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President's Message
Ben Featherston
President's Report No 50
Before I commence my report I must explain the reason why PE Ben Featherstons photo heads my report. Clubrunner automatically updates all Rotary Club Office Bearers in 1st July irrespective of when individual Clubs hold their Changeover hence my pic has now gone
On Monday 27th of June, we met at Kithbrooke Park for my last meeting as Your Club President
It was fantastic to see 33 attending for an evening full of surprises.
Jan took the reins, called the meeting to order and introduced me as your President.
To commence proceedings, Howard Randall gave us the invocation and a special toast to Rotary International, making mention to two Rotary Districts in France, where Howard visited when he was Group Study Exchange Team Leader in 1999.
Thank you to District Governor John Clue, Christine Sims, and Daryl Lee for joining us online. Our best wishes are with Chrissy and Daryl as they recover from COVID, the reason they were not joining us in person.
I was privileged to induct Past District Governor Philip Beasley into The Rotary Club of Torquay. Philip has transferred from The Rotary Club of Geelong Central. Judy joined her husband Philip (and us) for the evening, supporting Phil as he was inducted into our club. Judy is a member of The Rotary Club of Bayside, but I am sure we will still see a fair bit of Judy.
Welcome Philip and Judy to The Rotary Club of Torquay.
After welcoming Phil and Judy, it was time for a special presentation to Malcolm Slater. Mal is one of the 3 charter members left in our club. So much of what Mal does ‘flies under the radar’. Mal has for many years taken on so much in and for The Rotary Club of Torquay ….. and continues to do – he then gets on and does it, calling for volunteers if or when required. I was so pleased to present Mal with a Paul Harris Fellow + 2 Sapphires (PHF+2).
Receiving a PHF is a real honour – and is often quite emotional for the recipient and often the presenter, especially when there is a good understanding of what the recipient has done and achieved for The Club and for Rotary.
This is a very well-deserved recognition Mal – Congratulations!
Paul Harris Fellow recognitions can come in more ways than one – as well as being presented to a recipient as a presentation from the club, in recognition to service and commitment, one can receive a PHF after making a donation of $US1,000, to The Rotary Foundation.
Personal donations to The Rotary Foundation can be accumulated, and once the magic figure of $US1,000 is reached you are automatically eligible for a Paul Harris Fellow Recognition.
It was great to present Lesley Shedden with a PHF+4, in recognition for the latest personal donation Lesley has made.
Lesley then presented me with a PHF+3 for the donations I have recently made to The Rotary Foundation.
Geoff Dawson updated us on his wife Karan, who has recently had back surgery. Following this major operation, Karan is progressing well. Karan is now home from hospital and being well looked after by husband Geoff and family.
We wish Karan all the very best as the healing continues and for any rehabilitation that may be required.
Jan who was chair for the evening, once again took over the reins, and called on Trevor Pickles for a fines session.
Following the fines was a huge and very humbling surprise for me.
Jan said she had called for messages and comments from club members asking for highlights and their thoughts on my year as President.
Jan proceeded to read out some of her comments and reflections on things I have done and achieved during the year.
Jan said she would collect and collate all the comments from members. I very much look forward to seeing and reading this.
Jan called me up, where I was presented with ‘The Big M’ – a large board in the shape of an ‘M’ containing photographs and artwork starring me!
I was so very proud, grateful, and honoured (and I still am!) to receive your presentation. Your thoughts, messages, and acknowledgement of my year at the helm means a heck of a lot to me.
I want to thank everyone involved in this special Big M presentation.
I will proudly have The Big M on display at our changeover on Monday, before it takes up residence at my place!
As I sign off for the last time, I want to thank you all for your contribution to our club, your commitment, friendship, and above all your support over the past year.
See you all Monday at Kithbrooke Park for our Changeover.
What a busy night we had, funny how all the best laid plans can change just like that… President Mike’s ‘Last Hoorah’ seemed to go from let’s have a social, fun night (which don’t get me wrong it was) but then became quite formal and for good reasons too… what a wonderful surprise for not only the recipients but us as well.
It was really lovely to be witness to President Mike presenting not one but two PHF’s to very worthy recipients from our club, Lesley Shedden, District Governor Nominee, and Mal Slater, Treasurer and Jack of all Rotary trades and of course our own President Extraordinaire, Mike Reed received one too.
The night also turned out to be one where we would also welcome our newest member who was none other than PDG Phil Beasley who was always going to be a member of our club but for obvious reasons held off until his life came back to some normality after a busy couple of years. President Mike inducted Rotarian Phil to the fold and of course Rotarian Judy is now a permanent guest to any or every one of our meetings as Phil’s wife/partner. Welcome to you both.
So, after we all settled down from the formalities Trevor Pickles was asked to come to the floor and conduct a Fines Session, to which I might add due to the lack of loose change I’m sure, I’m very pleased to say that those who did get fined gave, very generously, to the fines box… thank you very much again for your kind donations…
I then proceeded to present President Mike with what was to be a simple gift of some very highlighted photos of Mike’s year on a board but soon grew into something a little more presentable. With the artistic touch and some wizardry from Helen Plumridge, the availability and access to many great photos from Greg and the physical strength of their son Zac…!!! a huge ‘Big M’ was created where the photos were strategically placed, with room for more.
