RC MT ELIZA BULLETIN, 09 NOVEMBER 2021, Vol 51, No 16 (Nov 15, 2021)

The Rotary Club of

Mount Eliza

Chartered 1971

Service Above Self

Tuesdays at 6:00 PM

Dining Room, Toorak College

Mt Eliza
Mount Eliza, VIC 3930
Australia

Phone:

0419 386 900

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Dinner Meeting at Toorak College & Zoom Meeting Conference Number 826504424487

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Neil Heron

Hello everybody after having what is hoped to be one of our last enforced zoom meetings. It is good to see that we still continue to maintain a good standard of meeting with good speakers and efficient processes. Regan gave us a good explanation of the Bendigo Bank Model, and with the withdrawal of three of the “big 4” from our town it is no wonder why the Bendigo Bank is flourishing. Suzie’s revelations about the benefits of cold water immersion should inspire many of us to take a plunge into our bay as a habit. Another reason why Melbourne is a most liveable city – the bay is forever cold! Can’t do that at the Gold Coast! It is true that cold water immersion is gaining in popularity though as you can see groups in the bay swimming or soaking at all times of the day now.

The good news of the week though is that face-to-face meetings can start again. The main problems are venues not the restrictions. Luckily Le Hoang Vietnamese Restaurant is one that can help us. This means we will have our first face-to-face meeting this Tuesday at Le Hoang’s. It is a Club Assembly meeting that John will run and it is focussed on FELLOWSHIP. Hooray! You should have received details from Pauline on this. From now to the New Year Breakfast we will alternate face-to-face with zoom meetings. It is important you pay attention to the details for each week as Pauline sends them out.

Carolyn and her team have wasted no time in grabbing BBQ dates to supplement our fundraising after the lockdown. George-Ann has efficiently manned the rosters so that we can maximise our opportunities and thanks to all members who have signed up.

The End Polio film night had to be postponed due to the film, “Duke”, release date being pushed back. This will most likely now happen late Feb early March.

On the Covid front, the District held a compliance seminar last week and it is pleasing to see that our club is at the forefront in meeting all the District requirements and well placed to respond to any new Government announcements. Thanks to Brendan for his constant work on our Vaccine Register. It would appear we as a club have none of the issues that have beset many organizations in this area.

The work for the AGM is well in hand and Pauline has received nominations for all Board positions. If anyone is still wanting to nominate for next year’s Board, please submit your nomination asap. On other club matters, John Paterson has undergone his medical procedures on his skull and medical people are now working on his treatment plan. He is quite upbeat about his progress and is hoping to resume with us shortly. Lastly, I would like to thank all the members who contributed to the “fines/copper pot” voluntary contribution during the lock down period. We will suspend that process now. Things are looking up at last even though the weather is striving to keep us in winter. I don’t care what Suzie says, it is time for the water to warm up a bit. I still froze when I swam this week, Cheers, Neil

Club Calendar

We have a Club Yearly Calendar which Neil and Pauline are the authors and editors. The calendar outlines every meeting with whom is the Coordinator, Speaker, Sergeant etc. If you would like to add something please email Neil or Pauline.

The calendar as a PDF via this link.

https://portal.clubrunner.ca/5355/Documents/en-au/19c831db-a493-4020-9ba4-98d263517f08/1/

Guest Speaker, Reagan Barry, The Mt Eliza Community Bank

Reagan is Mt Eliza born and bred and an alumni of The Peninsula School. He is Chief Commercial Officer for Telstra’s national business to business division. Reagan was previously based in Hong Kong and served as Chief Commercial Officer of Telstra’s International division, leading a diverse global team through major geopolitical change and the global pandemic.

An accounting and finance professional by trade, Reagan holds a Masters of Business (Banking & Finance) and a Bachelor of Commerce from Monash University.

