Dear Everyone,
I hope this epistle finds you all happy and well. I am pleased that sometimes what I write sends some of you more conscientious members scurrying to the dictionary, as I am a very strong believer in life-long learning. Well done to those readers! I also applaud Sergeant David’s use of the word “rabble” as a collective noun, as in a “rabble of Rotarians” (how accurate!)
We had a very informative talk from guest speaker Russell Hayes, formerly of Wandin RC but now from the relatively new Passport Club which meets once a month. As they only meet online, members are drawn from countries such as Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya and Malawi. Gloria gave an excellent response to Russell, linking back to the previous week’s guest speaker John Barnes, who talked about finding a passion in Rotary beyond being a club member. Russell found his passion in Wheelchairs For Kids, a project providing wheelchairs for impoverished disabled children in over sixty developing countries. It is amazing how long the wheelchairs last for - up to 15 years, and they only cost $200 in parts to produce. Yet the transformation of lives they enable is incredible! Russell also assists with getting raffle tickets to schools in his area for the Great Community Raffle, relieving Lorna of some of this legwork. Russell’s wife Lorena and her team of seamstresses make sustainable sanitary products for “Days For Girls”, but due to COVID restrictions they are unable to meet, so now Lorena is busily sewing face masks.
In the last edition of “Open Doors” sent on the 3rd of August, a table of District events was published. I am hoping that some of you will register for these seeing as we are required to stay home and indoors, and perhaps have more time. Alma encourages us to “learn something new or refresh our memory by joining one or all of the upcoming District events. All are online activities so there is every opportunity to be involved”. The Community Projects Forum is repeated, so you only need to attend one. I have a Membership Seminar which clashes with the Foundation Forum unfortunately. It would be good if as many of us as possible attend the two workshops that our own Ken is running, and the Vocational Webinar entitled “Putting Life back into Vocation" sounds interesting.
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Event
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Date
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Time
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Contact
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DG’s Sunday Sundowners
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Sun 9 Aug
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4.30 pm
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Alma Reynolds, Doncaster
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Foundation Forum
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Thurs 13 Aug
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6.00 pm
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David Alexander, Manningham
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Community Projects Forum
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Sun 16 Aug
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4.00 pm
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Trish Smyth, Beaumaris
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Community Projects Forum
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Wed 19 Aug
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11.00 am
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Trish Smyth, Beaumaris
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Club Runner Tutorial
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Mon 24 Aug
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7.00 pm
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Ken Miller, Emerald & District
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Vocational Seminar
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Thurs 27 Aug
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6.00 pm
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Bill Haywood, Waverley
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Social Media Workshop
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Mon 31 Aug
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7.00 pm
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Ken Miller, Emerald & District
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In the “Know Your Rotarian” segment, PP PHF John Ritchie spoke about how we can look after our heart health by taking supplements and foodstuffs high in minerals and Vitamins D and E. Red grapes and chocolate in small amounts were among the recommendations, and many of our members were delighted to learn that red grapes could be consumed in the form of red wine.
As we all know, another way we can look after our heart health is by exercising. We may be feeling “Down in the Dumps” and this is to be expected given that we are in lockdown and can’t visit our loved ones and friends, can’t properly celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, can’t visit restaurants and pubs, attend sporting events or go to the gym. It is even worse for some of us who can no longer go to work and are suffering a severe loss of income. Even if we don’t feel like starting, exercise releases endorphins, those happy hormones that elevate the mood. And this is where Rotary has again come to the rescue. If you read to the end of “Open Doors” - and let’s face it, who doesn’t? - you will have come to this section:
“There are incredible resources out there for free for us all to use. Here are some free tools that have been recommended:
Meditation:
Home Yoga and Pilates:
Home Workouts:
I haven’t been able to attend my usual exercise classes since March, and have found some good ones on YouTube, so recommend you take a look if you haven’t yet done so. And if dancing is your thing, email me for Beryl Birrell’s Dance Fun in ISO link. Beryl taught Sh’Bam at Vibe before its closure and is a high-school teacher. The music and moves are modern!!
Good news:
Russell Marnock has received word that Martin is feeling a lot better.
Pat and Martin are in our thoughts and prayers as they fight COVID-19, and we wish a complete recovery for them both.
Russell also related that honorary member Colin Brown’s wife Robyn is home from hospital after suffering a stroke, and according to the doctors, her prognosis is promising. It is good for Colin that Robyn is home, as he was not allowed to visit her in hospital.
Next week:
Please join us to hear Karl Hughes from Rowville Toastmasters talking about “Productive Meetings”. Karl spoke at the District Training Assembly on this topic, and Shalini was so impressed that she asked if he could be invited to our Club. Following his presentation, Karl will introduce us to a fun Round Robin, which is a feature of every Toastmasters meeting.
Stay safe, stay well and let’s remind ourselves, “Now more than ever, the world needs Rotary.”
Yours in Rotary,
Vicki.
