Co - President's Notes Tom Atkinson & Murray McKay
Dear Rotarians and Friends,
What a wonderful "National Volunteers Week" we have had celebrating all the tremendous contributions of our members and community. It was a pleasure to join City of Melville Mayor, Katy Mair, and fellow Rotarians and guests on Thursday to acknowledge John Henderson and his contribution to the redeveloped Mt Henry Bridge Park. Thank you to Volunteering WA and LotteryWest for their support for these events, which will conclude with a free breakfast for Rotarians and guests at our Tuesday meeting.
These events to celebrate the work we do in the community are so important as we take time to reflect on our time spent volunteering and the many wonderful accomplishments that can be attributed to our efforts.
We are especially looking forward to this Tuesday as we learn more about our incoming President Margaret, and new members Adele, Aaron and Michelle. All 3 are already strong contributors to our projects and events and have shown the proactiveness and passion that Rotarians are known for.
Please join us for another inspiring and informative breakfast!
Cambodian Sleeping Bags a Godsend for those sleeping rough this winter
Rotarian Kay Eva (Swan Rotary), first saw poverty on an unbelievable scale during a trip to Cambodia in 2004 with her husband John. "We were giving some supplies to a lady who was living under a sheet of tin on the side of the road, and were shattered when she told us that the day before she had sold her little seven-month-old baby for $20.”
Upon returning home, Kay began brainstorming potential charity ideas with Linda Chisholm, a charity worker already based in Cambodia who suggested Kay bring her sewing skills to the country, which she did.
Before long "Stitches of Hope” (SoH) was born and underprivileged women were given the opportunity to learn sewing skills, which in turn improves their chances of gaining employment at large-scale clothing factories.
One of the main items being produced for SoH are sleeping bags, which can be bought from Applecross Rotary and a couple of other Rotary Clubs in Perth, for $50.
And here’s the pitch - Buy a sleeping bag for $50 and we’ll see it goes to someone in WA, to help them keep warm this winter. The $50 goes to a RWACS* charity in Cambodia called Stitches of Hope and AnglicareWA distributes the sleeping bags to people in need, mainly young people but increasingly, mature women who have nowhere else to sleep except in their car or on the street.
According to Kay, it was a real eye-opener for Cambodians to hear that there are poor and underprivileged people in Perth. They had no idea that an affluent country like Australia does have people who, through no fault of their own, are out on the streets.
Pictured is Kay handing over some sleeping bags last year to SOH club champion PP Ian Fairnie from member purchases that were distributed to local charities supporting local people in need. Ian would be very happy to receive your $50 and arrange a tax receipt to purchase more sleeping bags for people in need for this winter.
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!
No, not a set of steak knives!
Since its inception 12 years ago, SoH has also raised much-needed funds for local underprivileged children, and a community centre that doubles as a school for 85 children. There are so many children wanting to go to the school (which provides “add-on” learning on top of what’s available at government schools) that they host two schools - one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
The new building B is now ready to be fitted out, starting with kitchen, toilets, and a bathroom.
SoH is also funding the digging of wells, providing villages with fresh clean water for the first time. Each well supports 12 families.
The sewing centre, based just outside Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh, provides training and employment for up to 20 local women, who were previously homeless or rescued from abusive situations. Kay describes the sewing centre as a "training ground" where the rescued women can learn a skill and move on to work in a factory or centres that provide higher wages.
They don't have to sell their children, and it also means they don't have to sell themselves.
Rotarians: People of Action
Footnote: While this project would seem to be one that could be developed into a Global Grant funding application, the in-country Rotary Club (Phnom Penh) advised Kay that they were unable to co-sponsor an application as they had already reached their limit with RI.
A big thank you… “to all who filled in several roster positions at the Tuesday meeting. I have a couple of positions left which need to be filled – so can you give consideration to this. (There is a high probability that we will be moving home over that time so I will be limited to those roster slots already identified.)
The missing links are limited to Friday 13th.
Times:
3- 5 pm. One (only) place needed.
5- 7 pm: Two places needed.
Arrangements so far.
This event is our 50th year – a wonderful achievement for any club.
Bear in mind the intention is to provide LOCAL ARTISTS a promotional platform for their creations.
The number of artists signed up, and the number of paintings is roughly equivalent to last year.
On Monday there will be the official opening at 10 am.
James Morris (Melville Art Director to MC) Will introduce a few of the regular artists.
Katy Mair (Mayor of Melville to open)
Melville Rotary President – short welcome presentation
Applecross Rotary President – Short Presentation (Tom or Margaret to determine responsibility)
Representative from Westfield Shopping Centre.
There has been a reasonable amount of publicity circulated.
Tressel Tables and Trolleys to be made available (3 tables from Melville and 3 tables from AxR) ACTION: Ray / Chris D.
Signage: There are strict guidelines – information to follow. No banners etc
Epos machine: AxR to take 1 unit as a backup.
Sunday Conclusion – Pick up times.
1.00 - 2.00pm Buyers to collect paintings.
3.00 – 4.00pm Artists to collect paintings.
There are always the late comers (mainly Buyers) consequently the gap between 2.00 and 3.00pm
Next Tuesdays’ Meeting.
I will briefly go over a few of the key points (noted above) We always get one or two buyers asking to take paintings early. This can be a challenging request as some have valid reasons – such as “…live in Geraldton and going home this afternoon….” How to respond – in a reasonable way as we want to retain and encourage repeat customers. This will be covered during the mornings meeting.
Thats about it – so just give some thought to filling the Friday gaps.
As communities across New South Wales face one of the most devastating flood emergencies in recent memory, we are once again called to act with compassion and urgency. In just two days, parts of the state have received four months’ worth of rain, triggering flash floods that have inundated homes, cut off entire towns, and tragically claimed lives. Over 50,000 residents have been warned to evacuate or prepare for isolation, with major flooding affecting areas such as Taree, Wingham, Dungog, and the Mid North Coast.
Emergency services are stretched thin, conducting hundreds of rescues while many residents remain stranded. The full scale of the disaster is still unfolding, and the need for coordinated support is growing by the hour.
Rotary District 9660 is mobilising to assist affected communities. Disaster coordinators are being appointed, and collaboration with local authorities is underway. As with the Queensland response, mental health support will be a critical focus in the recovery phase.
How You Can Help:
There are two trusted ways to contribute:
District 9660 Disaster Fund Account (For immediate use by clubs and districts – not tax deductible)
ClubRunner is the software programme that runs our Website and Club administration. It is also an excellent communication tool for our members with an interactive mobile phone app that puts members contact details, coming events, etc at your fingertips.
Aaron has offered to assist me in supporting members to access and use this tool that will make your Rotary life more connected.
If interested contact Aaron or me for a personal tuition on connecting and using ClubRunner.
ClubRunner is owned, built and maintained for Rotarians by Rotarians.
This means there are continual improvements that respond to suggestion from Rotarian users.
The following are the latest improvements that will make our ClubRunner experience smoother, smarter and more connected.
Rotarian Kay Eva (Swan Rotary), first saw poverty on an unbelievable scale during a trip to Cambodia in 2004 with her husband John. "We were giving some supplies to a lady who was living under a sheet of tin on the side of the road, and were shattered when she told us that the day before she had sold her little seven-month-old baby for $20.”
