President’s Report
Another vibrant, well attended Club early morning meeting last week, despite the hour lost due to the change to daylight saving. The highlight of course was the induction of new member, Georgia Wiegard. Welcome Georgia.
We were fortunate to have two guest speakers for the morning. Firstly, Hollie Richens from Anglicare, spoke about the tremendous challenges our community faces to care for displaced, vulnerable children. Foster Care is at the forefront of these challenges. Hollie highlighted the ever-growing need for more foster families. Hollie thanked Rotary for the support we have provided to Foster Care here in Bendigo. However, I’m sure I speak for all members when I say that it is Hollie and Foster Care that should receive the greater thanks.
Secondly, Logan who has just completed the Rotary Sailing Challenge with his mate Caleb, told us about their experience battling the elements on the tall ship Enterprize over 4 days and 3 nights. Logan and Caleb are involved with the BlueLight program. Liz Bird from BlueLight also came to the meeting. Thanks Logan and Liz.
Ray Carrington let us know that knitted goods from the knitting project will be baled-up next Wednesday before shipment to DIK. From there they will be added to a container heading to East Timor. Members are welcome to see and participate in the process. Meeting point is John Cannon’s shed at 8am Wed morning, where the goods are awaiting collection for transport to the baling shed near Marong. Please call Ray (0417 502 349) for more details.
Club Service Director, Kathryn spoke about the Shake, Rattle and Roll show at Ulumbarra on Sat 17th Oct. A $5 discount is available for Rotary members and guests. Just mention Rotary when you book. Kathryn reminded us that it’s not so easy for artists and entertainers now. They need our support. Even if you are too young to remember the songs, please consider coming along for the fun.
It was terrific to see our Club’s support for Street Peace kick-off on Wednesday night. Prepared meals from JL King were supplied to feed the group. (Thanks to John & Graeme for organising). We have committed to do this each fortnight till at least the end of the year, as part of our Youth support efforts. For any Street Peace meeting there could be up to 40 young people including volunteer mentors attending. Hopefully other Rotary Clubs will join in this effort.
Foundation Dinner. A reminder again that during October, Rotary’s major focus across the world is ongoing effort to eradicate polio. Here in Bendigo, the major event will be the Foundation Dinner, hosted by the Rotary Club of Bendigo on 27th October. (see the flyer below). If you are free that night, please consider going along to enjoy the night and assist the polio eradication effort.
Reminder: We won’t have a normal meeting next week. Instead, we will cook a community service breakfast bbq in support of Ride-to Work. Kevin Dobson provided the details at our meeting last week, viz: Location is the courtyard in front of Bendigo Military Museum in Pall Mall from 7am. The set-up team will be there earlier.
Let’s keep up the good work.
President Stew.
