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President's Message 21 June 2025
Bruce Turner
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Greetings and welcome. Thank you for joining our online news and updates.
Our guest speaker at Monday night’s meeting, Rosanne Kava (District Membership AG), provided club members with information regarding the establishment of Satellite Clubs, some background to the reasons why the Rotary Club of Torquay is considering the establishment of a “Music Satellite Club” and the impact this would have on us as the sponsor club. This was a very useful and informative session which covered how the idea came about, the benefits of such a club, the processes involved to get to this stage and what still needs to be done.
Here is a snapshot of Rosanne’s presentation covering the background:
The Idea!
2023 two DGEs (Lesley and Stephen) liked idea of Rotary Club based on Music
DGE Lesley ran some information sessions inviting interested people from around the world
Diverse range of benefits from music – for the young, the old, the poor, the lonely, the disabled etc – universal appeal
Wide interest from Australia and a number of overseas countries
Discussions with Rotary International re logistics
Provisional Club formed with a core team and an interim Chair
Vision
Making people happy
Harnessing the power of music to do good in the world
Enhance well-being
Create connections
Strengthen communities
Build peace
Thank you, Rosanne, for you time and enthusiasm for this project. Importantly, the next step in this process will be to present this proposal to the club for consideration. With this in mind, members present on Monday night were asked if there is interest in us progressing down this path which was greeted with overall support. The board will advise you of the date for this and arrange for the attendance of Rotarians who have experience with setting up Satellite Clubs to answer all your questions.
I have included a link an overview of the Rosanne’s presentation, supplied by Gerard Hogan, in member updates below.
In closing, I extend my thanks to our members who attended and helped out at the Science and Engineering Challenge last week. This nationwide STEM program has always been a fantastic opportunity for years 9 and 10 students to engage in hands-on activities involving the principles of science, engineering and technology. By all accounts it was another very enjoyable and successful event.
Member Updates
A reminder that this week’s Social Evening is on Tuesday night.
Please follow this link to read the “Overview of proposed Rotary Club of Torquay, Surf Coast Satellite Club of Music”
Save the Date:
Torquay Rotary Club Changeover: Monday June 30th, Kithbrook Park.
A night of celebration, and definitely a meeting you should encourage partners and family to attend as we reflect and acknowledge the success of the club over the last twelve.
UNITE FOR GOOD This will be taking place at the time and location of our regular club meeting. Join us as we reflect on the “12 Months that Were” and welcome our new Board and President for 2025-2026. If you have not received an invitation via email, let me know and I can help get you registered.
District Changeover - Sunday July 6th, 12pm @ Nhill Bowling Club - 3 Davis Avenue Nhill. Cost - $50 per person. You can now book for this event by following this link - Book Here (Bookings close Sunday 22nd June)
Don't miss out on early bird registration for IRS 2025!
IRS 2025 is where changemakers unite to drive real impact for our world's rivers and waterways.
As we approach the end of the Financial Year here in Australia, it's the perfect time to secure your early bird registration to the world's leading River Symposium. Register before June 30 and save up to $200 off standard ticket prices.
This year's transformed program features a full day of Master Classes to support your CPD goals, an engaging lineup of over 50 sessions focused on real-world outcomes, and access to exclusive networking events with global river, water and climate leaders.
Whether you're a river practitioner, policymaker, researcher, advocate, corporate leader or are simply passionate about the health and resilience of our rivers, IRS 2025 has something for you.
Don't miss out on securing your discounted,early bird registration before June 30 and join us to accelerate the world's transition to healthy and resilient rivers for future generations.
Spring Creek Valley - Removal of Spiny Rush Wed June 25th 0900 - 1130 am
Our work in the valley continues to progress well. However, sometimes things jump out of left field that we need assistance with in order to nip in the bud a potentially big environmental weed threat. For more info on Spiny Rush. See here
We have the opportunity to work on the property next to Ashmore Arts to remove a large cluster of Spiny Rush which threatens to invade the waterway of Spring Creek valley. It will be a 2 step operation. The first step being:
to cut all the mature seed heads off the existing population
once that is done it will allow the opportunity to spray and kill all the remaining plants. If we act now we can stop it infecting the waterway and mixing in with the native Sea Rush. Spiny Rush is native to the the Americas, parts of Europe and Africa. It is a declared noxious weed in Victoria.
We will be meeting at next Wednesday at 9am till 11:30am.
If you're interested can you let me know please?
Things to bring if you have them:
a pair of secateurs and probably best to wear gumboots if you have them (but not critical) as we will be working around the margins of some pond areas.
Safety glasses would also be good as the end points can be an eye hazard
Any large, sturdy bags (like 20kg chicken feed bags or similar) for putting the seed heads in would also be welcome if available.
My mobile is 0425 752 648 if you want more information.
Support Drought-Affected Communities in Western Victoria
Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) is stepping up to support communities in Western Victoria devastated by severe drought. Through our network of local Rotary Clubs and in partnership with local support agencies, we’re providing vital assistance where it’s needed most.
Farming families are facing unimaginable hardships—parched land, dwindling water supplies, and a desperate shortage of livestock feed. Many are sacrificing their own wellbeing just to keep their animals alive. The emotional and mental toll is profound.
This RAWCS project is raising funds to deliver humanitarian relief to those doing it toughest in the drought-stricken regions of Western Victoria.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 
