In educational terms, Rotary is coming up to the mid-year break and as a person in education knows it is a time of rushing to get things done and a time of report writing and reflection. It is a bit like that in Rotary where many events happen, projects get finished and fellowship is a focus.
So for us: Muna was completed where the Club had outstanding results from the teams we entered, the NYSF students are all sorted out and ready to attend that event in January (both projects superbly prepared, organised and supervised by Ross Schweitzer), the outstanding Santa Ride where we worked with Mornington Rotary, The Railway Preservation Society and the police to present Christmas presents and a BBQ to around 60 needy children organised by Linda Morris and Sue Voss, the 5 Sapphire Paul Harris presented to Mark Humphries in recognition of his inspiring contribution to Rotary, the annual Christmas hampers prepared and delivered to needy families in our area organised and run by Trish Stamp, two Farmers Markets and two Bunnings BBQ’s set up by Carolyn Such and her team, Justin’s successful first Enviro working Bee, two Fellowship nights at Le Hoang restaurant organised by Jim Young, amazing Speakers at our meetings and the 100% double vaccinations COVID register, all completed in the last six weeks. And I am sure to have forgotten some as well!
From a Presidents perspective the most satisfying thing is how all our members pitched in to organise, run events and participate in some way. As they say “Well done everybody”
Thank you all who attended the AGM. The finances are well placed considering the impact of COVID and we have elected an excellent team to be led by PE John Welsh for 2022-23. Thanks also to James Voss who organised Pearlette Ramos as our last guest speaker. If anybody is an inspiration for us all that lady is. How she dealt with adversity and then triumphed in life in such a positive and resilient manner was amazing. Then to top it off she is putting herself out there as a role model to inspire other women and men how to change the world to be a better place.
Our final Meeting for the year is the Christmas Party at Toorak College. We have 64 people coming and it will be a great night of fellowship as usual. The New Year for the Rotary Club commences with the Breakfast Meeting on January 4. More information on that will be sent in due course. Our first Fundraising event in the New Year is the International Committee’s Pot Luck Dinner on Saturday, January 12 organised by Kay McCauley. This should be a great night and Kay will be sending out information on the night shortly.
It is good to see “Crackers” in fine fettle as he continues his treatment and John Paterson continues his treatment up in Ballarat. We wish them well as their treatment progresses and look forward to seeing them hale and hearty in the New Year. That is it from me, see you at the Christmas party next week, cheers, Neil