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.
Thanks from SHARC
Dear Rotary Club Albert Park, Thank you so much for your kind donation to Self Help Addiction Resource Centre Inc.
Your generous contribution enables us to access resources and provide support that allows us to continue to improve the lives of the individuals we support and contributes to the growth of our services and programs and really makes a difference to our whole community.
With kindest regards,
Clare Davies
Chief Executive Officer
Self Help Addiction Resource Centre Inc
Clare Davies
Chief Executive Officer
Self Help Addiction Resource Centre Inc
see (here)
Andrew Wilson
"Behind the badge"
.
Registration for the event is essential, and meals must be pre-ordered by 3pm on the day of the event, see (here).
Kyebe Maternity Ward Renovations Project Update
January 2024
Stella and Matthew Proctor, our International Directr, have been working for some years on the Kyebe Maternity Ward renovation project, in Kyebe, Uganda. Late last year we finalized the first round of fundraising for the project, and kicked off the project officially. A lot has happened in 2024 so far, and a lot more to come, but I thought I'd share what we've been up to.
We have a micro-site for the project, and I've listed a few updates below.
January 2024 - we visited the facility in Uganda to finalize plans and meet with the local community and health workers:
March & April 2024 - renovations officially start, with the relocation of the maternity ward and demolition of a number of unsafe supporting walls:
April 2024 - official launch of the temporary Maternity Ward by the community our in-country host Rotary Club and District representatives:
So what is next?
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 MHUβsβ¦.your Clubβs involvement is a part of it. There has been lots of activity, even though we donβt 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
Jenny Foster - RAWCS Humanitarian Service Award
RAWCS Director Bruce Anderson recently presented RAP member Jenny Foster with the RAWCS Humanitarian Service Award for having displayed and promoted the mutual understanding, friendship, consideration and lasting peace among all peoples.
The award was presented by Bruce at the Broadford, Victoria, facility being developed as a RARE facility. The Rotarian on the right is Rose King, President of RC Southern Mitchell Formerly RC Kilmore-Broadford) in District 9790.
For more information about RAWCS, go to https://rawcs.org.au/en/
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.
Global Citizen Award - Ashleigh Streeter-Jones
I am so excited to be one of the 32 recipients of the Global Citizenβs Youth Leaders award.
Thereβs countless hours behind the scenes that go into change making work, and Iβm blown away by this recognition of what our team of passionate, driven and incredible volunteers has built. This award will help amplify the work weβre doing with Raise Our Voice Australia to mobilise young women and gender diverse people to transform politics and policy. I canβt wait to connect with people doing similar work in their domestic contexts, and working with these fellow activists to turn ideas into action to end extreme poverty.
If youβll be attending the #GlobalCitizenNOW conference in Melbourne in March, or if you know someone whoβs attending that I should connect with, let me know!
Ashleigh is an ex RCAP RYPEN Participant, and also financially assisted by our club in her early days volunteering for World Vision in India
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 schoolβs motto β βLead, Achieve, Inspireβ). 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 yearβs final assembly our Club presented four awards reflecting the schoolβs values β 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.
Thanks from Sacred Heart
Please find attached a letter of appreciation/tax receipt for the generous donation from the Rotary Club of Albert Park to Sacred Heart Mission, in December.
We are so appreciative of your clubβs support and it will go a long way towards helping improve the lives of people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage.
Many thanks and kind regards,
Narelle Whiteley
Community Fundraising Officer, Fundraising
Community Fundraising Officer, Fundraising
Business Development
Sacred Heart Mission Inc
PO Box 1284, St Kilda, VIC 3182
PO Box 1284, St Kilda, VIC 3182
T: (+61) 3 9536 8474
M: +61457430342
Marshall Islands 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)
Isa Adams receives the Sir Zelman Cowen Award
Isa Adams, long-time friend of Rotary, and wife of member Alan, has this week been presented with the Sir Zelman Cowen award from Fight Parkinson's at their AGM for outstanding service to the Parkinson's community. Since the first Parkinson's Walk in the Park in 2017 Isa has helped raise $160,000.
Sponsored by Rotary Albert Park
Last week, the St Kilda Peace Festival with the theme βHealing the Spiritβ was held, showcasing multicultural and spiritual artists, musicians and creatives with interactive entertainment and music performances at OβDonnell Gardens, next to Luna Park, St Kilda. A Peace March followed to the newly installed Peace Pole on the Foreshore as a symbol of world unity much needed now. It was hosted by Brian Nankervis.
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 storyβ¦.our gift to so many young people!
Women over 50 are the fastest growing group of people experiencing housing instability in Australia β 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 One Ball. For more photos, go to (here)
OneBall is a free community program designed for young people aged between 8-18 years. The program provides opportunities for young people from CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) backgrounds across Melbourne to play soccer in a social setting and encourages them to:
- be fit and active, and to enhance both their physical and psychological health and wellbeing
- develop positive cross-cultural relationships with others, and
- feel more connected and empowered to make a positive contribution to their community.
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.
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)