Posted by Mark Ellis AM

Well one day to our Changeover.  There are many coming and you will not be disappointed by attending with the intention of celebrating our club’s achievements.  The District Changeover was a great success and I noted with pleasure a good turnout of Glenferrie Rotarians.  

I am looking forward to formally finishing off the last Rotary year and get on with the new year.   Our new Board has already met last Tuesday and we are on the way to a good year.  I appreciate the generosity of our club and the sacrifice of the Board members and their committees to assist me in this up coming year.

The American writer Sam Keen is quoted as saying “We can't build a good society on the principles of self-interest and entitlement alone. Without generosity there can be no community. Without the kindness of strangers, a society is turned into an armed camp....The atmosphere of compassion that transforms a mass of alienated individuals into a caring community is created by countless acts of kindness and charitable foresight.”

The Board sadly noted the resignations of Pamm Robilliard and Mithzay Pomenta.  Hopefully, they will continue to be involved as “Friends of Rotary” as a fill in to compensate their loss of their involvement within Rotary.  The board noted our involvement in the Vietnam project and that individuals within the club are sponsoring the children as has been requested.

Still in the pipeline there are two major events coming 

August 8th – Commencing at noon on August 8th, there will be the grand official opening of the Yarra Bank reserve playground by the Mayor of Boroondara Garry Thompson and Rotary District 9800 Governor 2021-2022 Dale Hoy.  We are celebrating the installation of a unique Rotary Interactive Play Sculpture.  This is our Super Cluster achievement to mark the 100 years of Rotary in Australia.  Six clubs will be involved – Glenferrie, Hawthorn, Camberwell, Canterbury, North Balwyn and Balwyn.  This will be a day for the whole family, with entertainment for all.

October 5th – There will be a larger fundraiser for Lift the Lid, masterminded by our club member Elizabeth Dumonic.  It will be at Kooyong Tennis Club and plans are in the making already.  Elizabeth has the Board’s backing in this adventure.  Please support her initiatives and if you want to be involved, contact Elizabeth now.

I note that rosters for Farmer’s Market and the Salvos Bread Run need more volunteers.  It is expected for all members to be involved more than once per 6 months term.  Please consider more dates to help us out.  I have to take some time off in September so there are some gaps now in the Farmer's Market.

See you Tuesday night at our Changeover.