Last year, our Foundation funded more than 2,000 global grants that empowered Rotary members to take on projects they care about that make a difference in their community. Rotary Direct is one of the easiest and most secure ways for our donors to support the Foundation: because contributions are automated, donors don’t need to worry about sending checks or remembering to make an annual contribution on time. Rotary Direct saves time and reduces administrative costs. And it makes a big impact. In the last Rotary year:
Monthly, quarterly, and annual gift options are available through Rotary Direct. Members can enroll at my.rotary.org/rotary-direct, return a completed Rotary Direct enrollment form, or enroll by phone by calling the international office that serves our area. |
Rotary North Balwyn helps Afghan Refugees
One hundred and sixty arrivals in December increased the total to 2,100 Afghan refugees that have resettled in Melbourne. Many of these people assisted the Australians in Afghanistan and were forced to flee with very little in the way of possessions. The Afghan Community Organisation and the Bakhtar Organisation have been welcoming and helping the new arrivals.
Housing has been arranged for some of the families by the Commonwealth’s Australian Multicultural Education Service (AMES) including the provision of basic kits of furniture, equipment and supplies.
This morning we had the 2022-23 RI Presidential Theme logo launch by RI President-elect at the 2022 Virtual International Assembly’s Opening Ceremony: Imagine. Rotary.
This was designed by an Australian indigenous artist to link with the Melbourne convention in 2023.
Guest Speaker - Nicholas Foster - Operations Manager IQ EnergyI've held a number of roles, from Operations Manager at Global Voices, a not for profit with the aim of developing youth leadership, to being a supervisor at a five-star hotel within the City of Melbourne.
My latest challenge has been working as the Operations Manager for IQ Energy Australia, an environmental technologies start up, with the aim of keeping waste as resources and finding new ways to collaborate so we can address growing climate concerns.
Giving back through Interact
– the student-led initiative championing social justice in our local area
– Callum McNaught
– the student-led initiative championing social justice in our local area
– Callum McNaught
As the festive season takes hold, Christmas trees are put up and lights decorate our lawns, this year we paused to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas and found an example in Melbourne’s Eastern suburbs where a unique partnership is making a significant difference in the community.
From the time Isabelle Oh and Meththa Sumanasekara started year seven at Balwyn High School in 2017, Interact Club has been an integral part of Balwyn High School’s club system, committed to engaging with the local community through local Rotary Club activities. Interact Club predominantly works with the Rotary Club of Balwyn North in a unique and fruitful relationship where student-driven social justice ideas take centre stage. “We communicate through email a lot about what activities we want to run, then they reach out to the higher leadership teachers to see if that can be possible”, says Meththa.
