The month is Rotary’s Youth Month and what better way to start the month than to celebrate all our activities in the youth space over the past year. As someone once said, if you want the change the world you need to start by inspiring young people. And that is just what the young people we have worked with over the past year told us happened to them as they participated in range of Rotary supported enrichment, development and intervention programs. Last week we heard from students attending a variety of programs including the National Youth Science Forum, RYLA, RYPEN, Japanese student exchange program, leadership and personal development camps, Rotary Action in Citizenship as well as from young people who have benefited from local programs that intervene and provide support at critical times in young people’s lives. We also heard from the Interact and Rotaract Clubs and the great work they are doing. It was a real affirmation of the positive change we can encourage in the lives of young people in our community. We can truly say that in the youth space over the past twelve months, we have made a difference. Many thanks and congratulations to the Youth Service team and in particular to Chairperson Ken Paynter, DVLC representative Con Proussalis, Reconnect liaison Nick Ikonomou, Interact liaison Ian Toohil, Rypen liaison Les Coath, and Rotaract liaison Brett Linsell.
The past week has been very busy with working bees, extra BBQs and meetings. Thanks to the working party that assisted a local family last Saturday by cleaning up the backyard and doing some repairs around the house. On Wednesday, a group of us visited Diamond Valley Learning Centre and enjoyed morning tea with some of the students and staff. We were given an insight into the achievements and challenges of working with a group of students who are all dealing with significant issues in their lives and were presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by the students. Thursday, Dale, Lou, Ann and I met with Nillumbik Mayor Peter Clarke and Director of Business and Strategy Adrian Cully to discuss festival funding and in particular the state of the toilets in Alistair Knox Park. And on Saturday 5 May, a team provided a sausage sizzle at Eltham Lower Park for an autism awareness event in partnership with the Diamond Valley Miniature railway and Nillumbik Council. Thanks to all involved.
The seats we constructed at Eltham Lower Park now have plaques acknowledging our contribution affixed to them. Thanks to John O’Callaghan for arranging and installing the plaques. And speaking of Eltham Lower Park, have you seen the new shade sail over the playground? As you know the sail was erected as a partnership between RCE and Shire of Nillumbik with funding from both the Commonwealth and the Shire. It will be officially unveiled by JagaJaga MP Jenny Macklin on June 5. Cheers, President Judy
Lower Eltham Park BBQ 9:30 am - 2:30 pm
You are responsible for finding a replacement if you are unable to do your rostered duty and to notify Lyn Truran ljtruran@bigpond.com
This week we welcome to our club an inspirational young lady - Monica Majok as our guest speaker. Monica is the Co-President of Developing South Sudan Australia (DSSA) with her brother Majok Majok. The vision for this organisation is for South Sudanese Australians to engage and collaborate with Australians to develop and help minimise the current issues arising in Australia, to develop programs and businesses for the benefits of both countries, and to further spread multiculturalism in Australia and the world.
Monica is a 27yr old architect with a vision centred around helping people and contributing to the development of the youngest nation in the world - South Sudan.Come and hear her vision for the future.
Planning has commenced for this year's Eltham Festival. The Festival will be held on the 10th and 11th of November, so please keep these dates free.The Festival website is expected to be up and taking stallholder bookings by the middle of this month.
