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Vol 36 No.6
6 August 2009
Meeting Report
4 August 2009
52 Members present
5 Visiting Rotarians
2 Guests
Email all apologies to Philip Lambers or call Philip on 9499 7407 ah or 9829 1512 bh
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Next week's program
KINDER +
Issues that create disadvantage in our community are not unusual. Social exclusion exists in the City of Boroondara in a number of forms. Yes it does . . . in the leafy suburb of Boroondara.
The council and the State and Federal Governments are typically slow to address such problems. The unique program – established by Foundation Boroondara and the Rotary Clubs of Balwyn and Hawthorn – addresses the issue of social exclusion as it applies to families with children of kindergarten-age children in Boroondara.
Kinder+ and `Plant-a-Tree. . . Grow a Child’ program illustrate how the `many hands’ of Rotary can initiate remedies to serious community issues where no other alternatives exist. Hear about the many families and kiddies who are currently benefitting from this fine project.
The Rotary Club of Balwyn will be presented with a certificate from Foundation Boroondara acknowledging the great support that has been provided to establish Kinder+.
Hugh Trumble
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Forerunner to this week's speakers at Rotary
In June 2009 President Bill (actually President-Elect at the time this was taken) presented a $20,000 cheques to the Camberwell Salvation Army headquarters to support their 2009 continuation of the Migrant Bridges Program. This Boroondara City-wide program proved successful in 2008 under inaugural funding from the government. The RC Balwyn is supporting this second year as a transition to moving the program to sustainable funding from government and corporate sectors. Pictured (l to r) are Michelle Francis, the Migrant Outreach Worker engaged for this year’s program, President Bill and Norman Gale, Manager, Community Services, for Salvation Army.
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From the Oblong Office
President Bill has received letters of thanks from:
Camp Getaway for our donation of $10,000 for sustainable power generation at the camp. Click here to view
Victoria Police for our support of Detective Sergeant Andrew Stamper who has been on a research project in the UK. Click here to view
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Thought for the week
Opportunities multiply as they are seized - Sun Tzu.
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This week's meeting
BUILDING BRIDGES WITH MIGRANT FAMILIES
Some surprising facts emerged from this week's meeting. Speaker Michelle Francis of the Salvation Army said: “Did you know that 72% of all the people in Box Hill are migrants?”
Most of us were at least a little astonished at such a high proportion. Michelle continued: “Although they have arrived here under the Skilled Migrant Program and speak some english, they are bewildered by the simple everyday transactions which most of us take for granted. Even making a purchase at Coles can be daunting.” We learned that a noise on the roof which the rest of us know to be just a possum, alarms Migrants, who anticipate a burglary. Many such newcomers who have heard tales of Australian animals, remain housebound behind locked doors, afraid to step outside for fear of snakes.
With a once-off grant from the State Government, Camberwell Salvation Army made an in-depth survey of recently arrived Skilled Migrants. The findings according to Salvation Army officer Norman Gayle who attended together with Michelle were astonishing. Every kind of difficulty confronted these migrants in establishing themselves in what had previously been their skilled profession. For example, a man who was formerly the manager of a prosperous company in his home country, was now a janitor cleaning schools. An Iranian doctor, a specialist, had been unable to practise now for three years because of his difficulties with english. The findings according to Norman were that Skilled Migrants were unable to immediately find work on arrival here. Said Norman: “With a generous grant of $20,000 from Rotary Club Balwyn, and a once-off grant from the State Government, Salvos of Camberwell established the program: “Building Bridges with Migrant Families in Boroondara & Beyond (BBMF)”.
This largesse enabled the Salvation Army to appoint Michelle Francis to the full-time task of managing the BBMF Program. Said Michelle: “I was born in Australia of Dutch immigrant parents. After studying anthropology at La Trobe, I wrote a thesis on Refugees. So I feel well suited to the challenge of this new job.
``We are looking for Buddy Families who will stand alongside an Immigrant Family, to give them support. We shall match such a regular Aussie family with an Immigrant family. During question time, Trevor White said : “Seven new such Aussie Buddy Families are needed. Can we at RC Balwyn not help out?”
Owen Tassicker.
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Care Report
Keith & Joan Carroll are still enjoying the Queensland Sunshine. Keith in fact is multi-tasking by constantly checking that his job is being done properly in absentia. Some might think he should be focusing on Joan and the beautiful scenery in Port Douglas – others will realize how professional Keith is and that he still CARES about people whilst on leave.
Bill Pritchard is in good spirits. WE CARE had a chat to Bill and found that he is still keeping busy with Balwyn Welfare Association and is at present actively planning its long term future. Bill loves hearing from his many Rotary friends and would gladly welcome any contact. Give him a call.. ph. 9857 8001.
