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Michelle Bodington
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President's Message 25 April 2026
Kelly Binyon
member photo

President’s Message 

Hello, 

We gathered at The Lakehouse for Monday’s meeting with our guests from Barwon Sports Academy, Cameron Loftus (CEO) and Phil Clohesy (Chair) joining us for a meal prior to their presentation. 

Our connection with BSA has grown out of a contact made by Amada Hough in her search for RYLA candidates. This resulted in BSA identifying a number of their students as candidates and one attending the course recently and finding it very useful in navigating ‘what next?’ 

The Barwon Sports Academy is a regional sports organisation dedicated to supporting and developing talented young athletes in the Barwon region of Victoria. 

Its mission is to provide pathways, training, and resources that help athletes progress to state, national, and international levels. 

BSA focuses on: 

  • Collaboration – working with coaches, sporting bodies, and the community. 

  • Inclusion – supporting athletes from diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. 

  • Innovation – using modern training methods and sports science to enhance performance. 


 

Through specialised programs, mentoring, and competition opportunities, the Academy aims to shape the next generation of champions—not only in sport, but also as leaders in their communities. 

We hope that this is the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship between Rotary and Barwon Sports Academy. 

ANZAC DAY 

    

A huge thank you to Richard Hawker and the members who volunteered at this morning’s Dawn Service, undertaking a range of duties including car parking, VIP access, BBQ and food service. As always it is a special place to reflect and give thanks for the sacrifices made by others so we can live the life we have now. I was honoured to lay a wreath on behalf of our Club. Lest We Forget. 

More pics here

THANK YOU EVENT 

Please keep an eye out for the Thank You to our Volunteers & Sponsors Event being held of Monday 4th May 6.30pm - 8.00pm at Oak Tree Place, Anderson St Torquay. 

BOARD MEETING 

This was held on Wednesday and I will update members separately. 

 
 
Stories

Vale PDG Chris Sims

It is with great sadness that I advise you of the passing of Honorary Member and Past District Governor Chris Sims.  Chris passed away just as the sun was rising on ANZAC day.

We extend our deepest sympathy to Chrissie and all their family.  

For newer members, Chris was a charter member of Torquay Rotary, District Governor of D9780 in 2009-2010, President and Director of the club.  Chris was also a member of Geelong Central Rotary for a number of years before returning to Torquay.

He was a true gentleman and Rotarian and will be missed by all of us.

Details of a service for Chris are not yet available

Oil Disposal at Bunnings BBQs

Barbeques at Bunnings. 

I am wondering if anyone has any fruit, Milo, Coffee cans that we could use at the Bunnings Barbeques to pour the hot oil, from the barbeque into. The drip tray is quite long and does hold a lot of oil. It is too hot to remove and take it somewhere to dispose of. If we can pour it into a can, we can then dispose of it when it is cool. 

If anyone has any other ideas, please let me know. 

Thanking you in anticipation. Linda 

BBQ Roster

NOTE: Cowrie Market Trading Hours. 9-00am - 2-00pm 

Volunteer Roster Times: AM Shift 8-30am - 11-30am. PM Shift 11-30am - 2-30pm. 

 Bunnings Hours – 8.30 am – 4pm; Shift Times 8.30 – 1230; 1215 - 1615 

 

Bunnings – 10th May 2026 8.30am – 4pm “Happy Mothers Day” 

AM    1 Bruce Turner – Will deliver trailer 

0830  2 Gerard Hogan                                                      Linda - Supplies 

          3 Linda Neale      

          4                 

PM    5  John Oswald 

1215  6 Judy Rutter 

          7 John Weber 

Extra - 

11.30-2.30 

 

Cowrie – 17th May 2026 AM Shift 8-30am - 11-30am. PM Shift 11-30am - 2-30pm. 

               “Say Yes to Respectful Relationships, Be Kind” 

This is an additional Cowrie Market Barbeque, and we are going to use it to increase the awareness of Respectful Relationships and Family Violence. We will have our purple vests and dress the trailer up with as much purple as we can. Make sure you come along and see us 

 AM    1. Kelly Binyon 

0830  2. Garth Symington                                               Supplies – Gail Birchall 

          3. Gerard Hogan                                                       Deliver Trailer - 

          4. Trevor Hall 

 

 
Read more...

Collection For Our Village

Next month is May and in May we celebrate Mothers Day. 

It would be amazing if we could make a lovely donation to Our Village, that could be given to new Mums. 
Read more...
Future Meetings 
Posted by Neil Henderson
Member Birthdays and Anniversaries
Posted on Mar 30, 2026

Member birthdays for April:

 

 

Plenty of celebrations this month:

Margaret McPherson                        1st April

Chris Moxey and Ben Featherston  5th April

John Evans                                           9th  April

Gerard Hogan                                     11th April

Ray Ayres                                             13th April

Neil Henderson                                   15th April

 

Also a popular month for joining Rotary - a bit of experience here:

John Oswald                                                     1987   39 years in Rotary

Mal Slater, Chris Sims and Geoff Dawson  1988   38 years  (Charter members of Torquay)

Vernon D'Souza                                               1991   35 years

Ben Smith                                                         2013   13 years

Ben Featherston                                              2018    8 years
Rotary International Key Links