Author: David Hanlon

A leading Australian soprano and a high-profile lawyer and human rights advocate were the two keynote speakers at the Rotary International Women’s Day Breakfast at Mornington Racecourse on Wednesday, March 6 with the theme for 2019 is “Balance for Better”.

Soprano Tania de Jong is an inspirational speaker and storyteller, social entrepreneur and creative innovation catalyst. Tania is one of Australia’s most successful female entrepreneurs and innovators, having developed five businesses and two charities over three decades. She is a global authority on creativity, innovation and collaboration and is an agent for change. Her keynotes and workshops, combined with the power of song, are transformational, and her work and knowledge span the business, public, creative and community sectors.

Lawyer Prue Gilbert co-founded Grace Papers to challenge traditional stereotypes, drive gender equity and empower working parents and their employers, winning an Australian Human Rights Business Award for this work in 2014. Last year, Prue was named one of the Australian Financial Review’s 100 Women of Influence. She volunteers for the legal steering committee of NOW Australia and has been influential in driving gender equality through her role as an advisory board member of the AFL Players Association for the AFLW.

Co-organised by Frankston North Rotary with the Rotary Clubs of Frankston and Mount Eliza, the Rotary International Women’s Day Breakfast is entering its fifth year and is attracting interest from a diverse range of professional men and women who are inspired by incredible women every day, women who are raising kids and building businesses and transforming communities.

Abbeyfield Australia is a national not-for-profit community housing provider that represents 26 independent Abbeyfield Societies in towns and suburbs across Australia. Abbeyfield House Frankston opened in 1991, offering disadvantaged elderly people a safe place to live. Residents who have a limited income can feel safe in a familiar environment with access to companionship and support. The house, a purpose built two-storey residence on land provided by local government, operates on the sole income from the residents who are in receipt of a full government pension.

The success of the Abbeyfield Frankston relies on the good will, expertise and effort of a locally based volunteer Committee of Management. Input from these volunteers has ensured the concept is cost effective and sensitive to day-to-day management. Emphasis is also placed on forming partnerships with other volunteers and resources to help with the work, and a long-standing relationship has been developed with Frankston North Rotary.

Before

In recent years, it became evident that the house was in need of some major maintenance that would absorb a substantial amount of its financial resources to pay for the labour and cost of materials. This is where Frankston North Rotary was able to help. Members have performed a number of voluntary labour activities that have greatly helped Abbeyfield. In 2017 the club was successful in a District grant application that provided substantial funds to undertake major maintenance to the internal and external fabric of the property.

After

With these funds, and the hands-on labour contribution from Rotarians, two residents’ rooms and bathrooms have been refurbished, balcony floors replaced, and the balcony at the top of the stairwell replaced. Next is the upgrade to the residents garden area.

In early 2018 Frankston North Rotary, together with Monterey Secondary College and their Interact Club Monteract, created a Mini Farm Project. The aim of the project is to have students involved in the management of the mini farm so that they gain new skills. This will mean taking care of the chooks and any other animals, growing vegetables, and generally developing the farm. There are plans for some sheep or goats, and as well the local apiarist club wants to install several beehives.

The project is being undertake in the school grounds within a fenced off area where there was a previous mini farm. The area includes a shed for housing equipment, four raised vegetable gardens (originally installed by Frankston North Rotary) and a small orchard.
The project is mainly funded by Monterey Secondary College, with Frankston North Rotary, assisted by some students, supplying the labour at regular working bees.

Work has involved clearing out the current shed; trimming and removing trees and branches as required; re-developing the vegetable garden beds and fencing around the vegetable garden; installing a chicken shed and run, including the delivery of water pipe to the shed; and pruning the fruit trees. Monteract students and VCAL students have been involved where possible. The aim is to have the chook shed functional and some vegetables growing by end of this year