Our very own District Governor Mark Humphries and Rotarian PP Linda officially visited the Rotary Club of Mt Eliza via Zoom last night, Tuesday 2 September.
Thirty-two members attended the meeting (including Mark & Linda) together with Assistant Governor for the Peninsula Cluster, Peter Rawlings.
Using a powerpoint presentation Mark provided an update on District actions thus far and plans ahead for the remainder of the 2020/21 Rotary Year.
Building on this year's theme , Rotary Opens Opportunities, Mark emphasised that TOGETHER we see a world where PEOPLE unite and take action to CREATE lasting CHANGE across the globe in our communities and ourselves.
Mark encouraged the Club to start planning for post lockdown activity. This was a timely call with our Club set to hold our Visioning Session on Tuesday, 15 September.
Our DG was also very please to announce that in the 2022/23 Rotary Year, the organisation will have our first female president, Canadian Rotarian Jennifer Jones. Jennifer will be the RI President when the annual convention is held in Melbourne.
Activities associated with the lead up to the celebration of 100 years of Rotary in Australia on 21 April next year were also expanded upon by Mark. In particular the relay baton and the Peninsula Cluster's Bay Trail project were areas of focus.
Turning to the work of Foundation, Mark encourages all Rotarians to participate and noted, with delight, that with Nigeria now being declared free of polio, all of Africa is now rid of that insidious disease.
Mark point out the traditional six areas of focus:
- Peace and conflict prevention/ resolution
- Disease prevention and treatment
- Water and sanitation
- Maternal and child health
- Basic education and literacy
- Economic and community development
He then informed members of a new seventh area - the Environment.
In this context, other District initiatives include a project on bees and revegetation of East Gippsland.
Our DG praised the work of District Youth Director, Rob Cook. In particular a Pathways program that Rob has mapped out.
There is still uncertainty about District Conference next year. Therefore two sets of plans are being worked upon - one for a virtual online version and one to be held at the Showgrounds. Both versions will be multi-District events.
Another District initiate is to encourage Clubs to upgrade Rotary signage. Mark wants us to "be proud and fix up our signs".
In terms of communications, Mark encouraged Rotarians to contribute to and read the "Knock Knock" District newsletter and the District 9820 YouTube Channel.
Linda unveiled her project - End Malaria in Vanuatu and foreshadowed a fund-raising cocktail party to be held later in the Rotary year.
AG Peter Rawlings provided members with an update on the Bay Trail project and discussions with the Mornington Peninsula Council.
Members enjoyed a most interesting evening. We thank Mark, Linda and Peter and wish them great success for the Rotary Year ahead.
