My Room - CEO Margaret Zita & Mayor CGD Cr. Lana Formoso
Next Week's Meeting
17th September 2024
Special Presentation
ASRC Foodbank - Kate Quin
Coordinator for the Refugee Resource Hub in Dandenong
Last Week's Meeting
3rd September 2024
Club Assembly
Board Report, Committee Updates & Projects
Our meeting on Tuesday, 3 September, was attended by eight members: President John Peck, Phil Thurgood, Leanne Byron, Anthony Brown, Terry Valentine, John Angwin, Howard Dezylva, and David Langworthy.
Leanne Byron: Our Youth Director, Leanne, provided an update on the Lyndale Secondary College Interact Club's Wheelchairs for Kids Wheelathon, scheduled for Friday, 13 September. She encouraged members to attend and support this important event.
Terry Valentine: Terry reported on his proposed Suicide Prevention project, with further details to be shared soon.
Howard Dezylva: Howard discussed the Solar Panel Orphanage Project in Sri Lanka.
The meeting featured a robust and spirited discussion regarding the future and direction of our Club. A truce was called, and the meeting adjourned at 8:30pm.
Editor's Comment
We, the members of the Rotary Club of Greater Dandenong and Endeavour Hills, need to decide on two critical questions:
What kind of Club do we want?
What are we going to do to achieve it?
David Langworthy
Editor
Alan Collier OAM - Behind the Badge Presentation 27th August 2024
On Tuesday, 27th August, Alan Collier OAM delivered an engaging presentation to our club, sharing the story of his diverse career and community involvement.
Alan Collier shared that he spent most of his career in the timber industry, in roles ranging from sales and sales management to product management, regional management, and marketing. Beyond his professional achievements, Alan has been involved in community radio for the past 16 years.
His love of music from the '50s to the '70s has led him to host various programs, including a Sunday morning show from 6:00-8:00 AM for four years, and he continues to present a fortnightly Sunday program from noon to 3:00 PM and a weekly evening show from 6:00-8:00 PM.
Six years ago, Alan expanded his radio involvement by hosting an interview show on Wednesdays from noon to 3:00 PM, where he has conducted over 600 interviews to date.
These interviews primarily focus on local groups, but Alan has also highlighted organisations making a broader impact. Some of the remarkable groups he has featured include:
Back Packs for Kids: Providing clothing, toys, and toiletries for children removed from their homes by the courts.
Cancer Chicks: Supporting young women aged 18-35 through pamper weekends and meeting other “chicks” in the same situation.
Soap Aid: Collecting and repurposing partially used soap from motels for distribution in local and overseas communities.
Southern Cross Camps: Offering camps for the disadvantaged.
Angel Flights: Volunteer pilots transporting patients to Melbourne for essential medical treatment.
Trev's Story: An initiative aimed at reducing the suicide rate among Tradies.
Quilts for Orphans: Providing handmade quilts for those in need.
Days for Girls: Creating and distributing sanitary packs for girls in third-world countries.
In addition to these, Alan has also hosted discussions on a wide array of topics, including scams, Men’s Sheds, Community Houses, Community Gardens, U3A, Probus, and many more. His dedication to the community and his work in broadcasting have made a significant impact locally and beyond.
Thank you to Phil Thurgood for providing the recap of Alan’s presentation.
DISTRICT 9815 CONNECTIONS Episode 2, August 2024
This month's episode, the Rotary Club of Bayswater is highlighted as they celebrated 100 years of Rotary by planting 100 trees along Dandenong Creek.
August was Membership and New Club Development Month, during which the district aimed to grow by 1-2 members per club. The focus was on expanding Rotary's impact by creating companion clubs to welcome those who might not join traditional clubs.
Over the past two months, our district achieved notable success, with 9 clubs selected for the Fit for Purpose Project and the establishment of a new Satellite Club in Gippsland.
Community projects also thrived. Playgrounds were sent to Cape Town, and local Rotarian Gary Luxford was recognized with the 2024 Victorian RESCA Volunteer Award.
Additionally, the District 9815 Conference, themed "We Belong because We are Better Together," has already garnered 250 early registrations.
September is Rotary International’s Basic Education and Literacy Month
As Rotarians, we strive to empower communities by supporting basic education and literacy, reducing gender disparity in education, and increasing adult literacy. These efforts are integral to creating a better future for all.
World Literacy Day - Sunday, 8th September
World Literacy Day, held on 8th September, serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of literacy in shaping the lives of individuals and the well-being of society. This day highlights the need to continue our work in promoting literacy for all.
Get Involved
We encourage you to take part in literacy initiatives that can change lives. Whether supporting a literacy project, volunteering your time, or simply sharing a story with your children or grandchildren, every effort makes a difference.
Read, Write, Empower. Let's continue our mission to spread the gift of literacy and build a brighter future for all.
Chisholm is hosting its annual R U OK Day on Wednesday, 11 September, to support the mental health and well-being of their trade students. As always, there will be a BBQ, and our help has been greatly appreciated in the past.
We’re looking for volunteers to join us in cooking up some snags—everything will be provided, just bring your smile and a helping hand!
Plus, we have a fantastic opportunity to set up our own Rotary stall, giving us a chance to promote Rotary and connect with the community.
If you can spare a couple of hours, please reach out to Phil Thurgood as soon as possible.
Lyndale Secondary College - Interact event Wheelchairs for Kids Wheelathon Friday, 13th September
On Friday, September 13th, Lyndale Secondary College will host an Interact event, the Wheelchairs for Kids Wheelathon.
