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Face2Face Meeting 2nd Aug- Helen Searle TorquayBNI
Kithbrooke Park Community Centre
Aug 02, 2021
6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
 
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President's Message
Michael Reed
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President's Report No 4
 
Trevor Brown mentioned to us that Geoff Dawson has been in hospital again for a short stay procedure this week which went well and we look forward to seeing Geoff back with on Monday Night.
Trevor also mentioned he has a Paul Harris Fellow Pin; he has been given from an old friend. Trevor has asked if there is any PHF recipient in the club that has either lost their pin or has one that is a little ‘battered’. If you do - please contact Trevor Brown and he will be pleased to pass this PHF pin on to you. Thank you for this generous offer Trevor.
 
Our thoughts also go to Michelle Bodington with the recent passing of her Mother. 
 
Howard sent me a link to some images late last Monday afternoon. They bought back a lot of memories for me, in my early days of Rotary, nearly 30 years ago!
These images are of the Jan Juc Board Walk, which we, members of the Rotary Club of Torquay built ….. those were the days!
Over the years, the board walk has deteriated, and requires rebuilding. We must have done a pretty good job for this Torquay Rotary Project, lasting for, and being rebuilt after 30 years of service.  Here is the progress as of last Monday …..
Thanks for the memories Howard!
 
Howard also noticed a few abnormalities with some of the member and club information in ClubRunner. Howard has now rectified this information. Thank you Howard. It is actually important that the information stored is correct. This information is used in years to come to recognise members and club ‘milestones’. Please take a few minutes, log onto ClubRunner and check that your personal details are correct.
 
John Oswald updated us on the international student program, and Lucy Loco’s PNG School project. There is a detailed report on this later in the bulletin.
 
Alan Anderson gave us an update on Community Service.
There was a suggestion we could look at a Dog Park. After communication with the council, we have been notified the council are looking at this. The recommendation is to hold back and see what the council propose to do.
 
We have the opportunity to run a BBQ at ‘Run Forrest’ – a bike ride run by Darrel Brewin’s daughter and Son in law (Bindy and Mick). There is expected to be around 3,000 people there, in Forrest for this event. This looks very worthwhile. Alan will liaise with Mal and Darrel.
 
Pets on Parade was discussed. There was questioning as to the timing of us running another one of these, given the success of the one we ran last year. The reason being the council are currently running an online program as part of their pet program. Alan received volunteers from the club meeting and will arrange a meeting with them to discuss another virtual pet show.
 
Alan Anderson and Greg Plumridge have spent time looking at and sourcing suppliers of Rotary Apparel. Once a supplier and pricing has been confirmed, all members will have the opportunity to order Rotary Club shirts – and possibly other clothing. Alan and Greg will keep us updated.
 
In the District Weekly news this week was an article on people wanting to donate used prescription glasses. The collection of glasses is something The Lions Club of Torquay have done for many years. Martin Duke has worked with Neil Roache, President of Torquay Lions Club, in optometry – so knows him very well! Martin has suggested we can work with Lions, collect the glasses, place the spectacles in ‘special spectacle bags’ that Martin will supply (Thanks Martin!) and give them to Lions to ‘process’ and despatch along with their collections. Kelly has offered her office at Kithbrooke Park to be a drop off point. Alternatively, call Alan Anderson, Martin Duke or Kelly Binyon and arrange for a collection.
 
This week is Donate Life Week 25th July – 1st August. See detailed article in this bulletin …. Donate Life is a program, led by Maggie Isom, we as a club have been involved with for many years. (The Late) Mary Elliott was a member of our club for many years and was instrumental in getting this program going and very heavily promoting it through the communities in our Rotary District. Mary’s enthusiasm was second to none!
 
We are all fortunate enough to be warm in our homes during these cooler periods, and if venturing out – can dress accordingly. Not everyone is so fortunate. Rhonda has asked if anyone has any warm clothing they no longer want, including coats, jackets, warm coverings, to please consider donating them. These items will be passed on to those in need. A big Thank you to Gail and Greg Birchall, who have offered their place as a drop off point for the clothing. For any further information, please contact Rhonda Anchen.
OK ---- Time for me to take a breath and grab a coffee!
 
Onto our discussion topic from Monday evening.
Just before getting into that, I would like to thank a focus group set up late last year, who spent time looking and analysing venues around Torquay, for us to consider for club meetings.

After we had our Changeover at Kithbrooke Park on July 4th, there were several comments made to Jan Emmett, Myself - and to others - from our club members, seeking further information on, and the possibility of using Kithbrooke Park for more of our Club’s face 2 face meetings.

