Opened at 630
Pres John welcomed Guests and Partners
Renga Rajan, Mohan Kamalesan , Maria and Alfonso Sorrentino, Faye Helou, Jeanette Weeding, Deborah Mansour, Maryrose Salubra. And Councillor from Burwood Council Hugo Robertson
Also welcome Simon Fox new executive Officer at Burwood Community Welfare Services,
Apologies Fred Walker, Walter Bock and Lynn, Theo Kapeleris, Irene ,
Inner West early bird cafe. Our numbers are slow to build up numbers. Council has also decided to take away our location at the rotunda,
Rotaract club has closed as per circulated emails, They have 10 members but four are returning overseas and so they could not get a committee, Pres John feels we can attract some new younger members.
Pres John had to isolate so he and Deb missed their South Australian holiday
Sam is running our Anzac Day breakfast ( see details in SPOKE and he needs numbers. Donations to cover costs and raffle prizes will also be accepted
Rob Whitney reported MUNA limited to smaller numbers and they are seeking a grant to pay for the weekend. He is not sure whether our Club will be paying for our nominees but he has asked Burwood Girls High School.
Keith Weeding will be organising Pride of Workmanship. He will start looking for candidates. Need Members to nominate awardees, pp Tim maybe able to assist. He has Club membership cards available for us to hand out to prospective members.
A Plaque from Rotary International was presented to PDG Lloyd Roever for 2004 - 2005 for services as District Governor. PDG Paul Sarks received a similar plaque.
Simon Fox attended and reminded us he had spoken at one of our meetings as a Burwood Council representative 10 years ago and received a pen in appreciation. He related the story that he had to declare it to Burwood Council as a gift but eventually was allowed to keep it. He is now Burwood Community Welfare Services ( BCWS) Executive Director His background is in social work.
He is happy in his new role and they are provide many different services to the community. Women’s domestic service are funded by legal aid and many women and children are supported, Their services are overwhelmed by enquires in the Inner west. They run Meals on wheels. Their services are expanded outside of the local Burwood areas into Strathfield, Canada bay and Campsie as well as surrounding areas.
Family support services have a neighborhood drop in service. Christine Straughn has retired completely, Simon is trying to expand the services and improve the infrastructure. They intend to move from their current location as it is not ideal. Although Burwood is in their name they are serving a very wide area out side the suburb of Burwood. They have seventeen dedicated staff. They are happy to cooperate with RC Burwood in the future.
Budget is approximately two million dollars, as well as money for Meals on Wheels, and Family Support. They get a little from Burwood Council. They are considering a name change as they service a much larger area, not just Burwood,
Sergeant Lloyd fined many of us
Rosa Horvath now lives in Adelaide looking after her mother, but is of Ukraine background. They are collecting clothes and money for aid. Sana met a Ukrainian girl, and a priest and is very happy that we may be able to help. ( See story in SPOKE) They need simple things like hats and water bottles, and lunch boxes. There are already refugees in Sydney and volunteers are needed coordinate help. Contact Sana.
Jeanette Weeding said that Keith and her may host a refugee family, for a little or a long time, and any one could help in a similar fashion.
Lloyd asked where can we be advised if any refugees come into this area,
Induction of three new members. Pres John introduced Renga who is the District Chair for Membership.
John then inducted
Anna-Marie Sanni. Sponsor PDG Paul Sarks and mentor PP Irene Giardino
Miriam Scott Sponsor and Mentor PDG Paul Sarks.
Also Past Rotarian Alfonso Sorrentino rejoined out Club and will assist in the Fellowship committee, sponsor Sam Helou
Patricia Abraham Mentor is PP Sana Kamalesan. Marilee mentor is PP Keith Weeding
Hugo Robertson from Burwood Council. Happy to be here tonight. He was elected in December. He has quickly learnt it takes a long time to solve issues as everything moves very slowly. He feels he can help us to let the younger generation, who don’t know about Rotary , and they don’t know how to go about helping and volunteer or who to contact. He thanked us for the invitation and will do what ever he can at Burwood Council to help us. He is interested in joining Rotary,
Pres John reminded us about Anzac Day and let Sam know numbers and how you can help. He thanked everyone for coming and congratulations to our newest members.
Raffle was won by Alfonso, Patricia, Faye. Raffle raised 95 dollars
Meeting ended at 8.15
