Thank you for attending last week and breaking the 40 attendance mark. We also had six guests, with many of these expressing interest in our club. Lets continue to spread the word of our club, our achievements, and our commitment to our local community and to the wider world.
Our guest speaker of last week, Dorothy Gilmore, spoke to us about the Rotary SAFE families program and it was a amazing that Greg Adams, our Chair, has known Dorothy for many years. This is the power of Rotary, and we should realise that once in the Rotary family, your connections will last a lifetime.
This week, we will hear again from our very own Greg Adams, about the Tenderfoot School in Kenya, and how 23 years ago, our Rotary Club started this project. Our commitment to this school continues today.
Please remember that its now less than two weeks to the Gembrook Classic & Custom Car Show, so please register your attendance with Roy to ensure that this major club fundraiser is a big success.
Rotary Snippet - Polio Plus Society
It is a Rotary fundraising and recognition program that specifically supports Polio eradication.
Isn’t Polio virtually eradicated anyway? Whilst it remains endemic only in two countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan If all eradication efforts stopped today, within 10 years, polio could paralyse as many as 200,000 children each year.
The commitment is USD$100 per year until Polio is eradicated worldwide.
In order to confirm numbers for meetings at the pub, please ensure that you communicate the following to PP PHF Lorna: 0408 506 622
notify if NOT attending by 12 noon on the MONDAY before the meeting
and notify if bringing guests or visitor
notify at any time about future absences and holidays.
Thank You!
Last Week's Club Meeting 3rd February 2026
Opening and Welcome
President Peter Brock opened the meeting with a welcome to members and guests.
Greg Adams was formally welcomed as Chairperson and congratulated on his long-standing contribution to the club, noted as approximately 20 years of service.
Apologies
Apologies were acknowledged from members unable to attend.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Birthdays
A milestone birthday was celebrated for John Henderson, Happy 70th.
Membership Anniversaries
John Ritchie was acknowledged for his 40th year as a member (1st February)
A senior member (John, 93) was recognised for lifelong contribution and ongoing community involvement.
John’s regular engagement at the Glades—listening to individuals’ stories and sharing personal reflections—was highlighted as a meaningful wellbeing initiative.
Activity strongly reflects organisational values of inclusion, service, and community connection.
Sue Colic 1st year member (4th February)
Membership
Welcome again to our club - Jacquie Forsythe presented with her Rotary Badge
Dorothy has extensive experience in community safety, education, and Rotary leadership, including past presidency roles and national-level Rotary safety initiatives.
Rotary Safe Families
Definition of Family Abuse:
Includes physical, emotional, psychological, financial, sexual abuse, neglect, and coercive control. Any family member can be affected.
Purpose of Rotary Safe Families:
Established in 2018 to reduce family abuse by removing stigma, encouraging awareness, and empowering people to act as safe, informed bystanders.
The Three R’s Framework:
Recognise – Identify signs of abuse across all age groups and genders.
Raise – Safely raise concerns with a potential victim (not the perpetrator).
Refer – Connect individuals with professional support services rather than attempting to resolve situations personally.
Education and Resources:
Guides covering elder abuse, child abuse, and abuse across diverse communities, including referral contacts and translations into multiple languages.
Elder Abuse:
Focus on financial abuse and isolation of older persons. Members encouraged to assist victims in accessing support.
Male Abuse Awareness:
One in fourteen men experience abuse by age fifteen, noting underreporting due to social stigma.
Cultural and Social Change:
Family violence is now legally recognised as a crime in Australia. Historical context similar to changes in attitudes toward drink driving.
Youth and Community Programs:
Programs for young people, including film projects promoting respectful relationships, supported by police and professionals.
Global Reach:
Initiative now operates in 48 countries, addressing family violence internationally.
Call to Action:
Members, especially men and grandparents, encouraged to actively promote respectful relationships and challenge inappropriate behaviour.
This is part of an email we received from Dorothy after the meeting.
It was lovely to talk with you all and I have attached some information regarding Rotary SAFE Families and our Towards Respectful Relationships program.
It was pleasing to hear from Dorothy in an email her thoughts on the meeting. "What a terrific meeting Tuesday night - I enjoyed myself immensely and reflected as I drove home, the energy, fellowship and warmth that is Rotary Emerald & District." We should all be pleased that guests thoroughly enjoy attending our club.
Toast to the Elderly - PP PHF John Ritchie Valeria Brenner
I was born in Hungary in 1930 and had an older sister who has now passed away. I met a wonderful man named Carl through neighbours in 1951 and we married that same year. We had 2 sons before moving to Sweden in 1956, but my Husband changed his mind and in 1960, we moved to Australia. We settled in Bonegilla in the migrant centre before moving to Geelong. We were not in Geelong long before Carl got a job as an engineer in Melbourne. I found work at Kaiser making socks and pantyhose and stayed there for 13 years. We had 2 sons Zoltan and Carl; Carl lives in Canberra and l have 6 Grandchildren. Sadly, my Husband Carl passed away in 2008.
Committee Reports:
EarlyAct - The Water Fountain that has been installed on the Emeral Primary School Oval. The EarlyActs donated $1,500 and RC Emerald $500
Environment -Clean Up Australia Day Sunday March 1st, 2026
The club will repeat last year’s successful model:
Working alongside Scouts and a local Landcare group.
A few hours of hands-on community clean-up.
Members are encouraged to wear Rotary shirts and participate.
Fundraising – Charity Cycling Ride
John Shaw is once again participation in a six-day cycling event supporting Australian Rotary Health.
Historical impact exceeds $1 million raised over 40+ years.
Funds directed to health and mental health research and student support.
For good food, good fellowship and the opportunity for service through Rotary we give thanks
Rotary Toast
To Australia and the people of Australia (toast) To Rotary International (toast)
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?
CHOCLOTTO JACKPOT $264.00
Chocolate Winner
Katie Ryan
Duty Roster
Duty Roster - 10th February 2026
Chairperson
Barrot, Gayle
Fellowship
Bowyer, Ali
Furnishings
Bowyer, Roy
Response
Cain, Carol
Duty Roster - 17th February 2026
Chairperson
Adams, Marcus
Fellowship
Clark, Emma
Furnishings
Colic, Susan
Furnishings
Brock, Peter
Response
Culell, Linda
Speaker Minder
Cummins, Kerith
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Emma Clark
February 10
Spouse/Partner Birthdays
James Clark
February 7
Aneesh Bajaj
February 11
Dave Penny
February 22
Sally Adams
February 24
Join Date
John Ritchie
February 1, 1986
40 years
Susan Colic
February 4, 2025
1 year
Community Notices
Events
We are regularly asked to share information on other Rotary Club or community group events. Rather than list all of them in Sparkle, please check out them outHERE
