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From the ABC of Rotary by Past RI President, Cliff Dochterman- One of the colorful traditions of many Rotary clubs is the exchange of small banners, flags or pennants. Rotarians traveling to distant locations often take banners to exchange at "make-up" meetings as a token of friendship.
- Many clubs use the decorative banners they have received for attractive displays at club meetings and district events.
- The Rotary International board recognized the growing popularity of the banner exchange back in 1959 and suggested that those clubs that participate in such exchanges give careful thought to the design of their banners in order that they be distinctive and expressive of the community and country of which the club is a part.
- It is recommended that banners include pictures, slogans or designs that portray the territorial area of the club.
- The board was also mindful of the financial burden such exchanges may impose upon some clubs, especially
- in popular areas where many visitors make up and request to exchange. In all instances, clubs are cautioned to exercise discretion and moderation in the exchange of banners in order that the financial obligations do not interfere with the basic service activities of the club.
- Exchanging club banners is a very pleasant custom, especially when a creative and artistic banner tells an interesting story of community pride.
- The exchange of banners is a significant tradition of Rotary and serves as a tangible symbol of our international fellowship.
- Our club hasn't used banners for a while - should we get back into this tradition? Or should we give something like a memory stick of information on the club?
Our meeting this week is a barbeque at Princes Park, to set up and get ready for our busy weekend at the Energy Breakthrough. We look forward to supervising corners and earning valuable funds on the barbeque. Thank you to all who have put their name down on the rosters, including spouses and friends. Your help is very much appreciated.
All members should have received the comprehensive report from the Family Violence committee. We thank them for all their efforts and wish them well at Ararat on Thursday, when they accept the club's National Volunteer Award for this project from Minister Dan Tehan.
Our President Elect, Leigh, enjoyed his first Leadership Development day in Ararat yesterday and was able to make connections with others who will hold office in his year.We look forward to your leadership year Leigh.
Please keep in mind the donations of Christmas goodies for the Salvation Army. The tub will be out again next week.
Also, be sure to take home the December Reminder notice, book and pay for our Christmas party and get a table of friends together for our New Year's Eve Dance.
Continue your inspiring efforts!
Continue your inspiring efforts!
Rotarian Murray provided us with some background and proposed a toast the the Rotary Club of Cape Town in South Africa last Thursday. Murray had visited the club and the area during his visit to Africa a year ago.
PDG Terry Davies was in town last Thursday to assist DG Anthony with negotiations for the Australian Rotary Health Golf Day here in Maryborough next March. Terry is a very experienced Rotarian who for over a decade, trained District Governors about the Rotary Foundation. He was also instrumental in bringing from Texas, and adapting the Centurion Program for Australian Rotarians.
The attention of Rotarians was certainly grabbed by the imposing figure and story of ex-Prison Officer, Bruce Kaye last Thursday. Bruce did start his talk with a powerpoint, but not the kind we're used to - he started his working life as an Electrician, so he brought out his version of powerpoints - a double power point wall socket! Bruce described some of the highlights of his 28 years at the Ararat prison, at the Malmsbury Youth Facility and the Barwon prison. He described encounters with notorious underworld criminals, showed us a chilling collection of weapons that prisoners had ingeniously fashioned out of ordinary, everyday items and verbally sparred with some of our more verbose members. All quite gripping!
Lions International Convention, Carisbrook 2018Lions International held their District Convention at the Maryborough Trotting Complex, Flagstaff November 9,10 and 11. 150 people registered, and they had a Free Public Health Forum from 12 -2pm on Saturday.
There were many stalls showing Lions programs, very similar to those that Rotary run: Exchange, Peace, Health Lions cakes etc as well as Allied Health stalls for Diabetes, Children’s Cancer, Eye Health and Vision screening, Alzheimers, Crime Watch Disaster Response and Hair Library. There were also a couple of CPR dummies to step over or stop and learn
There was a Tai Chi demonstration which was enjoyed by all. More information in "Read more..."
Around 100 people attended last week's Oaks Day event raising in the vicinity of $2000 for the Maryborough Education Centre Literacy programs. As well as the crowd, pictured is PP Garry Higgins, with posy of flowers in one hand and a mike in the other interviewing an impressive Florist on how to attach flowers to a lady's hat - if only some of his Carlton team-mates could see him now.Did You Hear…..E&OE.
This week's guest speaker, Prison Officer Bruce Kaye was introduced by his past teacher PP Bob Osborne. Bruce's school and footy mates included Garry Higgins, Rob Bursill and Graeme Rogan!
This week's guest speaker, Prison Officer Bruce Kaye was introduced by his past teacher PP Bob Osborne. Bruce's school and footy mates included Garry Higgins, Rob Bursill and Graeme Rogan!
