As my year in the chair ends, I reflect on the year that has been. I do have to say it has been highly enjoyable and a high point of my 33 years so far as a Rotarian. Once again members have stepped up whenever needed and we have had a highly successful year, both financially and in terms of comradeship.
The second Rotary Eltham Art show raised a handsome profit of $25,000 and funds have been distributed to several worthwhile local causes. The Christmas Carols in lieu of a November Festival this year, was much appreciated by the community with over 5000 attending. This was a once-off and we will revert to a Festival in November.
Once again Gary Williams has provided us with a plethora of great speakers throughout the year. Despite the loss a couple of members, due to inevitable changed circumstances, (who are now Honorary members) our numbers have held at 54 active members, plus a couple more Honorary members to be appointed at changeover on 28 June, along with two life memberships. Initiatives are being made with a Friends of Rotary support group, along with developing the concept of corporate membership.
While we are facing a challenging period going forward largely due to significant commitments and an ageing membership, the Club remains a dynamic group committed to helping people in the local and international community. Locally we have provided Nillumbik Council with funding for the recently erected Shade sail in Lower Eltham Park. We continue to run the weekly BBQ in the same park and most recently ran a 1920’s Gangster Palace style fundraiser which raised $3000 towards the building of a second story on the Teacher Training Centre in Nepal, which we have been instrumental in making a reality. The annual Car Raffle shared with Mooroopna Rotary Club has again been a great success, providing significant funds for our many projects. This project will continue. Our Interact Clubs at Montmorency and St Helena Secondary Colleges are alive and well continuing to receive Rotary Support. District 9790 is involved in the Regional Pilot restructuring process, so we are committed to embrace it in the interest of enhancing the Rotary brand.
As I pass the ‘baton’ to Alison I feel I can say that I have done my best this year to maintain the high standing of our Club within Rotary and our local community. This would not have been possible without the continued support of the membership, for which I am extremely grateful.
Yours in Rotary,
Ian Toohill President, Rotary Club of
Eltham 2023-24
he Rotary Club of Eltham is an active and inclusive service Club committed to supporting those in need. Our men with a broad spectrum of backgrounds, skills
Since our formation in 1973 we have worked on many projects for our local community and our environment, supported the development of our youth and made a difference locally and internationally in disadvantaged areas of the world. In doing so, we have formed strong friendships and networks characterised by a sense of fun and enthusiasm.
This year our fundraising and hands-on service opportunities have resulted in $108,000 of support to a range of local and international projects. As shown, Local Community, Youth and Environment programs represent 74% of the total expenditures
In addition to the financial dimension, there is the significant and immeasurable contribution of volunteer manhours by Rotarians to the community through events including the Christmas Concert in the park, the ANZAC Day dawn service, the Eltham Art Show, the Street Canned Food Drive, and of course, the weekly Rotary sausage sizzle!
This report outlines the many and varied initiatives and projects we have undertaken in 2023-24 with the Rotary International theme of “Create Hope in the World”. These results have been achieved through the passion and effort of every one of the members featured on the front cover – a true team effort.
Rotary Club of Eltham
P.O. Box 134, Eltham, 3095
ABN 79 714 185 712
admin@rotaryeltham.org.au
www.rotaryeltham.org.au
www.facebook.com/rotaryeltham
Creating Hope in our Community Food Relief
Many families in our community are struggling financially, particularly due to the impacts of inflation and housing stress. In all areas of emergency relief there is a continuing growth in demand Eltham Rotarians each conducted a can food drive in their streets in June 2024 and received very generous donations from their neighbours. Every donation counted and the cumulative effect was a very significant delivery of 2,000+ cans to the Carenet and Diamond Valley Community Support (DVCS) Food Collective project. These in-kind donations were supplemented by further direct financial donations by the Rotary Club of Eltham.
The Rotary Club purchased “Reverse Advent Foodboxes” from DVCS which Rotarians filled during December for the DVCS Christmas hampers project. Rotarians participated in the packing and distribution of Christmas hampers prepared by the LinC project of St Margaret’s Church Eltham.
The club also donated funds to the Diamond Creek Food Pantry and to the Lions Club of Nillumbik Christmas hamper appeal
Mental Health Support
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 at Research raised funds for the “Lift the Lid on Mental Health“ campaign, supporting mental health awareness and research through the Australian Rotary Health Foundation.
The Club attended a compelling performance of “Carpe Diem”, a three man play at the Watsonia RSL. The evening highlighted the signs and impacts of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in ex service personnel. The club responded with a significant donation to the support work of the RSL among addressing the mental health of ex service personnel.
