The Morelander, Edition 19 2020-21

Bulletin of the Rotary Club of Moreland

EDITION 19|22 DECEMBER 2020

THE MORELANDER

BACK TO BUNNINGS!

After months of disruption, we finally get back to sizzling sausages for our community

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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: John Hoffmann and Elly Gardner masked up and hard at work at Bunnings (image: David Redfearn) THE MORELANDER

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Back to Bunnings!

The Bunnings sausage has become something of an Australian icon along with that other well known one, the “democracy sausage�. Few home handymen and women arriving to buy that paint brush, hammer, garden rake or whatever at any Bunnings store can resist the aroma of sizzling sausages and onions wafting across the forecourt.

The sausage sizzles are also a great source of revenue for many community groups such as schools, kindergartens, scout groups, sports and service clubs and many others whose volunteers work over a hot barbecue rain, hail or shine to feed hungry hordes of hardware shoppers and we are all immensely grateful to Bunnings for providing this great community service.

Come the easing of restrictions though, the reopening of their stores to the public and a generally good situation overall, Bunnings took steps to reintroduce the sausage sizzles albeit with a thorough set of procedures to minimise the risk of COVID 19 infection and the training of volunteers. We were back in business!

Our club already had a booking for 19 December but quite fortuitously we were also offered a slot the week before which we shared with our good friends in Coburg Lions and Rotary. Both days were hugely successful. Yes, it was different as we had to space out more with restrictions on numbers in each area and a strict demarcation for handling different parts of the process e.g. cooking and preparation among others as well as rules for queuing and wearing face masks. We did get into the swing of it though and our sausages were no less popular tasting just as good for all of this. A huge shout out too to all club members who were able to help organise and run both days, If we continue to pay due regard to public health and safety, 2021 could be a much better year for all of us and we hope that there are many more sausages to be sizzled. What we earn can then continue to be distributed through the worthy activities and projects that benefit our local community.

2020 was a great disruptor however. The advent of the COVID 19 pandemic brought an abrupt halt to the sausage sizzles and during the cold and bleak months of the Melbourne lockdown we wondered if in fact they had been very much relegated to the past. It was very hard to see any light at the end of the tunnel.

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Text and images: David Redfearn

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Back to our breakfasts at the Sorrento Cafe!

The COVID-19 pandemic turned everything upside down.

Our club meets in a local café, the Sorrento Café, where we have enjoyed a fabulous breakfast and each other’s company for years. That all changed dramatically in March as restrictions were introduced to counter the highly infectious COVID-19 virus that was spreading through our community. Like so many other organisations, we discovered the "joys "of using Zoom and for many months we met virtually.

This was all very good but, with the easing of restrictions, a few of us ventured back to the Sorrento for one of our host John’s superb breakfasts. Not all of us could though so we have been experimenting with hybrid meetings where some members and guests speakers join us via Zoom. It was clunky at first but we are improving but we hope that we can go back to full attendance soon. However health and safety come first so we are ready to resume virtually if the need arises (we certainly hope it doesn’t!).

Moreland Youth Mental Health Programme

It is now 3 years since our club started an initiative to support improvements in the delivery of mental health services to young people in Moreland. We initially worked with Merri Health and Moreland Council with the conduct of Q&A seminars in conjunction with World Mental Health Day in 2018 with a focus on listening to service providers, and in 2019 with a focus on listening to young people.

These seminars identified a number of issues around dysfunction of service provision, which motivated us to connect various stakeholders to encourage more effective ways of working together. Rotary involvement has been very well received from our work , being seen as independent and a community focussed organisation.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck this year the ability of dealing with service providers was significantly impeded through understandable distractions on dealing with Covid issues

In response to the COVID-19 situation and the apparent stress on service providers and high schools in particular, Moreland Rotary commenced a regular COVID-19 discussion forum

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which enabled participants to share issues and exchange ideas.

This has been supplemented by several short presentations.

We have received widespread gratitude from participants from the benefits of being able to pick up new information and share ideas and contacts As a result of our work Moreland Council have recently introduced some important initiatives including expansion of the Moreland Youth Commitment programme, which will take over the Rotary led COVID-19 forums and also the Moreland Youth Mental Health working group for which we have chaired, and the “first point of contact programme aimed at making easier the task of young people and their families to connect with the best mental health service provider.

The continuing involvement of Moreland Rotary in 2021 will be resolved in discussion with Council but at a minimum will involve focus on a World Mental Health day event and to get Council support for a pilot for the very successful Teen Mental Health First Aid programme.

Text: David Redfearn and Trevor Moyle Images: David Redfearn

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Half year Review - Growing Farmers and the Backyard Farmers Project Club member Elly Gardner gave us an impressive update at last week's meeting on Growing Farmers and the Backyard Farmers Project in Fawkner which is supported by Moreland Rotary in the form of a partnership.

Background Growing Farmers Inc. is a community-led project originated in the Moreland local government area with Moreland Rotary providing some partnership support and Elly a committee member The Backyard Farmers Project matches aspiring urban farmers and volunteers with people who wish to maintain the productivity of their gardens, whilst fostering meaningful social connections a pilot project is running in Fawkner and connects residents with urban farmers

We originally aimed to target older community members, however we didn’t get enough interest. We suspect this might have been caused by a combination of covid risk, non-English speakers, and this project being a ‘new concept’.

The 2 pilot gardens have started with a big working bee to lay down raised garden beds and cardboard A big struggle was encountered with invasive kikuyu grass, which was a particular challenge for one garden.

The pilot projects have created many learning opportunities – such as how to set up the programs, farmer mentoring, engaging and community and volunteers, costs. It provides a good basis for future expansion Elly told us that they feel they are already moving out of the initial setup phase of Growing Farmers, into the expansion phase.

The plans for 2021 are: to expand the Backyard Farmers Project next year focus on the major vision of establishing an urban farm and education space in Fawkner develop our local partnerships to establish a strong long-term organisation.

Update from Elly We were surprised and delighted with the following range of achievements and highlights that have been achieved since formation early in 2020:

Finally Elly indicated that they are keen to work with Moreland Rotary in ways that works well for both organisations, which members were enthusiastic in considering early in 2021

Successful in obtaining a Moreland Council thrive grant, and from Inner North Community Foundation The team has been busy with lots of promotion – such as building networks local letterbox drops etc Gained a lot of community interest – from interest from both farmers and homeowners were interested in participating as hosts for backyard gardens.

This resulted in receiving 6 applicants for farmers and 6 for homeowners, all of great quality After interviewing applicants, 2 gardens and 2 sets of matching farmers (Izzy, and Kate and George (a couple)). were selected. The garden owners are also very passionate about building strong communities and the environment THE MORELANDER

Text: Elly Gardner/Trevor Moyle Images: Growing Farmers

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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.

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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 23 December: Christmas breakfast at Sorrento Cafe 13 January: Monthly Board meeting Chair: President David Redfearn 20 January: Moreland Rotary Community Police Award presentation 26 January: Community brunch and Merri Creek walk for Australia Day

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

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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.