Last Thursday night Give Where You Live organized a fundraiser with a difference for 3 Geelong local organizations - Bluebird Foundation, Foundation 61 and Geelong Mums. While we know about the last 2 groups it was interesting to learn about Bluebird Foundation, a community arts organization creating and delivering quality arts programs that make a real difference in people's lives. They work in marginalised communities including children and families living in the 3214 and 3219 postcode, refugees, older adults and individuals living with a disability. Stories told by Bron Lawson of the children's choir and the group's ambitions for the future were very touching.
After hearing from the three groups, the audience were asked to offer donations for each. The first $15K raised for each group was matched by the matched funding partners - Anthony Costa Foundation and Gforce. A total of $106,120 was raised - Bluebird $30,500; Foundation 61 $44,550; and Geelong Mums $31,500. Our contribution of $5,000 was included in the funds to be doubled which was tremendous. A truly educational experience!
Thank you to Gary and Paul who manned the stall at Bunnings last Sunday for their Community Day. I don't know whether Paul and Gary were overrun with enquiries after I left, but we have made a few contacts which may prove useful. Interesting to see and hear from other participants - SES, Neighbourhood Watch, Lions and see the children react to the farm animals and especially Rescue Platypus!
Next Wednesday we will hear from Darcy Seller about the proposed water hydrant project for schools and villages in the Philippines. This is a joint project arising from discussions with other Geelong Clubs which will also involve a global grant.
Please respond to David's request for members to attend the District Assembly in Ararat on Sunday 26 April. This is an opportunity for everyone to learn more about our organization,
Remember - partners, friends and family are very welcome at all our gatherings!
The world is a rose. Smell it and pass it on to your friends - Persian Proverb.
Bunnings BBQ Dates
Thursday 12 March
Saturday 4 April
Thursday 9 April
Thursday 14 May
Thursday 11 June
Please contact Gary Clark if you can help - we need volunteers to help
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Month
March on the Rotary Calendar is designated as Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Month.
We hopefully will have the opportunity to hear more details of the proposed global grant project to provide water supplies to villages and schools in the Philippines through the Sky Hydrant equipment.
There may also be an opportunity to hear about the joint project organized by the Warrnambool and Geelong Rotary Clubs for clean water provision, education and health facilities in remote areas of Papua New Guinea.
Since 2015 the Group have sunk 12 successful water bores and provided solar or hand pumps at ten different locations in Oro Province, providing clean water to over 10,000 PNG villagers and schools. They have also provided humanitarian aid materials, feminine hygiene products, teaching materials, books and sports equipment to remote schools.
This could be an opportunity for our Club to become involved in the future?
AUSTRALIAN GOLFING FELLOWSHIP OF ROTARIANS GOLFING TOURNAMENT
The 42nd Annual Golf Tournament is to be held at the 13th Beach Golf Course, Barwon Heads from 19 - 24 April 2020. All proceeds go to Australian Rotary Health Mental Health Research.
It is being hosted by Highton Rotary Club and supported by Belmont Rotary Club. As well as an opportunity to enjoy fellowship with other Rotarians partners and guests from all over Australia for a wonderful week of competition - there are individual and team events for golfers of many abilities! There are also activities for non-golfers too - tours of the Bellerine, Great Ocean Road and Geelong gardens and wineries.
Registration fees for Rotarian golfers, which include green fees, a welcome BBQ, lunch each day and Presentation Dinner, are $520 for 4 days golf.
For more information, program details and to register: www.gagfr.org.au
David Littleproud, Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, has recently announced that Rotary would receive a Drought Community Support Initiative [DCSI] $5,000,000 for cash grants to families impacted by the ongoing drought.
Rotary previously received $6,500,000 for cash grants, and using the chain of District Drought Relief Projects from FNQ through all states to SA, delivered 3,403 cash grants. It will be this same Rotary network that will be used to deliver the $5,000,000 should we decide to accept the offer.
The attached media release is the only information we have at this stage, however, the implementation of the DCSI process previously followed was · Entering a legal contract with the Commonwealth for the distribution including grant guidelines, assessment procedures, and corporate governance including reporting and audit requirements · Consultation with the project managers of District Drought Relief projects to determine involvement and capacity to deliver. · Preparing distribution guidelines and grant assessment procedures for project managers · Establishing corporate governance systems · Meeting strict Commonwealth reporting requirements
The setup stage may take up to a month.
It would be my intent to publish regular setup updates of progress of delivering this $5,000,000, yet another demonstration of the power of Rotary within Australia.
Please ring me if you have any questions.
Regards Mike Whitehouse RAWCS National Treasurer 0448 710 882
DG Rosanne Kava
Purple House Donations. Rosanne has asked that we support Purple House (a dialysis service to indigenous communities in central Australia) with items to pass on to remote communities. If you have any toiletries etc to donate I would be happy to take them to Conference. Bring any items to the next few meetings. Can we Help?
Family Friendly Club. When Rosanne visited us last year she asked that the Club identify one thing that they could do better to make their Club more family friendly. To date we have not addressed this issue. Any ideas?
DISTRICT CONFERENCE 2020.
This is to be held in Swan Hill from Friday 20 March to Sunday 22 March. There is an exciting program - visits to the Swan Hill Folk Museum and the light show, conference learning sessions, Saturday night dinner at Lake Boga and final discussions on the Sunday. It would be great to have some representation from Grovedale Waurn Ponds. Please give it some thought! Click www.rotary9780conference.com.au to register. You need to book before 13 March!
Meeting Attendance:
Members - please respond to RICE VILLAGE OR Whoozin BY TUESDAY each week.
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