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National Volunteer Week

May 19th to 25th is National Volunteer Week in Australia.

Volunteers gain as much as they give, is a common saying among those who are already volunteering. There are so many ways of volunteeting, friends to make and the satisfaction of serving our communities, locally or world-wide.

Rotary offers not one way of volunteering - but many. From Environmental activities to enhance our community, Peace building to tackle Domestic Violence and general community harm, furthering the Health and Educational outcomes of those in less advantaged communities as well as many other opportunities to serve.

Volunteering provides a 'peace of mind' and 'self esteem' through helping others less fortunate.

Maybe this year's National Volunteers Week, is the time for you to reflect and decide whether you should join a Service organisation such as Rotary or a local community organisation. Think about it.

Rotary - the world's first Service Organisation

Help Rotary support flood victims in western Queensland

Following record-breaking rainfall, western Queensland is being inundated by the worst floods to hit the region in fifty years, with more rain forecast for the next few days.

Hundreds of residents have been forced to evacuate, thousands of homes are at risk and farmers are losing substantial amounts of stock, significantly impacting their families and livelihoods.

The full scale of this situation is still unfolding, but it is expected to be severe.

Rotary Districts 9620 and 9560 are working together to support impacted communities. They have already appointed a disaster coordinator, conducted an initial needs assessment, and contacted state and local government authorities to collaborate. Addressing mental health issues will likely become a key focus of their efforts following the disaster.

How you can help

There are two ways you can support these efforts and be sure that the funds will help directly:

Donate to the District 9560 Disaster Fund Account (NO tax deductibility, therefore suitable for club and district donations, for immediate funding availability) - BSB 633000 and Account Number 186414595

and/or

Donate to the Rotary Foundation Disaster Response Fund (WITH tax deductibility in Australia, therefore suitable for individuals, in support of the Disaster Response Grant application that is being prepared by the districts) - DONATE HERE

Thank you kindly for your consideration.

Yours in Rotary,

Andrew Gillespie & Sue Mulraney
District Governors
Rotary International Districts 9560 & 9620

Andrew:
andrew.gillespie@rotary9560.org
0418 741 496

Sue:
jpscrc@tpg.com.au
0416 043 454

Rotary - People of Action

International Women's Day

Since women began to join Rotary, their contribution has been immeasurable. Having been a men's club since inception, women were finally admitted to the organisation in 1987. This followed a decade long battle and was settled by the Supreme Court of the US

Since that time there have been thousands of women members of Rotary Clubs, thousands of District Governors, many Rotary International Directors and three Rotary International women as Presidents of the whole organisation.

We pay homage to the insights into different areas of need, different cultural aspects and the difference in thinking that has made male members sit up and take notice.

Rotary Geelong East has 41 members of whom 18 are women. They bring so much to our club and we would not be as good without them.

Rotary Geelong East - Recognising Women Everywhere

Happy Birthday Rotary

On Sunday 23rd February, the Rotary organisation turns 120. Rotarians around the world will be celebrating not only the longevity of the organisation, but its many achievements in that time. A few of these include:

The first Community Service project - building a toilet for the Magic Mile shopping strip a key feature of Chicago
Having 66 Rotarians working on the development of the United Nations: some representing their countries, others working on the Constitution, Helping with the development of the Universal Declaraton of Human Rights. Today, Rotary partners with many of the United Nations bodies such as the World Health Organisation, World Bank, UNHCR and others. A Rotarian represents the organisation on these bodies at the highest level Consultative Observer.
Leading the world's largest peace time project - the eradication of Polio. The project has reduced the incidence of Polio worldwide to only 2 cases this week (22nd February) one, each in Pakistan and Afghanistan - the only two endemic countries in the world. This week also saw 571,000 children in Gaza immunised. Rotary itself has contributed over 2 Billion dollars and many thousands of hours to this project. Additionally, they have lobbied and had governments and non-profits as well as individuals contribute and additional 3 Billion dollars.
Establishing Rotary Peace Centres at universities in different parts of the world. There are now over 1,800 graduates who have studied Peace & Conflict Resolution who now work in over 140 countries in a range of governments, non-profits, community development organisations and more.
Rotary has Seven Areas of Focus. Environment, Peace, Disease Prevention & Treatment, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene, Maternal & Child Health, Basic Education & Literacy and Community Economic Development.
Everything Rotary does is designed to lead to successful communities living in a peaceful world.

