14 Nov - Foundation Dinner $45 two-course meal. 6:30pm for 7:00pm at Chasers Function Centre, Lords Raceway, Junortoun. RSVP no later than 7th November 2024 but earlier advice to Wayne Smith, RC of Bendigo at chartall@bigpond.com
16 Nov Medical Maestros - Lizzie Barrow performs at St Paul's Catherdral fundraiser for Bendigo Health.
16 & 17 Nov - Swap Meet BBQ
Bendigo Toyota Golf day fundraiser for Foodshare plus every entrant gets a chance at the Hole in One prize.
23 Nov - Rochester RC 60th Anniversary. 6.30pm The Shire Hall
27 Nov AGM - Club AGM at PepperGreen breakfast meeting 27 November – see email to members sent by John Harkin 7:26pm 30 Oct 2024
29 Nov (Fri) - Bendigo Community Health Fun Fair at Future Gardens 4-7pm a great fun evening for after school and work. Fiid trucks, BBq icecream, Live music.
8 Dec Christmas Lunch - Boundary Hotel 11.30 for 12noon lunch. Contact Judy.
1 - 5 May 2025 Barham Weekend
Phone 5453 2553 to book a site/cabin and say you are from Rotary.
6-11 April 2025 - 47th Annual Golf Tournament South Lakes Golf Club Goolwa SA. Bookings can be made at: Contact - Rob Motteram 0407 617 422
The Annual General Meeting of the Rotary Club of Bendigo Sandhurst Inc. will be held at 7:30AM on Wednesday 27 November 2024 at PepperGreen Farm, North Bendigo.
The AGM for 2023-24 will precede our normal breakfast meeting that day, and takes only about 10 minutes. It will not interfere with a Guest Speaker, if any. As a quorum of members is needed and if you cannot attend, please call in on Zoom, or provide a proxy.
It is legally required that all Incorporated organisations such as ours hold their AGM by the end of November each year and for the Secretary to advise Consumer Affairs (CAV) by the end of December that the club has complied.
NMembers will receive an email with a copy of the minutes of last year's AGM. The Agenda of this year's meeting will be similar.
Our guest speaker this week was Jorg Metz, who delivered a most informative and passionate presentation concerning the continent of Antarctica. He is one of the relatively few people on the planet who understand the importance of Antarctica (and the Arctic) in shaping our climate, and therefore the need to preserve it in a pristine condition as long as possible. He covered many aspects of scientific research in his presentation, and not just limited to Antarctica. We thank Jorg for taking the time to visit us, and sharing his knowedge of this awesome continent with us.
Stewart Annan represented the club at the Bendigo Sub-Branch of the RSL on Friday night. The RSL conducted an event in support of serving and past members of the ADF, and some Police Force members. We supported this event financially, as the board had decided it was a very good use of funds we had donated to the RSL some time previously. Stewart has a much fuller report on the evening and its purpose a little bit later on.
Linda Barrow has recorded a recruitment advertisement for broadcasting on radio KLFM, and as soon as we are able get a schedule from the station, we will let everyone know.
Finally, we hope the Rotary recreational vehicle MUSTER over the past few days here in Bendigo has been good fun for all concerned. Several RCOBS members, some partners and friends mustered at Epsom with Rotarians, their partners and other friends, from Vic and SA, in exploring Bendigo and surrounds. We will probably never know what they got up to, as Musterer Stan Hendy always tells us that knowledge of what goes on when mustering stays only with the musterers …
Co-presidents Adrian and Ray.
Guest Speaker-Jorg Metz
Jorg shared his experiences of visiting Antarctica and his advocacy for the Southern Ocean to be included in the Antarctic Treaty. Jorg completed scientific research at Casey Station in 2011 and 2012. The opportunity to live in such a remote and unique environment had a profound impact on him such that he has a passion about promoting the importance of this great continent. The treaty protects Antarctica as a place of peace and scientific research. It is untouched by war and the treaty protects against any territorial claims to the continent.
Jorg provided some interesting background information which helps to explain why the environment is so unique. Some 70% of the world's freshwater is held in the Antarctic ice sheet. There is a distinction between the magnetic south pole and the geographic south pole. The geographic south pole is in the centre of Antarctica, the magnetic south pole is off the east coast. Some 50,000 tourists per year make entry through the peninsula off the west coast. The blue whale which inhabits the surrounding ocean is the world's largest animal, yes even including the huge dinosaurs.
Australian scientists are well represented in Antarctica and Tasmania is an important gateway to the continent. There is clear evidence of global warming in that the ice is not extending nearly as far as it once did. Australia recently invested in a new ice breaker, evidence of the government's support for the research being undertaken. There is no doubt that the continent holds a significant reserve of oil. In view of this the signatories to the treaty have an ongoing challenge to ensure this is not exploited.
Jorg displayed many examples of the art he uses to promote the importance of the treaty. This is an interesting approach which explores the world where art and science intersect. Jorg has made many presentations to school and community groups. The treaty which was originally signed in 1959 now has 57 signatories. Jorg commented that this would be a rare example where the US, China and Russia agree on something. It was refreshing to experience Jorg's passion and commitment to this important work. Members certainly picked up a lot of interesting geological information like the fact that Mt. Everest is growing by 2 metres each year.
RSL - Strong Life Project Dinner
The Strong Life Project refers to the work of former Qld police officer, Shaun O’Gorman.
Shaun’s personal story is one of self-help and resilience in the face of very tough
circumstances. The Strong Life Project deals with mental health, including PTSD. Given his background, the focus for Shaun’s work is with serving and ex-police/military personnel.
Shaun flew in from Queensland to serve as the keynote speaker at a Bendigo RSL dinner last week. Our club’s earlier (pre covid) donation of $5,000 to the RSL provided the major source of funds for the event.
Shaun is a very full-on, no-nonsense personality. He spoke about his own story, his
experiences and behaviours that lead him to the depths of despair, and his subsequent long and painful road to recovery. He emphasised several key points, being:
- Taking personal responsibility for recovery, not deflecting blame elsewhere.
- Allowing the positive thoughts to emerge through the inner brain’s filter, whilst
blocking negative thoughts.
- Look after yourself physically – good sleep, diet and exercise.
Simple points, but put across by Shaun with energy, and a style that ensured full
engagement with his audience.
In thanking Shaun, RSL President Glenn Ludeman flagged that the RSL plans to make the very important topic of mental health amongst ex-frontline personnel an on-going theme and focus for future activities. He is keen for other community organisations to participate.
