Our able sergeant John Erickson welcomed members and guests (including MinChul Park) to open our meeting.
The Reflection this week was from Kerrie Hayes-Williams with a Rotary focus in
May on Youth Service. Our Club demonstrates a deep commitment that our club to
empower the next generation. Youth are not just our future – they are also our
present. Through our programs such as Youth Rotary Exchange, Rotary Youth
Program of Enrichment (RYPEN), Rotary Youth Drive Awareness (RYDA), Model
United Nations Assembly (MUNA), National Youth Science Forum (NYSF), the
Imagination Library and our work supporting school initiatives improving the
environment, Bee Program and awards for school and community service, we can
see how service can spark leadership, grow empathy and build a better world, one
young person at a time. The toast was to continue to create opportunities where
young people can feel seen, heard and empowered and to inspire youth to service
with a purpose and lead with heart.
Annette Lavender proposed the international toast for the Rotary Club of Dublin,
Fingal which was founded in 1979 with 30 members. The Club has a proud history of
service to the North Dublin City and Fingal Council area. They also support charity
projects in the area and participate in Rotary International projects and have a
commitment to development and supporting youth. Programmes they actively
support are the New Life Centre Foodbank, Mentoring Our Youth Leaders and
Rotary and Children in Ireland. Members from the Club enjoy a robust social life
enjoying weekends away, the latest time spent in Portugal.
Directors’ Report: Noel Watt gave members an update on last week’s fund-raisers at
the Charles Hotel noting a positive return.
Patrick Roberts announced the upcoming Citizenship evening on the 11th June at
the Builders’ Club-Loft Bar where we will have 12 new citizens presented. Our
special guest speaker will be our member Dr. Kevin Manambiro who was presented
with his own citizenship last year. Volunteers are needed to help with the
organisation and/or to sit with new citizens and their families on the evening and
those able are asked to contact Marilyn Phillips.
Anne Christensen gave her welfare report noting that on behalf of the Club she
sent flowers to Netty Broekman acknowledging our thoughts and support for her with
the passing of her husband Ben. Netty replied offering her sincere thanks for our
flowers and care during this difficult time.
Phil Peckman sent our email to all members with the proposed District budget and
the response from the committee to questions and comments from some members.
After a general discussion on regionalisation and insurance costs with members,
Phil will pursue clarification on some of the responses from District including the
conference and insurances fees.
Ray Lee asked about a notional structure that regionalisation was to reflect. Phil
noted there is a structure mapped out at a new website which includes how
regionalisation is integrated with clubs. Rose Pope will send this link out in the next
Bulletin for members to review. A further discussion ensued with an analysis and
break-down of the District budget and the total cash of the balance sheet as of 30
April, 2025.
Members endorsed Phil’s voting on behalf of our Club in the affirmative, to accept
the District budget as presented.
Ken Potter reminded members that the 22nd and 23rd May are dedicated to RYDA
and invited members to come to the event to see and better understand how the
program works. Best times to attend are between 8.30 and 2.30 pm on either day.
Guest Speaker: Kate Thomas introduced Moray Ralph, the Our Community
Project (OCP), General Manager – a not-for-profit charity organised founded over 20
years ago. Moray presented an interesting and thought-provoking overview of the
work his team undertakes focussed on community development. Their vision is to help
build a resourceful and resilient community where people and the planet are valued.
Their mission is to work with the community using people-centred innovation, co-
creation, collaboration and social enterprise to empower, build access, equity, social
action and community spirit.
The community is the pivotal focus where the project aims to create and implement
projects to alleviate the suffering, distress, misfortune and poverty of disadvantaged
members of the community. There is deep commitment that the programs the
Project support seek to support and motivate each person to contribute and be
involved.
Their OCP community programmes target early intervention, and events are planned
to cater for the immediate needs of their surrounding community. Among some of
these are:
a) Tender Funerals Illawarra: This programme helps families to have the funeral
that is right for them at a cost that is affordable. Tender funerals is a NFP funeral
service delivering personalised meaningful and affordable funerals, ensuring those
experiencing financial hardship can access these critical services. Tender Funerals
this year has supported 464 funeral client families to farewell someone in the way
that was meaningful for them. Many were disadvantaged members of the community
who struggled to meet funeral costs. End of life rituals and ceremonies are
diverse and eclectic reflecting the breadth of cultures and their needs.
b) No Interest Loan Scheme: provides individuals and fam
ilies on lowincomes access to safe, fair and affordable credit since 2005. 0% interest and no fees or charges.
c) Men’s Group: Located in Port Kembla this group has played a pivotal role in supporting
several events and programs throughout the year. As well as their weekly program the
men’s group have been maintaining the gardens and fulfilling community other
service requests.
d) Culture Bank: An independent and div
erse organisation of residents from Wollongong and its suburbs who all share a common passion for nurturing and developing a richer cultural environment for everyone to enjoy. The group use a grassroots crowd funding model of raising money within the community. They offer an effective and simple way to nurture and develop creativity that is free of bureaucracy and generous in spirit. Culture Bank funds artists and other creative people through a democratic process that actively involves members.
e) Jam n Bread: Over the last 10 years, this program
has enabled diverse cultural communities to come
together to jam, bake bread and share culture.
Featuring musicians and dancers from different cultural
backgrounds, Jam n Bread follows a participatory model
breaking down the barrier between musician and
audience by inviting participants to engage in both music making and bread baking of the culture
featured.
f) Social Circus: this program began in 2022 as a collaboration between OCP and
Women Illawarra after two years of lockdowns, to provide a socialising opportunity
for children and parents to meet weekly to play, create, learn fun games and, most
importantly, socialise. It is based on behavioural studies that demonstrate that a lack of
socialisation leads led to various cognitive and mental health issues. The program has
included an opportunity for community to attend two Circus Equipment making
workshops through OCP to make juggling balls and Hula Hoops for participants to
take home and practice. This program has proven to be a hit with participants of
all ages however challenges of continuing funding have been difficult.
Moray's presentation promoted many questions of members, but all acknowledge the
powerful influence OCP continues to have on the community. However, the
challenge to support those most in need, to relieve poverty and suffering needs
addition funding to that provided by federal and state governments.
Kate thanked Moray and acknowledged the impact of OCP on the community.
The wine raffle was won by the dynamic duo of Anne and Jim Christensen.
Sergeant John masterfully extracted funds from members for fines and added a
delightful story which brought much laughter and giggles!
The evening concluded with an invitation from our president, Rose Pope, reflecting
on our Club’s focus on Youth programs and for volunteers to help with the raffles at
the Charles on Friday night and some members would be absent. Rose thanked
MinChul Park (guest) and Moray Ralph (guest speaker) for his interesting
presentation and work with OCP.