Rotarians - People of Action

Be Kind to Yourself & Others

Rotary Geelong East members & friends wish you a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.

Stay safe and be mindful of others

Rotary Geelong East cares for all people

Guardians of the Garden at Newcomb Primary

On Friday, 29 November, Geelong East Rotary was invited to provide a BBQ at the launch of Guardians of the Garden at Newcomb Primary School. Happily, celebrations were held in beautiful sunshine.

Guardians of the Garden was devised by Lucy Jones, Education Support Officer at Newcomb Primary School, supported by her colleagues from the Bluebird Foundation and, most importantly, the students. Over the course of the project, students learned about indigenous plants and helped to create a garden in an unused area of the school grounds. They also had the opportunity to draw their favourite indigenous bird or animal, renditions of which were chosen to appear on top of six huge wooden totem poles, the so-called Guardians, devised and carved by sculptor Viktor.

Families were invited to adopt a particular totem and care for the surrounding garden ‛protected’ by that guardian, thereby assisting with the longer-term maintenance of the garden.

The Rotarians who provided the BBQ, free to the children and their families, were delighted to support Newcomb Primary School and the Bluebird Foundation and look forward to fostering closer relationships with these worthy organisations.

Rotary Geelong East - Working with Newcomb Primary School & Bluebird Foundation to Make School Enjoyable

Say No to Violence

Rotary world-wide works to raise awareness and provide support to organisations that work in the area of Domestic Violence in particular. Awareness is raised through marches, articles, news stories and presentations. Support comes in different forms from different clubs

Some provide financial support to professional organisations already working in the field. One example of that is the funding of a program run by Meli that focuses on helping men to change their behaviours in Domestic Violence situations (Rotary Geelong East has done that this year). Other support includes providing 'Escape Resources' for women and children fleaing Domestic Violence.

The issue of Domestic Violence has become well known in recent years. However there is always more to be done in ridding the world of this violence. Street violence has become a major issue for police and governments in recent years.

There are many organisations working in this space and they need support. If you have an idea that could help reduce the incidence of violence in any of its forms, talk to Rotary or the professionals working in the area.

Rotary Geelong East - Working with others to help eliminate Violence

Lest We Forget

Together with other men and women from countries all around the world, many Rotarians have fought in wars to preserve peace and bring harmony between nations.

Current Rotarians thank all those who have served their nations during such trying and challenging times. While many returned, we know only too well, that many did not. They gave their lives so that we may live in a peaceful society. We owe it to them to ensure that we keep working toward that society. That is why one of Rotary's key Areas of Focus is peace.

Peace begins with us.

World Polio Day

Since Rotary's first foray into eradicating Polio, the number of cases has fallen worldwide by 99.9%. This is an amazing feat given that there was an average of 350,000 cases annually. The only two endemic countries left are Pakistan and Afghanistan. There are occassional outbreaks elsewhere but these are derived from the vaccine.

While that may scare some, the vaccine derived Polio is extremely low and is far outweighed by the live saved and the disabilities that come from Polio for many survivors.

We can all help in the battle to rid the world of this insidious disease by ensuring that there is enough funding to continue the campaign of eradication. Today, Rotary is joined by the World Health Organisation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and UNICEF in this fight - and it is a fight.

Anyone can help by donating to their local Rotary Club with the funds to be designated to PolioPlus. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation match the funds raised by and through Rotary in a 2:1 grant.

Let's set out to achieve what Rotary and its partners have been working toward since the late 1980's - to provide a 'Gift to the Children of the World" - a world free of Polio.

Rotary Celebrates International Peace Day

Rotary has 7 Areas of Focus. One of those areas is Peace. In reality, everything Rotary does is about Peace.

