(If you have any comments or questions, please contact the editor)
President's Message
Ben Featherston
President's Report No 4
Hello everyone,
Firstly, a big thank-you to those members who hosted the fireside chat dinners on Monday. Fabulous food, drink and banter were had by all. Personally, I really enjoyed the night, managing to check-in at each house to say hello to everyone and steal some food on my travels. I think we should also look at planning another of these nights sometime in the second half of this Rotary year, they are a great way to relax and enjoy fellowship.
This month is “Membership month”, and keeping with this theme, we have an online meeting on Monday, where a couple of our newer members will be presenting, allowing another great opportunity to get to know our fellow members a bit better.
We will also be hearing from Lesley regarding the Rotary Regionalisation Pilot program. It is important that as many members as possible join online to learn about this important project, as we prepare to decide on a vote on the project in September.
I will be representing the club at the Presidents meeting for our zone in Geelong this Monday night. This will be a great chance for me to flag some of the projects we are working on as a club, and to also hear from other clubs, in order that we may collaborate and support some of their initiatives for the year.
Our sister club in the Philippines, Rotary Club of Rizal West, are having their Changeover/Induction night this Thursday evening, and they have kindly sent an invitation for our club representatives to join them online. Along with IPP Michael Reed and others, I look forward to helping them celebrate this occasion, and support their incoming President, Johnny Malaga. Another important step in strengthening our sisterhood and international Rotary relations.
Arriving at the Torquay Lions Village was unplanned, but that’s what Bruce and Erika, Gail and Karen managed to do.
Despite plenty of spots to choose from, they parked their cars side-by-side and traipsed along the familiar driveway. At the meeting centre, they turned right instead of left, as was the habit of past Monday nights, and navigated their way past darkened units – the blind leading the blind.
Unit 4 stood out like a beacon, a welcome light outside, windows lit golden from inside. Maggie greeted the four at the front door, admitting them into the cosy warmth of John’s comfortable unit. Delicious food aromas wafted from the kitchen, Christmas music from the stereo in the back room.
Drinks were poured, nibbles served, conversation flowed easily. As the group completed a tour of John’s lovely new abode, the doorbell rang, heralding the arrival of President Ben on the first step of his Fireside Chats Progressive Dinner.
After enjoying a glass of wine, some antipasto and a lively chat with the group, President Ben departed for the next course – one down, three to go.
Maggie then served up a scrumptious roast dinner, with a tasty mushroom risotto for the vegetarian, which everyone tucked into around the Christmas-themed table.
Conversation moved easily through various topics: Rotary obviously, but also theatre, music, how Bruce and Erika met, family and many others. One of the big surprises was discovering some common links between us, proving once again the six degrees of separation theory.
When Maggie brought out dessert, Tiramisu, we all agreed President Ben should have put us last instead of first on his schedule. It was yum! Then, after coffee and tea, it was time to draw the evening to a close with the clock showing a time well after 10pm.
After the group said their farewells, Bruce and Erika, Gail and Karen walked out of the Torquay Lions Village the same way they walked in – together – but with full bellies and happy hearts. A good night was had by all. Thank you, John and Maggie, for your hospitality.
Cheers Gail Chrisfield
Charmain and Vernon D'Souza's
A couple of photos from the Fireside Chat we hosted last night. It was a great night. Everyone enjoyed the occasion. Instead of a Christmas in July theme we had a "curry night ". Comforting food on a cold, wet winters night. Charmaine
Mary & Neil Henderson's
Tonight we started with duck pate on toast accompanied with double brie cheese. Main course was Steak Au Poivre. (Prepared in butter, green peppercorns and flambed with brandy.) Dessert was bananas cooked in brown sugar and topped off with a rum flambe. Not exactly Xmas in July but hopefully our guests were satisfied.
