Report of VMMA donation to Australian Education Industry Centre
Sunday 6th July 2008
At the General Meeting held at Mansfield on Sunday 1st June 2008 seven members of the VMMA had made submissions that were discussed and past for payment, one of these submissions was from Mal Pitcher from Stawell who proposed a donation be made to Australian Education Industry Centre Inc. (AEIC) to assist their Seaford operation that restores 2nd hand bicycles that are then donated back into the community through numerous charitable organisations that become aware of families who would benefit from a bicycle donation.
Mal has for sometime assisted this particular bicycle restoration program by collecting 2nd hand donated bicycles and delivering them from the Stawell area to the Seaford AEIC workshop for restoration.
All types of bicycles in any condition are accepted by the AEIC workshop for they utilise parts from non complete bicycles to restore others, one component that nearly 95% of the time requires replacement and or repair is the seat.
It has been agreed that the VMMA will promote a bicycle donations of 2nd hand bicycles from its members, Freemasonry Victoria and the general community that will on Saturday 27th September be assembled at the South Eastern Masonic Centre car park and then transport with a motorcycle escort to the AEIC workshop.
Mal Pitcher (from Stawell) presented the VMMA donation to AEIC Program Coordinator Rita Battaglin.
Mal coordinated the donation to presented at the South Eastern Masonic Centre on Sunday 6th July 2008 whilst he was in Melbourne, he had arranged with the AEIC Seaford workshop coordinator Steve Bechaz that Rita Battaglin "External Programs Coordinator" for the Australian Education Industry Centre Inc. to attend at 11.00 a.m. to accept the VMMA donation that is directed to assisting with purchasing materials to restore bicycle seats.
Mal Pitcher (from Stawell) presented the VMMA donation to AEIC Program Coordinator Rita Battaglin.
Bob, Jean, Chris and Sharyn left Mooroolbark at 10.00 a.m. for the ride to Keysborough, it was decided to give Eastlink a run from Ringwood down to Greens Road at Dandenong, yes it cut our travel time down by nearly 20 minutes with us being the first to arrive at the South Eastern Masonic Centre.
The following VMMA members were present for the donation presentation Dave, Viv, Dennis, Anita, Mal, Bob, Jean, Chris, Sharyn, Mal and his son Dale.
It was appropriate for Mal to make the actual donation for it was his submission to the VMMA that enlightened us of this worthy bicycle restoration program.
AEIC was represented by Rita Battaglin "External Programs Coordinator" and Steve Bechaz from the Seaford workshop.
Mal made the presentation at the front of the South Eastern Masonic Centre to Rita Battaglin who then explained how the organisation worked and how appreciative they are to this generous donation to assist with the seat repairs for the bicycles.
Mal being presented a Certificate of Appreciation from Rita.
Rita then made a presentation to Mal of a Certificate of Appreciation to the Victorian Masonic Motorcycle Association Inc. that expressed their appreciation for our organisations valuable contribution and ongoing support for the Bicycle Recycling Project.
Following the presentation we all adjourned into Lodge Room No. 1 to show both Rita and Steve the inside of a lodge room and to continue our discussions for future assistance to the bicycle recycling project.
Explaining Freemasonry to Rita and Steve.
At the conclusion of the presentation Dave, Viv, Chris, Sharyn, Bob, Jean and Mal rode down to Mordialloc Hotel Cafe for a coffee and lunch.
Reported by: CW
