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Rotary 100 Centenary  Baton Relay
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2021: we celebrate the Centenary of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand!

The Geelong Clubs Rotary Centenary Baton Relay began   in Torquay today , with many Club members  walking with President Jan Emmett and District Governor Phil Beasley  to the Rob Emmett Play ground President Jan  then travel through the Bellarine Peninsular into Geelong , with a display and an afternoon of activities in the garden at Christ Church  cnr Moorabool & McKillop Streets, Geelong. 
The celebrations and formalities in the Christ Church garden included our very own Trevor Pickles and the Shy Boys playing the music, and was an enjoyable afternoon to celebrate this momentous year in Rotary Down Under .
 
 
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Indigenous Literacy Foundation - helping remote indigenous communities
Donate to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF) and help provide books and literacy programs to over 400 remote Indigenous communities across Australia, where they are needed most.
The ILF is dedicated to lifting the literacy levels in remote Indigenous communities, so all children across Australia have the same choices and opportunities.
Reading and writing are the basic skills everyone needs to help them learn and provide opportunities for their future. Literacy and basic education is one of Rotary’s seven areas of focus. The Indigenous Literacy Foundation has a mantra of “Reading Opens Doors” and their vision statement is “Equity of Opportunity”.
The ILF’s programs focus on ensuring access to quality resources including books in home languages, publishing community stories and empowering families to share reading and lead their own literacy future.
We as Rotarians, by supporting the ILF in their important work, can open up opportunities to our First Nation People living in remote areas. 
The Indigenous Literacy Foundation, now in their 10th year, has already gifted over 440,000 books to hundreds of schools, healthcare centres, and service organisations that use the books in all different ways.  They hope to donate another 100,000 books during 2020.
Donate Now.  With your help we can make a real difference and open opportunities to many young indigenous children.
 
The New Torquay Rotary Team for 2020 -21
   President for 2020-21 Jan Emmett and now Past President Kelly Binyon with the Rotary International Theme banner - "Rotary Opens Opportunities"
The Board for 2020-21 fr left Robyn O'Loughlin- International Director, Trevor Hall - Vocational Director, Kelly Binyon - Immediate Past President,
Greg Plumridge - Public Image Director, Rhonda Anchen Membership Director, President Jan Emmett, Maggie Isom - Secretary,
Michael Reed - Community Service Director, Ben Featherston - Youth Director, Mal Slater - Treasurer, Chris Sims - Foundation Director
(Absent, Amanda Hough - Club Service Director)
 
In a year when we have learned to do most things differently our Club was forced to hold a "Virtual" Function to celebrate the official change of office bearers.So having to adhere to the current Social Distancing rules we met in groups of 7 for lunch in Members homes with many other guests including Mayor Rose Hodge connecting in on ZOOM to join in the event. Out-going President Kelly Binyon recapped on the past year before handing over the reins of the Club along with the Presidents Collar, Club Charter and the Rotary International 2020-21 Theme Banner to incoming President Jan Emmett. The Club pre-recorded a video of the induction of the new Board on the Torquay foreshore, which was played during the Zoom event. The video was fittingly recorded in front of the playground named in honour of Jan's late husband Rob who had also been President of the Torquay Rotary Club back in 2001.
 
We wish Jan and her Team the best for the coming year which will be exciting as the Club discovers new ways to function in a COVID world.
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Join our Club online for a ZOOM Meeting

As COVID restrictions have relaxed the Torquay Rotary will still be meeting every Monday excepting Public Holidays using a mixture of Face to Face, Social events and Zoom online meetings on at 7:00pm. Please pay close attention to the Bulletin and "Coming Events" section for the   

 

Visitors and Guests are very welcome. If you would like to join us please

  1. click the link below
  2. Enter the Meeting ID
  3. Enter the Password 

 

Join Zoom Meeting

 

Meeting ID: 890 1532 7797
Passcode: 869063

 

Should you require any further details please contact Zoom Meeting Hosts Carla Egan, Lesley Shedden or Greg Plumridge

 
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Developing Rehabilitation Departments in the Western Pacific
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Developing Rehabilitation Departments in the Western Pacific
 
 
The Rotary Club of Torquay and Motivation Australia (MA) have been working together for 18 months on a project to advance orthotic and prosthetic services in our adjoining Pacific neighbours. The project, financed by a $50,000 (AUD) Global Grant, will enable the first of three teams of volunteers to conduct an initial workshop in Tonga in April 2020. With a further two workshops to follow later in the year." 
has been working with staff in Pacific Island hospitals “rehabilitation” departments for the last 13 years, supporting them to become appropriate and sustainable providers of a wide range of rehabilitation and assistive technology services. 
Over this time Motivation Australia has supported many different nations including Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, the Cook Islands, the Marshall Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu. 
In April 2019 MA convened a conference in Fiji to explore the most pressing needs of these Pacific Island nations. Service providers, disabled persons organisations, and users of rehabilitation or mobility device services, development partners and donors from each of these countries, and from Australia and the US were invited to participate in the conference.
Representatives from Pacific Island organisations and service providers presented on their strengths, success stories and areas of focus in the coming years. 
 
The Rotary Club of Torquay sent two representatives,
Past President Gaynor Schols and Rotarian Ben Featherston,
along to this conference to develop a community needs analysis
in order to be able to initiate a Global Grant application from
the Rotary Foundation. 
 
Essentially, service providers requested a program of Continuous
Professional Development (CPD) to support and expand the skills, knowledge and confidence of their teams. Through their presence and commitment to the Pacific Islands Motivation Australia was already providing a newfound hope.
 
Following the conference Motivation Australia and the Rotary Club of Torquay decided to partner and apply for a series of Global Grants to deliver Continuous Professional Development programs to each of these nations. The Rotary Foundation has awarded a Global Grant for our first program -a series of Volunteer Training Teams to the Vaiola hospital in Tonga - subject to a contingency clause (to furnish the names/details of professionals on the team, and to provision of a detailed training plan). Motivation Australia is currently advertising for volunteer professionals.
 
We expect to start delivering the first pilot program in April of this year and then follow with additional Global Grants for the remaining nations in need.
John Oswald (International Service Committee, The Rotary Club of Torquay)
Robyn O’Loughlin (Chair, International Service Committee, The Rotary Club of Torquay).
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2020 Torquay Rotary Motor Show

  Terry Dowel, best car show, 1948, Tucker, Torpedo, Brendan O'Neill, best bike in show, Vincent Rapide                    Mayor Rose Hodge presenting the Mayors Choice Award
 

           District Governor Rosanne Kava presenting the RACV Outright Award to Terry Dowell
 
With our Annual Motor Show now done and run the organising Committee would like to pass on our sincere thanks to the team of 92 volunteers on Show Day made up of Torquay Rotarians, along with Partners, Friends plus a team of our great friends from Grovedale Rotary.  Without your contribution to the event either as volunteers, sponsors, judges and vehicle entrants there would be no show at all.
 
It was also a great pleasure to have Mayor Rose Hodge & DG Rosanne on hand to see our Club at work, to meet our members and to present awards to winners.
 
This year we took the Show to another level with great thanks to our mentors Gary & Karen Grant who were instrumental in attracting an example of the Repco Brabham T19 that took Jack Brabham to his 1966 Drivers Championship as well as many sunning unique motorcycles. We were also privileged to have on display a very rare 1948 Tucker Torpedo, reputedly the only one in the Southern Hemisphere. Without doubt these rare vehicles contributed to attracting a record crowd of spectators through the gates.
 
The weather was again kind to us resulting in the 2020 Show being an all-round record breaker, with 460 cars and motorcycles on display competing for 30 sought after award trophies. Spectator numbers were well in excess of 6,000 and whilst the final numbers have not yet been completed, there will be in excess of $20,000 available after expenses to fund our Clubs Local, National and International Projects.This year a significant proportion of these funds is committed to Australian Bushfire and Drought Relief.
 
I have just been advised that The Surf Coast Corvette Club would again like to donate to our Event/Club some $2,000 from their own individual fundraising efforts for which we are extremely grateful and which will further add to the total funds raised.
 
We have gathered some pics from Sunday and I encourage you to take a look at the stunning cars and bikes that were present in these two albums that are loaded on the Motor Show Facebook page.
 
1- This album of 450 is a collection from a number of local photographers and Rotarians:-
 
2- This Album of 33 Pics is courtesy of Peter Marshall & The Surf Coast Times:-
 
 
As we are constantly striving to improve the show the committee invites your feedback and suggestions based upon your involvement at last weeks show. Please simply send your comments to me via "reply" email by Wed 20th Feb and they will be included for discussion at our upcoming event debrief.
 
Yours in Rotary Service
 
Greg Plumridge

 

 

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Bushfire Relief Donation Options - Be Sure The Money Reaches Those in Need
As much of Australia deals with the tragedy of Bushfires many donation funds are being set up by both government and private groups, and one of the most commonly asked questions is
 
"Which Charity will ensure that your donation dollars reach those in need?"
 
When you donate through Rotary you can be assured that over 97% of the monies raised will go directly to those in need.

We are very saddened by the devastating bushfires in our district and across Australia. If you are looking to donate to help those suffering, it is important to make sure your donation is well directed. Below are details of 2 Rotary funds which are assisting those affected.

1. RAWCS - Rotary Australia World Community Service National Fire Appeal
This is the only option for those who can only donate to a recipient with DGR (Donor Gift Recipient) status, or those who want tax deductibility on their donations. Go to www.rawcs.org.au to donate. To make sure the funds go to those affected by the fires in our district, tag the donation to ‘East Gippsland’. RAWCS do use 2.75% of the donations for administration.
 
2. East Gippsland Rotary Fire Aid Committee
This is an account of the Rotary Club of Bairnsdale with the funds controlled by the East Gippsland Rotary Fire Aid Committee. Rotary Club of Bairnsdale Projects Account BSB 633000 Acct 165960451. Please email the East Gippsland Rotary Fire Aid Committee when you donate eastgrotaryfireaid@gmail.com
 
Other worthy causes are:-
 
East Gippsland Hay Donations and transport costs
For those wishing to donate hay to East Gippsland or elsewhere it is being organised through ‘Need for Feed’. 
 
Go to http://www.needforfeed.org/  to arrange it.
 
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is coordinating fodder relief for farmers affected by bushfires in Gippsland and the Upper Murray. The VFF has secured an agreement with the Victorian Government to facilitate the transport of fodder to affected regions. This includes reimbursement of freight costs for transport of donated fodder.  
 
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2020 Torquay Rotary Book Fair
The Annual Torquay Rotary Book Fair is coming soon to be held in the Torquay Scout Hall at the Torquay Football Ground Spring Creek Reserve.
 
TRADING HOURS
10.00am - 4.00pm 23rd to 25th January
10.00am - 1.00pm 26th January

There will again be Thousands of books for sale from $1.00 of all Genres...……. Fiction, Non-Fiction, Children's Books, Reference Books some are even Brand New!

Don't just visit the Fair once as stocks will be replenished regularly throughout the Fair as we simply do not have sufficient space to display all the stock at once.

For further enquiries please contact Rhonda on 0488388115
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Rotary Bushfire Appeal

Our Farmers are in crisis. Record-high heat and record-low rain mean their livestock is starving. Their crops are dying. Many farmers and their families are suffering in silence.
 
The Rotary Clubs of Australia have partnered with Channel 9, Great Northern Brewing Co. and Bendigo Bank to raise funds and in-kind donations for the drought affected communities across Australia. The appeal is administered by Bendigo Bank’s charitable arm, Community Enterprise Foundation™. Click the image below for full details of this appeal
 
How to Make Donations
1. Donations can made on line via the following link: https://www.bendigobank.com.au/rotarydrought
2. In person by visiting any branch of the Bendigo Bank: https://www.bendigobank.com.au/locate-us/
3. Or by Cheque. Cheques to be made payable to “Community Enterprise Foundation” and posted to Community Enterprise Foundation, PO Box 480, Bendigo, VIC 3552 
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Tree Planting at Kithbrook Park


Tuesday morning 19th November a number of Torquay Rotarians, along with residents of Kithbrooke Park, planted tree seedlings along the boundary of the public walking track that boarders part of the Kithbrooke property.

It was a great morning with many helpers planting and securing the seedlings. This was followed by a social time, relaxing over a coffee and sausage cooked by the residents.

The contribution Rotary made was very much appreciated, and a vote of thanks was made by Wendy Atherton, Manager of Kithbrooke Park.

President Kelly thanked the residents and commented on the joint planting project, and how nice it was for us to all spend some social time together afterwards.

 

Thank you Lesley for coordinating this project.

 

Thanks

Michael Reed

 
 
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Donate Life Update
Posted by Maggie Isom
                
 
THANKS A BUNCH TO ALL THE WILLING ROTARIANS AND OTHER HELPERS  WHO HELPED OUT ON
THE DONATE LIFE STALL ON A COLD SATURDAY MORNING !
 
Especially Mike Reed, Chris Sims , Jan Emmett & President Kelly for coming early to take the photos !!
 
We had a special visit from Councillor Martin Duke & Past District Governor Jane Cox 
My daughter Sophie ( I think a potential Rotarian !) worked the crowd entering Woolworths with PDG Chris 
We signed up a few people , gave away bags & other goodies and even found a Guest for the Dinner with a Difference !!!
 
Mary would have been pleased :)
  A BIG thank you to the dedicated Team promoting the Donate Life message on a bleak morning at The Dunes Village in North Torquay today
 
                                                                              Our Legacy to Mary Elliott
Mary Elliott made her mark on the community with her dedication & commitment to Rotary & all the community Projects, and   
She was a passionate promotor of the Organ Donor Awareness program, Chair of the District Committee & very active in community campaigns & support to transplant recipients
                                                     Mary Elliott was a model of the Rotary motto of Service above Self.
                                                                  Mary would want us to support

           

You can support Donate Life week in many ways

The Club will continue Mary’s work through the development of the Mary Elliott legacy –
  • Financially where the Club donate $2400 to the Heart Lung Transplant Trust, Second Chance Accommodation Program  for supported accommodation for regional families post transplant
                                                   Show your support
Need any resources?  Contact Maggie on 0412713102 or marg.isom@gmail.com
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Read more...
Happy 114th Birthday Rotary
THE HISTORY OF ROTARY

The world’s first service club was founded on 23 February 1905 when lawyer Paul Harris and three friends met in a small office in downtown Chicago. These men wanted to rekindle in the turn-of-the-century city the spirit of friendliness they had known in their home towns. Word of the club soon spread and others were invited to join. They named their new club “Rotary” to describe the practice of meeting in rotation at the members’ various places of business.

history

The first four Rotarians: (left to right) Gustavus Loehr, Silvester Schiele, Hiram Shorey, and Paul Harris.

Originally formed for fellowship, the first Rotary club quickly evolved to use the talents and resources of its members to serve the community. By the end of 1905, the Rotary Club of Chicago had 30 members. Three years later a second club was established in San Francisco, California, USA. The next year three more clubs were established on the west coast of the United States and a fourth in New York City. Within a few years other groups formed service clubs based on the Rotary model.

 
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Torquay Rotary Club 30th Anniversary 
A great night was had by all, it was wonderful to celebrate our Club's 30th with the extended family of our Club, including our sponsor Club Grovedale. 
 
It was a memorable occasion and a testament to the enjoyment we gain from our Club to still have active Charter members in the Club. Big thanks to the many people who arranged the Celebration
 
As you will have probably seen today Rudi has placed an album of pics on the Club Facebook page which you can follow with this link PHOTO ALBUM
 


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Interested in Rotary?
Posted by Greg "Plugga" Plumridge
Call President Lesley on 0417 112 034 for more information on how YOU can join Torquay Rotary.
__________________________________________________
 
 
Rotary Myths - BUSTED
Posted by Rudi Schols
Commonly held myths about Rotary are hereby BUSTED!!!
 
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Welcome to the Rotary Club of Torquay
Posted by Howard Randall

Welcome to the Rotary Club of Torquay's website (based in Torquay, Victoria, Australia).  Our Club was formed in 1988.  It has a strong, local community focus.  At any one time, the Club supports a range of local, district, national and international projects. www.torquayrotary.org.au

The town of Torquay is the starting point of the world famous Great Ocean Road (click here). Many Rotarians who are on holiday from around the world often visit our Club, where they are always made most welcome.

If you would like to do a make-up at our Club, or would like to become a member of Rotary in the town of Torquay, you are always welcomed! 

To inform us of your attendance, and learn about any potential functions during your time of visit, please contact our Club at the telephone number listed at the top of our web site .

 
The Basics of Rotary
Posted by Howard Randall
The Basics of Rotary
Rotary International, the world's first service club organization, is made up of over 45,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas. Its members form a global network of business and professional leaders who volunteer their time and talents to serve their communities and the world.
 
Read more...
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Club Information
Welcome to our Club - No tie required!
Torquay

Club Meeting Details

We meet In Person & Online
Mondays at 6:00 PM
Lions Village Community Centre
Kooringa Place
Torquay, VIC 3228
Australia
Our Club now holds a mixture of Face to Face Meetings and Zoom Meetings. If you are interested in joining us for any of our meetings please call Greg on 0418521321 to book in or for further details.
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Club Executives & Directors
President
Jan Emmett
President Elect
Michael Reed
Vice President
Kelly Binyon
Secretary
Maggie Isom
Treasurer
Malcolm Slater
Community Service
Michael Reed
Vocational Service
Trevor Hall
Club Service
Amanda Hough
International Service
Robyn O'Loughlin
Youth Service
Ben Featherston
Immediate Past President
Kelly Binyon
Public Image
Greg Plumridge
Membership
Rhonda Anchen
Rotary Foundation
Maggie Isom
Our Club's Major Projects
Supporting Local, National & International Projects  
 
Developing Rehabilitation Departments in the Western Pacific

 
……...read more  updated 22nd Feb 2020
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