Como Rotary brings people together through friendship and social connection, united by a shared purpose of doing good in the world. We make a positive impact through our active support of: Local Community Organisations, Local and Regional Projects, and Rotary Global Programmes.
Support of Local Organisations
Para and Ability Dance WA
PADWA promotes health, wellness and well-being through dance, for dancers living with a disability. Its mssion is to provide support to achieve an all-inclusiv, safe environment for dancers, family memgers and friends. Como Rotary provides sponsorship support.
Link: https://padwa.org.au
Manning Community Men's Shed
The community-based Manning Men’s Shed gives men and women the opportunity to improve their health and wellbeing through participation in workshop activities as a means of connecting with others and increasing self-esteem. Como Rotary is a long- term partner with the Manning Community Men’s Shed in supporting community projects and education programmes, and in repurposing donated items, hand tools etc, for Como Rotary’s projects such as Containers for Timor.
Link: https://mmswa.tidyhq.com
Walk to Defeat MND
This is a major fundraising event for the Motor Neurone Disease Association of WA which supports families living with the disease in WA.
Como Rotary members provide a sausage sizzle BBQ to walkers on the day of the Walk with all proceeds donated to the MND Association to support the fundraising efforts of walkers.
Kids are Kids
Kids are Kids offers a range of individual services and group programmes for children aged 0-18 years with social and learning disorders, experiencing difficulty with their development, learning, communication, behaviour, movement and/or mental health. As a community partner, Como Rotary contributes towards purchase of equipment, and funds the cost of scholarships providing fully-funded, tailored therapy and support plans for children and families with high therapy needs, but limited resources.
People Who Care - Starting Over Support (SOS)
A long-term community partner supported by Como Rotary with donations of household items and with funding donations.
Starting Over Support receives referrals from community-based WA domestic violence organisations. Starting Over Support then assists in the transition from crisis or refuge accommodation helping people re-establish themselves to relocate and start again, by providing furniture, white goods, and everyday household items required to make a home.
Link: www.peoplewhocare.org.au
Carson Street School
Carson Street School provides a supportive learning environment for children with disabilities aged up to 11 years old. Como Rotary continues to actively support the school with member’s time, and financially for development projects such as upgrading outdoor play equipment to provide accessibility for children with complex needs.
With support from other philanthropic contributions, Como Rotary delivered a purpose-built bus to Carson Street School in East Victoria Park, to transport special needs students safely to and from events and activities designed to enrich their lives and assist their personal growth.
Senior Citizens Centre South Perth
Como Rotary maintains contact with this organisation providing services to senior community members and we donate towards various organised activities of the centre.
Link: https://spscc.org.au
Australia Day – South Perth City Council
Como Rotary members host a Great Aussie Breakfast BBQ for new Australian citizens and their families after the annual citizenship ceremony held by the South Perth City Council on Australia Day morning.
Rotary Smiles for the Homeless – Mobile Dental Clinic
In partnership with other community service organisations, the Kimberley Dental Team and Rotary Clubs within our Community Group, Como Rotary is working to help deliver a purpose-built mobile dental clinic to serve homeless people here in Perth and regional WA - providing free, accessible dental care to restore dignity, relieve pain and assist positive health outcomes for vulnerable people in our community. This project is still being developed.
Link:
Southcare - Engaging Young Leaders on Aged Care and Community Boards (EYLACCB)
Partnering with Southcare, this is a training initiative to strengthen leadership and governance in the not-for-profit sector by connecting emerging young leaders (aged under 40) with training for board and governance opportunities in community and aged care organisations. The cost to participate ideally comes from the participants employer plus a personal fee. Como Rotary’s support has subsidised worthy participants who are unable to meet the full cost of the programme.
Southcare - Social Circle
A proposed new community partnering project with Southcare to deliver bi-monthly social connection activities designed to bring older people together in a welcoming and supportive environment, aiming to reduce social isolation and loneliness among seniors. In addition, Como Rotary has been asked to provide in-kind support by volunteer sorting and packing Christmas food hampers made up of donated goods, providing emergency relief to support individuals and families in crisis during the Christmas period.
Lifestreams Community Services
Based in Como, Lifestreams Christian Church provides services to people from any religious and cultural background. During 2024, Como Rotary members cooked a monthly community BBQ to support community interaction. Lifestreams responds to people in need, through food parcels and vouchers, and Como Rotary have been asked to partner with them in funding and to assist with packing and distribution as required.
Healing Smiles
Healing Smiles is a collaborative initiative by volunteer dental practitioners and the WA community, to restore smiles for female victims of domestic violence. It is a free dental service in a safe, caring and unprejudiced space, sensitive to the women’s psychological, cultural and socio-economic needs. The number of women who can be treated, following referral, is directly related to funding of the materials required. Como Rotary’s sponsorship will contribute to restoring a victim’s smile and empowering their confidence.
