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President's Message
Jan Emmett
President's Report No 46
Good evening everyone!
So, here we are again… but for those of you who were planning to attend the District Changeover this Sunday, it’s a shame that this has been postponed for the next few weeks. Who knows what will happen once the lockdown has lifted, life, as we have taken for granted these last few months, seems almost certain that it will never be quite the same, again…!!
I’m sure there are those of you too that were planning on taking a trip or two in the next week or so and have had to put your plans on hold, I feel your disappointment and frustration. I have plans to go to the Queensland in July but have been too hesitant to plan anything as there is always this threat of not being able to go. But as long as we all remain healthy and see this through then maybe we will get back to some form of normality soon. Just make sure you keep safe, and we hope to see one another again soon.
Last week turned out to be a bit busier than originally planned as we had a couple of extra visitors, those being Rotarians Sue Riminton and Sue Van Every from Bellarine North Rotary Club originally known as RC of Drysdale. Sue Van Every very kindly got up and explained why they joined us that night. Their club do what is called ‘scatter meetings’ where they put up a list of all Geelong clubs and their meeting times then get the members to nominate where they want to go. Car pooling is involved and it’s a great way to get to know our other clubs in the region. The 2 Sue’s decided to come to us that night and it was a pleasure to have them join us.
We also had an unexpected but very welcome visitor from BNI (Business Networking International) (BNI Coastal Connections Chapter) Ben Hutchinson, who is a Senior Accountant with local Accountancy Company Mulcahy & Co, and who lives in Torquay. He gave us just a brief glimpse into what BNI is all about and explained how it works, such as business referrals are given to other group members of the Chapter at the weekly meetings and receive referrals in turn. BNI Chapters only have one person from each business category – for example, Property Management, Graphic Design, Accountancy etc., Obviously ‘word of mouth’ would be most affective in this case. Bit like Rotary used to be really…!! Anyway, it was good to see him and hope he joins us again very soon.
This brings me to the subject of Registering of guests as well as members for a meal. Last week a breakdown in communication to the caterers was very embarrassing as well as unnecessary. A number of members still don’t get it that it’s extremely important to register yourselves ‘EVERY WEEK’ for dinner as well as any Guests you may invite. There was a number last week that didn’t register so as far as the Caterers were concerned there wasn’t a meal for them, needless to say they ended up having to ‘spread the meals’ to accommodate. If you have invited a Guest to come along but you cannot make it yourself it is still extremely important that you book them in and of course any special meal requirements that are needed too. So please, make sure you Register as soon as you see the event advertised in the Bulletin including any guests. If technology is just not your thing, then there’s always a phone call you can make to Register too…! Currently Greg Plumridge is managing the Clubrunner meeting RSVP's so when all else fails please call him on 0418 521321
It would seem that our upcoming Zoom meeting on Monday night, 31st May at 6.pm, couldn’t have been better planned and I’m hoping that there will be no reason for anyone not to be able to attend the meeting. As you know this meeting is classified as a ‘Special General Meeting’ which has been organised purely for every member of our club to take a final vote, be it for or against the annual membership fee that has been set at $330 for the 2021-2022 year. Obviously for those of you who have already put in your votes by Proxy then you will not be needed to vote again. For those of you who still need to put in a vote via Proxy then you have until Monday 4pm, these are to go to Secretary Maggie ASAP.
The night’s proceedings will be run and chaired by Lesley Shedden who will act as facilitator whose purpose is to ensure that everyone will get a fair chance to have their say. She will explain the voting process to everyone so it’s clear and understandable. Once a resolution has been met then this will be Moved then Seconded. Your vote is important and whatever the outcome it has always been for the benefit of yourself and the Club and its future.
See you Monday night ‘Zooming’ again and remember it’s at 6pm and NOT 7pm as have been on previous Zoom meetings.
Obviously our Fine Dining Evening cannot go ahead thanks to COVID Lockdown, so once the future becomes clearer we will book another date with Graham and revisit who is available for an alternative date at that time. So watch this space please.
We are to be the guests of Graham Jefferies, Head Chef at SAMESYN, 3/24 Bell St, Torquay.
Graham owns 2 other restaurants, Tulip in Geelong and Wildflower in Melbourne. He has an impeccable record of providing an enjoyable and delicious dining experience.
"The restaurant speaks of the region, showcasing local suppliers with seasonal, everchanging dishes designed to share"
Graham will then speak, telling of his International Career in Fine Dining, the sourcing, supply and the business of food, and of course the creation of his restaurants, including his Torquay venture of Samesyn.
Unfortunately all 32 available seas are almost all filled so if if for any reason you are going to be unable to take your place please contact me ASAP rather than having any "NO SHOWS"
If for some reason this link does not work from this email , you can access the link from the Tuckers Funeral Service website and click on the link for John Lionel Crawford to watch the funeral.
Here's a challenge for everyone...….in these "different" times in which we are living there are more and more Clubs now holding on-line meetings so now it's easier than it's ever been to do a make-up.
You can do them from the comfort of your own home and you don't even have to get dressed up.
Let's have a club challenge to see who can do a make up form the most interesting city. Be sure to grab a screen shot of your meeting and send to me for the bulletin.
What a great way to meet other Rotarians from around the world and to find out how they are living through the COVID-19 lockdowns.
To make it easy the Rotary Club of Mount Lawley in WA have begun compiling a list of Clubs who are now holding On-Line Meetings to view the list click the link below.
Rotary International President for 2018-19 is Holger Knaack
Holger Knaack, a member of the Rotary Club of Herzogtum Lauenburg-Mölln, Germany, has been selected to serve as president of Rotary International in 2020-21.
A Rotary member since 1992, Knaack has served Rotary as treasurer, director, moderator, member and chair of several committees, representative for the Council on Legislation, zone coordinator, training leader, and district governor. He is an endowment/major gifts adviser and co-chair of the Host Organization Committee for the 2019 Rotary International Convention in Hamburg. Knaack is the CEO of Knaack KG, a real estate company. He was previously a partner and general manager of Knaack Enterprises, a 125-year-old family business. He is a founding member of the Civic Foundation of the City of Ratzeburg and served as president of the Golf-Club Gut Grambek. Knaack is also the founder and chair of the Karl Adam Foundation. Knaack and his wife, Susanne, are Major Donors to The Rotary Foundation and members of the Bequest Society.
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.