A conversation at last weeks meeting, and some encouragement from our indefatigable Editor, has prompted me to put pen to paper with some reflections on this recent event at Tabcorp Park in Melton.
As we arrived at the venue, the buzz of activity and energy levels were impressive, especially early on a wintery Sunday morning and with the realization that many had come from quite far afield and been there for some time setting up displays etc.
The A
ssembly is all about getting the incoming teams from Clubs and the District together on the eve of the new Rotary year, so it was good to hear from, and be enthused by our next DG, Grant Hocking, and to have most of the members of the District Support Team introduced in the opening session. Even greater encouragement came however, when I joined other recently anointed Rotarians at a session for new members led by PDG Julie Mason. As many Bulletin readers would know, Julie has made a huge contribution to Rotary over many years and has an infectious enthusiasm. It was quite inspiring to be in a room full of motivated and community minded people, from twenty somethings to seventy somethings, with widely diverse backgrounds, all sharing their thoughts on what was most positive for them about the Clubs they had joined and the projects and activities being undertaken.
ssembly is all about getting the incoming teams from Clubs and the District together on the eve of the new Rotary year, so it was good to hear from, and be enthused by our next DG, Grant Hocking, and to have most of the members of the District Support Team introduced in the opening session. Even greater encouragement came however, when I joined other recently anointed Rotarians at a session for new members led by PDG Julie Mason. As many Bulletin readers would know, Julie has made a huge contribution to Rotary over many years and has an infectious enthusiasm. It was quite inspiring to be in a room full of motivated and community minded people, from twenty somethings to seventy somethings, with widely diverse backgrounds, all sharing their thoughts on what was most positive for them about the Clubs they had joined and the projects and activities being undertaken.At this session I talked to a new member who is in his sixties and recently joined the Rochester Club to become one of just six members, making me appreciate even more the depth and breadth of Hawthorn’s membership and the wealth of experience and talents our Club has to call on. It was also encouraging to have so many people really interested in our initiative of starting the group meeting monthly as a means of widening the scope of our membership and activity. 
The day continued for me with a really informative session on community service projects, hearing directly from many inspirational people about projects underway or planned that I was only aware of, if at all, through items in the District newsletter. The final session provided the opportunity to learn more about Foundation funding and the processes involved.
Overall the day was really worthwhile, particularly for one as new to the “inner workings” of Rotary as I am.
Photos: Denbigh Richards, District Governor Elect Grant Hocking, and then most of the District Leadership Team (with several absentees being at the RI Convention in Hamburg)