Bulletin 30 RCoBS (Feb 21, 2019)

Chairman Rob, commenced proceedings after getting the team organised in their new digs.

Bluey and Jess had set up the dining room for a business lunch, however the “set up crew” led by Cathie and Butch thought, why don’t we use this end and change things around so everyone can hear well. It worked, well done.

Rob after having everyone organised, immediately went into his stand-up routine, however after a long story, a groan was heard, get on with it!!

Unfortunately Julie Hommelhoff from Lightning Reef Primary School cannot attend, so instead members were treated to a Conference report

Presidents report

RI Presidents Rep. Stephanie Urchick was in Bendigo on Tuesday along with DG Bronwyn and PDG Julie Mason. As guests of the Goldfields Cluster they were treated to a visit at the Mechanics Institute in California Gully, where P. Alison Bacon from Eaglehawk RC put on morning tea and commenced the overview of what was happening in the cluster and in her club.

We then went across to the RANCH, where Patti and Carol had a great display set up to show Stephanie what the knitting project was all about. Thanks to Patti, Carol, Toni, Ray and Ted for all of their work in preparing for Stephanie’s visit. Visitors were “gob smacked” by the organisation, complexity and tangible and intangible physical and mental benefits gained by recipients and participants alike.

After a great lunch at the Gateway, with P. Bruce McClure from Kangaroo Flat, a visit to the Chinese Museum was organised by Chairman Doug. It was fantastic as Russell Jack was in fine form and Doug (in absolute sartorial elegance-was that a new suit and shirt from a Hong Kong tailor?) gave a great overview of the existing and new dragon and our club’s involvement. Thanks Doug and Russell.

The crew then travelled out to Camp Getaway where Chairman Wayne Smith gave a great introduction and PP Paul Kirkpatrick an historical context of the camp. After a “spread fit for a king”, the visitors were given a tour of the camp

A number of positive comments were made to me as to the “length and breadth” of the involvement of our club members in so many important organisations and activities in our community, as well as nationally and international.

Thanks everyone for taking the time and making yourself available for the visit. I can assure you all that Stephanie, Bronwyn and Julie went away with their ”heads spinning”. Below is an email from Bronwyn.

“What a super day we had yesterday. I am still smiling after the wonderful day together. Stephanie was reflecting on the car journey back of all the wonderful projects, people and cultural experiences you packed into the short time we spent in Bendigo.

It was important to share what is important in regional Victoria. We all have plenty of food for thought.”

Thanks to ADG Cliff Downey for his organisation.

Conference Report

Graeme reported on attending the Multi District conference along with Cathie, Toni, Ray and Maurice.

The conference transcripts will be on the D 9800 website.

The overarching theme was about diversity and the challenge that we all have to embrace those who are perceived to be different from us.

Cathie was impressed by the talk by Lord Mayor Sally Capp, about homelessness and the strategies adopted by the Melbourne City Council (Watch this space for what will be happening in Bendigo this winter). Leadership in a male environment was the presentation by Christine Nixon, another challenging and inspirational talk.

Toni was enthralled and drawn to tears by John Soe, a man now in his 60’s who suffered all of the agony, humiliation and disappointments of being discarded by his family as he “has polio”. After being rescued by a Rotarian, John now has a successful career in Indonesia. His message is “End Polio Now”.

Ray was fascinated by Dr Edna Adan Ismail, from Somaliland as we all were. Her journey to build a hospital and train midwives and doctors is truly inspirational amongst war and conflict we cannot imagine. He also spoke about the great “World of Difference “project of D9800 in Cambodia.

Maurice was impressed by Brittany Arthur a young Melbourne girl who now works between Berlin and Tokyo, in connecting young people with Rotary and facilitating networking for business and organisations. Sheree Marris gave only what could be called an entertaining and fascinating insight into our underwater world in Port Phillip Bay. Her underlying message, again, was that the diversity that exists must be encouraged as well as preserved.

Graeme highlighted Grace Forrest who spoke on “human Slavery” and how it “is in Australia” and Jason Ball a young footballer, who has been responsible for the Pride marches and empowering young people to be “free to be me”.

The Multi District Conference was a great success, as we had the opportunity to meet and talk with members of clubs from four districts as well as see the showcase of 73 different projects facilitated by clubs and districts.

International

Ray has some “Computers for Congo” to be delivered to the storage at Epsom. Let your friends know if they also wish to support this great project.

Welcome and set up at the Bridge.

For those who are rostered on for welcome and set up please ensure that you have a replacement if you cannot attend the meeting.

Welcome; bring down from upstairs the box with all of the name badges and set up on a table near the bar. Ideally be at the hotel by 6.45am. Meet and greet all Rotarians with their badge and guests and ensure the guest speaker is introduced to the chair for the morning to arrange their breakfast and program.

Set up; again from upstairs bring down the briefcase, laptop, gong and gavel and the raffle ticket container. From the bar ask for the Rotary key for the small box adjacent to the right hand side of the dining room.

The box contains;

One black HDMI lead which connects from the wall socket to our laptop.
One microphone and lead, which connects into the socket on the wall. It has a volume control on the wall.
One remote control for the overhead projector.

Pull down the screen on the end wall. It is not automatic.

Connect all leads, test for sound and turn on the laptop. Turn on the projector with the remote control.

At the end of the meeting reverse the order of set up and return the key to the bar.

Tree Watering.

There will be a tree watering working bee at OTIS, Tannery Lane on Monday Feb. 25 at 5.00 pm. Please let Graeme know if you can attend-bring a bucket/watering can

Cheers,

Graeme