So, Jan and I met with Wendy, Kithbrooke Park Manager, to see what the possibilities were.....
The meeting was very positive.
I summarised our meeting and submitted this to the board meeting last week.
The board moved and passed that we trial face 2 face meetings at Kithbrooke Park and requested this be put to club members.

Following some questions, comments, and discussion on the venue - (by far) the majority of members agreed we trial Kithbrooke Park for our Face 2 Face meetings and experience this venue.
 
For the members unable to join us on Monday, here is a summary of the discussion Jan and I had – with the management of Kithbrooke Park….
 
  • Kithbrooke Park is a Country Club – not a Retirement Village (or centre).
  • Easy parking out the front of the venue.
  • Easy all-weather access to the venue.
  • Large clean comfortable room. Even with the latest COVID restrictions, we could still have 75 people in the room with adequate social distancing!
  • Bar Facilities, to be run by Kithbrooke, with prices very similar to our current drink charge.
  • $70 per night cost – for cleaning of the venue. No further costs to use the facility.
  • There is a small set of draws we can use for our paraphernalia storage. No cost to use this. And a proposed cupboard to be installed for our use.
  • We can still use our caterers – Rod and Lorraine.
  • We can have the use of the outdoor area on nice evenings.
  • Doors can be closed to the ‘Bar Area’ if needed, securing the main room for solely our use and confidentiality.
  • PA / AV in the separate Committee Room. We would adjourn to this room after the meal. However, following discussions on Monday – Alan Anderson and John Oswald have offered a projector and screen we could set up…. So may not need to move from our chairs.
 
Members, I would like to thank you for your input, comments and involvement in the discussion surrounding Kithbrooke Park.
As you are now well aware the first of our trial Kithbrooke Meetings is being held tomorrow night thanks to their Covid regulations so I urge as many of you as possible to make it to see how the venue works for us on a Monday night.
 
Stay tuned folks – we will be kept updated with programs and venues as we are once again able to meet face 2 face.
 
Couple of reminders –
If you are considering going to Port Fairy for District Conference in March next year, on the weekend of Friday 18th – Sunday 20th, please look at booking accommodation. I have booked, and was advised accommodation is very limited, as most of the town is ‘booked out’. It happens to be the weekend after the Music Festival, and a lot of people stay for the following week.
Finally, our Clubs official District Governor Visit on Monday August 16th will be a Q&A session with DG John. John is very keen to hear from members – any question, query, thought, suggestion you may have – make a note of it and bring it along on the night.
Just remember ---- None of us is as smart as all of us!
 
President Michael
 
 
Stories
Donate Life Week
2021 Donate Life Week 25th July – 1st August
 
 
For three hundred and sixty-five days a year, we should be thinking about organ donation, not just focus on it for a week. Because it can touch us personally at any time. That could be losing a loved one and making that very unselfish decision of organ donation. Or it could be a family member or friend receiving that gift of life.
Did you know there are more that 1600 Australians are on the waitlist for a life-saving transplant, every new registration counts.
Bayside Rotarian Ian understands the importance of organ donation when losing his wife Heather in a dreadful car accident in 2019, he and his family made the decision to say YES
 
       
 
Consider the ripple effect this had on so many families. It isn’t just the 5 organs that were donated to those 5 people. It is the other lives that are touched because a family in their time of grief made the decision to say Yes
 
This picture shows the Aranyosi family. Ian with his children their partners and his grandchildren.  This Sprint car was dressed to bring attention to the Donatelife campaign and to remember Heather, it was displayed and raced January 2020 at the Warrnambool Grand Annual Sprint Car Classic, which is the second largest event of its kind in the world.
 
 
Never assume you are too old, too young, or not healthy enough to become a donor. Register now, simply click https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/medicare/australian-organ-donor-register/how-register
 
 
This year, the goal is to have 100,000 registrations. Please check your registrations to see they are still current, chat with your family and friends - and encourage them to check theirs.
If updating is required, or registration is needed ---- register using the above link.
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Read more...
International Student Program  of STUDY GEELONG
 
 
John Oswald spoke on Monday of this program, and the involvement Rhonda is having in it, with her mentoring a student.
If anyone is interested, please contact Rhonda Anchen for further information on what is involved, and how to register to assist with mentoring.
 