I have no doubt that Mike and Alison will find a spot on one of their walls to eventually hang it and reflect on just some of the things Mike has been able to organise and achieve throughout his year. The board will be on display again this coming Monday, so take the opportunity to have a look and see some great shots of past events and some memorable moments throughout the year.
This was President Mike’s last ‘official night’ (apart from our upcoming changeover) as President of our club, and I can honestly say it has been an absolute delight to serve alongside him and to see just what he’s achieved. It was my pleasure also to Chair for him on Monday and hopefully make his last night a joyous one, albeit the formal side, which was an added bonus..!
I look forward to seeing you all next Monday for the Changeover and welcome in our new President, Ben Featherston, and his Board, and remember as a wise Rotarian once said:
For those who chose not to go to the Trots on Friday 22nd we have also scheduled Christmas in July Fireside chats on Monday Night 25th July. You will need to register via the invitation you will receive by email.
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.
Whilst we haven’t formally started raising funds for the Lese Oalai project, but already the funds in our Rotary Australia World Community Service account are over $17,000. These funds have come from a variety of sources, but mostly interested Rotary Clubs. Attached is a screendump from our RAWCS funding website https://directory.rawcs.com.au/41-2021-22
You will recall the call for volunteers we received some weeks ago to assist Barwon Health with their BBQ's at Bunnings last weekend. Thanks go to Daryl Lee for representing our Club. Daryl subsequently received the following email from Barwon Health reporting on their massive fundraising weekend (FYI, not all Bunnings BBQ's)
Hi Daryl,
Thank you so much for coming out on the weekend and helping us at the BBQ in Torquay on Saturday.
Across the whole weekend, we managed to raise an incredible $76,432. This would not have been possible without support from volunteers such as yourself and we are so grateful.
Welcome to the very late May edition of our monthly newsletter. This month we share the report from last month's Chapter Meeting where our Zone Director Jessie Harman helped launch the Club Carbon Calculator. We also include links and resources for you to use. Have you discussed this in your club yet? Imagine the impact if every Rotary Club worldwide adopted the Club Carbon Calculator and hen offset their carbon emissions?
And as always, we are also keen to hear from Rotarians and clubs about their environmental projects. Please send words{400-600} and images or a website/Facebook link and I would be delighted to share and celebrate your work.
What is your club doing for World Environment Day?
Please join us for our next chapter meeting to be held on Tuesday 21st June. This meeting will reflect on the past 12 months and ask for feedback and suggestions from all members on our speakers and focus for the coming year.
CLICK HEREfor the latest ESRAG May Newsletter (Environmental Sustainability Rotary Action Group)
With thanks to you and your fellow Rotarians, Operation Cleft Australia, together with our Bangladesh partner have brought a smile to the face of more than 1,500 life threatening, Cleft suffering Children over this last challenging 12 month.
Rotary continues to prove that ‘When the going gets tough the tough get going’. Our surgeons and hospital support staff have not stopped, despite all the tough times they have continuing to operate – to change faces and change lives!
This attached Newsletter includes some amazing stories of children and families impacted by life changing surgeries; you have made possible. It also highlights the exciting and unique way in which Rotary Clubs and Rotarians support Operation Cleft Australia.
Thanks for your help in transforming the lives of so many desperately needy children. Through your gift and your Club’s support, these children can participate in school, benefit so much from the life-long value of education, enjoy good health, make, and sustain friendships, play normal sport and …. Smile!
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.
During Houston Convention timing (June 4th -8th ) if you register and pay for attending RICON23 you shall receive the maximum discount. From June 9th , the cost increases by $50. There is also a further increase after December 15th and then greater increases after March and April 2023.
Rotarians, Rotaractors and friends can obtain the maximum discount to attend RICON23. From 4 June 2022 registration and Accommodation Bookings will be 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.
Shekhar and Rashi Mehta at their home in Kolkata. Rashi painted the picture Mother and Child, behind her.
When I met Shekhar almost 20 years ago, he was busily manning a booth at the Rotary International Convention. His enthusiasm and energy in showcasing his club’s projects were infectious. A project man myself, I was inspired by the work exhibited at the booth. That casual encounter developed into a strong friendship.
Shekhar is a visionary leader. He always sees things others can’t. He envisaged a way to eradicate illiteracy in India by 2025 and designed the TEACH program (which stands for Teacher support, E-learning, Adult literacy, Child development, Happy school). He started the Shelter Kit project that now is in the vanguard of disaster relief in India. His Saving Little Hearts project, which provides heart surgeries to thousands of children, along with the more than 15 eye hospitals he helped establish, which have served hundreds of thousands, speaks to the scope of his dreams.
Ravi Vadlamani
Rotary Club of Guntur, India 2001-02 governor of District 3150
He has an exceptional talent for building teams and driving them to achieve their goals. Shekhar’s programs and ideas may seem larger than life, but he always walks the extra mile to make Rotarians feel at home.
His power of dreaming big is backed up by planning, perseverance, and patience. He’s an excellent communicator who connects with his audience instantly and can motivate people to move mountains. He is also a family man, ably supported by his spouse, Rashi.
Shekhar’s X factor as a leader? Nobody is able to say no to him when he asks for something.
District 9780 Governor for 2021-22 is John Clue from Rotary Club of Port Fairy
To read the DG Johns latest District 9780 June 22 eNewsletter CLICK HERE
Rotary Down Under 2022 July Edition 651 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.
