RIMERN survives and thrives

There was an article in the July 2021 edition of Inner City News under the headline: "The time has come for RIMERN" … what is it?

The article went on to say: “The keys to a large warehouse in Brunswick East were handed over to co-chair and then Prahran Rotary president, Susie Cole, on June 16, and now the warehouse is being prepared to start receiving goods for distribution.”

RIMERN stands for Rotary Inner Melbourne Emergency Relief Network, which was all about rehoming donated furniture, appliances, and homeware to people in need. Typically, the clients who must be referred by a service agency/provider or a member Rotary Club have experienced homelessness, domestic violence, incarceration, refugee displacement or other crises.

Now, just four years on, RIMERN has simply gone from strength to strength – it’s a real good news story in these challenging times. In the first financial year, 2021/22 (COVID as well), 127 Orders were dispatched to 341 people; in 2022/23, 230 orders were dispatched to 515 people and in 2023/24, no less than 381 orders were dispatched to 649 people.

The estimated value of those second-hand goods delivered was $161,000 in 2021/22; $326,000 in 2022/23, and $ 511,000 in 2023/24. Some 47 social welfare agencies/providers are now registered with RIMERN, and 22 Rotary Clubs officially support this wonderful venture.

Mention was made in the July 2021 edition about special interest groups like the Darebin Hard Rubbish Heroes (DHRH) group, which is another amazing success story. DHRH started in May 2020 and soon had 1000 followers on Facebook – that quickly grew to 4000 the following year and now has more than 25,000.

When they heard that RIMERN was in desperate need of a commercial-grade washing machine and dryer, they (primarily co-founders Jo Press and Jackie Lewis) quickly organised an online auction that raised more than the $3000 needed to purchase and install the valuable equipment.

Carlton Rotary Club is proud to be one of the foundation club members (and financial supporters) of RIMERN. Past president Keith Ryall is a board member and Wednesday Warehouse Supervisor. The Warehouse is open Tuesdays to Thursdays from 10am to 3pm and on Saturdays from 10. 30am to 2.30pm.

The Rotaract Club at Melbourne University have also been a supporter of RIMERN and has several Volunteer Working Bees at the Warehouse.

One of the features of RIMERN has been the growing interest from large corporations in having their optional Community Volunteer Days in the warehouse, as well as quite a few community-minded people from the neighbourhood. All enquiries should be directed to the chair of RIMERN: [email protected]. General information on RIMERN is available at the website rimern.org.au.

Changeover Dinner and 40th Anniversary – Carlton Rotary Club

Carlton Rotary will celebrate its 40th anniversary at Graduate House on Friday, July 18, from 6.30pm to meet and 7pm to start.

President Dr Aron Perenyi will hand over the leadership to Dr Maxine Cooper. Enquiries can be directed to past president Keith Ryall at [email protected]. Regular luncheon meetings will continue to be held at Graduate House at 220 Leicester St, Carlton, on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. •