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President's Message
Jan Emmett
President's Report No 37
Greetings Fellow Rotarians
Well, what a week it’s been. First up is a huge THANK YOU to everyone who turned up early on a bleak, drizzly day last Sunday morning to join in the R100 Baton Relay celebration walk to the Rob Emmett Playground where you saw both Maggie and I off into the sunset (sunrise actually…!) on the back of a very shiny Harley Davidson. We were joined by the Mayor Libby Stapleton, Cr Rose Hodge, Martin Duke and of course DG Phil and Judy. Fellow club members came along together with other Rotarians from other clubs involved in the Relay, plus a lovely surprise from my Son-in-Law and Granddaughters, Khloe and Imi, who made it down to see me off too, but poor Mum had to stay at home as she was unwell, but I have no doubt she saw a number of photos of the event.
The day kicked off with, as I said a bit drizzly, but that didn’t stop the enthusiasm from everyone involved. As we made our way towards the playground the weather picked up a bit and we all gathered for a few words and thank you’s from DG Phil and myself, plenty of photos were taken, then it was time to receive a few instructions from Lance our Bike Rider who made sure both Maggie and I would not only be safe but enjoy the ride. As you will see there are plenty of shots of us holding the large Baton (thanks to DG Phil for the loan of) but a smaller one was handed to us just as we left for the trip and to be passed on for the next leg in Barwon Heads. This was proudly waved around from the sidecar by Maggie as I advertised to the general public along the way… “Join Rotary, and have some Fun”, verbally…!!! The trip was amazing and despite the weather we left behind there wasn’t a drop of rain at all along the way in fact the sun came out and made the trip even more enjoyable… bucket list item… tick ✔👍.
The finale was held in Geelong in the Christ Church Hall as the rain got heavier the more the day went on, but that didn’t stop us having more photos taken and having a great afternoon. 14 Clubs were involved and attended the afternoon celebrations, which in itself was a great achievement, a huge cake was ceremoniously cut and handed out. Speeches were made and of course many thank you’s too were expressed not only to the participants but everyone who volunteered many long hours in the background, for whom this whole event was able to go as smoothly as it did. I personally have another huge ‘THANK YOU’ to go out to our Trevor Pickles and ‘The Shy Guys’ who very graciously excepted last-minute changes to their set up and did a great job despite the upheaval (due to the weather, again…!)
All in all, the R100 Baton Relay event went brilliantly well, the planning and organising of it was extremely involved especially trying to co-ordinate 14 clubs together but as in true Rotary manner we did a terrific and truly amazing job in celebrating our 100 years in Rotary…. Happy Birthday Rotary International…🎉🎈🥂
So, my next job for the week was to attend the Probus Club of Zeally Bay’s AGM and to have the honour of Inducting Julie Smith as their new President. This was especially nice for me as, as you know she is the wife of one of our long-time Torquay members, Bruce Smith (also a member of the same Probus club) who helped me out considerably when I first joined Rotary. I wished her well in her Presidential year ahead and hoped she doesn’t have one like the last year we’ve all had. As it was pointed out to me on the day from the outgoing President that we’ve served our role purely ‘online’ and what a difference it is talking to a room full of people rather than through a screen…!
Then to this Saturday, where we’ve just had our annual Rotary ‘cake stall’ which was an extremely enjoyable day. The MAC (Multi Arts Centre) President, George Carman, and the committee invited us to join them in celebrating the ‘Open Day’ of the redevelopment of the centre, where we could set up a stall and use the opportunity to promote Rotary and sell cakes at the same time. We can thank Maggie for organising that with George. I would also like to say a huge ‘THANK YOU’ to everyone involved in making and supplying the cakes, slices and goodies, your time and generosity was very much appreciated. (I won’t mention names as I might make that awful mistake and forget someone…!) Thank you too Chrissy Sims and John McDonald who helped out setting up etc, and who’s presence are always welcome. The money we made will go as a donation to the ‘Royal Flying Doctors Outback Morning Tea’, so well done again wonderful people.
Fortunately, the position we were in was perfect. We were surrounded by food and entertainment throughout the day as well as enjoyed the activities inside the building where partitions of some magnificent artwork/photography exhibitions were displayed. There was plenty to see and do such as demonstrations, hands on activities as well as listen to the beautiful voices of the ‘Surfside Singers Choir’, headed by Erica Turner, Bruce Turner ‘s wife and many other musical artists.
As I have mentioned previously that one of our members, Gail Crisfield was a presenter at the Writer’s workshop, held later in the day, which was extremely interesting and very inspiring if you ever felt like doing some writing of any sort. Her enthusiasm showed in every way and she obviously enjoys and loves her work, I look forward to being able to purchase any of her published books in the very near future.
