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President's Message
Jan Emmett
President's Report No 42
Welcome one and all,
I hope everyone took advantage of the lovely weather we had leading up to and over the weekend, it was lovely to feel the sun on the body again, but as all good things, they come to an end, as it’s now raining and there’s thunder in the distance…!!
I, unfortunately, due to a family commitment, wasn’t able to attend last week’s meeting but on all accounts John Oswald did us proud. I gather there were a number of guests, which is what we like to see and are always welcome, and by all accounts a number of guests were actually from PNG as well as partners and guests from a couple of other Rotary clubs. I’m sure you would have given them a warm RC of Torquay welcome…!
Many thanks too to Robyn for standing in at the last minute and running the meeting, which was a busy one to say the least, so well done, you did an excellent job by all accounts.
I was able to attend today’s session of the ‘Virtual Multi District Conference’ where there were a number of excellent speakers, a couple of which I personally thought would be well worth looking up online and reading their stories of what they’ve done for and with Rotary. They are - David Laity – Photographer and now Winegrower and Katey Halliday – Founding member of the Adelaide City Rotaract Club. (See their Bio's elsewhere in the Bulletin)
Which brings me to the upcoming ‘District Assembly’… just recently you would have received emails from both Mike and Lesley in regard to this. I highly recommend the new incoming Board Members to register for this event as there are sessions that are designed to your particular portfolio which are extremely helpful and informative. But for anyone else interested just check your emails for the links to book in and register where there are a number of topics to choose from.
Tomorrow night will be a good night to just sit back and enjoy some fellowship and be entertained by our newest member to our club, Richard Hawker, who as you know, has recently become a resident of Torquay with his wife Diane and transferred down from RC of Warrnambool. He will be presenting us with his version of ‘Rotarian behind the Badge’ and I’m sure it will be a most entertaining insight into the life of Richard...!
Our dinner meeting on Monday 26th April was very well attended by members, prospective members, visitors and special guests.
Craig Britton: construction worker, husband, biggest supporter and mentor of Lucy Loko.
Jai Britton, son, Grade 5 at Goonawarra School (Sunbury) along with five cousins in Port Moresby (Grade Prep to 7), who are all in training to be the next generation of the Peter Nathan Loko Foundation
Theresa Evans, chef in Brighton and family friend of Lucy Loko.
Linda Koerner, President of the Wantoks Group of Vic, Member of the Papua New Guinea Women’s group.
Michaeline President of the Papua New Guinea Women’s Group.
Christine Begelhole , Torquay
Many members bought along ANZAC memorabilia and shared photos and stories of their relatives and friends that served in past conflicts. The ‘Death Penny’, shared by David Mitchell, and members’ photos were a poignant reminder of the loss and impact felt by friends and families through to the present day. There were a number of items and maps relating to the Kokoda trail and the amazing work that the ‘Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels’ did for our Australian solders during the war.
We were very honored to have Lucy Loko and her family as well as a number of guests from PNG to talk to us about the work they are currently doing to improve the educational opportunities and living conditions in PNG, particularly in some of the remote villages.
Our own Dr John Oswald gave an interesting and detailed account of the PNG projects we are working on in conjunction with RC Bayside Geelong and the Peter Nathan Loko Foundation.
For those who missed the Multi District Virtual Conference this weekend all I can say is that you missed some fantastic speakers. Here were a couple of the stand outs for me. We are hoping that recordings of the presentations will be made available for any of you who wish to watch them. Watch this space for these details.
Ten years ago, David Laity lost most of what he owned in the Black Saturday bushfires. However, he was grateful to be alive and, after some hiccups coming to grips with needing help, he was able to begin rebuilding his life with the help of money dropped into donation tins around the country, and donated by groups such as Rotary.
Humbled by Australians stepping up to help, David developed a powerful new level of motivation to make it his mission to “pay forward” the incredible generosity that had been shown to him.
In the aftermath of the fires, David started a business that gave back 50% of everything he earned to the charities his customers cared most about. David had a love of wine, along with awesome contacts at several great vineyards. All agreed to help, and so, with $15,000 provided by compassionate people, Goodwill Wine was born – along with an uplifting story.
Katey Halliday is a past president and a founding member of the Adelaide City Rotaract Club and a member of the Rotary Club of Adelaide Light. She has served as a team leader, coordinator, and trainer for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA), Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN), and was a participant in the inaugural RYLA Oceania Program.
Katey initiated her District’s first-ever participation in the local Pride March celebrations and is a member of her Rotaract Club’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) working group, creating a RAP designed to support organisations to develop respectful relationships and create meaningful opportunities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Most recently, Katey was appointed as a member of Rotary International’s newly formed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force, among DEI experts from across the globe. The Task Force is working with Rotary staff to shape a comprehensive action plan with achievable, measurable, and meaningful outcomes that bring life to Rotary’s DEI policy.
Professionally, Katey is a Diversity and Inclusion Project Officer and training facilitator for South Australia Police where she works on initiatives aimed at creating a diverse and inclusive organisation where all people are safe, respected and supported to reach their potential. She was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow by her district in 2019 for her vocational contributions to Rotary.
We have raised over $100,000 (and counting!) towards the Rotary Club of Belmont's headspace Geelong Social Inclusion Project!
You only have until May 6 to join us, our Community Partners and our Platinum Sponsor - and all those who have donated so far - to raise vital funds to support our community’s young people.
We aim to raise funds which would enable the headspace Social Inclusion Project to be delivered for a further 12 months.
All funds raised will directly support the Social Inclusion Project, a program focusing on early intervention for complex, isolated and hard to engage young people. It is delivered via an outreach-based service, allowing young people to engage in a service where they feel comfortable and safe in discussing their mental health outside of a clinical environment.
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.
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.
To read the DG Phil's latest District 9780 January eNewsletter CLICK HERE
Rotary Down Under AMay 2021 Edition 638 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.