Category Archives: Community Service

Community Service

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Albury –Hume cares for the Homeless

What a fabulous result thus far. What started off with a few donations of socks is now a full time club project. A big thanks to all members who have given so generously – not only socks but all types of Guys and Gals clothing, shoes and Julie’s hygienic goods. A big thanks to Margaret McDonald for her wonderful beanies great for the oncoming winter. To Gordon Shaw last week with a pile of clothes that would not fit into Baza’s already full boot. And not forgetting our club’s donation to the shower project at St Matthews.

President’s Message

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If you go onto the Club’s facebook page you will see that there have been several posts from Club Members Rod & Kellie with this year’s “Paying it Forward” team. It looks like they have all settled in well with their Fijian Village on one of the Yasawa Islands where they are helping with the re-painting of some of the community buildings.

Last week I talked about the meeting with Stuart Gordon Landscaping and Albury City to discuss the plans for a memorial area at Brown’s Lagoon. This week I will be talking about the fact that it is done. PP Dennis has been keeping a close eye on the proceeding this week sending us a photo of the completed project on Friday. We are planning to have our last meeting of the year at the site so we can all get a good look at it and early in the new year we will arrange the placing of a plaque. A big thank you to all those involved but especially PP Dennis for his drive on this project, Peter Lee for arranging the funds from Foundation and Albury City for their grant of $6,500.

President’s Message 20 September 2017

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Barry tells me that the Hume Bank has committed to the River of Stories this week. They are providing $1800.00 all up – $1200.00 in direct sponsorship and 6 x $100.00 start up accounts. Great news. In conjunction with the $2000.00 from the Commercial Club, $500.00 from Dymocks and the administration support from the Albury City Library Museum (including web-site assistance) the event this year is looking very positive. The awards will be handed out on the 14 October and it would be great to see  many Rotarians there to support this major program of the club.

Another project Barry has under his wing is work for the Homeless in our region. Barry is now after summer clothing; shorts, tee-shirts, caps etc. Marlene Carty has also approached me in regards to a project in conjunction with Albury City in lines with the Halve Waste program. Very early days at this point but some of the ideas include a car boot sale for clothing no longer needed. Strikes me there could be some synergies between these two projects – watch this space.

Club Meeting 6 September 2017

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Margaret McDonald assisted me in presenting the John McDonald Memorial Scholarship to Carla Hensel. Carla talked very well about her brother’s battle with cancer leading her into a career in medicine – a great inspiration. We wish Carla all the best with her studies and hope she will have a long term relationship with our club.

John McDonald Scholarship  presented for 2017 to Carla Hensel

Carla Hensel, Year III UNSW Growing up in Albury has impacted my journey into medicine in many ways. I have always had an interest in medicine, but having lived in a regional area and witnessed the importance and challenges of rural health, my passion grew. I believe my strengths that enabled me to obtain entry into medicine will also continue to help me succeed in the future. I have excellent communication skills and will continue to show empathy, compassion and integrity towards my patients.I was privileged to be able to move back home to Albury this year to continue my studies at the UNSW Rural Clinical School. I have always admired Albury’s sense of community which I have experienced in many ways through schooling, family and sporting life. I hope to be able to work in the Albury region in the future, giving back to the community which has already given me so much. Dr John McDonald achieved so much in his time and has clearly left an enduring legacy on the local community. This scholarship will allow me to put further time and commitment into my studies without financial stress, enabling me to achieve my best for the benefit of the wider community.

Guest Speaker Peter Cerexhe spoke on the Border Music Camp which exists to alleviate this for students in the Border district, the Riverina and north-east Victoria. Our aim is that these students may play in an ensemble that can challenge them, while being equal to their musical standard.

The Camp is not just for school-age students, with many adults also attending. Nor, for that matter, is it only for locals. Students regularly attend from Melbourne, Sydney and regional centres; we have had Campers from as far away as Hobart, Perth, Alice Springs and Darwin.

Cate Davis, wife of former Albury Hume member, Ian, was appointed Director in 1977 … one final quote from the archives. Cate Davis, writing in 1986: ‘At Border Music Camp we provide the skilled conductors and tutors, the physical space, equipment and sustenance and the musical scores but ultimately it is the enthusiasm of the students that makes the real music come alive’.