EVENTS
Action Summit
If you are arriving in Melbourne ahead of RICON, you will not want to miss this ESRAG Environment Action Summit on Thursday, 25 May. To be held in a central Melbourne location, this Summit will feature leading environmental keynote speakers and showcase a number of outstanding Rotary environmental projects. After this inspiring introduction, delegates will work in breakout groups to develop practical ideas for Rotary club and district environmental projects. These ideas for projects will then be collated and produced into environmental action guides and made available to Rotary clubs and districts worldwide. This will be the chance for you to share some of the innovative projects of your club and district and to also learn from speakers and other delegates.
EVENTS
RAGTime
Following the inaugural and successful RAGTime in RICON 2022 in Houston, Texas, the DNA RAG is organising a second RAGTime in Melbourne on Thursday, 25 May in the Jardin Tan room at the glorious Royal Melbourne Botanic Gardens. This is a unique opportunity, over canapés, to greet members of ESRAG and to meet, learn from and share ideas for joint projects with members of the other 26 Rotary Action Groups. You will also be able to have informal conversations with Rotary staff and our Rotary International leaders. If you are planning to arrive early to RICON, this is an event that you will not want to miss.
TOURS
Green Line Tour
The City of Melbourne’s vision is to create a Green Line along the northern side of the Yarra River through the CBD. The Rotary Club of Melbourne and Rotarians for Bees are involved. Whilst this project is early in the planning stages, our visit will give you an overview of the proposal and its environmental aspirations: to improve river health, create a connected ecological river corridor, provide environmental education, increase tree canopy and mitigate impacts of flooding and sea level rise. On this walking tour of the Docklands area of Melbourne is planned Wednesday afternoon and again on Thursday morning from the Melbourne Exhibition and Entertainment Centre. On the tour we will visit wetland trials recently constructed
TOURS
Australian Bush & off-the grid living
Within an hour from Melbourne is the charming Daylesford / Hepburn Springs area. The visit will include morning tea at a sustainable, off grid home and if we are lucky see mobs of Kangaroos. We plan lunch with discussions about Hepburn Energy, the first community owned wind farm, and also a visit to charming towns. This tour is planned for Friday 26th. Limited numbers. Cost USD 50 mainly to cover the bus. Lunch and other purchases at one’s own cost. Returning to Melbourne in time to join the Tour of the Flying Fox colony.
TOURS
Rotary Donations in Kind Footscray
This Rotary volunteer recycling facility collects and redistributes goods, principally donated by companies, hospitals and schools. The goods are destined for developing countries and to disadvantaged individuals in the local community and are distributed through Rotary club and the wider NGO network. Visit the warehouse and see the vast range of goods prevented from going to the tip but finding a very needy home and discuss how this project is managed. Thursday 25th. Morning tea / coffee is provided. Return in time for the ESRAG Action Summit.
TOURS
Royal Botanic Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria is a leading plant science organization specializing in biodiversity and conservation research, taxonomy, and identification services for plants and fungi. Join a small group on Friday morning to walk around the gardens and learn about their research activity.
TOURS
Bat Colony in Melbourne
There is a large Grey Headed Flying Fox colony living on the banks of the Yarra. These native megabats have their camp in Yarra Bend Park with colony numbers rising to around 35,000 in summer. Leaving mid afternoon Friday, travel by bus to nearby Fairfield and use the walking path on the bank of the Yarra to the colony. Aim to arrive just prior to sunset when thousands of bats stream into the sky. Return by bus to the city.
TOURS
ESRAG Fellowship Lunch
On Saturday 27 May meet with fellow ESRAG volunteers and Board of Directors. Bring your own lunch to the Entertainment Centre.
TOURS
ESRAG Fellowship Dinner
On Sunday evening, join us at a popular Melbourne Restaurant. We will email the restaurant name and location to you.