The Changeover took place at the Canadian Bay Hotel on Tuesday 30 June. As we were limited to a total of 20 in attendance, a number of members also attended via Zoom.
The new Rotary Year is upon us and I look forward to the opportunity to carry out the duties of President over the coming twelve months.
The Rotary Club of Mt Eliza has a long tradition, in this our 50th year, of service to the local community, elsewhere in Australia and Internationally.
While the last few months have been difficult as a result of COVID-19, we have had the opportunity to reflect on what is important in life and our contribution to our fellow human beings and I have been heartened by the hard-work and commitment of so many of our members.
At the start of this new Rotary Year all members and friends of the Club are asked to redouble our collective efforts in order to not only carry on the great work of previous years, but also to rejuvenate our Club and membership.
Over the coming weeks I will outline my plans for 2020/21 and I look forward to your input to make them a reality.
Hopefully, in the not too distant future we can return to holding weekly dinner meetings. Meanwhile we will continue to operate Zoom meetings and up to twenty members may be able to attend dinner meetings at CBs.
I would like to thank Ross, as outgoing President, and departing members of our Board for their efforts over a number of years.
Thank you also to those members who are continuing on the Board and to those who have joined.
The RCME Board for 2020/21 is:
President - Sue Voss
Club Service Director/ President elect - Neil Heron
Immediate Past President - Ross Schweitzer
Secretary - Pauline McFarlane
Treasurer - Chris Angerer
International Director - Maurie Selth
Community Director - Linda Morris
Fund-raising Director - Carolyn Such
Youth Director - Mike Weber
Vocational Director - Brynton Fennell
Until next time
Regards
Sue
District Governor Mark Humphries
Hello Everyone,
Here we are at the start of a new Rotary year. A year that will see change. Past District Governor Adrian asked us all to Break the Changes, we did. Now I am asking you to Change. Our clubs need to change, we need to look at what we are doing and how we engage with our communities and each other. We need to be bold, International President Holger Knaak has asked you to challenge your thinking, how can you make you clubs more inviting, how can you better reflect your community needs and wants, how can you actively involve younger people in meaningful ways? Stop doing and stop saying, this is how we have always done it or we tried that once and it didn’t work. Times have changed, we need to change.
To help clubs adapt to new times and ways of doing things we have put together a team of people who want to help, a group of people with idea that they want to share with you. You are not alone, do not try an reinvent the wheel all the time, work with each, learn as a team, engage with other clubs in your cluster, be involved with projects outside our District, become a project driven club.
Your new team to help invigorate all areas of your Rotary club are ready to help, they wont tell you what to do. They will help you, lead you, give you ideas and importantly be involved with the process all along the way. Please make use of the team,
In spite of all the challenges of COVID-19 and associated restrictions, a successful Changeover on Tuesday 30 June saw outgoing President Ross Schweitzer hand over the reins to our new President Sue Voss.
With only twenty Members and guests in attendance this was a significant departure from the Changeover events of other years. However, everyone in attendance seemed to enjoy a wonderful evening.
David Morris, MP, undertook induction duties with the assistance of outgoing President Ross. Thank you David.
Sound issues made life more difficult for those ten members who were present via Zoom. However, we will learn from this and holding hybrid meetings into the future seems to be necessary at this time.
President Sue outlined her vision and expectations of the year ahead and we can look forward to 2020/21 with confidence.
Sue spoke about having such a capable and collaborative Board, most members of which continue on from last year.
She also noted that the 2020/21 celebrates the Centenary of Rotary in Australian that it will be 50 years ago since the Rotary Club of Mt Eliza was established in 1971.
Noting that COVID-19 had stopped us from conducting the Club Viisoning session earlier this year, Sue promised that this would now occur this year.
Our new President clearly outlined her desire to establish a Satellite Club during the next 12 months.
A key aspect of the coming twelve months will be engagement with other not for profits in the local community including sporting clubs.
A proposed 50 year project for our Club will be a 50 Years Legacy Project with the opportunity to sell bricks that will be used in a Path/ Paving project. We can use the opportunity to liaise with other community groups and have them sell bricks resulting in a win/win situation for those groups and the Rotary Club of Mt Eliza.
Sue also indicated that she will be looking for the Club to undertake a major international initiative.
Outgoing President Ross announced that Rotarian of the Year was Pauline McFarlane. Warm congratulations and thank you Secretary Pauline.
A number of Rotarians were made Paul Harris Fellows - congratulations to Brendan Hoban, Linda Morris, David Rew and Jim Young.
