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Town & Country Weekly

Your e-Zine from District 9800

Volume 3  Issue 31 17 February 2007

 

DG Bernie's Weekly Message
STILL LEADING THE WAY 

It did seem like only a short while ago when we started this Rotary year and, in the blink of an eye, almost eight months have passed. And what have we achieved to date?

We should also ask the question, what is still to be done? Have our plans been fulfilled or are we still waiting to get things moving?

The defining moment of the District Rotary year is the District Conference and in three weeks, our two years of preparation will be tested. We believe all is in readiness for this important event in the life of Rotary that revolves around fun and fellowship which are the motivators for making things happen the Rotary way. Speakers, presenters, entertainment and venues are in readiness for this important event in the life of Rotary and you are going to enjoy every minute.

After the Conference, we make way for the training events for next year's leaders with the Presidents Elect Training Seminar (PETS) followed by the District Assembly. This gives us a short time to conclude our business while Leading the Way.

We should be reviewing progress over the past eight months and I note that our revamped Cluster system is working well with all Clubs combining their efforts to strengthen our work for the disadvantaged and also assisting those Clubs that need our help. Some Clubs are streaming ahead while others take a little longer to register achievements.

We have been positive with assisting some Clubs to regenerate themselves by placing management support and we are confident that these Clubs will again take their place as strong members of Rotary International.

In my official visits to Clubs, I spoke about turning Clubs into Rotary Clubs, not merely social clubs. The Objects of Rotary have stood the test of time and have made our organisation truly international, no small feat when you consider we are represented in over 180 countries and geographic regions.

In the next four months, I am asking you to concentrate in making your Club emphasise Rotary and embrace the system that has made Rotary great. Participate in Rotary events, immerse yourselves in fellowship, and share yourselves with other Clubs, particularly within your Cluster. And above all, look for prospective members who would enjoy the Rotary experience because Rotary would be good for them and, it will follow, they would be good for Rotary.

LEAD THE WAY for Rotary and the world needs YOU.

Bernie Walshe
District Governor

 

        CANBERRA CONFERENCE COUNTDOWN

         It is still not too late to register but you will need to book your own accommodation
         For Enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact the Conference Secretariat:
         email: conference@rotaryd9800.org
         Telephone: 03 9810 3509 or Mobile: 0400 584 863

 

 

Calendar of Events:
Click here

ACTION AGAINST POLIO  

World Health Organization Director-General Margaret Chan has begun to act on her pledge to press ahead with the goal of eradicating polio worldwide.

On 22 January at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Chan announced that she is convening an urgent consultation of major stakeholders on polio next month. Stakeholders include the four remaining polio-endemic countries - Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan – and donor countries that have traditionally supported polio eradication financially.

"The expected outcome is a set of milestones that must be met if transmission is to be interrupted in the four remaining endemic countries," Chan said at the opening of the twice-yearly session of the WHO Executive Board.

Less than a week after taking office in January, Chan met with RI President Bill Boyd and International PolioPlus Committee Chair Robert Scott.

"We were strongly encouraged by the personal commitment and organizational resources Dr. Chan clearly intends to devote to ensure we achieve our shared goal of a polio-free world," said RIP Boyd. "It inspires us as Rotarians to maintain our efforts to overcome the final remaining challenges".
 

FEBRUARY IS WORLD

UNDERSTANDING MONTH

 

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN CLUBS

Rotary Club of Albert Park
The RC Albert Park is now an evening Club
Please note this significant change so that you do not roll up for a breakfast makeup in future. Note the Club's new time and meeting location:
Venue - Life Saving Victoria Club, 200 The Boulevard, Port Melbourne 3207
Time and date - Wednesday evenings at 6.00pm for 6.30pm

RC Boroondara
RC Boroondara has changed its meeting times effective immediately from 8pm to 7.30pm
The meeting on Tuesday 20 February will be held in Richard Dalla-Riva's office, opposite QPO, Cotham Rd Kew instead of at QPO

RC Brimbank Central                 NEW
With regret Michael Donnelly has had to withdraw from the role of President Elect for 2006-2007.
The Club has elected Allan Puli (a Past President) as the new President Elect.

