For the last five years Charlie Clarke has been the person in charge of the joint environmental volunteer project involving Year 9 students from Peninsula Grammar, the Rotary Club of Mount Eliza and the Friends of the Mornington - Moorooduc Historical Railway that  is rehabilitating the vegetation corridor that runs along side the Mornington Historical Railway from Moorooduc to Mornington.  

Charlie grew up on a wheat-sheep farm in the Western District where he developed his love of the environment and sustainable farming. He graduated from University as a teacher of Biology, IT and Agriculture. After a full and rewarding career, his final position was as the teacher in charge of the famous “Farm” at the Woodleigh School in Baxter. He instilled a passion into his students of integrating the Australian flora and flora into sustainable farming practices.

We developed our link with Charlie during the time our Club held an annual fundraising event  for Peninsula Health called ‘Kids Run with the Train” at the Moorooduc Station. The railway people told us of the work The Friends Group did to rehabilitate and conserve the corridor along the railway line to Mornington, removing weeds, planting indigenous species and preserving rare species. This started a fantastic and invigorating  partnership with Rotary, the students and Charlie, with Charlie organising every session, obtaining all the plants, stakes and guards and training the students and us in how to do everything. He has a wonderful manner with the students and in turn they respect him and value his leadership. As a result, we have planted over 1500 trees, shrubs and grasses, weeded areas and prepared ground for planting.  Charlie of course does this as well run his own group and also volunteer as a native animal rescue person. 

He is an outstanding volunteer in our community and more than worthy recipient of our Community Award.

 

 

 

Bella Potter is severely vision impaired. Diagnosed with Retinopathy of Prematurity, Bella and her twin

brother Jack were born at 25.5 weeks gestation, Bella, the smaller twin, weighing just 630g.

Due to her vision impairment not being appropriately catered for in classroom situations in mainstream

schools, Bella experienced a great many difficulties throughout her early education. 

It was only after 10 years of schooling, when she went to Peninsula Specialist School in Dromana for Years 11 and 12, that she finally felt understood and encouraged.

Her prior experiences never dampened the spirit of this amazing young woman.

Bella pursued a career in childcare worked at a wonderfully supportive Childcare Centre whilst working to gain a Certificate 3 in Early Childcare.

Whilst working with so many children, she began to realise that her own experiences made her able to

easily identify and understand, specifically, the needs of children with special needs.

She was invited to come to the Peninsula Speciaistl School to meet the volunteering with the staff.

After many months of volunteering her time on any day she had free from work, a full-time paid position

became available as Prep Teachers Aid at the school and it was suggested to Bella that she should apply for

the position.

Out of 10 applicants for the job, Bella was the successful candidate. She began in this role in May 2025.

For Peninsula Specialist School this is an ultimate ‘success story,’ to have one of their former students

complete Year 12 and now be working and studying in that specialist field with such passion.

It has been heart-warming to see this 22 year old young woman giving of her time to children who need

special care and understanding, so that they can move into the wider world with confidence.

Her intention is to work towards her Bachelor of Education degree.

Bella is certainly a most deserving winner of the Mt Eliza Rotary Shine On Award for 2025