Last week was a Zoom meeting. I do think that there is still a role for Zoom meetings from time to time. It gives us the opportunity to hear from speakers who can’t travel to be with us in person or their work commitments make it impossible. The second Tuesday in the month won’t always be Zoom but it does give the Program Director Judy Coultas flexibility.
Last week we heard from Ben Smith from the Mornington Community Support Centre. Ben thanked us for our involvement in the work to substantially clear the internal furniture from the Moondah buildings. This project raised $55,000 which allowed them to cover a deficit from their activities which gives them a head start for the new financial year. Bn does have plans to ensure that they are more sustainable moving forward. Ben talked about their open pantry for clients and they would like to replenish it. Our Community Committee will decide our involvement.
Next week we are looking forward to hosting representatives from our Cluster Clubs to hear feedback from the Interplast team following the recent visit to Tonga. It is a normal meeting time and cost but we will have twenty guests.
I look forward to seeing as many members as possible.
Ben Smith - CEO - Mornington Community & Information Centre
Ben gave us an update on the Mornington Community & Information Centre. It has been a busy and complicated time for the Centre as they needed to relocate and then reestablish themselves whilst maintaining their programmes and contacts within the community with clients, facititators, donors and supporters. Quite a challenge for a new CEO. Ben reported that initially the Centre was looking at a substantial deficit for the financial year year but with the Ryman "windfall", new benefactors and continued support from the community they managed a $1000 surplus. Ben reported that there has been a significant increase in demand for their services as well as for the services of the Community & Information Centres at Rosebud and Hastings. He thanked the Rotary Clubs of Mornington and Mount Eliza for their efforts in making the Moondah Auction such a success. Ben was not able to help us with how to try and utilise the items that remained after the auction.
One obvious standout of the presentation was Ben's passion for the work of the Centre and his optimism and positive approach for the future of the centre. In a climate of falling funding from the various levels of Government he is developing strategies to utilise local businesses to pick up the shortfall by building partnerships that have mutual benefits. He is keen to maintain the strong relationship between Rotary and the Mornington Community & Information Centre and is looking forward to the Santa Train at the end of the year.
The Science curriculum at many schools now includes a topic that covers how the Earth was formed and has changed over time to explain where we are today. I thought I might use the story of life as an example.
A simple time line of Earth’s History based on the sequence of life formation and its impact on atmospheric conditions.
4.5 Billion Years Ago - Earth as a rocky planet is stable with oceans and an atmosphere of 30% Nitrogen & 70% Carbon dioxide.
3.8 BYO – life forms around oceanic geothermal vents - water, minerals, CO2 and energy
1.8 BYO – competition and evolution – first cells to develop photosynthesis so life moves way from vents to ocean surface and sunlight - O2 is a byproduct
1BYO – first animal type cells form as the O2 (now 1%) builds up in the sea CO2 (now 50%) starts to be stored as coral and limestone
700MYO – first land plants CO2 30% O2 12%
600 MYO – first multi cell organisms
428 MYO – first true animals – enough oxygen now 21%
300 MYO – Devonian Period – fish rule the seas and some adapt to live on land. Insects common CO2 (0.35%) O2 30%. Limestone now stores the bulk of the original CO2 in the atmosphere.
360 MYO Carboniferous Period - Plants Dominate coal deposits form as plants thrive. . Huge amounts of CO2 (2.5% dropping to 0.3% as carbon stored as coal) stored as coal now 2.5%. O2 peaks at 35% as plants grow and thrive. Animals and insects can use this to grow large.
200 - 65 MYO – Dinosaur period ends. Oil deposits formed. O2 levels are dropping but stabilized at around 19% where they have stayed. CO2 are (around 3% and dropping). Earth is warmer. Great plant conditions.
20 MYO Oxygen and Carbon dioxide stabilise at present levels
1850 AD: Atmosphere C02 levels at O.28 %, O2% stable at 20%
Present day: Atmosphere C02 levels at 0.38 %
As I see it: The changes in our atmosphere have since earth’s creation due to life evolving and adapting. This has caused enormous changes on the planet. However, these changes have taken 100s of millions of years to occur. The changes happening now in the atmosphere (caused by us) are occurring too quickly. Too quickly for most life forms, even plants, to adapt and maintain balance.
Joanne at the Neighbourhood house recently sent out an SOS for jackets and coats. The club was able to assist through the generosity of members and friends.
Thank you to Mike, Carol Allen and a friend (of mine) for their donations. Sonia Loader from 1st Ranelagh Scouts knitted some knee rugs that I also took. Ross had also collected some hand knitted beanies for me to donate.
This is a letter of thanks Carol Allen recieved from Maureen Hall the wife of John who had a stroke and could not travel with his fellow Rotarians to be with our Club during the RI Conference.
Hi Carol,
Yesterday afternoon Carl and Linda visited us and brought the gift for me. I was surprised, pleased and excited to open the beautiful table runner that you made for us! Sewing and now quilting are my most favorite hobbies. Thank you for all the time and creativity that you dedicated to the project.
Now it has been 3 month of our new life. John is progressing but it is very difficult adjustment to our lifestyle. He has therapy at home of PT< OT< and speech 2 x a week and in 2 weeks will begin at outpatient rehab for all 3. There will be new and innovative equipment that I hope and pray will get his arm to function.
I am looking forward to meeting and hosting you when your group comes here. I am glad you were able to attend the activities with the RFE group while there. It was a fun group!
Thanks again! Hope your winter is being kind to you!
The Final District 9820 Conference, Warnambool, Victoria
Yes it's time to plan your next getaway to the beautiful City of Warrnambool next February.
Oh and that just so happens to coincide with our LAST District Conference.
The event is being held from Fri 23rd Feb 2024 at 7:00 pm to Sun 25th Feb 2024 at 4:00 pm AEDT.
It is being hosted at Warrnambool Racing Club, 2/64 Grafton Rd, Warrnambool VIC 3280, Australia,
Tickets range in price from FREE for Expressions of Interest to the Golf Day and Polio Walk (prices to be advised) to $295, which includes all Conference Sessions, Saturday morning tea, lunch, the conference Gala Evening function and Sunday morning tea.
Extra sessions are also available to book for the Friday "Fun and Fellowship" dinner ($45), the You're Welcome breakfast ($25) and Sunday lunch ($25).
To send off District 9820 with a huge party of fellowship, inclusion, information and fun, it's all just a click away.
So follow the link below to Humanitix (Yes, it's trusted and it is the only portal for bookings) and make your selection.
Donated items
