Lyn,
Richard Gill and the Banner Lady Team, lead a very successful
event at Club 3004 on Thursday night which, amongst other things,
promoted Southbank. In addition to raising over $1,000 for
Southbank, we have also identified a number of potential members,
some of whom will be coming to our club next week. Of course, Lyn
and Richard Gill didn’t do that all by themselves. Also present
were Bobbi, PP Richard, PP Gordon, PP Wendy, Bettina, past member
Andrew Jones, PP Tracey, Ross Pilkington and PP Barbara. I’d also
like to say thanks to all our members who supported the event.
Particularly, Mandy (who contributed many toys for sale on the
night) and Lyn who, in addition to organising the event, also
provided the Aussie Bush Buddies books for sale (the money raise
all donated to our club). Wendy, Bobbi and Bettina helped “man”
the Southbank table and handout the “show bags”. I did not turn up
early enough to see who got there first but those who did also did
a great job of setting up our table and getting the books and toys
ready for sale.
The entertainment was just amazing, including a cheerleader team,
raffles and an auction (the proceeds of which was also donated to
the club). I think the girls and guys of the cheerleader team
should have received a lot more applause while they were
performing but, alas, everyone (well, at least me) had a drink in
their hands and couldn't clap. They could have finished the drinks
first but they were probably all glued to the performance and
didn't have time to even drink. They gave us a wonderful
performance and it was especially impressive to know that one of
them is in the Banner Lady Team.
click here or
scroll down for
pictures
This is
just one example of how each member can assist in promoting the
club and increasing our membership. There are, of course, other
ways we can help. The obvious one is for members to promote Rotary
to people they know, but there are simpler things we can do. We
are the best promotion of Rotary and what we do says volumes about
Rotary and our club. Next time there is a guest at a meeting, all
we need remember is that each of us are ambassadors of both Rotary
and our club – and if we can show our guests what Southbank is all
about, I’m sure our membership will increase in no time.
Afterall, bringing new members into Rotary is one of the most
important things we can do as Rotarians.
Yours in Rotary,
Gabe
Last Week's Meeting
Thanks to Lyn for fabulous scribe notes (delivered on time :-)
Another entertaining and informative meeting
was held on Tuesday night. Several reminders were announced.
Club 3004 fundraiser evening being held on the 4th September is
shaping up to be an excellent fundraiser and membership awareness
night for the Rotary Club of Southbank.
Next week Philip will have 4 sensational wines (including the
sensational Heathcote Shiraz – a mighty fine drop) for tasting and
they will be available for purchase either labelled or as clean
skins with $30 of each dozen purchased being donated to Rotary
Southbank.
We had an interesting Sergeants session which I am still absorbing
and endeavouring to work out and of course we all contributed to a
good cause.
Member's moment was Carl who shared his 3 fascinating Rotary moments
over his vast and varied years as a Rotarian. Our
guest speaker was Caz Coleman from Hotham Mission. Caz was an
excellent speaker and is the Project Director of the Hotham Mission
Asylum Seeker Project. She enlightened us on the incredible
difficulties and frustrations that face asylum seekers. Asylum
seekers by definition are people who have entered Australia from all
around the world and they have applied for protection for whatever
reason of not being able to return to their country of origin. She
explained the difference between refugees and asylum seekers. The
majority of asylum seekers originally come by plane with a valid
visa and then apply for protection for many reasons. Astoundingly
this process can take many years and she shared with us the story of
1 family who came on a working visa for 4 years and then applied for
protection. Once they applied for protection they are not allowed to
work to earn a living, they are not able to participate in Medicare
or Centrelink. Last week this family (who now have 2 children born
in Australia) were granted permanent visas after 7 years of
application.
Hotham Mission was founded 11 years ago and relies solely on
donations from the public and 5% funding from the State Government
and NIL from the Federal Government. They pay asylum seekers $33
cash a week per person, for them to exist on. As Richard Clark
stated “it is hard to imagine how someone can survive in Melbourne
for a week on what we pay to attend a Rotary meeting”. Some of the
larger organisations assist with providing accommodation and Hotham
Mission pays for their utilities. They have access to 1 cooked meal
a day for 5 days of the week.
Hotham Mission is running a pilot program over the next 3 years
which includes re training 350+ asylum seekers and work placement.
Their budget is $1 Million per year. 40% of their clients have been
appealing decisions for over 5 years.
Caz’s presentation was very passionate and was certainly an eye
opener to the plight of asylum seekers in Australia.
President Gabe and Treasurer Tracey proposed that the sergeant’s
fines from the meeting be donated to Hotham Mission. Philip proposed
that the funds collected from wine sales next week also be donated.
Club 3004 Rotary Fundraising Night
Enjoy a few pictures from the
Fundraising Night.
Thanks very much to all members, previous members and partners who
participated and helped to spread the Rotary Message!
You will recognize them - no doubt about that.....
Our
guest speaker was Caz Coleman from Hotham Mission. Caz was an
excellent speaker and is the Project Director of the Hotham Mission
Asylum Seeker Project. She enlightened us on the incredible
difficulties and frustrations that face asylum seekers. Asylum
seekers by definition are people who have entered Australia from all
around the world and they have applied for protection for whatever
reason of not being able to return to their country of origin. She
explained the difference between refugees and asylum seekers. The
majority of asylum seekers originally come by plane with a valid
visa and then apply for protection for many reasons. Astoundingly
this process can take many years and she shared with us the story of
1 family who came on a working visa for 4 years and then applied for
protection. Once they applied for protection they are not allowed to
work to earn a living, they are not able to participate in Medicare
or Centrelink. Last week this family (who now have 2 children born
in Australia) were granted permanent visas after 7 years of
application.
