Join Zoom Meeting info:

 

 

Meeting ID: 718 947 8380

Passcode: 106183

Hi all seems that the Zoom link last night was not the best for some ! 

 

The main thrust of my presentation was to discuss renewable energy issues and explore ways we, as individual club members, could improve our environmental footprint.  Dandenong Ranges Renewable Energy Association (www.drrea.org.au) in conjunction with Indigo Power (www.indigopower.com.au) is promoting an Eastern Dandenong Ranges Power Hub , aimed at sharing power and reinvesting profits in community infrastructure.  Indigo Power is a community enterprise offshoot of TRY ( Totally Renewable Yakandandah (www.totallyrenewableyack.org.au) and its profits are reinvested in community power infrastructure such as batteries, solar panels and micro grids. It is notable that these community initiatives have attracted significant government funding and recognition.

 

While the Indigo Power offer may not be the most competitive around, it is comparable to many of the large companies in the area, and has the desirable aspect of reinvestment in community renewables.

We all have different usage of electricity and comparison of offers can be obtuse at times. A good resource when comparing is the Victorian Government comparison website

www.compare.energy.vic.gov.au  .

 

If you have a concession card you can access a $250 once off payment just by using the website!  When looking at company websites it is best to get the real figures from the Energy Fact Sheets.  You also need to know you meter configuration commonly 1. Two Rate or Time of Use   2. Flat Rate or    3 either of the previous plus  Controlled Load ( previously off peak hot water).

 

If considering a new or replacement hot water service there are some significant rebate deals on Heat Pump units that use only about 30% of the power of electric storage units . Heat Pumps operate on similar principle to air conditioners but obviously with a much higher temperature difference.

Always interested in a chat

 

Russell Marnock  

ESRAG member  www.esraganzpi.org

 

• 84 bags each of 12 kg of dry wood was donated to the Kalorama Relief Centre for distribution to families in need.
• Money was donated to Mt. Dandenong Pre-School to support the students and staff with toys/books/equipment since they were displaced from their site due to the June storm damage. 
• Money was donated to the Emerald-Monbulk Wildlife Centre to support the care of injured, orphaned and displaced native animals after the June storms.
• Other monetary donations have been made and vouchers supplied to support individual families impacted by the June storms in the Kalorama and surrounding area.

Rotary and Philanthropy

 

Rotary is blessed with support from some of the world’s greatest philanthropists. When we hear of wealthy “philanthropists” pledging to donate substantial portions of their wealth, perhaps we think: well its OK for them they can afford it!  But wealth is a relative value; we are blessed to live in one of the world’s richest countries with good infrastructure and health systems. Health, family, good friends and fellowship are perhaps more important measures of wealth. Our material “wealth“ is substantially more than that of our forebears, but are we any more satisfied ? The act of giving has been shown to be good for our personal wellbeing, and giving for Rotary signature projects is not just about giving our time and expertise to raise money!  We have our own philanthropic foundation for donations, the Rotary Foundation supporting Polio Plus.

 

It was very sad to read in the latest RDU magazine (Another dark day for Polio Plus) of the death in Afghanistan of five Polio Plus workers; workers no doubt from one of the world’s poorest countries who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our cause.

 

PDG Bob Aitken, a Zoom speaker on a couple of occasions for our Club has asked that Clubs donate $1500 each and that all members donate $10. Seems to me as individuals most of us could easily double that or more ( a drink or two or meal at the Pub ) , It would be nice if we could log on to our Rotary.org accounts and make this small donation early in the year and provide support for the Polio Plus team heading up to World Polio day on the 24^th October.

 

 

YIR   Russell M

Hi Shalini,

Unfortunately, we don't have any upcoming plans to return at the moment. We were looking at Christmas, but with the recent reduction to arrival caps (halved until further notice) and the new departure exemption process for non-resident Australians, it's just made it harder.  All of these changes are making it very difficult to come back, especially if we then want to return to our new home in Singapore.

 

On a positive note, work is going well and we've both settled in and met a good group of new friends. Workwise there are still no significant events, but this is gradually changing. Tanya has joined a number of community groups through ANZA which is a local ex-pat community organisation and although predominantly based around Australian and New Zealanders, its grown over time to become one of the largest clubs and has members from many countries, as well as local Singaporeans. I've also jumped back into Rotary and this year, I'm the Chair of the Rotary Club of Singapore, Community Service Committee.

 

Last weekend was National Day which is an annual celebration of Singapore's independence from the Malayan federation in 1965 and as part of this, we finally got to display the National Flag on the roof of our National Stadium. It is very spectacular!

 

Tanya and I spend most weekends exploring, with one of our favourites being the Gardens by The Bay, which for a few months has a fabulous Orchid Display. I've sent you some photos in another email. 

Hopefully we'll be home later this year, but I think we'll need the rules to change before we seriously consider returning. We can't wait for the borders to open up and start travelling to see some more of Asia.

 

Stay safe      

Peter