It was our pleasure to host a visit from DG Malcolm Kerr, and his wife Jill, last week. We also welcomed AG Greg Paull along with DV Rotaractors, President Alex Trakula, PP and District 9790 Rotaract Rep. Sam Wilson, Karina Bilson, Rebecca Cane, Rigan Tytherleigh and Ebony Watson. And of course, Jake Powell, also a Rotaractor, was in attendance but busy as ever in helping to look after us! Thank you also to Lyn Hardiman who joined our jolly crew too.
Malcolm and Greg met informally with both RCE and DVR board members prior to our club meeting and gleaned an impressive perspective of the very productive work being undertaken by our members in the wider community. Later, Malcolm unpacked RI President Barry Rassin’s theme of ‘Be the Inspiration’ and certainly opened our thinking to what this could mean for each of us. ‘Be the Inspiration’ is definitely a theme that can be explored on two levels, both from an individual and collective (RCE) perspective. Jill Kerr spoke about her project, Rural Aid – Buy a Bale, and the plight of drought affected farmers. Increasing media attention is certainly bringing the devastation of drought to city folk and we had no hesitation in contributing $1,000 to Jill’s project. Malcolm’s parting words of advice were to keep up the great work, share the workload, stay enthusiastic, be inspiring and make sure that Rotary meetings are a happy and unmissable place to be. Judging by the laughter, fellowship and rowdiness that characterises most meetings, we’re well on track I believe!
An example of ‘Be the inspiration’… Hopefully members have read the current edition of District 9790’s DG’s newsletter, InSpire InRotary. If you have, you would have noticed an article written by PP Mike Englefield re the beginnings of the Eltham Men’s Shed. Initially a vision of PP Ken Paynter in his year of President (2013/14), a seed was sown, nurtured by Rotarians and testament to ongoing Rotary leadership and support, the Eltham Men’s Shed was born. It now has a permanent home; a growing membership and it fulfils a strong presence and need in the community. An inspiring story!
Thankyou to Frank Lynch who volunteered for the Conference 2018 Club Coordinator role, Bravo Frank!
It’s Club Assembly this week so hope you can attend. A draft Agenda has been emailed. Whilst not the most riveting of meetings, Club Assemblies are an important part of the operations of our very busy club and provide a valuable opportunity for sharing information, member input and discussion.
President Jill
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
This week's meeting is President Jill's first Club Assembly. Any issues or concerns can be raised and the updated Club Bylaws will also be presented.
This is a closed meeting and only members can attend.
Please come along to find out the plans for the year ahead and discuss any issues raised.
Chairperson: President Jill
Fine Session: tba
David McFarlane WEHI Scholarship Night - Partners Night
On Thursday 16 August we have a big night ahead in the Eaglemont Room. Please encourage your partners to come along and be present when Jill presents on behalf of the club the first scholarship to a PhD student working at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI). Past President David McFarlane was an avid supporter of WEHI and it is fitting to have a scholarship in his name to be presented to Bridgett Duckworth. We will have a number of guests attending from Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) and as well it is the annual visit from Johnny and Mamiko - our sister Rotary Club in Japan and the youth exchange students from Montmorency Secondary.
Come along, especially the newer members, to hear an update on the great work WEHI has been doing and the fantastic youth exchange program between our club and the Rotary Club of Hontondo.
Jill Ramsay: At least one person reads the Bulletin! Frank Smith immediately volunteered to be the Conference organiser last Tuesday morning as soon as it was published.
Alison Cooper: Reminder that Club Assembly is next week. The following week a big night in the Eaglemont Room with the David Macfarlane Scholarship and Japanese visitors and exchange students present.
Brett Linsell: Rotaract meets Monday nights at 7pm at Eltham Pub – all welcome. Thanks to those who’ve already volunteered for interviews at St Helena S/C.
Les Coath: He and Sally Squires have organised a social night on Friday 17 August at House of Salad at Main Rd, Eltham. BYO and set price of $35.
Alan McCleary: Last week, despite freezing cold weather, made $408. Thanks to all who filled in for the day including Mary McCleary.
Paul Kelly: Afternoon tea at Mud Brick Palace for Syrian Refugee program 2pm Friday 3 Aug.
John Roberts: Aquabox meeting to be organised soon. Work being done on website. Request for Aquaboxes from South Sudan.
The Festival has received an additional grant from the Nillumbik Shire Council to enable the hiring of portable toilets. This will enable the existing toilet block in Alistair Knox Park to be closed for the duration of the Festival. Plans are underway for a display of both Mini Mokes and Hot Rods on the Saturday of the Festival. The Club will be selling showbags again this year, but will not be holding a BBQ or spit roast. This year, the Rotaract Club of Diamond Valley is working with the Squish Arts Collective to implement new initiatives to showcase local talent on the Youth Stage. Please remember to keep the weekend of the 10th and 11th of November free.
In the interests of waste reduction, we would love to have any surplus wine gift bags which we can re-use for our weekly guest speaker’s bottle of wine. Donations gratefully received at the sign-in desk please.
Friday Night Bush Dance will include an auction fundraiser to support Rotary Club of Kinglake Ranges Project ‘Defence Driving Course for Young Drivers’.
2018 - 2019 Board
President
Jill Ramsay
President Elect
John Skinner
Rotary Foundation
Judy Sharp
Secretary
Ernita Songahid
Aquabox
John Roberts
Treasurer
Michael Martin
Membership
Jules Aussems
Immediate Past President
Judy Sharp
Public Relations
Sally Squires
Community Service
Paul Kelly
Club Administration
John Skinner
Youth Service
Ian Toohill
Club Service and Program
Alison Cooper
International Service
Rob Kilcullen
2018 Festival
Dale Atkins
PAST PRESIDENTS The Rotary Club Of Eltham Chartered 19th April 1973, District 9790
Geoff Dreverman 73-74: Neville Emerson 74-75: Bruce Holland 75-76: Bob McLellan 76-77:
Doug Blaikie 77-78: Les Clarke 78-79: Keith Kelley 79-80: John Smibert 80-81: Paul Gardner 81-82:
Chris Parenthoine 82-83: Arthur Trainor 83-84: Merv Günter 84-85: John Maltha 85-86: Graeme Beyer 86-87:
Mike Ramsay 87-88: Terry Boocock 88-89: Ken Ferguson 89-90: Bill Penna 90-91: John Jacobson 91-92:
Jim Nairn 92-93: Nigel Bell 93-94: David Bowen 94-95: Ian Thomas 95-96: Vic Vela 96-97: Gabor Tamas 97-98:
Gordon Birch 98-99: Gary Reid 99-00: Mike Irwin 00-01: John Lewis 01-02: Brian Weyman 02- 03:
Graeme Hardiman 03-04: Alan Anderson 04-05: Chris Chapple 05-06: Max Lee 06-07: Ross McDonald 07-08:
David Flint 08-09: Tony Wason 09-10: Michael Englefield 10-11: Rob Kilcullen 11-12: Mike Wetzler 12-13:
Ken Paynter 13-14: Con Proussalis 14-15: David McFarlane 15-16
)
WINE GIFT BAGS: RECYCLING
