Happenings at last weeks’ meeting
Harry opened the meeting by reminding the members that the visit to Disaster Aid, in Doveton, has been arranged for 2nd June. The visit will include a meal and a demonstration of the SkyHydrant. Next, Harry flagged that the Market is on the 29th and the signs will need to be erected on the 23rd so volunteers are required for both dates. He then handed the Meeting over to Bernard Dobson to chair.
Bernard called on Secretary Chris.
Chris ran through the apologies and gave a brief update on how Ray and Elaine are doing. Any assistance with the ride on mower would be welcome. Next, he reported on the latest Board Meeting. Funds distributed went to:
- SkyHydrant for Tonga;
- Flood Relief;
- Lift the Lid;
- Rotary Foundation;
- Sri Lanka Food Project; and
- $3,000-$4,000 as seed money to set up an Interplas team with buy-in from our fellow Cluster clubs.
Donations have been solicited from CareFlight and it was recommended that the Board authorise $1,000 for the Gippsland Rotary Centenary House.
Lastly, Chris reminded the meeting that it was time to review our By-laws and Constitution. Luckily he didn’t ask for volunteers because he would have been killed in the stampede.
Harry returned with a thanks to Greg and Tony, for putting out the Market numbers, and also to congratulate Murray on his Shine On award. (more later).
Bernard introduced Bob Donaldson for his talk on “Why I Joined Rotary”.
Bob spoke about his feeling, as he was growing up, that he was privy to a privileged upbringing when he compared his life to other. Whether this was true, or not, he wanted to do something for the “less fortunate”. Of course Work and Family changed his focus but, on retirement he re-kindled his thoughts on others (not unusual for many of us). Initially he contacted Rosebud Rotary but moved to Dromana and got in contact with the Barnard-Browns who convinced him to join Dromana Rotary in 2011. He has felt that the “needs are greater than the offering” but it does help to reward the needs of his younger self.
The Chair called upon Sergeant Merv for the Lotto and Fines. Lotto was won by your Ed (but this blatant bribe will not sway me from reporting the unbiased truth) and Fines were kind and reasonable and perfectly justified.
There were no Directors Reports.
Mark Long raised the question of the status of the Strategic Plan and why it has not been mentioned in the meetings. A discussion ensued and the following points were made:
- The Board has had discussion on the designation of people to take on part of the Plan;
- However, due to the imminent changeover to the new Board it has been difficult to apportion the tasks;
- The incoming Directors will take responsibility for starting the nest stage of the implementation of the Plan, as it is recognised as a multi-year effort.
Bernard now introduced Joseph for his talk on My Life So Far.
Joseph had grown up in, and grown to love, the Rosebud/Portsea area, so in 2013 he moved to Safety Beach. Having worked as a real estate agent, in 2004 he started in the wine business with his wine warehouse. The existing wine glut helped him to force prices down but he found that he was promoting existing brand and decided to move into clean skins and create his own brands. He was supplying to restaurants and, as retail began to be squeezed for margins he found that wholesale was the way to go. COVID hit hard but he decided to open to the public and the community responded and helped out. He, and his family have always been in retail and he sees wine as being recession-proof.
He sees Rotary as a means of giving back to the local community. He has family and contacts within Rotary and feels that Rotary has always had a tasteful image.
He has 2 daughters and 2 large St Bernard dogs. His other loves are cars and skiing.
In his upcoming directorship he looks forward to using the Strategic Plan and has already set up a Wine Lovers/Two Bays Brewery night on the 18th July.
Harry gave a vote of thanks to Joseph.
Tony reminded the meeting that help was required on the 23rd to erect the Market signs.
On this note the meeting closed at 8:10.
More Donations.
“Thank you for donating to The Rotary Foundation for your club or its members. Charitable donations to The Rotary Foundation enable Rotary members to undertake life-changing projects around the world.
Our records show you donated AUD 2000, directed to Annual Fund-SHARE by VISA. The confirmation number for your donation is c1461165tmn2006. The club or members will receive recognition and any tax documentation.
Thank you for your leadership. You are making a difference through The Rotary Foundation.”
“Donation#: | 267088 |
Your Name: | Rotary Club of Dromana |
Address: | 12 Moonlight Mews
Safety Beach VIC 3936 |
Phone: | 0409940033 |
Donor is: | Member of Dromana (District 9820) |
Amount: | $1,300.00 |
Project ID: | 83-2014-15 |
Project Name: | Ukrainian Humanitarian Relief Aid |
| | |
“Donation#: | 266997 |
Your Name: | Rotary Club of Dromana |
Address: | 12 Moonlight Mews
Safety Beach VIC 3936 |
Phone: | 0409940033 |
Donor is: | Member of Dromana (District 9820) |
Amount: | $1,000.00 |
Project ID: | 47-2021-22 |
Project Name: | National Flood Appeal (RARF) |
The Shine On Celebration.
The event was on the 14th May. Here is the citation for Murray that was in the Program.
“ MURRAY DART A keen surfer, Murray suffered a stroke while surfing and was brought back to life and in a coma for many months. His recovery has been slow and difficult but his determination and uplifting spirit remain. Murray is a Rotarian and a volunteer and has regained some of his skills as a carpenter and helps others at the Men’s Shed.”
I should also point out that Murray has been a prime mover at the establishment of the Women’s Shed.
