Bulletin 18 RCoBS (Nov 19, 2018)

Bulletin Week 19

In the chair for the morning, Graeme welcomed a large turnout for what was one of the best meetings we have had. With DG Bronwyn and Mark, Barb, Carol, Nancy, Patti, Merrin all present, the meeting had to progress rather quickly to ensure that all of the necessary formalities were completed.

Friends of Rotary

To recognize the contribution that Carol McCooke and Nancy Wyatt have made over the last ten years to the Timor Leste knitting project, they were both recognized as “Friends of the Rotary Club of Bendigo Sandhurst”. DG Bronwyn did the honour of pinning on the badges to Carol and Nancy, with Carol in response thanking the club and Patti for their ongoing support to such a worthy cause. They both feel honoured to become formally associated with the club and cherish the memories of such wonderful friendship and community cooperation that they have experienced whilst being involved in the knitting project.

Our newest Rotarian

It was with great pleasure that Barb Mitchell was inducted into the Rotary Club of Bendigo Sandhurst. On accepting the breakfast badge and Rotary paraphernalia from DG Bronwyn, Barb thanked the club and members for her welcome to the club and in particular for the support over the last years to both herself and Dowell. As we know Dowell and Barb have a long association with Rotary through the RC of Williamstown, Camp Getaway and Dowell as a Past President of our club. Barb is looking forward to being further involved in the club’s activities and her enthusiasm and commitment will add great strength to the Rotary Club of Bendigo Sandhurst. Congratulations Barb.

PHF presentation

Dg Bronwyn made a formal presentation to Patti with a PHF and Sapphire for her work also in the knitting project. This was on behalf of D9800. Congratulations Patti (and to David) for your continued passion for the knitting project and now there are knitters from nearly every state as well as from overseas. Last count there could be 17 full wool bales (approx130kg each) for the next container.

DG Bronwyn Stephens

Bronwyn provided a snapshot of some of the activities she has been involved in over the past months. Cambodia, Nairobi and visiting clubs across the District, has reinforced the values of what Rotary is about. Looking for opportunities to help those in need has not been difficult, as there are literally thousands of good causes. End Polio Now, Safe Water saves Lives, Education scholarships, the list goes on. Often it takes just one person to recognize the need and then to support that need in the unique way that Rotary can. Whether it is local, National or international, you will find Rotary helping others.

Thank you Bronwyn for your support not only to the wider world of Rotary and the District, but also for your regular care and concern for our club and our projects.

Mark then provided an overview of the Multi District Conference and dinner and encouraged as many Rotarians and their partners to attend. On behalf of the club, Toni and Ray presented Bronwyn and Mark with a Balgownie gift pack of wine in appreciation of their commitment to Rotary.

Knitting Project

Patti has provided Merrin with a number of sets of knitted clothes and small blankets to be assessed by the local administration and Franciscan nuns in Maubisse for their suitability and fit for purpose.

Merrin and Graeme will be in Maubisse and Dili (Nov 26-Dec 5) to review the knitting project, school and university scholarships, progress on the construction of the storage shed at the Agricultural High School and the current state of the Community House. John Jones from the Bendigo Maubisse Friendship Committee and RC Eaglehawk is leading the team.

Graeme and Merrin will also be attending the Perma-Youth Camp in Maubisse. (Extract of the flyer below)

Perma-Youth Camp or Permaculture Youth Camp is organized by the non-governmental organization PERMATIL (Permaculture Timor-Lorosa’e’) in collaboration with a variety of both national and international organizations every two years. The main objective of Perma-Youth Camp is to interest youth in learning about the practices of permaculture in order to implement them in their own communities. Finadu (Day of the Dead) Festival, which we shorten to FinFest, is an activity to promote the return to cultural values tied to Finadu, particularly related to food and traditional rituals and ceremonies. FinFest involves Timorese chefs as well as artists from both the visual and performing arts. From 25 November to 1 December 2018, PERMATIL together with Timorese chefs and artists will organize Perma-Youth Camp and FinFest in Maubisse Village, Ainaro Municipality. At the same time, we will commemorate the National Day of Youth which falls on November 12th and National Independence Day on November 28th. The central theme of this 5th Perma-Youth Camp and this 2nd FinFest 2018 is ‘Natural resources and local knowledge as the foundation for life’. This theme was chosen because while Timor-Leste is a small country, it has diverse micro-climates, beautiful landscapes and is rich in natural resources linked to agriculture, biological diversity and a wealth of local knowledge. Today, our population is close to 1.3 million and the majority live in rural areas and depend on agriculture and forests for their economic base.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE

Young men and women in Timor-Leste will effectively and efficiently manage and use natural resources and local knowledge in their daily lives.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE

To make firm the use of natural resources for a sustainable life
To value and promote local knowledge and social and cultural diversity

Last week in the life of the Rotary Club of Bendigo Sandhurst

Thanks to Glenn and Martin for their organisation and support to the Swap Meet and to all members and friends who participated.

Letters of thanks for our Drought Relief donations from the Rotary Club of Coonabarabran and letters from 4 students who participated in the North West sports program in NSW.

Foundation Dinner- Thursday Nov 29^th Kangaroo Flat. Pat Sheehan will be representing the club at this dinner
Maurice reminded members of the early bird offer and dinner options for the Rotary Conference Feb 15-17, Melbourne, and Early bird closes end of Nov.
Toni reminded members of the wonderful opportunities to becoming involved “in all matters” pertaining to the successful operation of the club. In other words the AGM is on November 28^th and ALL positions will need to be filled. See Toni and Adrian for more information.

Wanted-Your excess IT equipment

To support Computers for Congo, Ray and Toni will be receiving working order computers, printers and infrastructure equipment during December. Phil Harris will be taking the IT equipment from Ray and Toni’s out to Tom’s warehouse in Epsom at the end of December.
A number of members identified that they have unwanted goods, so this is a call out to everyone and your friends to support this great work of Tom’s by donating you “in working order” out dated or replaced gear.

Graeme