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). Each Rotarian is 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
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, 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 2 table/ benches and partnered with Nillumbik Shire Council to provide a large shade sail adjacent to the Butterfly playground.
We have also upgraded the aged Rotary Wheel on the original brick BBQs and rotundas erected by the club over 30 years ago.
WEHI - Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research
WEHI is recognised internationally for its leading research into many complex health issues, particularly in the fields of cancer, immune health and infection, developmental disorders and healthy ageing. The Rotary Club of Eltham has a strong relationship with WEHI with support for equipment and the David McFarlane PhD scholarship. A further donation was made in 2024.
Rotary listing of Community Organisations
The diverse recreation, sports and community groups in Nillumbik and surrounds come together to form a big jigsaw picture of our wonderful vibrant community. We have compiled and maintain a comprehensive listing of community organisations which is updated frequently and provides a digital reference to find 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
Anzac Day Dawn Service
The 2024 Eltham 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.
Eltham Rotarian Jules Aussems addressed the crowd, vividly recounting his experiences as a young sailor aboard the HMAS Melbourne when it collided with the HMAS Voyager in 1964 with the loss of 82 lives during night time exercises off Jervis Bay, New South Wales. He spoke from his heart of the terror, anguish, grief, screams for help, confusion, darkness and panic immediately following the collision and the frantic rescue operations as the two halves of the Voyager slipped along each side of the Melbourne and sank into the oil-blanketed sea. He spoke of the embedded and recurring memories and trauma which have stayed with him over these past 60 years, affecting his health, personal relationships and employment.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD had not been recognised in 1964 and the ship’s company had been ordered not to speak of their observations or experiences of the incident to anyone. They were simply given 7 days leave and then returned to duty on other RAN ships. This year was the first time Jules’ has spoken publicly of these memories which he has carried bottled-up inside him. The empathy and admiration of the crowd was palpable.
A very sombre reminder of the sacrifices made by defence personnel other than in times of war.
The service again 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”
Further Donations:
In addition to the above projects, donations have been made to:
Big Group Hug - assisting local communities to tackle child poverty. They help vulnerable children who are living in crisis by distributing essential items in times of need to referred young families.
RIMERN - a multi club Rotary project operating in Inner Melbourne, providing furniture, appliances & homewares to welfare agency clients who have experienced homelessness, domestic violence, incarceration, refugee displacement and other crises
The Pat Cronin Foundation – providing education, strategies and resources to empower young people to stop violence and end the coward punch.
The Leukaemia Foundation – providing support, information and education for people with blood cancers and their families.
Emotion 21 – Supported and promoted by the Inclusion Foundation, emotion 21 provides innovative dance and fitness programs for children and young adults with Down syndrome.
Leukaemia Foundation
Following the Rotary Eltham Town Festival in February 2023, it was not feasible to have a second town festival in the same year. The Christmas Concert in the Park in December 2023 was extremely successful, attracting over 5,000 people. Food stalls, compere Craig Huggins from Gold FM, local choirs, Santa, magicians, wandering performers and even a stilt walking angel made for a magical pre Christmas family event.
THE ELTHAM ART SHOW
– the art heritage of Nillumbik
Neil Douglas Best Australian Landscape Portrayal
Chris White “The Bridge, Beechworth”
Best Watercolour 2023
Julian Bruere “Misted Snow Gums, Mt Torbreck”
Best Oil 2023 Fiona Billbrough “Bumper Harvest”
Best in Show 2023
Greg Allen “Ocean Might, Venus Bay”
The Art Show committee, along with Rotarians and other community volunteers put in a unified and enthusiastic effort to pull off a successful exhibition from 28th August to 4th September 2023. The show exhibited over 400 select painting works submitted by over 150 Nillumbik associated artists.
Generous support from the Shire of Nillumbik, Victorian State Government and local businesses - Morrison Kleeman, Eltham Home Timber & Hardware, Bendigo Community Bank, Ryan Developments, Le Pine Funerals and Opticon Group provided the financial support which enabled increased prize money, thus attracting an above average quality of works. The end result was a remarkably professional presentation which attracted almost 1000 visitors.
The selectors, judge Paul McDonald Smith, and curator Brenda Innes, were very experienced and professional in their roles, thus the selection of works and winners were well received by prospective buyers and viewers.
The Gala opening night welcomed over 250 sponsors and paying guests who were wined and dined and most pleased with the club’s efforts in creating the show.
