Guest Speaker - Paul Bianco Hills Photographic Society

• Active since 2016 – got together to set up the club
• Part of bigger org Victorian Organisation of Photo Societies
• First night 40 people and 20 signed up
• Membership averaged around 16
• 19 at the moment
• Used to meet at old 3A building – shifted to St Joseph’s now back to the hub
• Every 2 weeks
• Share each other our work
• Victorian Association – competitions once a month – awards such as commended and highly commended
• Workshops run by members – making better b&w photos, editing in Photoshop etc
• Try and have a few trips – Lotus Water Gardens, Birds Land, weekend to Phillip Island etc
• Exhibition at the Library recently due to have one at the Hills Hub now, but in discussion regarding a 6-week block to use
• Looking for new members
• Website – www.Hillsphotographicsociety.org.au

Reports

Good News: despite COVID lockdowns and last Easter’s devastating floods the Ai Asa school in Timor Leste has been completed.

 

For what some Melburnians could have spent on a kitchen renovation, a four room school building and a toilet block has been completed. The old school building was in a terrible state with a roof structure dangerously close to collapse.  Most public buildings were destroyed or gutted in 1999/2000 when Timor Leste achieved independence from Indonesia.  Many of the rural population live in not much more than grass huts, but they are very enthusiastic about, and appreciative of, the opportunity for their children to go to school.

 

Emerald Rotary in this case (with the help of matching Rotary Foundation funds) provided for water, sanitation and plumbing works. The project was led by Spend It Well (www.spenditwell.com) in partnership with Rotary clubs, Port Melbourne, Keilor, Bentleigh Moorabbin Central, Berwick and RAWCS, DIK, East Timor Roofing Company and the Balibo House Trust.  SpendItWell’s small team on the ground have made the difference in getting this and many other school projects completed.

 

Also during the flood disaster SpendItWell has managed to raise funds, purchase and distribute food and medical supplies (in a very timely manner) of more than $195,000. This significant contribution was recognised in a UN situation report on the disaster. Great work from Simon, Agostinho and team. I was fortunate to meet Simon, Agostinho and other supporters in Timor Leste.in 2018. It’s really gratifying to be involved with such motivated and dedicated partners.

 

 

 

 

Remember Fines for Gayle – we are not out and about so she needs your help!!

Thank You Letter Received

Dear Emerald Rotary Club Members,

 

It is with a feeling of gratitude and relief that I write on behalf of Tracey Yuki and her family to thank you all for your generosity and compassion in providing the means to make her property in Mt Dandenong safer.

 

Last Friday thanks to your donation 20 cubic meters of crushed rock was delivered to their property.

The next day, a friend was able to borrow an excavator from work and the crushed rock was spread over a very slippery steep driveway. The driveway had been destroyed in the storm and subsequent clean-up of fallen trees and had become too dangerous to use.

 

By Rotary providing the crushed rock, the Yuki family can now get their own cars up to the house safely and now also have more of a chance of getting contractors to actually make a start on repairing the house. At present the family is living in the house, but it is covered in tarps, waiting for the roof, broken windows and walls to be fixed by the insurance.

 

Tracey and her kids were beyond words, overwhelmed and very humbled by your generosity, especially knowing that so many others also are in need of help. Beyond anything Tracey couldn't get over the fact that people this many weeks after the storm are still prepared to help the community up here.

 

Thank you for all of the support you give to different causes.

 

With sincerest gratitude

Deborah Milner

 

 

 

Lost for something to do?Catherine found this and we have updated it from last year :)