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