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Tony Skipper, head Technician at The Austin Hospital Renal Unit, was our guest speaker on Thursday 19th October. He spoke about the advances in technology and the advances in treatment for renal patients over his years of working in hospitals. Improvements have allowed people to have home dialysis making life a little better by avoiding hours hooked up equipment whilst in a hospital. The technicians will also work with patients allowing them to go away on holliday and liaising with technicians at the holiday location when problems crop up.

On October 5th Thabata Pflug spoke about her experience as a Rotary Exchange student during 2022.

Originally fro Brazil, Thabata's family moved to USA where the Rotary Club of Fort Collins Colorado sponsored her exchange year in Germany. Whilst on Exchange the family moved to Australia and settled locally and we have been pleased to welcome them all to a number of meetings.

Thabata gave a very entertaining presentation of her varied experiences in Germany: her host parents, school, travel, recreation, celebrating Christmas and friendships made. She realises during the year she matured considerably.

Since it was founded more than 100 years ago, the Foundation has spent more than $4 billion on life-changing, sustainable project.

What impact can one donation have?

• For as little as 60 cents, a child can be protected from polio.
• $50 can provide clean water to help fight waterborne illness.
• $500 can launch an antibullying campaign and create a safe environment for children

A further appeal has been launched to fund a further container of Medical Supplies to Africa.

The Ayder Hospital in Tigray region of Ethiopia and is dire need of equipment following war in the region. For full details of how to donate click here.

As part of the environmental portfolio for the club, Elizabeth Drozd organised our Club’s participation in what is known as the annual V4Uday, whereby VU students volunteer in community projects. 
This was conducted in partnership with the Footscray Park Bowling Club, where the students did some weeding and general gardening. 
A certificate from VU thanking us for our participation, has been received.

In his presentation on November 2nd DG Ron Paine highlighted the priorities for District 9800 during 2023-24.

1 INCREASE OUR IMPACT.
2 ENHANCE PARTICIPANT ENGAGEMENT
3 EXPAND OUR REACH
4 INCREASE OUR ABILITY TO ADAPT

DIK received a grant from the Community Service Fund which provided funds for a new van. A letter of appreciation has been received from PDG Bronwyn Stephens.
“A very sincere and excited thank you for the beautiful sparkly van that has arrived and has been branded DIK. You may be aware there is a shortage of vehicles so it took some finding and we were told it may take 12 months.  We were so fortunate that this wonderful Renault was available and it is perfect.  The back doors are able to accept forklift access. The interior has been inlaid with lining and the floor with wood as protection. 

An end of year BBQ at VU on December 12th was a great success with $1500 raised to support our projects.
Led by Ron Hunt, Jama Farah, Phillip Caruso, Rodney Johnstone, Elia Andriotis and Jamie Robertson were joined by young friends of Rodney. They had finished school for the year and were looking and looking for an activity. A big thank you to Chelsea Odzovski and twin siblings, Brayden and Logan.

At the opening of the Footscray Art Prize on President Bob gave a delightful and appropriate speech ending by saying that he hoped that our prizes for the secondary school and primary school winners created hope in the art community.

Jaydyn Gregorio (pictured) won the Secondary prize with an amazing painting on a mirrored surface.

The primary school winner was Grace Nguyen for her beautiful crocheted creation.

See Photo Gallery on webpage for more photos.

Ryan Haque was sponsored by our club to attend the National Youth Science Forum earlier this year. This was the first NYSF for three years due to COVID and in contrast to previous residential events in 2023 the event was a hybrid of on-line and face to face activities in hubs around Australia.

Our Annual Golf Day was held on Friday 21^st April at Sanctuary Lakes Golf Course. The weather was beautiful, people were in a good mood, and it was a wonderful day. The day started with breakfast, followed by a round of golf on the Greg Norman designed Sanctuary Lakes Course. It concluded with a BBQ lunch, awarding of the prizes and a raffle draw.  

Thanks to all our sponsors for the fundraising Golf Day at Sanctuary Lakes Golf Club on Friday 21st April.

At the Meeting on May 5th the Evan Phillips Award was presented to Rebcca Ann Grange a young woman who is undertaking an apprenticeship in Certificate 3 Light Vehicle at Footscray Nissan.

