Home Page | Rotary Club of Albury

Charlene Gleeson

The Rotary Club of Albury is a proud club. Proud of the way we have served the local and international community for 93 years. Proud of the way we collaboratively go about our work. Proud of the way we continue to adapt and change with the times.

We meet the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month on-site and on any 5th Mondays we undertake vocational visits within our community, supporting members, local businesses and charity groups.

Our members continually put others before themselves, ringing true our motto of ‘Service Above Self’.

We are well-known in the Albury-Wodonga region for our professionalism, however we also share a great sense of fun. Our social banter and special events including Melbourne Cup Eve, bus trips and Hat Days bring out our creative and colourful best!

Our club is inclusive. We value the contribution of members, male and female, older and younger, from various occupations and walks of life, and respectfully acknowledge our indigenous ancestors who came before us in fellowship.

Thinking of becoming a member of an award-winning, spirited and committed team? Why not give us a call or pay us a visit?

Nepal - Covid 19 RAWCS -community project

RAWCS – Nepal Covid 19 Community Relief Fund.

After being part of a number of RAWCS construction projects in Nepal you build up relationships, make great friends and feel a sense of association with the country. Unfortunately, it is one of those countries who regularly feel the brunt of nature – floods, earthquakes and this year to compound matters the viral disease of coronavirus has struck. Our fellow Rotarian, Suresh Singh, RC of Kathmandu, recently emailed me. “COVID 19 cases are increasing in Nepal and Kathmandu is the worst. Everyday about 1000+ new cases and death 10+ are recorded. So not very good news. Right now, again we are in lockdown and extended one more week.” Luckily, health authorities in Australia have been able to “flatten the curve” and the number of cases is reducing to a manageable level – Nepal is the opposite, case numbers have increased to 59,573 and rising quickly. The Nepal Public Health Advisor Dr. Suresh Tiwari recently said, “Nepal has entered the phase of community transmission in 12 Districts including the capital Kathmandu”.

Following the lead by Rotary Club of Albury, a number of Clubs have banded together to raise funds in partnership with RC of Kathmandu to help finance community assistance programs including –

· Purchase and distribution of medical PPE

· Installation of foot operated "wash stations"

· Distribution of food to disadvantaged people, homeless, families who have lost employment.

· Provide education and public awareness about the COVID-19 pandemic.

At present, COVID-19 has spread all over Nepal, with a rapid increase in the number of new cases and deaths, which is alarming in a low-income country with an inadequate healthcare system like Nepal. Although the government implemented early school closure and lockdown, the management to contain COVID-19 does not appear to be adequate. During the lock down depression has rapidly increased and 1200 suicide cases have been recorded. Kathmandu Rotary Club have developed a video focusing on mental health, depression and suicide prevention to help those affected in this coronavirus pandemic.

Further to this the Club has been running online training session for schoolteachers to enable E-Classes to be run while schools are closed. Suresh said “At this pandemic situation this e-learning is the only tool to give education and reach with the students. And the best part is it doesn't cost and be popular and effective”. With the pandemic worsening in Nepal donations are sought and can be made through the RAWCS project online: donations.rawcs.com.au/134-2019-20.

The RAWCS project has raised just under $20,000AUS which has greatly assisted the RC of Kathmandu in its efforts to assist the local community. Providing food, medical PPE and wash stations help minimise the spread of the contagious coronavirus. In addition to these valuable programs funding from the RC of North Sydney went directly into a hospital renovation project to convert a disused section of the Kathmandu maternity hospital into a covid testing and isolation ward.

The fund raising is ongoing with support from a number of Clubs – Wagga, The Entrance, North Sydney, Preston and Alice Springs. In addition, DAA – Disaster Aid Australia have generously contributed towards the community covid programs. The government has commenced a covid vaccine roll out ahead of us here in Australia, but it faces many more hurdles due to remote locations, access to facilities to administer the shots, cost and availability of sufficient quantities of the doses.

Meeting Highlight

Tonight we were delighted to have Campbell McTernan speak about attending the National Youth Science Forum that we sponsored as a club.

C Bag

Learning about the C-Bag.

New Co-President

Bryce McNair welcoming incoming Co-President Chris Lewis.

Paul Harris Fellow

Awarding a Paul Harris Fallow upon Jim Crawford. Another Rotarian who does amazing things. Congratulations Jim.
https://www.rotary.org/en/history-paul-harris-fellow-recognition

Day for Girls

Melissa Munz from Days for Girls in Albury attended our zoom meeting and told us about the good work that they do.

