Last Monday we were given an insight to the tough conditions many farmers and rural communities face, which can often be for many consecutive years. Leanne Welsh is one of these who lives at East Loddon just north of Bendigo and is the current President of the East Loddon Food Share Program. She was accompanied by one of their main sponsors, Lynden Barry, (who just happens to be Mal Slater's Brother in Law). Lynden has also been extremely generous to our club donating may heavy duty cardboard boxes for use with our Book Fair.

 

The East Loddon Community Network Group (ELCNG) was set up, back in the late 1990’s, as a direct response to the drought. All local support agencies came together to form a single committee to work on best possible outcomes to support individuals and families within the local rural East Loddon area. This partnership ensured that there was a greater transparency between agencies and less “doubling up” of services occurred. More people were able to be helped more effectively. The East Loddon Community Network Group Inc. worked out of the Loddon Shire Council owned East Loddon Community Centre - this building is located beside the entrance to the East Loddon P-12 College, 789 Dingee Road, approx. 10km west of DINGEE VIC 3571. The locality of the ELCNG was significant to the success of the program as it was not demographically attached to any one local town/settlement within the local area.

2009/2010 saw the end of the drought and support programs, as such, were scaled back as the need for help became less. A new structure to the governance of the East Loddon Community Centre was introduced in late 2009 after thorough consultation with the Loddon Shire Council and a separate Section 86 Committee of Management for the building and grounds was established with the East Loddon Community Network Group Inc. taking on the role of fundraising, providing programs and working with user groups at the Centre. The floods of early 2011 brought renewed enthusiasm and the demand for services suddenly went “through the roof.” The Community Centre building was not immune to the effects of the floodwaters and success with numerous grants made it possible for the Centre to undergo much needed renovations through funding sourced by the ELCNG. A partnership with the East Loddon P-12 School VCAL Program provided a “win/win” situation for students and the Centre with a number of the cosmetic upgrades to the building undertaken by labour provided by the students, which formed part of their VCAL assessments. These upgrades have included replacing baseboards, replacing perimeter fencing, painting – inside & out, building front ramp, building new garden shed, new pergola, installing new kitchen. More recently, a fernery and garden beds have been established. Other improvements include building re-stumping, roof renovation, new air-conditioning & new seating. We currently house the East Loddon Food Share Program (ELFS Program), VCAL Program, Computer Pod, Meeting Rooms and the East Loddon Op Shop. Our local community groups regularly using the Centre include the East Loddon Garden Club, East Loddon Community News, East Loddon P-12 School Parents Association, Dingee Pre-school Committee and others. Our meeting room facilities, which are available for minimal hire, can comfortably cater for 30 people.

 

The East Loddon Food Share Program (ELFS Program)

The ELFS Program is currently operating “under the umbrella” of the East Loddon Community Network Group Inc., with plans to

formally establish a separate committee of management, at the time of writing. The ELFS Program provides emergency food,

personal toiletries and basic household items to families and individuals who are suffering as a result of extreme circumstances.

Extreme circumstances can strike anyone at any time. Natural disasters, such as drought or bushfire, have an enormous impact on

the day-to-day lives of people living within the effected zone. Similarly, illness or an unexpected loss of income, can place people

in a sudden and very difficult situation.

The East Loddon Food Share Program Committee recognises that everyone needs a hand at some time. Through the distribution

of emergency food support provided through the ELFS Program, the committee works to provide some relief to families and

individuals when times are tough.

Emergency support includes:

The East Loddon Community Network Group Inc. works closely with a number of aid agencies to ensure support gets to those most

in need. John Cartwright from the Salvo’s plays an important role of distributing hampers to people needing help in local and

surrounding areas.

Volunteers Packing boxes.

 

 

Hopefully our Club may be able to contribute to this valuable community project.

 

 

Stephanie Woollard

Seven Women Founder & CEO

 

Stephanie Woollard is a Melbourne-born social entrepreneur, Rotary Foundation Peace Scholar and Rotarian who has created the international aid organisation Seven Women, tour-company

Hands On Development and the International Training and Hospitality initiative Stephanie started her Seven Women project when she was only 22 years old, after visiting Nepal and meeting seven disabled women making soaps and candles in a small tin shed. In Nepal, disabilities carry a strong social stigma, believed to bring bad fortune. The women were consequently able to sell only a fraction of what

they produced at market and lived in dire poverty.

 

Disturbed by the injustice and isolation these women were facing, she spent her last $200 of travel money to pay two trainers to help up-skill the women and sell their products abroad.

 

Since then Steph has devoted the past decade to changing the lives of disabled and marginalised

women in Nepal. The organisation has trained and employed over 1000 disadvantaged women

and has helped more than 5,000 women in remote villages in Nepal offering shelter, medical

assistance and education.

 

Through her tour company, Hands on Development Steph leads specialised tours to Nepal, giving exclusive access and exposure to participants to connect and contribute through their areas of expertise. Her cultural immersions to Nepal and indigenous Australian communities uplift and enrich both locals and tour participants through authentic, inspiring experiences.

The multipurpose International Training and Hospitality initiative provides cooking classes for tourists, funding disadvantaged women to learn culinary and hospitality skills, creating diversified opportunities for employment.

 

At the Seven Women headquarters, women manufacture fair trade products that are sold both locally and to an international market. These enterprises fund literacy, skills and income generation programs for thousands of women in Nepal. Education programs hosted by Seven Women include practical production skills such as sewing and growing vegetables, literacy classes and money management.

 

In 2016, Stephanie was recognised on the global stage with a prestigious Rotary Responsible

Business Award, one of only six honourees worldwide. The award presentation took place at

the United Nations Headquarters in New York with Rotary International President John Germ,

more than 1500 Rotary members, UN officials and NGO leaders present. Other accolades received include, Moral Fair Ground’s, National Most Ethical Enterprise Award in 2014, the Nepali Association of Victoria’s award for “Commendable service to the Nepalese Community, “ and the distinguished La Trobe

Young Achiever Alumni of the Year Award in 2016.

 

She has this year also been nominated as Australian of the Year.

 

Stephanie is a deeply inspiring young woman dedicated to education and empowerment of the

world’s most marginalised. Her journey demonstrates how through persistence and unrelenting commitment one person can truly make a difference. Steph’s vision that underpins all her work, is to create a more tolerant and compassionate world.

 

Stephanie holds an Undergraduate degree in International Development from La Trobe

University in Melbourne, Australia and a Masters degree in Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution

from Uppsala University, Sweden.

Rotary Global Rewards, our member benefits program, offers discounts on products and services from local and global

merchants, along with opportunities to give back to Rotary. 

Over 33,000 members have signed in to use Rotary Global Rewards. To raise awareness of this program, you can:

You can find instructional videos, how-to-guides, and promotional materials on the Rotary Global Rewards page of My Rotary.  If you have any questions about the program, write to rotaryglobalrewards@rotary.org.