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Town & Country Weekly

Your e-Zine from District 9800

Volume 3  Issue 22  2 December 2006

THE ROTARY FAMILY
December is the month of the Family of Rotary and it is significant that we recognise the many ways that Rotary involves itself in and around our community.

My message this week highlights some events in our District that underline the capabilities of the Rotary Family.

The Rotary Club of Albert Park hosted an Information Night for prospective members that were developed through the work and passion of one Rotarian. The invitation list totalled around 160 names and already there have been 21 applications for membership received with expectations of more to come. An example of a Club deciding that around 42 members can afford to reinvent itself and open its door to others in the community.

Daylesford Rotary Club is small by membership numbers but large when it comes to application, energy and community involvement. A Breakfast was organised with Jim Stynes (Reach Youth) as Guest Speaker and 110 guests in attendance. As a lead-up, the members organised minor functions and two non-Rotarian locals donated $8,100 from their Open Garden event. This was the 2^nd Annual Breakfast which will now become firmly established on the community calendar in Daylesford.

Brimbank Central Rotary Club has sponsored an Interact Club at Keilor Downs College in answer to one of the District's goals this year. A Certificate of Organisation was signed by RI President, Bill Boyd, on 24^th October 2006 and a letter of congratulations has been sent to the first President of the Interact Club, Muhammed Akbulut. This is a fine example of a Rotary Club forming a strong bond in their local community.

The Family of Rotary does not have to be sophisticated but, something simple, logical and practicable so the essence of what Rotary stands for can be spread far and wide.

Lead The Way by involving others and expand the Rotary Family.

Bernie Walshe

District Governor

Calendar of Events:

Click Here

Why does Town & Country Weekly Look a little different this week?

The "new look" is to address formatting problems that some readers have experienced occasionally and to facilitate reading the document on your PC (or MAC) without having to use the horizontal scroll bar . Thank you to Cheryl Pisterman.

VISITING AMBASSADORIAL SCHOLARS ARRIVE

Our District is pleased to welcome the first two of our five, visiting Ambassadorial Scholars who have both arrived to begin a 12 month study period. Sebastien Tourbach from Bruxelles, Belgium will be studying Medicine at the Bernard O’Brien Institute of Microsurgery. His counsellor will be David Gorman from the RC of Albert Park.

Katherine Jo from Dallas, USA will be studying Literature at Melbourne University. Her counsellor will be Bruce Cameron from the RC of Keilor East.

Any Club interested in extending an invitation to either of these Scholars for a Club speaking engagement should contact their respective counsellors or the District Foundation Chairman Chris Don.

We look forward to seeing them at a number of District functions including our District Conference being held in Canberra next March. 

1. PHF BREAKFAST RAISES OVER $5000
   Over 220 people, including many Paul Harris Fellows, attended the Annual PHF Breakfast in November to hear the Chief Justice of the Federal Court, The Hon Michael Black AC, in a fascinating address about "A look behind the bench!". This was preceded by the presentation of a PHF by host Club RC Central Melbourne-Sunrise to Judith Durham OAM for her support for women's issues and the many thousands of dollars raised for the disabled through her role as an entertainer (The Seekers) and a composer. The proceeds of $5100 will go direct to the Rotary Foundation. Sincere thanks to the many Clubs supporting this annual event.
    

2. NEW INTERACT CLUB
   D9800 now has a third Interact club up and running - well done RC Brimbank Central.
   Keilor Downs College Interact Club
   Postal :          100 - 110  Odessa Avenue, Keilor Downs, 3038
   Meets :          2^nd and 4^th Wednesdays at school at 1.00pm
   Venue :          Keilor Downs College, Odessa Av, Keilor Downs
   Contact :        Principal : Peter Starford, phone 9367-4200
   Email :            interactkdc@gmail.com
   Website :        http://kdcinteract.d9x.net
   Sponsor :        RC Brimbank Central - Barbara Rafter, phone 9335-4822
    

3. CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
   SAVE!! AND WIN!! HURRY!!        EARLY BIRD SPECIAL!!! NOT TO BE MISSED
   Register by 13th December 2006 to Be In The Running To Win A Weekend Of Luxury
   Courtesy Of Lexus Of Blackburn. Just a short 45 minute drive from central Melbourne, The Sebel Heritage Yarra Valley is part of the prestigious Heritage Golf & Country Club and Heritage Retreat & Dayspa. This weekend includes one night's accommodation at The Sebel Heritage Yarra Valley in a deluxe room, including buffet breakfast for 2, access to all recreational facilities and the first private Jack Nicklaus designed signature golf course in Australia.
   To travel to your destination in style and comfort, the winner may select a Lexus vehicle of your choice for the duration of a weekend, courtesy of Lexus of Blackburn.
   
