FORaMEAL at Yarra Valley Grammar in Ringwood on Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 July 2026
A very pleasant and productive setup and event was held in the Foundation Hall at Yarra Valley Grammar. The students packed 22,900 meals, an incredible effort with minimal spills or fuss.
Some of the students assisted our team members President Jill, Doug, Narelle Bakyew, Kate and Gerry Cross and Andrew Brownie, Merlin Sykes and Tim Treeby from the RC Maroondah and Celina and Pam from Pennant Australasia Pty Ltd (a private company that encourages their staff to volunteer and pays them for their attendance) with the setup on Monday.
Unfortunately, Doug had an early start on Tuesday due to my miscommunication and returned bright and early from a very early return run to and from Dandenong with the extra supplies and kits in readiness for the busy day on Tuesday. Apologies again, Doug. He had to warm up with a mega cup of coffee due to a malfunction with the door panel and was unable to wind the side window up! It could only happen to Doug but as always, he soldiered on & again has a tale to tell!!
The same FAM members returned for the event on Tuesday morning and with the addition of David Zrna and Alex Birnie. The RC Maroondah members of Andrew Brownie, Paul Wang, Noel Williams ably assisted along with Kevin Xiao from MATES and Brian Wiltshire from Whitehorse Rotaract.
The FAM team extend a big thank you to all who contributed to a very successful preparation and event. We just couldn’t do these events without your ongoing support.
I’m sure there was certainly no need for the box fillers to go to the gym after the busy day! Even though President Jill went to Pilates following an early rising to take Michael to the airport prior to coming to assist all bright eyed and limbered up.
Our thanks have been extended to Yarra Valley Grammar and staff for their hospitality, lovely lunch and assistance to support us. We shall be returning on 3 and 4 August for the remainder of the year student group preparation and event.
Nora
Joint Project Leader