Vison 2020. What a year! Years ago, committees of all eye services were set up to eliminate blindness by 2020. People are still going blind, while committees generate speeches. Almost as off as that, Bob Hawke’s famous speech about no child will be in poverty by 1990. You cannot make promises like that and expect it to happen. However, Rotary has almost eliminated polio. That is a POWERFUL statement, ensuring that Rotary will be a continuing entity beyond 2020. We can actually say proudly that Rotary has achieved so much in our world. I am still overwhelmed by the DIK story.
(FYI : 20/20 is the American equivalent of 6/6 visual acuity at an angle 20 in high x 20 feet, compared to 6 cm height x 6 meters.)
It will be up to our club now to rise out of COVID lockdown and prove itself. We have been stagnant for many months but that is unfair to say, since we have been so active but hidden in the electronic wash. The 100 Year Rotary project spear headed by our club is rolling along. Recently, permission has come along from the council to allow the dismantled playground to go under our international project. We have provided for Vietnamese schools. Our funding is providing salaries and medications for the Sumba Eye Program Eye Nurses, who still regularly are in touch with Dr Ellis for advice on treatment.
It will be up to our club now to rise out of COVID lockdown and prove itself. We have been stagnant for many months but that is unfair to say, since we have been so active but hidden in the electronic wash. The 100 Year Rotary project spear headed by our club is rolling along. Recently, permission has come along from the council to allow the dismantled playground to go under our international project. We have provided for Vietnamese schools. Our funding is providing salaries and medications for the Sumba Eye Program Eye Nurses, who still regularly are in touch with Dr Ellis for advice on treatment. 
Our Farmer’s Market is back on track and even now considering a fortnightly market, having learnt to survive on a reduced number of volunteers. Our Community Service was able to continue the Salvo Bread Run and also provide food commodities to Cam Care for distribution. We have had many successful walks to raise money for Polio and Parkinson’s disease. The “Lift Your Lid” photo essay campaign brought huge dividends to our charity work in assisting Rotary Health in depression.
So, with 2020 hindsight, we have achieved much over zoom and electronic media. It only happens with like-minded and generous people – YOU – as a Rotarian. So – I expect that we will double our efforts in 2021 when we meet truly in gatherings of fellowship and friendship.
So, what has happened?
Christmas picnic - We had a lovely get together picnic last Tuesday for Christmas. Almost 30 met at a gathering in fellowship to celebrate Christmas in the Yarra Bend park and to observe where the Rotary 100 year project playground will be erected. Thank you all for coming. I did refrain from singing Christmas Carols, so everyone was very happy! Those not there really missed a special buzz that occurs when we all meet. It was nice to meet our new transfer from Hawthorn Pamm Robilliard and interested person Simon Mercer there.
So, what is happening?
- New member – We have accepted a transfer form Hawthorn, Pamm Robillaird who found it difficult to make the lunch meetings, but is very interested in a commitment to Rotary. We welcome such a lovely lady into our ranks and wish her all the best to bloom in Rotary with our guidance.
- Australia Day Rotary Celebrations – In Victoria Park, Kew, there will be a Rotary Australia Day Celebration which involves both Eastside and Riverside Clusters. The formula is very much a fair atmosphere with food vans and entertainment. Our own Ian Salek will be conducting an Australia Hard type quiz. Each club needs to provide 6 volunteers to make this day work well. Please consider joining in with us.
- Farmers’ Market – The Board has agreed in principle to the below. As outlined by Rob Winspear. -
The Farmers Market Committee has secured the support of a sufficient number of stall holders to go ahead. There are 33 confirmed stall holders with another 12 considering their position. We have not yet tapped into the VFMA list. The Council only agreed to the proposal after being convinced that the proposal was viable, and being very risk adverse would not agree if it was not viable, and are fully supportive of the proposal.
Members will not be asked for any more commitment than when we conducted only one market per month. We will conduct the market going forward with two gates only, meaning less members are required. A few volunteers have also been recruited. The upshot of this is that there will be no more demands on the membership than as at present, due to the new configuration.
There is nothing vague about the proposal. It is simple. We will operate the Farmers’ Market on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Saturday of the month.”
Well – That is it from me (and from him). Enjoy the break. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Keep safe and avoid letting that COVID out of the bag. I have not conducted a general meeting as president and so I look forward in anticipation to this new change in my Presidential role. I thank all of you for assisting our club in the last 6 months.
President Mark