The Glenferrie Rotarian December 20th, 2020 (Dec 20, 2020)

Presidential Musings for the Week

Posted by Mark Ellis AM

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.

Christmas Get Together

Posted by Mark Ellis AM

Thanks all for coming. What a great night. Fellowship at its best.

Looking forward to a safe Christmas and holiday season.

Watch for the Bulletin in mid January after the final one this week coming.

President Mark

Jolly ol' Fella Sighted at Farmers Market

The Farmers Market bell rang loud and clear heralding the arrival of Santa, fresh out of quarantine and chauffeured around Patterson Reserve by one of his elves, both of whom looked vaguely familiar for some reason. To the delight of children small and tall, Santa's elf distributed Smarties, smiles and waves as he progressed slowly around the reserve in his very own special automobile. It was a fine day for a market, and sales were strong, including of the ever popular Rotary Christmas cakes and puddings. And as if that wasn't enough, there was even a Rotary Sausage Sizzle in full swing. Merry Christmas everyone. And a safe, happy, prosperous New Year!

Rotary to Lead Australia Day Celebrations in 2021

Rotary will lead Australia Day celebrations across the nation in 2021, with the theme "Reflect, Respect, Celebrate - We are all part of the story". 56 “super clusters”, each with up to 15 Rotary clubs, from across Australia have been successful in obtaining grants of $20,000 each from the National Australia Day Council for our Rotarians and clubs to celebrate Australia Day in a super event that will kick off Rotary's 100th Anniversary year.

Rotary across Australia will be live-streaming an exciting central event from Melbourne that will feature a fabulous line-up of speakers and entertainment, commencing at 12pm. In Boroondara, all seven Rotary Clubs are combining with the City of Boroondara for an Australia Day Fair at Victoria Park, Kew, celebrating the wonderful diversity that is Australia, with entertainment and food stalls. Click on 'Read More' to see what is being planned for Boroondara, represented by David Fallick for the RC Glenferrie.

Success for Club's Year 11 and 12 Scholarship Program

For the past three years the club, with the support of two Rotary Foundation District Grants, has offered scholarships to talented and motivated students at Auburn High School to help them complete Year 11 and 12 studies and encourage them to go on to tertiary education. Two students were each awarded scholarships of $2,000, the first for the school years 2018-19, and the second for 2019-20.

We are very pleased to be able to report that both scholarship recipients have successfully completed high school, and both have gained entrance to university, a 100% success rate!

The scholarship program was implemented by the Youth Service Committee, then led by President Elect Teresa Liu, with the enthusiastic support of the Auburn High School Student Welfare Coordinator Leah Rintoule. Congratulations and well done to both students from the Rotary Club of Glenferrie. We are so pleased for you and so proud of you. Well done!

Club close to agreement with Council on Playground Recycling Program

The club is close to an agreement with the City of Boroondara on an agreement to recycle playgrounds, deemed obsolete locally but of immense value to children overseas. Born out of the Rotary 100th Anniversary project that will see a unique interactive play sculpture erected in 2021 at Yarra Bank Reserve Hawthorn, the project will be led by the club's International Service Director Mark Howlett. The club is collaborating with the Rotary clubs of Camberwell, Canterbury and Hawthorn on the project.

José Ramos-Horta to be Guest Speaker at the R100 Peace Symposium in April 2021

José Ramos-Horta, President of East Timor from 20th May 2007 to 20 May 2012, will be among the impressive lineup of speakers at the Rotary Peace Symposium to be held in April 2021. The event will be one of a number of events to mark the 100th anniversary of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand.

Rotary District 9800 Foundation News

In his editorial for the Winter edition of this publication, PDG Murray Verso referred to those famous first lines in the Charles Dickens classic novel A Tale of Two Cities. “It was the best of times; it was the worst of times”. As we approach the end of 2020, it is fair to say that this year has been a real challenge for just about everyone in this country, starting with terrible fires, floods, drought and of course the COVID-19 virus. 2020 has been a shocker and cannot end soon enough!

Rotary Foundation receives highest rating from Charity Navigator for 13th consecutive year

For the 13th consecutive year, The Rotary Foundation has received the highest rating — four stars — from Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of charities in the U.S.

The Foundation earned the recognition for adhering to sector best practices and executing its mission in a financially efficient way, demonstrating both strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency. Only one percent of the organizations Charity Navigator evaluates have received 13 consecutive 4-star evaluations.

https://www.rotary.org/en/rotary-foundation-receives-highest-rating-charity-navigator-13th-consecutive-year

Australia Day

LoL

Why don’t you ever see Santa in hospital? Because he has private elf care!

How did Mary and Joseph know Jesus’ weight when he was born?
They had a weigh in a manger!

Why is it getting harder to buy Advent calendars? Their days are numbered!

How did Scrooge win the football game? The ghost of Christmas passed!

What do angry mice send to each other at Christmas? Cross-mouse cards!

What do you call a bunch of chess players bragging about their games in
a hotel lobby? Chess nuts boasting in an open foyer!

What did the beaver say to the Christmas Tree? Nice gnawing you!