It was 50 years ago that Fred Wright from West Footscray visited the Pacific Islands and returned with a mandate to find a way to donate basic necessities to the islanders. From a collection that grew from donations stored in his garage and then to his backyard and then to some stables in Maribyrnong, DIK moved to a shed at Golden Bros.Transport Company in North Altona.
The donations of goods quickly outgrew the shed there and DIK moved to part of the wool stores in West Footscray. DIK having found a home at Shed 40, relocated to Shed 39 a few years ago.
Bob met up with Rotarian Bill Dagg who visited Timor after Independence and was passionate that Rotary could make a difference to our closest impoverished neighbour - Timor. It was year 2000, when Bob involved himself in Donations in Kind and assisted in packing containers headed for Timor.
It has not always been plain sailing for DIK and a DG at the time, decided that this project should be closed. He thought it looked like a “rubbish tip”! What he failed to understand is that many products and cast offs may have no further use here in Australia, but are valuable commodities in needy countries overseas and in some regions within Australia. This recycling and reuse program involves the collection, sorting, packing, dispatch and distribution of donated items. It was in 2005/6 that Five Rotary Clubs decided to oppose this inappropriate objection and formed the Donations in Kind, Inc.
Bob described some “challenges” he had faced, including the annual financial mission of finding around $150,000 to cover the “running costs” of rent, rubbish removal, repairs, maintenance and other expenses. This has been achieved by the contributions of 20 Rotary Clubs and Clusters so far.
Another challenge is in the supply, improvement and increase of the donated goods to keep up with the needs of deprived countries. Bob said the supply is excellent with major hospitals and other organisations all offering and providing a constant resource of goods. These need the volunteers to collect, clean, repair and pack and volunteers are always warmly received at DIK. Bob said call in and spend a few hours and you will received a "cup of tea" both morning and afternoon! DIK always needs volunteers.
