Last night we heard from Nikita Pokharel about the devastating floods in Nepal. The footage shown was quite shocking, and the images of people running from the wave of water coming was quite disturbing. As you may be aware, RAWCS has launched an appeal to help, and has so far raised over $623,000 while hoping to raise $2million. You can find out more about the RACWS appeal at
Well, the Warrnambool show is upon us. Thank you to all those who have volunteered. If you have been sent materials from Tony, please make sure that you read them well before your shift. If you are on ticket scanning, please make sure that you have the app installed before arriving, and also ensure your phone is fully charged.
Child Protection Policy
Last night I did a brief summary of all the child protection policy documents that were recently emailed to all members. If you haven’t done so, please ensure that you read through those documents. The board will be adopting those at our next board meeting, so if there is anything in there that concerns you, please let me know.
WWC Connect Website
Last night I also informed everyone that we are required to enter details of all our volunteers and their WWCC numbers into a new website. The website is a state government initiative designed to improve clarity around WWCC status. If you have any concerns about this, please let me know.
Yours in Rotary,
Chris.
Nepal Flash Floods
Devastating flash floods struck northern Nepal after a glacier collapse triggered a surge of water through the Bhote Koshi River. Families were forced from their homes as communities across the region faced widespread damage and disruption.
ShelterBox is working alongside local and international partners to support communities affected by the floods.
But first, what is “ShelterBox?”
ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity that provides emergency shelter, tools, and essential survival supplies to families displaced by natural disasters, extreme weather, and conflicts. Shelterbox was established in 2000 in Helston, Cornwall, UK, by Rotarian Tom Henderson.
It is an official project partner of Rotary International and has helped more than 3 million people across over 100 countries. It operates through public donations and a network of international affiliates like ShelterBox Australia.
What Is Inside “the box”
The Original Conceptwas a large, durable green box packed with a family-sized tent, thermal blankets, heavy-duty tarpaulins, water purification kits, cooking sets, solar-powered lights, and basic tools. Today, response teams also deliver tailored assistance based on specific needs—such as shelter repair kits, ropes, nails, groundsheets, solar lights, and warm winter clothing.
ShelterBox Australia and ShelterBox provides emergency disaster relief, shelter aid, and tools to families displaced by disasters and conflicts globally.
ShelterBox is funded by public donations.
ShelterBox has responded in Nepal before.
ShelterBox responded in Nepal after a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the country in April 2015, destroying hundreds of thousands of homes. A second major earthquake followed just weeks later.
Working alongside Rotary, Nepal Red Cross, Asal Chhimekee Nepal and other local partners, ShelterBox supported almost 68,000 people with shelter and essential aid items. They also provided training and technical guidance to help families use shelter kits and rebuild stronger, more durable homes.
The response highlighted the importance of both emergency shelter and longer-term recovery support. Many families faced months and even years of rebuilding after one of Nepal’s deadliest disasters in recent history.
How is ShelterBox responding now?
ShelterBox is working alongside local and international partners to support communities affected by the floods. Together with partners including Islamic Relief, Rotary and People In Need (PIN) and together with UNICF, they have been providing shelter and essential aid items to families whose homes have been damaged or destroyed. Support has included distributing family tents, tarpaulins, sleeping mats, rope, pillows, solar lights, winterisation kits and high-thermal blankets. After flooding, shelter is often one of the most urgent needs.
Read more about ShelterBox, a Program of Rotary at: https://shelterbox.org/
Nikita Pokharel: A vision of Nikita at our meeting last Tuesday. It was great to see someone say it as it is -- straight to the point. Climate Change is not a hoax. Thank you
The Rotary Club of Warrnambool East have invited Members to listen to Peter Newbery, author of "A Whispering of Trees".
If you are ot able to complete the upcoming position, please let Ann D know via 0428 189 375 or
periwinklepatchwork@bigpond.com
Next Week's Jobs:
October 27th
Sergeant: Greg Lee/Kelly Curran Fellowship: Ian Sharman
Invocation: Sharon Kenny
Property: Glenn Brotchie
Upcoming Speakers:
October
Please see:
Kayla, (k.berends@live.com.au)
or
Svet, (svet62@hotmail.com) if you have ideas for program/speakers
Upcoming Events:
October 24
World Polio Day
November 3
Melbourne Cup Day: meeting at Wangoom Hall. Brooke to run the sweep.
