Guest Speaker, Jo Bailey from Kitchen Yea
Jo and her family have a farm in the Ghin Ghin area, and divide their time between Yea and Melbourne, where they are involved n the food industry.
The project has come about after consultation with Yea Hospital and Community House where it has been established there is a need to assist the socially isolated and those suffering from food insecurity in our community. Having purchased the former Yea Newsagents building, work has commenced to create a commercial kitchen, where a professional chef would be employed to cook with up to 10 people at a time, who would prepare a meal and dine together, along with preparing up to 90 extra meals which would be distributed to those who are in need. They would be depending on volunteers to assist with the meal distribution. Kitchen Yea has partnered with Alex Makes Meals, a not for profit group established during Covid lockdown in Melbourne, currently preparing 3,500 meals each week from the Darebin Community Centre.
The project is not for profit, relying on support from charity foundations, corporate charity grants and private family foundations, and tapping into “Fair Share” food distribution. It is planned to establish vegetables gardens at the rear of the building.
Jo is hoping to have Kitchen Yea operational by the end of the year,
Vote of thanks - Julie Lynch
Rotary Club of Yea will provide a letter of support for Kitchen Yea in their application for a grant from Ausnet to assist with the cost of installing 3 phase power and renewing wiring.
Jo and her family have a farm in the Ghin Ghin area, and divide their time between Yea and Melbourne, where they are involved n the food industry.The project has come about after consultation with Yea Hospital and Community House where it has been established there is a need to assist the socially isolated and those suffering from food insecurity in our community. Having purchased the former Yea Newsagents building, work has commenced to create a commercial kitchen, where a professional chef would be employed to cook with up to 10 people at a time, who would prepare a meal and dine together, along with preparing up to 90 extra meals which would be distributed to those who are in need. They would be depending on volunteers to assist with the meal distribution. Kitchen Yea has partnered with Alex Makes Meals, a not for profit group established during Covid lockdown in Melbourne, currently preparing 3,500 meals each week from the Darebin Community Centre.
The project is not for profit, relying on support from charity foundations, corporate charity grants and private family foundations, and tapping into “Fair Share” food distribution. It is planned to establish vegetables gardens at the rear of the building.
Jo is hoping to have Kitchen Yea operational by the end of the year,
Vote of thanks - Julie Lynch
Rotary Club of Yea will provide a letter of support for Kitchen Yea in their application for a grant from Ausnet to assist with the cost of installing 3 phase power and renewing wiring.
Time to say Goodbye Cucky (Josefa) - Our Exchange Student
All good things must come to an end, and it is time for Cucky (Josefa) to start packing her bags to return home to Chile after her wonderful 12 month exchange to Yea.
Cucky departs on 4th July, for a 14 hour flight back home.
She gave a presentation/overview of her 12 months, where she has had the chance to experience many fabulous destinations in Victoria, Queensland, Canberra
and North-ern Territory.
Cucky has been hosted by Kristie Luckman and Eoghan Dowling and family, where she has been warmly embraced by their extended family and enjoyed many holidays and outings with them, including exploring Ballarat, Philip Island, Gold Coast and Balnarring beach holiday. She visited Canberra with her outbound exchange student's family. Edo, from Albury, was hosted by her family in Chile.
Cucky is currently in Year 12 at Yea High School and will continue her studies in preparation for university when she returns home. She has enjoyed the interschool volleyball, and on Wednesdays has been attending the Yea Pottery Shed where many creative items have been made!
Within her group of inbound exchange students, Cucky has made many friends and will enjoy lifelong friendships. She went on the Tropical trip to Airley beach, where snorkeling on the Barrier Reef was a high-light, and also had a wonderful Central Australian safari, visiting Darwin and travelling to Uluru. Kings Canyon and sur-rounds.
Cucky has enjoyed the hospitality of Yea Rotary, and is going home with a blazer covered in badges, and many experiences have been learnt-
• Its okay to not always be okay
• Say yes to every opportunity offered
• Be brave and do things by yourself
• What is hard makes you stronger
• Australia is not that scary!