Reagan previously served as President of The Peninsula School Alumni Association and is a current director and Chairman of the Mt Eliza Community Bank, part of the Bendigo Bank network. The Mt Eliza Community Bank has grown into one of the largest contributors of non-Government funding and support for our local community, contributing over $300K since opening.

The Community Bank operates on a system of sharing the profits with the community. The Community Bank is locally owned and operated under the direction of a local Board of Directors, who are responsible for governance etc.

The Community Bank started in 1998 in the wheat districts of Victoria, with the first branch at Rupanyup in the Wimmera. Branches have been very successful where the big banks have left the town. There are over 500 branches operating on a franchise system. Reagan then showed a video of the reaction of the local organisations that have been supported by the Community Bank.

The Community Bank is staying in Mt Eliza, unlike the other banks. The aim is to give over $1m in the next decade, to better the lives of Mt Eliza people and to support the more vulnerable. The Community Bank offers a full banking service. The local manager has right to make decisions, unlike the bigger banks that require referral to a higher office to commit loans.

In response to a question, Reagan said that the Community Bank was supporting local businesses that were at risk of closing, issuing vouchers to encourage people to shop locally. Rents in Mt Eliza are excessive and place burdens on the local businesses.

Reagan concluded by reiterating that by Banking with the Mt Eliza Community Bank, (Bendigo Bank), you are supporting the local community.

With Thanks

Hi Pauline & Ross

A BIG thank you from all the Southern African Veterans for making us as veterans feel extra special during this morning’s Remembrance Day Service.

We all thought the young bugler was the next level up and quite outstanding and the speaker was in a class of his own with his speech all-encompassing and well delivered.

I would ask if this note of thanks could be included in our bulletin?

Sincere veterans’ greetings

Mike Weber MMM - Veteran

3 minute speaker, Suzie Adam

Suzie gave an entertaining talk on the benefits of Cold Water Swimming.

Clears the head
Positive effect on white blood cell count
Boosts the immune system
Gives a high to the brain
Helps with pain barrier
Helps to work extremities
Burns calories
Decreases body temperature
Reduces stress
Calmer and more relaxed
Helps ladies with post-natal depression and everyone with any form of depression
Increases libido which in turn increases confidence and higher self esteem

The general rule is to swim for 1 minute per degree of the water temperature. i.e. 9 deg., 9 minutes swimming. Keep swimming to get used to the water. Do not swim after heavy rain. Wear hats, gloves, wet suits to suit your needs. Suzie does not wear a wet suit. Do not have a hot shower.

There is a great sense of community with cold water swimmers.

A 5 - Letter Disease with ‘O’ in it.

SOUND FAMILIAR?

On Saturday, June 17, 1916, an official announcement of the existence of an epidemic polio infection was made in Brooklyn, New York. That year, there were over 27,000 cases and more than 6,000 deaths due to polio in the United States, with over 2,000 deaths in New York City alone.The names and addresses of individuals with confirmed polio cases were published daily in the press, their houses were identified with placards, and their families were quarantined. NEW YORK had a population of 5 million in 1916.
Nine of the citizens were my Family, all from Brooklyn. [Melbourne has a population of 5.1 million].

Please support our End Polio Now campaign.

By the end of January this year, there had been 2 cases of wild polio. In October, Rotary focuses on polio and its eradication.

Unfortunately, October this year has seen another 2 cases of wild polio detected.Two infants, a male and female aged 25 and 10 months respectively – from Emamsaheb in Kunduz province, 74 kM north of Kunduz by ‘road’.

Ten months into the year, we now have 4 cases for this calendar year. Rotary is focused on the eradication of this disease. The End Polio Now film preview has been delayed until February/March next year.

We must remain focused. At the same time last year, there were 133 wild polio cases, 84 in Pakistan and 56 in Afghanistan.

THE ROTARY FOUNDATION MONTH:

Like PolioPlus, donations to the TRF World Fund are tax deductible.

Please make club and personal donations to help End Polio.