What a FABULOUS FESTIVAL! This was the seventeenth community festival to be organised and delivered by the Rotary Club of Eltham. Our congratulations to Dale and the Festival Committee team (Michael Martin, Ann Lynch, Judy Sharp, Ken Paynter, Michael Maloney, Dave Laws, Paul Kelly, Darryl Wallace, Keith den Hartog, John & Roma O’Callaghan, Mike Wetzler) for their outstanding preparation and planning which ensured all was in place for a wonderful weekend. The weather-maker significantly favoured us too so we’re very grateful for the beautiful weather. And of course, how appreciative we are of the support provided by other Rotarians, Rotaractors, family members and friends of Rotary. At least seventy people were rostered to do any number of jobs over the weekend and without the help of all of these people, the festival could not be run so efficiently and effectively. The hugest of THANKS to all of our helpers! A brilliant example of team work and what can be achieved when so many people pitch in and lend a hand. Festival attendance, yet again, proved that the wider community enjoys our festival. Complimentary comments and thanks from festival attendees were prevalent throughout the weekend and it was very easy to observe how everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
A special shout-out and thanks to Andrew Stanley and his Sound and Light crew yet again, who did a magnificent job of stage set up and sound management throughout the park and on the stages. Andrew also sourced the Main Stage entertainment as well as the roving performers. A big thank you also to Peter and Guy Bishop who did a super job of managing all of the electrical requirements across the park. Andrew Cooper, once again, did a great job of providing public announcements and we thank Andrew for giving up his whole weekend to do this important job again.
And our festival sponsors, how grateful we are for their willingness to back the festival and RCE by committing their financial support and/or product donation. We are so very fortunate to have such a significant level of local business support and to all of our sponsors, it’s a BIG THANKYOU from RCE. Our grateful thanks also to Ken Paynter and Michael Maloney who continue to do an amazing job of sourcing sponsors and importantly, building and maintaining these supportive partnerships.
This week, we are very much looking forward to our vocational service visit to Lovitt Technologies, 201-209 Para Road Greensborough. Please be there by 6.30pm and as we have sixty people registered to attend, where you can, car pool as there is a limited number of parking spaces available.
Have a great week everyone!
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
It was back to the park again for clean-up duties yesterday morning. Special thanks to Paul Kelly, Dave Laws, Dale Atkins, Rob Kilcullen, Trevor Smith, Les Coath, John Roberts, Denese Billings, Roma O’Callaghan, Judy Sharp and Ken Paynter who were ‘back on deck’ again with helpful hands and smiles on their tired faces. We scoured the park for the last signs of any rubbish whilst Paul and Les retrieved the many festival signs throughout the community. By day’s end on Monday, you would never have known there had been a festival in Alistair Knox Park over the weekend … unless you went to it OR were in the team that ran it!!!!
Thursday 15 November - Lovitt Technologies Vocational visit
This week we are very fortunate to be able to go behind the scenes and see what Lovitt Technologies in Para Road Greensborough does and the important engineering work that is undertaken for the aerospace industry across the world.
Michael Ramsay has generously opened his business to the Rotary Club of Eltham and is also providing a buffett dinner and some wine. Mike has advised BYO drinks are also allowed. Mike and his sons will explain the business and how it has developed into an extremely high tech industry, with state of the art machinery and processes.
As there is no cost for this weeks meeting, Mike has agreed we can place a collection box at the entrance when you sign in for a voluntary fundraising donation to our new Nepal project in 2019. It would be appreciated if you can please assist in commencing the fundraising effort for this project.
Important Information for Members for the night:
We have been asked that all members follow the procedures below in order to enter the premises.
There will be a sign in page/book. All attendees must sign in for security or emergency situations.
Please follow the instructions below regarding parking & access into the building:
Please proceed through the main gates & a parking attendant will show you where to park.
After parking, please proceed on foot back out the pedestrian gate next to the driveway, turn left & enter reception (the green bit jutting out).
64 cars is getting to our limit on capacity, so if people can possible car-pool it would help.
If you have any questions please contact me on 0413 453 660 or email me - alisoncooper@y7mail.com
Rob Kilkullen: For those interested in the Nepal project there will be a meeting with Graham Kent at Ian Toohill’s home (20 Wattle Ave, Montmorency) on Wed 14 Nov at 7pm.
Alison Cooper: Parking arrangements explained for next week's visit to Lovitt Industries – parking attendant at main gates – 64 car parks, cap pool if possible. Need expression of interest in BBQ on 31 Jan – fundraiser for Rotary Health. Last meeting for year at HGC will be Barefoot Bowls/BBQ on Thurs 13 Dec.
Paul Kelly: BBQ at 5pm on Friday 14 Dec at Eltham East PS. Have 4 volunteers, need more.
Jules Aussems: Have new stock of Tshirts as well as couple of hats.
Brett Linsell: Next week’s Bulletin will have details of ‘Movember’ fundraiser.
Michael Martin: Melbourne Cup sweep winners announced – Lou Bolnonello and Ian Thomas won the $5 sweeps and David Laws the $2 sweep. Dennis Booth’s horses came in last in both a $5 sweep and the $2 sweep. Oh dear!
The importance of working with Rotaract successfully over the past eight years has been attributed to a number of factors. Originally when I joined the Rotary Club of Eltham I was generally closer in age to the Rotaracters than the Rotary members! The Rotaracters have worked tirelessly each year to produce a fantastic Youth Stage at our annual Festival. I attempt to make Rotary relevant to their club, provide advice and assistance to their club and individual members, and have a laugh with them too! One of the best outcomes from my involvement with the Rotaract Club was supporting Erin Dickinson receive the Youth Award at the Australian Day award for Nillumbik Council and my least successful venture has been going on a Pub Crawl with them! After 8 years I’m still waiting!
Sgt@Arms
According to the District Secretary’s Manual the function of the sergeant-at-arms is "...to help maintain an orderly, dignified, and effective Rotary Club meeting, one that will make the right kind of impression on club visitors and guests. You should be constantly on alert to prevent any occurrence that might detract from the dignity and prestige associated with Rotary clubs”.
That can be quite a challenge to the often raucous and unruly crowd at HGC. It requires keen hand-eye coordination to bash the hell out of the bell to try to maintain control. It seems over the past few years the necessity to ring the bell has a direct correlation to the increasing number of members wearing hearing aids! In this role the monthly Duty Team schedule is organized and published and then dutifully ignored, re-arranged and butchered. The same applies to the Fine Master sessions. If the expected person doesn’t arrive then it is the Sgt’s role to collect the cash.
