This week’s started with the President proposing the Toast and calling for the Invocation from Elaine before announcing Josephs engagement. (A nice way to start the show. Ed) He also announced a slight change in format, in that our Speaker would be held over until after the meal.
The Chair this week was Ross who read out the apologies and then asked Bob for another update on John Barnes. John was off the respite care for the next 3 weeks and will plan his future from there.
The Chair now called for the Secretary/Treasurers Report.
Mark announced:
- The Market had a profit of $1852.06 (just to be precise);
- The Board reluctantly accepted Ailser’s resignation;
- The search for meeting venues is progressing slowly;
- The Club has contributed to the Rosebud Hospital fundraising;
- Rotary Against Malaria (RAM) fundraising is underway;
- Our Club Debit Card is “in the mail”; and
- The Container Deposit Scheme has, currently, raised the Club 90 cents.
Geoff now spoke about Riding for the Disabled, which we used to support. The organisation has been given an indoor arena which will allow them to function all year round. However, they need funds for the maintenance of their horses. It is very rewarding for any volunteers.
On another subject, Geoff spoke about the Community Garden and how it is now open to local organisations and is quite a success. There is a structure there which the Club built but, due to the Gardens popularity and the age of the structure, it is no longer fit for purpose and needs a re-work. The Shire will be approached for funding, but the Club can also assist, and Rotary grants may be available.
Marion also contributed to an update on the Garden which is much healthier thanks to the work of the volunteers and community support. New paving is going in in a weeks’ time.
Charles reminded the Meeting that Centurions Club entry forms are available. He also announced that Pete Anderson is the President Elect to follow Charles’ year.
Chris announced that we have a Bunnings BBQ on 7th July. He will also be contacting the Shire to seek clarification on what are their Requirements regarding the various stallholder permits.
The Lotto was drawn and won by Anne. We then had a Fines session a’ la Murray, which was successful in clearing the moths out of people’s pockets.
Anne now strode forward to give this week’s Person Behind the Badge.
Anne lived in Croydon for 18 years, attending Primary and High schools there and then started studying Nursing at the Alfred Hospital. This was three years of study and living at the nursing accommodation.
After graduation she shared a house in Camberwell with 3 other nurses for 2 years. It was a great “party place”.
She sat next to David at a friend’s wedding, and they were married a year later. They lived in Blackburn from 1967 and had two beautiful daughters, followed by four adorable grandchildren.
They moved to Safety Beach in 2002 and, apart from David’s passing, she regards it as the best place ever.
Now it was time for Chris to be the night’s Speaker and his subject was Rotary Membership:
- Membership is an involvement, there is no “Golden Apple” (sorry Chris but I forgot what that meant. Ed);
- When Rotary started, in 1927, Paul Harris and his connections were all in their 40’s. They had stable work and family lives;
- Joining Rotary was by invitation only and was targeted to Managers, Owners and Professionals;
- These targeted groupings were because they were seen as having the ideas, skills and money to get things started;
- Up into the 1990’s Rotary had the image of being elitist and has worked to change this image;
- Rotary needed feeder organisations and Rotaracts were established. However, Rotaract members have not progressed into Rotary Clubs and this needs to be addressed;
- People have four reasons for being interested in joining Rotary:
- Friendships,
- Service,
- Networking,
- Educations.
- How to find people is a major question and the solutions are myriad but boil down to;
- Having interesting Meetings and
- Promoting Club successes.
During many of Chris’ points the Meeting broke into discussions and provided many suggestions. (All too quick for me to note down. Ed) The Club has many success stories to tell; locally, nationally, and internationally. How we tell them is key.
Ross and Mack thanked Chris for the information and everyone for their contributions. The Meeting ended at 8:05.
P.S. All this week’s photos curtesy of our unofficial photographer Pete A.
“….members, family and friends who use the “cash in your containers” scheme with proceeds going to the Rotary Club of Dromana. Simply use our number C2000010586 for the money to go into our Project Account. The depot is at 32 Brasser Ave Dromana
