Dear Everyone,

 

Last Tuesday’s meeting was very enjoyable with an excellent presentation from guest speaker Amy-Lou Cowdroy-Ling on the not-for-profit Kids Under Cover. What a lovely, assured and confident speaker Amy-Lou is. We had a Round Robin with members giving an insight into what they were most looking forward to doing, apart from seeing family and friends, when the COVID restrictions are relaxed even further. It was great to see Kerry on screen again, thanks to Shalini, and he confessed that the restrictions had had very little effect on his life as a retiree.

 

The Strategic Plan Sub-Committee met on Wednesday night and continued working on a matrix that Ian Ash has produced for us. The strategic priorities have been agreed to, and now the aspects of our Club that they relate to, will be worked on by the teams responsible for those particular aspects. For example, the Membership Committee will concentrate on strengthening the mentoring program, and the Fundraising Committee will help to maintain and increase the Club’s vibrancy by continuing to put on fun social events. The Public Image and Marketing team will work to ensure that marketing at all events is consistent. The Sub-Committee will have one more meeting, after which Ian will present the Plan to you the members for discussion in early February.

 

Thursday was International Men’s Day and coincidentally World Toilet day. And what better way to celebrate than attend the “Happy as Larry Lunch” with Mark Balla and actor and comedian Shane Jacobson. Mark talked about “What men do badly!” – which is not washing their hands after going to the toilet. Not that all women do either. Oxfam says that, “Fear of disease has little influence on hygiene behaviour.” Mark says that the benefits are not tangible and that the lack of tangibility is the real issue. WHO recommends handwashing for 20 seconds.

 

The topic of Shane’s talk was “Laughter”. Shane’s Dad was raised in a tent until the age of 21 and the family were known as the “Tent Family” and toured carnivals. One of Shane’s father’s sayings was, “They can’t tax us for laughing.” In fact, the family was so poor they couldn’t even afford to pay attention! Australians are the custodians of a very dry sense of humour, including irony, which is very rare. We understate everything and don’t put effort into naming things, and as evidence, Shane cited the Great Ocean Road, the Great Barrier Reef, the Great White Shark and the Great Dividing Range. He regaled the audience with entertaining stories and jokes and it was a pleasant diversion. The proceeds from the Lunch, a joint project of Nth. Brighton Rotary and the RC of Melbourne held annually, are going to Youth Suicide Awareness and TLC for Kids. Shane Jacobson can be seen in the film “Never Too Late” which is screening now.

 

Thursday night’s Board meeting was another lengthy one but much is being worked on by the various committees. Just to name a few discussion points:

Catherine’s Committee is meeting in Roy’s garden on Sunday to complete paperwork and work out logistics. Whisky to be served once the work is done!

It will be great to get out and about with our community on the 5^th of December. Dust off those polo shirts and caps!

In next week’s Sparkle, hardworking Minutes’ Secretary Shalini will provide a precis for your edification, and Chairs will give reports at our next Club meeting.

 

Finally, please remember to register for the Mental Health and You - Covid Recovery Forum next Friday 27^th Nov. at 7:30am. See the Flyer below. It is especially relevant to us as SALT will be partnering with us on the Cluster’s Youth Suicide Prevention Programme. And psychologist Madalyn Parlet, President of Lilydale RC and lovely person is the facilitator.

 

** The all-important AGM, and Shalini has sent you the agenda and audited accounts.

 

After the AGM, Roy will be providing a Membership Report with reference to the Strategic Plan we are drafting.

 

 

The following week:

** on 1^st December, our guest speaker is Hita Mistry, Principal Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, Emerald Psychology Practice. You can read an article Hita wrote for Emerald Messenger’s October edition titled “Positive Thinking Power” in the Wellbeing section. I think it will be very interesting to hear about the work Hita does in the field of psychological assessment and treatment for people of all ages.

 

We are expecting to have a “Know Your Rotarian” segment too.

 

Let’s be grateful for all our blessings, stay safe - and stay Rotary Proud.

 

Yours in Rotary,

Vicki.