The Rotary e-Club of
Change Makers
 
Chartered 23rd February 2016 - Bulletin 17th April 2025
www.rotarychangemakers.org.au
The team of Change Makers at the Rotary District 9790 Conference.
Albury Commercial Club, April 11th 2025
Our next Zoom Meeting - 8pm Thursday 17th April. Guest speaker Rtn Kathy Booth.
 
Cathy Booth’s passion for helping to give vulnerable children a second chance at life is inspirational. As a schoolteacher, mother of four, and grandmother of 5, Cathy has always been an advocate for helping children to reach their full potential. After a short visit to Kenya in 2010, and further volunteering at children’s homes, Cathy returned to Australia determined to start her own charity to combat child abandonment and orphaned children.  In 2016, after five long years of fundraising in Australia and creating the required infrastructure in Kenya, her dream of opening a self-sustainable children’s village in Ukunda, Kenya was finally a reality. Hear the trials and triumphs of running the Umoja Project in a poverty stricken area of Kenya .
 
 
 
Rotarian Dr Rendi Moke - My Life Story in 5 Minutes.
 
Dr Rendi Moke’s presentation covered his life and work in PNG and his PhD focusing on improving diagnosis and treatment of outcomes for drug-resistant tuberculosis, while studying at the University of Melbourne. Rendi has also studied at the University of PNG in the School of Medicine and has worked at the Port Moresby General Hospital Infectious Disease Centre, Mendi Provincial Hospital, Daru General Hospital in the Torres Strait and ANGAU Hospital in Lae. Rendi joined our Rotary Club in 2024 to further his passion and commitment to our SHARE project in order to import into PNG critical ex-health care equipment donated by Australian hospitals.
Dr Rendi Moke and friends
 
Meeting summary for Rotary e-Club of Change Makers (04.03.2025)       
Next steps
• Finance and Fundraising Committee: Meet fortnightly to ensure club's financial sustainability and oversee fundraising initiatives
• Brendan: Take over Club Runner administration, Club Central goals/data entry responsibilities, and website management
• Membership Committee: Organize new members night on June 12th
• Lawrie: Assume International Service role and coordinate international projects with Mary for mentorship
• Susan: Send out T-shirt order form for "Say No to Domestic Violence" campaign for conference
• Kevin: Coordinate conference arrangements and attendance for Moonee Valley
• Heather, Jenny & David McPherson: Complete required paperwork for Share project insurance
• Pieter: Prepare grant application for Sri Lankan project
• Lawrie, Clive and Darrel: Prepare grant application for Cambodia project
• Jody: Chair the public relations/public image committee with team members
• Kathryn: Seek permission from Indigo Shire for Chinese gardens project and bring proposal to next board meeting
• Jenny & Team: Organize PNG fundraiser afternoon tea event in June featuring talks from former nurse and Rendi
• Renee: Take over Bulletin editor role
• Phil: Consider taking on Youth Protection Officer role
• Susan: Distribute roles/committees information to broader membership and request additional volunteers
• Paul & Ros: Collaborate on sourcing and coordinating guest speakers
• Board: Review and approve Lawrie's proposed fundraising lottery initiative
• Roslyn: Book dinner reservation at Commercial Club for conference attendees on Friday night
 
Apologies: Robyn, Jane, Renee, Mel and Phil
 
Highlights of our Meeting
Dr Rendi Moke’s presentation covering his life and work in PNG and PhD focus on improving diagnosis and treatment outcomes for drug-resistant tuberculosis, at University of Melbourne
           
Fundraising Proposal
Lawrie proposed selling 100 tickets at $25 each, tickets numbered 00 – 99.  The club would draw three numbers every week, with the first number winning $50, the second number winning $30, and the last winning $20. Numbers would be the Super 66 numbers for that week, so ensuring transparency. Participants would have 30 chances to win over the 10-week period, with a potential total of $2,500 raised for the Club. Ticket price might increase to $50 in the future. Those present agreed to refer this proposal at a board meeting.
                                 
 
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A few of our latest Change Makers since January 2025
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Change Makers Pieter Siebel & Jenny Foster with donated Laptops for  Dambana School in Sri Lanka
 
100 Laptops Donated to Indigenous Sri Lankan School Through Rotary’s SHARE Project
Students at Dambana Primary School in Sri Lanka are about to take a huge leap forward in digital learning, thanks to a donation of 100 repurposed laptops coordinated by the Rotary eClub of Change Makers and the SHARE Project (Serving Humanity and Repurposing Equipment).
The laptops, generously sourced from St Peter’s School in Keilor East, will provide the school’s students—many of whom have never used a computer before—with access to vital educational tools.
“This is a transformational opportunity for these children,” said Rotarian Pieter Siebel. “For the first time, they will be able to explore the world of digital learning, improve their English skills, and access resources that were previously out of reach.”
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Rotary International President Representative PDG Ken Mugisha inducting two new Change Makers into our club, Brendan Wilkinson and Mary Henley-Collopy at the District Conference, Albury, April 13th 2025.
 
