Chelsea Heights Community Garden
We had a delightful time last night thanking Chelsea Heights Community Garden for their support at Kingston Farmers Market and presenting a cheque that will go towards framing and insulating wicking beds used by the garden community. Thanks for being great hosts Tim, Jayne and everyone that came along to celebrate. City of Kingston Cr Georgina Oxley came along to help present the cheque.
Chelsea Rotary Supports Men's Shed
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This week, our President, Peter Batten and fellow Chelsea Rotary Australia members met with City of Kingston Mayor, Cr Georgina Oxley at Chelsea Men's Shed Inc.
Chelsea Rotary Australia has been a long time supporter and were delighted to officially present them with a cheque for $2,854.24, well earnt funds for their support last year at the Kingston Farmers Markets.
The mens shed is located at 71 Catherine Avenue, Chelsea.
The gents are extremely handy if you have a project you need help with. Just this morning I picked up some shelves I needed resized but didn’t have the right tools to do a good job. They’re happy to help at extremely reasonable rates. To learn more about the shed, becoming a member, or items for sale click: www.chelseamensshed.org.au
Donation to Pantry 5000
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After a successful Chelsea Art Show in 2024, the Club was happy to donate $10,000 to Pantry 5000.
Pantry 5000 provides emergency and ongoing food relief for people in the Southern Kingston and Northern Frankston municipalities. People need to be able to demonstrate financial difficulty to qualify to receive food assistance. Usually people are required to provide a Centrelink Health Care or Pension Card.
Farmers Market Celebrations
Today was a wonderful day of celebrations at the Kingston Farmers Market!
City of Kingston CR Georgina Oxley came to help acknowledge three of our wonderful stallholders celebrating 20 years serving at Kingston Farmers Market. Nicolas Olive Estate, The Orange Lady and Moondarra Blueberries. That’s over 220 Saturdays EACH they didn’t hit the snooze button in the wee early pre market hours. Rain, hail or shine they turn up to serve us the freshest, tastiest produce they have.
Geoff Rankin was recognised for 15 years organising and coordinating everyone to create the marvellous collection of stellar suppliers for your good health. We welcomed Jambo Foods with their first stall with us, we’re looking forward to more of their divine Kenyan BBQ marinades!
We said thank you to Moorabbin Air Scouts for their dedication these past four markets. We really appreciate the hard work helping to set up the marquees, tables and pickets only to bring it all back down again and helping direct traffic and welcome patrons in! It takes a village of many passionate people to have this market each month.
Our biggest thanks of all is to the wonderful shoppers who bring their loved ones, families, friends and furbabies to celebrate fine food and produce made with love.
Your $2 donations are the organic cherry on top that go to help us ensure we can support our community members doing it hard and for that we celebrate your generosity too! Thank you!
Kiriwina Man - Stories of an international Rotary Project
President Elect Regina Murcia with Alan Lunghusen
Chelsea Rotary Australia were all captivated this week hearing Alan Lunghusen from Rotary Club of Rowville-Lysterfield regale stories of perseverance and determination.
Alan’s project includes sending vital medical and school supplies to the very remote island communities of Kiriwina Island. Locals still live in straw huts, fish in traditional hand carved boats and the only real job opportunities on the island are teaching. Earning opportunities are mainly dependant on selling carvings to tourists visiting by cruise.
Battling telecommunication and bureaucratic delays Alan has facilitated several container deliveries of medical and cleaning supplies as well as solar and generator charged equipment and materials for locals to build over 600 desks for student desks. Alan battles significant logistical challenges since the airstrip has been deemed unsafe. The only route to and from the island is on a tiny boat for 48 hours with no kitchen or bathroom facilities.
Alan’s been instrumental in campaigns to give children access to higher education allowing broader opportunities to head to the mainland. Quoting Mandela, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Alan is driven in his conviction to give younger generations choices.
We’ve invited Alan to return as an hour barely touched the surface of all the wonderful initiatives in place to support the people of Kiriwina. We’ll be sure to let everyone know when he can return. Thanks for a riveting talk Alan, thank you for your conviction in helping the people of Kiriwina!