This award is set up to remember and honour Evan Phillips a powerhouse in the club from 1969-2010. Thanks to Emanuel and Fred for their organisation of a very worthy recipient for this Award. I would also like to thank Evan’s daughter Judy Pepi and son in law Michael for their generous donation towards this award. 

Congratulations to Rebecca Anne Grange and we wish her well in her career.

The Mambourin/Rotary Club of Footscray Disability Worker Award

These three awards are jointly sponsored by Mambourin and the Rotary Club of Footscray and acknowledge the contribution that support workers make to the day to day lives of people living with a disability.

1 Most outstanding disability support worker of the year with a minimum of 5 years of service to the sector but preferably 10 or more, Alem Yale Tirunhe

2.Most outstanding supported employee/trainee of the year was Ben Eldridge

3. Most outstanding disability support worker of the year with less than 12 months experience was Marie Imanishimwe.

Our final social activity planned by Ron and Kevin was on Sunday 21^st May. We went to see Catch Me If You Can at the National Theatre in St Kilda. Everyone really enjoyed the afternoon and it was a fabulous performance. If you weren’t able to come on Sunday it’s well worth the effort to go and see it before it closes.

The Rotary International Convention was held in Melbourne May 27th-31st. Among the 14000 registrants form 120 countries  with a number of our club members attending.The main sessions were held at Rod Laver Arena with the breakout sessions and House of Friendship at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre (Jeff's Shed).

The Main sessions were spectacular with inspiring presentations, updates on major projects (Polio Plus) and entertainment.

RICON Hospitality Event with – Sylvie Paladino

The Clocktower in Moonee Ponds was filled with Rotarians ready for a fabulous night of entertainment and food. Sylvie Paladino was in great form and entertained the audience with stories about her life as well as being a wonderful singer. The musical entertainment concluded with the Melbourne Women’s Choir singing “I am Australian”.  The feedback from guests was very positive with a good balance of entertainment, time to mingle and refreshments. The planning committee extend their thanks to Susan Palmer, Graeme Thompson and Suzanne Zammit for their volunteering on the night.

The Rotary Youth Sailing Challenge provided a once in a lifetime opportunity for young people to experience an amazing five days at sea. Our club, along with Echuca Rotary supported one of these 24 students to participate in this exciting adventure, sailing from Melbourne to Adelaide. Rodney and Maria also hosted 4 of the voyagers when they arrived from South Australia.

At District Changeover the club received a "People of Action Award" for the Horn of Africa Project. All credit to Jama Farah for his outstanding work shipping recycled medical equipment ot Africa.

Dr Akram Abdulahi was our speaker on the 1^st June.

Akram grew up in Melbourne, studied dentistry at Melbourne University and now works at dental practices and Kensington.

Akram spoke about the Hararian Community in Melbourne and its efforts in supporting their youth to ensure that they have strong connections to their own community and have positive role models.

At our meeting on July 4^th we viewed a challenging recorded address from newly inducted RI President Gordon McInally. There was also discussion of plan for the club in the coming year.

The Changeover from President Maria Silber to Bob Newman was held at the Yarraville Club on 29th June. Maria reviewed the past year whilst Bob spoke of the plans he has for the club in 2023-24.

District Governor Elect Michael Lapiña from the Rotary Club of Wyndham proposed the toast to Rotary.

A Paul Harris recognition was awarded to Carol Castano for her leadership of the handcraft group that has over many years raised money for Foundation.

Committee Chairs reported back on achievements over the year. These achievements were reported throughout the year but when you hear about the achievements of the club as a total it makes you realise that we have had a big impact in improving the lives of people in our local community as well international communities.

In 2014 the Rotary Club of Footscray, in partnership with the Maribyrnong City Council established the Footscray Community Bike Shed. The aim was to service/repair pre-loved bikes, donated from the community, and then give to refugees, asylum seekers and other adults and kids who are in need. Helmets, lights and locks are also provided so that recipients are fully prepared. This program is meeting a community need by providing cheap and sustainable form of transport and aiding the physical and mental Health for refugee & asylum seeker. The Bike Shed provides a site for socialising and meeting / visiting new friends. The success of the program has been largely due to a band of enthusiastic volunteers providing over 1000 hours of work per year.

Over the period 2014-18 over 500 bikes have been distributed to recipients from 28 different countries

The program supports various agencies including: NewHope/Micare, Cohealth, the ASRC, AMES, Shine4 kids, Welcome West Wagon, Red Cross, BaptCare, Amnesty International.