President Elect Leigh attended his first training event for his Presidential year last Saturday
PDG Jessie Harman is returning to the club in a couple of weeks to talk about her Camino Trail experience
Our important AGM was held last Thursday, and it was exciting to all be piped in by Hamish Hare. Thank you Hamish. It was a real treat!
We thank those members who agreed to hold positions for 2019/20 in our club. Can I encourage others to see PE Leigh and consider nominating for those positions still vacant. We all have a part to play in ensuring our club runs smoothly.
We were also honoured to receive a "Community Partnership Recognition" certificate from Terry Welch, the CEO of Maryborough District Health Service at the meeting. It has been great to have their involvement and support in our #SayNO2familyviolence project.
Can I thank again, Esther and Alison and other members who helped run the successful Oaks Day fundraiser for Literacy at MEC. Over $2000 was raised. A fun day with a great result!
Please be sure to choose your times on the Energy Breakthrough roster. It is only a week away and we need all hands on deck so we can share the load. This is a great community service as well as a major fundraiser for our club .
Thank you to those who have already placed donations of toileteries in the Tub for the Salvation Army. We will keep it running into next year, but we are collecting Christmas treats in the Christmas Tub over the next few weeks to brighten someone's Christmas. Please make sure spouses are aware of this collection.
Finally, can you consider booking and paying for our Christmas breakup party over the next few weeks, which is at Peppa's Restaurant on December 15th. Also, plan to bring family and friends to our New year's Eve Dance, to 'Rock in the New Year"!
Let's all be proud and inspired as Rotarians!
PP John Caulfield was called upon to officiate at the club's 2018 Annual General Meeting last Thursday. The main business of the 10 minute meeting was to receive a financial report on the club's financial status - which is fine - and appoint the officers for the 2019-20 Rotary Year. Officers elected were Leigh Williamson as President, Bob Butterfield as President Elect, Thea Allan as Secretary, Graeme Rogan as Treasurer, Derrick Marsden as Foundation chair, Garry Higgins as Membership Chair, Chris Frahn as Public Image Chair, Martin Mackay as Community Chair, Alison Teese as International Chair, Mallee Rowe as Youth Chair and Geoff James as Vocational Chair. We still need a Fundraising Chair and a President Nominee (to become President in July, 2021) - Interested? Please see Leigh ASAP.
Past President Derrick provided an interesting review of the history and work of Rotary's Foundation at last Thursday's meeting. He reminded members of the fact that we are in sight of ridding the world of Polio, and providing millions of dollars to support projects of peace, economic development, provision of clean water, literacy and education and maternal and child welfare. He then showed an inspiring video of Rotary's work through the Foundation - a video that could be heard clearly through our new Soundbar speaker.
Last Thursday, Terry Welch, CEO of the Maryborough and District Health Service thanked Rotary for its support through the Family Violence Program. Terry reported to members that it was largely because of the #SayNO program that the hospital recently received its "High Commendation" status in the State wide awards for Hospitals. Terry also presented to President Meryl and our club a "Community Partnership Recognition" certificate for our general support and collaboration over the last year.
Rotarian David Hare commenced his period as Meeting Chair in style last Thursday, when he employed his son Hamish to play the bagpipes as our "call to order" music for our meeting. That's going to be a hard act to follow! Thank you, Hamish, please come again!November is Rotary Foundation Month, and we started the month with a fundraiser for the "End Polio Now!" campaign; an early Chinese meal and the film "Bohemian Rhapsody". Thank you Karen for organising the event. We now have a nice donation that will be matched 2 to 1 by Bill and Melinda Gates. Details to follow.
We welcome David Hare as our November Meeting Chair and look forward to him adding his own flair to our meetings. Our thanks to Thea for keeping us on our toes last month. A job well done!
Last Monday night, eight members travelled to Beaufort for the Group 7 meeting. It is always a good opportunity to meet friends and hear reports from other clubs. It is also a great reminder of how much our own club is doing! I encourage all members to visit another club next year.
We have another busy month ahead, with the #SayNO2familyviolence Harness Racing Day today, Oaks Day fundraiser next Thursday and , of course, our commitment to the Energy Breakthrough. Be sure to put your name on the roster this week, if you haven't already, to help those organising this big event.
Also, be sure to pick up a raffle Book for the Ballarat South Raffle from Karen and keep December 15th free for our Christmas Breakup Party at Peppa's.
As I haven't been able to present the October Board Report at a meeting, I have included a brief summary below.
Thank you all for continuing to "Be the Inspiration".