Outgoing President Ross officially installs our new President Sue with the Chain of Office.
The 2020/21 Board of the Rotary Club of Mt Eliza, President Sue, Treasurer Chris Angerer, Club Service Director/ President elect Neil Heron, Community Director Linda Morris, International Director Maurie Selth, Vocational Director Brynton Fennell, Youth Director Mike Weber and Past President Ross. Absent - Secretary Pauline McFarland (attended via Zoom) and Fund-raising Director Carolyn Such.
I was invited by President Sue [and subsequently Past President Jim Young] to contribute a column to our Bulletin beyond my tenure. It may or may not be weekly, depending on their wishes.
Last night's Changeover from the ZOOM aspect, was a triumph of tenacity over probability. As late as 5:10 PM we were uncertain of success, given the recalcitrance of the WiFi and the flat panel TV at CBs, assistance from three of their staff ...... In addition, the venue with so few people, has the acoustic qualities of a barn.
We knew that the sound quality was lousy, however this is a work in progress. The room is acoustically poor. We are using my $80 camera - sound unit. It's location is trial and error. We will probably be holding hybrid meetings well into the future ... Your understanding and support would be appreciated. No doubt we will perfect it a week before going back to TOORAK. I had the feeling that we were driving along the Great Ocean Road at speed, all the while navigating by utilising in the rear view mirror 😂....
This segues me to the presentations we made last night, which is what Editor Jim wants. The nature of presentations is in two parts. Awards by the President [personal Citations KCVO - style including Rotarian of the Year] and secondly PHF recognition for Service. Selected by a Panel [according to our Constitution]. More than once by our Board, also on the nomination by a Member and thirdly by acclaim.
The PHF recipients last night [and I don't want pedantry about terminology] were mooted in the early part of my presidency. One was considered at Board Meetings, because he himself was on the Selection Panel. You can imagine the ritual whispering that would have ocurred ... Now see here, Old Chap, Jim and I were just wondering .....
Dare I say, pragmatic and thoughtful person that I am, the then P - E Sue was included in the decisions, because by that stage any decisions impacted on her own wishes. By half - term, a President must be well and truly considering, by consultation, the President - elect. One must aim where the duck is going to be, not where it is. P - E Sue understood this; she was loading her shotgun at the time.
The honor recognizes a person whose Life demonstrates a shared purpose, including the improvement of living conditions and opportunities. Without doubt, contribution to activities within, and external to our Club, should be comprehensively and selflessly provided, over an extended period and without fanfare. Although a PHF is 'of Rotary' it is not Rotary - centric; it is Community - centric.
Plagiarism being one of my skills, I purloined these Pearls of Wisdom from District Governor Mark Humphries.
It is said that Trouble always comes out of a clear blue sky. Trust me. Rotarians Rew and Youngwere to receive their Honors in February - March; Rotarians Morris and Hoban at Changeover by President Sue.
What to do? I thought President Sue would decide the schedule, but she had other Plans. Whilst partaking of coffee at Pop's recently 'we' decided that [and I was placed with the Sun in my eyes!] I would bestow the Recognitions on both pp David and IPP Jim; because I had the 'wood' on them. Sue said. It made sense, given that Brendan had both sponsored Super Sue and insisted that she follow me as President. Likewise, it seemed fitting that by President Sue, along with David Morris PHF recognizing Linda Morris, either justice or retribution was served. Linda you see had put forward Sue's recommendation for a PHF.
So, the System is self - regulating and fair. We consider [lit.] unique service.
Sue Voss, President, at the Changeover
President Sue, Rotarian Linda Morris (Community Director) and David Morris, MP, at the Changeover
Helvetica, Comic Sans and Times New Roman walked into a bar.
"Get out of here", shouted the barman.
"We don't serve your type!"
