What is that saying? "Time flies when you are having fun!" Well, I must be having a ball, because here we are nearly at the end of September and already one month into Spring!
Last meeting we had several guests and two very special guest speakers. Carol Coorey came with her colleague, Mahasti Askari. Both Carol and Mahasti are Service Managers at Women’s and Girl’s Emergency Centres (WAGEC). Carol has 36 years’ experience in the Community Service sector, primarily working with victims of Domestic Violence. Carol currently oversees a crisis accommodation refuge in Burwood, that provides crucial support for 15 families including 40 children. WAGEC is based in Redfern and on average every night, throughout Sydney, they support 200 women and children impacted by domestic violence and homelessness. The statistics are staggering! 45 women have died this year due to domestic violence!! When asked what Burwood Rotary can do to help, Carol and Mahasti replied with the following:
Conduct a food drive, include Halal food.
Provide general toiletries, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant etc. Particularly for teens, both male and female.
Provide sanitary products for girls and women. (Maybe we should talk to the Days for Girls team?)
Carol also mentioned that if any member could help with services, eg mechanic, hairdresser or a butcher, ask them to get in contact.
If a member would like to volunteer to co-ordinate this project for our club, please talk to me and we can get it organised. This is something hands on that we can all contribute to!
The next meeting falls on a public holiday, 7th October, so as previously advised, we are holding a social night! Marilie has suggested the Croydon Park Club at 55 Seymour Street Croydon Park. Anyone who would like to join us, we will meet at the club at 6.30 pm. The bistro will be open and the food is fabulous!! Please let Marilie know on 0423244538 or email mbomed1@gmail.com if you can attend, only so that she can save a seat for you.
CABL is holding a Community Connect Family Fun Day on 13th November, 9.30 am to 3 pm. Penfold Room, Woodstock Centre, 22 Church Street Burwood. Our Rotary Club has sponsored this event and we have all been invited to attend wearing our club shirts. I should have more details on Monday night.
I am currently in the process of booking my flights and accommodation for the Rotary International Convention to be held next year, 21st to 25th June in Calgary, Alberta Canada. The Calgary Stampede will commence 4th July. If you have ever had to opportunity to attend an RI Convention, you will know how spectacular it is! Learn more about Rotary, meet new friends and catch up with old ones! Why don’t you think about joining me? Take a look at the website convention.rotary.org
Our next Rotary Community Group workshop, for Rotary Pacific, will be held Saturday 21st September at Granville. I will report on this at our meeting Monday night.
If you have not already done so, please pay your biannual membership fees. We will get a report of this on Monday night. Fees were due 1st July so any unpaid are extremely overdue!!
Please remember to send your apologies to Past President Sergeant Irene if you are unable to attend a club meeting.
If you have any articles you would like to see in Spoke, please send them to me at denniseh100@gmail.com Spoke is produced the week before each meeting and the deadline for the Monday issue is 5 pm the Thursday before.
Looking forward to seeing you all on Monday night! Have a great weekend.
My favourite quote for the week…
“Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
President Dennise
