Community Service

Community Service cover the projects and activities the club undertakes to improve life in its community.

Whitehorse Men’s Shed

The aim of the Men’s Shed project is to provide a venue where men can meet and carry out various recreational activities (such as woodwork), socialise and learn. The Shed aims to be a place where men from all sectors of the community, all ages and all abilities can meet and interact. The Shed will also provide carers with much needed respite from their caring role.

The objectives of the project are to:
• Increase social interaction of men in the community
• Improve the physical and mental health of men in the community
• Provide men with a sense of purpose and belonging
• Provide information about local/recreational services to men
• Provide respite for carers”

The project has already received a $15,000 non-recurrent grant from the Department of Human Services and our club has allocated $1,500 towards the establishment costs of the project including the provision of paint and other consumables, soil for landscaping and the purchase of a powered table saw and accessories.

The RC of Box Hill Central has also received a grant of $500 from the City of Whitehorse for the purchase of hand tools through their Community Grants Program.

The Rotary Club of Box Hill Central envisages its input to the Men’s Shed as primarily entrepreneurial.

• It will have an ongoing commitment to the steering committee
• It will provide “hands on” assistance from time to time with both capital and program aspects of the project
• It intends to consider this an ongoing project to which it has a commitment
• It can provide fundraising expertise and assistance

Whitehorse Schools ANZAC Service

The Club has recently established the Whitehorse Schools ANZAC Service with the support of the Box Hill RSL.

It is considered important to ensure that young people continue to recognise the sacrifices made by men and women in the conflicts that Australia has been engaged in.

Year 5 and 6 students from schools in the Whitehorse municipality are invited to participate in the Annual ANZAC Service which is held at the war memorials in Whitehorse Road Box Hill.

Guide for Rostered Volunteers for the Eastern Relief Network Saturday morning Pick Up Service

Preface
Eastern Emergency Relief (EER) collects furniture, household goods and food for distribution to needy families recommended by welfare agencies for support. The project requires teams of three Rotarians, using a small truck provided by EER, to call at homes (as identified by EER), in the Eastern Suburbs where goods are available for pick up, bring the goods back to the organisations warehouse in Nunawading, and stack them as required.

Location
The Eastern Emergency Relief Network is located at Factory 1, 10 Thornton Crescent, Mitcham. Telephone: 9874 8433. (If coming via Whitehorse Rd. from Box Hill turn right at Rooks Rd. Thornton Crescent is first turn on left after the railway line.) Network staff will be at the warehouse to open and close the building. Please arrive before the 9am start.

The Truck
A special truck driving licence is not required. The team should decide which member of the team is to be the driver.

Special points to remember:-

Driving the truck – the vehicle has 5 forward and 1 reverse gear, positions are shown on the gear stick.
Fuel – in the event that additional fuel is required a Shell card for the purchase of diesel fuel is located in the ash tray of the vehicle.
The truck is fitted with a hydraulic hoist at the rear of the truck, if the team is unfamiliar with the use of such a hoist please ask for a demonstration before leaving the warehouse at the commencement of the roster. It is essential this be used where heavy items are concerned. A trolley is also provided to assist with moving goods from the house to the vehicle.
Loading the truck – Place large items against the wall of the truck, cover with blankets (in truck) as necessary to prevent damage, and use straps to hold items firmly to sides. Stack small and lighter items around larger pieces.
The truck has a height restriction of 3.9 metres. Look up and watch for power lines and trees when in the driveway of homes.

Lifting goods
if you are having trouble moving/lifting an item get help from one of your team. (Bend zee knees to lift!!) Do not stress your back. Use the trolley provided wherever appropriate.

Main needs for the warehouse are :-
Furniture – beds, drawers, couches, chairs, tables, wall units, buffets, mattresses (not damaged or stained).
Whitegoods – fridges, washing machines, dryers.
Electrical goods (must be in working order)- toasters, kettles, tv’s, heaters, lamps, fans, plug in stoves/toaster ovens.
Bedding/linen (in good clean condition only) – blankets, linen, doonas, towels, baby blankets etc.
Baby goods – cots (that meet current safety standards only), prams, pushers, baths, bouncers etc.

The Warehouse has a need for a small amount of the following :-
Toys – new or near new.
Shoes – new or near new
Crockery/Utensils – crockery, cutlery, pots & pans (all types needed, but not damaged)
Clothing – adults, children’s & babies – in good clean condition (to suit adults under 40 and children/babies).
Bric-a-Brac – deceased estates only – not from garage sales or trash & treasure sales

The Warehouse does not need or accept :-
Wire bed bases, organs, exercise bikes, tennis rackets, cots that do not meet current safety standards, stoves/dishwashers that require to be wired in, inkjet printers, radiograms, kingsized beds, bedheads.
If pressed by donors to take such goods invite them to contact EER on Monday and discuss the matter directly with them.

Insurance Cover – The Eastern Emergency Relief Network has Workers Compensation Cover for Volunteers.
Use your collective commonsense and avoid accessing it!

Emergency Contact – Ray Freeman 9874 6708 in case of breakdown or accident.