3D (sculpture/ceramics/ jewellery) works were exhibited concurrently at Montsalvat.
An “en plein air” painting exercise was held the week before hand This was a very popular initiative and well patronised by local and external artists. The selected 10 finalists were judged and displayed at the Art Show.
The fundraising raffle attracted huge interest with prizes donated by very generous sponsors. An original painting by J Hacansson was first prize. Other donations were received from Shaws Road Winery, Helloworld, Bunnings and other supporting donors.
The profits from the show will be reinvested into local community causes and efforts supported by Rotary International.
Demonstrating artists performed through the public days attracting curious comments and lots of interest.
The Eltham Art Show is going from strength to strength!
Peoples Choice Award 2023
Sarai Meyerink “Reflections”
Best Sculpture Award 2023 Denese Keel – Bedford “Meridian”
Eltham Art Show Convenor Brenda Ibels with Judge Paul McDonald Smith
Great Clubnights!
Creating Hope for people overseas
Nepal – Teacher Training Centre
In recent years the Rotary Club of Eltham participated with Global Action Nepal (GAN), Aussie Action Abroad (AAA) and the Rotary Club of Mahaboudda in the construction of a teacher training facility in Lalitpur, south of Kathmandu. The facility commenced partial operations in 2022 after the ground floor of the building was completed. The project is now entering its second phase to fully complete the facility by construction of the upper level. The Rotary Club of Eltham, together with the Rotaract Club of Montmorency SC have raised funds for the project during 2023-24 through a range of ventures including a highly successful 1930’s – 40’s “Gangsters Palace” themed cabaret night. The Eltham Rotary ethos of putting the FUN into FUNdraising!
Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis
The continuing humanitarian crisis has triggered our club to send further funds to Aquabox U.K. for the provision of water filters and humanitarian aid for the large numbers of people displaced by the destruction of infrastructure in war torn Ukraine In 2023/24 Aquabox UK has shipped 250 Aqua Aid humanitarian boxes, 70 boxes of community water filters and 295 boxes of family water filters to Ukraine.
Cambodia Education access in rural areas
The District 9790 multi-club “Partners in Education” Project seeks to improve access to education for students in poor rural areas in Siem Reap, Cambodia through the provision of educational resources in conjunction with the Rotaract Club of Siem Reap and the Cambodia Rural Students Trust. The Rotary Club of Eltham has made a contribution to the project with several members considering the Rotary Volunteer Teams in 2025. The volunteers plan to provide community needs such as bicycles, solar lighting and desks to support education and also assist teachers and mentor students where needed, to build skills and self-determination
Fiji Skin diseases in rural areas
The Club has donated funds and medicines in support of the work of a Fiji Aid International medical team led by Dermatologist Dr Doug Czarnecki in rural areas of Fiji. These areas have an astounding number of people with scabies and other skin diseases, but poor access to simple and effective treatments. The team relied upon donations, to treat scabies, especially the medicine, Ivermectin which we were able to source.
RAM - Rotarians against Malaria
The Club has donated funds in support of the RAM program. RAM’s focus is the eradication of Malaria in the East Pacific Islands and East Timor, where mossies thrive in the sub-tropical humid climates. Worldwide, the number of Malaria related deaths (464,000 deaths in 2021) of children under 5 years of age is of concern. The first line of defence is to encourage exposed communities to use insecticidal sprayed protective netting. Development of a vaccine has also significantly reduced the rate of infection among young children.
Phase 2 of the project will see completion of the upper floor
Hygiene products for schoolgirls of Imizamo Yethu Community,South
…..a project of the Hout Bay Rotaract Club
Creating Hope for our Environment
Queens Jubilee Tree Planting along Diamond Creek Corridor
Nillumbik residents value our natural environment, our flora and fauna. We recognise the loss and degradation of that environment due to the impacts of urban development, particularly the loss of habitat, canopy loss and the breaks in wildlife corridors such as the Diamond Creek.
A grant to the Rotary Club of Eltham from the Australian Government’s “Planting Trees for the Queen’s Jubilee” program has enabled us to target these deficiencies and enhance the environment by in-fill planting in specific areas in the Diamond Creek corridor in Eltham North.
The official launch of the project was held in October 2022 with limited planting possible at the time; however a total of 43 mature indigenous trees and 1000 tube stock were planted over a four day period in August 2023 with the help of some 69 volunteers. The volunteers comprised Eltham Rotarians, students from Eltham North Primary School and St Helena Secondary College, Cr Natalie Duffy of the Shire of Nillumbik, members of the Lions Club of Diamond Creek, Eltham Girl Guides, the Friends of Edendale, the Australian Plant Society and local residents.
