Welcome to Issue 42 (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:
* Upcoming BBQs - Contact Kevin - 0428 996 619
Meeting Roster
7-May
14-May
21-May
28-May
Speaker
Phil Redmond
The Impact of WW1 on Bendigo’s Doxford Family
Bonni Barkmeyer
Regional News Reporter
Alex Caines
Vocational Youth Peer Support - Headspace
Ben Hubbard
Experiences in Senior levels of government
Meeting Location
Peppergreen Farm
Peppergreen Farm
Peppergreen Farm
Peppergreen Farm
Chair
Doug Lougoon
Chris Purton
Stan Hendy
Rob Rosaia
Computer
Allie Lyall
Ted Gretgrix
Doug Lougoon
Toni Carrington
Set-Up 6.45am & pack up
Kathryn Mackenzie
Kevin Dobson
Phil Harris
Stan Hendy
Welcome, raffle & roaming microphone
Stew Annan
John Cannon
Toni Carrington
Liz Commadeur
Co-President's report
Co-presidents report, 30 April 2025
This week, we paid an industry visit to the Bendigo Share and Repair Shed, in Garsed Street. This was most interesting and thought-provoking. We were treated to a history of how this innovative community enterprise evolved a few years ago, where it sees itself today, and plans for its future. Great credit is due to the all-volunteer staff of the organisation for their passion and drive to establish it, and to maintain its presence in Bendigo. We were given a very good insight into what they do to rescue and repair all manner of clothing and materials, tools and equipment, etc, in order to try to achieve a circular economy. Thank you also to the staff present who got kindly got up early and made us a very tasty breakfast. Jim has a fuller report on the visit further in the bulletin.
The next board meeting will be on Tuesday 6 May at 5pm, at the home of Toni and Ray Carrington. As always, club members are most welcome to attend in person or via Zoom, as per the club meeting link in the bulletin.
Quite a few members are off to Barham for a few days this weekend. We hope they enjoy the trip, but we will probably never know if they did or not. It seems that “What goes on in Barham, stays in Barham”, so we are most likely to remain in the dark about their goings-on up there …
Please be sure to put our upcoming changeover event in your diary. It will be a lunch time function at Camp Get Away on Sunday 29th June. We look forward to the installation of Cathie and Allie as co-presidents for this upcoming Rotary year, with the knowledge the club will be in good hands during their tenure.
See you at our club meeting next week.
Co-presidents Adrian and Ray
Industry Visit to Bendigo Share & Repair Shed
Members enjoyed the hospitality and were very impressed with what is on offer at the Bendigo Share and Repair Shed in Garsed Street. This initiative came out of humble beginnings with people bringing in items for repair at the Good Loaf, Pepper Green Farm and the Church on the Hill. The operation is now an Independent Cooperative and as such has been able to attract Government Funding as well as the support of Council. The Shed is now a legitimate partner in the Council's stream with waste for repair.
Elsie and her team have attracted around forty enthusiastic volunteers who are foundational to the success of the operation. The role of volunteers is critical to ongoing sustainability as is the need to generate income. Elsie stressed the importance of income both from grants and regular day to day sales. This is important given the $1K weekly rental on what is a wonderful facility. The Shed places great importance on education both in terms of visits from schools and its insistence that people wanting repairs wait and try to learn the process of restoration.
Repair Cafe is an International movement which promotes the importance of challenging the mindset of "a throw away society". Workshops are conducted about ways to mend and remake things. The "Remakery" has a range of products for sale made from quality fabrics including denim, linen and cotton. There is also a range of kitchenalia for sale. The community can access a wide range of tools from the "toolshed" for the modest annual fee of $80. It was interesting to note Rob's observation when viewing the hand tools, "I'm not interested in anything without a motor". (Is anyone surprised?)
Elsie quoted a very interesting statistic, the average usage of a drill is 17 minutes. There is a lot of very good equipment out there that is in nearly new condition. She invited members to donate excess equipment they might have as well as promoting what the Shed has to offer. It is important to note that the Shed is not a recycling centre. As well as being a very informative opportunity for members we were greeted to very generous hospitality in the form of a hearty breakfast. We thank Elsie and her team for this, and we congratulate them on the wonderful progress which has occurred since we last touched base.
Jim Rolfe
Co-president Ray discussing the tool library with Noel
Graeme L with Elsie from the Bendigo Share and Repair Shed.
The Barham Social Weekend
We all know that what happens on the Barham weekend stays at Barham. Suffice to say that it was another great social outing by current members and partners and some past members and partners.
Some of activities included lawn bowls, retail therapy and dining out.
For those who don't know Barham is a small country town nestled on the north side of the Murray River opposite its little sister town of Koondrook on the Victorian side of the river.
Our Rotary Club has been visiting Barham annually for a social outing for several years and the numbers that attend indicate that it is still an enjoyable place to visit.
Why Barham you may ask? Well, it is a little town with a strong heart and in my opinion is a place that is great to "chill out" in for a few days and watch the river meander past and enjoy the company of some great people.
Stan Hendy
Dinner at the Royal Hotel Barham
An enjoyable afternoon of cards and games for some of the crew.
