Dispatches From The East - 25 February, 2019 (Feb 26, 2019)

Last Week’s Program

Rotary Multi Districts Conference

President David, Past President Ross Taylor, Terry Thornton and Liz attended the Rotary Multi Districts Conference on Tuesday 19 February and provided a brief report to the Club on the broad range of speakers covering topics as diverse as homelessness in our own community, the challenges of providing healthcare in Somaliland, slavery and the LGBTIQ community.

The serious topics were lightened by the skill and joy of the performers of Circus Oz.

The Anniversary of Rotary International

Past President Ross Taylor was our chair for the meeting in which we recognized Rotary International’s birthday on 23^rd February every year being the day, some 114 years ago that Paul Harris, a business man, met with three other business men in his Chicago office, to form an organisation with the original idea of mutual helpfulness in February, 1905.

The Club relived a very important part of the Rotary story as Peter Gillham and Gary Newton re-enacted a radio interview that took place in Tuskegee, Alabama…not to be confused with Tuscany, Jean…on 20^th December, 1945 between Rotary’s founder, Paul Harris and an interviewer, Leyland Childs.

This was a very significant interview, because 40 years of Rotary history was recalled by Paul Harris as well as his thoughts about the future direction of the organisation.

Gary Newton played the part of the reporter, Leyland Childs and Peter Gillham endeavoured to “channel” the spirit of Paul Harris.

Mr. Newton, ever the professional, kept perfectly within character whilst the “reconstituted” Mr. Harris felt at liberty to stray from the script with the insertion of anecdotes of dubious validity using an accent which lurched between the 1940’s American Mid West and the more genteel parts of Glasgow and accompanied by photographs which bore little if any relevance to the topic at hand.

“Mr. Harris” at one point lost his place completely and it was only by dint of Mr. Newton’s exemplary skill in the field of broadcast and public performance that the whole evening did not descend completely into farce….but why the references to Al Capone and alligators?

Announcements, News and Help Required

The Passing of Dot Pinder

We are saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Dot Pinder, wife of Past President Frank.

Dot was a lovely, warm and generous lady who will be deeply missed and we extend our condolences to Frank and his family at this very sad and difficult time.

The funeral will be held at Wesley Uniting Church 100 Yarra Street, Geelong at 2.00 pm this Friday, 1 March.

Our Meeting of 19 February

Assistant Governor (AG) Judy and District Governor Nominee (DGN) Phil Beasley together with Miss Amalie Franklin were our special guests.

We welcomed back the Dunlops from their latest travels.

Our last meeting at The Hub – Tuesday 26 February

Adieu, adieu, dear Eastern Hub.

Thanks for the booze, thanks for the grub.

Thanks for the lamb, the beef, the pork.

And we forgive the dropp’d fork.

We thought our time would last and last

So sad are we at this repast.

Never mind, we had a ball!

But now St Albans sirens call.

From Head Office

AG Judy gave us a District report and joined with our members in congratulating Robert Wheeler on his 41 years of Rotary service.

RYLA 13-18 April 2019

This is a personal development program for 18 to 25 year olds about which all attendees speak with great enthusiasm and regard.

Stan Deans informed us that we need applicants and that the program requires an enrolment of 40 to make it economic.
For more details, see Stan and/or refer to last week’s email from District Secretary Trace Smith.

Warracknabeal Trip 6 April
The Warracknabeal Trip is going to be a big event with lots of home hosting and country hospitality and a paddock to plate dinner.

More information appears in the email from President David which members will have received this afternoon (Tuesday 26 February).

The Ballarat South Raffle

This raised over $163,000.00 for the benefit of charities and good causes across our District.

Working With Children ("WWC") Checks and Rotary District Insurance requirements

Janine has her WWC check list and those recaltricants need to get organized.

Fundraising – Dinner Auction

This is coming up on 13 April at the Royal Geelong Yacht Club
Yannick will circulate to each member a letter which the committee has prepared and which members can take to prospective donors and which indicates how businesses can assist and the causes which they will support through their donation of goods and services.

We have secured some great sponsors and it will be a great night.

Rotary Foundation Report
PDG Eddie reported on the Foundation donations with $1,700.00 soon to be sent off.
The Gates leveraging bring our giving up to in excess of $5,000.00.

Look to The Book

Graeme Fleet is taking orders for The Entertainment Books (“EBs”).

They represent great value and are a source of funds for our Club in its charitable activities.
Graeme Fleet will have the EBs from 28 March.
EBs are now available for all areas in Australia & New Zealand for $30.00 for the remainder of the current EB term.
Graeme has the order forms for the new 2019 EB and Ssee Tony Alsop for the app version.

Upcoming Events Coming Up

Dinner Auction - beneficiary speakers Our last night at The Hub	26 February
St. Albans Football & Netball Club speakers	5 March
Committee Meetings and Member Talk (at St. Albans)	12 March
Combined Meeting with Drysdale (Canadian Friendship Exchange) at Drysdale	Mon 18 March
R.J. Vague Award (at St. Albans)	19 March
New Members Meeting (at St. Albans)	26 March
Science & Engineering Challenge Dinner - Note: Wednesday night (at St. Albans)	Wed 3 April
Warracknabeal Trip	6 April
Committee meetings - Offsite	9 April
Dinner auction at RGYC	13 April
Pride & Professionalism Award (at St. Albans)	16 April
To be advised - ANZAC speaker?	23 April
No Meeting	30 April
Trainee of the Year Award	7 May
Committee Meetings and Member Talk	14 May
To be advised	21 May
To be advised	28 May
Social Evening	4 June
Committee meetings - Offsite	11 June
To be advised	18 June
To be advised	25 June
Change Over Dinner	2 July

The Next 3 Weeks

Meeting Roster

Meeting Date	26 February, 2019	5 March, 2019	12 March, 2019
Meeting Topic	Dinner Auction Beneficiaries Presentations Our last night at The Hub	St. Albans Football & Netball Speakers First night at St. Albans	Committee Meetings & Member Talk
Duties
Chair	Yannick Le Gall	Warren Norton	Graham Thomson
Sergeant	Peter Funston	David Beretta	Adam Koch
Cashier Attendance	John Birrell	John Birrell	Liz Sykes
Room & Hosting	Liz Sykes	Ross Taylor	Warren Norton
Member Talk
Report			John Birrell
Additional Meeting	Board		Vocational

Attendance

Attendance for our meeting of 19 February

Present: 31

Percentage: 72.09

Apologies: Kris Adam, Sue Beretta, John Birrell, Keith Dawson, Harrie Farnaby, Peter Funston, Bruce King, Adam Koch, Maxine Leske, Warren Norton, Andrew Rofe and Andrew Thornton.

Recognitions

Birthdays: Many happy returns to Colin McElhinney who celebrates his birthday on 27 February and to Sam Ramondetta whose birthday falls on 29 February….but likes his presents annually. Best birthday wishes also to Bill Pratt for 3 March and grandson Adam Koch on 4 March.

Wedding Anniversaries: Manu and Satbig Chug celebrate 41 years of marriage on 5 March….stand by for some seriously big uploads to the Server of Satbir!

Rotary Anniversaries: We congratulate Adam and Maxine Leske on the first year of their Rotary service coming up on 27 February and Don Macvean clocks up 32 years on 3 March.