Thank you for visiting Rotary Albert Park's website.
Rotary Albert Park (part of Rotary International) is a group of neighbours, friends, and community leaders providing humanitarian service, encouraging high ethical standards in all pursuits and helping build goodwill and peace locally and worldwide. Our club was established in 1992 and has a long history of service. We have a membership of about 20 with a 50:50 gender balance.
Join us for Dinner where we can introduce you to the Club & its members, and answer any questions you may have about membership. For more information, contact us at any time.
We also have a Facebook Group and share many of our upcoming events there.
Many of our meetings are recorded and available on our YouTube channel.
Interested in volunteering in and around the City of Port Philip? We're always looking for help! Register your details here.
This Week - Christmas Dinner - 11th December
You are invited to attend our Christmas Dinner, which will be the last meeting of 2024. Please invite your family, friends and helpers.
Meals must be pre-ordered by 3pm on the day of the event, see (here).
RAP Annual Christmas Book Fair - Saturday, 21st to Sunday, 22nd December
Albert Park College
RIMERN Newsletter - Dec 24
The past four months have been a whirlwind of activity, and with the festive season just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to reflect and share our incredible journey! As we gear up for our Christmas and New Year break (18th December to 14th January), we’re thrilled to update you on the amazing contributions of our volunteers, generous donations, impactful work with welfare agencies, the stories of our clients, and so much more.
Kyebe now has a roof! (and doors & windows, almost)
October Update #2 - Roof Tiles, Windows & Doors installed, 19 Oct
The team have installed all roofing tiles, which will now help keep the facility dry in the rains. The main windows are doors are ready to be bricked in, which is happening in the coming week.
Safety rails and rear stairs have also been completed.
Thanks from Hope in a Suitcase
We recently agreed to cover the rental costs for Hope in a Suitcase. Attached (here) is a copy of their letter of thanks
Hope In A Suitcase aims to ensure every child entering out-of-home care receives a suitcase of their own belongings. We aim to empower these young children by planting a seed of self-worth, love, and hope. The program is run completely by volunteers
For more information, go to https://www.facebook.com/Hope.In.A.Suitcase.Victoria
SES Hoist Launch
On Wednesday, 14th August, we were invited to SES Port Phillip to launch the vehicle hoist that we provided, see (here) for photos, and https://www.facebook.com/SESPortPhillip/posts/pfbid0p7C5JDy6zaweYUZ7mBmCJVmChXhRQstuETvYEU984xQ2LTuCwjMhuwhVyL6KoLAql for the full report.
This space-saving addition will ensure that the crew can better store and maintain our vehicles and boats, keeping us safer and ready to respond to emergencies.
The funds also allowed us to replace our walker-stacker, so we can safely access heavy items on our storage shelves.
On a personal basis, I'd like to thank our Past President, Mark, who was not able to attend, for organising this donation.
Safe Haven Toilet Installations - Cambodia
An update of the Cambodia Clean Water & Toilet Project sponsored by Rotary Albert Park and Rotary Balwyn, for the installation of four more washroom toilets for Safe Haven families. Each one of these four installations has its own unique requirements and it has been a privilege for us to help these families who have children with a disability. Go to (here)
Grants Awarded
Rotary Albert Park has sponsored two local students who have recently been awarded Rotary Scholarships this year.
- Rachel Walters, resident in St Kilda, has been awarded a Rotary Global Grant Scholarship to study International Human Rights Law (LLM, 1 year) at Columbia Law School in New York, NY, USA. Interviewed by the District 9800 Selection Committee in April Rachel was one of five applicants put forward to The Rotary Foundation for scholarships. The scholarship is in the amount of US$ 31,500 towards her fees. She will be hosted by the Rotary Club of Scarsdale and.
