On Friday the 27th of September we held our annual Pyrenees Magic Bike Ride beginning at Summerfield Winery. We had near perfect conditions for the riders with 80 riders attending the event. The ride will also take place again in March next year around the 30th March 2025 and we hope everyone who attended will attend again and bring some friends along to enjoy the unique experience of the Pyrenees ranges have to offer. The ride is made up of 3 courses. 96km ride which is well suited to our experienced riders. 53km ride which is great for our intermediate riders and if you want to have a nice day out and would like to take up cycling as a beginner the short course which is 33km is perfect. 

Rob McDougall with wife Jane McDougall visited Maryborough Rotary Club at their weekly meeting on the 23 August 2024. He shared his long standing relationship with the Island of Ambon and his project that's grown momentum across several Rotary Clubs across Victoria including his own at Wendouree breakfast. Rob delivered a well prepared talk on the history of Ambon and the historical significance to Australian War Veterans including his father.  The work they have done to allow access to education within Ambon particularly with Schools 2 and 4 providing resources to children on the island. 

 

They have also provided support to a local orphanage providing desks and chairs for study and arranged several trips to Ambon to complete any work that may be needed like painting of dorms to providing labour to create a vegetable patch. Wendouree breakfast Rotary Club should be very proud of the work they have achieved in Ambon and will continue to do.

 

Robs passion for Ambon came through and we hope Maryborough Rotary Club can provide some support into the future as a trusted international project. If anyone would like to know more or would like to provide services to Rob and his team please reach out to Rebecca Lowery and she will arrange contact with Rob.

Beaufort Rotary Club put on a great celebration event welcoming George Kirsanovs back into office as club president.

Ararat Rotary Club gave a warm Welcome to all who attended on Wednesday the 10th July at the Chalambar Golf Club. 

Saturday the 29th July, over 50 members and friends celebrated the changeover of our club presidents and the annual theme from "Create Hope in the World" to "The Magic of Rotary".

To complete our Rotary year of weekly meetings on June 20th, our members discussed some pertinent ethical dilemmas using Rotary's Ethical Framework (see below) The first dilemma was, "Should our club accept donations from organizations and businesses that promote gambling?" Some lively, but respectful discussion followed in small groups and to conclude the session, Rotarian Lowen provided a quick over-view of the skeptical and existential ethical traditions. Pictured is PDG Anthony conducting our final "fines" session for the 2023-24 year. Needless to say, there were some quite unethical fines delivered!

On Thursday June 9th, the Governance Committees for 2024-25 met for the first time and finalized their standing agenda items for next Rotary year and confirmed the chairs who will become the Directors for those working committees. A big "Thank you" to those Rotarians who agreed to chair those committees (indicated in white on the graphic), and to those who made up the committee members. If you have yet to select the Governance committee of your choice, please do so as soon as possible and let President Elect Bec know of your choice.

Last Thursday (June 6th), members were treated to an inspiring talk by our club's nominee for this year's "Shine On" Award, Jade Rodgers. Jade is legally blind and only has a small amount of sight in one eye, but she has never let that hindrance stop her from doing good in the world. Apart from being a volunteer for State Emergency Services in NSW, starting up an Autism support group in Maryborough, and working in her Church, she has recently researched and written a book on how Churches, and other organizations can better support people with Dementia - "Dementia and the Church". See "Read more..." for more photos.

Ten brave souls ventured out in the pouring rain to attend last Thursday's pre-meeting before we headed up to the Maryborough Education Centre to learn about "Call-Push-Shock". The presentation by Ambulance Victoria was very powerful and informative, and everyone got the opportunity to refresh their CPR and Defibrillator skills. The take home message is that for every minute before CPR compressions are applied to a person who has collapsed due to medical cardiac failure, their chances of survival decrease by 10 per cent! And chest compressions, at 2 per second for as long as is required is the single most important factor in saving a person's life. See "read more..." for pics at the "Call Push Shock" event

PE Bec led members through our "Buy-in" survey last Thursday as our club prepares for our next Rotary year. The survey asks members to indicate firstly, their general support for each of the listed projects and fundraisers, and secondly, whether they are prepared to actually help with the implementation of each item. Members who were not present last Thursday are urged to complete the survey as soon as possible (hopefully this week) and get it back to Bec so we can firm up our plans for the coming Rotary year. The survey will be mailed to each member this week-end.