From raising awareness of Domestic Violence and developing programs with others to address the issue, sourcing water for drinking and hygiene to developing young leaders through Youth Exchange, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards and training future Peace Builders. Rotary has a hand in all of these and many more activities that help to bring about a more peaceful world.

As a Partner of the United Nations, Rotary celebrates International Peace Day with other organisations and individuals around the world. 2024 marks the 25th anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace. It is celebrated this year on Saturday 21st September. The theme for this year fits with the declaration - "Cultivating a Culture of Peace".

Peace is not something you can wish for - it is an action - actions we take everyday can demonstrate our commitment to a Culture of Peace or they can demonstrate the opposite. Each and every one of us human beings, has to work at Peace. We know that is won't 'just happen'.

The challenge is for us to determine that we want a peaceful world for ourselves and future generations. That journey must start today.

Rotary working to create a Peaceful World for All

The Gordon Scholarship Evening 2024

For many years Geelong East Rotary has provided $1,000 for a scholarship awarded to a full-time student enrolled at The Gordon.

On Wednesday 28 August 2024, Rotarians Alison Marshall and Jenny Acopian attended The Gordon Scholarship Evening on behalf of Geelong East Rotary. The event was held in The Captain’s Room at GMHBA Stadium and attracted a wide range of donors including charitable foundations, community organisations, local and national businesses and individuals.

This year our recipient was Cameron Synan, a 17-year-old young lady who is studying her VCE full time at The Gordon. She lives with her older sister Riley who is about to complete her Paramedic studies at Victoria University. Cameron describes her sister as her rock and her role model. Cameron was too shy to come on stage and instead her certificate was handed to her teacher but then she relaxed and was happy to have her photograph taken. We wish Cameron all the best in her studies and her plans to become a nurse in the longer term.

Last year’s recipient, Chantelle Mc Roberts, is doing very well in her Diploma of Nursing studies and hopes to become a full-time student at Deakin University next year.

Story Dogs Book Covering Workshop

Geelong East Rotary is a proud supporter of the Story Dogs program and provides funding for dogs and their owners to attend Newcomb Primary School and Tate Street Primary School each week during the school year. The accepting, loving nature of dogs gives this reading program its magic. Reading to a friendly, calm dog in a non-judgmental environment helps children relax, open up, have fun while reading and become confident readers in the future.

On 28 July 2024 I participated in a Story Dogs book covering workshop at the South Barwon Community Centre, along with other Rotarians. It was a great example of Rotary in action as most of the 250 children’s books to be cleaned and covered had been donated to Story Dogs by Geelong West Rotary just prior to their giant book sale.

There were four workstations – cleaning, adding labels, cutting and covering. For many Rotarians it had been decades since they had wrestled with Contact to cover their children’s schoolbooks. There is a real art to producing a perfectly smooth finish.

The following Clubs were represented:

Geelong East – Jenny Acopian

Bayside Geelong – Telsa

Highton – Pam

Kardinia – Keith & Heather Fagg, Leonie, Debbie, Min, Graham Hobbs

Story Dogs Volunteers: Bri, Sheryle, Leanne. Karen & Vanessa were also on hand.

We encourage other Rotarians to get involved with the program – and there will be other opportunities as over 600 books are required by the program each year in the Geelong region alone.

Pitch Up Geelong - Give Where You Live

Rotarians from Geelong East joined in the conversations and, more importantly, provided funding to the three organsiations to continue to do the great work they are doing in the community.

The event was well attended with more than 100 present, who heard presentations from 3 Organisations which provide services to the Greater Geelong area.

The Organisations making Pitches were Thread Together, The Outpost and Feed Me, Bellarine, Geelong and Surfcoast.

Thread Together is a statewide service which doesn't have an office in Geelong but does serve the Geelong Community. The Organisation receives end-of-line clothing which would otherwise go to landfill, which it then provides to service organisations to provide new clothing to people in need in the community.

The Outpost, located in Geelong provides material assistance to those in need in the community, particularly food by way of hot and cold meals at both luch and dinner times, but also clothing and hygiene products for those living in extremely poor circumstances.

