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President's Message
Trevor Pickles
President's Report No 9
Monday evening we had a presentation for the Principal of Torquay Coast Primary School, Darren Roskosch. His talk was accompanied with a visual presentation of the new school. It was easy to see how he was so enthusiastic regarding the teaching/learning possibilities at this very contemporary setting. The architectural layout, the flexibility of space and the modern colour scheme are ‘light years’ away from the drab buildings we were taught in – well the ones I was taught in anyway!
This coming Monday I will be absent and so Kelly Binyon will be standing in for me as president – thanks Kelly. The guest speaker will be Sam Dharmapala and will talk about helping women who have been rescued from slavery.
The following week we hope to induct a new Member – Neil Henderson has attended a few meetings as a guest and wishes to transfer his Membership for the Essendon Club to Torquay.
Enjoy the next few days of forecasted warmer weather – see you on Monday the 17th which will be a Club Assembly. Be ready with lots of new ideas and suggestions.
Guest Speaker Darren Roskosch – Principal of Torquay Coast Primary School
After what one would call a very lively but informative presentation from Darren Roskosch, Principal of Torquay Coast Primary School, I hope that everyone enjoyed it as much as I did.
It would seem that even after being reprimanded with X amount of lashes with a weapon of the teachers' choice, for whatever reason, he made the right decision to go into the teaching profession instead of the Services, due to a permanent injury to his hand which prevented him from joining.
But obviously the profession was the right one as he has been an Educator for 30yrs, a Principal for 16yrs and now lives as well as being the current Principal of the newest school in Torquay, Torquay Coast P.S. This is his 3rd school that he's been a principal at they being Echuca P.S, Barwon Heads P.S & has been Principal at Torquay Coast P.S. Since 2018 when it first opened in January.
The school currently has 134 students, mostly Preps and come 2019 there will be a further 67 preps joining, 3 of those will be relocated from other schools and the other 64 will be new to the area, as the school grows it will eventually go up to Year 6 as it can accommodate up to 400 students.
They currently have 14 staff but next year he hopes to employ another 5 new teachers to prepare for the extra students.
Torquay Coast is 1 of 15 Private/Public Consortiums the LCV (Learning Communities Victoria) is responsible for the finance, design, construction and maintenance of the school facilities to high standards for 25 years.
With Darren's guidance he took us through a virtual tour of the school and all it's areas.
The Learning Communities are affectionately known as Habitats and each area has an Aboriginal name together with a full size Gym/Netball courts/Games Hall, Junior & Senior outdoor areas and playgrounds, music room, Full Library, as well as the Admin area.
The school is in adjacent to The Early Leaning Centre which makes the transition into the Primary school a lot easier.
They hold School Assemblies every Friday afternoon and everyone is welcomed, especially Parents, siblings & Grandparents. The Website & Facebook sites are very informative if anyone is interested in the School.
The first Russian District Governor in the history of Rotary International 2004 -2005
Academic Profile
• Ph.D. from Moscow State University (1977)
• Professor at Irkutsk State University and the University of Maryland University College (retired in August 2018)
• Author of 40+ academic publications on Linguistics, Cross-Cultural communication, Business Communication, Business Ethics, American culture
• University vice-president, Irkutsk Russia (1977- 1982)
• Fulbright Scholar-in-residence at California State University Stanislaus ((1992-1993)
• Recipient of prestigious awards from the Russia’s Ministry of Higher Education
• Founder and coordinator of the "Watch and Learn" programme for business students from the University of Irkutsk, Siberia
Rotary Profile
• Co-founder of Rotary in Russia
• The first Russian district governor in the history of RI (D.5010, 2004 -2005). Studied Rotary in the U.S. (California), Australia (Sydney), Canada (British Columbia)
• The author of three definitive publications in Russian on the inner workings and philosophy of Rotary. The books referred to as the ‘Rotary Bible’ for Russian-speaking Rotarians and non-Rotarians.
• Translator of the RI’s manuals and by-laws since 1991.
• The founder and Dean of the Rotary Leadership Academy in Russia (2008-2014). 106 graduates, including 7 district governors of D.2220 and D.2225 (Russia).
• D. 2225 representative at the Council on Legislation (2013)
• The first Russian recipient of the Service Above Self Award and the TRF Citation for Meritorious Service
• The second PHF in the former Soviet Union (after President Gorbachev).
With the short notice Bunnings BBQ's and the Arts Trail events we picked up the past few months there really has not been any layoff between the BBQ seasons this year and we begin again with the Cowrie Market looming next weekend.
So if you haven't already done so Please get your BBQ Roster back to Me ASAPso that he can complete the 2018-19 BBQ season Roster or you may find yourself rostered on when you don't want to be and it will then be your responsibility to find a fill in.
For those who have not experienced this process previously you are required to block out the events that you are NOT available for and then send the spreadsheet back to Me.
