Volume 2 Issue 25

19 December 2005

WEEKLY NEWS
the e-Zine of Rotary International District 9800
www.rotaryd9800.org/news9800 

Click here for printer friendly version

DG's WEEKLY message
Rotary Friends
This last week started with the District Foundation Committee meeting on Monday evening and from it PDG Don Jago advised me that there are no applications for a District Simplified Grant so far this year. Elsewhere in this E-zine is more information about DSG’s and I encourage you to make an application early in the new year as there are funds available for your club. I then returned to Kyneton to visit my club who I had not seen for five weeks! Also on Monday evening we were pleased to have an overnight visit from Ambassadorial Scholar Scott Doty and Ashley to say farewell as they returned to the USA tonight.
On Wednesday evening we attended the 50th birthday celebrations for the RC Prahran and what a very enjoyable occasion it was with 18 Past presidents in attendance. I presented a certificate from RI to President Michael Morrison and a letter of congratulations to the club members from RI President Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammer.To celebrate their birthday they presented a cheque for $5000 to their member PDG Des Jones for the ARHRF.
On Thursday morning I attended a meeting at the Brotherhood of St Laurence with Ambassadorial Scholar Courtney Scala and in the evening the District Leadership Team met at International House. I am pleased to say that Courtney graduated with her Masters Degree from Melbourne University on Thursday evening.
Many of you have asked about the Conference Program which is now on the District Website and a link is attached to this e-Zine.
Congratulations to Bill Dagg and Jenny Hunter who have now been able to get great support from clubs in our district and adjoining districts to take-up most of the cleaning contracts for the Athletes Village at the Commonwealth Games! Those clubs who are involved will really benefit financially and be part of a wonderful event.
I have been asking for your stories of what you are doing in your club to recognise the Family of Rotary and what about this wonderful report from the RC Prahran. PP Dick Hardham took his three grandchildren to visit the School of St Jude in Tanzania and upon their return they all spoke to the club on their experiences. What a joy to read about their impressions of daily life so different from their own.
Fran joins me in wishing you all a very happy and safe Christmas.

Enjoy your week in Rotary                        DG John Wigley

   The e-Zine Production Team wishes all Rotarians and their families in District 9800 a Happy Christmas and a Safe and Prosperous 2006

1. THE NEWS YOU'VE ALL BEING WAITING FOR!!
   Visit the Conference website where you will find details on Speakers and an outline of the Programme.  Get down early for a game of Golf.
   http://www.rotary9800conference.com
   There is still accommodation in Geelong for the District Conference 30 March to 2 April.  Click here to find out.

2. RC of Melton's Royce Abbey Award
   Melton Rotary Club President Daryl Leonard recently presented a Royce & Jean Abbey Award to Mr. David Trethowan at Witchmount winery. The purpose of this award is to encourage new members to enjoy the benefit of using their talents in furthering the object of Rotary at club, District and International level.

3. Convention 2006 Newsletter
   Find out about the RI Convention in Scandinavia
   Contact Martin Taurins (OTC Chair) taurins3@vegas.com.au 

4. An update on Speakers from Speakers Bank.

5. District Foundation Chairman, Don Jago has asked that we remind clubs about the District Simplified Grants: 

   District Simplified Grants (DSG) are a new initiative that will replace the former grant categories of Helping Grants, New Opportunity Grants, Transportation Grants and Community Assistance Program Grants. Applications may be lodged with the District Foundation Committee, which has discretion to approve the project and the payment on terms it considers appropriate. The new system should enable applications for small local, national and international projects to be processed quickly and any payments approved made promptly. Regular reporting and accurate accounting for the grant and associated expenditure are key requirements.
   Each year, the District may apply for up to 20% of its DDF entitlement to be allocated to a DSG.
   Contact: PDG Jeffrey Bird; PDG Judy Nettleton

6. D.I.K is closed until Tues 17th Jan 06.
   For urgent contact only:  John Gordon 0412 539 743
   No emails RAWCS LO Timor until 20 Jan 06 as Bill Dagg is (on leave) as from 12 December 2005.

7. Article for bulletin editors re Polio plus going forward from here http://www.rotary.org/newsroom/downloadcenter/
   pdfs/pr_2004_polio_progress.pdf

8. Final Wrap-up of the ARHRF Winnebago's tour around Australia (and in particular District 9800) from Ron Adams. Click Here

9. Rotary Anzac Peace Tour 2006 in Turkey
   Fully Escorted Group Tour Departing 17 April 2006
   Choose from either a 10-day or 21-day itinerary that includes: 
   Return airfares; Accommodation; Sightseeing;   ANZAC Day Dawn Service; Lone Pine Service among many other wonderful inclusions.  Both tours include extensive  sightseeing throughout Turkey.  More Details?

10. Central Repository for Club Histories
    District has negotiated a permanent central site for Rotary Clubs throughout Victoria to display their history at no cost or seek assistance in publishing a club history. The Prahran Mechanics Institute Library at 140 High St. Prahran will accept copies of published Club histories or unpublished (typed) manuscripts for access to the general public, other interested Rotarians or for purpose of research on site or loan at no cost. Click here for full details. Interested Clubs may hand copy of their history to their AG. Contact Rtn John Meehan Ph: 9859 1772 for more information.

11. AUSTRALIAN ROTARY'S 'WORLD WITHOUT POLIO EXHIBITION' - December 2005 to February 2006

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Calendar of Events: Click on the link for events in District 9800.  If you have any event you wish publicised, contact: