Thank you to everyone that attended the AGM last Monday. A quorum was achieved, and all the important reports were passed efficiently. Well done Secretary Allan Hillgrove and Treasurer Mal Slater. It was great to see some members putting up their hands and nominating and being elected to leadership positions on the night.
On Friday, on behalf of our club, I attended the quarterly Groups 9/10 President’s meeting. This one being a social/networking evening, and we were lucky to have DG Kathy Rivett and PDG Stephen Lamont speak to us on the night. Kathy’s message was to remember to keep having fun within our clubs, and that yes, we are service clubs but that our club is also a place to socialize with friends. Stephen wanted to remind all club members of the volunteer opportunities that are available to Rotary club members who are attending the Rotary International Convention in Melbourne next May, and any assistance would be much appreciated. Please see flyer in this bulletin and the website: https://rotarymelbourne2023.org
Zone 8 Regionalization Pilot Project Update/Information sessions are being conducted over the next week or so. All Rotary members are invited to attend a one-hour session, which can be accessed via an online webinar. RI Director, Jessie Harman, will be hosting the sessions. Moving forward, the goal remains to establish a Regional Governance structure to transform Rotary and Rotaract in our region to better support Clubs to provide relevant and engaging experiences that serve our communities and enable us to grow. For more information, check you emails or go to: https://creatingtomorrowrotary.org/
Upcoming events:
Pop-up Book Sale #2: Saturday 3rd December at ARP in Grovedale. Volunteers needed, please contact Mike Reed regarding your availability. Please keep publicizing this on your social media platforms.
Pets on Parade: Entries are now open. Please publicize to all your friends and family.
BBQs: Next Cowrie Market is the 18th December. Volunteers are needed to pick up and return trailer, man the BBQ and organize the requirements. Please let Mal Slater know of your availability.
This Monday we are meeting at the Harding’s Lounge, RACV Resort from 6pm for a relaxed Social meeting over a drink and nibbles, and to remember our friend John McDonald. Hope to see you there.
- Drinks at Bar prices, and the All Day menu will be available to order your own food as wanted. - No formal agenda, just a chance to enjoy each others company with some banter, over a drink and nibbles. - No registration required.
This year we are raising funds to assist with Hearing Screening for Primary School Year 1 and 2 Children in Tonga. This project has been selected by our Club President Ben Featherston. Ben's background as a Clinical Audiologist meant that this project was a logical choice, but there are a number reasons why Ben made this selection. If you get a chance to chat with him it is worthwhile hearing the background to his choice.
As there is currently no routine screening or monitoring of hearing or ear health of young children in Tonga, the objective of this project is to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Health through focused training and provision of specialist equipment, to enable them to undertake screening the hearing of the young population in Tonga on a regular basis.
Within a sample of 500 Primary 1 and 2 children, 30% have been found to have some hearing/ear problems. Community Nursing staff, supported by staff at the ENT clinic will conduct regular periodic screening of the hearing of young children within the school environment. Children with identified problems will be directed to representatives from the ENT clinic at Vaiola Hospital Nuku'alofa, for further evaluation and remediation.
The festive season is almost upon us and there is so much to look forward to as a time of celebration and cheer. However, we know that for many in our community, it is a stressful period, especially when it comes to being able to afford gifts for little ones and a special meal to share.
The wonderful thing about the Geelong community is that we are known to band together and show compassion and generosity to those who need it most.
This is why I am writing to ask you to consider supporting the Geelong Giving Tree Appeal 2022, which is running from 12 November – 6 December.
BCYF is once again a collaborative partner with Bethany Community Support and the Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre to raise money for children, young people and families to be able to have some extra funds this festive season, so they can enjoy some much-needed cheer.
Last year the Geelong Giving Tree Appeal raised almost $90,000 allowing us to provide 2239 gift cards to 852 families and individuals being supported by local agencies.
We know it has been a challenging few years, and with the cost of living on the rise, we know our most vulnerable will again feel the strain this festive season. By making even a small donation you can contribute to parents buying a present for a child they have on their Santa list or being able to create an extra special meal over the festive season to share with loved ones.
These seemingly small acts of kindness make for a brighter Christmas for all.
Being able to work collaboratively to make Christmas a happier time for children, young people and families across our region supports BCYF’s Christmas wish, which is a community where people are safe, connected and empowered to live well. If you are able, I ask you to consider donating to this fundraising appeal.
Further to the question posed at dinner on Monday night, I have booked the Torquay Foreshore Caravan Park for Thursday, 16th to Sunday 19th of February 2023 for a muster of the Recreational Vehicle Fellowship of Rotarians. This is the week after the Motor show.
Usual bookings are for 30 powered caravan sites and 10 cabins. Cut-off date for bookings is mid-November, so we will have a good idea of the numbers that will come by then.
Kelly, Sue (Currie) and one other have very kindly offered to help with the planning of the social side of the muster. I hope we can meet up later in this week.
For any further information regarding the Recreational Vehicle Fellowship of Rotarians and their planned trips please contact John Oswald.
Please check you diaries and check your availability please.
