Rotary Club of Lilydale – Partnership with Holy Fools Inc.
Rotary Lilydale has actively supported Holy Fools Inc. through:
Street Angels Lunch: Supplying and serving meals to the homeless, with members cooking and assisting at the next event on May 14.
Swag Donations: We are providing swags via ShelterBox (2023) and Rock-solid Shelving (2024), which were presented to Neal Taylor and are already in use.
Rotary Foundation Grant: Secured to fund minor refurbishments at Holy Fools’ facility, creating a shared kitchenette space for client use and enhancing Rotary’s community visibility.
This partnership reflects Rotary’s commitment to practical, people-focused support.
Rotary Club of Lilydale & Holy Fools Inc. – Felix House Project
In December 2024, Rotary Club of Lilydale applied for a District 9815 Foundation grant to support Holy Fools Inc. in their mission to address homelessness in the Yarra Ranges. The grant was approved in February 2025, enabling the Club to supply and install a kitchenette at Felix House—a newly established homelessness resource centre in Lilydale.
The kitchenette, installed by Rotary volunteers, includes a sink, benches, and cupboards, providing a practical space for clients to prepare light meals. This area complements other essential facilities at Felix House, including an accessible shower and toilet (installed with support from Tiny Homes Pty Ltd), laundry services, mobile charging, and storage lockers.
The project also includes a dedicated consulting room where professionals offer services such as counselling, housing advice, financial support, mental health care, and Centrelink access. This integrated setup offers both dignity and opportunity to clients experiencing homelessness.
The build involved hands-on contributions from Rotary Lilydale members and Holy Fools volunteers across several stages—kitchen installation, tiling, and the placement of the all-abilities unit. Neal Taylor of Holy Fools reported that the shower and laundry have been in daily use since opening, mainly serving women living in vehicles.
Felix House officially opened on 2 May 2025, with support from Yarra Ranges Councillors, local MPs, and community leaders. The project stands as a strong example of Rotary’s “People of Action” ethos, working in partnership to provide visible, tangible support to those in need.
For more information, visit: holyfools.org.au.
