Rotary Melbourne 2022 Around the Bay project
Supporting Underprivileged Kids
At the conclusion of all events in the 2022 Around the Bay project, the Club is very pleased at the positive outcomes in volunteer participation, involvement of nine Rotary clubs, fundraising for underprivileged kids, and the development of camaraderie within the teams.
Volunteering: As well as a record 100 volunteers from Rotary this year assigned to 118 shifts, we also had 10 indefatigable Team Rotary Riders. These are both records for our project. We also had a strong contingent from Deakin University (courtesy of Graham O’Donnell) and first timers from an RSL Group. We undertook roles as Team Leaders, BBQ attendants, Route Marshals, Rest Area attendants and SAG crew.
Multiple Rotary Clubs: This year we went out of our way to invite participation of as many other Rotary clubs as we could convince along the bike routes. In fact, there were 9 clubs including ourselves – once again a record. The objective was to achieve the best financial contribution from Bicycle Network and to develop stronger relations/fellowship within Rotary – these were achieved. Clubs who participated were Altona City, Williamstown, Yarraville, Melbourne, Port Phillip, Albert Park, Mornington, Rosebud-Rye and Sorrento clubs. We are seeing some ways to work together on different projects.
Fundraising: With volunteer fees, silent auction proceeds, member pledges to riders, public donations to the AtB website and fees for BBQ equipment provision we raised $16,939. Then our Club donated a further $10,000 from the Budget. Of these monies, $2,519 has already been handled outside our Club leaving $24,422 to be handed over to The Smith Family at our 14 December luncheon. This represents annual scholarships for 37 kids.
Camaraderie: The fun spirit within our riding team, the teamwork at the marshalling points and rest areas, the support from the SAG crews and team leaders and the communication of Rotarians with the enrolled riders at rest areas and along the routes creates a camaraderie that we look forward to every year.
Thanks also for the willingness to provide the systems skills, design capability for brochures from our experienced members, and the general administration from our Office Manager. It is always a team participation that makes the project fun and effective.
We look forward to the 2023 Around the Bay bike ride!
