It’s a couple of weeks since our last meeting and in that time we’ve delivered the clubs biggest event of the year Australia Day at Lake Weeroona and once again it was an outstanding success from all involved.  It’s always a risk to single out people when so many are involved but I’ll take that risk here and thank

·        Peter Rainey and the team who undertook all the organisational work and liaison with Council and community groups to expertly bring the day together

·        Evelyn Lehman and the Market team for the hard work booking, coordinating herding and managing the market of over 160 sites and best of all there all went home happy.

·        Kevin Reade and Bruce Fraser and everyone involved in the catering team setting up and managing catering for thousands of people on the day.

·        The volunteers are so very important on the day such as this and the families and friends of Rotary were once again terrific. 

·        We must also thank the students from Girton who worked tirelessly all day selling soft drinks at a rate of knots, keeping the children in the kids are entertained and providing other support when needed and all before the school year begins. 

·        The guys and girls from Fusion are always terrific in engaging in the children’s activities

·        Lisa Ruffell who volunteered her time to be the MC for the day and continuously promote the work of Rotary throughout the day.

·        The staff of the City of Greater Bendigo who were there leading up to and particularly on the day to help make sure the day was a success.

 

The incoming Group Vocational Exchange will arrive from the Philippines in the next few weeks and will make its way north where they will be hosted by Rochester from the 6th March before moving to their Conference Accommodation on the 11th.  There is an opportunity for our members or club to participate contact Stewart McDonald at RC Rochester ph. 54849246 or email Pres. Noel Lucas nrlucas@iinet.et.au) for more information.

 

The date for the return of the Club Member Survey is Wednesday the 10th February.  We have just over 50% return so there are an awful lot of Rotarians who are missing a chance to have an input in the clubs future...

 

District Conference - around 900 registrations.  Everything is coming together and thank you to Mark and Leonie Weragoda for representing our club on the organising committee.  One area that members not attending the conference may be asked to assist on is the marshalling of the Car Parking , it looks like the  QEO precinct will be set aside for conference but watch this space.

 

A reminder that Kevin Reade has organized this year’s Rotary Fellowship Weekend Away at the Barham Caravan Park on Friday 13th to Sun 15th May.   Caravan sites and onsite cabins are available. Bookings 54532553 say you are with RCOBS when booking. This is always a great weekend.  The park is holding some spaces for us but we need to book soon.  See Kevin for more info.

 

There are still 5 or6 members yet to pay any of their 2015-16 membership dues.  If this is you, please contact Treasurer Phil to arrange payment.  Also a reminder that those that pay 6 monthly, your second payment is now due.

 

The Rotary Club of Bendigo is conducting its annual golf event in support of Rotary's Operation Cleft it’s not your usual round of Golf in fact it may suit some of us who struggle to play during the day, or is that just struggle to play….

It is a golf event with a difference, the lights are out, glow in the dark golf balls, glow sticks along the fairways and each hole is set up as a PAR 3 so it’s a lot of fun and a great social event, with Every participating team fully funding an operation, so they will have a ball and change a life just by playing.  The flyer is attached and if you’re interested in playing let me know

 

Don’t forget your surveys this week

 

I look forward to seeing you all at this week’s meeting

 

Paul