November 10
Steve Lambourn, AFP
November 17
Kelly Curran, RUOK
AGM
December 1
Auction of goods with Terry O'Neill
December 8
John Sherwood, re the geology of Warrnambool
Another great morning for our 'End Polio Now' project. I think it was $85 raised, and don't forget the Gates Foundation gives a two for one. That's $255. And what's more a polio vaccination costs approximately $0.20 therefore it is over 1200 vaccination for children from third world countries.
A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
I would like to put a heads up on two of our local businesses, and at the same time stress the importance of buying and shopping locally.
Firstly you may be aware that I have recently purchased an EV. It is a Kia. I purchased it from Clinton Baulch Motors, who, by the way, are the major supporters of Warrnambool East Rotary Club's Hole In One competition. Within 1 day of driving the car I managed to get a screw in a tyre, causing a slow leak. Kia were fantastic in getting it repaired, and subsequently checking it again, for no cost, the next day, when I thought, wrongly, it was still leaking.
Secondly, I had to take our second car to Callaghans' Motors to check an issue with the engine. Not only did they look at it straight away, they gave it a complete overall, again for no cost.
Too often we think about saving a few dollars by shopping outside of our city, however, as I have found, and continue to do, local businesses need our support, and in the main they look after you.
If we wish to have such businesses support our rotary club then we must also support them.
(PS: I hope I have not gone over my role a editor of our newsletter).
Glenn
PLEASE SELECT END POLIO NOW LOGO ABOVE TO SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR PROJECT
Warrnambool Show Gates
Thank you to all the volunteers doing the show gates. The morning shifts copped all the rain, thunder and lightning, while the afternoon shifts copped that lovely food from Sarah. Thank you for that Sarah, I am sure they all appreciated this lovely lunch packs.
Dear Rotarians and Friends
I’m reaching out on behalf of the team organising the 2026 Warrnambool Multicultural Festival at the Civic Green on Saturday November 7.
Did you know that one in four people in Warrnambool were either born overseas or had a parent born overseas? In recognition of this we hope to make this year's festival even bigger and more diverse than ever!
As a valued member of our local community, we are seeking your assistance to reach the members of our diverse regional community and have your members and their families and friends get involved in one of our region’s most vibrant annual celebrations.
This year’s festival will welcome over 4,000 attendees and showcase 40+ local cultures celebrating cultural diversity through music, dance, storytelling, art and craft, food, and workshops. The festival creates a vibrant and inclusive space for the community to connect, share stories and experience the richness of cultures that make South West Victoria unique, and is 100% free to attend.
And this we have an exciting new surprise act that will be announced on our socials this week - a K-Pop band from Melbourne that will not only perform but will hold a fabulous competition that we hope our local youth will enjoy being part of!
We would be grateful for your support in helping us reach the broader community by spreading the word through your organisation newsletter, website, or social media channels. To assist with this we provide the following:
Come celebrate the many cultures, stories, flavours and talents that make our community so vibrant!
Join us for a FREE day of music, dance, food, culture, hands-on activities and community connection at the Warrnambool Multicultural Festival.
- Saturday 7 November 2026
- 10am–3pm
- Civic Green & Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool
- FREE ENTRY
*we are still accepting volunteers to help out on the day, so we would be grateful if you could share the link to our volunteer application form. Volunteers are welcome for an hour or all day, and its a fabulous and fun way to meet and mingle with our multicultural community!
And finally we encourage you and your community to keep updated about the festival and other events, and to receive important information in our support for our multicultural community by subscribing to our newsletter.
Thank you so much for supporting our local multicultural community and we look forward to welcoming you to the Civic Green!
Below are the important dates for the RYLA program next year.
RYLA 2027 - Sunday 4th - Friday 9th April 2027.
RYLA Presentation Dinner - Thursday 8th April 2027.
The application dates will be set at a RYLA committee meeting in August and will be published in the Weekly Roundup, Monthly Bulletin and at ryla9780.org
What a Bonaza! Decided to go for a walk on Thursday arvo, took a small bag for plastics etc, and stopped at two adjacent building sites. I needed to go back home and get some boxes. It was $14:00 worth after depositing it today.