 
 
District Conference Albury - President Kevin Carey at the International Stand in the House of Friendship, and the team of Change Makers having dinner on Friday night at the Albury Commercial Club.
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Rotary - "Fit For Purpose" Campaign
October 2024 to June 2026
Fit For Purpose - making huge progress in our District 9790 with team leader DG Stephen O'Connell.....
 
The group I am fortunate to coach had another check-in last night. There were some valuable insights from our discussion that I wanted to share:
  • Innovative Membership Strategies: Every participating club is actively exploring creative ways to attract new members.
  • Strengthening Online Presence: There’s broad recognition of the need for improved websites and social media engagement. One club, the Rotary Club of Changemakers, conducted an audit of online clubs and found that all successful ones had excellent websites.
  • Shift Toward Hybrid Meetings: Many clubs are seeing the benefits of offering both in-person and online attendance.
  • Inclusivity Through Online Clubs: Online formats are proving particularly effective in engaging members with physical disabilities, making participation more accessible.
  • Impact of Strong Digital Presence: One club’s enhanced online presence has led to eight new members under the age of 49 and a membership that is now 52% female.
  • Club-Wide Review Panel: One club has established an eight-person review panel to assess all aspects of the club, with the process being facilitated by an external advisor.
  • Satellite Clubs: Members of traditional clubs are starting to see the benefits of forming satellite clubs as a way to enhance membership.
It’s great to see so much positive momentum and fresh thinking in these clubs!
 
District Governor 9790 and FFP Team Leader - Stephen O'Connell.
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Change Maker Clive Walker was recognised for his generous annual donations to Polio Plus at the District Conference in Albury, April 13th 2025.
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SHARE project - Change Makers Jenny Foster and Dr Rendi Moke
 
On Friday 11th April, Change Makers Jenny Foster, Rendi Moke and Clark Fletcher met with Nathan Carter, the Biomedical Officer, at Northeast Health Wangaratta to select from a range of surplus medical equipment to be donated to hospitals in Papua New Guinea. Rendi selected equipment such as baby cots, beds, vital sign monitors, stainless steel cabinets, toilet chairs, among other equipment, vital for the healthcare system in PNG. This equipment will be transported to the SHARE warehouse in Broadford by SHARE sponsor (Wangaratta based) Fletchers Supplies in June, for eventual shipping to Port Moresby.
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SHARE project - New clothing Donated by Fella Hamilton
 
7 x boxes of donated new women’s clothes have been received from Fella Hamilton. All have been sorted & photos & inventory list (attached) has now been sent through to:
  1. Wimmera Settlement Services
  2. Nhill Karen (Myanmar) Community
Via Fleur Maidment: RC of Central Melbourne.
If acceptable, the boxes will be transported to these community groups. This could be an on-going arrangement however for now, a small ‘pilot’ project.
The CEO of Fella Hamilton, Sharon Hamilton, also asked if donations of new clothes could also be offered via The SHARE Project to areas in Queensland impacted by the floods. I have now sent an email directly to the DG’s D9560 & D9620 to make this offer. I will advise their response. - Jenny Foster SHARE Manager
 
Rtn Janet Bell of the RC of Southern Mitchell with clothing donated by Fella Hamilton
 
Kilmore Art Expo - April 11th to 13th.
Supported by the Rotary Club of Southern Mitchell
The Kilmore Art Expo 2025 will be held at the Kilmore Memorial Hall from the 11th through the 13th of April.  It is a popular event and currently in its 17th year with close to 340 artworks on show and for sale.  Doors open at 6:30pm on Friday the 11th for our Preview and Award Night which starts at 7:30pm.  The Preview Night is your night to see the award-winning art, meet the artists and enjoy live music, wonderful food, drinks and great company.
Over the weekend exhibition hours are 10am-4pm Saturday and 10-3pm on Sunday.  Buy a glass of wine or some delicious food while you peruse the displays. 
 
Bulletin Editor
Renee Fletcher
Executives & Directors
President
 
President Elect
 
Treasurer
 
Secretary
 
Immediate Past President
 
Membership
 
The Rotary Foundation
 
Speakers
Apr 17, 2025
Umoja Project, Kenya
May 01, 2025 8:00 PM
End Trachoma
May 15, 2025 8:00 PM
"Paying it Forward" Program
May 29, 2025 8:00 PM
The Mandala Project
Jun 12, 2025 8:00 PM
Life Story in 5 Minutes
View entire list
President 2024-25
Kevin Carey
member photo
Upcoming Events
Change Makers Zoom Meeting
Apr 17, 2025
8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
 
SHARE Committee Meeting
Apr 22, 2025
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
 
Rotary Group Meeting, Whorouly
Apr 23, 2025
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
 
SHARE Shed Working Bee
Apr 26, 2025
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
 
Change Makers Zoom Meeting
May 01, 2025
8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
 
SHARE Committee Meeting
May 06, 2025
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
 
Change Makers Zoom Meeting
May 15, 2025
8:00 pm – 9:00 pm
 
Bunnings BBQ, Wangaratta Victoria
May 18, 2025
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
 
SHARE Committee Meeting
May 20, 2025
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
 
Lancefield Farmers Market
May 24, 2025
9:00 am – 1:00 pm
 
View entire list
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