The Morelander, Edition 16 2020-21

Bulletin of the Rotary Club of Moreland

EDITION 16|1 DEDEMBER 2020

THE MORELANDER

RACHEL PAYNE

Rachel tells us about her rich and varied life story

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Award of Excellence for Club Bulletin 2018-2019

Moreland Rotary acknowledges the Wurundjeri people of the eastern Kulin Nations on whose unceded lands we conduct our business. Moreland Rotary respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past, present and emerging. Moreland Rotary also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

Cover photo: Rachel Payne and Smudge (courtesy of Rachel Payne) THE MORELANDER

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Interesting Lives – A story of Rachel Payne "It has been through my lived experiences and my education that I have become so politically and community minded - something that I hope I articulate throughout my talk today. For the last 5 years (come January) I have worked as an advocate and lobbyist for the adult industry, working with the EROS organisation to fight discrimination and stigma and fight for law reform that is in line with community standards. Most recently I presented at the review for decriminalisation of sex work, and I have previously worked on censorship advocating for laws to change to be more inclusive.

The adult industry faces broad brush, unsubstantiated discrimination from government, from banks - to name a few, and it is my job to point out this hypocrisy."

I was invited a few months ago by Fiona Patten to have a chat with Rachel Payne, who had decided to stand for a Councillor position in the South ward of Moreland Council. Fiona wanted Rachel to meet some local community leaders and she was aware of my varied involvement including Rotary and Australian Conservation Foundation.My first impression of Rachel, which was subsequently confirmed in later meetings, was of a person with a passion for her community and a remarkably interesting life story. This prompted a thought that Rachel would be a wonderful speaker at a club Rotary meeting, which we decided would be best left until after the election to avoid any perceived issues. So we agreed on Wed 18th November for the Club presentation where she would be a guinea pig for our hybrid transition out of COVID19.

"My name is Rachel Payne and I would like to thank you for the opportunity to speak with you today and share some of my life experiences. My experiences are wide and varied - something that I have been reflecting on over these last few months, not only as we have all found ourselves spending more time isolated and reflecting, but as I am about to have my 39th birthday and I have been reflecting on coming to an end of my thirties and thinking about where I am headed, both personally and professionally. I hold undergraduate degrees in sociology and politics as well as a Masters in Social Policy, and am a former performance artist where I performed both locally and internationally under my burlesque persona, Freckles Blue."

"Before working with Eros, I worked with Fiona Patten initially as an intern and then as an Electoral Officer. I got more involved in politics when I working for Fiona Patten and I admired the work done on the Safe Access Bill - allowing women to access abortion and reproductive clinics without harassment by creating a 150m safe buffer zone. This made me realise we still have a long way to go and that as a woman I really needed to ensure that more women were in places where decisions were made."

Rachel grew up in Newcastle and was the youngest sibling by some years. She left home at the age of 16 and learnt how to look after herself including obtaining a good tertiary education.As a young woman Rachel was exposed to many social issues including drug and alcohol abuse, which makes her achievements even more meritorious.Rachel has spent considerable working as a support officer in the court circuits system as well as working with Centrelink. Her entry to Centrelink is another example of her selfmotivation, when initiating a job from a visit as a customer of Centrelink. We enjoyed listening to Rachel and her life experiences and came away very impressed with her achievements and fundamental passion for working in the community.We are looking forward to seeing Rachel at some future meetings

"My wide ranging personal interests include fighting for evidencebased reform and action on climate change and renewable energy, women’s equity, LGBTQI rights, formal recognition of our first nations people and reconciliation, homelessness transparent and accountable government, and positive social and political engagement, particularly with young people. I am a proud queer woman and a proud Brunswick local, where I live with my partner Renee, who is an Events Producer."

THE MORELANDER

Text: Trevor Moyle and Rachel Payne | Images: Rachel Payne

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About Rotary District Governor's Newsletter "Bruce's Bulletin" is the monthly newsletter of District Governor Bruce Anderson. There is a lot of information about the many Rotary projects and events across our District.

Simply click here to read the latest edition Members of Rotary are part of a diverse group of community and professional leaders working to address community and international service needs and to promote peace and understanding throughout the world.