As members heard at Thursday's meeting, the "Donations In Kind (DIK also known as "RARE")" truck from the Melbourne depot returned to our area last week and gratefully took away a number of hospital beds from the Avoca Hospital that will duly be forwarded to the Pacific Islands where they will be put to good use. Thanks to Adrian and Lowen for organizing the pick-up.

May is designated as Rotary Youth Service month. Throughout the month, Rotarians, Rotaractors, and younger members of the Rotary family, including Interactors and RYLA and Rotary Youth Exchange participants, celebrate the service, leadership development, connections, and FUN of Rotary’s programs for young leaders. Our Youth Committee Director, Martin, will be the club meeting chair during May.

On May 9th, Maryborough Rotary held its annual "Pride of Workmanship Awards" evening at the Highland Society. Five awardees were chosen by their respective businesses, and each was awarded an official "Pride of Workmanship" plaque. Pictured are the five awardees along with guest speakers and the club's Director of Vocational Service: From left: Guest Speaker Mayor Liesbeth Long, Awardee Brad Morris from SONAC, Awardee Liam Palling from Hendrickson Electrical, Vocational Director, Meryl, Awardee Jackson Barby from Maryborough Harness Racing Club, Awardee Robyn Roth from Waste-Not Stockfeeders, Awardee Sarah McClean from Mill House Neighbourhood House and Guest speaker, Brian Gould, Economic Development Officer in Central Goldfields Shire.

May is Rotary's Youth Service Month - see below - and to celebrate, we met at the Girl Guides Hall to be lavishly fed and listen to some guides talk about their experiences in, and enjoyment of the Girl Guides in Maryborough. Pictured are guides Bianka (middle) and Harriett right) with Bianca's mum, Vivienne. who is a current Guide leader. Bianca is working on her Junior BP (Baden Powell) Badge and currently learning about animal tracks. Harriett is well into completing her senior BP badge. The poster is for the "Gang Show", a Scouts and Guides Musical held in Melbourne in which Harriett is performing this year. Click "read more..." for more pix.

Our club was represented at this year's ANZAC Day service when we laid a wreath in memory of those who have served and fallen in honour of our country during the various wars. A large crowd was in attendance at the service despite the weather being cool and showery. In the evening, a dozen or so Rotary members gathered at the Highland Society for an informal meal together.

Rotarians Geoff Bartlett and Martin along with Diedre Bartlett ran our club's barbeque for the "Guardians of the Spirit" organization after the ANZAC Day ceremony last Thursday morning. Thanks, Geoff, Diedre and Martin. See the queue they faced by clicking "Read more..." 

Last Thursday, the Mayor of Central Goldfields Shire, Liesbeth Long, shared her life journey so far leading up to the time that she became our city's Mayor in November, last year. Her story is both fascinating and inspirational. She came to Australia as an immigrant from the Netherlands when she was a child, overcame the stigma of dyslexia as a student, was engaged on her 21st birthday, was married in a lunatic asylum, gave birth to her first of three children in Western Australia, and then built a new home in Katharine NT, only to have it destroyed by the once in a century flood on Australia Day in 1998... Click "Read more..."

Last Thursday, President Elect Bec led the process of listing proposed service projects and fundraising activities for the 2024-25 Rotary year. Around thirty ideas were listed on butcher's paper along with coordinators, and they will form a solid basis for our club's 24-25 service and fundraising programs. Click "Read more..." for the current list of suggested projects and activities. Other ideas can, of course, be suggested and confirmed by the Board during the coming year. Next month, we will seek support from members for each of these projects and activities at our "Program Buy-In Event".

April is now Rotary's Environment Month when we aim to leave the earth as a better place than when we arrived.