Here is a letter from Simone Budd, Student Engagement and Project Officer, STUDY GEELONG (Simone can also be contacted for further information)
Tourism Greater Geelong & The Bellarine, Wadawurrung Country
Could you be a friend to an international student studying in Geelong?  Study Geelong is looking for local residents in the Geelong region to participate in the program and help show an international student what a friendly, amazing place Geelong is. The program lasts for 12 weeks and is NOT a live-in program.
Study Geelong runs a couple of events for all participants, but it is up to participants to arrange when and how they will catch-up during the program. It has been challenging for many students being isolated and away from their families and friends back home. The International Friends Program provides an opportunity for locals to show that we are a welcoming and inclusive community. You can develop friendships with students from around the world, enjoy sharing your favourite places to go in Geelong, the Australian culture, language, food and your interests and hobbies. You will also learn about another culture and develop intercultural skills.
If interested please apply before 31 July. There will be an online orientation session on 11 August at 5.30pm and you will meet the student you have been matched with at the Kick-Off event, 5.30pm on 23 August. For further information and to apply go to http://studygeelong.com.au/international-friends-program
______________________________________________________________________________________
                         
Don Shields, is Club President & Membership Director of The Rotary Club of Geelong Central.
Don writes …
Simone was a guest speaker at Geelong Central several months ago, and as a result of which I volunteer with Study Geelong, and I am currently mentoring a final year Construction Management student at Deakin. KP is from Gujarat in India, loves cricket and on return to India, will work in his father’s Construction company. KP was looking for mentoring on the “soft skills”, and as a result on a monthly basis we meet to discuss the practical side of dealing with people and leading them.
On return to India KP will know about Rotary too, and hopefully, his family’s company can install donated playgrounds in Gujarat. Its not a great deal of time required, and I commend the program to you and your members.
Rhonda Anchen has now had two zoom meetings with Simone and members of this program. Rhonda writes the following ….
Just an update to the status re the International Student Program. 
I had a Zoom interview with Simone on Wednesday and the next phase is a Zoom orientation session Aug 11 which covers the guidelines and parameters of the program. Simone and her team then do a ‘perfect match’ and I get to meet our student FtF on Aug 23. The program runs for 12 weeks with the option to continue the friendship if both parties are keen. The program looks extremely well organised.
Simone and I discussed networking opportunities for ‘our’ student and I was wondering if others would be keen to join a bush walk or activity. Obviously an invitation to one of our more interesting Rotary meetings will be extended to our student.
Please contact Rhonda for further information and how to join them on the next zoom meeting.
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Stationary Drive for Lese Oalai School PNG
 
Lucy’s Stationery drive for PNG – an easy non-pandemic restricted overseas aid program for Rotary Clubs in D9780
 
During our meeting on Monday, it was mentioned and discussed what stationery is required for the Donations-in-Kind/Peter Nathan Loko Foundation program to the Lese Oalai school in the Gulf Province of Papua New Guinea.
John Oswald has kindly clarified the requirements, and wishes, of the project ------
Lucy is primarily looking for educational books for children in the early elementary grades, I would imagine 5-8 years of age.
In the attached letter she specifies young children’s reading books, stationery and books to write in, pencils, rubbers, anything at all which could be used by a 5-8 year old in a learning environment.
 
If you can assist with donating any of the mentioned items, or have any further thoughts or suggestions, please contact Kelly or John Oswald. They will arrange to collect the items, and see they are passed on.  Lucy will be most grateful for all items collected.
 
Children in Victoria are provided with new stationery at the start of the year, each year, and old stationery is recycled. Old stationery is consigned to the Rubbish Bin!
 
If your club would like to help, could you collect any used junior school-books, exercise books, pencils, rubbers and other educational aids from your local schools, and forward them to Lucy Loko at  Donations-in-Kind, which has an open shed on Tuesday mornings.
 
 
 
Life in rural and remote Papua New Guinea as it really is:
  • Very little education
  • Malnutrition
  • Unsafe drinking water
  • Poor health and consequently low life expectancy
  • Unsatisfactory shelter and clothing
  • Little access to income-earning opportunities
  • Unavailability of services beyond the most basic level
With a good education things don’t need to be that way.
Help Lucy to help our very deserving neighbours get out
of this cycle of poverty. Teach them to read!
 
Rtn Lucy Loko comes from the Gulf Province in PNG.
She is these days a member of the Rotary Club of Geelong,
and Fundraiser for Donations-in-Kind. Lucy has family and
extraordinary connections in Port Moresby. She is an artist
with Zoom and uses her family to martial support there.
This gives us an excellent opportunity to direct aid to needy
sites in PNG.
 
 
Rtn Lucy has been seeking to supply schools in the Gulf Province of PNG with basic school items for some time. The children virtually have no books to read, no books to write in, no pencils, no rubbers, No anything. Not even satisfactory school rooms. She started out helping the Lese Oalai School, Gulf Province, but was flooded with requests from 40 other schools.
 
