Dear Everyone,
Welcome to my last Vignette for the year. I shall also report on the meeting as our Editor Kris was an apology.
Last Tuesday night’s meeting had quite a few highlights. Assistant Governor Brian Hodgson graced us with his presence, which was very pleasant, to encourage more of us to become Centurions and donate $100 to The Rotary Foundation annually. Sergeant Gayle led a very lively Fines’ Session in which President Nominee Marcus’s new premises featured; Ros Weadman will have her office there, as will Sangeeta for awhile until her new premises become available. Not to be outdone, Kelly said that MC Consulting, Andrew and Kelly’s Quantity Surveying Business, would also be moving in there, but that was Kelly being her mischievous self.
Catherine and Gloria were wished “Happy Birthday” for their birthdays falling on the 12th and 19th of December respectively.
Emma and James Clark were wished a “Happy Wedding Anniversary” for the 29th of December.
We recognised Tom and Martin for their joining date anniversaries; Tom joined on the 13th of December and Martin on the 31st of December in 2005. Martin and Tom were applauded for their fifteen years of outstanding service to our Club.
Our Guest Speaker, U3A President Pat Buoncristiani gave a very polished and engaging presentation on The University of the Third Age. The Emerald U3A is flourishing with almost 350 members and 44 courses. For an annual fee of $40, members can enrol in as many courses as they like. The tutors who lead the classes do so entirely voluntarily and for some courses, this requires a great investment of time and effort. Martin has tutored in Cosmology and now he is offering one related to the Environment. Being involved in U3A assists in so many ways with ageing well; there is social connection, intellectual stimulation and new learning, using your skills and creativity, and the opportunity to keep physically fit. If you are over 50 and no longer working fulltime, you qualify to join. So, what are you waiting for? Thank you to Pat for kindly sending her PowerPoint slides to view
HERE.
Community Service Chair Martin reminded us to write our Christmas cards to the residents of The Glades and give to the members of his committee by the 14th December at the latest. Susi and I will be delivering the gifts on Thursday afternoon, a duty I am delighted to perform as it will bring happiness to the residents.
Catherine reported on our inaugural Trash2Treasure Market held last Saturday. There were 14 stalls, although more had been paid for. Catherine thanked Ken for providing the Feather advertising sign and other helpers. Tina was congratulated on her tenacity to extract a gold coin donation and go into the draw for a “gate” prize from patrons as they entered, and David and Day held up their end on the other pedestrian entrance. Unbelievably over $500 was raised by the entrance donation and just shy of $1,000 was raised overall, a magnificent result. Thank you to Peter Hadwen for his generous donation of wood turned bowls that he had made and other items. Ian Wakefield expressed his gratitude to Ian Ash, John Henderson and Andrew for their work setting up and dismantling the marquee and stall. Thank you to Emma, who had to stay to the very end to lock up. There was a good vibe with lots of positivity and goodwill on display from the stallholders and patrons alike. That the Market was a great success is due to the work of Catherine and Ian Wakefield, who were ably and enthusiastically supported by our members. It was very thoughtful of DG Alma to send a text message saying she hoped all would go well and that the market would be a great success. Alma was unable to attend due to meeting commitments.
We were treated to a wonderful “Know Your Rotarian” segment, courtesy of Gayle. You could not fail to admire and be inspired by what Gayle has achieved and is still achieving in her life. Even though we would wish not to experience it, adversity early in life builds resilience and an ability to cope, tenacity and determination for one’s entire life. Gayle listed her strengths but was too modest to mention her fantastic sense of humour, which Ros thankfully drew our attention to. Everyone present was in total agreement. Sangeeta also acknowledged Gayle for the wonderful and selfless support she provided to her as a new member. Gayle provided her notes for Sparkle
HERE.
If you receive this in time, don’t forget to watch the Virtual Emerald Carols on the Couch which will go to air (via livestream) tonight the 11
th December at 7.00pm.
WWW.EMERALDCAROLS.COM It will be available however for later viewing. Our amazing singing group, the Spangles will be performing in the finale. Watch out for our message of goodwill to our community, which will be scrolling across the bottom of the screen during the broadcast.
This coming Sunday, the 13th of December, it is our Christmas Break-Up Party at Yarra Ranges Estate, 39 Coulson Road, Monbulk, phone 9752 0683. This is our last meeting for the year. Initially I thought we might meet on Tuesday 15th of December, but with the “silly season” upon us, too many members already had other commitments.
Unfortunately, I will not be attending as I have an appointment for lunch with my grandson Sebastian who is turning 5.
So to our wonderful members, I thank you for all the work you have put into the Club and its activities during this Rotary year. While we have not conducted the Great Community Raffle, the Speech Contest and the Kids Fun Run With Thomas, we have achieved many great things in response to the COVID Pandemic, particularly through the Community Service and Youth Service Committees, backed up by the International and Vocational Service Committees. The Fundraising Committee has kept our spirits up with its unforgettable Wine and Cheese Night and the Melbourne Cup Posh Picnic. The Trash2Treasure Up-Cycle Re-Cycle Market has been launched and will build momentum in the new year. The Membership and Public Image and Marketing Committees have made great strides and our Noticeboard has received a facelift. With significant help from others, the Board’s Strategic Plan Sub-Committee has written the new Vision and Mission Statements, statements we can be proud of. The new 3-5 year Strategic Plan will be ready for Club discussion by February. The Club Bylaws will be updated to harmonise with the new Club Constitution. Apart from team efforts, there have been some great individual ones from Ian Ash, who was joint convenor with Jeff Somers of the Rotary-Rotaract Mentoring Programme; also President-Elect and Secretary, the ever-reliable, incredibly efficient and hardworking Shalini. Shalini is also the one who has opened the Zoom meetings each week from Sangeeta’s link and helped to smooth over the inevitable technical issues.
Thank you to the members who kept turning up week after week on Zoom, not our preferred way of meeting. For some it was not possible, as having been in Zoom meetings all day, they couldn’t face up to another one, especially when there was little opportunity to contribute. But for those who attended consistently, thank you, because without you we wouldn’t have a club.
I do think that everyone has put in and that is why our Club is outstanding, and is recognised as such in the District.
Have a very Merry Christmas with your loved ones, and take time out to relax and enjoy yourselves. Recharge your batteries and come back refreshed for the new challenges that we will face next year.
**The next official meeting is Tuesday 19th of January - we hope at our traditional venue the Paradise Valley Hotel. It is a Club Assembly with Chair President-Elect Shalini.
Thank you for all the support you have given me.
Love to you all, and see you at Burnt Chop and the Car Rally.
Vicki.
