Helen Nodrum was chairperson for today's club meeting at Cilantro. Guests included Dee Mason, Chris Burrows, Joan (former member of the now defunct Rotary Club of Glen Eira), and Jeremy O'Halloran - our guest speaker for today. Apologies were received from Tony Ryan, and Tim Moran.
Helen announced this week is Emergency Services Week, recognising the efforts of Not for Profit organisations and their volunteers - our unsung heroes of local communities. Club members were invited to wear something orange to this week's club meeting A few members remembered - with smatterings of orange around the room.
Joan (former member of the R.C. of Glen Eira) and a visitor to today's meeting, was invited to introduce herself. She informs when her club, R.C. of Glen Eira, disbanded, she was looking for an organisation to join - and ended up joining her local SES branch where she has been providing admin support during the past 18 months as a member of the Incident Control Panel. Duties involve looking after the administration of uniforms for 200 volunteers and the operation of 65 trucks. Joan thoroughly enjoys her involvement with the SES that meets each Monday. She brought a brochure that outlines some of their activities - unfortunately, the State Government has cut funding for SES - a vital service to our communities.
The SES will have a display board at Southland today from 10:30am - 2pm.
CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS
- President Ron called for 6 volunteers to assist at this year's RYDA program at Sandown on Friday16 August.
- The Frankston House is up for Sale. Ron invited club members to consider what should be done with the funds once the house is sold.
- Jo Impey advises the Rotary Club of Pakenham will operate a fund raising 7km community walk at Rotary Park, Pakenham, on Sunday 16/6 with funds to be donated to the Rotary project - Eradicate Malaria - Finish the Fight.
GUEST SPEAKER - Jeremy O'Halloran
Jeremy is currently the Diversion and Inclusion Officer at Glen Eira Council where he joined in 2023. Jeremy gave an account of his varied and interesting working life, his passions, his motivations and what drives his outlook on life. Jeremy was born in 1966 with a physical condition that limited the growth and use of his hips and legs. He was adopted at 13 months into a very caring family where he was the youngest of 5 siblings. He attended primary school with the aid of calipers. At age 9, his feet were amputated and replaced with prosthetics - though this did not hinder his desire to play sport where he actively played cricket and football. Sport has always played a big role in his life. He worked in Sport and Recreation at Monash for many years focusing on disability with an open-door policy to promote inclusion for all disabilities. It was during Covid times, Jeremy sought a change of pace and worked in a shire council near Berwick in the disability field and which provided an insight to council operations and sport services. It was during this time that a position a Glen Eira Council became available to promote disability services within Glen Eira. Jeremy is involved with two programs at the council - Employability program to train and upskill people with disabilities; and the Kevin Heinze program which uses therapeutic horticulture principles to provide opportunities to people of all ages and abilities. Glen Eira adopted the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program last year where people with disabilities can wear a green pin to discreetly indicate they have a disability and may require assistance. Participating organisations receive the necessary training to render assistance to people who have identified themselves as someone with a disability. Glen Eira rolled out the program with the training of staff in libraries first, followed with training for all council staff. Jeremy actively promotes the program which receives much positive feedback, and is open to individuals, organisations, schools, and the corporate world. Jeremy is currently reviewing and rewriting the council's Disability Support policy. In addition to having a very supportive family, Jeremy's other passions are Hawthorn Wheelchair football club, and Cycling - having participated in many rewarding cycling events locally and overseas. His last trip was to Sri Lanka for a 10 day - 500km cycling event. Thank you Jeremy for your wonderful and inspiring presentation - a true example for overcoming setbacks to lead a full and satisfying life with purpose and passion.
ROSTERS - were announced.
NEXT WEEK'S MEETING - Guest speaker - James Aloni from the Salvation Army.
President Ron closed the meeting with this year's theme - Create Hope in the World.
