10 Members attended this excellent Meeting, with apologies from Phil, Peter and Anthony, all of whom were caring for relatives with difficulties.
Pres Elect Kam ran the Meeting, with Colin pushing all the right buttons. It was great to see Margaret had conquered technology deficit syndrome and in attendance! 
Kam introduced Guest Speaker, Geoff Manton, wearing several hats, particularly Hand Brake Turn and Concern Australia, which was born out of The God Squad Motorcycle Club. Under this banner they:
- Help men released from prison, and very much changed by the experience, integrate back into society, not an easy transition
- Run 16 homes with two kids per house under child protection
- Teach values for life, help with bullying, careers and handling problems
- Provide materials for teachers in primary and secondary schools
- Prison visitation – It is not as easy to get into prisons as in the past.
Hand Brake Turn:
- Run two classes of 10 kids at Dandenong and Braybrook sites
- 7-week course
- For kids who are often disengaged or even homeless
- Triy to get them to re-engage
- Often kids have not been to school for 12 months, for various reasons
- They learn how to service and repair cars, which are(mostly) donated
- Service cars from the public at cheap rates
- In 2019, they processed 50 cars, generating $31,000 in revenue.
- In 2020, they expect to process 60-70 cars, generating $60,000 in revenue.
- Link with employers to give kids work experience and, possibly, leading them into an apprenticeship or TAFE course
- The success rate is around 25%
- Hope to employ some graduates in the future.
Interestingly, during the Covid 19 lockdown, they learned that on-line learning does not work.
Kam thanked Geoff for an excellent presentation.
Colin reported from the recent Board Meeting:
- Meeting to vote on the proposed merger with Endeavour Hills is scheduled for 9 June and will be held via Zoom. A strong attendance is requested
- Changeover will also be held via Zoom on 7 July
- Membership fees for 2020-21 have been set at $220.
Con reminded the Meeting of the Constitutional membership qualification, namely a minimum of attendance at 50% of meetings or projects.
Discussion took place around an application for a Council Community Support Grant for the proposed garden and shelter at Cornerstone’s new site. The maximum Grant is $10,000 but, if the Grant is not more than $5,000, then no matching is required. Terry is to arrange a meeting at Cornerstone to discuss specifics (Terry did an incredible job project-managing the previous garden project. Ed.)
Treas. Jo:
- Obtained approval for a payment to Colin
- Obtained approval for repairs to the house, consisting of gutters, a gate and gas work, totalling $400
- Criticised the lack of support for sales of the excellent wine in store at Pecky’s.
- The Club to take over the monthly fee for the Quickbooks Accounting system from Con, who has been paying it up till now.
Pres Elect Kam thanked everyone and closed the meeting.
Rotary Down Under Magazine
The April and May magazines had some very interesting articles. Make sure you check the mag out when you receive it.
Merger with Endeavour Hills
Members should note that the merged Club (Members of both Clubs seem to be overwhelmingly in favour) will be adopting the Dandenong Club’s Charter, as we did on the last merger, and Greater Dandenong’s Constitution and By Laws, which were specifically drawn up for us.
Assuming the Merger is approved by both Clubs, the merged Club will benefit by having a larger core of active Rotarians, enabling us to better execute the signature Projects.
It’s going to be exciting!
Con Meehan Editor