All over the world girls and women suffer isolation, indignity, shame, risk infection, lost opportunity and are even put at risk of exploitation

due to a lack of access to affordable, dependable feminine hygiene.

A Days for Girls Hygiene kit changes that.

Parklands Albury Wodonga

Ant Packer from Parklands Albury Wodonga gave us a wonderful presentation last night. It was surprising how much they have achieved and how many projects and objectives they have. Thanks again Ant.

https://www.parklands-alburywodonga.org.au/about-us/people/

New Member Induction

It was wonderful to induct a returning Rotarian Peter Fraunfelder. You have already achieved so much we look forward to future projects with you.

Funds from Circus Quirkus

ROTARY SUPPORT FOR CYCLING PROGRAM: Mr Geoff Emerson from the Rotary Club of Albury presented a $5000 cheque today on assembly. The money was raised from Rotary's participation in "Circus Quirkus", and will assist our learning support program based on cycling at the school.

The program started in our multi-cat class and now has developed to be a school sports program on Wednesday. The program has assisted students to make greater connections throughout the school and raise awareness of this cycling for wellbeing.

Fire tools to Corryong Rotary Club

Presentation of wire spinner, wire strainer and motorized post driver to the Rotary Club of Corryong, accepted by President Peter Humphries. Presented by Albury Rotarian Bob Walker as part of the Rotary Club of Albury. Total commitment to the fire recovery effort in the Corryong area.

Fencing gift to Huon Creek Landcare Group

Peter Elias, who has been instrumental in the joint Rotary 9790 fencing project in Corryong is pictured presenting fencing equipment to Huon Creek Landcare group. Paul James (President) with Sam Maloney and John Dwyer(PP). Members of the Huon Group have been working up in Corryong with the Rotary team and have plans to continue volunteering to assist over the coming weeks and months. The motor star picket driver and wire spinner will be of great value for the fencing work which will continue for some time on the Upper Murray.

Mikayla in Denmark

Update from Mikayla in Denmark 🇩🇰

This is me with my first host family ( My host mum Louise, My host dad Steen and my little host brother Christian) at the airport on the day i arrived in Denmark. On my first day here i meet all my host families and had a very beautiful breakfast.

I live in a small city about 15 minutes away from Aalborg and I visit Aalborg almost every day as I attend school there and I like to visit friends and other exchange students in the city.

I have been shown around Aalborg and I have fallen in love with all the beautiful and cute streets and houses. I have visited many beautiful places and cant wait to visit many more. I started school at Aalborg Katedralskole. It is a very hippie like school , I was placed in an A level math and Biotechnology class which can be challenging but there are some very amazing and friendly people.

Everyone was so welcoming and I have made some amazing friends. I attend Danish Lessons 2x a week for 2 hours with other exchange students. Danish is a very difficult language to learn and understand but I am sure I will get the hang of it soon. I am loving my stay so far in Denmark!!!!

Sisters Who Shine

At our meeting, Caitlin Olsson and Owen Dunlop came and spoke to us about Sisters Who Shine. Which is a great initiative to inspire girls to learn and achieve. We also learned about Wirraminna in Burrumbottock.

Boys to the Bush

Another great meeting tonight. Our guest speaker was Adam Demamiel from Boys to the Bush. Amazing work is being done to change the lives and outcomes for troubled teens. Please check out their website at https://boystothebush.org.au/

Fencing Funding

The Rotary club of ALBURY has committed to purchasing $10,000.00 of essential equipment for fencing. Working with District 9790 to assist in the Corryong area.

Fencing efforts in Corryong area

Volunteers on Saturday 18/01/2020 - we had 110 (approx) volunteers out in the field spread across 10 teams completing fencing plus catering / admin etc. Great effort for District 9790. An absolutely fabulous response to the fire damage restoration. Vehicles in the photo are supplied by Rebuild Upper Murray group and Army staff are reservists who are contributing to the work.

Bushfire Recovery Meeting

The guest speaker was Fiona Roden talked about the possible psychological effects of the bushfires on individuals and communities as well as possible support strategies that might prove useful for us when planning upcoming support projects.

Margaret Crisp gave us an update on what district 9790 has been doing and our future planning.

Karin from ALBURY Hume also joined us.

Pictured are also some of the team who will head to Corryong in Wednesday to pack school bags for children and view the work that is being done by the fencing crews.