RC Brunswick
Night meeting: Thursday 1st March will be a night meeting, continuing trial from before Christmas at 6 for 6:30pm meeting. All other meetings will be at the usual Thursday lunch time (12:45 for 1pm).   
All details are at www.brunswickrotary.org.au as usual.

RC Essendon         NEW
The Club is proud to announce that the guest speakers for the 2007 Lecture are Shane Jacobson, star of the hit film "Kenny", and his brother, Clayton, producer, director and editor of the film. 
Come and hear from the two men behind the funniest film of 2006 
Venue:          Moonee Valley Race Course
Date:            Tuesday, 27th March 2007        12.30 - 2.00 pm
Ticket price:   $50 including entry, lunch and limited beverages
You've seen the film - now meet the family!       Further details and ticketing information to follow soon.

RC Gisborne                     NEW
Clean Up Australia - Date: Sunday 4th March
Venue: Gardiner Reserve, Aitken St., Gisborne from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm
Come along and join us in caring for our environment. Bring sturdy shoes, sun hat, block out cream and gloves. Sausage sizzle for all participants 1.00 pm.
All participants must register at site. Pat Bialobrzeski Co-coordinator Tel. 5428 3474

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

RC Melbourne
The date of the annual Rotary Club of Melbourne Angus Mitchell Oration has been changed to Wednesday 14th March 2007. This is always an outstanding event and will be again this year.
The orator this year is Justice Michael Kirby                                     All Rotarians are welcome.
Place: Windsor Hotel 103 Spring Street Melbourne
Time:12.30pm for 12.50 pm

RC Woodend
The Club's impressive BBQ Trailer is to be sold. Click here for details of how to submit a tender for the trailer. Tenders close 26 February.

RC Wyndham
RC Wyndham has returned to the Italian Social Club (following completion of renovations at the Club)
601 Heaths Road, Werribee. The Club meets each Wednesday at 6.30pm.

New Members - A big Rotary welcome to:
RC Albert Park - Tony Harrison [Transfer from RC Melbourne South]
                       Debbie Pincombe
                       Christine Tankard
                       Mark Borchert
                       Paul Kildea
                       Russell Stott
                       Tess Mcguigan
                       Robert Franzos
                       Richard Goss [Former member with RC Melbourne Latrobe]
RC Bendigo -  Daniella Ionescu

  1. GOLFERS - OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY AT THE PRESTIGIOUS FEDERAL GOLF COURSE IN CANBERRA
    The Conference Golf Day on Friday March 9     - It is not too late to register
    Venue: Federal Golf Club, Redhill Lookout Road, Redhill, Canberra

    Time: Players must be at the course no later than 11.00 a.m. for briefing.  Hit off time is 11.30am

    Cost: $55 per player                   Light Refreshments provided.
    The event will be Stableford - Men, Ladies and Teams. Trophies will be awarded for the Best Team Score, Best Individual Stableford, Nearest the Pin for Ladies and Men, and Longest Drive for Ladies and Men.
    Contact Simon O'Donoghue on 0407 315 049 if you have any enquiries
    Click here for more details

  2. SHINE ON AWARDS
    REMINDER to Clubs that the closing date of the Shine On Awards nominations is 25 February
    Forms and information are available      phone (9337 4710) or via email: DawnWatson@yahoo.com 

  3. COMPUTERS FOR KIDS PROJECT
    Computers for Kids Project is seeking some steel shelving for the warehouse. Height say 1800mm and up to 30 bays would be very helpful.
    Also Computers for Kids has 4 high quality units of "Network Access Control" which can be used together or separately. They are pre ADSL equipment but all in working condition including 180 modems and cooling fans. They are suitable for a "non-broadband" application. Please speak with Jeffrey Bird or Dawn Watson

  4. APPLICATIONS FOR AMBASSADORIAL SCHOLARS, WORLD PEACE FELLOWSHIPS & UNIVERSITY TEACHERS NOW OPEN FOR THE 2008 / 2010 ROTARY YEAR
    Application process & eligibility: http://www.rotary.org/foundation/education    /education      
    Please contact District Foundation Chairman Chris Don     for additional information

  5. CHARITY BREAKFAST WITH DEMOGRAPHER & FUTUROLOGIST BERNARD SALT
    The Yarra Cluster Clubs invite all Rotarians and friends of Rotarians to hear renowned demographer and futurologist, Bernard Salt to talk on: "Generationally Speaking"  - Is generational change shaping your community?           Click here for details
    Bernard is the author of the best-selling book The Big Shift and more recently The Big Picture published in 2006. He will address the issues of:

