Happenings at last week’s Meeting
President Mick began the meeting by welcoming our Special Guests; District Governor Linda Humphries and her husband, past DG Mark Humphries and Assistant Governor Peter Rawlings.
Mick then went on to briefly talk about the upcoming anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. He spoke of the shock to the trainees and the realisation of what they were heading into. He also spoke of the loss of a training buddy due to the silly tragedies of war. He commended everyone to remember the 18th August. Lastly he spoke of the great night he had had at the Mt Eliza Club where they were shown the work being done by Interplast and discussed further support.
Mick now invited DG Linda to address the Meeting. She began by harking back to her first encounter with the Club, back in the old Shire Offices. Dromana Club has always been a “down to earth” group with a great connection to the community as well as a strong connection to the world.
Linda went on to talk about the RI President’s (Gordon R. McInally) prioritisation of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Peace and the Empowerment of Women as his main foci for his time in office. To this end a Mental Health Forum is being planned for next June and it is hoped that Gordon will be able to be included. Mental Health is important to Rotary Members as well.
Linda now touched on a number of subjects:
- The merger of Districts 9820 and 9810 to form 9815 will produce a district of some 80+ Clubs with Colin Byron as the designated new District Governor;
- The Regionalisation Project has been sending our updates on its progress to all Members. Essentially this project will enable the removal of “middle management” layers and provide a more responsive organisation; and
- The Rotary Foundation does a magnificent job of supporting international projects but it is surprising that some 60% of Rotarians, internationally, don’t make individual donations.
On that last note, Linda now handed over the Mark to briefly talk about the RI Foundation.
Mark made just a few points:
- The Foundation has received in the order of $82,000 from the Dromana Rotary Club;
- The Polio Plus Society is an initiative focussing exclusively on the final push to eradicate Polio. As well as providing the inoculations the Society is working on providing safe water for all children, such as the SkyHydrants into Bhutan. In addition, there will be other local project to come with the assistance of DHA.
Linda now finalised her talk with a few topics:
- Rotary Branding is very important and we must all think about it as we progress with Club projects;
- There is a “DG Live” zoom session every three weeks which is an opportunity to ask questions and have discussions; and
- The District Conference will be held from the 23rd to the 25th February next year. It our last celebration of the District and will be held in Warrnambool.
Now there was an opportunity for Questions and we had a wide ranging discussion on the promotion of Rotary locally and internationally.
Mick thanked Linda and Mark for taking the time to visit and talk with the Members. He reminded everyone that next weeks Guest Speaker is “Twiggy” Dunn and handed the Meeting proper over to Tony as the Chair.
Tony (setting an example by following the “script”. Ed.) now called back Mick for the Presidents Report.
This was brief, announcing that there would be Club Visits during October and November and that next week we gear up for the next Market.
Tony now called on Mark for the Treasurers Report:
- The next Club for us to visit is Rosebud/Rye on the 4th October;
- The 29th August (a Tuesday) we will be visiting the Community House in Gibson Street, starting at 5:30;
- The Community House AGM is on 4th September;
- Although the Club still intends to “gift” the Shire with a picnic table to commemorate the 100/50 year Rotary Celebration, the Shire is not being very “helpful”;
- Approaching the Shire regarding taking on the maintenance of a house, may be postponed until the picnic table issue is sorted;
- The Model United Nations Assembly is being conducted this week; and
- The option of storing all our Club “gear” at the Sailing Club is being discussed.
The Chair now called for Directors Reports.
Lyn announced that the Mock Interviews are being held at Balcombe Grammer next week. She will also be approaching Dromana Specialist College regarding the Club assisting them.
Now it was Lotto, drawn by Linda and won by Marion.
Alas there was no Fines Session as we were all in a hurry to get home to watch the Matildas vs England match. (I won’t let on who won. Ed.)
President Mick thanked DG Linda, Mark and Peter for joining us and then closed the meeting at 7:55.
