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Club Information
Tuesdays at 6:30 PM
The Emerald Hotel
415 Clarendon Street
South Melbourne, VIC 3205
Australia
Phone:
0407 112 141
1st and 3rd Tuesday of the Month
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President's Report
 
A very warm welcome, no pun intended as we struggle through the heatwave, to the new Rotary year.  This year is shaping up to be a big year and we need to add into the mix the impact the Covid variant is having on all of us. Our local retailers are struggling and of course we want to continue to support them.  I know I have been endeavouring to shop locally and that makes me walk there as its not worth getting out the car.  A win-win!
 
The Emerald Hotel will no longer be open on Mondays for the foreseeable future. Today I received confirmation that we have secured a room for the first and third Tuesdays of the month at the Emerald.  I had looked around the area and most establishments are closed Mondays and some Tuesdays, as well.  Finding staff is difficult and managing the challenges that the new variant is having is certainly taxing the hospitality industry.  A few places were open Mondays but their costs were far too high.  I am delighted that we are able to meet at the Emerald.
 
Dennis Tarrant will be organizing the equipment in order for us to have hybrid meetings.  I am so grateful as I know some find it difficult to attend due to distance or health issues.  Again, the pandemic is swaying our thoughts about what is less risky as the ‘new normal’ continues to evolve. Challenging times!
 
 
Corona virus continues to impact our way of living and it is important that it is recognised for the impact that it is having on us all and the need to seek support in the way that is most effective for us all. 
 
 
 
 
End of year celebrations
 
 
Members who attended the Life Saving Victoria venue had a very pleasant experience in a beautiful venue and what a view! 
 
Sue foley organised the entertainment and Kris was fantastic.  Look out for her at the Arco Bar in Moorabbin; well worth listening to.
 
Tony McManus was the compere for the night and he kept things tight.  The speeches were succinct, which is a good thing in certain circumstances.
 
Albert Park organised gifts from Santa for all guests, which was very exciting.  We were each given a gift wrapped book and there was a tub of extras for swapping or taking.  My book is a great read and I will be passing it on to at least three people as well.
It was lovely to chat with Dale and Maureen Hoy and , as always, the delightful Lili Teichman. Many thanks to all who organised and participated on a fine evening.  Special thanks to Matthew Proctor for his efforts.
 
 
 
Australia Day
 
 
The National Australia Day Council (NADC) is a not-for-profit, government owned company based in Canberra. With the NADC, the Australia Day National Network (the Network), an affiliate group of state and territory organisations, helps facilitate the celebration of Australia Day and being Australian, and recognises inspirational Australians through the Australian of the Year Awards.
Strategic focus areas for the NADC are:
  • Meaning: To promote the meaning of Australia Day and being Australian
  • Participation: To unite all Australians through celebration and reflection
  • Recognition: To acknowledge active citizenship and achievement
Successful applicants submitted amazing, creative applications aimed at helping us all celebrate Australia Day in true Rotary fashion, respecting our First Nation’s People, reflecting on what have become as a multi-cultural society, and celebrating all that is good about humanity.  
 
There were 55 successful applications with over $1.6m ($500K more than last year) being granted to Rotary Clusters/Clubs around Australia to promote Rotary and the National Australia Day Council’s important message of:
 
“Reflect, Respect and Celebrate…we are all in this together”.
 
Like last year, the NADC team had approved Rotary to have joint branding on the marketing collateral to be used at the events.  Rotary Port Phillip was successful in its grant application but was unsuccessful in securing a venue that was able to cater for the event due to the impact that on the hospitality industry.  However, we have two firms wanting to partner with us next year, so all the planning wasn’t in vain. 
 
Some of us assisted the Rotary Club of Caulfield with their event at Murrumbeena Village.  Two cafes were involved where the community could redeem their vouchers with a breakfast.  The two teams worked both sides of the street for the morning and mid morning a Smoking Ceremony was performed for everyone’s benefit.
 
Congratulations to RCC on their event to celebrate Australia Day.
 
 
Bunnings
BUNNINGS SAUSAGE SIZZLES
 
Bunnings sausage sizzles are an iconic Australian fundraiser, and a great opportunity for local community groups, not for profits and charities to raise much needed funds for their causes. Rotary Port Melbourne and Rotary Melbourne South and now Rotary Port Phillip depend on the sausage sizzles to raise money for our projects. It's a well supported fundraiser; you could almost say it was un-Australian to not grab a snag when leaving the store.  The number of people who stated that they feel things are ‘back to normal’ during these difficult Covid times
because they can grab a snag at Bunnings is amazing.  Also, there are a few who stop at Bunnings, buy a sausage then leave without even entering the store.  A much loved snack!
 
Behind the scenes there is the organisation and preparation to be undertaken.  Both Graham and Dennis are to be commended for the hours and hours that they put into the events over the years to make it a smooth running operation.  The purchasing of all food, items such as gloves and masks, setting up, packing the car, unpacking the car and the list goes on and on and takes hours.
 
Of course, its success also depends on the good folk who are prepared to stand, cook, flip, serviette and bread prep, sauce and all the while engage in banter with the customers.  Sometimes its necessary to dodge the rain, the blazing sun or the wind and being Melbourne, that could be in one day.  The goodwill extends to our little and big, four footed, furry friends , too.
 
Why do we put ourselves through it?  Simple! People in dire need are going to benefit and have their lives improve in even a small way.  Well worth the effort!  Well done, teams.
 
 
Empower
EMPOWER LAUNCH HOUSE PACKING
 
An enthusiastic and very organised group of Rotarians attended EMPOWER to pack forty boxes of goodies for the residents of launch Housing on Friday 3rd December.  There was quite an array of products from soap to $25 phone cards.  It was a lot of fun.  After, some of us had a coffee at EMPOWER’s café with Nicole Werner from EMPOWER.  Pam and I later delivered the boxes to Launch House but were not allowed to enter as a resident had covid. The boxes were taken inside by their staff. 
 
DEI
Tonga
 
TONGA VOLCANO ERUPTION AND TSUNAMI APPEAL
 
 
 
 
The effects of the Volcano and Tsunami on January 15th will be far-reaching, impacting the Tonga Community for months, possibly years to come.
Communication remains problematic with international and inter-island call still no possible due to the damage to the undersea cable.
Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) will be working with Rotary New Zealand World Community Service (RNZWCS) and Rotary Club of Nuku’alofa (Tonga) in providing aid and assistance to the affected communities’ and restoring their livelihoods.
RAWCS has registered a Rotary Australia Relief Fund project to seek financial assistance from Rotary Clubs, the public and private sector.
Donations to the RAWCS Relief Fund are tax deductible.
Donate through https://rawcs.org.au/
Project  Tonga Volcano Eruption and Tsunami Disaster https://directory.rawcs.com.au/42-2021-22
Bees
Belola
BELOLA GARDEN PROJECT
 
Rotary Port Melbourne began a school project in Belola where the children are involved in planting, caring for and harvesting various crops.  The food is prepared and eaten for lunch and excess produce goes home to their families.
 
Belola -  First Planting 1st September
 
Cucumber Planting – September 8th
 
 
 
 
Ai-Asa Establishing Gardens September 9th
 
 
 
Ai-Asa September 22nd
 
Belola September 28th
 
Ai-Asa September 29th
 
 
 
 
Well as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.  What an achievement!
New Rotary theme
Introducing our Rotary Theme for 2022-23