and Rana Ebrahimi for their participation.
