On Tuesday the Rotary Club of Geelong Central heard from the Lazarus community centre manager on the wonderful work the Lazarus community centre does in our community.

 

The Lazarus Community had the following to say about their mission. “In 2013 a group from The Wesley Centre for Life Enrichment visited the Prahran Mission in Chapel Street. 18 months later in February 2015 the three city Churches in Geelong – St. Mary’s (Catholic Church), Christ Church (Anglican) & Wesley Uniting Church in Yarra Street reviewed social needs in Geelong and focused efforts on addressing homelessness and social isolation.

 

For the next 18 months the three Churches gathered together to form a planning & management group: Wendy Leigh, Michael Nolan, Gary McIlvena, Des Younghusband, Peter Gador-Whyte (minister at Wesley), Colin Hastings and other reps attended. Visits were made to the St Kilda Mission, Prahran Mission & the St Mary’s House of Welcome in Brunswick to inspect operational structures & how to do things well.

 

Our Mission: To provide a safe and welcoming place for people to meet and be supported as valued members of our community.

 

The Lazarus Centre is a place for people to feel safe and welcome. Somewhere where they can take a shower, wash and dry their clothes, have a light lunch, participate in activities, meet with volunteers and receive support from specialist homelessness staff.

 

All people are welcome whether they are homeless or not.”

The January Market was a smash hit this month with a crowd of 10,000 people attending. The Public Holiday market, held at Steampacket Gardens was attended by 104 stall holders. 

 

Stall Holder Kerri Symes has been a long-standing market vendor, selling her range of baby clothes, cushions & dog mats. 

 

 

The next Makers and Growers Market will be on Sunday the 5th of February. 

 

 

Each year, the Rotary Club of Geelong Central donates $2,500 to Australian Rotary Health, sponsoring the Indigenous Health Scholarship.  These Scholarships support Indigenous students to undertake tertiary training in nursing, physiotherapy, psychology, dentistry and other health related degrees at university. These scholarships help Indigenous students to overcome barriers to tertiary study and qualification.

 

In response to an appeal & project between Rotary and the Australian Ukrainian Association, RAPP Australia Pty Ltd recently donated 6 pallets of medical bags & first aid items worth approx. $100,000 retail - which is extraordinarily generous. These pallets have been delivered to DIK Footscray and will be flown to Ukraine by the RAAF.

 

We are very grateful for RAPP Australia's Contribution.

 

The members of Geelong Central Rotary celebrate Australian Rotary Health's Hat Day!

The Booking Link is now open for the Rotary District Conference! Please see below for a special message from DG Kathy with relevant information.

 

The Australian Rotary Health November Newsletter is out! It can be viewed here

 

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