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President's Message 30 November 2024
Bruce Turner
President’s Message
Greetings and welcome. Thank you for joining our online news and updates.
Thank you to all those who came along to the AGM on Monday night. The requirement to have a quorum for the meeting was easily satisfied with an excellent turn out of members, along with a number of “proxies” provided. It is not always the most enticing event to come along to, so your presence was greatly appreciated, and we hope you also enjoyed the small but important number of directors' presentations. A special thanks to Neil Henderson for organising and chairing the meeting. Being Neil’s first time at running our AGM he was a little anxious leading into the meeting, but there was no need as he managed proceedings extremely well.
We were also given a review of the Commerce Torquay Business Awards by Greg Birchall and Trevor Hall. For those who were unable to attend the evening, this was a great opportunity to gain an insight into the event. Greg also presented several possible additions to the awards that may help the program continue to grow.
As we are all aware, community organisations can only be successful if they continue to grow and develop, and as such, Ben Featherston (Membership Director) gave an outline of the membership campaign we hope will attract new members to our club.
I had the privilege of accompanying Richard Hawker for a return visit to his original Rotary Club in Warrnambool on Tuesday evening. The occasion was the celebration and acknowledgement of those involved in the establishment and ongoing operation of the Club’s Holiday Cabin for Camp Quality. This is such a fantastic example of what can be achieved through positive connections between community, council and local business. All involved are to be congratulated on the positive impact they have had on so many families over the last 30 years. Of particular note was the recognition of the work undertaken by Richard Hawker in establishing and supporting this project.
Finally, thank you and congratulations to Linda Neale on the organization of Tuesday’s local walk as part of the 16 days of Activism against Gender Based Violence.
Updates for members:
If you know of anyone in need of furniture, we still have a few free items available: fridge, 2-seater couch, entertainment unit, tv trolley/table. Give Bruce a call if you need any more information.
November 25th starts the International 16 Days of Activism. This is to bring awareness of Gender-based, family and domestic violence.
As you are aware, this is an ever-increasing scourge in the lives of 1 in 3 women.
I attended the Zonta walk on Sunday – and heard excellent speeches from Troy Edwards from the City of Greater Geelong, Sarah Mansfield, Politician and Debra, President of the Geelong Zonta Branch. Five Rotarians from Geelong District attended – Geelong West, Kardinia, Highton and Torquay. Numbers were down this year both from a Rotary perspective as well as from other Groups and services, however, it still sent a powerful message that Domestic and Family Violence cannot go on.
Photo of Torquay Rotary Club Walk proudly carrying our new Teardrop Banner for all to see on Tuesday, 26th November.
The Lost Petition is an ongoing textile artwork that lists women and children who have lost their lives to male violence in Australia since 2008. This work is 30 metres long and proceeds to grow in length as women's and children’s lives continue to be lost to male violence.
