Rotary Meeting 15 April 2025
President's Opening Remarks
- Welcome Sarah Kelly and Graham Heatley
- Apologies were read out by Carol Cain
- Thank you to all those who assisted with the survey
- Board approval pending – Open Evening on 24 June 2025 – cocktail style event
- Anzac Day – wreath ordered – volunteers for the dawn service (Ken and Gaye and Roy)
Roy Bowyer Milestone 80th on Monday was celebrated with enthusiasm and a cake! Not forgetting Rowan's birthday the day after :)
Chairperson – PP PHF Vicki Van Den Bergen
Vicki Reminded us of the 4-Way Test
Of the things we think say and do
Is it the truth?
Is it fair to all concerned?
Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Letter from Cockatoo Over 50's thanking us for funds was read out.
Speaker – Sarah Kelly – Brain Cancer Research
Thank you to Sue Colic for the great write up on Sarah's visit. This is a post on our Facebook page so please like and share it!
🌟 Meet Sarah Kelly.
She’s a mum. A wife. A warrior. And a woman whose story has forever touched our hearts.
At 39, Sarah is four years into her experience of living with Grade 3 brain cancer — an illness that offers no cure, but one that she meets each day with unshakable faith and determination.
Her journey began with brain surgery, followed by 6 weeks of radiotherapy and a year of chemotherapy. She lost more than health — she lost time. A year of her daughter Esther’s early life passed in a blur of treatment and illness. Rebuilding that connection, grieving that loss — it was a deeper battle than even the physical one.
And yet, Sarah is still here. Still standing. Still shining.
Thanks to a combination of anti-seizure medications, a ketogenic diet, visualisation, and sheer will, she’s now been 2 years seizure-free. Her MRI scans have remained stable since surgery in 2021. From paralysis in her left hand to slowly typing again with the help of her OT team, every milestone is a miracle hard-won.
🧠 Brain cancer is the biggest cancer killer of Australians under 40 and affects children, young adults, families.
Every 5 hours, someone is diagnosed.
80% don’t survive five years.
And survival rates haven’t changed in over 30 years.
But Sarah believes in hope. She believes in the incredible work being done at the Brain Cancer Centre, where she is proudly part of the Consumer Program — a living voice contributing to the future of research and treatment.
In 2024, she and her team climbed Mt Wellington for Point to Pinnacle, raising over $71,000 for brain cancer research — because hope climbs too. Carrie’s Foundation has now raised $12 million toward changing outcomes.
💛 At our recent meeting, Sarah’s energy, commitment, and presence was truly palpable. The room fell still as she spoke — her story raw, powerful, and filled with grace.
The Rotary Club of Emerald and District was deeply touched by her journey and the light she carries into such dark territory. We offer our full support to Sarah, her family, and the extraordinary team at the Brain Cancer Centre. Because where there is hope, there is possibility. And where there is love, there is strength.
“My dream is to see Esther walk down the aisle one day. Maybe even be a grandma. That’s my hope.”
And it’s one we stand beside her in, every step of the way.
Support vital research: @BrainCancerCentre
Follow Sarah's journey: @sarahshopestory
Committee Reports
PP PHF Gayle Barrot - Vocational
- 29 April – Vocational Night – going to Carl’s Junior in Beaconsfield – option to go bowling afterwards
PP PHF Tina McInerney – Community
- Mentor kitchen helpers at St Lukes on Thursday night 5-8pm for 6 weeks starting on May 8th – roster – 2 people per night
- On Monday $200 easter eggs delivered to St Luke’s food store – and some funding for meat $500 a month for next 3 months is being donated and Alan chipped in $200 of porterhouse steak and will be speaking to suppliers.They had no meat
- Carol and Ali, Shalini and Onslow delivered chocolate eggs to Lifeview this week as well
PP PHF Ken Miller – Rotary Kids Fun Run with Puffing Billy
- Applying for a multicultural grant for the entertainment from Cardinia Shire Council
Environmental Committee
- Wrights Forest – begin putting the nesting hollows in place x 30 or so
- St Johns Landcare the shire and others in a meeting to beautify Pepi’s Land – a first meeting has at least taken place
Guest Graham Heatley
Graham asked to attend the meeting to thank us all for our thoughtful funding in the Pharmacy. Graham is insulin dependent and was needing a scrip and wondered 'how the heck am I going to pay for this?' He was told by Suzi that Rotary could assist with payment. He also went to the Hub at the community event and met up with Tina and Ken and would like to volunteer.
Closing remarks
Thank you to Kelly and Graham and Vicki for chairing and Gloria doing Fellowship and everyone who contributed – Andrew for the furnishings and John H for speaker minder and response.
