Imagine our support for our Community

In addition to the many other programs outlined in this report, the Rotary Club of Eltham provided $31,000 to the following projects in our community:

Araluen - support for adults with intellectual disabilities

Australian LIONS Hearing Dogs program

Australian Rotary Health – Lift the Lid on Mental Health

Big Group Hug –supporting vulnerable children &families

Bushfire Resilience – recovery support

CFA Eltham – support vehicle appeal

CFA Research – support vehicle appeal

Edendale Community Environment Farm

Eltham Mens’ Shed

Fight Parkinson’s for research, education and support

Mental Health Support

Healthability – support services

LinC Hampers for Allwood House

LIONS Club Nillumbik - Christmas hampers

Lower Eltham Park – family picnic tables and seating

Montmorency Eltham RSL – veteran welfare and support

Movember campaign for Men’s Mental Health

Nillumbik SES support to volunteers

RSPCA

Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, WEHI

World WOD games sponsorship of DV Crossfit athlete

High rates of inflation and the rising cost-of-living, financial stresses due to interest rate rises, and the shortage and affordability of housing are significant factors impacting on Mental Health across the community. Donations were made to the Movember campaign in support of men’s mental health and a sponsored walk along the Aqueduct Trail raised funds for the “Lift the Lid on Mental Health“ campaign for mental health awareness and research through the

Australian Rotary Health Foundation

Sausage Sizzles at Lower Eltham Park

Our weekly sausage sizzle adjacent to the Diamond Valley Railway at the Lower Eltham Park provides an affordable food option for families enjoying the park, the railway and the Butterfly playground. It also generates the funds which are so essential for our community projects (including the BBQ shelters, Butterfly Cubby House, seating and tables in the Lower Eltham Park). Rotarians are rostered 3 or 4 times a year. We enjoy providing this community service, while at the same time seeing the fruits of our labour in the surrounding parkland

Rotary Community Organisations Guide

The diverse recreation, sports and community groups in our community come together like a big jigsaw picture of our wonderful vibrant community. We have compiled a comprehensive listing of community organisations which is updated frequently and provides a digital reference to look for a wide range of family, neighbourhood and community groups. The listing is very popular with newcomers to the area as well as existing residents looking for new activities to explore. Download your copy from www.rotaryeltham.org.au

Christmas Teddy Bears

In keeping with our annual tradition, a great collection of teddy bears came to our Christmas Dinner. They were packed and sent on their way to Berry Street, Odyssey House and other local charities for adoption by good homes in time for Christmas!

Victoria Police Leadership Mentoring Program

During the year, two of our members have mentored police officers participating in the Victoria Police/Rotary mentoring program With Rotarian support regarding project planning and community engagement, they have developed innovative and practical programs – one understanding and supporting family issues in migrant communities and another improving police understanding and relationships with indigenous youth The mentoring program has increased mutual awareness between Rotary and VicPol as well as delivering personal development learnings for the officers and, most importantly, effective community outcomes.

In February, Eltham and Preston Rotarians provided a BBQ for a local aboriginal community day at Dardi Munwurro, Preston, a meeting place for aboriginal groups. The initiative arose from a project being undertaken by Senior Sergeant Mark Van Rooyen, Reservoir Police station under the Victorian Police/Rotary Mentoring Program.

The police provided an information session across various topics including family violence, intervention orders and other police related matters. About 40 attended from the aboriginal community. There was a spirited Q and A session designed to build confidence, trust and relationships. Follow-up and help was offered by the police.

The day was very successful We were privileged to hear first-hand the local aboriginal concerns at the grass roots level. The day was a positive community experience for us all and it was felt that the Rotary presence in support of the police and the aboriginal community helped in the process of breaking down barriers and building trust.

Picnic Facilities at Lower Eltham Park

The Lower Eltham Park is a popular weekend destination for families from Nillumbik and beyond. They are attracted by the sports grounds, off-lead dog areas, equestrian facilities, children’s playground, miniature train, walking and cycling trails and picnic facilities. The Rotary Club of Eltham has been active for several years in the development of the park, particularly in and around the Butterfly children’s playground. This year we have provided additional table seating which will also benefit customers of our sausage sizzles!

Table and seating at Edendale Farm

Edendale Community Education Farm is developing a vegetable growing area to host activities to engage with youth and also for public education programs. The Rotary Club of Eltham is supporting this initiative by provision of an adjacent table and seating for participants.

Anzac Day Dawn Service

The 2023 ANZAC Day dawn service attracted even more public support this year with a sea of people paying their respect to Australian and New Zealand defence personnel past and present, their service in so many parts of the world, and particularly those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The Rotary Club of Eltham was honoured to work with the Montmorency Eltham RSL to facilitate this important community event. The program included extensive participation by local primary and secondary students which bodes well for the ongoing intergenerational recognition of the significance of ANZAC day. Lest we forget

Rotary Can Food Drive

Many families in our community are struggling due to the impacts of Covid, inflation and housing stress. In all areas of emergency relief there has been exponential increase in demand. In the past 12 months there has been a 36% increase in new clients seeking support from the Diamond Valley Community Support Food Collective. Eltham Rotarians each conducted a can food drive in their streets in June 2023 and received very generous donations from their neighbours. Every donation counted and the cumulative effect was a very significant delivery to the Food Collective.

CFA Eltham and Research

Donations were made to the CFA Eltham and CFA Research crews in support of their appeals for funds toward purchase of 4WD operations support vehicles, funding for which is not covered by Government Grants but must be raised by the individual branches. Rotary support was warmly appreciated.