FROM THE LAST MEETING – 18th August 2026
Guests:
• Guest speaker – Janette Etherington – Interplast
• Phillip Sexton (Neville John)
• Kamy Arakala (Peter Duras)
• Chris Milner (Jon Scheele)
Member Announcements
Neville John
The two Bunnings BBQ fundraising events held during August raised a combined $3,400 toward project activities. The next BBQ dates are Port Melbourne – Sunday 6th September and Collingwood - Saturday 12th September.
Frank & Pauline O’Brien, Peter & Sue Duras, Rebecca & Neville John, Maureen Jackson and David Jones recently volunteered at Orygen in Parkville to help sort a donation of clothing provided to them by a corporate donor. Orygen generously shared some of those items for distribution to some of our charity partners.
Rohan Williams
Rohan advised the Kieser CBD have offered to conduct an information session for members, family and friends at their offices at 538 Collins Street (enter via King Street), on Tuesday 8th September, in the evening. Please check details in the Bulletin and register your attendance via the QR Code.
Fleur Maidment
Fleur announced that one if the ISC projects scheduled this year is the fit-out and equipping of three science laboratories at Gobindapur Ganga Devi Girl's High School, in conjunction with our sister club, Rotary Rabindra Sarobar in Kolkata. A frequent visitor to our club (soon to be a member), Prof. Dr. Kamalakar Arakala (Kamy) and his family has agreed to generously donate AUD$1,000 toward this project, which when completed, will allow girls to study science that was not otherwise accessible. The Rotary Foundation has also provisionally approved a matching grant of $2,500 toward the project.
Frank O’Brien
The next Donations In Kind working Bee will be on Tuesday 22nd September between 9.00 am and 12.30 pm at the DIK Store, 400 Somerville Road, West Footscray.
Rhys Williams
Rhys reported on the recent violent attacks in villages in Tonj North, South Sudan that resulted in many deaths and injuries. This area includes the village of RCM member, Mawien Ariik, who are in urgent need of basic items such as shelter, food, water and medical supplies. Donations are the best way to help. Ariik is providing access to the fundraising website of the NFP, South Sudanese Health Matters Inc https://southsudanesehealth.org/donate/ and will personally monitor and provide feedback in relation to how donated funds are expended and the impact that they have, Rhys will provide more information in the next Bulletin.
President’s Announcements
President Paul advised that the RCM Strategic Advisory Group (SAG) comprises President, Vice President, President-Elect and President-Nominee, who provide strategic recommendations to the Board as and when requested. The SAG has put several recommendations to the RCM Board for their meeting tomorrow and Paul will advise the outcome at the next in-person meeting.
The next RIMERN working bee is Saturday 24th August. Anyone not already registered to volunteer and wishes to should contact Rohan Willams.
The next meeting is on Tuesday 1st September at the RACV with Anne Mitchell (Steps Outreach) as guest speaker. In closing, Paul reminded us that the Rotary theme this year is ‘Create Lasting Impact’.