With the cancellation of the November Market our next market is now 18th December . This is a busy time for all and I’m unable to help in any capacity. I need volunteers to pick up and return trailer , man the BBQ and organize the requirements. Your early replies would be appreciated.
In May 2023, Rotary in Geelong is mounting the Geelong Drone Expo (the week before the International Conference in Melbourne). The Expo brings together business, the arts and community into an inspirational family day.
The attached brochure outlines the promotional opportunitites, with the Supporter category being developed particularly with Rotarians in mind. Contact details are in the brochure.
If you could add this to your facebook or website we would be mighty grateful!! The Expo will have a Rotary display area where visitors can see the great work we do. We hope also to attract some of the international Rotarians coming early to visit our great state.
Following the wonderful reception from Orange Sky for the Coats and winter clothing donated by Rotarians last year, and the chilly winter that we are experiencing we have been asked to continue collecting for them again this winter.
Please note that all the people receiving the coats are currently homeless and many have asked if there are any thermal pants or skivvies.
So please check your wardrobes and donate any warm skivvies or pants as well as coats which are always in demand.
I will do regular pickups from our central collection point in Torquay which the Birchalls have kindly agreed to do.
Please click on the above image to read the article from the latest edition of Rotary Down Under for details of how you can assist the citizens of Ukraine through the Rotary network.
Delegate registration cost for RICON23 in Melbourne changes depending on when you register. The earlier you register the more economical the price.
Rotarians, Rotaractors and friends can obtain the maximum discount to attend RICON23. Registration and Accommodation Bookings are now available through the RI website on this link
The Rotary Australia World Community Service website at https://directory.rawcs.com.au/41-2021-22 is our donor page, still being worked on, but with the completion of the business case, we will start our fundraising from March 1.
As an aside, Lucy received the following message re our project from the Governor of the Gulf Province Chris Haiveta
Thank you, Sis, for your tireless efforts to Assist our village over the years through the foundation.
I am committed to supporting you and the foundation as you prepare to widen your coverage on critical issues.
We are working with a couple NGOs in the Province already and can provide you the letter of support.
I suggest that we formalize the support and collaboration through an MOU.
In the meantime it would be much better to send a profile and EOI from the foundation to me aa head of the Provincial Government so that we can commence to formalize the relationship.
WHAT WE ARE COLLECTING AND WHERE TO DROP OFF ITEMS
Bottle Top Lids
Cause:- Lids4Kids is a nationwide 100% volunteer project to rescue plastic bottle lids
from landfill to benefit the environment and kids. Lids4Kids hopes to rescue eligible lids from landfill for projects that benefit all Australian kids in need.
So if you could collect milk bottle tops for recycling to reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill., you will contribute to Torquay Rotary’s Environment Project
Just remove the yellow, blue or red plastic top from milk bottles, wash clean & pop into a container .
Maggie Isom will let us know when we can drop off to a bin at Coles Supermarket 41 Bristol Rd Torquay
Cause :- Aussie Bread Tags for Wheelchairs, who collect them, sell them to recyclers and turn the cash into wheelchairs for people who can’t afford them.
Cause :- Recycle for Sight Australia a joint effort with Torquay Lions Club to send old prescription glasses to overseas communities where people cannot afford them.
Cause :- A Rotary "Donations in Kind" joint exercise with the Rotary Club of Boroko to disperse to needing schools in PNG. They need books that are used in Australian schools from Grades Prep to 8. Plus story books for younger children for grades Prep to 3.
2022-23 President Jennifer Jones is eager to advance Rotary’s narrative. To learn more of our RI President's vision and listen to her podcast follow this link RI President Jennifer Jones LINK
District 9780 Governor for 2021-22 is Kathy Rivett from RC of Alfredton
Kathy currently works in the travel industry and previously held positions in the Federal public service.
Kathy is married to David Rivett.
Kathy served as President of the Rotary Club of Wendouree in 2007-08 and worked with PDG Ken Broadbent in 2010 to set up the then Alfredton Satellite Club. With Kathy's support, Alfredton went on to charter in 2013, the first one to convert to a full Club. Kathy is a proud member of the Alfredton Rotary Club.
Kathy has been involved in a wide range of Rotary activities over the years including:
as a Youth Exchange Counsellor
serving on two District Conference Committees
as an RLI Trainer
working on FAIM Projects in Samoa, Cook Islands and Bali.
Kathy's particular love is Event Co-ordination, being a key player in organising Rotary activities including competitions, community events, concerts, expos etc.
LATEST PUBLICATIONS
To read the DG Kathy's latest District 9780 November 22 eNewsletter CLICK HERE
Rotary Down Under 2022 October Edition 654 CLICK HERE
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION 2023
Melbourne has been announced as the host city for the 2023 Rotary International Convention, the largest conference secured this century for Victoria.
Melbourne is a Big Events City! Set to deliver over $88 million to the Victorian economy, the Convention is the most valuable conference ever won for the state, with the four-day event anticipated to attract more than 20,000 Rotarians from around the world. The global spotlight will be on Melbourne and how we present ourselves to the world.
The Convention will take place 27-31 May 2023 using Rod Laver Arena and the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre for functions.
Watch this Space for further news as it comes to hand.