Manning and Collier Primary Schools,
Como Secondary College
Como Rotary supports our local primary schools with reading development, student grants and community awards at year-end graduations.
We support our local secondary school with scholarship wards abd encouragment of Interact Club development. Our Como Rotary members give time to assist with school programmes such as practice career interviewing. A Como Rotary member is a community representative on the School Board.
Local Youth and Young Adult Programmes
RYLA
Rotary Youth Leadership Award is a dynamic eight-day residential program for 18–28 year olds, focused on leadership, self-awareness, and personal growth. It’s a week filled with engaging workshops, outdoor challenges, and transformative conversations, building leadership, communication, and emotional intelligence in a supportive environment. As well as nominating and sponsoring local older youth to attend, some Como Rotary members supply key administrative management and practical support to the organisation and running of the programme in WA.
RYPEN
Rotary Youth Programme of Enrichment involves a weekend camp for young people aged 14 to 17. This transformative programme is designed to help build confidence, develop life skills and set meaningful goals. Participants gain greater motivation, a positive self-image and pride in their achievements. Como Rotary sponsors nominated young people in Year 10 from local schools. Some Como Rotary members supply key administrative management and practical support to the programme’s organisation and running in WA.
Camp Opportunity
A week-long live-in camp held here in WA for young adult special-needs campers between 18 to 35 years of age. They team with “buddies” for a week of adventures as they mix and interact in a fun atmosphere to share new friendships and experiences. The camp also provides respite for parents and families. Como Rotary provides a breakfast barbecue for the camp at Point Walter in Perth.
Local Community Projects
Pride of Workmanship Awards
These Rotary awards recognise local employees and individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment, skill and integrity in their daily work – quietly going above and beyond and demonstrating the motto “Do it once, Do it Well”. The awards, given by Como Rotary, recognise, motivate and improve self-esteem and confidence in nominated individuals from local businesses and organisations. Nominations come through Como Rotary members.
Environmental Activities
Como Rotary has committed to support environmental stewardship primarily through the upkeep of two designated “Keep Australia Beautiful” sites under the “Adopt-a-Spot programme, on the Como and South Perth foreshores of the Swan River. This involves scheduled clean-up mornings where members, friends and the local community come together to collect litter and rubbish.
This hands-on volunteering is inclusive and welcoming to all – fostering a shared community commitment to improving the local environment. Our club members also support the City of South Perth Council's tree planting and other environmental events.
Regional near-neighbor Projects
Containers for Timor
After the 1999 withdrawal of the Indonesian military, communities in Timor-Leste were left with virtually nothing. Como Rotary members, with assistance from Timorese community people in Perth, collect, pack and ship containers of donated medical and educational supplies, household items, clothing, books, hand tools and gardening implements, to needy communities in Timor-Leste. The donated goods make a real difference in the lives of the Timorese people.
Como Rotary raises funds to assist the purchase and freight costs of up to 4 shipping containers per year. Direct community donations are very welcome and can also be made through the Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS ) tax-deductible site.
Clean Water for Bali
We have carried out 3 successful Water Supply projects in Bali using a Rotary Global Grant initiative, co-ordinated and supported by Como Rotary, and partnering with other supporting WA Rotary Clubs and businesses, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Bali Taman.
The projects install vital infrastructure such as potable water wells, piping and storage facilities and toilets, to supply fresh, safe water to isolated villages in Bali. These projects transform the health and future of communities that previously lacked reliable access to this basic human need.
Direct community donations are very welcome and can also be made through the Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS ) tax-deductible site.
Support of Rotary's Global Programmes
Australian Rotary Health
ARH is a national Rotary charity with a primary mission to fund medical research by Australians for Australians. It is the largest independent funder of mental health research in Australia, with its focus on the mental health of children. Como Rotary is a long term annual donor to ARH, both for mental health research and funding of indigenous health scholarships.
Shelterbox
ShelterBox is Rotary’s official partner for world disaster relief. Como Rotary proudly supports and donates to Shelterbox – a cutting-edge charity that hand-delivers emergency shelter and essential aid, quickly and efficiently, to families in crisis situations of natural disaster and conflict around the world. Its signature ShelterBox and ShelterKits contain the tools to transform lives and rebuild communities.
The Rotary Foundation
The Rotary Foundation is Rotary’s global charity fund. The Foundation enables Rotary clubs to pool funds with those from other clubs and major donors from around the world to carry out significant projects via funding grants, as well as to support Rotary’s high profile programmes such as polio eradication and peace scholarships. Como Rotary contributes to the pool of funds, and also accesses funds via grants for significant projects.
Polio eradication is Rotary's #1 Global project. Polio is highly infectious and has no cure. But just 2 drops of a vaccination can make an impact. The Polio Plus programme, with Rotary partnering with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Health Organisation and UNICEF, has been particularly successful in fighting to End Polio Now throughout the world via the funding of child vaccination and surveillance activities in remaining polio-endemic countries. Together, we can make Polio history.