Posted by Mark Ellis AM
“Centenary of Rotary in Australia.”
World Immunization Week 24-30 April
Last week, we had the sad news of Prince Philip’s, the Duke of Edinburgh, death. Newspaper reports and just about anyone who was someone were falling over themselves to point out the sense of duty and unselfish devotion he displayed to his wife and the British Empire.

Rotarians have a sense of duty to our community and some of our members have given years of unselfish devotion to our club and community.  I have always maintained that “you get more out if you put more in” when it comes to being involved. There are benefits to being a Rotarian. Becoming a Rotary member connects you with a diverse group of professionals who share your drive to give back. Through regular meetings and events, we
  • Discuss your community’s needs and develop creative ways to meet them
  • Connect with other leaders who are changing the world
  • Expand your leadership and professional skills
  • Catch up with good friends and meet new ones
Clearly our long serving members have benefitted from their years of service.  On our data base, I found that the average age of service with our active and honorary members is 16 years old!  There has to be something binding us and making us willing to give up our spare time to work in a group where “service is above self”.  All you new and prospective members, this should be food for thought.  Maybe like Prince Philip we found a place to do good in the world.
The week that was and coming up.
Prof Marc Pellegrini and Deborah Carr from the Walter and Eliza Institute addresses to the club last Tuesday night were exceptionally good.  There was a large audience and I thank everyone for coming.  Watch the Bulletin for more to come.
 
Foundation Rotary 100 Year Project.  To fully engage this project, we have streamed lined the activities to 3 major engagements and volunteers to these sub committees are;
  1. The Opening Ceremony – Richard Blakeman, Thelma Hutchison and Don Heath.
  2. The Business Breakfast - Gary Stoneham and Teresa Liu
  3. End Polio Walk – Cheryl Pisterman
We cannot let these volunteers work on their own.  We will need hands on and “bums on seats” when the time comes.  Please watch out for news in the Bulletins coming.
 
Multi-District Conference – Saturday May 1st to Sunday 2nd May
You should have received notification of this conference coming up.  Yes – Zoom but you can participate in this spectacular event in the comfort of your pyjamas!!  However, there is a face to face opportunity to join at Essendon Fields on the Saturday.  The District Awards will be presented.  We may be in the running, so I encourage our members to go to that face to face meeting, please, and if we are successful, collect our award.  Also, there is an opportunity to showcase our activities in that day.
 
“For the first time, and in the year we celebrate our Centenary of service above self in Australia, we are bringing together all five Rotary Districts in Victoria for a unique and inspiring Multi District Conference, Virtual Victoria. Held over two days, Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd May from 11am to 1pm, the conference will be a celebration of Rotary’s achievements over the last 100 years, as well as a forum for new ideas and opportunities that will foster enthusiasm at club level to continue the amazing impact Rotary has within our communities.
 
District 9800’s breakout session will be an in-person event on the Saturday (1st May), showcasing our signature projects across all Avenues of Service. The event will be held at Hyatt Place, Essendon Fields and attached is a flyer providing the full details of what is going to be an amazing day!
 
I would like to ask you to encourage your club members to book for both the Multi District Conference and District 9800’s Breakout & Showcase events.”    Quote from our DG Philip Archer
 
Changeover – A “Changeover” with a difference that nothing much is “changing over” in our club.  However, this is a great excuse to celebrate a year that will go down in history as one to forget.  EXCEPT, we can celebrate all the achievements we managed to pull off under that COVID pandemic cloak.  So, mark down the Changeover date June 22nd at Kooyong at the usual 6.30 for 7.00 pm.
 
I would encourage you all to have your COVID vaccinations as soon as you are eligible.  I had my first jab on Friday and so far I am still around!!

President Mark