NEW Chelsea Rotary president Ian Button believes the real strength of the 105-year-old organisation is getting people to talk to each other. “We are very good at networking and making the best use of our resources,” he says.
As the leader of one of 50 clubs in Rotary’s 9810 District – with 46 clubs and about 1250 members covering a swathe of Melbourne’s east and south-east – he is proud of their ability to work with others to raise money for worthwhile causes. An example is the Farmers’ Market, held 8am-12.30pm, first Saturday of the month, at Sir William Fry Reserve, Nepean Hwy, Moorabbin.
“We are able to get groups to help, such as the Sea Scouts and the lifesavers, and we can raise up to $3000 a time,” he said. “In the past 10 years we have raised more than $500,000.”
A new project is Soap Aid, in which unused soap is collected from commercial premises and remanufactured at a Seaford business before being sent to India. There, it is distributed to disadvantaged families by a local Indian Rotary group.
The Rotary Art Show held over the Queen’s Birthday Weekend is another big fund raiser, Mr Button said, bringing in $15,000-$20,000 each time. This year about 40 paintings from among the 420 entries were sold, underlining the show’s popularity and the quality of the works on offer.
One of Mr Button’s goals as president is to raise club membership from about 23 to the previous high of 42. “I’ll have to get networking,” he said.
Chelsea Rotary meetings are held Tuesdays 6.30pm at Chelsea RSL with visiting Rotarians and guests welcome.
Details: Kevin Harrison 0407 772 225.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 15 July 2015