    - Is generational change shaping your community? 
    - Are the Boomers guilt ridden, indulgent parents and grandparents?
    -     Where have all the X Gen gone?
    -     Generation Y - are they footloose and fancy free?
    - Will this Fearless Generation become the Disappointed Generation? 
    Where:    Leonda by the Yarra, Wallen Road, Hawthorn (Melways 45 A11);
    When:     Friday     23 February 2007;      7:15 am for 7:30 am sharp;
    Cost:           $37.00 per head or $350.00 for a table of 10

  6. Welcome dinner for the income GSE team from the Netherlands      NEW
    To See Rotary International Foundation at work, Rotarians are invited to the Welcoming Dinner for the GSE team from the Netherlands.
    Hosted by the RC of Kew at the Kew Golf Club, 125 Belford Road, East Kew. Mel 45 G. 1.
    6.30 for 7.00 PM, $45.00 per person, drinks at bar prices. See attached details.  Click here for details

  7. FAREWELL DINNER FOR OUR GSE TEAM
    Early notice that our farewell dinner being hosted by the RC of Chadstone/East Malvern for our District GSE team traveling to the Netherlands will be held at The Kooyong Tennis Club on April 24th at 7.00PM.
    Cost $44.00 - Drinks at bar prices

  8. DISTRICT GOVERNOR'S ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF DAY
    RC West Footscray is hosting the Annual 9800 District Governor's Charity Golf Day (after a break of some years) to be held on Friday 16th March 2007 at Medway Golf Course. Click here for the entry form.

  9. MELBOURNE METROPOLITAN ROTARY BOWLS DAY      NEW
    FRIDAY MARCH 30, 2007 - 12.30PM AT KEW HEIGHTS SPORTS CLUB, 397 Barkers Rd., Kew
    Previously advertised but closing date for entries has been extended to 1st March
    Click here for entry form

  10. MAYORAL GOLF DAY                        NEW
    Coordinated by RC Kew           Friday March 2, 2007
    Freeway Golf Course North Balwyn
    Teams of 4 for a fun Ambrose Event
    Members of other Clubs interested in joining in the fun to help us should contact John Green, the event organiser, on Ph. 0408 404 445    Click here for details

  11. RAGMSA               NEW
    Rotarian Action Group of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Cocktail Party has been rescheduled to Saturday 21 April to celebrate the 2007 Global Dinners for Multiple Sclerosis to raise awareness about MS.
    Venue: Junior Common Room, International House, 241 Royal Parade, Parkville. 7.30 pm 
    Entry cost is $25/pp for finger food, beer, wine, sparkling and soft drinks.
    For information or for a booking form contact Teresa Hamilton  Telephone 9747 3445,    Mobile 0412 741 854,   
    Email     t.dhamil@bigpond.net.au 

  12. CAFE INTERNATIONALE
    Cafe International 2007: The Golden Globe" promises to be an exciting night of fine dining and sparkling performances inspired by film and television classics over the last 50 years. 2007 also marks the 50th anniversary of International House. In celebration, the student residents have decided to donate 100% of profits from Cafe 2007 to Interplast Australia.             Keep 5th May 2007 free to attend this event.
    Click here for essential details about Cafe 2007 and please indelibly mark Saturday night 5 May 2007 in your diary for "Cafe 2007: The Golden Globe".
    If you have further questions about Cafe 2007, please contact Cafe07@gmail.com        
    District 9800 Rotary Clubs will receive a formal invitation for Cafe 2007 soon.

    RI Exchange Rate
    The February Rotary exchange rate for the AUD remains at 1.28

    Speakers Bank Update:  Click here

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

        You can always check the back issues of Weekly News if you missed something:  
        2005-2006 Issue 01  02  03  04  05  06  07  08   09  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20   21  22 
        23  24  25  26  27  28  29  30  31  32  33  34  35  36  37   38   39  40   41  42  43  44  45  46  47  48 49 50
        2006-2007: 1  2 3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10  11  12  13 14 15  16  17  18  19 20  21  22  23  24 25  26  27  28
          29  30