A further 35 mature trees and 225 tube stock were planted with contract assistance in November 2023. The Rotary Club will continue to engage with volunteers, students and community groups to monitor and maintain the plants including watering, mulching, and weed control for the next 2 years.
Once plants are established they will provide or add to the tree canopy that was lacking. This will improve the flying corridor for our local bird life and the water quality of Diamond Creek to help the survival of the platypus population.
The project was recognised as a significant environmental improvement overall by our local community groups who indicated appreciation of this project and of the effort put in by the Rotary Club of Eltham, to see this project to completion.
National Tree Day Community
National Tree Day 2023 was again celebrated in Nillumbik with a mass community planting event in the Challenger Street wetlands, Diamond Creek. The Rotary Club of Eltham joined with the Shire and Planet Ark in the organisation of the event which attracted many families to the site. Many parents were able to point out the established trees which they had planted as tube stock many years ago.
The Rotary Foundation and Polio Plus
The Rotary Foundation, established in 1917, is an endowment fund dedicated to “doing good in the world” Due to the generosity of Rotarians and individuals around the world, it has become one of the world’s leading humanitarian foundations. The Rotary Foundation provides “District” grants for projects within a country, “Global” grants for International Rotary projects undertaken in partnership by an inRotary Club and an overseas partner club, and direct funding to international programs such as the End Polio campaign.
As a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Rotary has reduced polio cases by 99.9% since our first project to vaccinate children in the Philippines in 1979. Today, polio remains endemic only in Afghanistan and Pakistan, but it is crucial to keep working to keep other countries polio-free. Each year the Rotary Club of Eltham provides targeted funds towards the eradication work conducted by Polio Plus
The Rotary Club of Eltham has had another successful year in raising $12,196 AUD for Foundation. Our Club members have not only contributed substantial funds but have put in a lot of time and effort in achieving this great outcome. The main activities were our annual Car raffle, an Open Garden Day at Alan and Chris Field’s magnificent “Cassington Wood” property in Eltham, and a Paella luncheon and raffle held at Graeme and Lyn Hardiman’s home overlooking Port Phillip at Rye.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is matching donations to Foundation on a 2:1 basis. Consequently our donation means $36,588AUD ($24,230USD) for the Rotary Foundation.
The Rotary Foundation continues to hold a 4 star rating by Charity Navigator for the past 16 years, recognising that 88% of its funds go directly into humanitarian projects. With this endorsement we confidently recommend donations to the Rotary Foundation as a sound avenue for corporate, club and individual donors to support effective and sustainable humanitarian projects locally and worldwide.
The Rotary Club of Eltham has once again endeavoured to provide worthwhile support and assistance to youth in our area. This year we continued to support two Interact Clubs at St Helena Secondary College and Montmorency Secondary College. These groups engage 12-18 year old students in service club activities and aim to develop leadership skills and community-minded awareness.
Both Interact Clubs were able to develop their ‘green’ thumbs and join with Rotarians as part of our Queen’s Jubilee Tree Planting program. Students enjoyed this hands-on project, and the BBQ lunch provided by the Eltham’s Men Shed.
Other endeavours supported by the Interact Club of St Helena Secondary College this Rotary Year were:
the Club’s Christmas Reverse Advent Box, where students filled two Christmas food hampers for this Diamond Valley Community Support program.
they contributed to the College’s Movember Team fundraiser for men’s mental health research & support.
two of our leadership group laid a wreath at the Eltham/Montmorency RSL Dawn Service and thoroughly enjoyed the early morning event and the opportunity to pay their respects to past and present members of the Australian Defence Forces for their service.
The Interact Club of Montmorency Secondary College:
co-opted many staff and parents to participate in the College’s “Shave for a Cure“ event, raising funds to support blood cancer patients and research for a cure.
successfully raised over $500 for their club by operating the Rotary BBQ at Lower Eltham Park one weekend.
are participating in the remodelling of a second-hand horse float to create a mobile coffee cart for fundraising. The remodelling project itself is providing valuable project management and other skills and, when complete, it will also provide a venue for hospitality training.
