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President's Message
Ben Featherston
President's Report No 1
Hello everyone.
Well, what a wonderful changeover evening we had on Monday. It was a great chance to celebrate the Rotary year just passed, and a really fine time was had acknowledging Michael and our clubs’ achievements. The night had a great buzz and warmth to it, and I hope everyone who attended felt this and enjoyed the night.
It was with great pleasure that I officially accepted the role of club President, and I was proud to announce the leadership team for this coming year. The enthusiasm and support in the room was palpable, and it really bodes well for a positive and proactive vibe for our club going forwards. We really do have a “good thing going” at the Rotary Club of Torquay!
My message to all at this early part of the year, is to know that I encourage you to be proactive with your thoughts and ideas, to inspire each other and to feel comfortable and welcomed within the club. My focus for everyone for the month of July are: ‘Planning’ & ‘Know your Club and Fellow Members’.
Hence, the next two club meetings: Planning Part 1 (online), Monday 11th July & Planning Part 2 (Kithbrooke Park), Monday 18th July. Please make every effort to be available for these, as we get to know our leadership team, allocate portfolios/committees and major projects, find out how to best access information and resources, to allow members to become actively involved in areas that they wish to.
We also have a couple of social opportunities upcoming: Christmas at the Trots, Friday 22nd July and Christmas in July Fireside Chats, Monday 25th July, to allow us to know our fellow members better, to make friends, in fun and relaxed environments. I hope you can make it to one or both of these events.
Part of us getting to know each other a little more , we have arranged a " Fireside Chat " evening on Monday 25th July
This is to celebrate Christmas in July , where we have about 4-5 members who offer their homes for dinner and a chat around the fireside - well its cold enough for a fire, a heater, a dual cycle or even the warmth of central heating !!
We have already 2 hosts , and need about 3 more so If you would like to be a host for the evening , please contact Maggie on 0412713102
For those who chose not to go to the Trots on Friday 22nd we have also scheduled Christmas in July Fireside chats on Monday Night 25th July. You will need to register via the invitation you will receive by email.
“ We have had a good response to the Trots night, but we still have 4 more seats to make up 2 tables of 8“
Please get your bookings in before Monday 11th July
Monday 4th July saw, our now Past President Michael Reed hand over the reins of the Club to Incoming President Ben Featherston and his management team for 2022-23. Congratulations to all concerned and may this be another successful year for Torquay Rotary as Ben and his team embraces this year's theme "Imagine Rotary"
To view the full Photo Album from Changeover go to Changeover Pics
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.
Whilst we haven’t formally started raising funds for the Lese Oalai project, but already the funds in our Rotary Australia World Community Service account are over $17,000. These funds have come from a variety of sources, but mostly interested Rotary Clubs. Attached is a screendump from our RAWCS funding website https://directory.rawcs.com.au/41-2021-22
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 Johns latest District 9780 June 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.