Current Activity
The Rotary Club of Emerald and District have been hard at work every night of the Puffing Billy Train of Lights event during June and July 2023. For those who took the train to Gembrook there was the welcome sight of a warm sausage sizzle on a cold mid-winter evening!!
Thank you to everyone who supported the initiative which helped raise funds for the local community. We took some photographs along the way and these can be found in HERE.
Highlights 2022-2023
Committee Chair: PP PHF Catherine Elfick
Team: Kelly McAllister, Tracey Bannister, PP PHF Lorna Shaw
Another busy year in the world of Emerald & District Rotary fundraising activities! The continuation of the Emerald Rotary Market this year has provided a monthly source, albeit not as much as hoped, of funds through gate takings, stall holders’ fees, Rotary Treasure Stall and the ever-popular Sausage Sizzle - including those much-revered egg & bacon rolls! (The camaraderie building between our members is priceless though!)
This Rotary year, through 9 markets, we raised $6,006.
Kelly did a fabulous job of whipping up a new fundraiser for us this year - “Brushstrokes & Bubbles!” Liaising with the Emerald Arts Society, she organised two fabulous nights where participants enjoyed a glass of bubbly over an art lesson. By the end of the sold-out events, we saw some masterpieces created and lots of smiling faces walking out the door. $3,000 raised whilst having FUN! In addition, the raffle at the Pride of Workmanship raised $400.
In addition to our traditional sausage sizzles, including one at Bunnings in Pakenham, we had a very successful raffle over a few weeks and the winner riding off into the sunset on a very snazzy bike. Many thanks again to Kelly for coordinating and organising prizes for this one AND an additional raffle at the Pride of Workmanship Awards night which raised $400.
The ever popular, “Kids’ Fun Run With (Thomas) Puffing Billy,” was an immensely fun day for all. A lot of hard work by John Henderson and his team, but it is a day that always brings the club together, brings awareness of Rotary to the community at large and most of all, raises much appreciated funds for causes that benefit children. This year we were very proud to again be able to present a cheque for $50,000 to the Monash Children’s Hospital Cancer Ward. Well done, John!!
The Debutante Ball, held in June 2023, is another showcase of Rotary’s commitment to the young people in our community. Held annually for the past 33 years, it is wonderful opportunity for year 11 students to gather, learn something new (a waltz or two!) and really celebrate with family and friends. Lyn Beckwith, under the guidance of Shalini Penny, has organised and hosted a fabulous event for 2023. It raised around $10,000 which will be used to support our many worthy causes, including those for our youth.
Chocklotto (aka chooklotto by our President), is a subtle fundraiser that ticks along in the background each meeting. I say “subtle” with a smile, because there is nothing subtle about Shalini or Carol asking for that $2 as soon as you step through the door!! Nevertheless, it does provide funds into account number 1 for our administration costs across the year.
Unfortunately, our “traditional” fundraising events of the All American Car Show & Swap Meet, Cocktails on the Catwalk and the Great Community Raffle were unable to be held this year, but we are very much hoping to see them back on our calendars next year!
Many thanks to the Fundraisers and all the Club Members for their continued, unwavering support of all things crazy!