Just one final word…. Hope you haven’t forgotten to register for ‘Neil’s Thank You Night’ for all the friends, sponsors and supporters of the recent Book Fair, which is being held tomorrow night (29th) at the Torquay Hotel, Bell Street at 6pm. Drinks will be offered to those invited and then if you so wish stay on for a meal (at your cost.!) so please come along and support Neil and say ‘Thank You’ to our Book Fair friends…
You will all be glad to hear that there was great Rotary involvement & presence at the Multi Arts Centre Opening day on Saturday March 27th . President George Carman and the Committee had done an amazing job of planning the open day to celebrate the redevelopment of the centre.
Firstly the Club organised a promotion stand, which was which was in a great position as people entered and included sales of cakes and biscuits -
Our very own Gail Chrisfield presented at a writers workshop and Erica Turner ably supported by husband Bruce led the Surf Coast singers with a medley of favourites !
Thanks to all those who provided cakes, scones etc , but a very special BIG THANK you to Lesley Shedden and Gail Birchall for their wonderful contribution to the cake stall , despite their huge commitments over the weekend .
Lesley's famous ginger fluff sponges, ANZAC biscuits and Gail's gorgeous Easter honey joys and more bickies :) were very popular and great sellers !!
To helpers, President Jan ,Chrissie Sims , Rhonda Anchen, Robyn O'Loughlin, and John McDonald - thank you all so much to a great sales team !!
We managed to raise about $250 for the Royal Flying Doctor
" Outback Morning Tea' - and added to donations on the actual site this should be about $300
I am hoping the Club will consider, as is the usual practice rounding this to $500 , which was the goal set on the Outback Morning Tea site
The R100 Peace Symposium this year will be in the comfort of your own study! The webinar The future of Peace Leadership is on the afternoon of April 21 and the morning of April 22, and includes speakers from all over the world, including President Holger Knaack, Chair of the Rotary Foundation PRIP Ravi Ravindran, and Nobel Peace Prize Laureates Dr Jose Ramos-Horta and Prof Tilman Ruff AO etc, etc.
Unfortunately, there will not be an ANZAC Day Dawn Service again this year due to the late advice provided by RSL Victoria and the State Government.
A small service will be held at 0700 in the Memorial Garden at the rear of the Torquay Bowls Club for Veteran’s only.
Thank you for reaching out to the Torquay RSL Sub-Branch and we hope that we can commence planning for the 2022 ANZAC Day Dawn Service in September this year.
I have just received this email from Southern Region RAM Secretary about a recent news item on Channel 10 about malaria research being carried out by University of Queensland. The item runs for about two and a half minutes and is well worth viewing. Please Click the Image above to view.
2021: we celebrate the Centenary of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand!
The Geelong Clubs Rotary Centenary Baton Relay began in Torquay today , with many Club members walking with President Jan Emmett and District Governor Phil Beasley to the Rob Emmett Play ground President Jan then travel through the Bellarine Peninsular into Geelong , with a display and an afternoon of activities in the garden at Christ Church cnr Moorabool & McKillop Streets, Geelong.
The celebrations and formalities in the Christ Church garden included our very own Trevor Pickles and the Shy Boys playing the music, and was an enjoyable afternoon to celebrate this momentous year in Rotary Down Under .
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.
As the COVID restrictions are lifting at last , we have planned some face to face meetings back at the Lions Village and social nights, where you can bring friends and family
The first will be at the Torquay Hotel tomorrow night , 6pm, where will thank some of the Book Fair volunteers and then stay for a meal . This is a partners night - so hope as many can come
Getting back together and going out is a really exciting stage after lockdown and will ensure we continue with our important Rotary social connections.
Date
Chair
Meeting Details
Meeting Venue
Mon 29 March
Neil Henderson
Happy Hour Thank you to Book Fair Volunteers & Sponsors
6pm Torquay Hotel
Mon 5th April
No Meeting - Easter Monday
Mon 12th April
Jan Emmett
DG Phil Beasley and Judy Beasley
Allan Hillgrove - Rotarian Behind the Badge
Accept Richard Hawker transferee
Lions Village
Mon 19th April
Dinner Meeting no speaker - followed by Board Meeting
Lions Village
Sunday 25th April
ANZAC Day March cancelled
Mon 26th April
Armour antiques (military History) TBC
Lions Village
Mon 3rd May
The Rotarian Behind the Badge - Richard Hawker
Lions Village
Mon 10th May
Mon 17th May
Dinner meeting - followed by Joint Board Meeting
Lions Village
Mon 24th May
David Salamy - TrioBikes
Lions Village
Mon 31st May
George Carman President of the New Multi-Arts Centre Torquay
Lions Village
Mon 7th June
The Rotarian Behind the Badge - Michelle Boddington
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.
