Dear Everyone,
Well this is my final Vignette, as after next Wednesday, I will no longer be President of our formidable Club, which I confess I am a little sad about. It has been an amazing journey; I have got to know my Board members in particular much better, and discovered that they are even more wonderful human beings than I had imagined. I have also got to know you, the members, better too and deeply appreciate your loyalty and commitment to the Club, especially during the five and a half months of weekly online meetings last year, which we all know do not have the same vibrancy as the in-person ones. If it had not been for your turning up week in and week out, would we still have been able to call ourselves a club?
Over the past week, there has been a lot happening with regard to our and D9810’s response to the havoc wreaked by the storm overnight on the 9th of June.
On Sunday afternoon, Alma called a meeting of Presidents of Clubs in the storm-affected communities, to find out what the immediate needs were, how District could respond to these, and also to the longer-term needs. DGE Daryl also attended. Then they were to take this information to a District meeting later that day.
Following the second meeting, Alma said that, at District level, they have agreed to:
Firstly, approach the District Board for $5,000 to be distributed to clubs to pay for food/fuel vouchers. Alma asked the District Treasurer to distribute the D9810 Emergency Relief Fund money for vouchers in the following way:
RC Emerald & District - $1,500
RC Monbulk and District - $1,500
RC Belgrave - $1,500
RC Healesville - $500
The $1,500 is now in our No.2 Account
Secondly, approach RAWCS to set up an appeal fund to cover medium to longer term community recovery projects. The role of RAWCS, Rotary Australia World Community Service, is to assist Clubs in Australia establish humanitarian aid projects such as rebuilding in the aftermath of disaster.
Thirdly, approach the District Board for a $5,000 contribution to add to the RAWCS appeal fund.
A disaster recovery appeal has now been established at RAWCS. It will be open until the end of July. Pledges to the fund have already topped $10,000 and District hopes the total will go well into “6 figures”.
The funds are earmarked for community recovery and development projects that become clear in the aftermath of the storm, and their distribution will be administered by a District Committee being appointed by DG Alma and DGE Daryl.
Information going to all of the District Clubs includes:
- Volunteers should turn up on Saturday or Sunday from 9.00 am. at the Netball Courts Car Park at Pepi’s Land on Emerald- Beaconsfield Road, Emerald, where the Emerald CFA and SES are co-ordinating the clean-up activity.
- Immediate Needs
Rotary Clubs in the affected areas are giving out $50 vouchers for food or fuel. This activity is being supported through the D9810 Emergency Relief Fund and through the club’s own financial resources, which means the Voucher system we already have in place. District Clubs wishing to support this immediate relief effort can contact the Presidents of the aforementioned Clubs.
On Thursday morning in my inbox, I was deeply moved to read,
“I am pleased to advise you that The Board of our Club has resolved to contribute $2,000 to your club to assist with the provision of supplies vouchers to assist distressed residents up in the devastated hills area. When things settle down and there emerges future projects of community re-building, we will be once again prepared to consider providing support.
Best wishes to all your members and congratulations on all the work that you are doing in the name of Rotary to assist your community.”
P.D.G. David C Tolstrup JP
President 2020-21
Rotary Club of Box Hill Burwood Inc.
Isn’t that a sublime gesture from the Box Hill Burwood Rotary Club? Naturally I immediately set about expressing our profound gratitude to PDG President David to convey to his Board and all of his members.
The “Youth in Rotary” Webinar hosted by the Rotary Club of Box Hill Central, took place on Wednesday morning with a good number of attendees including DGN Ken, Catherine and Tina. The panellists were Brittany Arthur, an Australian who has lived and worked in Japan and now lives in Mexico, Conor Gee from Rotary One Chicago, the world’s oldest Club, and Ethan Butler, who is in his first year in Rotary and the President of the RC of Burnie West in Tasmania.
The moderator Ashley started by asking the panellists, “Why did you join Rotary?” and the answers were all different.
Brittany joined because of Peter and Marilyn Murie from Cheltenham RC who were very nurturing, and whom some of us have met at District Conferences.
Conor joined because his boss told him to. He worked selling hearing-aids, and his boss said that there would be a lot of old people at Rotary.
Ethan had attended a RYLA Youth Camp. He was asked to join, and saw the impact he could make in the community and individuals’ lives. Rotary is the first and original social network.
RYLA is going ahead in January 2022, so it would be excellent if we could sponsor a young person between the ages of 18 and 30. Let’s be on the lookout.
Space prevents me from going into detail but the panel discussion about bringing young people into Rotary, which President Mark Balla says belongs to everyone, can be accessed at
Unmute the video when it starts, and it can be viewed in full screen if preferred.
Thank you’s this week to:
- Marcus and David for their work to align the Club Bylaws with the Club Constitution adopted in 2020.
- Martin, Russ and Gloria from the Community Service Committee for their work on the rejigged Vouchers and how they should be distributed.
- Lyn and Alan Beckwith, Ian Ash and Russell Marnock for donating their time and labour to last weekend’s clean-up.
- Lorna for agreeing to reheat and deliver Tina’s sausage rolls to the volunteers at Pepi’s Land Staging Area this weekend.
- Ian Ash for enlightening us on the role of Chairperson during Club meetings.
- All you wonderful Emerald Rotarians!
**This Tuesday night on the 29th of June, it’s a Social Night. Hooray!!
We will meet at the Pub as usual and our theme is 🇺🇸 “American Night.” 🇺🇸
Expect burgers, fried chicken, steak and nachos to choose from. And dress up in your best American outfits, and receive a prize for the best-dressed. Family and friends are welcome.
It is PP PHF Martin’s last meeting as he has announced his retirement, much to our sorrow, and we would like to give him the farewell that he so richly deserves.
It is also the last meeting for the current Rotary year so that is something to celebrate!! 😆🥂🍺 🎉
**Next week: on the 6th of July, Shalini is up to something, to be revealed this Tuesday.
Adios amigos and watch out for “Shalini’s Shenanigans” next week.
Stay safe, stay warm and stay Rotary Even Prouder 😀
Yours in Rotary,
Vicki.