Feed Me Bellarine, Geelong and Surf Coast tackles food waste by receiving food which would otherwise go to waste and feeding those in need with centres in Ocean Grove, Torquay and St Albans Park, where it provides meals in a variety of ways.

In all, after the presentations a total of over $100,000 was pledged by those present with each Organisation receiving over $30,000. Geelong East Rotary represented by Jenny Acopian, Jane Bolton and Julian White, contributed $2,100 with $700 pledged for each Organisation.

Cancer Cushions

A number of members of Rotary Geelong East have had one form of cancer or another. When the partner of a member was treated for Breast Cancer which included a Mastectomy she was given a 'Cancer Cushion' while at St. John of God Hospital, Geelong.

The Breast Care nurse, Barb Cummings mentioned that the two women who had made the cushions for 20 years or so, were getting ready to stop making them after all that time.

Rotarian mentioned this to members of two clubs, Rotary Bayside Geelong and Rotary Geelong East. As a result, a number of members have taken up the challenge and are producing up to 20 Cancer Cushions a month to the hospital.

The cushions ease pain from Mastectomies and the removal of lymph nodes in both women and men. As a result, they are gratefully received.

Rotarian Liz Sykes (Rotary Geelong East) has made close to 150 cushions. Other Geelong East members involved in the project are Janine Koch and Sue Dunlop are also working on making the cushions. In addition, Telsa Stubna (Rotary Bayside Geelong) who runs a 'Days for Girls' group, making washable and reusable period pads for girls overseas, has also had her group working on making some cushions as well.

Rotary helping Cancer Survivors in different ways!

Time to consider joining Rotary

RCGE.Enquiries@gmail.com

Rotary - Working to Improve the World we Live in!

Walk Against Waste in Bali

Two members of Rotary Geelong East have just carried out their second Walk Against Waste in Bali. Jenny (pictured) and Alison (photographer) have spent some of their holiday time collecting and sorting waste. Pictured is a small sample of their collection during this trip.

The Walk Against Waste is a regular activity of Rotary Geelong East in various parts of Geelong. While Jenny and Alison were cleaning up Bali, members in Geelong were cleaning up near Balyang Sanctuary and the Geelong Rail Trail. If this appeals to you, come and join us. To find out where we will be next, check our Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/RotaryClubOfGeelongEast/.

You would be most welcome.

Following the work (between one hour and one and a half hours), we go for coffee and build friendships.

Rotary - Working to keep our world clean

July Theme - Maternal & Child Health

Each month, Rotary features a different theme. Seven are based on the Seven Areas of Focus of Rotary and the remainder carry different messages, some for external readers and some for club members.

Maternal & Child Health is one of the Seven Areas of Focus. Rotary sees that a healthy woman is likely to raise a healthy child. It also recognises that women have a significant impact on the way in which a child develops.

To this extent, clubs develop or support programs that focus on women's health and childhood development.

Rotary Geelong East - Supporting Women's health and Child Development Projects

The passing of Bill Pratt OAM

VALE, Bill Pratt, OAM, Rotarian and the nicest person you could wish to meet.

Community Care Chemist & Rotary Geelong East Blister Pack Recycling

Rotary Geelong East has supported Community Care Chemists Newcomb store to cover the cost of one more series of Blister Pack recycling boxes. As a result, of Rotary Geelong East’s support, all Community Care Chemists are now involved in the scheme.

Part of the arrangement was that the club, the pharmacy group and Pharmacycle would all apply pressure to drug manufacturers to support the scheme for the long term.

Chairman Environment & Sustainability Interest Group, Warren Norton & Service Director, Janine Koch joined with the CEO of Community Care Chemists to launch this second round of the recycling of blister packs.

Rotary Geelong East - Working with others to save the environment

Volunteer Week and Rotary

Volunteer Week is celebrated in Australia in the week commencing 20th May and 26th May.

Huge numbers of people volunteer in all sorts of areas from Carers looking after those who cannot look after themselves, those who take care of the environment cleaning it up, planting trees, removing invasive weeds, those who feed the hungry in kitchens around the country, people who care for the homeless and so many more areas of support given freely.

