- Welcome PHF John Henderson back with us this evening!
- Happy Birthday – Peter Brock
- We have now finished with the PB Train of Lights – thank you to everyone we should be proud of what we have done together special thanks to PHF John Henderson, Toni-Anne, Roy Bowyer and PP PHF Ian Wakefield for their organisation skills
- We need to complete the Volunteer Forms – please get them back to Toni-Anne as soon as you can
- Recycling – reminder we can donate recycling via the program at the SES in Emerald to find out opening times and other local sites click on link https://www.returnit.com.au/vic/recycling-locations-return-it-vic/
- Thursday is the Talkin It Up Seminar, good luck to PP PHF Gloria Hargreaves and the team - we look forward to a great turn out of Rotarians to assist on the night.
- Emerald Jolly Walkers first walk 4 August.There is also a walk for Breast Cancer throughout August with a total of a 57km goal.Contact PP PHF Tina McInerney for more information.
Apologies were read out
Chairperson - Pres Elect – Peter Brock - Rotary International Account
Peter brought the club member’s attention to their My Rotary Account which is their Rotary International membership area. If you login there is a lot of great information about Rotary and resources to use. If you need help, please ask Peter for assistance.
- Go to https://my.rotary.org/
- Select Register
- Create an Account
- Add Password and security question
- Click continue
- (If email address matches existing record, then no more action required)
My Rotary hooks you into the rest of the rotary world which is bigger than our club as well as brand information and assets. Tells you about our club, district and the clubs in the district.
https://my.rotary.org/ provides access to all things Rotary, which include access to Rotary Club Central, Grant Centre, Rotary Showcase, Brand Center and Membership information.
You can also use My Rotary to contribute to the Rotary Annual Fund and Polio Plus Fund, as well as Global Grants.
As an example, check this link out
Train of Lights – PHF John Henderson
John said it was nice to be back and thanked the club all for the warm wishes. It’s great to be back! John extended his gratitude to everyone who participated in our recent event. Your contributions made it a resounding success.
Over 200 shifts were covered, demonstrating remarkable dedication. Special thanks to Adam, Rowan and Linda, Shalini and Dave, and Lyn and Alan, each of whom completed seven shifts. A special shoutout to our superstar, Roy Bowyer, who took on an incredible nine shifts!
… some stats
• Sausages Cooked: 3,920 (average of 147 per night)
• Snags Eaten or Given Away: 245
• Loaves of Bread Used: 200
Our sales totalled $14,700, with expenses around $5,000, resulting in an expected fantastic net profit of $9,500.
We have also been asked to help with Race the Train which takes place on Sunday 8 September from 8 am to 11 am. Can you sign up please. The good news is that Puffing Billy are donating $1000 to the club for our help!!
Ian Wakefield thanked PHF John Henderson and we all raised our glasses as a toast to say thank you for all the hard work he put in.
Toast to the Elderly – Carol Richards presented by PP PHF John Ritchie
I was born in Bendigo, a premature baby of tiny size. My father worked at the Armistead Factory in Melbourne. As an infant, he gifted me a teddy bear, which remains with me to this day. Until I was six years old, we lived with my grandparents. However, my aunt’s return and the arrival of my brother prompted us to find a new home.
My brother, John Forbes, pioneered the introduction of mammograms in Australia. A dedicated doctor and breast cancer specialist, he always harbored an enduring quest to conquer cancer.
My educational journey began in Bendigo, where I attended both primary and high school before venturing into nursing. For 47 years, I dedicated myself to nursing, serving in various capacities across institutions such as Bendigo Hospital, Royal Hobart Hospital, and an aged care facility in Malvern. As the Director of Nursing in infant welfare at a children’s home in Canterbury, I spearheaded studies on postnatal depression during a time of widespread skepticism. I devised strategies to alleviate women’s immobilization and co-authored a book on the subject.
In Bendigo, I met my husband, Bill, and we relocated to Parkdale. Despite our inability to conceive, we embraced parenthood by fostering Jenny at the age of three and John at seven months. Jenny became our legally adopted daughter at the age of 16. We settled in Montrose, where we watched our children grow.
If I could offer any advice, it would be that you can never be lonely with a good book. The best years of my life were when I was 18, having finished high school and embarked on my nursing career. I felt like the world was my oyster, a blossoming bud ready to flourish. The most important lessons I’ve learned in life are to always be honest and never be afraid to believe in yourself.
Inaugural D9815 District Conference – Theme of Gala Dinner is Rotary Rocks
- 28th – 30th March 2025.
- Venue - Red Energy Arena in the City of Bendigo
- BOOKINGS OPEN 29 July 2024
Committee Chair Reports
Youth - PP PHF Gloria Hargreaves
- David Clowes graduated from RYLA and it was great that President Kelly and Andrew attended his graduation;
- MUNA will be held at Lyndale Secondary College on Saturday 17 August and the 2 Emerald Secondary College’s year 9 students representing Indonesia are Liam Sharp and Elsbeth Hastings.