Last Tuesday, PP Meryl and PDG Geoff attended the 40th Anniversary Celebrations of the Maryborough Probus Club (the Combined club). Pictured is District PROBUS chair Marg. Robinson presenting a 40th Anniversary Certificate to Probus President Carol Jackson. As mentioned on the day, Probus is regarded as Rotary's most successful community service activity.

Thanks to the over a dozen Rotarians who turned up at the shed last Thursday to clean up the surrounds and organize our collection of bottles and cans for submission to the Recycling depot. A lot was achieved in a small time and a good time was had by all. See more pix in "Read more..."

Pictured is PP Terry Allan who has just delivered our latest collection of recycled materials to the Depot at Madman's Lane. The result was $490 for our local and overseas projects. Thanks and "Well done" to all members who have contributed recyclables and/ or helped out with organizing materials to be taken to the depot.

Over 80 riders attended the March Tri Circuit Bike Ride commencing at the Summerfield Winery on Sunday, March 24th. The weather was great, and an enjoyable ride seemed to be experienced by all. A big "Thank You" to PP Brian Reed for doing much of the organization and to Robyn Reed for her assistance as a friend of Rotary. We must also thank Bec Murray for her wonderful work as manager of the ticketing and booking over many of our recent bike rides, and for her efforts driving the "Sag wagon". Pictured are some of our Rotary team members at 3pm - waiting for the final riders to return - Harold, PDG Anthony, PP Garry, Robyn (Rotary friend), PP Brian, PDG Geoff, Murray and PP Mallee. (Photo taken by PP Meryl) See "read more..." for more pix.

Last Thursday, Service committees met for the final time as part of a club meeting for this Rotary year. Whilst they may need to touch base before the end of June, their plans are basically in place for the 2023-24 Rotary year. There will be a summary of their deliberations as part of the Board Report next week.

Due to the postponement of our planned "Call, Push' Shock (CPS)" Training night last Thursday, PP Garry and PDG Anthony reported on the recent launch of club's new website for family violence information. The site was launched on International Women's Day at the special International Women's Day Luncheon held at the Highland Society. The website is designed to assist people who want quick information about who to contact or where they should go if they are experiencing family or domestic violence. You can check out the site by using the QR code taken from the Web site's new business card.

A dozen members and partners (pictured at our Friday night dinner) travelled to Mt Gambier over this past week-end to attend the District 9780 Rotary Conference. Participants enjoyed some fantastic world class speakers, a world class tenor performance on the Saturday night, a walk for Polio, great food and fellowship with Rotarians from 40 of our District clubs. We'll have dozens of images and videos available at our Thursday meeting and make them available as a slide show on this club's website.

This advertisement has been published in the local "Addie" over the last two Fridays. Could members please assist us by contact any employers you know, asking them to consider nominating one of their employees for these awards by contacting PP Meryl for an application form (or downloading it from our club website) and getting it back to Meryl by April 3rd.

Around twenty Rotarians and friends gathered for a fascinating tour of the Water Treatment Plant in Stoneham Drive last Thursday. A staff member from the plant, a staff member from Central Highlands Water and PDG Anthony provided an overview of the history of the plant in Maryborough and the current process used to treat water before it is released into the local water mains. After touring the Water Treatment plant, we toured the adjacent De-salination plant, which is only turned on as required, and then all participants were presented with a complimentary re-usable water bottle. After the visit, our group moved to the nearby Goldfields Reservoir for a tasty picnic tea. Thanks, PDG Anthony for organizing this vocational tour to help us celebrate Rotary's Water and Sanitation Month and to Central Highlands Water for the water bottles. See "Read more..." for 8 more pics.

Both the Probus Club of Maryborough and the Ladies Probus Club of Maryborough held their Annual Genral meetings early this week. Both clubs have reappointed their current President to take on an extra term as their club's leader. Carol Jackson was reappointed as President of the Probus Club of Maryborough, and our own PP Meryl James was reappointed as President of the Ladies Probus Club of Maryborough. Congratulations Carol and Meryl!