Every Rotarian is a volunteer. Not only do most volunteer for Rotary based activities (which could be local, national or international projects) designed to create a better world.

We know that there are many others who would like to volunteer, but cannot see a way to do so. Things that stand in their way include work and travel, time, family to care for, their own health limitations, concern about the skills they may need and many other concerns.

Rotary clubs have a great flexibility and are able to help people into the volunteering space which is so rewarding. An example of this is a project that is very important to those going through mastectomy or Thoracic surgery - to help reduce pain, Cancer Cushions are made. In different situations, small groups get together weekly, monthly and work on cutting, sewing and stuffing the cushions. Others do one part or complete cushions in their own time and at their own pace. This is extremely important and yet time-wise can be managed to suit a volunteer's needs.

If you have a desire to volunteer, but don't know what you can offer or what commitment you can make, talk to a Rotary club and ask.

Rotary Geelong East - People Volunteering to improve our world

Youth Month

We often hear or use the phrase "Youth are our future" and they are.

Rotary through many Youth programs aims to create a safe environment for our youth, to educate them in cultural differences and to learn to respect those differences.

Rotary Youth Exchange is one of the best known youth exchange programs in the world. Young people spend twelve months in another country and attend school, live with a local family, learn knew languages and begin to understand the difference in cultures. It is a powerful program that has changed the lives of many of our youth.

Interact is either a school or community based club for youth 14 -18 years old and provides the opportunity to learn about service and caring for others. Interactors run fundraisers, visit the elderly in nursing homes, have speakers who inform them of career opportunities and needs both within their local and the international community.

Rotaract caters for young people 18 - 30 and much like Interact they carry out projects such as feeding the homeless, maintaining gardens of elderly people still living in their own homes, travel overseas to carry out projects in underdeveloped countries and many other activities.

Rotary believes "Youth are our Future"

Meli's Domestic Violence Program - ROAR

Rotary Geelong East was fortunate to have two Guest Speakers from MELI, talk about their Program (ROAR) for women who have or are subject to domestic violence. The acronym stands for “Reclaiming and Retelling Our Acts of Resistance”

Participants share and exchange stories, strengthen one another and help to build positive futures. The program was co-designed by women who had been previous clients (and had therefore first hand knowledge of domestic violence). The contribution made by the women included not only content that should be covered, but also how the program should be run.

ROAR is designed to build women’s resistance and strengthen empowerment and creates a platform for changing future stories. It is run over eight weeks. Topics include: Sharing our hopes and our futures, Patterns of Violence, Healthy vs Unhealthy Relationships, Financial Counselling and Cyber Awareness, Children, Legal Rights, Healthy Boundaries and Changing the Story and Self Care.

The two Guest Speakers were Katie Wheeler a facilitator of the program and Celina Bagley who spoke about the benefits of the program.

Rotary says "No to Family Violence"

World Immunization Week

World Immunization Week holds a special place in the hearts of Rotarians. While the week itself is about promoting vaccinations for all types of diseases, Rotary has a special project of immunization that has been running since the mid-eighties and is very close to eradicating a disease.

Australian Rotarian, the late Clem Renouf proposed a project of immunizing children in the Philippines agains Polio. It was considered impossible and a waste of money. Still, Queensland Rotarians picked up the project and were successful.

At the time that Renouf became the International President of Rotary, between 350,000 and 480,000 children were contracting Polio every year. Some died, some had limb deficiencies (short legs or arms), many would never walk, some lived in Iron Lungs for life and few got away from Polio with no long term effects.

The World Health Organisation joined with Rotary as did UNICEF. Later, the Centres for Disease Control, vaccine maker Gavi and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. All came together as the Global Polio Eradication Initiative to rid the world of this horrific disease.

Rotarians have individually and through their contacts with governments of the world, the United Nations and corporations have raised billions of dollars to tackle Polio and to give its eradication as a 'gift to the children of the world'.

On this day (18th April 2024), only two endemic countries exist - Pakistan and Afghanistan. Afghanistan has had one case of Wild Polio Virus and five positive environmental samples while Pakistan has reported no cases and twelve positive environmental samples. These few, down from hundreds of thousands in the mid 1980's.