Maintained previous plantings of native trees on the school boundary
WEHI PhD Scholarship
The club is committed to partner with the McFarlane family to continue the David McFarlane Memorial 3-year PhD scholarship at WEHI (Walter & Eliza Hall Institute) of Medical Research The family also supports the scholarship by running an annual fundraising day at Heidelberg Golf Club. Current scholar Ben Broomfield spoke to the club of his research directions and was accompanied by past recipient (soon to be “Doctor”!) Brigette Duckworth and WEHI Head of Philanthropy, Deborah Carr
ARH Indigenous Scholarship
The Rotary Club of Eltham is one of 5 clubs partnering to fund an Australian Rotary Health (ARH) Indigenous scholarship. The current recipient Nathan Hawke is successfully progressing with his Paramedics course at Monash University.
Diamond Valley Learning Centre
The Diamond Valley Learning Centre (DVLC) focuses on students’ individual needs and keeping our classes small and friendly. In this atmosphere of respect and encouragement, new possibilities and life-changing learning thrive. In this
50th year of the DVLC the Rotary Club has contributed to the redevelopment of an area to create a community garden for staff and students.
First Nations Mural St Helena SC
The Rotary Club of Eltham with the Interact Club of St Helena Secondary College supported the creation of an Indigenous Art Mural at the college. This was aimed to bolster support for National Reconciliation with our Indigenous Nations students. An Indigenous artist worked in partnership with Indigenous students at the College to create the mural collaboratively. The Interact students provided substantial financial support for the project and participated in creating the artwork itself. The students learned more about National Reconciliation and feel proud of their achievements.
VCE VM - Vocational Major Awards
The Rotary Club of Eltham has initiated awards for students undertaking the VCE Vocational Major (applied learning) program at local Secondary colleges. The recipients received vouchers for the purchase equipment necessary for their vocation.
National Youth Science Forum (NYSF)
The National Youth Science Forum held in the Summer School holidays of 2024 is an exciting and engaging program
The Rotary Club of Eltham assisted with financial support for two students to participate in 2024. This program continues to inspire many young students to engage in a STEM pathway year after year, and it is a privilege to provide such amazing opportunities.
Youth Night
The Annual Youth Night celebrates the successes of the participants in the various programs in our Rotary Youth portfolio. This year we heard presentations by
two past attendees at the 2024 National Youth Science Forum (NYSF),
representatives from our Interact Clubs at Montmorency Secondary College and St Helena Secondary College,
our exchange student recently returned from Japan and
a recipient of a Rotary VCE Vocational Major award.
Rotary Youth Exchange to Japan
One of the first initiatives of the newly formed Rotary Club of Eltham in 1973 was to join the District 979 Youth Exchange Program, sponsoring a student to Japan. This year we were honoured to the club’s very first exchange student Greg Jamieson address our Youth Exchange evening. Greg spoke of his many experiences living in Japan for 12 months in 1974 and the positive influences of that cultural immersion on his life’s journey over the past 50 years. Although the club now sponsors a short-term exchange program, the address was particularly relevant and inspirational for our outgoing exchange student for November-January 2023-24. Stella spoke to the club on her return and undeniably benefitted from the guidance on cultural immersion given by Greg prior to her trip.
It’s not all hard work! Like any family, the “family” of the Rotary Club of Eltham likes a work-life balance. We enjoy working together on our many service projects as well as enjoying plenty of fun and fellowship through social and fundraising events. We have a reputation for putting the FUN into FUNdraising! We are family and there’s always a helping hand for each other.
become a “Friend of Rotary”
Rotary is a global network of over 1.4 million volunteers who share common interests in helping to create sustainable change- across the globe and within our communities. We have 56 members in the Rotary Club of Eltham and we always welcome new members.
Join Us – We Help People!
We Connect, We Transform, We Inspire, We Empower, We have a huge amount of Fun!
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It you are one of these people, then contact us to see how you can change the world - starting in your very own community.
Opportunities for YOUR BUSINESS: ……….Become
a Corporate Sponsor/Partner!
There are so many opportunities for your business to work on projects with the Rotary Club of Eltham. Together we can achieve great things. Many businesses identify social responsibility in their corporate objectives, and are exploring ways to ‘give back’ to the community. We can help. Opportunities might include:
Donations of products directly to a project or for fundraising by re-sale or raffles;
Donations of superseded product or equipment suitable for re-use or re-purposing
Tax-effective financial donations
Provision of in-house services to a project
Staff participation in a “hands-on” project event
When you partner with Rotary, our 1.2 million members amplify your impact, elevate your brand, advance important causes, improve communities, and gain access to global connections.
