The Rotary Club of Bendigo Market Place
Community
Throughout each year, the Rotary Club of Bendigo supports a wide range of small and large, once off and annual, community projects, events, organisations and causes.
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Learn more bout our Community projects:
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Star Thrower Project
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The Star Thrower Project was especially designed for rural women of Central and Northern Victoria who would benefit from a few days by the ocean, away from the stresses of living daily with the effects of natural disasters…. droughts, floods, and bushfires.
Rotarians want to contribute in a personal, meaningful, positive way beyond the very necessary financial support. We want to demonstrate, in a practical way, that we have empathy for what rural women are going through
One rural woman at a time, staying in the home of another woman in the Queenscliff/Point Lonsdale area close to the ocean.
With the support of the Rotary Club of Bendigo our rural women guests, will have a caring, pampering experience, choosing from a variety of relaxing options for 3 days and 3 nights.
This project was initiated by Larrie Winzar, past President of the Rotary Club of Bendigo hosting women in Bendigo for a day of pampering. Larrie has recently moved to Point Lonsdale and has continued with the project now offering rural women the opportunity to experience a Star Thrower - Beach Retreat.
Music and Memory Project
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‘Music has an amazing affect on people of all ages – it aids in the cognitive development of children and scientific evidence proves this.
It helps those who are troubled or grieving and it has the ability to reawaken memories in those who suffer dementia, enabling them to communicate for short periods of time. It is extraordinary to see someone who is so withdrawn that they have not spoken for long periods of time, suddenly become ‘alive’ when they hear a piece of familiar music. Families which have been unable to communicate are suddenly able to speak with their loved one, albeit for a short time.
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For this reason, in the year 2017-2018, Valerie Broad, President of the Rotary Club of Bendigo instituted a Music Memory program, which it is hoped will spread to all facilities catering for clients with depression, in and around Bendigo. Two hostels have instituted the program with some deeply moving results.
The Rotary Club of Bendigo is continuing to provide this program which benefits not only those suffering dementia, but their families as well.’
End Trachoma by 2020
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You can help Rotary End Trachoma by 2020 by saving your used postage stamps from envelopes or by making a donation to this important project. The World Health Organisation has a global goal to eliminate trachoma by 2020. Trachoma is an infectious eye disease that can be prevented with good hygiene practices. Though it is still present in remote Aboriginal communities and can lead to permanent blindness. The work of the Australian Government, the Fred Hollows Foundation and Indigenous Eye Health to treat trachoma infections has seen significantly reduced rate of infection in the affected communities.
The Rotary Club of Bendigo is raising funds through stamp collecting, funds that will be used to ensure that hygiene practices and community environments are improved to completely eliminate the disease. Rotarians are being asked to consider supporting this important project. Contact our Club today to organise collection of your used postage stamps.
Craft Group
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Our Craft Group is made up of an extremely talented bunch of Rotarians who meet regularly to sew, knit, crochet and create together to make beautiful blankets, scarves, beanies, mittens... you name it, they can create it!
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Items are regularly donated to local charity groups for people in need within our community. The Craft Group recently assisted the Bushfire Relief project by sewing joey pouches for injured wildlife. Fantastic work!
Event Car Parking
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A major fundraiser for our Club is car park management for major local events held throughout the year.
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These events require all hands on deck and strong organisational skills. Luckily our team are highly experienced and ensure the smooth parking of many events including the Bendigo Cup and the Carvan and Camping Leisurefest.
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Be sure you say "G'Day" to the dedicated volunteers if you attend these events :)
Fork in the Road Community Hub
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Are you keen to get involved with a heartwarming, grass roots program that supports Bendigo families in need...?
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Well our Fork in the Road Community Hub project may provide that opportunity.
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During initial establishment phase, our Club had the pleasure of providing financial support to purchase cafe tables and chairs for the Hub. Since then, a number of additional funding raising projects have provided ongoing assistance.
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In addition, a small committee was established to facilitate our Birthday Bags Program. Members of our Club handmake these beautiful bags and fill them with all the Green's Baking Australia mix ingredients needed to make a beautiful birthday cake, along with plates, candles and plastic cutlery to enjoy the spoils.
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These bags are then donated to Bendigo Community Health - Child and Family Services teams to support those families who might not be able to afford a birthday celebration.
Make a Child Smile this Christmas
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In partnership with the Bendigo Club, our Rotary Club enjoys running this project - Make a Child Smile This Christmas each year.
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Club and community members are invited to donate an unwrapped gift (or money to purchase a gift) for a child at Christmas.
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Gifts donated are delivered to Bendigo Uniting Care Outreach Services and distributed to families in need.
"It's in the Bag" - Share The Dignity
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Each year around November, the Rotary Club of Bendigo facilitates a local project called "It's in the Bag". where we join forces with charitable organisation "Share the Dignity".
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It's a simple and heart-warming project that makes a positive difference in the lives of vulnerable women in the Bendigo area.
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Members of the community are encouraged to choose a handbag they no longer use and fill it with toiletries along with a a card or thoughtful note and show her someone cares. Your donation to our “It’s in the Bag” initiative will be given to homeless women or women at risk in the Bendigo region.
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Organisations wishing to contribute can also donate money or items to fill the pre-loved handbags.
Learn more about our Youth Programs, Club Projects and International Projects