   Rotarians, please to let us know of anyone who should be receiving Conference updates.....just send an email to: conference@rotaryd9800.org      or Telephone: 03 9810 3509

4. WESTERN SUBURBS LIFE EDUCATION CHAIRPERSON
   To The Presidents and Secretaries of the Rotary Clubs in the western part of our District, the Western Suburbs Life Education Committee needs your help. Please bring to the attention of your members this important information.

   Click here to read the WSLE Committee Advertisement seeking a new Chairperson
   Click here for background information about the Western Suburbs Life Education (WSLE) Program & Rotary 

   As indicated in the Advertisement please contact Frank Felming (0418 399 721) or
   Graeme Glasson (0419 108 565) to discuss any matters arising and request a Role Description.
    

5. AUSTRALIA DAY 2007 INVITATION
   The Rotary Club of St Kilda invites Rotarians, friends and family to the annual celebration of our National Day on Friday 26^th January 2007. Join us for brunch from 10am at the South Melbourne Town Hall. We look forward to seeing you there - Click here to read all about it.

   Australia day is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy and appreciate the benefits of our remarkable country and its people, to reflect upon and acknowledge the history that led us to where we are now and to look forward to the future that we can create.    

   So have some fun and help to improve the lives of those with less cause to celebrate.  Mike Williamson, OAM is our guest speaker and some items to auction include autographed Brownlow Medal memorabilia.

   For most of us, Australia is indeed a Lucky Country.  Help us to share that around.

   Booking is essential - please click to access the booking form.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN CLUBS

RC Echuca-Moama
Congratulations to  Paul Weller, Member of the Rotary Club of Echuca Moama, who has been elected to the seat of Rodney in the recent elections for the Victorian Parliament, replacing Noel Maughan who is an Honorary Member of the same club.  Paul and his wife Christine are looking forward to continuing to work with the members for the 'good of Rotary'. 

RC Elsternwick
Change of Venue - As from Tuesday November 21, the Rotary Club of Elsternwick will meet at Hopscotch, 313 Glenhuntly Rd Elsternwick 3185 at 7.15 for 7.30 am

RC Gisborne
CHANGE OF VENUE: from Tuesday 5th December The Rotary Club of Gisborne Inc. will meet at the Victorian Tavern Hotel - 22 Aitken Street Gisborne at 6.45 for 7.15 pm.

RC Port Gellibrand
Early notice for the big Masked Fort Ball - 31 March 2007
With Christmas on the way early booking is recommended so that you do not miss out on this stellar occasion to be held at historic Fort Gellibrand.

Numbers are strictly limited and bookings need to be made well before 1 February when tickets will be mailed out - click here for details

Read all about the Big Bay Swim for 2007, the major fundraising event for RC Point Gellibrand, scheduled for 25^th Feb 2007. Read all about the Big Bay Swim for 2007, the major fundraising event for RC Point Gellibrand, scheduled for 25^th Feb 2007 for details

RC Hawthorn
Purchase the finest quality Christmas Hams and Chocolates for your family, friends, colleagues, and staff with orders closings December 8. Don't miss out on this succulent opportunity to share in this superb Christmas fair!  
Go to   http://www.hawthornrotary.org/projects/ehams06-orderform.pdf for the order form

RC Prahran
Christmas Function will be held at Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club at 6.30pm for 7.00pm on Thursday 14th December. This function is in lieu of the luncheon meeting 11th December

RC Richmond
FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR CLUB - Click here High quality hamper with your personalised Club gift card for member's to sell as staff, customer, other gifts.  Please take time to look at the attached brochure

RI Exchange Rate
The December Rotary exchange rate for the AUD remains at 1.31 

Speakers Bank Update: Click here

District 9800's website: http://www.rotaryd9800.org/