 
 
The International Committee of the Rotary Club of Torquay
decided to help Lucy gather used stationery from schools
in our area. The demands for Lucy’s aid swelled, and Lucy
gained support from schools in the Sunbury area.
The Rotary Club of Bayside Geelong offered to come in
as well, and they now too are busy collecting used stationery
from schools.  So soon, if support can be continued, we
could fill a container with educational material, use
Donations-in-Kind to get it to PNG, then use Lucies contacts
to get it to Lese Oalai school, and they would then distribute
those items to not only their own school, but to the 40 or so
schools feeding out from them.
 
 
John Oswald
International Committee
The Rotary Club of Torquay
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Thank You From Donations in Kind
 
 
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Donation of Warm  Coats to Orange Sky
 
       
Following the wonderful reception from Orange Sky for the Coats and winter clothing donated by Rotarians, and the chilly winter that we are experiencing we are happy to continue collecting for them.

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.
 
Coats and Warm Clothes Drop Off
 
Where :       Gail and Greg Birchall
                     24 Anderson Street Torquay (cnr Payne St.)
                     (front porch, please place in the bag provided)
 
When:         Ongoing


Thanks Rhonda Anchen
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Our Support Being Recognised
 
I spotted this story on FaceBook last week which gives recognition our support of the Motivation International Project. Click on the story to go to their Fb page.
 
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Community Fundraiser Trivia Night 14th August
 
Hi my name is Cherie Pilkington and l am organising a trivia night on the 14 th August at Kardinia church to raise money for a beautiful five year old boy who had Nueroblastoma a cancer in children. His only option after extensive treatment here in Australia is to go overseas which will cost his family $300,000. I was wondering if you could support the evening by either booking a table of 8 or by making a donation . We are in desperate need of your help.
 
Please contact Greg Plumridge on 0418521321 if you are interested in getting a table together for this fundraiser.
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Bushfire Resiliance Webinars
 
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Travelling Rotarians

 

Neil Hendo being just as silly as ever "Planking" looks like sunbaking to me at the Skull Hole Waterhole in Winton QLD.

 

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Amanda & Allan must be nearing the Cape.......no pics of them but there is of Torres Strait

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RC Bayside Trivia Night POSTPONED
 
Due to COVID Lockdown Bayside Rotary have rescheduled a tentative date of 27th August for this event
 
 
 
If anyone is interested in making up a table of 8 please contact President Michael
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Other Clubs Bulletins
 
If you'd like to see what other Clubs are up to? Then click below to have a read of some of their Bulletins:-
 
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Australian Rotary Health COVID-19 Update
 

 
 
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Make-Ups......it's Never Been Easier
 
 
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.smiley
 
You can do them from the comfort of your own home and you don't even have to get dressed up.laugh
 
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.
 
 
Good Luck with the Challenge and I
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Future Meetings 
 
 

 
 
Date
 
Chair
 
Meeting Details 
 
Meeting Venue
Mon 2nd AugKelly BinyonKelly, Paul ,Carla & Simon Present BNI with Helen Searle, Director of BNI
Face 2 Face
Kithbrooke Park
Mon 9th Aug Ben Boxshall - Co-founder / Director at wood4goodTBN
Mon 16th AugPres MichaelDG John Clue's Club Visit TBN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 

 

Read more...
Rotary International & District 9780 Info

 
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
 
CLICK HERE to learn more about DG John Clue
 
LATEST PUBLICATIONS
To read the DG Phil's latest District 9780 May eNewsletter CLICK HERE
Rotary Down Under May 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.
 
ROTARY REFERENCE LINKS
District 9780 Directory 2018-19 (D9780 Rotarians Only)
 
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Rotary Global Rewards Program
 
Rotary Global Rewards, our member benefits program, offers discounts on products and services from local and global
merchants, along with opportunities to give back to Rotary. 

Over 33,000 members have signed in to use Rotary Global Rewards. To raise awareness of this program, you can:
  1. Recommend Rotary Global Rewards to all club members. They can visit www.rotary.org/globalrewards from a computer or download the Rotary Club Locator App to use the program on mobile devices.
  2. Post a "Rewards" link to www.rotary.org/globalrewards on your club and district websites. This gives members easier access to Rotary Global Rewards.
  3. Encourage club members to post offers on Rotary Global Rewards. 
  4. Suggest that club members help the program grow in their communities by asking local merchants to post offers. 
You can find instructional videos, how-to-guides, and promotional materials on the Rotary Global Rewards page of My Rotary.  If you have any questions about the program, write to rotaryglobalrewards@rotary.org. 
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