Rotary Club of Emerald and District has wasted no time getting the community events program back into full swing.
The Rotary Club had a busy February, organising three community events including a Deb Ball, Rotary Storm Recovery Festival and the Emerald Rotary Market.
After cancelling six previous events in the past two years because of lockdowns and restrictions, the club was able to make their fairytale Deb Ball a reality for 36 couples on Saturday 26 February at The Grand in Wantirna.
Emerald Rotary President Shalini Penny said after many letdowns, the club was thrilled to finally deliver the event for enthusiastic year 11 and 12 students.
“Our club members supported the students, most of whom were from Emerald and surrounds, with dancing lessons over the past 20 months.”
“On the night, they all looked magnificent and did everyone proud, especially themselves.”
Emerald Rotary helped organise the Rotary Storm Recovery Festival on Sunday 27 February with Belgrave and Monbulk Rotary clubs to help support local people impacted by the June 2021 storm event.
Ms Penny said the festival was an opportunity to bring people together and acknowledge the challenges the community continues to face as a result of the storm.
“Rotary District 9810, of which Emerald Rotary is a part, has been working hard behind the scenes since the storms to raise much-needed funds for the community,” she said.
“I’m pleased to say that $102,000 has been raised through Rotary Australia World Community Service Inc.,
“These funds will now go towards a variety of projects, activities and resources to provide more help to those in need and to strengthen local emergency response capability.”
At the Rotary Storm Recovery Festival, $92742 in funding raised was distributed to community-based groups and projects, including:
• The story of the Big Storm book for primary school students – $3,971.50
• SES equipment and training – $16,775
• Mt Dandenong Preschool – chestnut roaster & loo hire – $1,850
• Habitat for Humanity – $27,000
• Treasure Our Trees – $37,747
• Monbulk Emergency Group – Satellite phones – $5,399
The monthly Emerald Rotary Market has been expanded with an array of crafts, produce, collectables and treasures, and is held on the second Saturday of the Month from 8am to 1pm at the Emerald Primary School oval.
Applications for the next Deb Ball scheduled for Saturday 11 June 2022 are now open. More information can be found at https://emeraldrotary.org.au/page/debutante.