Our #SayNO2familyviolence committee held another of their fundraising and awareness raising days at the Maryborough Harness Racing club on Sunday. The races as well as the #SayNO message were spread far and wide through television coverage. Each race name had an ant-family violence message. Pictured are our Rotarians, Terry and Thea presenting their trophy to the winners of the race they sponsored called the "#SHOWTOLERANCE PACE".
Quite a number of Rotarians and supporters attended the Paramount Cinemas on Thursday night to see the "World Premiere" screening of "Bohemian Rhapsody" - an enthralling biography of Freddie Mercury, the lead singer of Queen. The movie apparently took almost eight years to produce and I reckon quite a bit of that time would've been spent by the lead actor getting the idiosyncrasies of Freddie down pat. Also the sound and technical expertise of the guy playing the lead guitarist part would have taken a lot of time to perfect - it was all very impressive. Also impressive would have been the amount raised for Polio by those who attended. Around 15 Rotarians met for tea at the Chinese Restaurant before the movie and that was also a very pleasant gathering. Thanks to Karen and the Foundation committee for organizing the event.Our Club has just received an announcement from Minister for Education, Dan Teehan, that we have received a National Volunteer Award in relation to our #SayNO2familyviolence project, which will be presented in Ararat on November 22nd. What wonderful news!
Congratulations to Garry and members of his Committee for the amazing work they have done in this area and are still doing. They are certainly "Being the Inspiration". A well deserved recognition of their persistence and passion.
Thank you to Graeme Rogan for his hard work in submitting the application.
The whole Club basks in the recognition of the efforts of these members.
The following recommendations from committees were approved at the October Board meeting:
- Membership Committee: the purchase of 20 Promotional kits and 10 new Member kits.
- Youth Committee: That the Youth debate become an annual event
- Youth Committee: That $300 be donated to Highview College for Woodwind and Contemporary Music packs
- Youth Committee: That the end of year Art and Community Service scholarships to MEC, Highview and GELC, named after former Rotarians, be continued.
- International Committee: That a Disaster Aid Box be donated now, rather than as planned next year, given the present need.
- Community Committee: That $30 be provided for the annual Rotary Garden Club Trophy
- Community Committee: That $100 be donated to PROBUS for their Bowls day
- Community Committee: That we submit an Application for the Wannon Community Service Awards for our FV Project.
- Club Planning Committee: That the Board review the Club Guidelines Booklet
- Administration Committee: That we purchase a speaker for the TV to enhance sound.
On Sunday, eight Rotarians (Terry and Thea, Garry, Chris, Martin, Leigh, Meryl and Geoff) provided sausages and hamburgers to the masses as part of this year's Spring Fling Carnival down at the Hockey field. We also reminded people about the programs of Rotary.
PP Graeme shares the plans of the Youth Committee at last week's Committee festival. We had reports from Service, Governance and even the Conference committee. See chairs from other committees by clicking on "Read more".
The Conference committee, under the new chairmanship of PP John Caulfield, has been working hard and has already met 19 times to make plans for next year's District Conference in March. Many aspects of the conference are already in place such as the venue, the themes, the Saturday night event, public address and media systems, and (almost) the program. At last week's meeting, Rotarian Alison OAM provided a brief overview of one Conference speaker, Dimity Hawkins who was part of the team that won the Nobel Peace Prize last year. Her story is quite inspiring. We will provide information on other speakers as we move closer to the event. Our next major task is to finalize the costings and set up the Conference website to take applications. Stay tuned to this space for the latest on how you can "Be Inspired" by the Golden Heart of Rotary next March 22nd.
Last Thursday, our members enjoyed presentations by three impressive young people from Year 11 at Highview College. Kate Winkelmann provided an update on her preparation for attendance at the National Youth Science Forum next January, whilst Sam Matthews and Keltyn Rinaldi provided us with a review of their recent attendance at the Defy the Drift program. Click "Read more" for more pix.
Over 200 people attended the Ploughman's and Pav night last Friday, and raised thousands of dollars for the Drought stricken farmers in Northern Australia. The event was a joint project between Rotary, Lions, the Highland Society and the Bendigo Bank in this area. Rotarian Kate Ashton conducted the auction, ably assisted by several other Rotarians from our club and a member of the Lions club. Attendees enjoyed great food, an engaging talk by Troy Hendy who organized convoys of hay to be taken north, auctions, a bottle-toss and a wide range of entertainment throughout the evening. More pictures by clicking "Read more".
AG Martin, President Meryl and PP Graeme pictured with some of the young people at the Leadership Instruction for Indigenous Teens (LIFT) camp at the Blue Light Camp site at Maldon - conducted from October 19th to 22nd by the Police and supported by our club.
