Weekly Message From President Ngaire
It was a big program and a full house at lunch this week and the room was a buzz. Dick Menting from Bendigo Bank addressed us about Community Banking and was particularly happy to be able to advise us that a new branch is opening shortly in Hawthorn. Bendigo Bank are very generous supporters of Rotary and RCH is grateful for their sponsorship of our District Conference. Gordon Cheyne followed with a short and succinct presentation on Foundation, which was enjoyed by all, including his Sheila.
It is always such a pleasure to induct a new member to Rotary, and it was especially delightful to welcome Amanda Webb as our second inductee this Rotary year. Amanda is joining her mentor Elizabeth Foxworth on the Community Service committee and also expressed a keen interest in getting involved in International activities. Yes, you can be sure Ian Mac took note.
New Generation Director David Owen introduced us to Craig McPherson, the coordinator of our exchange program from Hawthorn Secondary College, along with the 4 young exchange students from Tasmania and the 3 outgoing students from HSC. Craig commented after the meeting that this annual exchange program is one of the most valuable events they have to offer their students and he does hope RCH will continue with it. Craig puts much effort into coordinating the exchange students, their host families, and the week’s activities, and I was very pleased to hear that he will be using one of the 4 Camcare tickets donated to HSC. It is justly deserved.
Cherisha from TREAD was wearing a very big smile this week, made even broader after she accepted the cheque for $1,000 presented by International Director Ian Macfarlane. We know the money will be put to very good use in Thailand by this young and enthusiastic group.
Congratulations to all those willing volunteers who barbecued superbly on Sunday at Bunnings to raise a net profit in excess of $2,000. Well done, Ian and team. And big congratulations to Meredith Hayes and the Fundraising committee who were successful in getting the $10,000 TAC grant for our Breathometers.
And the good news just keeps getting better. Ken McNamara is confident that, weather permitting, we will be parking more than 500 cars each day of the AAMI Classic in January 2013. Not only will our parking put us back in the good books of the Event Management, but the dollars raised will also make an enormous difference to our Charity Fund and our ability to make a difference in the world. Bring on the tennis, I say.
Thank you to the first 20 RCH members who have put their hands up in support of the District City2Sea event on Sunday November 11. Chris Hanson announced that RCH have the 2nd or 3rd highest number of volunteers, which is very pleasing, and he will be happy to add your name to the list.
Bernie Walshe is strutting his stuff this week, having been made the proud GrandDad / Pa of his 11th grandchild (sergeants please take note!). He and Margaret have been up in Echuca holding the home fort. Thoughts are with Sue Rush as she recuperates from a foot operation that has left her on crutches and also with David who is doing the home duties in Sorrento. I am sure he has some of Jamie’s 30 Minute Recipes to hand. I extend our sympathies and loving thoughts to Jan Macfarlane and Ian on the sad loss of Jan’s 93 year-old mother. RIP Joan.
The Garden Design is fast approaching - less than a month away now - and the roster circulated at the meeting this week. I really appreciate all those who have already added their names. We are still rather short on volunteers - we need 64 in total by October 30 - so please come to lunch next week and ask to be included. This is one of our bigger fundraisers this year, a new venture in support of the Rotary Club of Kew, and replacing the very successful 2011 Quilt Show. The raffle should prove popular with a pair of absolutely superb diamond earrings, valued at $4200, as first prize.
This is our last call for the Camcare Concert. Please pay Noel Halford for the tickets taken, and sell or give away those unsold. Enjoy what will be a wonderful afternoon on Sunday and thank you for your support.
I’ll be seeing some of you on Thursday at our dinner and movie night, and others at the Camcare Concert. Bill Troedel has scheduled Richard Barley, CEO of Open Gardens Australia, as our speaker next week, so I will enjoy welcoming you all, and partners, to lunch on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, enjoy some happy spring days…
Yours in Rotary,
Ngaire
Thought for the week; "Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens." - Kahlil Gibran, author ‘The Prophet’.