Thanks to Past President Ross for these one-liners:
1. The meaning of opaque is unclear. 2. I wasn't going to get a brain transplant but then I changed my mind. 3. Have you ever tried to eat a clock? It's very time consuming. 4. A man tried to assault me with milk, cream and butter. How dairy! 5. I'm reading a book about anti-gravity. I can't put it down. 6. If there was someone selling marijuana in our neighborhood, weed know about it. 7. It's a lengthy article about ancient Japanese sword fighters but I can Sumurais it for you. 9. So what if I don't know the meaning of the word 'apocalypse'? It's not the end of the world. 10. Police were called to the daycare center. A 3-year old was resisting a rest. 11. The other day I held the door open for a clown. I thought it was a nice jester. 12. Need an ark to save two of every animal? I Noah guy. 13. Alternative facts are aversion of the truth. 14. I used to have a fear of hurdles, but I got over it. 15. Atheism is a non-prophet organization. 16. Did you know they won't be making yardsticks any longer? 17. I used to be allergic to soap but I'm clean now. 18. The patron saint of poverty is St. Nickeless. 19. What did the man say when the bridge fell on him? The suspension is killing me. 20. Do you have weight loss mantras? Fat chants! 21. My tailor is happy to make a new pair of pants for me. Or sew it seams. 22. What is a thesaurus's favorite dessert? Synonym buns. 23. A relief map shows where the restrooms are. 24. There was a big paddle sale at the boat store. It was quite an oar deal. 25. How do they figure out the price of hammers? Per pound.
Why am I getting divorced?
Well, it was like this: Three months ago it was my birthday, however nobody said a thing. My wife didn't say Happy Birthday in the morning. The kids quickly ate their breakfast and left for school - not a word.
I went into work and none of my colleagues said anything, even though I know that some of them knew that it was my birthday.
As I entered my office, my Secretary looked up and said, "Happy Birthday!"
I was delighted that someone had remembered and I felt special.
During the afternoon, my Secretary came into the office and said, "I would really love it if you could come around to my place on the way home and have a drink."
After work we dropped into her apartment and she poured me a glass of Champagne and with the brightest smile that you have ever seen said, "I'm just going to the bedroom for a minute."
She came out five minutes later with a birthday cake, my wife, my kids, my parents, my parents in law and all my work colleagues, everyone yelling "SURPRISE".
And there was I sitting on the couch with no clothes on!
The new young teacher was having great difficult teaching Maths to Little Johnny.
"Johnny", she said, "If I gave you two cats and then another 2 cats and 2 more cats, how many cats would you have?"
"Seven", replied the little boy.
"No", she said. "Listen you have 2 cats and 2 more cats which makes 4 and then 2 more cats. Now how many would you have?"
Johnny promptly replied, "Seven".
The teacher said, "Johnny, 2 plus 2 cats is 4 cats and 2 more makes 6. Where do you get seven from?"
Johnny replied, "I already own a cat!"
Wanting to keep up with modern technology a mother texted her teenage son, asking: "Son, what does IDK, LY & TTYL mean?
The son texted back: "I Don't Know, Love You & Talk to You Later."
The mother texted back: "That's all right. Don't worry about it. I'll ask your sister when she gets home."
The recent spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in Victoria is of concern.
As well as the danger from infection, we now have a number of restrictions that have been tightened and the longer impact on our economy and financial well being is in danger.
Please do all that you can to limit the exposure of your friends and families to this horrible disease.
Hopefully, things will settle down over the next few weeks and we can return to Toorak College for our regular dinner meetings.
Cartoon in The Guardian showing the impact of UK citizens not being allowed to travel to Europe.
"Our partners in Bali have been finding innovative ways for children to stay safe, connected and spreading awareness about COVID-19.
As part of safety lockdowns to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Indonesia, the Bali provincial government recommended all school children study at home.
With children isolated in their houses, a drawing competition was held to keep students connected and help promote social distancing, handwashing and awareness about COVID-19. Entrants were primary and junior high school-age children who lived in communities connected to our partner church GKPB and community development projects.
61 children enthusiastically entered the competition and came up with some great creations!
Kadek, a junior high school student won first place in the competition with the cartoon above.
The theme of his cartoon is keeping a safe distance and using a mask to prevent transmission of the virus.
COVID-19 Numbers - as at midnight on 1 July 2020 (AET):
An all Zoom District Changeover took place between 12.15 and 1.30 pm on Sunday 28 June.
The Changeover had 102 devices log into Zoom and approximately 150 Rotarians and guests were in attendance.
Following the Changeover our very own Rotarian Mark Humphries is now Governor of District 9820.
The Changeover commenced with news of the recent sad passing of Rotarian Sir Clem Renouf. Clem, who was a member of the Rotary Club of Nambour, Queensland, for over 70 years, was President of rotary International in 1978/79. He was the International president who initiated and then drove Rotary's goal of eradicating polio.
The Changeover saw our new District Governor elect Bill Degnan deliver a toast to Rotary International while District Governor Nominee Paul Mee delivered a toast to Australia.
Our President Sue welcome everybody as Mt Eliza was the Host Club (being the Home Club of the District Governor).
