Visit to Nhill
Several Hawthorn Rotarians are excited about a repeat visit to Nhill on 25th November this year.
Noel Halford has reserved fifteen rooms under the Rotary Club of Hawthorn at the Zero Inn Motel in Nhill for that weekend: he suggests that you book a room early, if you would like a fabulous weekend.
Since Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews put the kybosh on the Commonwealth Games, some of the world’s greatest athletes, including the Jamaican men’s and women’s 4x100 relay teams, will now never know the simple pleasure of staying at a motor inn at Nhill or grabbing some light refreshment at the pie shop in Nyah.
Noel suggests booking Saturday night, but some may like to go early or extend. There is another venue for pet owners and he thinks it may be Little Desert Holiday Park.
At this stage the Zero Inn has three members booked. Let’s get together with our like-minded friends in country Victoria, and have a ball.
Book in now! (Zero Inn - Tele 03 5391 1622)
You can see some photos of out previous trip to Nhill HERE
Establishing the Regionalisation Pilot in Zone 8
Ingrid Waugh, Deputy Chair, Zone 8 Regionalisation Pilot Steering Group, sent an update: 
Since the Zone 8 Regionalisation Pilot received financial support from the Rotary International Board in April 2023, a large amount of work has been happening behind the scenes. Club presidents and secretaries, and people who opted to receive additional information about the Regionalisation Pilot, have been receiving regular monthly updates.
Following feedback that information on the pilot has been hard to find, we have restructured the Creating Tomorrow Regionalisation Pilot website, adding several new pages under the “What are we doing?” tab at the top of the homepage. There are now web pages dedicated to information on the Regional Council and its structure, community groups and leaders, what the Specialist Network will do, and other key aspects of the pilot. These pages will be updated regularly.
In the coming months we will be sharing:
● Position descriptions for Regional Council and Specialist Network roles
● How the Regional Council will be elected and the timeframe for elections
● Guidance on community groupings so clubs can start conversations with members
To learn more and ask any questions, we invite you to register to attend one of the scheduled upcoming Zoom meetings. These will be held on:
● Tuesday 25 July at 7am AEST
● Thursday 27 July at 6.30pm AEST
● Saturday 29 July at 10am AEST
To register for a session click here.
You will be receiving updates over the next months, which I encourage you to share and discuss with your fellow club members. If you have any questions send them via rotaryregionalpilot@gmail.com. We also encourage you to look at the regionalisation website and, if you are not already, become part of the reference group by subscribing here.
Big Mac
David McNamara has managed to squeeze in a Rotary make-up in between Test matches, during his trip to England. He sent us the evidence that he attended the Southport -UK-Rotary Meeting on Wednesday 19th July.
Nice one David: we looked out for you at the last Test Match, but never spotted you. But will the Aussies win the last in the series?
Cross Egypt Challenge
While Noel and Marjorie drive across to Broome, Ahmad Elzoghby of Alexandria, Egypt sends us an invitation for something completely different:
Cross Egypt Challenge is an international cross-country motorcycle and scooter adventure tour conducted throughout the majestic and fascinating Egypt. This amazing Rotary project started in 2011 for the purpose of promoting tourism to Egypt, and for the past 11 years, Rotarians and riders from over 50 countries took part in this unique and amazing challenge.
Join the tour this October, be it on a scooter, on a motorcycle or in our chase vans and enjoy a once in a life-time experience (a motorcycle and scooter rental option is available for international participants). Direct link to the registration application which can be completed in 5 minutes is: www.crossegyptchallenge.com/registration
For more information or cost of participation, or to register, please visit our website: www.CrossEgyptChallenge.com or our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/CrossEgyptChallenge. You can also download a copy of Cross Egypt Challenge brochure with all season information, pricing, routes, etc.. from this link: DOWNLOAD
The Shamrock Hotel
Here is the pricing for the Shamrock Hotel in Bendigo for our stay over for the District Conference 13th and 14th of April next year.
If members when they book could let David Pisterman know he'll be able to confirm how much of a discount we'll get as a club with over 11 rooms confirmed.
It's a great location and about 1/2 a km to the Conference Hall. Also as it is centrally located for breakfasts with plenty of cafes nearby.
1 x Twin Room $108.00 p/night
2 x Small Standard Rooms $126.00 p/night
11 x Standard Rooms $153.00 p/night
5 x Superior Rooms $198.00 p/night
2 x Executive Rooms $207.00 p/night
2 x Family Rooms $211.00 p/night
2 x 1 Bedroom Deluxe $234.00 p/night
2 x 1 Bedroom Suite $243.00 p/night
2 x Spa Suites $243.00 p/night
4 x 2 Bedroom Deluxe $270.00 p/night
To Catch a Thief
Darren Park wrong-footed me completely today: I was expecting something quite different. IMDb describes Hitchcock’s movie thus:
A bit of a departure for Alfred Hitchcock, somewhat lighter and with less of the trademark suspense. Thoroughly enjoyable, though. Cary Grant was playing Cary Grant by this time, and no one could do it better. And Grace Kelly, what eye-candy! The snappy dialog with the sexual innuendo was done perfectly. etc.
It just shows me how preconceived ideas can lead us astray.
