One of the age-old questions asked of a Rotarian is, “What do you actually do?”
As you will read in this update, it’s anything but being idle.
Men and women of all ages come together to volunteer their time to help others. The others may be residents of our local community who are doing it tough or through our international connections. It might be a village such as the two in Cambodia where we are contributing to building toilet facilities.
Four lucky Mac Robertson Girls’ Secondary College students attended RYPEN (Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment) camp compliments of Rotary Port Phillip. RYPEN is a Rotary sponsored Youth Service program for 15 to 17 year-old students from schools across District 9800. Students attend a weekend camp designed to develop their potential through a mixture of lecture style sessions and adventure-based learning. It aims to communicate a series of ideas, problems and social experiences that will assist them in forming their own values and moral standards.
We conducted a stationery drive, again through MacRob to gather paper, pens etc bound for Timor Leste. 
We formed a relationship with Mens Shed Port Melbourne and were in a position to help them financially to get a beehive project off the ground.
Similarly, we are working with BackPacks4VicKids in helping emergency services such as police and DHS who assist children of all ages being taken into foster care to get urgently needed comfort packs with essential items and a soft toy.
Once a month our volunteers front up to Bunning’s Port Melbourne to cook sausages and provide cold drinks. Funds raised are distributed to needy causes.
Our biggest event was The Celtic Festival held on St Patrick’s Day at the Seafarers Club and funds raised will be distributed to Rotary Men’s Health and Foundation.
Yet we can’t function locally without Members. So come along to one of our Club meetings held at the Emerald Hotel, Clarendon Street South Melb, at 6pm on the first and third Monday of each month and assess whether it’s a good fit for you.