Rotary will provide food and drinks for a BBQ lunch, which will be available to all students at the school. All proceeds from the lunch will go directly towards supporting the Wheelchairs for Kids initiative, helping to maximize the fundraising efforts for this important cause.
We are requesting volunteers from our Club to attend and assist with cooking and serving the BBQ lunch on the day of the Wheelathon.
Start Time: 9:00 AM
BBQ Lunch: Provided by Rotary, approximately 1:15 PM
If you'd like to volunteer for this event, please reach out to Leanne Byron as soon as possible.
Footy-Themed Social Event Tuesday, 24th September
Get ready for a night of fellowship, fun, and friendly competition at our Footy Themed Social Event!
Join us as we come together to celebrate the excitement of the footy season with fellow members and friends. Enjoy a delicious two-course meal while immersing yourself in the lively atmosphere.
Date:
Tuesday, 24th September
Time:
6:30 PM for a 7:00 PM start
Venue:
The Dandenong Club, Heatherton Road, Dandenong North
Cost:
$35 per head for a 2-course meal (Drinks available at bar prices)
Wear your team's colours with pride and join us for what promises to be a memorable night.
Mark your calendars—we look forward to seeing you there!
Joint Meeting Invitation Thursday, 3rd October
We have received a gracious invitation from the Rotary Club of Noble Park-Dingley to join them for a special joint meeting on Tuesday, 3rd October.
Guest Speaker:
District Governor Colin
Date & Time:
Tuesday, 3rd October, 6:30 PM
Venue:
Keysborough Golf Club
55 Hutton Road, Keysborough
Cost:
$30 per person for a two-course meal (Drinks available at bar prices)
The members of the Springvale City Rotary Club will also be joining us for this event. This is an excellent opportunity to strengthen our bonds with neighboring clubs and enjoy an evening of insightful discussion, fellowship, and networking.
RSVP: If you haven't already, please confirm your attendance with Phil Thurgood as soon as possible so that final numbers can be provided to the host club.
NB: There will be no club meeting on Tuesday, 1st October.
Inaugural District 9815 Conference 8 - 30 March 2025
Bookings for the Inaugural District 9815 Conference to be held in Bendigo 28 - 30 March 2025 open from Monday 29th of July.
Partners, family, friends, potential members, supporters, and alumni are welcome.
Early Bird Tickets are available between 29 July - 30 September 2024 for $295. Individual session details and costs are outlined on the booking site.
Please check out the menu on the left-hand side for useful links including FAQs, Accommodation, Tourist Information, Exclusive Winery Tour details, and Committee information.
We look forward to collaborating and celebrating with you in Bendigo.
2024-25 District Conference Committee
FUNDRAISING EVENTS
Our Club has secured two upcoming Bunnings BBQ fundraising events, which are scheduled as follows:
21st September & 13th October
Our upcoming BBQ events are more than just a chance to connect with the community—they play a crucial role in funding our projects and initiatives.
Your help is vital in making these BBQs a success.
We encourage you to join us and lend a hand, as every contribution makes a difference.
Storytelling tips from a Rotary, Toastmasters webinar
Rotary International and Toastmasters International held a webinar in April about connecting and inspiring through storytelling. Public speaking champions and Rotary members agreed that we need to get better at telling our stories and suggested several ways to improve. New York member Mary Shackleton, who moderated the panel, shares insights from the webinar in her Rotary Voices blog post.
WASH ROTARY ACTION GROUP
100 Toilets for Girls in Nepal
The Rotary Club of Dhulikhel is spearheading an ambitious project to construct 100 toilets for girls in Nepal within five years.
Through this project, thousands of girls will see improved health, safety, and education.
In the last four years, the Rotary Club of Sentosa, Singapore, has completed Eleven Global Grants, nine related to WASH in Schools projects in the Siem Reap area, of Cambodia. Learn their Club's Guiding Principles and what they consider to be the Critical Success Factors.
Attendance and Participation: Regularly attend club meetings and participate actively in club activities and projects.
Service Projects: Engage in community service projects, both locally and internationally, aimed at addressing humanitarian needs, promoting goodwill, and fostering peace.
Fundraising: Contribute to fundraising efforts that support Rotary's service projects and charitable activities.
Vocational Expertise: Share their professional skills and expertise to benefit others within the club and in service projects.
Ethical Standards: Adhere to high ethical standards in their personal and professional lives, reflecting Rotary's commitment to integrity and ethical behavior.
Networking and Fellowship: Build relationships and network with other Rotarians and community leaders, fostering goodwill and understanding.
Membership Growth: Support efforts to grow Rotary's membership and extend invitations to prospective members who embody Rotary's ideals.
Rotary Foundation: Contribute financially to the Rotary Foundation, which funds international scholarships, humanitarian projects, and other charitable efforts.
Public Image: Promote Rotary's mission and achievements within the community and advocate for Rotary's values and initiatives.
Leadership: Serve in leadership roles within the club or district, providing guidance and direction to advance Rotary's goals.
Overall, Rotarians are dedicated to making a positive impact in their communities and the world at large through service, fellowship, and ethical leadership.
All members are invited to contribute to our newsletter.
If you have an interesting article or some great pictures, please share them with us by Thursday so we can include them in Friday's edition.
Send all articles and notifications to our Editor, David Langworthy, at david@bevmarks.com.au.