Cucky’s presentation concluded with video message from her mother, in Chile, thanking Rotary for helping Cucky fulfil her childhood dream!
Cucky thanked all at Yea Rotary for the wonderful experience, and concluded with “It’s not goodbye, it’s see you late
Cucky departs on 4th July, for a 14 hour flight back home.
She gave a presentation/overview of her 12 months, where she has had the chance to experience many fabulous destinations in Victoria, Queensland, Canberra
and North-ern Territory.Cucky has been hosted by Kristie Luckman and Eoghan Dowling and family, where she has been warmly embraced by their extended family and enjoyed many holidays and outings with them, including exploring Ballarat, Philip Island, Gold Coast and Balnarring beach holiday. She visited Canberra with her outbound exchange student's family. Edo, from Albury, was hosted by her family in Chile.
Cucky is currently in Year 12 at Yea High School and will continue her studies in preparation for university when she returns home. She has enjoyed the interschool volleyball, and on Wednesdays has been attending the Yea Pottery Shed where many creative items have been made!
Within her group of inbound exchange students, Cucky has made many friends and will enjoy lifelong friendships. She went on the Tropical trip to Airley beach, where snorkeling on the Barrier Reef was a high-light, and also had a wonderful Central Australian safari, visiting Darwin and travelling to Uluru. Kings Canyon and sur-rounds.
Cucky has enjoyed the hospitality of Yea Rotary, and is going home with a blazer covered in badges, and many experiences have been learnt-
• Its okay to not always be okay
• Say yes to every opportunity offered
• Be brave and do things by yourself
• What is hard makes you stronger
• Australia is not that scary!
Cucky’s presentation concluded with video message from her mother, in Chile, thanking Rotary for helping Cucky fulfil her childhood dream!
Cucky thanked all at Yea Rotary for the wonderful experience, and concluded with “It’s not goodbye, it’s see you late
Other Business - Chairperson Jill introduced guest Gary Jans, brother-in-law to Chris and Paul Kellett, and a member of Rotary Club of Monbulk, Gary thanked Yea for the warm welcome. He has been a member of Monbulk for 27 years, president twice and DG once. Monbulk, in the north east sector of the Dandenong Ranges, has 8 members, so is looking at alternative arrangements, perhaps a satellite club or merging with neighbouring club, Belgrave. They had a major project 5 years ago, assisting after the severe storm in the Dandenongs.
President Darryl:
• Welcome to our visitors, Jo Bailey, Craig Birchall, Gary Jans, Kyla and Cucky
• Sadly, we have received news that former member, Val Howard, has passed away. Funeral, Saturday 20th June, 11 am, St Lukes Anglican Church, Yea, followed by gathering at 1.30pm at Country Club Hotel, Yea (function room)
• Email from Colleen, Ruffy Hub, advising that amenities trailer has had plumb-ing installed and is a much appreciated facility.
• Email from Jeff Swain, Kinglake/Yea Branch RSL, advising of the pending closure of the Branch, hoping to be finalised by December 2026. Branch has been unable to form a committee to enable the club to function. Jeff has asked that Rotary support the ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day ceremonies.
• Welcome to our visitors, Jo Bailey, Craig Birchall, Gary Jans, Kyla and Cucky
• Sadly, we have received news that former member, Val Howard, has passed away. Funeral, Saturday 20th June, 11 am, St Lukes Anglican Church, Yea, followed by gathering at 1.30pm at Country Club Hotel, Yea (function room)
• Email from Colleen, Ruffy Hub, advising that amenities trailer has had plumb-ing installed and is a much appreciated facility.
• Email from Jeff Swain, Kinglake/Yea Branch RSL, advising of the pending closure of the Branch, hoping to be finalised by December 2026. Branch has been unable to form a committee to enable the club to function. Jeff has asked that Rotary support the ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day ceremonies.
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| Thanks to our caterers to-night, Sacred Heart Primary School, led by Emma and Emily and families, for another fabulous meal and \wonderful table service | Another Throw Back Thursday - Mock Interviews—Clare Sinclair and Jim Osborne conducting an interview with a Yea High School student. |