Lots to report this week in Rotary and as I write this we are in the middle of conference, more to come on that next week.
Noela Forman, Marg and Craig from Quality Living Options “QLO” gave us a presentation which touched everyone.
QLO is a not-for-profit group of parents and carers of adults with an intellectual disability who are concerned about the
availability of appropriate care and accommodation of their intellectually disabled adult children when they are no longer
able to care for them. Noela gave us an insight of the compassion, dedication and love that these parent share for the care
and wellbeing of their children. Many of these now elderly sometimes single parents have children in their 40’s and 50’s
or older that need 24 hour, 7 day a week care which they provide without respite. The fear for these parents is the quality
of life for these children when they are no longer able to care for them. With most living on the pension they have begun
fundraising and seeking support to purchase land and develop a facility to provide the accommodation and care required
for the needs of their children. You can find more about the group here http://www.qlo.org.au/, they are looking for any
support rotary and the community can give.
At the Board Meeting Monday Night which included currently and incoming board members for 2016-17 there were
extensive discussions on the findings of the Club Survey and following a number of proposals put by the Club
Services Director, it was resolved that: A revised meeting schedule for the trial period of 3 months from April to June 2016
· 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month – normal formal meetings at our normal venue
· 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month - informal coffee shop meeting 7.15am for 7.30am, which could incorporate
Club Forum and job talks and vocational visits at Vahlands Café just behind the restaurant, can enter from
Hargreaves Street and still part of TAFE campus.
· 5th Wednesday of the month – Vocational visits
Bendigo/Kangan TAFE have advised that our club, Bendigo Sandhurst will be very welcome to remain at the current venue
even if meeting schedules are changed and Vahlands Café is also keen to support the coffee meetings.
The Board is continuing to work on the findings of the Survey. Further reviews will be carried out on the Joining fee (J Cannon),
the annual fee (J Cannon, P Harris), and the possibility of establishing an administration fund to cover Club Operational Costs.
These changes are in addition to expanding the role of the Chairperson and cessation of the Sergeant session, improvements to
the PA system. The social activity of the last Thursday evening of the month will continue.
It was interesting to hear from younger Rotarians at conference give a presentation on the expectations of that generation,
which reinforced many of the things we have highlighted, are looking at and working towards.
It was agreed to make a payment of $10,000 to District for our annual contribution to Rotary Foundation for the
2015-16 year.
Around the grounds
Next Generation are having a garage sale on the 2nd April, any saleable goods welcome. They are also looking for support
for their Relay for Life team on 16 April They will be sending out info soon or get in touch with President Megan.
Eaglehawk Rotary bookshop, lots of damage and lost stock due to fire, they are working hard to reopen in the next few weeks
and will be looking for donations of books, so if you have any books you can donate please hold on to them and in the next
few weeks we will let you know how to donate them.
This year's Cluster Foundation Dinner will be 23rd November, speaker will be Dr Bruce Anderson on Eradication of Polio.
District will again be on display at the Vic Market on the 17th April to promote the wonderful Work of Rotary
District Assembly- will be held in Melton on Sunday May 15. It's a great way for all members to find out about all the
major district rotary projects that are currently available and to get ideas from others
The Rotary Leadership Institute Courses 2016. There will be a series run in Castlemaine at the old Goal
Starting 17th March then 21st April, 19th May and June (TBC) 6.00 to 8.30pm (see Flyer on our notice board)
Players for nights’ golf Friday nights Night Golf Paul Henderson, Doug Lougoon, Cathie Miller, Adrian Schoo,
Graeme Lynas, Geoff Michell, Glenn Maloney, Peter Rainey
Finally Rotary International has recently announced an additional $35 million to help with the final steps
in eradicating Polio.
Paul Henderson
P.S.
I will be in Mildura next Wednesday and Graham Lynas will be the stand in president / guest president.
Paul
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