Stonnington Cares is a Rotary led community partnership between the City of Stonnington and Benalla Rural City that offers local Benalla residents and farmers support.
The Rotary Club of Malvern is part of the Stonnington Cluster and we have joined with the other Clubs in our district to provide Benalla residents and farmerssupport as they deal with the severe economic and social challenges caused by a 7 year long drought.
It is an innovative program and brings together the resources of the 5 Clubs in Stonnington and the Rotary Club of Benalla. Together we aim to provide farmers support in practical and supportive ways and demonstrate that“Stonnington Cares “
The Stonnington Cares program shows the shared conviction that something must be done to provide country people and farmers support in dire circumstances, particularly due to the drought. It is a way of bringing city and country people together by joining forces with other Stonnington Clubs in developing tangible ways to support those in need.
Why provide Farmers Support?
Families are under severe stress as income dries up and debt loads become unsustainable. While finance, bankruptcies and related business pressures are at the centre of the rural drought crisis, the flow on effects of these are manifested more widely .The consequences of this include marriage breakups, mental health issues and suicides
PARTICIPANTS
The city of Stonnington
Rotary Club of Prahran
Rotary Club of Malvern
Rotary Club of Chadstone /East Malvern
Rotray Club of Toorak
Rotary Club of St. Kilda
Benalla Rural City
Rotary Club of Benalla
STONNINGTON CARES PROJECTS
Areas of farmers support were identified. These included the following suggested projects.
FAMILIES
Register of homes for respite for farming families.
Relaxation and information Camp for farming families.
Pamper Day for Women.
Local community Dinners. Family beach days .
Mental health Seminars.
Farmers Support Seminars on new Farming Practices and Succession Planning
YOUTH
Father and Son Days.
Children Taken to football and Cricket in Melbourne.
Toys for Christmas.
Book vouchers for university students.
Youth Concert.
School supplies and books for the beginning of the School year
BUSINESS
Farmers Support through sponsored stalls at Farmers Markets.
Beyond Survival Course for Small business.
Mental Health Aid for Small Business.
The ‘Stonnington Cares’ project was officially launched in the form of a ‘Family Fun Day’ at the Benalla Racecourse on Sunday 19 October 2008, and since then a number of strategic events has been either undertaken or are in the process of being organised, for completion by the end of the financial year.
PROJECTS ACHIEVED
| Event | Project completion date | Number of participants | Cost of Project * |
| Family fun day | 19 October 2008 | 300 | $6,000 |
| Toys for Christmas | 20 December 2008 | 50 | $3,000 |
| Stonnington Christmas shopping tour | 15 November 2008 | 30 | $2,500 |
| Community dinners | 4 April 2009 | 200 | $2,000 |
| Family Camp | 19 April 2009 | 70 | $17,000 |
| Farming ladies pamper day | May 2009 | 50 | $6,000 |
| Kids big day out in Melbourne | June 2009 | 50 | $5,000 |
| TOTAL | $41,500 |
The ‘Stonnington Cares’ project has become crucial for drought and farmers support support for Benalla Rural City Council. The advantages include:
- Funds for projects are sourced from an external funding body.
- City/Country Council and community partnerships are formed.
- City residents of influence are educated about the impact of the drought on our community.
- Members of our community are invited to attend events that draw the community together, and address isolation and depression issues that occur due to the impact of the ongoing drought.
Conclusion
The “Stonnington Cares” Drought Relief project has brought considerable benefits to the Benalla community. It would be appropriate to develop the partnership that has been established, with further activities in the next financial year to continue to offer local Benalla residents and farmers support and also build relationships between country and city.