In this week especially we remember and celebrate the life of our past Rotarian Mary Elliott . Mary worked tirelessly on asking people to register to donate their organs and tissue to give this gift of life to others Right now, there are around 1,750 Australians waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. But there are around 13 million people aged 16+ who are eligible to register as organ and tissue donors who haven’t yet signed up. Have a look at this video and see how donating organs saves lives https://www.donatelife.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-07/DLW%20new%20lives%20TVC%20-%2015%20sec_0.mp4 Transplant recipients, and their carers, are required to spend three months in a mandatory rehabilitation/recovery program at The Alfred in the immediate aftermath of surgery following the transplant. At the Torquay Rotary Club we have established the Mary Elliott Legacy where we give donated funds to the Heart Lung Transplant Trust to use to support transplant recipients and their families in” second chance accommodation program” near the Alfred Hospital. https://www.hlttv.org.au/about-us/our-programs/second-chance-accommodation Please talk to your friends and families about registering for Organ donor
As the Rotary District 9780 representative for End Trachoma over the years many Clubs were involved in producing hygeine bags which were delivered to school children in Northern Territory.
Part of the program has been collecting used stamps which have raised over $30K for a water trailer.
Thank you to the Rotarians and friends for collecting used stamps and contributing to the Rotary Club of Torquay's collection which PP Michael Reed delivered to me on Friday.
An amazing 275 old hearing aids were also delivered. These will be delivered to a business in Melbourne which refurbishes hearing aids and provides them to disadvantaged people (many are indigenous) in Australia.
Thanks you to Michael Reed, the Rotary Club of Torquay and everyone else involved in the collection. Reflect on how something so simple as collecting an old hearing aid or a used stamp can provide a significant improvement on the quality of life of disadvantaged people in Australia.
I am reaching out to you to see if you are aware of the next training in the series of Public Image webinars presented by the Zone 8 Public Image team.
It is my turn again at 2pm on Sunday 31 July (Eastern Australian time).
The topic is PROMOTING ROTARY EVENTS.
If you are interested in logging on to see a bountiful range of of marketing tips, here is the link to do so:
If you are unable to attend, but interested, if you register you will be sent a recording of the session.
Please consider sharing this message with newer Rotarians and any members of your club who are key event organisers as well as public image specialists.
I can assure you we will be keeping to time and the session will be both informative and my guests inspiring.
The stories in the presentation come from District 9830 plus there is a bonus file available after the training featuring advice from District 9820.
I look forward to catching up with you online again soon.
Enrolments will be available all next week, unless we reach our capacity before the end of the month and we have a licence for more than one hundred, so there should not be a problem, but please register today if you can.
It will be so good to have your support and input on the day.
Yours in Rotary service and fellowship,
Roslyn Teirney
Roslyn Teirney (Ralph)
Assistant Regional Public Image Co-ordinator, Zone 8
A reminder to all clubs that District 9780’s flagship Agricultural Careers and Leadership program – Defying the Drift, will be held again this year at Longerenong College Sept 20-22.
Early bird pricing $250 per student ends 31st July, reverting to $350 after this date, so please contact your local school/s to see if there are Year 10 or 11 students wanting to attend, or if you know of someone who may be interested please contact Youth Director Amanda Hough.
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.
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 July at 7.30pm using this link. JOIN MEETING
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)
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.
2022-23 President Jennifer Jones is eager to advance Rotary’s narrative. To learn more of our RI President's vision and listen to her podcast follow this link RI President Jennifer Jones LINK
District 9780 Governor for 2021-22 is Kathy Rivett from RC of Alfredton
Kathy currently works in the travel industry and previously held positions in the Federal public service.
Kathy is married to David Rivett.
Kathy served as President of the Rotary Club of Wendouree in 2007-08 and worked with PDG Ken Broadbent in 2010 to set up the then Alfredton Satellite Club. With Kathy's support, Alfredton went on to charter in 2013, the first one to convert to a full Club. Kathy is a proud member of the Alfredton Rotary Club.
Kathy has been involved in a wide range of Rotary activities over the years including:
as a Youth Exchange Counsellor
serving on two District Conference Committees
as an RLI Trainer
working on FAIM Projects in Samoa, Cook Islands and Bali.
Kathy's particular love is Event Co-ordination, being a key player in organising Rotary activities including competitions, community events, concerts, expos etc.
LATEST PUBLICATIONS
To read the DG Kathy's latest District 9780 July 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.