- Jazmine Elmolla a resident of Port Melbourne was also considered worthy of a Global Grant Scholarship but her chosen course, Masters of Science in International Human Rights Law at Oxford University, was deemed ineligible for The Rotary Foundation Global Grant due to being changed to a 2-year part-time course. Her application, experience and future plans in the Focus Area of Peace & Conflict Resolution were considered by the Selection Committee to warrant our support. With backing from the District 9800 Executive Team, David Gorman (Albert Park) the chair of the Global Grants Committee, sought support from clubs around the district to provide a District-sponsored Scholarship of equivalent amount. Pledges were received from 9 clubs for some $35,000 which qualifies for a multi-club District Grant of $12,000 - a total scholarship amount of AU$47,000 (on current exchange rates approximately equivalent to US$31,500). This will be paid by instalments across the 2-year study period as Term Fees become due.
Three other scholarship applicants were put forward to The Rotary Foundation for Global Grant Scholarships:
Small comforts from Community; update
Please see attached (here) a most lovely communique from The Alfred head of ops MHU.
Elsa (our link at The Alfred and former head of Allied Health MHU) added a reflection recently when she was in conversation with a distressed client. She needed to de-escalate the situation. She offered a a new T shirt. This happens over and over. And when she offers the T shirt, or hoodie, or undies, or socks, the client responds with a softening. The conversation and trust open. This is one aspect of our project.
There is much going on in this busy world of supporting our hospital MHU’s….your Club’s involvement is a part of it. There has been lots of activity, even though we don’t meet. Barry, your warehouse storing the care bag supplies and hosting packing days, Laurie, and Bob at DIK, similarly providing the clothing bays and resources for some care bag supplies.
Bookshop Update - 27th January
We are now in Google Maps
Our bookshop in Wharf St, The District, Docklands, being run together with the Rotary Club of Carlton, has now been added to Google Maps, so our location can now be searched for on line, see https://maps.app.goo.gl/nL9qjffhDzqEF53J7 Please check this out, giving a rating and (of course favorable!) comments.
Every dollar we raise goes back into local community and international projects. We have quality recent release books as well as some old time favourites in almost every genre. Come down and see us sometime. Normally open Thursday to Monday, though over the holidays are open seven days.
Cash and Eftpos available
Kangan Thanks
We've just received a letter of thanks for sponsoring an award at the Kangan Institute, click (here)
Don McQueen and his wife Ann represented our Club at the above Awards night and are delighted to inform our Club Members that the Automotive Apprentice of the Year Award sponsored by our Club was won by Zeanna Prasad,a delightful young girl who was a worthy winner.
Our $1,000 was matched by an industrial tools company, Crescent Tools making the Award worth $2,000 to Zeanna.
ROTARY IN OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS
AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE
Each year the Rotary Club of Albert Park makes a number of Award for Excellence presentations to Year 6 students graduating from local primary schools. Recipients are selected by the year 6 teachers on the basis that they have engaged constructively in school learning and other activities; and that they will be commencing Year 7 at a government secondary school the following year. The award is to assist in meeting some of the expenses associated with commencing secondary school.
Members of our Club attend the graduation ceremonies at our five local primary schools to present the awards. As well as the financial prize each recipient receives a framed certificate. We started making these awards in 1994. After presenting 13 winners with awards (with a newly increased amount of $500 each) at the 2023 graduations, our total contribution to this program has reached $75,900.
Our 2023 Award presenters were:
- Albert Park Primary School David Gorman
- Middle Park Primary School Stan & Vicki Teschke
- Port Melbourne Primary School Jim Prokhovnik
- South Melbourne Primary School Lea Ram
- South Melbourne Park Primary School Lea Ram
INSPIRE AWARD
Albert Park College opened in 2011 with year 7 students and consequently had its first year 12 graduation in 2016. At that first ceremony our Club presented the Inspire Award of $250 (Inspire is one of the three arms of the school’s motto – “Lead, Achieve, Inspire”). We have continued to make this award at every graduation since, increasing the award to $500 in 2023. Mark Davies attended the 2023 ceremony to make the presentation.
VALUES AWARDS
Port Melbourne Secondary College opened in 2022 with year 7 students. At the foundation year’s final assembly our Club presented four awards reflecting the school’s values – Excellence, Endeavour, Relationships and Character. Each award being a $50 book voucher and a framed certificate. In 2023 we continued presenting these four awards for both years 7 and 8. We intend to continue making these awards each year as the school grows. Naturally we anticipate making a more significant award when there is a year twelve graduation.
