The Rotary Foundation helps Rotary members to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty.
We were delighted to have PDG Julie Mason, who is the assistant Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator, present to us online on Monday evening. Julie outlined the important work of the foundation, both locally and internationally, and the amazing impact the grants and projects they support are having all over the world. ‘Our’ foundation really is the gold-standard charity that creates positive long-lasting sustainable differences to people’s lives.
Well done to everyone, and in particular the ‘Team Torquay Rotary’ walkers and their sponsors, who have raised a substantial sum of money for the End Polio campaign throughout October. A huge THANK-YOU and recognition to club member Trevor Brown, who has matched the proceeds raised, you are a champion Trevor!
On Friday I collected ~60 large 1.9kg Nestle Milo tins on behalf of the club. The tins are a part of Nestle’s ‘Celebrate Community Spirit’ program, in partnership with Rotary clubs. This year, the Geelong community was chosen for this initiative, with limited edition tins created with Geelong Football Club illustrations. Perhaps a unique item for some passionate supporters out there given the Cats winning the AFL Premiership this year? Our club can choose how to use the tins, with some for fundraising and some to be donated to local food aid programs.
The Community Service Committee, led by Bruce Turner, has started the promotion of our annual ‘Pets on Parade’ online event. All members please try and publicize this fundraising event through your social circles, particularly to those pet lovers out there. It is a fun online platform and prizes are always on offer. Proceeds raised go towards great causes. This year, funds will go towards a wonderful Hearing Screening/Intervention program in Tonga……as my requested ‘Presidential cause’ for the year. Please don’t hesitate to ask me about this program when you see me!
Remember to get your nominations in for Board positions, and any Proxy delegation forms into Secretary Allan for our upcoming AGM. We want as many members as possible in attendance or able to vote on the items at the meeting.
This Monday we have an important club meeting at Kithbrooke Park. The Motor Show Committee will launch the details of our 2023 Annual Motor Show on the night. The Committee will go over the plans and any changes for the 2023 Show, with particular attention to Volunteer tasks. This will be your opportunity to ask any questions that you may have, and to make the committee aware of how you can assist. I urge all members to attend the dinner meeting or if you can’t, log in via MS Teams.
And finally, my thoughts are with club member John McDonald, who has taken a turn in his health in recent days. Johnny Mac, our prayers and best wishes are with you, with all strength to Maggie and Amanda and the health teams who are assisting your recovery.
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.
Many of you may know by now that John McDonald is in the Epworth Hospital after a collapse at a Probus meeting on Thursday morning. Thanks go to a young man who was cutting some trees nearby the entrance and with other Probus members called an ambulance John is in the critical care unit having suffered a heart attack Visitors are restricted and we would ask that you limit phone calls to Maggie, who is coordinating his care and the visitors Please contact Amanda Hough if you need to speak to anyone 0413 244 438
Our next chapter meeting will be held on Thursday 17th November at 6.30pm. We will be joined by Sarah Moran from the Electric Vehicle Council of Australia. Please register at Humanitix
CLICK HERE for the latest ESRAG Newsletter (Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group)
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.
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 July 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.
