Passionate volunteer awarded outstanding community leadership award

In 2010-11 the Rotary Club of Carlton instigated a Community Leadership Award to recognise people in the local community who have demonstrated by example a commitment to initiating programs and/or supporting their communities.

In 2017-18 the name was changed to the Paul Carlin Outstanding Community Leadership Award to recognise Mr Carlin as one who did more than anyone in our club to inspire our motto “Caring for Carlton”.

This year, the award is being presented to Jazmyn Walkin, a volunteer coordinator at the Brotherhood of St Lawrence’s Breakfast Club.

Her nominator Lexi Middleton, a community engagement officer at the Brotherhood, said Ms Walkin’s “ongoing voluntary commitment to supporting young people in Fitzroy exemplifies all the values you are searching for”.

“I oversee Jazmyn’s inspiring and dedicated volunteer work in the community and truly believe Jazmyn is a prime candidate for this award,” she said.

“Jazmyn has been volunteering with a locally ran wellbeing and food security program Breakfast Club for over five years and played an integral part in facilitating and adapting the program throughout copious challenges presented by Covid-19 including a change of location (from Connie Benn Centre, Fitzroy to Sacred Heart Primary School).

“Breakfast Club lays the foundations for better concentration and participation at school, as children enjoy a nourishing meal every weekday before school and take part in fun learning activities.”

Ms Walkin has played an integral part in the program by offering a variety of skills, including facilitating wellbeing activities for students. 

Ms Middleton said the Breakfast Club currently has about 30 students attend who continue to benefit from Jazmyn’s kind and nurturing nature and modelling of community values.

“Jazmyn has led several community and corporate volunteers by displaying incredible commitment, innovation, and initiative in facilitating Breakfast Club activities and builds supportive and nurturing relationships with staff and students, all in a voluntary capacity on top of other personal and professional commitments. Jazmyn is consistent, reliable and a pleasure to work with,” Ms Middleton said.

Ms Walkin will be presented her award certificate and a cheque for $1000 at the Carlton Rotary’s changeover dinner at Graduate House on June 28.

At that dinner, district governor elect (from July 1) Ron Payne from Eaglehawk Rotary Club will induct Ian Ada as president from July 1 to follow on from Keith Ryall who has completed his one-year term of office.

Prayers for the Tolley family

We reported in the June Inner City News on the plight of a young 12-year-old boy from Beechworth who had suffered horrific burns in a fire that totally destroyed the family home on the outskirts of Beechworth in early May. The following comments are taken from the Tolley Love and Support page on Facebook on June 18.

COVID19 has given them all a knock and resulted in Jack back in ICU with some heart complications as well as sepsis (infections). He is now back on the ward and even though his amazing resilience shows, he is tired, worn out and struggling at times especially with pain. So far, the battle has been for just over two months.

Our thoughts and prayers are extended to young Jack and all members of the Tolley family for a complete and reasonably rapid recovery.

For Rotary opportunities or membership enquiries contact Ian Ada on 0447 173 084 or [email protected]. •

Caption: Jazmyn Walkin