Jeremy Paton attended the 2023 final assembly to present the awards.
Marshall Islands Days for Girls Project Update Dec 23
I'm very pleased to provide you with an update of the RMI Project and let you know that the Kits are on the journey towards the Marshall Islands, see (here)
We have recently received a Certificate of Appreciation from Wintringham Aged Care Home, for the assistance we give them. It's nice to know the effect of our support.
Thirty five aged homeless and socially insecure residents live in Port Melbourne at Wintringham Hostel. They pay 85% of their pension to live in the facility and struggle financially with hygiene products, clothes and some small items of furniture for their rooms. This club project will be filling the needs directly of the residents through a strategic partnership with Wintringham management.
Wintringham is a specialised welfare company that provides housing and care to elderly, frail men and women. The sole motivating philosophy at Wintringham is that of social justice. For more information, go to (here)
Please consider joining our partnership with RAWCS & donating to this very important fundraising campaign being lead by the ROTARY CLUB OF ALBERT PARK to make a difference in the lives of 500 girls plus the sewers & boys who will be receiving a health education with the distribution of the Days For Girls kits! This is a partnership with Bomet Days For Girls Enterprise, Kenya, an endorsed organisation operating under the direction of Days For Girls International.
Please watch this short video to learn more from our on-ground project Manager, Anita Byegon. https://m.facebook.com/groups/D9800discussion/permalink/10160382971918850/?mibextid=Nif5oz
With your help, our aim is for Anita & her team to start sewing the sanitary kits, distribute them & conduct the health education workshops by the end of January.
To donate, please click on the link provided or go to the RAWCS website. Please contact RC of Albert Park International Service Chair, Matthew Proctor, or myself to learn more. Donations of over $2 are tax deductable in Australia
Please consider being part of this story….our gift 
to so many young people! 
to so many young people! 
Women over 50 are the fastest growing group of people experiencing housing instability in Australia – often as a result of pay inequity, little to no superannuation or savings, divorce, domestic and family violence and time taken as unpaid carers. Adequate supply of social housing and affordable housing remains an enduring issue across Australia. Currently there are more than 40,000 applicants for social housing, on the Victorian Housing Register alone.
The Lakehouse is Melbourne's first Pop Up Shelter for women in need of temporary housing. For the Study report, go to (here)
Presentation of donation to Geoff Amor to support Orange Sky Laundry, see https://orangesky.org.au/where-we-are/melbourne/
The shortage of emergency response vehicles is a serious problem being faced in the Western Cape, South Africa, with the numerous fires that need to be contended with. The lack of vehicles often leads to emergency services taking up to 40 minutes to arrive at disaster scenes, especially in more remote areas. It goes without saying that the vital lost time can literally mean the difference between life and death. With the help of Rotary Albert Park, The Rotary Club of Newlands were able to donate a multipurpose vehicle to the Emergency Volunteer Services (EVS).
Below are some stories and video of the project:
Book Stalls at Gasworks Farmers' Market, Bay Street and Docklands
Rotary Albert Park runs a book recycling project where it collects books from local libraries and from direct donations, sort, redistributes and sell them in various ways (including on-line) to benefit the community.
- On the third Saturday of each month at the Farmers Market at Gasworks Park (weather permitting). We are located at the rear of Gasworks Cafe, 21 Graham Street, Albert Park
- We also hold a book store on most Saturdays in front of the Holy Trinity Church on Bay Street, Port Melbourne
- And our latest venture is a popup shop in Docklands, see https://www.facebook.com/groups/rapbooks
Every dollar we raise goes back into local community and international projects. We have quality recent release books as well as some old time favourites in almost every genre. Starting at just $1, you can't go wrong finding that next holiday read.Come check us out before running to the big shops, I'm sure you'll find something to grab your interest
Cash and Eftpos available
For more information on our book recycling project, go to (here)
Other Media Pages
The club is also on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter & Instagram. There are often additional posts entered by members and by other clubs, and it is a great way to get notified of events and functions.