Later in proceeding Sue received the District Governor Home Club banner from President isobel Caulfield from the Rotary Club of Berwick (Home Club of now Past District Governor Adrian Froggart).
Outgoing DG Adrian presented his Report and the depth of Rotary activities this was was extraordinary, especially considering the impact of COVID 19 on the last five months of the year.
The work that the District has done, especially for East Gippsland that has been struggling through drought and devestated by bushfires has been wonderful.
Adrian also covered all of the work that the District has done in the areas of Youth, Vocational, Community and International. All in all a most impressive year.
To conclude, Adrian announced Paul Harris Fellow awards to a number of Rotarians who have been very active in the District - Rob Cook, Nigel Counsins, Ann Cousins, Josie Wilson, Paerl Findlay-James, Janne Speirs, SamMcCurdy and Jim Wilson.
Adrian also announced that there were two Royce Abbey Awards - going to members of the same family - Jane Moore, outgoing District Secretary and PDG Tim Moore.
Following his induction by Past District Governor Merv Williams, our new DG outlined his plans for the year ahead. Mark has a clear vision for the District and I am sure that he is looking to the Mt Eliza Club to work with him achieve his goals.
Mark also introduced his new District Leadership Team, as he will report on in his columns in our Bulletin.
Our Three Minute Speaker on Tuesday 23 June was Rotarian David Rew. David shared the story of Shaya (originally published on "newdemocracyworld.org.")
In Brooklyn, New York, Chush is a school that caters to learning disabled children. Some children remain in Chush for their entire school career, while others can be mainstreamed into conventional schools. At a Chush fundraising dinner, the father of a Chush child delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended.
After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he cried out, "Where is the perfection in my son Shaya? Everything God does is done with perfection. But my child cannot understand things as other children do. My child cannot remember facts and figures as other children do. Where is God's perfection?"
The audience was shocked by the question, pained by the father's anguish and stilled by the piercing query. "I believe," the father answered, "that when God brings a child like this into the world, the perfection that he seeks is in the way people react to this child.
He then told the following story about his son Shaya:
One afternoon Shaya and his father walked past a park where some boys Shaya knew were playing baseball. Shaya asked, "Do you think they will let me play?" Shaya’s father knew that his son was not at all athletic and that most boys would not want him on their team. But Shaya's father understood that if his son was chosen to play it would give him a comfortable sense of belonging. Shaya's father approached one of the boys in the field and asked if Shaya could play. The boy looked around for guidance from his teammates. Getting none, he took matters into his own hands and said, "We are losing by six runs in the seventh inning." Shaya's father was ecstatic as Shaya smiled broadly. Shaya was told to put on a glove and go out to play short center field. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shaya's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shaya's team scored again and now with two outs and the bases loaded with the potential winning run on base, Shaya was scheduled to be up.
Would the team actually let Shaya bat at this juncture and give away their chance at winning the game? Surprisingly, Shaya was given the bat. Everyone knew that it was all but impossible because Shaya didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, let alone hit with it. However as Shaya stepped up to the plate, the pitcher moved a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shaya should at least be able to make contact.
The first pitch came in and Shaya swung clumsily and missed. One of Shaya's team mates came up to Shaya and together they held the bat and faced the pitcher waiting for the next pitch. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly toward Shaya. As the pitch came in, Shaya and his teammate swung at the bat and together they hit a slow ground ball to the pitcher. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could easily have thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shaya would have been out and that would have ended the game.
Instead, the pitcher took the ball and threw it on a high arc to right field, far beyond reach of the first baseman. Everyone started yelling, "Shaya, run to first. Run to first." Never in his life had Shaya run to first. He scampered down the baseline wide-eyed and startled. By the time he reached first base, the right fielder had the ball. He could have thrown the ball to the second baseman who would tag out Shaya, who was still running. But the right fielder understood what the pitcher's intentions were, so he threw the ball high and far over the third baseman's head. Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second." Shaya ran toward second base as the runners ahead of him deliriously circled the bases towards home. As Shaya reached second base, the opposing short stop ran to him, turned him in the direction of third base and shouted, "Run to third." As Shaya rounded third, the boys from both teams ran behind him screaming, "Shaya run home." Shaya ran home, stepped on home plate and all 18 boys lifted him on their shoulders and made him the hero, as he had just hit a "grand slam" and won the game for his team.
"That day," said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, "those 18 boys reached their level of God's perfection."
David has subsequently passed on that unfortunately Shaya died within twelve months of this story.
You can imagine the ritual whispering that would have ocurred ... Now see here, Old Chap, Jim and I were just wondering .....
