Welcome to this week’s Bulletin and congratulations to those supporters of the Collingwood Football Club on their nail-biting win last Saturday. Personally, I enjoyed the whole finals series this year with all matches being closely fought right through to the final siren.
Welcome
On Monday night we Inducted our new member Ian Cairns and welcomed his partner Rtn Mary Bouman (RC Warrnambool Sunrise) to the club.
Ian joins us after a long service with the RC Warrnambool and is a very experienced Rotarian, having led several community initiatives in the Warrnambool area.
Welcome Ian and Mary to the friendship of RC Torquay and our community.
Thank you to our Membership Chair Ben Featherston for arranging Ian’s Induction and to Richard Hawker as proposer and now mentor for Ian.
Members, please ensure that you introduce yourself to Ian and continue his warm welcome to our Club.
End Polio
Last Monday night we also had the great pleasure of hosting PP Gary Newton (RC East Geelong) who is the District 9780 Polio Chair.
In Gary’s own words:
“It's personal because next February it will be 70 years since I contracted paralytic polio as a one-year-old. Clearly, it hasn't defined me but 70 years of living with disability gives one a very clear understanding as to why Rotary is pushing so very hard (and is now so close) to eradicating polio.
But we can and must do better and here's why...only one in 12 (or 8%) of Rotarians give to the PolioPlus Fund which needs to raise $50M each year to get the Gates Foundation 2 for 1 contribution.
Now, here's a great way to improve those numbers AND get something back in return for yourself and your friends.
This event, at Reading Cinemas on Thur Oct 12th showcases our Rotary clubs here in Geelong and in particular October as World Polio Month. Keeping in mind, polio eradication is Rotary's No.1 focus, we have an exclusive private screening of ‘Fly From Everest’ that you do not want to miss.
It’s going to be a huge night with both the subject of the movie, Berry Rotarian & former NSW Police Rescue Squad officer Ken Hutt and the cinematographer Joe Carter from Qld attending as well. There will also be some terrific raffle prizes to be won.”
12 RC Torquay members have indicated they will be attending so why not join them.
Gary promoted the establishment of a new initiative to support the fight against Polio in becoming a member of the “Polio Plus Society”. For the pledge of $100 per year (27cents a day) you can personally join the fight against Polio. Please see further information in this Bulletin.
Presidents of Groups E & F Meeting
Last Tuesday night the local Club Presidents travelled to Colac for the Group E & F (which includes the 2 Colac Clubs) Presidents Meeting.
The Agenda outcomes where:
- Our Club Health Check will be reviewed at our November Board by AG Gillian Morgan.
- Say No to Domestic and Family Violence Committee is meeting and organising activities with other regional support agencies. Rotary is highly regarded as a key partner due or club network and community access.
A walk will be held on Saturday 25th November in Johnston Park Geelong which kicks off 16 Days of Activism. An Art Exhibition will be held at Deakin University following a workshop with exhibits by 20 local Lived Experience Artists on 29th November. Please keep these dates in your diary to attend.
A grant has been received for a 3 Hour Introductory training of club champions and others interested.
- RYLA Camp at Kangaroobie will be held 7th- 12th April 2024 with the cost of $600 per participant. The Colac Clubs spoke of their continued success with local companies seeing RYLA as a great way to train employees. RC Torquay should promote through our Business Awards and Commerce contacts.
Club Assembly on 23rd October - Online
DGE Lesley has agreed to present and lead the conversation regarding Regionalisation and the completion of the survey of clubs I referred to in last week’s Bulletin.
The main decisions to be made are what type of Community Group(s) we wish to be part of under the new structure.
To get the most out of this meeting please refer my previous article and follow the links to key information. This will allow for a more informative conversation and ultimately a decision.
Holidays for me
I will be an apology for meetings on 9th and 16th October and will join you online on 23rd October. Judy and I will be touring the bushfire and now flood affected areas of Gippsland and the SE Coast of NSW.