President Geoff and President-Elect Bec both attended an online meeting last Wednesday evening to discuss some key questions as part of the forthcoming Regionalization process. As members will be aware, as from July 1st this year, our club will be part of a new Rotary Community Group that involves Ballarat, Ararat, Beaufort, and St. Arnaud Rotary clubs. Participants at the meeting met in small groups to discuss what we considered the goals to be of our community group, what issues we thought clubs could work on together, what sort of leadership support would be required, and how we could best elect a community group leader. Information gathered on the night will assist District leaders to set up elections for our Community Group's leader in the coming weeks. If any member is interested in this exciting leadership position, please let Geoff or Bec know when the Nomination process is announced.

Twenty members and partners gathered at the Bull and Mouth Hotel to celebrated "Leap Day" on February 29th. PDG Anthony provided those present with an update on our Rotary District's efforts to support victims of the recent fires. Anthony explained that RAWCS (Rotary Australia World Community Service) now has an existing fund to immediately provide every family that has lost a property due to bush fires with a Debit card containing $500. Our club will wait to hear recommendations from the District as to how we can best proceed with any donations we plan to make. There was general agreement amongst those present that proceeds from our March Bike Ride could be directed towards fire relief.

Kylie Emonson from the Orange Door Program zoomed into our club meeting last Thursday to provide a fascinating overview of the work of this Family Violence initiative. She explained the scope of the program and how it works and provided some interesting answers to questions posed by members. She congratulated our club on its initiative in this area, and said our #SayNO program was a main reasons why the Orange door has one of its key regional offices in our city.

Members were delighted to welcome new member Geoff Bartlett to our club last Thursday. Geoff was sponsored by Rotarian Trace, and comes into our club with the Classification of "Baker". Geoff's mentor will be PP John Caulfield. New Rotarian Geoff attended last Thursday's meeting with his wife Deidre, and we look forward to working with them both as we seek to create hope in the world. Pictured from left, President Geoff, Geoff Bartlett, Deidre Bartlett and Membership Director, Trace Smith.

Last Thursday, members from both Maryborough and Ararat Rotary Clubs got together to celebrate Rotary's 119th Birthday on February 23rd. We were to have members from the Beaufort Rotary Club as well, but at the time of the meeting, the town of Beaufort was under siege from the extensive Mount Cole Fires. Still, it was great to rekindle the old connections between our Central Victorian clubs. Pictured is President Geoff from Maryborough and Jenny Beales from Ararat cutting the cake.

After a quick meal at the Mill House last Thursday, members moved to Worsley Historical Cottage in Palmerston Street for a talk by Cottage volunteer, Barbara Neilson, and a wander around the recently refurbished facility. The Cottage was originally built and occupied in 1894 by Arthur and Agnes Worsley, one of the contractors who constructed the main drain in Maryborough. Arthur and Agnes lived in the house until 1936. The property was taken over by the Midlands Historical Society in 1976. Pictured are PP Alison, Rotarian Harold and PP Terry in the attached kitchen, the most recent addition to the cottage in the 1930's. Click "Read more..." for more pictures.

As from July 1st, District clubs will be arranged in different groupings. In the past we were part of Group 7 (Ararat, Beaufort, Maryborough and Stawell) , and in the last year or so we have been linked with the Ballarat group of clubs. After the recent District vote where our preference was to be in a group located geographically close to each other, we have been allocated to the new group called, "The Central Victoria Community Group". The participating clubs are listed in the graphic. At last Thursday's meeting when this decision was announced, members expressed a wish that St. Arnaud Rotary Club should be invited to any future gatherings we might initiate with the remaining original "Group 7 clubs".

Governance Committees met last Thursday even though committees were a bit "light on" for numbers. Plans were made to complete the objectives set for this Rotary year with the understanding that in April, Governance committees will set their sights on the next Rotary year. On a positive note for members, PDG Anthony, chair of the Administration committee reported that the price of drinks at the "bar" would remain unchanged for the time being!