Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you is worth savin'
And you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'
How very apt for Bob’s legacy to hit the papers again with his recent sale of his 600 songs.
It got me thinking about the small revolution that is going on in Melbourne. The year going has induced us to change our lives and adopt different ways of achieving our goals. Also, we talk about how to adopt these changes into what will be a new lifestyle in 2021. The year - BTW - some say that the film “Mad Max” was set in!! (Makes a good story).
Rotarians have spent their time coping with electronic gatherings. Many “think tanks” have exploded with ideas on membership and fellowship. Even the President Elect Training is all on zoom! It will be refreshing and a challenge to get back to normal.
“Normal?” Well – that depends on all of you attending future gatherings (or meetings) and working on the various committees. Your Board is “itching” to get more runs on the board, since it is easier to contact people and organisations out of lockdown.
So, our last major event for this year – The Christmas Get Together – Please see the advertisement in the bulletin. Tomorrow 
night, Tuesday Dec 15th as a low key event, we are having a picnic in the Yarra Park Reserve, where we are planning the 100 year Rotary Project. If we can all bring a picnic complete with food, beverages of various kinds and chairs. There are BBQs there to cook if you wish. This event will only work if you all turn up even for an hour or so.
So, what issues do you need to be aware of? The Board met on Dec 7th and naturally meeting in person for the first time this Rotary Year, there was a lot of idle gossip but we did achieve a few goals.
1. Australia Day Rotary Celebrations – The Super Cluster has received the $20,000 grant from the Australia Day Council to run this event. It is to be staged in Victoria Park. Thanks to David Fallick for representing our club. He will need volunteers on the day, so please watch those emails. There will be entertainment and food stalls. Ian Salek is conducting a “Hard Quiz” type Australia Day challenge. Please come and support him. I anticipate that we can erect a Glenferrie Marquee as well to make a presence.
2. Farmer’s Market – Dec 19th. Please come. Thanks very much for Rob Hogan putting his hand up to run the BBQ. Thanks for the volunteers for signing onto the roster. Bob Scott this year will be Santa Claus. Ian Wilmott retired this year from illness but it was terrific to see him alive and well on zoom at our last meeting.
Also, under the guidance of Ian Salek and Rob Winspear, the Boroondara council have finally granted our club the ability to organise a weekly Farmer’s Market. That is only the first step. The stall holders all have to be contacted to see if they are willing to engage in this regular market. The Bulletin will update news about this.
3. Attendance Survey. To start 2021, we have a chance to formalise how we gather. Meetings is a very formal term, but in reality, our club gathers in fellowship and enjoys social interaction, and discusses how to engage more in the community, both local and internationally. The Board decided that at a forum we would survey you early in 2021 to gauge how members feel we should gather. Face meetings, how many a month and whether zoom can be incorporated. Then we have to deal with Kooyong Tennis Club, which we all love as a venue.
Hope to see you all tomorrow night. See Bulletin for details.
President Mark