The Rotary Foundation Month – November
November is the time to celebrate the wonderful work of The Rotary Foundation. Using the links in the pages under The Rotary Foundation heading on the left side bar, why not explore the activities of the Foundation and consider how you and your club can help.
Vocational Service – October. Rotary was first started as a club based on vocations. This continues today. This month is a great time to celebrate, explore, understand the vocations of your club members, and to explore the possibilities of membership from other vocational groups in your community. Via this website, you can explore the exceptional programs offered under the Vocational Avenue of Service of this District.
What a fantastic night our changeover dinner was. A night of fellowship, fun, music and ceremony, which was ably presided over by Greg Aplin. Many people contributed to making the evening the success that it was; thanks to Leigh (flowers), Julie (pretty much everything!), Ron (PowerPoint presentation), Terry (placemats), Bradley (Sergeant), Bruce (attendance and apologies), Roger Snell (sending out invites etc) and Wassim for providing a lovely venue and food. And a special thank you to our past President, David Gordon, for doing such a great job in his Rotary year and for perfectly demonstrating the Rotary motto of Service above Self. David is one of many great people to have been in the position before me and I feel that there is a lot to live up to!
The opening of the Catheter Lab was attended on Friday 29 June by past President David, Greg Aplin and honorary member Sussan Ley. By all accounts, it was a successful event with media in attendance. This is a great example of the work we do for the local community.
At the joint sitting of the new and old boards this week there was discussion about supporting 6 Murray High School students who have been selected to perform at a Shakespeare Carnival in Sydney. It seemed like a perfect fit for our Club considering that we are a big supporter of youth programs through Paying in Forward, Kitenden and Rotary Youth exchange. We are also a big supporter of the Arts via donations to Hothouse, Flying Fruit Flies, Mural for Substanability and Murray Conservatorium and last, but not least we support literacy through the River of Stories. I’m pleased to say that the board supported the Murray High kids to the “tune” of $1,000. This week’s meeting is our Changeover meeting as such we will have an evening meeting at La Maison. This is a great chance for us as a Club to reflect on all the good things we have achieved in the last 12 months – and that there have been a few is an understatement (hopefully you have all had a chance to read the annual report expertly put together by Peter Merk). Changeover is also a chance to recognise and reward those that have stood out for the year and to hear the plans and ambitions that President Stephen has in mind for his year. I’m looking forward to a great night of celebration and challenges. I’m pleased to see that our number of attendees is looking very good.
As this is my last President’s message I wanted to say thank you to you all for the support and encouragement you given to me this year. Together we have achieved some wonderful results and we have made a difference in our community. I’m proud to call myself a Rotarian and to call you all my friends. To conclude it is only right that I sign off with – Service Above Self.
Rotary Fellowships Month – June. There are many extensive activities of the Rotary Fellowships. You may find that your profession, business or industry area has already established a Fellowship. If not, why not think about starting one yourself! Pastimes, hobbies and sports are made just that much more interesting if you can be involved in an international group. Look through the list of the Recreational Fellowships – is there something there for you? Don’t forget to check out the extensive list of Fellowships already active in District 9810.