The first Melbourne Rotary Club meeting for the 2024 calendar year was held volunteering at RIMERN on Wednesday 24thJanuary.
Our thanks to RIMERN Volunteer and Board Member Keith Ryall for acting as host for our visit. Keith gave a briefing and tour of the warehouse. Several members commented on the difference since our 2023 visit, noting RIMERN is now the sole tenant. Throughout the visit members were able to ask questions of Keith and RIMERN Volunteer, John Peberdy. The RIMERN truck was at the factory and now carries RIMERN livery, thanks to support of Rotary clubs who donated the funds for this work to be done.
Thanks also to Jo for organising a fine lunch for the 15 members in attendance, and the volunteers working at RIMERN that day. Following lunch, we were invited to become volunteers for an hour and experience some of the roles that volunteers participate in on a regular basis. We quickly saw the benefit of “many hands make light work” as various tasks were quickly completed.
The awareness of RIMERN is enhanced by these visits. Not only do we have members regularly donating household goods, the volunteers present also appreciated the many encouraging comments about the ways members could be involved.
Volunteering:
The warehouse is open to the agencies and their clients on an appointment basis from 10am-3pm Tues – Thursday. There are many volunteer roles where we have capacity for more helpers. You do not have to be super fit as there are roles where strength is not necessarily involved.
But if you are able bodied and able to lift furniture, there are vacancies to go out on the truck to assist with collections on Saturdays – 10am-1pm. There are also vacancies on Monday at the warehouse where we do the important housekeeping of sorting through what has come in on the weekend, ensuring the items find their way to the right aisle.
Donating Household Goods:
We are running very short of small household appliances such as kettles, toaster, irons, hairdryers. Lamps and various small cooking appliances. Many of our clients are from countries where they are used to cooking in rice cookers.
There is always a regular demand for TV’s, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, washing machines and refrigerators (under 15 years of age).
All electrical goods should be in working order. They will have to pass a “tag and test” procedure before making it to the shelf for our customers.
Other items of household furniture are always welcome. Most of our clients are moving into small flats or apartments, so 2 seater couches and smaller dining tables are preferred.
Items can be dropped at the warehouse, or we can collect larger donations of furniture. This is all described on the RIMERN website (www.rimern.org.au )
Bottle Collection
We are also participating in collection of 10c refundable containers. You can collect a bag from RIMERN and drop it back when full, allowing the funds to come directly to RIMERN. For more information see a separate article in this bulletin.
Donations:
Rotary Melbourne Club is one of many Rotary Clubs that support RIMERN through committing to pay an annual membership fee. This helps cover the cost of the rent. If you wish to support us individually or via your business, you can make a donation via the RIMERN website. We do accept cash and have sponsorship opportunities. Refer to the website (www.rimern.org.au). Cash donations are used to purchase some of the smaller household items where we are able to do deals with retailers for bulk orders.
John Peberdy
RIMERN Board Member and Melbourne RC representative on the Committee of Management.
