President Dave (left) with his lead elf (Treasurer Andrew). Behind every good President, there are a team of elves!
Well, wasn’t our Christmas Party a terrific way to round out 2023.
I was so pleased that Linda Allen joined us from St John of God Hospital, all our friends from Inner Wheel, visiting Rotarians as well as our other guests and families.
Vicki & Bob had the venue beautifully decorated, and the whole Christmas experience was first-rate.
Over the night, we could reflect on the plethora of activities and projects that kept us busy throughout the year.
For those who couldn’t make it, here’s a list of some of the things we accomplished:
- Countless Art Screen deliveries & pick ups
- Playground Harvests and packing in containers headed for overseas
- Birthing Kits Assembly
- Clean Up Australia Day
- Mock Interviews for Nossal High School
- Presentation Balls over two nights with over 100 students and over 700 guests over two nights
- Tree and seat planting at Grassmere Wetlands
- Sausage sizzles for St John of God, Berwick Level Crossing Removal Project, Nossal High School Sports
- Berwick Cemetery Clean-up
- Donations in Kind pick-ups of school desks and chairs and medical equipment and supplies
- Support for Casey North Community Support & Information Service with Christmas Collections delivery
- Completion of the Langmore Community Garden
- Commencement of our partnership with Bunnings Clyde Nth
- Numerous guest speakers
We also Inducted Wendy Moseley, Michele Somers, Michelle Rodrigues
I also was honoured to recognise the exemplary contributions from some of our Rotarians in a tongue-in-cheek fun way. Awards were:
Bill Gates Digital Excellence Award – David Button
The B J Baracus just get things done Award – Eric Boon
Dynamic Duo Award – Michele & Andrew Somers
The “RICHO” Award – Trevor Watson
Michael Bevan Award – Geoff Double
Waylon Smithers Award – Gus Dominguez
Buzz Aldrin Unsung Hero Award – Russell Fellows
Additionally we had the:
My Kitchen Rules Gastronomy Award – Vicki & Bob Carlyle
Also a big shout out goes to Sheldon, Nathan & Ethan Rodrigues for the games & quizzes they put together and also to Santa Funno Clause for making a guest appearance and ensuring the night was so much fun.
1st calendar event for the new year is the BBQ at Jack and Ann Kraan’s place and then the Bunnings BBQ on 27 January. I have been speaking with other clubs that do the BBQ’s and they recommend that we have the BBQ crewed by smaller teams over shorter shifts, as well as maybe a couple who want to go the distance.
We’ll piece it all together shortly and get the attendance schedule completed. In the meantime, Andrew has published the events on our Club website (www.rotaryberwick.org), and you are encouraged to register as soon as possible.
To all of our Rotary Family, your families & friends, I wish you a Very Merry Christmas and best wishes for a Healthy and Happy 2024.
Here is a view of the night:
