Member Announcements

Our 2023-24 flagship “Horn of Africa Project” is progressing well under the dynamic leadership of Jama Farah. Last week several club members were able to visit DIK store in Tottenham to inspect the wide range of medical and hospital equipment that Jama has obtained for shipment to Harari and Somali Regional States in Ethiopia.

Hospital beds, cardiac monitors, defibrillators and ultrasound diagnostic machines constitute the bulk of the equipment, much of which has come from Sunshine Hospital and is only a few years old and in good working condition.

Did you know Jama has developed an interest in bees? He has recently completed Victorian State Honeybee Response Team training.  He is involved with Werribeeks, a group for Beekeepers in and around Werribee and surrounding Suburbs that shares information tips and ideas. 

Our final social activity planned by Ron and Kevin was on Sunday 21^st May. We went to see Catch Me If You Can at the National Theatre in St Kilda. Everyone really enjoyed the afternoon and it was a fabulous performance. If you weren’t able to come on Sunday it’s well worth the effort to go and see it before it closes.

Last Wednesday, 22 March 2023, at the Basscare Centre in Canterbury Jama  participated in a FORaMEAL packing event with members of the Rotary Club of Camberwell from 6pm to 8 pm.
Recently Jama made contact with the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute at the Alfred Hospital who are willing to donate decommissioned equipment to the Horn of Africa project. This link will add to the relationships he has established with Western Health and the Austin.  In an interesting turn of events an Alfred research project will utilise a previously donated ultrasound scanner to complete a research project before being shipped to Africa. 

Well done Jama!!

Enjoy a complimentary 3-day pass to the House of Friendship*, valid Monday-Wednesday, 29-31 May. No additional purchase is required. Here’s how you can redeem this special offer:

• Option 1 (before 26 April 2023) – Fill out this brief Qualtrics survey with your information. Your pass will be ready for you to pick up at the Registration desk at MCEC Exhibition Centre doors 1 and 2.
• Option 2 (after 26 April 2023) – Visit the Registration Desk (MCEC Exhibition Centre doors 1 and 2), fill out a brief form and receive your pass on site.

Friends and family are also eligible to enjoy this special access to the House of Friendship, so bring them along to learn what is special about Rotary!

We look forward to seeing you in the House of Friendship. Contact eventsupport@rotary.org with questions.

*Passes are valid for the House of Friendship only. Does not apply to Convention registration or any affiliated events. Convention registrants do not have to apply for the free pass since access to the House of Friendship is already included in the registration fee.

The passing of Sika Kerry OAM on Tuesday 18^th April at 11:00pm is another sad day for the Rotary Club of Footscray. Although not a member of the club Sika had a very close connection to the club as both her husband George Kerry Snr and son George Kerry Jnr were members.

May 4th - Club Meeting - Evan Phillips Scholarship

May 18th - Club Meeting - Mambourin Awards

May 27th-31st May – Rotary International Convention

June 29^th – Changeover Dinner - Yarraville Club

Prior to the club meeting a special meeting of Western Region Age Care Inc (WRAC) considered a motion to change the name of the fund. WRAC and the club’s Community Service trust were amalgamated, and the change of name was felt appropriate to reflect the two entities. Two proposals were considered and in a close vote the new name selected is “Footscray Rotary Aged and Community Services Fund Incorporated”

There was some sadness about the choice of name as there Western Region Aged Care was no longer acknowledged.

Elia and Tina Andriotis then set the mood for a very relaxing evening as they showed beautiful pictures of Crete from their recent trip. It was a perfect way to begin the long Easter weekend.

The passing of Sika Kerry OAM on Tuesday 18^th April at 11:00pm is another sad day for the Rotary Club of Footscray. With her death, a link between the Kerry Family and the Rotary Club of Footscray has ended. The Rotary Club of Footscray extends condolences to her family.

This Bulletin includes articles on the Golf Day, recent meetings, our BBQ at the Stony Creek Festival and further information about Catriona Nguyen-Robertson.

The RI Convention is approaching and there are details of events conducted during the Convention which do not require registration.

At our next meeting on May 4^th the Evan Phillips award will be presented. This apprenticeship award from our club is facilitated in conjunction with WPC Group.

Flood Appeal - Urgently required

1,000 Doonas and Blankets - Single, Double and Queen

New Pillows & Sheet Sets to match

Fan Heaters

Weed Killer – yes, the weeds are still growing!

WERN is also asking for cash donations and people who can volunteer to become a short term collection hubs for donated goods.The effects of the floods are ongoing and as Winter approaches many people need support to make the cold weather more bearable

Iftar dinners celebrate the breaking of the fast during Ramadan. Many Muslim communities hold special dinners and invite visitors along to share a meal and help learn more about our Muslim communities. Thanks to Jama for the invitation to share in The Annual Ramadan Dinner run by the Muslim Welfare Trust of Vic. And The Hararian Organization of Victoria. If you are lucky enough to be invited to an Iftar dinner take the opportunity you will enjoy great company and delicious food.

Maria

Federal MP for this area Daniel Mulino, recently spoke about the Community Bike Hub in Federal Parliament.

Video of his praise of the Bike Hub can be viewed here.

Celebrating Rotary Club Of Footscray Birthdays:

31 December - Wilson Leung (Belated Happy Birthday Wilson!)

20 February - Pragya Kapil (you see why February is a favourite :D)

24 February - Kevin Field

President Elect - Jama Farah grew up on a pastoral farming plot in the Somali Region of Ethiopia.

About 11 years ago, a Rotarian friend Des introduced him to Rotary and he has not looked back since.

During his time as a Rotarian, he has served as the Director of Community and the Director of International Service for the Rotary Club of Footscray District 9800. He has also been involved with and contributed to The Maribyrnong City Council CALD Plan Advisory Committee and the Victorian Multicultural Business Advisory Council.

Celebrating Rotary Club Of Footscray Birthdays:

19 March - Jamie Robertson

An update on Frank and Ann Brown from Graeme Thompson:

Frank had heart issues last week which resulted in him spending a few days in hospital but is at home now and much brighter.

Ann who injured her neck in the car accident prior to Christmas had the neck brace removed two weeks ago. We wish them both a speedy recovery.

In this centenary year for Rotary Down Under, it is worth reflecting that for 100 years Rotarians in Australia and New Zealand have promoted the advancement of international, goodwill and peace through numerous humanitarian aid and education programs.

This centenary of peacebuilding is a source of pride for Rotarians and is worthy of celebration.The Future of Peace Leadership symposium will bring together leaders in peace and conflict resolution to provide perspectives on challenging global and domestic issues and they will discuss how we can all contribute towards building a more peaceful world.  The symposium will be held on April 21 and 22.

Celebrating Rotary Club Of Footscray Birthdays:

Edmond Lobaza – 15 May

Australian Honours

Know someone who constantly puts others ahead of themselves. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Sound familiar. Sound like a Rotarian you know. How about you nominate them for an Australian Honor!

The Australian Honours and Awards System

“Service Above Self” is second nature to Rotarians.  But we all know fellow members who go “above and beyond” in service to their community and indeed our nation. They seek no reward beyond mere satisfaction that they have made a difference in the lives of individuals or society in general. We recognize their commitment by Clubs contributing to our Rotary Foundation or by a District or sometimes a Rotary International Award.

Happy Belated Birthday to our July birthday folks!

Angus Scott-Walker -9^th

Emanuel Tumino – 11^th

Robert Newman – 28^th

Maria Silber – 29^th

August Birthdays!

Diane McGrath – 20^th  

By Jane Pennington 

The Rotary Leadership Institute

The Rotary Leadership Institute Program presents a wonderful opportunity for experienced Rotarians, new members and indeed people interested in finding out more about Rotary to take some time to experience the history, current and new initiatives related to this great organisation we call Rotary.

This four-part program is now available online.

The COVID pandemic continues to play havoc with Rotary meetings. As I wrote previously, the Plough meeting for August 5 was programmed, the speaker primed and the menu orders placed when the evening collapsed due to the start of lockdown 6 at 8pm. Faster than a speeding bullet, Secretary Rodney arranged a Zoom meeting.

There we were, having successfully negotiated from The Plough to The Zoom with a Gateway cluster President’s Zoom meeting thrown in for good measure, waiting for the end of a short sharp shutdown and clear blue skies and a tropical Footscray welcome for the District Governor’s visit on August 19. But Dan wrote the script, not me. It was meant to be a seven-day lockdown but, as they say, “what’s the worst thing about a seven-day lockdown? The first six weeks!” I had hoped to have an all-singing, all-dancing meeting for the DG’s visit and two new members were lined up for induction.

Hello Everyone in District 9800,

I hope everyone is managing the COVID lockdown 6.0 which started on 5th August all over Victoria, relaxed in regional Victoria from 11th August and then reimposed last Saturday 21st August. Clearly very challenging times.

Prior to 5th August, I have been based in Regional Victoria during renovations of our Melbourne home. Under COVID restrictions, renovations can take place if the house is vacated and under strict COVID guidelines. The renovations were originally planned to be finished by July, but with COVID challenges it is turning out to be a different July!

https://rotarydistrict9800.org.au/stories/out-about-with-dg-dale/

September Birthdays!

Cameron McDonald – 9^th

Fred Maddern – 16^th

Hello Everyone in District 9800,

I am sure you are all navigating COVID lockdown 6.0 in the best way possible as it continues to challenge all of us. I am very proud of the Rotarians who have adapted so well to virtual meetings and I continue to be impressed with the quality of community projects and impact clubs are achieving despite the “handbrake of COVID”. 

I have travelled virtually via Zoom to visit clubs including Woodend, Passport Club, Essendon, Collingwood and Brunswick-Tullamarine, with meetings at Altona City, Wyndham and North Balwyn occurring this week.

https://rotarydistrict9800.org.au/stories/dg-dale-and-his-district-tales/