Rotary districts are a way of grouping a number of clubs in a particular geographic area. The area covered quite often crosses state and even international boundaries.

Rotary District 9790 encompasses the northern Rotary clubs receive a charter suburbs of Melbourne and from the worldwide organisation - stretches north and north east of Rotary International.

Victoria to the Murray River and up into parts of NSW. A Rotarian belongs to a particular Rotary Club often near his/her For more information about home or work or sometimes Rotary District 9790, click here because of the club meeting time.

THE MORELANDER

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Upcoming events and meetings A standing invitation exists for all readers of The Morelander to attend Moreland Rotary Club meetings and some of our other events. Please let us know if you intend to join us by ringing David Redfearn on 0448 852 747 or emailing on dredfearn@vtown.com.au (click on email address).

Upcoming speakers/events 2 December:Julia Cirillo, Merri Creek Waterwatch Chair: Trevor Moyle 9 December: Moreland Police Award presentation Chair:Russell Stuckey 16 December : Monthly Board meeting Chair: President David Redfearn

Our Guest Speakers Moreland Rotary Club invites speakers to our club both from our local community and further afield. They come from a wide range of backgrounds and are invited because they hopefully inform and stimulate our members and guests. We feel that this is of value in fostering a deeper understanding of our diverse community and even providing guidance as to the types of activites and projects our club may engage in.

However the opinions expressed by our speakers do not necessarily reflect any official viewpoint of Moreland Rotary nor those of individual club members. Irrespective of this we always offer a warm Rotary welcome to all of our speakers.

click here @RotaryMoreland THE MORELANDER

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Rotary Leadership 2020-21

Rotary International: President: Holger Knaack (Susanne) , Rotary Club of Herzogtum Lauenberg-Mölln (Germany) District Governor: Bruce Anderson (Marilyn), Rotary Club of Strathmore Assistant Governor Group 2: Emma Davis, Rotary Club of Moreland Rotary Club of Moreland President: David Redfearn (Deanna)

Club Service Roles 2020-21

President Secretary Treasurer Club Service Community Service Vocational Services International Service and Assistant Bulletin Editor Membership and Rotary Foundation Local Environment Youth and Assistant Secretary Club Administration Bulletin Editor Australian Rotary Health Public Relations Club History Valued members Honorary Members

David Redfearn OAM Rosemary Freeman John Hoffmann Brian Bennett David Redfearn OAM Brian Bennett Trevor Moyle Trevor Moyle Jo Connellan Silvana De Pretto Nino Galgano David Redfearn OAM Rosemary Freeman Russell Stuckey Nino Galgano Richard McCarthy, Elly Gardner, Lee Garwood. Emma Davis The Hon. Kelvin Thomson, Helen Bailey, John Awler

District 9790 /Multi District Roles 2020-21

Assistant Governor, Group 2 District Community Service Chair and Australian Rotary Health District Legal Officer District Bulletin Editor and Peter Toomey Community Police Award Shine On Awards

Emma Davis Rosemary Freeman Nino Galgano David Redfearn OAM Brian Bennett

WHEN AND WHERE WE MEET: Moreland Rotary Club meets most Wednesdays at 7.30 for a 7.40 am start.

We meet at the Sorrento Bar, 801 Sydney Road, Brunswick, 3056 HOW TO GET A COPY OF THE MORELANDER: If you would like to receive our bulletin via email each week, email our editor at: dredfearn@vtown.com.au WHERE TO SEND FORMAL CORRESPONDENCE: Attention: The Secretary, Moreland Rotary Club, PO Box 219, Coburg, Victoria, 3058

Chartered 14 August 1996 - Sponsor Club Coburg Rotary Club | Incorporated 13 August 2019 Designed using Canva - www.canva.com

THE MORELANDER

Images by David Redfearn and logos from rotary.org unless otherwise specified.

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During the pandemic we have been meeting via Zoom on Wednesday mornings from 7.30-8.30 am and we have had some great guest speakers.

You now may be able to join us in person at our usual venue which is listed on page 8. Numbers are presently restricted so an RSVP is essential. You can still join us on Zoom though and the link is below.

Why not join us one morning? Simply ring David on 0448 852 747 the day before to RSVP and then go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87077765173 just before the meeting to join in.