District 9780 Donations in Kind has changed its name. We are now operating as RARE (Rotary Australia Repurposing Equipment). This brings us in line with other RAWCS (Rotary Australia World Community Services) facilities operating around the country.

 

However, our operation at the depot in Geelong serving D9780 will still function the same with Ewen Urquhart (RC Geelong) as site coordinator and Tony Austin (RC Warrnambool) as the District Coordinator.

 

 

We are keen to maintain connection with each Club as we are reliant on your support for us to be able to continue to function.

 

Already in 2023, we have been able to send one container to Vanuatu, and three to Papua New Guinea (Port Moresby, Rabaul and Popondetta). We have a container scheduled to go to Sri Lanka this month. We have been able to ship items such as water equipment (solar panels, pumps and piping, children’s playgrounds, hospital beds & equipment, medical & dental clinic items, educational materials & school equipment, primary school books, clothing, and general household items. In addition, 12 pallets of medical equipment and clothing were shipped to the Ukraine and we plan to send more.

 

We are keen to get support from clubs with more volunteers helping on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, help in management, marketing, and sourcing materials and equipment. In particular, we would like clubs to use their resources to provide contacts in locations that need assistance.

 

Last year by repurposing equipment and materials we saved over 60 tonnes of landfill.

 

If anyone in the club can help, they can contact Ewen Urquhart on 0433783733 or email rare.southern@rawcs.org.au. Financial contributions can still be made to the same Bank Account as previously D9780 RARE Southern with BSB 633 000 and Account Number 124 110 008. Alternatively, if you require the donation to be tax deductible, deposits can be made through the RAWCS website to Project ID 37- 2014-15 and the project name is Southern Region RARE (Geelong) - Donation for Freight and Operations.

 

Thank you for your support in the past and we look forward to working with you to help “Create Hope in the World”. Yours in Rotary Service, David Barkley Coordinator RARE Southern Ph. 0417310197