The work of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative has provided much more that the eradication of Polio, as important as that is. The laboratories set up in countries that have poor medical assessment infrastructure have been and continue to be used for identification of other disease outbreaks. These include: Ebola, Covid 19, Avian Flu and Marbug virus among many others. The legacy of the Polio Eradication is ongoing and serves poorer countries well.

Rotary - End Polio Now

A Genuine Hero

Inspector (Amy Scott) who showed great bravery in Bondi, received a Rotary Police Officer of the Year award in 2019 - she truly is a hero and saved many lives.

In 2019 Inspector Scott was recognised at the Rotary Club Police Officer of the Year award ceremony when she received the Demonstrated Courage and Devotion to Duty Award.

Australian Rotary Clubs Thank Inspector Scott for her latest heroic act that undoubtedly saved more lives

April - Environment Month in Rotary

Each month, Rotary carries a different theme. April is when the focus is on creating awareness about our Environment and its importance to humanity.

Rotary Geelong East will be planting more trees on National Tree Day in a few months time. This is something we have done over many years. In the last two years alone, we have planted over 1,000 trees. While this is not the only Environmental activity the members carry out, it is considered extremely important.

Other Environment and Sustainability activities we carry our include: Walk Against Waste (monthly activity collecting rubbish), Recycling batteries, plastic bottle tops, blister packs, container deposit scheme among other recycling activities.

One of the most important has been the provision of air conditioning and aids for a Sensory Room at Newcomb Primary School. This allows students with problems some 'alone space' free from interuptions and allows them to get back into the right frame of mind to go back to class and continue their education. This is an Emotional Environmental project and it has worked extremely well.

Rotary Geelong East - Environmental Warriors!

The Rotary Club of Geelong East donated $1,500.00 to the Mark West Foundation during the senior game of football at St. Albans ground.

The funds will be used to assist disadvantaged children from missing out on the opportunity to play football. In the 2019 season, there are sponsored children playing at 25 Geelong clubs, due to the assistance of the Mark West Foundation.

The Mark West Foundation was established following the tragic death on the football field of Mark West at the age of 19. Mark had played football at all levels of club football and began coaching at the age of 17. A very talented footballer and someone who believed that he had to give back to the game, for the enjoyment he gained from it.

The Foundation has two Mission Statements:

To ensure no child in the greater Geelong region misses out on being able to play Australian Rules football due to financial reasons.

To strengthen the legacy of Mark West who set an amazing example of how to make a difference to those around him through participation, community involvement and striving to be the best you can be.

Details on the Mark West Foundation can be found at the website: http://www.tmwf.org.au/the-foundation

The Rotary Club of Geelong East – Connecting with Other Community Organisations

The Rotary Club Geelong East, together with the City of Greater Geelong and the Corangamite Catchment Authority, launched the Barwon River Safety Markers.

This six year start-to-finish project was the brainchild of Rotarian Keith Dawson of Rotary Geelong East. The idea of the project was to TRANSFORM and make SAFER the activities areas along both sides of the Barwon River. Safer for Walkers, Runners, Riders, Tourists and Families.

A total of 46 double sided Location Marker signs were installed along the Barwon River on both sides. Along approxi

mately 10 kilometres of river on both sides stretching from the Breakwater to the Ring Road.

The two most important pieces of information during a Triple Zero call is the nature of the emergency and its location. When an incident occurs at a specific street address, it is generally easy for emergency services to find the caller. However, if it takes place in large open-spaces, walking trails or beaches where no obvious reference points exist, it takes extra, valuable, life saving time to identify and verify the specific location and vehicle access point.

Another Community Service of The Rotary Club of Geelong East

River’s Gift and Sailability were the recipients of a combined $15,000.00 from the most recent Rotary Club of Geelong East Dinner Auction.

River's Gift is the largest source of funding for laboratory-based SIDS research in Australia. To date, River's Gift has generated over $1 million to save babies lives, by funding scientific research, delivering Safe Sleep Education and raising awareness of Sudden Infa Master Logo - Navy RG-Sky tagline-Sky he

nt Death Syndrome (SIDS).