- Breakfast Club has resumed, and thank everyone who has put their name on the roster;
- EarlyAct resumes on Thursday and Ken Miller is the guest speaker on all things environment;
- Our committee hasn’t met yet, but youth is off and running.
Environment & Sustainability - PP PHF PDG Ken Miller
We have received approval from our Districts Foundation Committee to apply for a District Grant. We applied to be included in this process by giving details of a nesting box project as presented to the Club by Alana Begg from Ecology & Restauration Australia. I will seek finer details of this project to discuss with my Committee and then if they agree, we will ask the Club Board for approval, and then complete the official grant application.
Some of the other ideas from the Committee:
- Tree Planting (to be discussed with Shire)
- Work with Friends of Emerald Lake Park
- Clean Up Australia Day - Sunday March 2 2025
- World Earth Day – 22nd April 2025
- Work with Johns Hill Environment and Landcare Network
- Return - It recycling information to Rotary Club Members
- Establishing an education Program re- recycling rubbish, Batteries, Glasses, clothing , pill containers etc.
- Consider Club use of paper & plastic
- Work with the Community Committee re- the establishment of a Rotary Community & Indigenous Garden. (Searching for suitable site)
- Discussing our possible involvement with the Emerald & Surrounds Emergency Planning Group.
- Contacted the following groups for ideas and possible partnerships: Friends of Gembrook Park & Friends of Kurth Kiln.
Vocational Committee - PP PHF Gayle Barrot
The Vocational Committee has met to plan their activities for the year ahead.
We plan to hold 4 Vocational nights, including the first which will be on the 13th August, details to follow shortly.
We will again be seeking applications for the MacLeod Murphy Scholarship to be presented to worthy students studying medicine and allied fields.
The committee will also undertake to compile a list of local business people who may like to attend a meeting with us or come as a guest speaker.
Our major project for the year will be the Pride of Workmanship award ceremony. Held biannually, this project aims to celebrate employees of local companies who have shown outstanding dedication to their employer. This project is planned to be held in March 2025.
International - PP PHF Catherine Elfick
In our 26 days of office, we have already given $1500 AUD ($1000 USD) to End Polio which will be matched by District and then The Gates Foundation, becoming $7500 (I think!) for this great cause.
We would like the club to continue to support The Tenderfoot School and also to encourage individual club members, as well as the EarlyAct and Interact Clubs, to consider sponsoring students at the Tenderfoot School.
Also to continue to follow the progress of the Toilet Project in Vanuatu that was set up by last year's International Committee. It is not quite finished due to unexpected political troubles and, of course, weather!!
We’re hoping to do a real-life, hands-on project that our Club members can opt to take part in…perhaps somewhere in the South Pacific...or perhaps Kenya and incorporate a visit to Tenderfoot. All just ideas at the moment, so watch this proverbial!
Community - Hita Mistry
Members of the Community Committee are full of enthusiasm for the projects this year. Following the first meeting, we have discussed the continuation of a number of projects from last year. These include fuel and pharmacy vouchers, Easter and Christmas gifts to Life View residents and the Christmas hampers.
We also talked about potential new initiatives including the community Hub supporting families in stress, a community garden, working with Echo, Foothills Community Care and the Hills Community Strengths Initiative (HCSI). Our team has also supported the idea of a community 'needs analysis' to see where there is a need for services and to increase our presence and visibility in the community. We are keen to get 'hands on' in helping as well as donating. We are looking forward to the year ahead with excitement.
Marketing Membership and PR - PP PHF Kristine Ash
- The committee is dividing and conquering this year!
- Vicki – membership process and notice board
- Shalini – Print articles and EVA
- Amber – social and Sparkle
- Kris – Sparkle, website and social
- Colin will assist where able
- We have been supporting Talkin It Up in last few weeks
- A PR and Marketing Schedule has been established so please let us know what you want up and when so we can schedule support in to not clash with other PR activity
- Longer term plans … we looking at setting up another Know Your Rotarian program where small groups gather for an evening of food and conversation and we also considering an information event in the community
- A request – please send all information via email rather than messages and What’s App
Closing Remarks
Thank you for an amazing family night and for the really inspirational reports it was fantastic we could all come together for discussion this evening.
Thank you Peter for chairing and John for the lovely story of Carol and welcome back again, John H.
Talkin It Up - A Successful Evening for Youth Mental Health Wellbeing
.... more to come from Gloria next week :) However - in advance a massive thank you to the Rotary of Emerald and District members as well as those of Monbulk and Belgrave for creating a special and informative evening.
