The Morelander Edition 11 2021-22

Bulletin of the Rotary Club of Moreland

EDITION 11|14 DECEMBER 2021

THE MORELANDER

ROTARY IN MY LIFE

Gaya Jambulingam tells us how Rotary has been a positive influence in her life

Award of Excellence for Club Bulletin 2018-2019

Pages 3 -4

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: Gaya Jambulingam (photo supplied by Gaya Jambulingam)

THE MORELANDER

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Rotary in My Life: 1990s to the present day - Gaya Jambulingam

We were privileged to have Gaya Jambulingam as our guest speaker in early December. Gaya has had a long connection to Rotary since her youth in southern Malaysia where her late father Jambu was a founding member of the Rotary Club of Tanjung Putri in District 3310 (Johor Bahru, Malaysia) established in 1990.

This connection with Rotary led Gaya to joining the interact Club of her school, J Convent Secondary School, Johor Bahru between 1999 – 20 when she was 16 - 17 y.o. She was the Community Services Director of the club. This was the beginning a life of community service .

Gaya's father Jambu who introduced her to Rotary

Gaya's first and third host families – Ronaldo & Alcione || Gilson & Maiisa.

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Gaya's school of 11 years in Johor Bahru, Malaysia This led to her applying for Youth Exchange in Brazil, a huge step for a teenager who to that point had led a protected life. Brazil was a 48 hour journey and it was also a big step for her father to allow his “his over-protected daughter to leave for a year with only weekly contact.” entrusted to the care of total strangers and there were many cultural shock moments.

It was a life changing experience and was about about cultural humility & shared humanity. The exposure and acceptance that Gaya experienced in Brazil changed her life with self-esteem and confidence multiplying.

She spoke in numerous Rotary and public events and all the English classes at school –she was a young ambassador – everyone was so keen to hear about Malaysia and its culture, Gaya’s country and she had the opportunity to build deep relationships and strong bridges buidling life long friendships and gaining new families with whom she still closely relates to after 20 years.

The exchange was the full cultural immersion – lifestyle, family, friends, school, dance, music, food, travel….

Gaya considers her life as an exchange student as “her school of life”. It remains on her resume as she knows the value it has contributed to who she is today.

TEXT: ADAPTED FROM GAYA JAMBULINGAM'S PRESENTATION | IMAGES: GAYA JAMBULINGAM

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Rotary in My Life: 1990s to the present day - Gaya Jambulingam

An early exposure to Rotay and its values has given Gaya a capacity for connection; community; charity; networking and fellowship; engaging with like minded people; showing generosity and welcoming;

From Interact to Youth Exchange Program community and giving has been a huge part of her life. She has continued to volunteer throughout her work and study commitments and across the world. Reaching out where there is need and to supporthas became innate. whether financially or getting down on the ground….

Rotary Club of Rio Araguaia – 4770 (Goiania, Brazil) 2001

The role that Portuguese language which she picked up thanks to Youth Exchange has played in her career over the years has also been significant – from working with the YWCA in Timor Leste to working with other women’s groups internationally from Brazil, Cabo Verde and Mozambique using the UN human rights framework. The Portuguese language has taken her to places and built much more personal connections compared to if she did not have that as a skill/tool.

Though not directly involved with Rotary, Gaya's connection to RI remains strong and her gratitude for the experiences Rotary has offered her is deep and lifelong….

THE MORELANDER

TEXT: ADAPTED FROM GAYA JAMBULINGAM'S PRESENTATION | IMAGES: GAYA JAMBULINGAM AND DAVID REDFEARN

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About Rotary District Governor's Newsletter

"Our District, Our Voice" is the monthly newsletter of District Governor Anne Reid in 2021-22.

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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Rotary Leadership 2021-22 Rotary International: President: Shekha Mehta(Susanne) , Rotary Club of District Governor: Anne Reid , Rotary Club of Alexandra Assistant Governor Group 2: Emma Davis, Rotary Club of Moreland Rotary Club of Moreland President: Emma Davis

Club Service Roles 2021-22

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

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

District 9790 /Multi District Roles 2021-22

Assistant Governor, Group 2 and Director, 2023 Convention Host Organising Committee 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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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

8 December: Monthly Board Meeting 15 December: Trevor Moyle on the CLNF Manechauka Sustainable Agriculture Education project 22 December: Social Breakfast for Christmas wrap up 12 January: Meeting to plan Australia Day event

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

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During the pandemic we sometimes only meet via Zoom on Wednesday mornings from 7.30-8.30 am but, when we can, we meet in person at our usual venue (listed on page 6). You should contact us beforehand in case restrictions are in force but you can always join us on Zoom at any time and the link is below.

We always aim to have great guest speakers whether meeting in person or virtually!

Why not join us one morning? Simply ring David on 0448 852 747 the day before to RSVP or go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3068589175 just before the meeting to join in.