Weekly Message From President Ngaire

What a delight it was this week to have lunch on a gloriously sunny Tuesday with DG Dennis and so many light-hearted friends.  Kooyong Tennis Club is such an appealing venue for our weekly meetings and especially when the sun is shining.

Matt Maudlin from Servants Community was our guest speaker on Tuesday.  Now you could be forgiven for thinking that a presentation about homeless men and women would be sobering, and indeed at times it was – imagine paying rent to sleep in a cupboard!  It was also one of the most heart-warming presentations I have heard in Rotary, an inspiring story about how the Servants bring dignity and hope to some of the most vulnerable people in our community who live at their two Servants homes in Hawthorn and Kew.  This small Baptist organisation has learned to listen with love and serve with passion, providing a safe and caring home environment for 65 homeless men and women.  Our members were moved, and many asked afterwards how RCH could support the Servants.

As it happens the Servants Community Housing is a focus of the reconvened Boroondara Cares group which meets regularly to discuss and work on projects to benefit our local community, so there is an opportunity to contribute there.  Matt has also invited members of RCH to go to dinner at Servants later in the year to meet his team and the residents.  We will advise you when the date is confirmed.

It was good to welcome Vic Burns back to lunch after a nasty fall some weeks ago.  David Rosback has injured himself also and is now in Epworth having his torn upper arm ligament attached again which means no driving for six weeks.  We wish you a speedy recovery David, and hope to see you when possible.

We will be hearing more about Rotarians at Work Day from Gerald Swinnerton, so if you are one of the volunteers keep a lookout for your ClubRunner email.  RAWD is on Sunday April 21 and involves light gardening for local pensioners and community groups.  Friends and family are very welcome to join the group.

RC of Glenferrie would love to have your support for their Sumba evening on May 25being held again at Genezanno – see the flyer in this bulletin.  Last year’s function was a night of great fun and most enjoyable music and raised over $20,000 for the Sumba Eye Project.  Please contact Simon O’Donoghue to join a Hawthorn table.

Just a reminder – there is no scheduled meeting next week Tuesday, April 16. Our Twilight Bowls is happening at Auburn Bowling Club starting at 4.30pm so we have a meeting with a difference to look forward to.  David Pisterman asks you to bring friends and family and a driver – we have all the left over supplies from conference awaiting our consumption!!  Numbers are needed for catering so please confirm with David.

Our speaker on Tuesday April 23 is John Ayerbe, an author and radio personality  who will take us on ‘The Journey of a Vet’.  Please join us at Kooyong for lunch.

Yours in Rotary,

Ngaire

Thought for the week: