The Camberwell Art Show has come a long way from its humble beginnings in 1966, becoming the biggest Art Show in the Southern Atmosphere.

The success of the Art Show can be attributed to the quality and range of artwork and the many sponsors, such as Bendigo Bank, Swinburne University and the City of Boroondara, Rotary Club members plus a legion of friends who volunteer their time to ensure it remains the premier event on Melbourne’s art calendar.

Since its inception in excess of $3 million has been raised to support Camberwell Rotary Club’s local, national and international humanitarian projects.

For an overview of the amazing Camberwell Art Show Gala Event for 2024, please click on this link: Camberwell Art Show Gala Night 2024

At short notice on 21 August, 2024 Rotary Camberwell members were asked to donate a pre-loved coat to support the work of the ‘Off Your Back’ winter coat drive to distribute to homeless Victorians. After a long spell of chilly weather, it was gratifying to have the generous response of over 45 coats to help keep a homeless person warm. Our thanks to Andy Chappell for coordinating. https://offyourback.com.au/

Club members attended the Donations in Kind (DIK) open day on 10 August in West Footscray. A non-descript grey warehouse building indistinguishable from other warehouses on the site, identified only by a relatively small Rotary wheel at its from entrance. Visitors were greeted with the enticing smell of a sausage sizzle.

From there, a number of tours were busy explaining its purpose walking along what appeared to be a never-ending row of racks, labelled with each carefully stacked with the largest variety of donated goods (as pictured) for Rotary clubs for their local and international projects. These donated goods are more often brand new or otherwise of excellent quality from Melbourne well-known businesses, sporting bodies, hospitals, other medical groups, aged care, the corporate sector and government and non-government schools etc.

Entirely run by volunteers, the re-purposing facility rehomes goods that would otherwise go to landfill while transforming the lives of individuals who would otherwise not have access to these goods.

As at 30 June 2024, DIK West Footscray has shipped 708 containers of equipment and supplies containing goods worth $76 million to 36 countries and administrative regions, with a strong emphasis on items that will improve education, medical and maternal care. It has also supported disadvantaged people of the Australian local community.

Rotary Camberwell has supported the work of DIK for many years. The club has implemented a number of international projects sending much needed medical educational supplies.

Members enjoyed a social gathering recently. To support one of our local businesses, the dinner was held at Blue River Thai restaurant.

One of the highlights of the night was awarding President George de Souza with a silver plaque recognising his presidency of 2023-2024. This presidential recognition is a long-standing tradition of the club.  

"Progress on this project is well underway" reports Susie Lachal, Director, Running Water Project in Cambodia. 

Progress has been made with the construction of new toilets at the Stung Sen High School, Cambodia. The school has 1,450 students and staff, however only 18 toilets and 3 urinals. Camberwell Rotary is assisting with funding 4 new menstrual health management toilets and 3 urinals as part of a larger project. 

 Link for more information on the 'Running Water Project': https://www.runningwaterproject.org/   

Tears and smiles abound following Kim Ngân's graduation from 'Hearing and Beyond' to a mainstream school in Vietnam!!

Mai McCann (pictured embracing Kim) is the Founding Director of ‘Hearing and Beyond’- a small, privately funded NGO that assists deaf and hard of hearing children in Hội An, Vietnam.

Here is an extract from a letter Mai McCann wrote in July 2024: ‘Dear friends…. A bittersweet moment as we farewelled a much-loved student, Kim Ngân. There were tears and happiness all around. What an amazing achievement for Kim Ngân. She is our seventh child to attend mainstream schooling! (after attending Hearing and Beyond)’.

For more information: https://hearingandbeyondinvietnam.org/

Link to a TV documentary covering her initiative to construct of a new school for deaf children in Vietnam: https://youtu.be/rvDkJs4pKk8?si=tY0mkooNkQWlV-kr

The Royce Abbey Award is named in honour of Royce Abbey AO DCM, the President of Rotary International 1988/1989 and member of the Rotary Club of Essendon from 1954 till his passing in 2014.

 The Royce Abbey Awards Program recognises a Club member who demonstrates commitment, enthusiasm and outstanding commitment to the Ideals of Rotary.

 Nadia Hamilton has been a member of the Rotary Club of Camberwell for 2 years and the Club has recently acknowledged Nadia with a Royce Abbey recognition for her commitment to the ‘Community Services’ Committee and in particular her organisation and management of the quarterly Bunnings B-B-Qs.

 Throughout her time with our Club Nadia has shown ‘Enthusiasm and Commitment’, a sense of fun and always ‘gets the job done’!

 Pictured here are Nadia with her sons Jake and Liam. Congratulations Nadia!