(If you have any comments or questions, please contact the editor)
President's Message
Michael Reed
President's Report No 47
How good was Monday night?
It was great catching up with members from the other Rotary Clubs in Groups 9 &10.
There was over 100 (I heard 105) attending the Environment Evening at the North Geelong Bowls Club.
I counted 14 members from our club. Well done to those who attended, and hope you enjoyed the evening too – as I did.
It was an ideal venue for a function like this.
There is something about going to functions like this, where multiple clubs meet. The opportunity it creates catching up with people, meeting members from other clubs, or simply catching up with friends.
I even caught up with one of my schoolteachers from form 1 and form 2 – Dr John Nelson. It was terrific to catch up and have a chat with him. You never know who you may run into ….
Our District Governor, John Clue, drove from Port Fairy for the evening …. then drove home after the event! Assistant Governor David Sykes was there supporting both his club and clubs under his Assistant Governor watch this year.
Jennifer Gerard spoke to us, telling us about the Lids4kids program and the massive amount of lids ‘saved’ from landfill.
Also, the plastic Bread ties and the recycling of these.
Jennifer had some samples of products made from the lids and ties after they have been crushed. Some amazing items from clocks to bowls, placemats, and coasters …. To name a few. Pretty impressive.
Vicki Perret discussed the emissions, climate change and sustainability …. and the need to look after our planet.
I have received an email from The Management at Kithbrooke Park advising us that we are to use their kitchen caterer, who has taken out a lease on the kitchen and the facilities.
Following a meeting with Management, we can continue to have Rod and Lorraine cater for us for our next two face 2 face meetings, on the 27th of June and the 4th of July – our Changeover.
After July 4, we will be using the caterer at Kithbrooke Park.
Hope you managed to register for the International Convention next year, if you were looking for the best value tickets.
I know a few members (like me!) have already both registered and their booked accommodation.
Well folks, you can all relax and put your feet up on Monday, as we all enjoy the long weekend.
Rhonda Anchen, Barb Sheehan, DG John Clue, Maggie Isom, Vicki Perrett, Dr Sophie, Aileen Brown
Torquay President Michael Reed & DG John Clue
Report on the World Environment Day Dinner
Monday 6th June 2022
City of Geelong Bowls Club
“Small seeds, that are fertilised, watered and have rays of sunshine showering them with warmth and hope result in productive, supportive forests. “
This analogy can articulate the wonderful Environment gathering on Monday 6th June for the clubs from Groups 9 and 10 to celebrate World Environment Day.
The evening was hosted by a small group of committed environment Rotarians Maggie Isom, Torquay , Barb Sheehan, Highton, Linda Carr, Geelong Central , Aileen Brown, Bayside , Stephen Yewdall, Geelong West , Beryl McMillan, Geelong and Rhonda Anchen, Torquay
102 people attended the event, including 9780 DG John Clue from Port Fairy RC , Assistant Governor Group 10 David Sykes , Chair of the District 9780 Environment Committee David Sanders from Wendouree breakfast Rotary Club , Jed Castle from Interact & Barwon Rotaractors
Displays from OZ FISH, Rotarians for Bees , Bee Hotels , Lids for Kids , posters to give away – e waste bags were just some of the things that Rotarians could take away from the event
Fun was had with social bingo as an icebreaker – asking attendees to find answers to a suite of environment actions, which encouraged great mingling and chats.
Guest Speakers –
Jennifer Jarrard – the Western Victoria Regional Coordinator for Lids4Kids
Vicki Perrett - President Geelong Sustainability
Both speakers challenged all of us to think about how we as individuals could make a difference to saving this precious planet
Assistant Governor Group 10 PP David Sykes has asked the working group if we could run this celebration of World Environment Day as an Annual Event, which will fit in so well with Rotary's seventh area of focus, Supporting the environment !
Call to Action
which are categories of service activities supported by global grants .
ESRAG – Environment, Sustainability Rotary Action Group is interested in building a network of People of Action i.e interested and involved Rotarians to work with Rotary Districts and Clubs to spread the word about saving this planet
We would like to invite Club Environment team leaders to be involved in informative seminars, collaborative projects, networking opportunities and planning workshops.
Individually our Clubs provide good support for the environment; collectively we can be a greater movement for Climate Change.
