Our members gained some real insights into legal blindness when "Vision Australia" worker, Sue Tully shared her experiences with this organization on June 1st. Sue explained that there are many levels of legal blindness caused by a whole range of different factors, and each legally blind person requires different kinds of support. Groups like Vision Australia provide this valued support on an on-going basis. As part her presentation, Sue provided our members with spectacles that simulated the various kinds of legal blindness. As a result, members are now better able to "see" and appreciate what it is like to suffer from this condition. See "Read more..." for pictures of members in specs.

On June 1st, long time Rotarian, Shane Dellavedova shared his understanding of his Vocational Classification with our members. It was no surprize to those present that Shane understands his vocation in terms of serving the world through agriculture. As a young boy on the family farm, Shane loved to work outdoors on the land, knowing that the results of his labour were helping to feed the world. Today, that vocational service through agriculture is expressed through his management of the Dellavedova fertilizer business.

Around twenty members ignored the cold and the rain to participate in the club's "Buy-in" Night on May 25th. As part of the evening, they considered a comprehensive list of our club's objectives (the Engagement Survey) planned for the 2023-24 Rotary year and indicated firstly, whether they supported the club pursuing those objectives, and secondly, whether they were prepared to actively assist or even help to organize the implementation of those items. A big "thank you" to those who were able to attend or who handed in their completed Engagement Surveys before the meeting. The picture doesn't actually show the process in action although it might look like Bec and Murray are "standing up" for what they believe - rather, they were the last two standing in "heads and tails"! Members who weren't able to make last night's meeting are invited to complete the Engagement Survey forms emailed to them recently, and email or pass them to PDG Geoff in the next couple of days.

The Marquis of Linlithgow Governor General monument and surrounding gardens in Melbourne announce to the world that Rotary has taken over Melbourne for the coming week. Over 13,000 Rotarians from around the world will "Imagine Rotary" and explore ways our organization can grow and develop in the coming years as part of trhe Rotari International Convention. Several of our members will be attending various aspects of the event, and we look forward to reports in the coming weeks.

Our Service committees for this Rotary year met for the final time on May 18th. Next month, the plan is that next year's committees will meet and develop working action plans for the 2023-24 year. A big "thank you" to all those members who have attended committee meetings over the past year to ensure that our programs can continue and that our club is able to "do good" in the world. Pictured in the International Service committee chaired by Louise Hanby D'Wynn. See "Read more..." for pics of the Community, Youth and Vocational committees.

Around 80 members and guests gathered at the Highland Society on May 11th to celebrate Pride of Workmanship in our community. On behalf of the club, the MP for Ripon, Hon Martha Haylett presented official trophies to six awardees chosen by six different local businesses. Unfortunately, two of the actual awardees were ill on the night, so trophies were passed on to colleagues. Pictured from left to right, Sue-Ellen Wright (Maryborough News and Lotto), Councillor Grace LaVella (Mayor), Julie Driscoll (Avoca Co-operative), Kelly Mason (Bounce Australia), Hon Martha Haylett (Member for Ripon), Tanya Miles (receiving the award for Kylie Monk of the Maryborough District Health Service), Linda Parry (receiving the award for Julie Nicholson of Rinaldi's Fashions) and Matthew Doherty (Little Produce Box). Congratulations to the award winners, thank you to all those who attended and to the Rotarians who helped out on the night. Click the YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pe-WurN8ONE  to see a slideshow of pictures. Click "Read more..." for more pix.

May is Youth Service month, so lets find some students for our Agricultural Careers program, Defying the Drift.
Information guides and application forms are now available from the Defying the Drift website or District 9780 website
#careersinag #skillsforlife #futuretech #animalhusbandry #horticulture

Twenty club members enjoyed the hospitality of the Girl Guides for our "May the Fourth Be With You" meeting and were very impressed with presentations made by two of the current senior guides, Elizabeth Lewington (left) and Harriet Thoroughgood (right). Both girls have completed tasks for the Baden Powell award and are in the process of completing tasks to be designated as a "Queen's Guide". One of Harriet's tasks was to write an engaging poem about the value of belonging to a Guide's group, and she read it out to members. We can certainly have some hope for the future when we encounter young leaders like Elizabeth and Harriet. See "Read more..." for more pics.

On a very pleasant Sunday at the end of April in Hall's Gap, Rebecca, Trace, Thea, Meryl, Martin, Anthony and Geoff all represented our club at the District 9780 Learning Assembly. It was a day packed with relevant information that will assist our club to approach the 2023-24 Rotary year with confidence. Pictured is District Governor Elect Ian McKay outlining one of the major thrusts planned for the coming year in every one of the 600 Rotary clubs in our Rotary region - yes, a thrust with which we are quite familiar - "Say No To Domestic Violence" See Read more... for details and pics.

Witnessed at our recent meeting at the Girl Guides Hall...

 

 

 

 

On Thursday, March 2, members and spouses enjoyed a relaxing evening at the home of Murray and Sally Henderson with good conversation and great food. Thanks for your great hospitality, Murray and Sally. More pics in "Read more..."