There has been a change in Directors – Glenn Maloney has resigned from Youth Services and Martin Ruffell has agreed to finish the year and continue into next year with Paul. Thanks very much Martin and welcome aboard.
On a sadder note – the Club sends condolences to Sarah Cunningham on the passing of her father. Our thoughts are with you Sarah.
Feedback from Board meeting that was held last night.
The Board approved purchasing another money spinner to keep in Hargreaves Mall as the current one is being used at the BBQ’s. We are still paying the licence to have it there.
LOA was granted to Michelle for the rest of this Rotary year.
This means we need another person to help with the administration of the markets. Currently Evelyn is doing the job of 2 people.
The Australia Day market is in hand but we DESPERATELY need some-one to help with the Easter market. The organising for this has already started as Easter is a bit earlier this year. The main assistance required is managing the spreadsheet and emails. The committee have a good system in place but it needs 2 people to do it.
Contact Evelyn, Rob or myself if you can help out.
Also, on Australia Day the cluster is having an International Expo at the lake. The purpose of the expo is to inform the general public on the range of activities that Rotary is involved in on the international stage. There will be displays from the cluster clubs as well as some other District projects.
John Cannon is co-ordinating our display. Stop by and have a look on the day.
The main purpose of this Board meeting was follow up the outcome of the BBEA review/ recommendations and the feedback from the committee.
We also need to commence the planning for a review of our current strategic plan and address the risks that were identified from the BBEA review.
Very briefly, the Board recommended that we stop doing the BBEA, but before a final decision is made, we want input from the members. As such, an email will be circulated with more information and asking for feedback and/or suggestions.
The review of the strategic plan will be commenced at a joint (current and incoming) Board meeting on Feb 12th.
Reports:
Valentine’s Day Ball.
Judy reported that most of the cluster clubs are now attending meetings.
The funds raised from the ball are going to the Oncology Unit at Bendigo Health. There are now quite a few sponsors that have committed to supporting the event.
The committee are looking for donations for raffle prizes on the night.
Rotarians are also being encouraged to attend.
Australia Day:
Peter reported that this’s year event will be different to previous years and he will bring along more information to show members next week.
The most important thing is for members to be available on the day.
Rosters will be developed very soon.
Guest Speaker
Who is Ted Gretgrix?
Ted started off by introducing us to his family tree and the origin of his surname – it is thought to have been a mistake on the wedding certificate of his great grandfather and has endured.
Ted’s father grew up on a farm near Teddywaddy West – great name!
His parents married late (due to the war) and purchased a farm at Emu that wasn’t very productive. When Ted was about 1, the family moved to a better farm west of Brin – not sure if the spelling is correct! This farm was much more prosperous as the wool prices had improved. Ted was actively involved with the farm and local sporting activities as he grew up – especially football.
At 17, his father gave him part of the farm to work himself. Soon after he won the raffle to be conscripted into the army and ended up doing officer training. This was a good experience for Ted as it improved the self-confidence of a quiet farm boy.
Ted met his first wife while he was in the army and when he was discharged they got married, returned to farming and had 3 children.
In 1980, Ted was a member of the GSE team that went to USA and was exposed to some great ideas
After this, Ted moved to Bagshot to take on a bigger farm – at the beginning of a drought. By 1991, life had become very difficult because of the rural depression and trying to keep the farm going and Ted and his wife eventually divorced. During this time, Ted had applied to become a rural financial counsellor with the Rural Financial Counselling Service.
Ted met and married Cheryl in 1994 and now had an extra 2 children.
In 1999, Ted sold the farm as none of the children wanted to take it on. The kids are now all grown up with careers and children of their own – Ted has 7 grandchildren ranging in age from 10 mths to 5 years and hoping for more.
Ted and Cheryl are now looking forward to travelling and enjoying the grandchildren.
Ted then spoke about his work with the Rural Financial Counselling Service of Victoria where he worked for 22 years – what the service was, why it was needed and the issues that the farming community face.
Great talk Ted. I hope I have captured it correctly.
A big report and a lot to think about this week. Have a great week and see you all next week.
Cathie:
