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Who are we?
Nillumbik Cares
is a Rotary led community
partnership between the Nillumbik and a rural Shire
in the North of Victoria. We exist to provide on- going support for
the residents of this rural Shire as they seek to deal with the
severe economic and social challenges caused by a 7 year long drought.
This innovative and exciting program will bring together the
resources of the two municipalities and the volunteer resources
of Rotary Clubs. Together we aim to demonstrate in practical and
supportive ways that “Nillumbik Cares”.
Where did we come
from?
We seek our inspiration and
model from the Rotary Sharing Communities model, the
incubator being the Boroondara Cares programme. This had its
beginnings in contacts between the Mayors of Moira and
Boroondara in September 2007 and their shared conviction that
“something must be done” to support country people in dire
circumstances due to the drought. The Rotary Club of Camberwell
quickly jumped on board and invited their fellow Clubs inside
Boroondara and Moira Shire to participate to form Boroondara Cares. This was reciprocated with the Moira Shire and its its four local Rotary Clubs to form Moira
Cares.
Why does Nillumbik
care?
Families are under severe stress as income
dries up and debt loads become unsustainable. While finance,
farm debt, bankruptcies and related business pressures are at
the centre of the rural drought crisis, the flow on effects of
these are being manifested more widely in an erosion of ‘social
capital’. The consequences of this include marriage break-ups,
mental health issues and suicides.
Who is the partner city?
We expect to announce the
partner city in the next ten days. |
