I’m guessing there’s never been an Irish quote in our weekly bulletin, so I thought I’d change that.

Welcome to our new Rotary Year, a year in which we will have a stronger Club on 1^st July 2017 than we did on 1^st July 2016, and with your help and support, we will all achieve this.

Thank you to everyone who came to our Changeover at Basement on View. What a fun and memorable night. No more bin jokes please. Thank you to John Forbes OAM for his kind donation to the Club during our Changeover from the sales of his book, ‘Forbesy: The John Forbes Story’.

We’ve have had official confirmation from District that it is now no longer a requirement to report meeting attendance to district. However, we should continue to record meeting attendance internally to monitor the level of engagement of our members and to have someone follow up those not attending as to whether they have family, business or other issues which the club can support them with.

DG Neville John will visit our Club on Wednesday 17^th August. Let’s have a big turnout that day and make DG Neville very welcome.

District are holding a Foundation Grants seminar on Monday 1^st August (6:00pm for 6:30pm) at Rotary Gateway Function Centre, 26 High Street, Kangaroo Flat. Cost is $20.00 per head, including a 2 course meal with drinks at Rotarian prices. Club attendance at this seminar will qualify us to be able to submit either an application for a District or Global grant to the District Grants Committee. So if anyone is available to attend this seminar, we would like to send as many club members as possible – confirm attendance to: ecosales@tpg.com.au before 28^th July 2016.

Our guest speaker this week Pam Harvie, Clinical Communication Skills in Healthcare, Monash University Medical Programme, gave a very informative talk on the clinical school being offered to students here in Bendigo. Her aspiration is to have a cohort of students that will study and eventually, work here in the Region - currently, the Programme has upwards of 90 students. Pam uses the subjects of artworks as a medium to encourage students to reflect upon the individual and contemplate their history. It is her firm belief that all students will be better practitioners by reflecting on the other person – the patient.

We received a Certificate of Appreciation from Reclink Australia for all the hard work in providing BBQ at their recent footy games in Bendigo, thanks to PP Paul Henderson. The next game is in Sunbury and any help with the BBQ would be appreciated there. Contact PP Paul, if you are able to assist.

Last week we had a good turnout of Rotarians for the annual HALT ‘Save your Bacon’ Breakfast which was a fantastic morning. HALT are very appreciative of the help we provide them with this event and are making great progress in raising awareness of the help and support available to tradies during difficult times.

Have a great week in Rotary and I look forward to your company again next week at Vahlands café for our informal meeting.

Conor Cunningham
President 2016/17

PS – If you’re wondering about a translation of the Irish quote, it means Health is better than wealth.