Join Rotary President Barry Rassin at the 110th Rotary International Convention in Hamburg, Germany, 1-5 June 2019. The historic port city of Hamburg offers something for everyone. Germans call it “The Gateway to the World” — and the 2019 convention will be your gateway to the world of Rotary. At the convention, you’ll connect with people of action from across the globe while learning the latest news and strategies for keeping clubs strong.
As a past convention attendee, you know that every convention is an opportunity to learn. Not only will you be inspired by the energy and enthusiasm that surrounds you, you’ll also make new, unforgettable memories that can last a lifetime.
Join your Rotary friends in Hamburg at the 2019 Rotary Convention where together, we’ll Capture the Moment.
In Australia, farmers are the lifeblood of our country and they are in crisis. Record breaking heat and lack of rain means farmers are struggling to feed sheep and cattle, and keep crops alive. Families on the land are suffering and they need our help. Channel 9 and Rotary Australia have partnered with the National Farmers' Federation, launching an appeal to big business and everyday Australians, so we can provide some emergency relief. 100% of donations goes to the farmers and is tax deductible via Rotary and RAWCS. Every dollar counts.
The link for the donation page for the project is:
OK folks...... here's a opportunity not to be missed!
If you enjoy great live music, shakin' your tail feather, a few drinks on a Rockin' steam train and have not done the Blues Train before then you have seriously missed one of lifes MUST DO experiences.
We have secured a booking for 52 people, which will give us our own full carriage, on Saturday 3rd November.
The cost is $118/head which includes a buffet dinner at the Queenscliff Station prior to departure, but you will need to purchase your own drinks at stops along the journey and there is NO BYO.
CLICK HERE to see just how the evening rolls and to view the artists playing on 3rd Nov CLICK HERE
As seats are strictly limited, bookings will be on a "First in - First Paid" arrangement. In the first instance please advise Treasurer John McDonald, by msg on 0405146443 or email, of your booking but once the 52 seats are booked if you haven't paid your money then you may get "Bumped" off by someone who pays up ahead of you.
You are welcome to invite "Friends of Rotary" but remember we are limited to 52 in the carriage....so be quick!
Payments may be made by
EFT into the Club Bank A/C BSB 633 000 A/C 149717803 (please use "BTrain + your surname" as the reference
Via EFTPOS at an upcoming Rotary meeting
We will look at running the bus again, as we did for the Wilbur Night, with Multiple Pick-up points which will most probably work out at $50/head return. Please advise John of your interest in this when you book.
If you're still not convinced then take a look below at what happened the last time some Torquay Rotarians hit The Blues Train.....
We are now fully operational with our new system for registering for our weekly dinner meetings. Called Whoozin, this program is used by other local Rotary Clubs with great success.
To make it easy for everyone I have prepared a Whoozin User Manual which is stored on Clubrunner under "Club Documents" that you will be able to print off if you wish.
In Summary the way it will work is:-
You will receive an initial email invitation each Monday for the following week's meeting.
You can immediately accept or decline, leave until later.
You will receive a reminder email on the Friday Prior
You will have until Midnight Sunday to register your RSVP and can change your decision right up until the closing time.
You can register up to 5 guests
You can specify any Special Dietary requirements
Please Note that if you do not register your intentions you will be charged for the dinner fee.
If you have any problems please free to contact myself Greg Plumridge 0418521321 or Michael Reed 0418524315 for details on how to work the program.
If you cannot meet one of your assigned duties, Please contact Bruce Smith to advise.
The duty team should arrive no later than 6:00 p.m. Besides the below duties, the assigned team is responsible for Room Setup, Greeting Members and Guests, and Room Tidy at the end of our meeting - see checklist in storeroom or click here .
Notifying someone about changes to your meeting attendance is your responsibility!
Our meetings have catered dinners, so if you are unable to attend a meeting, or if your partner is unable
to attend a designated Partner's Night, YOU MUST ADVISE us of your or your partner’s absence.
This also applies if you are attending the meeting but not dining.
How to Book in for our Dinner Meeting?
For Members, Partners and guests of Members
you will receive email invitations to each meeting via Whoozin.
It will be your responsibility to RSVP using Whoozin by Midnight on the day prior to the meeting.
The only exception to this will be if you are expecting to be out of internet connectivity for an extended period.
In this instance you can notify Richard Mierzejewski at LET Surfcoast on03-5261 2777 by 4.00pm on the Saturday prior to the Monday Meeting.
Please Note there is NO Answering Service on this number.
Remember if you are bringing guests or your partner (to a non-partner night) you need to RSVP for the extra number of person/s who will be attending.
If no RSVP is registered as per the above process, the absentee member will be issued with an invoice to pay the Club the usual dinner fee of $25 for your non-attendance, and/or that of your partner if it is an official Partner's Night.
For Visitors to the Club
Any Visitors not being registered as a guest of a Member must call Richard Mierzejewski at LET Surfcoast on03-5261 2777 to Book in. RSVP's must be made no later than 4.00PM on the Saturday prior to the Meeting
Please Note there is NO Answering Service on this number.