Greetings! Thank goodness we are feeling some cooler weather which can re-energise us. Last week’s Board meeting approved the 2025 nominee for our Annual Service to Seniors Award. We might take for granted a person we meet when we visit a community centre, hospice or aged care facility who is volunteering to help a frail, vulnerable older person to be more comfortable, receive a smile, a food delight, to feel respected. Our nominee this year provides all of that and more and it was a privilege to advise her of her nomination for her 25 years plus of voluntary service. Her thrill, excitement and smile makes one proud to be part of honouring someone for our Award. Our Tuesday lunch meeting on 1 April will see the Annual Service to Seniors Awardee be given their trophy by Ben Rogers, CEO Seniors Rights Vic. & COTA (unless his wife is giving birth!). Our new Mayor of Boroondara has accepted my invitation as a Special Guest. Please diarise this event.
My quote for the week:“If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in the dark with a mosquito.”
NEXT WEEK'S ZOOM MEETING
Locked Up in a Turkish Jail: A Tale of Mystery and Danger
Join us as we uncover the extraordinary true story of a Rotary Hawthorn member, who endured time in a Turkish jail. This gripping tale is filled with twists, resilience, and revelations that will leave you speechless.
Plus....there's so much more
Come and listen to this amazing firsthand account—a journey of survival, hope, and the unexpected. You won’t want to miss it!
IMPORTANT DATES
25 February / Zoom meeting - Mystery Member
Abiola Akinbiyi, CEO Changepreneurs for our International Women’s Day – Tuesday 4 March at Kooyong
Rotary SAFE Families – Building a Culture of Family Peace – global Mega Meeting – Friday 7 March at 11.00 am AEDT: https://forms.gle/TBxBwTrAZtEEhJH49
Katrina Flinn, World of Difference Social Impact Tour of Cambodia – Tuesday 18 March at Kooyong
Awarding our Annual Service to Senior’s Award with CEO Senior’s Rights Vic. & COTA – Ben Rogers as Guest Speaker – 1 April at Kooyong
A special dinner event created by Afghani women at Auburn Bowls Club Friday 4 April. (More details later)
Special guest presenter, Michael Headberry – Sir John Monash Humanitarian at our ANZAC theme meeting at Kooyong
April 29 is a meeting where you must bring a guest. Grandchild, child, friend or foe! We shall be entertained with a “Believe It Or Not!”
More fun and enjoyment:
Our Changeover Dinner will be a “not to miss” event when we celebrate Ian Bentley as our President 2025-26.
Our Home-Hosting Dinner has had to be rescheduled and we are waiting for our 5 Home Hosts to co-ordinate a dinner date that works.
A visit to the Bionics Institute in August.
Our much anticipated adventures at Beechworth/Milawa 18-20 November. Note: This adventure already has 20 “adventurers” booked. Please contact Noel Halford immediately if you would like to join us.
Noel’s Adventures are very popular now so we are nearly fully booked 9 months ahead.
CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS
Who Am I? Email or message David Pisterman (pisterman41@gmail.com with your answer to this month’s Quiz. A prize is waiting for the winner at our lunch meeting 18 February.
Rotary SAFE Families needs volunteers – speak to Dorothy
Meeting Photographers needed – We need to capture our meetings and events and this is a very important role in our Club to maintain a record for our history – Please speak to Dorothy if you can assist.
Photos of travels, funny pics, member stories – Please members. I know you will have pics and stories from your Christmas holidays – share them with us via Member Contributions. Email: Editor - Dorothy Gilmour
(Please note: If you would like some help with a Club project or event, you can post a notice in The Week Ahead and the Bulletin)
MEMBER STORY
If members don’t provide the Editor with a story, then you will have to put up with the Editor’s stories!!!
Many of you will know that my daughter, her partner and my granddaughter have a farm, home business office and warehousing and breed horses at Olympic and dressage standard. Now my daughter is commencing a breeding mini stud of Miniature Scottish Highland “cattle”. From cuddly companions to grazing gurus, Mini Highland cows possess this special combination between cute and practical. Watch this space for their arrival. They are always sold in pairs as they love company!
OTHER ROTARY CLUB EVENTS
Message from our DG Michael Lapina:
The Multi-District Impact Summit PowerPoint presentation is available to us and is designed to inform, inspire, and encourage participation in this unique event. It provides all the essential details about registering to attend the Multi-District Impact Summit. www.rotaryimpactsummit.org
Why should your members attend the Multi-District Impact Summit?
The Multi-District Impact Summit is more than just another meeting – it is a summit designed to:
Ignite Inspiration: Hear from dynamic speakers who are making a difference in our communities.
Foster Collaboration: Network with fellow Rotarians from Districts 9800 & 9510, exchange ideas, and create connections that lead to meaningful partnerships.
Enhance Skills: Participate in workshops and breakout sessions tailored to develop leadership, innovation, and community service strategies.
What’s in it for my club?
Club Empowerment: Discover actionable insights to community projects and bring back to your club to energise your club members.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for service above self.
How can you help?
Present the PowerPoint presentation at your next club meeting.
Encourage attendance among your club members, emphasizing the unique benefits of participation and the positive outcomes it can bring to your club and community.
Thank you for your dedication to Rotary and if you have any questions or require assistance with the presentation, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Together, as people of action, we can unite and take action to create lasting change across the globe, in our communities and in ourselves.
If members don’t provide the Editor with a story, then you will have to put up with the Editor’s stories!!!
