The Rotary Club of Geelong Central welcomes Club members and community members and friends to join our next scheduled volunteering events!
The Rotary Club of Geelong Central welcomes Club members and community members and friends to join our next scheduled volunteering events!
In recent weeks Rotary’s global funding has finally been received by the Panaji Rotary Club in Goa, India. Unfortunately there have been some logistical issues, but now it seems the plans to build the toilet blocks and renovated facilities will shortly commence. Regular updates will be made over the coming months as the construction gets underway.Geelong Central’s financial commitment to the project was $3200. Last week while in Sarawak, Malaysia, a member of ours read an article about the Rotary Club of Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunie which last month completed a vital water project connecting running water to a remote village in Sarawak.
The connection involved installing a 1.5 kilometer pipeline to the remote village – giving the 75 residents across 30 households a steady clean supply of clean water. Sixteen Rotarians and volunteers travelled four hours to reach the village. The news article featured in the Borneo Bulletin stated “Access to clean water is a fundamental human right. “ Our team was determined to overcome the logistical challenges of working in such a remote location to ensure the people of Pa Adang have this basic necessity,” the club statement said. This is just one of many projects Rotary has been able to assist a group of people in a remote part of the world.
In recognition of our members who have been affected by cancer, we have created a team, the “Rotary Ramblers”, to raise funds for the Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation UNITE Challenge.
Now in its sixth year, this fundraising challenge will be held from 17th to 26th October. Peter Mac calls on us to UNITE with thousands of walkers and riders over this 10-day period to raise money for cancer research.
We invite you, your families and friends to join our Rotary Ramblers Team to walk or ride to raise funds to fight cancer.
In addition to the health benefits in joining our team, you’ll feel wonderful knowing that the funds you’re raising will support better health outcomes for all people affected by cancer.
An online site will be setup for you to register your fundraising and distance targets and share with others who can show their support and make donations to this exceptional cause. Members will receive an email shortly with instructions on how to register.
This will be the inaugural walk for the Rotary Ramblers. Regular walks will be scheduled in the future for other fundraising causes, fellowship, getting to know potential members and for our general wellbeing. It’ll be a great way for us to get together.
Please contact Kim Tompkins for further information.
Rotary’s Makers & Growers’ Market on the Geelong Waterfront (first Sunday each month) market attracts thousands even on winter days.
A crowd around 5000 attended the market on July 7 taking special interest in the wide range of hand made products as well as grower lines like garlic, strawberries & honey
Stall holder numbers help Rotary with its many local, national and international products.
While profits from Rotary’s catering van goes directly to Donations in Kind to send containers of educational and medical equipment to people in countries needing support.
Improving the lives of our fellow man or woman is all part of being a member of Rotary International.
Geelong Central Rotary has joined with two other international clubs (Panaji in India & Great Tarmouth Haven in the UK) along with District 9780 and a Global Grant to build new toilet blocks for schools in a disadvantaged region of India.
As part of the program there will also be refurbishing of multiple existing toilet blocks at outlying Goa schools.
The Rotary club of Geelong Central has contributed $3200.
An invitation has gone out to any Rotary member to visit Goa around the end of October when the inauguration of the toilet blocks will take place.
Written by PDG Jane Cox
Recently we were saddened to hear of the passing of one of our Charter members James Nott.
James joined when Club was Chartered in 1990 and remained a member until his passing.
He served as Club President in 2001-2002 and held various positions throughout his time with us.
Although he had not been in the best of health for the past 18 months James attended our meetings as often as he was able plus Geoff and Max picked him up en route to the meeting as well as making the occasional visit to our Food Van at our monthly market.
James’ daughters Titania and Camilla organized a Memorial Service which was held in the Presidents Room at Geelong Football Club on 29 May. This was attended by current members and a few past members. It was a lovely send off for James and am sure he would have approved.
Recently 3 playgrounds were delivered to DIK West Footscray, where they were included in a shipping container bound for Vanuatu. These playgrounds came from Thames Blvd (City of Wyndham), Lubeck Reserve (City of Greater Geelong), and Beeac (Colac-Otway Shire). The Rotary Club of Alfredton has a project there, and Rotarians from the club will be installing them.
The next shipment is 12 playgrounds to Zimbabwe, as the Philippines is not ready to accept the shipment. We are currently obtaining quotations, and expect to ship the playgrounds, along with as many boxes of school supplies as possible, in approx. 4 weeks’ time.
Finally, on 17th of April I am driving to Macarthur to collect a large playground, which has been planned as two for overseas shipment. The playground has been donated by the Moyne Shire and is being extracted by the Rotary Club of Port Fairy. It will be stored at a nearby council deport until collection. The plan is to depart by 7am and be back by 1pm. A couple of volunteers to accompany me and assist with loading & unloading would be appreciated.
Don Shields and Cath Powell represented the Rotary Club of Central Geelong at the 2024 District Assembly held in Horsham. The Assembly, a major training event for District 9780, initially presented an overview of the big projects currently undertaken. Clusters of local clubs gave feedback on the projects currently underway and how to work together around outcomes.
Don was recognised in relation to his outstanding contribution over the last 20 years managing the insurance portfolio.
The Assembly provides an opportunity for all Club members to enhance their leadership skills and support their Club.