Welcome to Issue 36 (2024-25) of our weekly bulletin. Find out about our upcoming events, our guest speakers, what we covered during the last meeting and more!
Can't make our meeting in person please join us via Zoom:
Opportunities to volunteer -for non-Rotarian friends and volunteers:
* Bendigo Easter markets and BBQ - Contact Kevin - 0428 996 619
Week 4
26th March
2nd April
9th April
16th April
Speaker
Kevin Dobson
Member presentation
Samantha Brasher, Matilda Griffin, Chelsea Wood – NYSF Experiences
TBC
Planning for Easter & Strategic Plan
Meeting Location
Peppergreen Farm
Peppergreen Farm
Peppergreen Farm
Peppergreen Farm
Chair
Chris Purton
Rob Rosaia
Doug Lougoon
Stan Hendy
Computer
Toni Carrington
Cathie Miller
Allie Lyall
Ted Gretgrix
Set-Up 6.45am & pack up
Stew Annan
John Cannon
Toni Carrington
Liz Commadeur
Welcome, raffle & roaming microphone
Linda Barrow
Ian Johnson
Ned Upton
Kathryn Mackenzie
Co-President's report
Co-presidents report for 22 March, 2025
Our first item in our report this week is unfortunately a sad one. Brian Hinneberg has tendered his resignation to the club, taking effect from the end of this month.
Brian and wife Jo are in the process of relocating to the Geelong/Bellarine Peninsula area, and so will be severing their ties with us shortly.
They have both been very active, much-liked members of our club community, and we will miss them greatly.
Brian joined our club in October, 1990, after previously having been a member of the Bendigo Strathdale Rotary Club.
In his many years with us, Brian has served terms as our Treasurer, Secretary, Foundation Director, Sergeant, Chairperson, and member of our Finance & Governance Committee.
All clubs need members like Brian who has put his hand up to take on roles of responsibility to enable the club to function effectively, and so we thank him for his work and commitment to RCoBS over many years.
In recognition of his service to Rotary and our community at large, the club recognised Brian as a Paul Harris Fellow in July, 2023.
We hope he and Jo enjoy their new surroundings when their move is complete, and of course, they are welcome to visit us at any time, either in person, or via our Zoom meetings.
At our last meeting Brian and Jan Hodge presented on their work in Uganda. Brian has been a member of our club, and our project work at the time included building toilets in Uganda. Current work of Brian and Jan support
education for poor children (see further in the bulletin).
Knitting Project for Timor Leste. This coming week, we hope to pack 4 bales of knitted goods at the premises of Quality Wool, East Bendigo.
They will be part of a container-load of various other items put together from the Donations In Kind warehouse, due to leave in early April.
The knitting project is now in its 16th year of operation, and is one of our signature projects in trying to help people in Timor Leste get quality clothing for babies and young children.
Next week, we will have a fuller report of the history and effectiveness of this excellent international program of our club.
Co-presidents Ray and Adrian
Guest Speaker - Update on Uganda project work by Brian and Jan Hodge
Brian and Jan have been involved with Uganda since 2009 in general supporting disadvantaged children. Two projects funded by the Sandhurst Rotary Club were a compost toilet for Care 4 Kids orphanage and a second compost toilet for Sita Nest Mothers Love Home, which is another orphanage. The second toilet is still in use, having been upgraded to a flushing toilet now connected to the sewerage system.
In 2022 Brian and Jan returned to Uganda, spending approximately 9 months there to establish The Blue Kangaroo Kindergarten/Primary school. The school commenced with 20 children who are predominantly orphans and abandoned children. Brian Made educational toys whilst there, and adapted existing tables to meet the initial need of the school, having purchased 20 small plastic chairs.
The school started in a borrowed room with school registration under a separate private school, however in 2024 it was relocated to property owned by Jan’s brother & Immy his In June 2024 Immy registered the school under her own name making it independently owned, with all funding supplied by Brian & Jan. Brian touched on some of the challenges faced in the country, including cultural differences, but also shared some heartwarming experiences when noticing the generosity of the poor children. Brian will be returning to Uganda on June 4th 2025, returning on June 19th. He also shared a wishlist of needs for the school that they currently lack funding for, the most pressing being school tables and chairs, as many of the children have outgrown the original furniture.
Exciting news from our hardworking market committee! The Bendigo Sandhurst Rotary Easter Markets have officially SOLD OUT of stall sites in record time!
This incredible response highlights the growing popularity of our much-loved community event, and we couldn't be more thrilled. This year’s market promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a vibrant mix of stalls offering something for everyone.
From stunning home décor to delicious sweet and savoury foods, wellbeing products, and pampering essentials, there will be plenty to explore and enjoy.
The Market Committee is a well organised and wonderful team of RCOBS members. Our next steps are checking the sites, meeting with Council, allocating vendors to sites and praying for good weather.
We value your involvement and also being available on Friday and Sunday of Easter to lend a hand.Tell all your friends and families . Whether it's hunting for the perfect Easter gift, indulging in tasty treats, or simply soaking up the festive atmosphere, the market will be a wonderful place to celebrate the season.
We can’t wait to welcome our fantastic stallholders and the community for a fun-filled day of shopping, connection, and Easter joy!