I was just wondering if you or any of your members would be interested in supporting us by donating an hour or 2 of your time on either Saturday 25 or Sunday 26 June between 8am and 4pm at the Torquay Bunnings for a fundraising BBQ? Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated in assisting us to raised much needed funds for our health service.
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
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 June. 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)
With thanks to you and your fellow Rotarians, Operation Cleft Australia, together with our Bangladesh partner have brought a smile to the face of more than 1,500 life threatening, Cleft suffering Children over this last challenging 12 month.
Rotary continues to prove that ‘When the going gets tough the tough get going’. Our surgeons and hospital support staff have not stopped, despite all the tough times they have continuing to operate – to change faces and change lives!
This attached Newsletter includes some amazing stories of children and families impacted by life changing surgeries; you have made possible. It also highlights the exciting and unique way in which Rotary Clubs and Rotarians support Operation Cleft Australia.
Thanks for your help in transforming the lives of so many desperately needy children. Through your gift and your Club’s support, these children can participate in school, benefit so much from the life-long value of education, enjoy good health, make, and sustain friendships, play normal sport and …. Smile!
Registrations are now open for The Push-Up Challenge 2022, so jump in! We'd love to have you be a part of it.
Join the amazing online community for The Push-Up Challenge as we stay connected, get fit, learn about mental health and have a bit of fun along the way.
All the while supporting Lifeline Geelong & South West Victoria.
In 2017, The Push-Up Challenge was created as a way to make a positive difference to mental health in Australia.
This year, we’re going to push big,
we’re going to push-up, and we’re going to push
for better mental health
We would like to give people across Australian like you, the chance to get fit for tomorrow’s challenges and show your support for mental health in Australia. 💪
If you think you have what it takes, go solo or grab some mates and challenge yourself to 3,139 push-ups over 24 days in June.
WHAT'S DIFFERENT THIS YEAR?
• This year your target is 3,139 push-ups. To represent the number of lives lost in Australia to suicide in 2020.
• Our event app has a few new, funky features up its sleeve
• A whole lot of new, surprising and insightful mental health facts to get you thinking
• We have some sweet, new merch for you to push-up in style
• You will be able to support Lifeline Geelong & South West Victoria and our local community.
You will be able to aim for 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% of each day's target. As always, alternatives to push-ups are welcomed and encouraged.
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.
President Michael Reed along with President Elect Ben Featherston would like to invite you and your partner to attend the changeover of The Rotary Club of Torquay, where Michael will hand over the Presidency of the club to Ben and welcome the new leadership team for 2022/23.
This event will be held on: - Monday 4th July 2022.
To be held at: - Kithbrooke Park, in the Community Hall, 350 Grossmans Rd, Torquay, 3228.
Time: - 6.00PM Arrival for 6.30PM.
Cost: - $40 per Head for Two Course meal.
Drinks at Bar Prices.
Please use this TryBooking link for all Registrations and Payment
And …. don’t forget to Include any dietary requirements.
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.
Shekhar and Rashi Mehta at their home in Kolkata. Rashi painted the picture Mother and Child, behind her.
When I met Shekhar almost 20 years ago, he was busily manning a booth at the Rotary International Convention. His enthusiasm and energy in showcasing his club’s projects were infectious. A project man myself, I was inspired by the work exhibited at the booth. That casual encounter developed into a strong friendship.
Shekhar is a visionary leader. He always sees things others can’t. He envisaged a way to eradicate illiteracy in India by 2025 and designed the TEACH program (which stands for Teacher support, E-learning, Adult literacy, Child development, Happy school). He started the Shelter Kit project that now is in the vanguard of disaster relief in India. His Saving Little Hearts project, which provides heart surgeries to thousands of children, along with the more than 15 eye hospitals he helped establish, which have served hundreds of thousands, speaks to the scope of his dreams.
Ravi Vadlamani
Rotary Club of Guntur, India 2001-02 governor of District 3150
He has an exceptional talent for building teams and driving them to achieve their goals. Shekhar’s programs and ideas may seem larger than life, but he always walks the extra mile to make Rotarians feel at home.
His power of dreaming big is backed up by planning, perseverance, and patience. He’s an excellent communicator who connects with his audience instantly and can motivate people to move mountains. He is also a family man, ably supported by his spouse, Rashi.
Shekhar’s X factor as a leader? Nobody is able to say no to him when he asks for something.
District 9780 Governor for 2021-22 is John Clue from Rotary Club of Port Fairy
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.