Spring seems to have arrived fitfully but in typical Victorian style - sunny one day, freezing the next. But the gardens and birds are certainly heralding spring with energetic flowering, prolific growth and busy (and noisy) nesting. The Rotary year is also bursting into life as we enter the busiest period in the Club’s calendar.
Activities over the next month include the Wheelchair for Kids Wheelathon organised by the Interact Club at Montmorency Secondary College this Friday 15 September; a partners night at Maroush organised by Les Coath on 16 September; the Footy Night at the Heidelberg Golf Club next Thursday 21 September; sausage sizzle for Nillumbik Council at the opening of the Eltham Convention and Reception Centre on 7 October; the Lift the Lid on Mental Health display at Bunnings on 8 October; and the Melbourne Marathon on 15 October. And of course preparations for this year’s Festival are in full swing. All of these activities do not happen without considerable effort and organisation by many Rotary members and I thank all of those who have volunteered for additional duties as well as carrying on with our usual activities. As well as being fundraisers, these events serve as valuable promotional opportunities for the Club. We will certainly be very visible in and around Eltham over the next few months.
This is the LAST WEEK for booking for the Footy Night on Thursday 21 September. The committee of Alison Cooper, John O’Callaghan and Irene Cant has been working very hard to make this a special night so please organise your family and friends and book ASAP. The program format is coming together - panel members include Greg Champion, our own resident expert Rob Kilcullen, and passionate magpie supporter from Diamond Creek Rotary, Bev Baker. A special guest will be young Bulldog recruit and local resident Patrick Lapinski who played in his very first AFL game a fortnight ago. So expect lots of fun and games.
Congratulations to this week’s BBQ team which raised $1122 on Sunday. Is this a record? Well done Brett Linsell, Melissa Anderson, Vicki Mackrell and Nick Ikonomou. Cheers, President Judy
Lower Eltham Park BBQ 9:30 am - 2:30 pm
You are responsible for finding a replacement if you are unable to do your rostered duty and to notify Lyn Truran ljtruran@bigpond.com
I am sure that members and friends will be interested in this week's guest speakers. We are pleased to have three speakers this week - Neil Barras, Neil Bland and Barry Gunning - all of whom are retirees with a commitment to assisting others' transition into retirement or to assist those who are already in retirement to live a purposeful and fulfiling life.
Their presentation will be focussing on life and the significant changes that everyone goes through as they mature into retirement - another change in our life's journey. In the presentation Neil, Barry and Neil would like participants to engage with them in exploring retirement and what this phase of life means for each of us. Discussion will focus on issues and questions that might be considered as we prepare for retirement of when already in retirement.
Please register and bring along either your partner or friends who may be interested in this topic.
Bring your partner along for a friendly and relaxed social evening at Maroush Lebanese restaurant (Main Road Eltham), and get to know your fellow Rotarians. Saturday 16 September at 7.30pm. Please RSVP to Les Coath by Thursday 14/9.
Lord/Lady Somers: One male student and one female student have been selected from Montmorency Secondary College to attend the camps in January 2018.
RYLA: We have selected a student from 1st Eltham Scouts to attend the camp in November this year.
NYSF: Two students have been selected, one from Eltham College and the other from Montmorency Secondary College to attend the camps in January 2018.
Rotaract: This month the Rotaractors will have been involved with the Diamond Creek Festival, the Combined Rover Rotaract Event and Wheelchairs for Kids.
Judy Sharp: The Minister visiting the Men’s Shed at 9.30am on Tuesday 12 Sept and may have an announcement about the grant applied for - they're hoping to move to Wattletree Road. Kevin H and Mike E representing RC Eltham but other members welcome to attend. Initial application to Nillumbik for shade sails over play area at Lower Eltham Park has been accepted and we can now complete the full application. This is an initiative in partnership with the Federal Government's 'Stronger Communities Fund'.Perhaps more seating as well after that? The search for a new ‘home’ for our club is progressing well and negotiations continuing. Donations to Wheelchairs for Kids can be made this week or next week.
Ann Lynch: Please assist Denese with attendance by responding by close of business Tuesday. Denese travels frequently for work and needs your co-operation in order to finalise numbers in time.
Jill Ramsay: Reminder re Working with Children Checks following feedback from District Insurance on the necessity of these for members, partners and all volunteers at Rotary events.
Alan McCleary: Need 2 x more volunteers for BBQ on Fri 27 Oct at Eltham East PS and volunteers for BBQ on Sunday 8 Oct from 10am to 4pm at Bunnings. No longer doing Sat 7 Oct.
Gary Williams: Reminder about the Medibank Melbourne Marathon (Aquabox Marathon) on Sunday 15 Oct. Need more participants as there are only 10 x at present. Also need more sponsorships from members as well as corporate – have Lovitt Technologies, Temby Auto, Bendigo Bank. Lunch afterwards likely to be at Tippler & Co.
Ross McDonald: Rotary Friendship Exchange to Long Island, USA is full. Places still available for Brazil, Romania and India. If interested let Ross know.
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