THE MORELANDER
SUPPLYING HOUSEHOLD GOODS FOR PEOPLE IN NEED
RIMERN is a local Rotary project which helps people in need fully furnish their new home.
Pages 4 and 5
Award of Excellence for Club Bulletin 2018-2019
Emergency support for victims of the catastrophic earthquake in Turkiye and Syria - page 3Moreland 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: Volunteers at Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Network (David Redfearn). Inset: An earthquake survivor in Turkiye (The Economist)
Turkish and Syrian Earthquake - a catastrophic humanitarian crisis which needs our generosity
A series of powerful earthquakes have devastated southern Türkiye (formerly Turkey) and northern Syria. Thousands of buildings have collapsed leaving people homeless in the middle of a bitter winter.
At the time of publication the death toll was over 37,000 and still rising. The many who survived are desperate being forced into homelessness in appalling winter conditions. The crisis is compounded with parts of the region already afflicted by war with the destruction of infrastructure and a massive movement of refugees. By any measure this is a catastrophic humanitarian crisis which warrants a generous response from the world community.
ShelterBox is a Rotary initiative which provides emergency aid to people needing a roof over their heads and basic survival items.
These sturdy green ShelterBoxes contain family-sized tents specially designed to withstand the elements and provide people with temporary shelter until they are able to start the process of rebuilding a home.and ShelterKits contain all of the essential tools people need to start repairing and rebuilding homes straight away.
A home is much more than bricks and mortar or tarpaulin and tent pegs. These kits and boxes contain the items that help transform shelter into a home, like cooking sets, solar lights and activity sets for children.
Our club will be sending five ShelterBoxes to the region and we urge our readers to lend their support via a donation to ShelterBox however large or small. You can do so by going to: https://www.shelterboxaustralia.org.au/turkey-earthquake/
Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Network - supplying household goods for people in need
A small group of Moreland Rotarians started volunteering at this exciting Rotary initiative which is almost right on our doorstep.
RIMERN, which is short for Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Network, is based in a warehouse in East Brunswick and is led by Prahran Rotarian Susie Cole.
RIMERN means 'Residential Recycling' and collects household goods to donate to people in need... it’s a simple idea that’s worked for 27 years in eastern and western Melbourne and now it’s inner Melbourne’s turn! It is a is a multi-club Rotary project and welcomes volunteers both from Rotary but also members of the public who may be interested.
Who does RIMERN assist?
People coming out of homelessness, domestic violence, refugee displacement, jail, loss of homes due to disaster or crisis. These people are clients of member welfare agencies who are helping them settle into homes, and RIMERN helps to fit them out.
What goods are needed & why?
Clients are being helped into mostly small social housing or private rentals so...
What will be taken?
SMALL... sofas (<2.1m wide), arm chairs (no recliners); small modern dining settings with 2,4,6 chairs; side & coffee tables, low line TV units, single, double & QS bed bases & SPOTLESS inner spring mattresses; new or very good quality linen & towels, doonas & pillows: sets of crockery(mugs not cups & saucers), water glasses (no stemmed glasses), pots & pans, kitchenware, ironing boards, electrical appliances & white goods if clean, undamaged & working; flat screen TVs with remotes.
What won't be taken?
Corner units, king sized anything, sofa beds, TV units, old style desks, buffets or anything with glass doors, shelves or tops, outdoor furniture or BBQs, baby gear, clothes, computers, stereos, kitchen gadgets that noone uses, wardrobes, dressing tables, “granny stuff" (sorry... lots of people managing deceased estates or elderly parents going into aged care have lovely furniture, ie. comfortable & at one time expensive, but younger clients going into largely social housing just don't want patterned very stuffed couches & 'brown' furniture).
How can I help RIMERN?
There are plenty of opportunities for volunteers who work in a busy but friendly environment receiving items, ensuring that they are in good condition and preparing and delivering orders to people who need their new abode furnished. No particular skills are required (except for testing and tagging) except for a generally good level of fitness.
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 clubs receive a charter from the worldwide organisationRotary International
A Rotarian belongs to a particular Rotary Club often near his/her home or work or sometimes because of the club meeting time.