We heard on the grapevine that Murray Wilkinson was in hospital for a “minor operation” which we subsequently found out was a repair to a hernia. In Murray’s company – they refer to such a condition as “WilTear”.
Glad to hear that you are only going to miss 3 weeks of golf Murray! You can spent the recovery time concentrating on your “Short Game” until you can get back to those massive drives you are renowned for. ((Was the hernia counted in your handicap?))
If you noticed a cheeky grin on Ben Bradbury’s face recently – it was probably due to the wonderful news of the arrival of Ben’s Great Grandson – Thomas Ben the son of Ben’s Granddaughter Katrina. Baby Thomas was born at St Vincents and is now at home nearby in Camberwell. It’s lovely to see the name continues on .........perhaps there’s also a future Rotarian in the making..............
If you have missed her at Rotary in recent times – you will pleased to know that Ann Boyce will be joining us for Dinner at the Club Meeting on the 11th August. Ann spends a lot of time keeping been busy with family and golf commitments between South Yarra and Portsea. She is also planning a trip with her daughters to Hong Kong later this year – no doubt to connect them with Roy’s early life in the colonial era of Hong Kong.
Jim & Karen Kiley are relaxing in Noosa as they prepare for the inevitable Hip Surgery that Jim is planning to undergo on the 11th August. Anyone who has had such a major medical experience will forgive him this indulgence – however we are sure that the Sergeant has taken note of this for the “Arrivals/Departures” Tax that needs to be paid.
Hugh Trumble
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Film Night at the Balwyn Palace
The Fellowship Committee has organbised a social evening this Friday at the Balwyn Cinema on Whitehorse Road, Balwyn. The film chosen is the just released but widely acclalimed Public Enemies and the time to meet is 6.15pm for a 6.30pm movie start program. After the film, Rotarians will meet at Tre Gusti ( a few steps east of the theatre in Whitehorse Road) from 9.10 pm for an in depth wine tasting, cheese and great finger food in the pleasant heated courtyard at the rear of Tre Gusti. Kevin Walsh, our own wine purveyor, will provide some of his best cleanskins for general sampling and quaffing. The cost of $34 ahead including the film, drinks and food.
For catering numbers for Tre Gusti, payment needs to be made before Friday. Mike Nolan is the contact: Noel Jones Real Estate 9830 1844.
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Membership and Marketing Seminar
The seminar to be held at Cato Hall, Wesley College, 577 St. Kilda Road from 9 am to 3.30pm will include a light lunch. Speakers will include Helen Razer, former ABC radio journalist and Age Contributor who has done wonders for the Country Women's Association. Another speaker is to be PDG Ann White who will discuss the resuscitation of clubs who membership is falling behind.
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Roy Boyce commemoration
Some years ago the Rotary Club of Balwyn was instrumental in establishing the Foundation Boroondara/Kinder+ program for supporting disadvantaged families and in particular, kindergarten aged children in Boroondara. Kinder+ is now successfully operating and demonstating how we can effectively address this form of social exclusion in our community.
As some of you may know, Roy Boyce was the first person to contribute to the fundraising for Kinder+ througfh the `Plant -a-trree/Grow-a-child' facility with a personal donation that acknowledged the wonderful contribution by the late Magarette Gillies to rotary service. This pledge was accompanied by a tree which was planted and a certificate was presented to Ted Gillies.
To acknowledge the important role of the Rotary Club of Balwyn, Foundation Boroondara has kindly offerd to plant a tree in Beckett Park in the name of PP Roy Boyce. At an appropriate time in the future, there will be a tree planting ceremony which will be notified in the bulletin.
There is to be a presentation of a certificate to the club by Foundation Boroondara dxecutive officer Di Cummins.
Hugh Trumble.
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Footy Tips
Round 18 had its share of close games plus a couple of upsets thrown in as well. Congratulations to Kevin Walsh who managed to pick the card and win the $20 jackpot. The end-of-season race has been thrown wide open as we now have 3 joint leaders on 106 - Jim Hopper, Murray Wilkinson and Kevin Walsh. They are closely followed by Henry Sammut and Peter Blundell on 105 with President Bill on 104. The prize for Round 19 is back to $10. Good luck from
the Administrator
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Diary Dates
Meeting Program
11 Aug 09 - Kinda + (Also a General Meeting to consider Constitution & By-law chganges)
18 Aug 09 - District Governor's visit
25 Aug 09 - Air Traffic Control in Oman . . . Michael Dobson
1 Sep 09 - Experiences in Pakistan . . . Justin Kolbeck
8 Sep 09 - Club Birthday
For details of meetings beyond the dates above, click on the READ MORE link below
NOTE
There are many other Rotary events scheduled for the year. Please refer to the calendar in the club website for details. You can click on the "Agenda" tab for a summary.
read more
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