Sailability is a “not for profit” organisation, volunteer-based, and through the activity of Sailing enriches the lives of people of all abilities – the elderly, the financially and socially disadvantaged as well as people with physical challenges.

The Dinner Auction attracted 150 Guests and was MC’d by media personality and Rotarian, Gary Newton and the auction was conducted by Joe Grgic.

Dozens of local businesses supported the auction by donating goods and services to be auctioned on the night and the club thanks them. The club’s Dinner Auctions are held every two years.

Rotarians working in the Community

The Rotary Club of Geelong East hosted ten Canadians visiting our District. Four couples and two single women travelled from Canada to Australia on a Rotary Friendship Exchange. Ten Australians will go to Canada in August on the return leg of the Exchange.

The visitors were home hosted by local Rotarians both on their way into the District and again on their departure. In Geelong they toured the Bollards, Narana, National Wool Museum, did a tour of Corio Bay, Anglesea Golf Club, attended an AFLW match at GMHBA Stadium, toured Queenscliffe and a Picnic in the (Eastern) Park.

They spent time in Portland, Warnambool, Grampians, Port Fairy and Drysdale.

The feedback from all, was that they thoroughly enjoyed their 14 days in the area.

The Rotary Friendship Exchange allows small groups of Rotarians to go to other countries and meet with locals and experience the culture and so see local sites of interest and animals. A component of the Friendship Exchanges is creating greater understanding and friendships between people of the world.

Rotary Friendship - Worldwide

It is with great excitement that we announce Melbourne as the host city for the 2023 Rotary International Convention, the largest conference secured this century for Victoria.

Melbourne is a Big Events City! Set to deliver over $88 million to the Victorian economy, the Convention is the most valuable conference ever won for the state, with the four-day event anticipated to attract more than 20,000 Rotarians from around the world. The global spotlight will be on Melbourne and how we present ourselves to the world.

The Convention will take place 27-31 May 2023 using superb venues; Rod Laver Arena and the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre. All activities and events are within the Heart and Soul of Melbourne. Over 7000 hotel rooms over 50 properties across Melbourne. Our transport plan uses our famous trams, ferries and buses to quickly and easily move delegates between venues, hotels, event and restaurants. And of course, Melbourne is a very walkable city with many interesting routes and laneways to tantalise visitors.

In addition, the Victorian visitor economy will be bolstered with expenditure from thousands of visiting Rotarians utilising transport, hospitality, entertainment, venues, attractions, tourism services, event planning, freight customs broker services, technology rental, security and various other members of the local business event and tourism supply chain, as well as the flow on benefits across regional Victoria for pre and post touring. Rotary has a business heritage as well as community service. We are proud to make an impact on local business and create jobs.

Rotarians Supporting Victoria

Rotary world-wide, is dedicated to making the world a better place for all.

Through its 32,000 clubs, the organisation and its 1.2 million members work in their local communities, internationally, through youth and professions to do those things that will lead to a more peaceful world.

The illustration below shows Rotary’s Six Areas of Focus. Working to improve five, will help the world move toward the sixth, Peace.

Rotarians - People of Action

Rotarian brings home mental health support

Rotarian brings home mental health

The Wisdom of the Hot Flash

Many women approaching midlife wonder if they should consider hormone replacement therapy. The evidence on the benefits and risks is clear.

Rotary projects around the globe May 2025

Learn how Rotary clubs are taking action in the United States, Mexico, Austria, Australia, and South Sudan.

You’re the perfect messenger

Katharine Hayhoe explains the enormity of our climate crisis, how it magnifies virtually every other serious challenge, and how all hope is not lost. Not by a long shot

Links

Rotary A World of Opportunities

RI Blog

RCGE's Facebook page

The Rotary Club of Geelong East Inc.

Service Above Self

We meet In Person

Tuesdays at 6:00 pm

Please contact us for meeting location details

PO Box 966
Geelong, VIC 3220
Australia

Phone:

0414 324 814

Email:

RCGE.Enquiries@gmail.com

Tuesdays at 6:00 pm for 6:30pm start

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