Welcome to our vibrant and relaxed Rotary Club, where community spirit thrives alongside a sense of ease and camaraderie. Picture a place where laughter mingles with purpose and friendships are forged through shared experiences and meaningful endeavours.
We had a bit of a topsy turvy week last week as illness caused a late change of plans for our meeting. Instead we watched District Governor Colin’s September video newsletter and a short clip from Bill Gates about the End Polio Program.
For those who were unable to attend and have not yet seen these, I encourage you to take a look. Links are as follows:
This week I had the pleasure of representing the Rotary Club of Berwick at a retirement function for outgoing Berwick College Principal, Kerri Bolch. The Rotary Club of Berwick has had a long history of association with Berwick College, having hosted the inaugural Debutante Ball in 1985. A tradition that has continued every year since other than one missed year due to COVID. Next year will be the 40th running of the Balls. Kerri has been a strong supporter of our association with the school throughout her 14 years as principal.
Kerri asked me to pass on her profound thanks for the great contribution that the Rotary Club of Berwick has provided to both the school and the local community. We congratulate Kerri for her outstanding service to education throughout a career spanning 40 years and wish her well in her retirement.
We also extend our congratulations to incoming principal Josie Millard and we look forward to working with her as we continue our association with the school.
In other principal related news, Tracey Mackin has been appointed as the new principal at Nossal High School following the retirement of foundation principal Roger Page. Tracey has been acting principal for the past two and a half years during Roger’s extended leave. We extend our congratulations to Tracey on this appointment. I have had the opportunity to work with Tracey in my role as the Rotary Community Representative on the Nossal School Council and look forward to continuing to do so.
Next meeting we have PP Dave Anderson back from his international sojourn presenting to us about leadership. We’ll also be visited by District Conference Chair Wil Cornellisen who will be telling us all about the upcoming Inaugural D918r Conference.
Walk With Us - Berwick Rotary Boomers and Shakers
Don’t forget, October is Rotary End Polio month. Once again the Berwick Rotary Boomers and Shakers are participating in Walk-With-Us. Our team is growing and getting ready to get those feet moving throughout the month of October. Why not join our team, or sponsor us, as we aim to raise money to support the fight to eradicate Polio:
Rotary’s ideal of service is based on the Five Avenues of Service – Club, Vocational, Community, International and New Generations, or Youth as it was once known. These are Rotary International's philosophical cornerstones. Globally, Rotary clubs carry out efforts to support each avenue as the basis of their service activities and projects.
In line with this, clubs conduct vocational activities. One such activity is keeping members abreast of what is happening in vocations via job talks given by members and others and, by visiting different workplaces of Rotarians, other businesses and services, manufacturers and various industries in local areas such as education, health, welfare, retail, primary production etc.
In the past we have visited a variety of workplaces including Gordyn and Palmer Complete Electrical and Automation Solutions, Alameda Homestead Nursery, Berwick College, David Nutter Ford and Volkswagen, Veolia waste recycling, St John of God Berwick Hospital, John Allison Monkhouse Funerals, Harkaway Cemetery, the Level Crossing Removal site in Clyde Road amongst many more!
A vocational visit provides an opportunity to learn on-site more about different vocations, combining education, business sector engagement and fellowship into one activity.
Our first vocational visit for some time sees us meet at Mercedes Benz Berwick. We will be guided through a site tour of both state-of-the-art showrooms, followed by a tour of the workshop, and finishing with a new model release talk in one of only three AMG performance Centres in Victoria.
Our dinner meal will be hot and cold finger food catered for at the venue, served with soft drink, sparkling wine, beer and wine, generously part sponsored by our hosts.
Bring your family and friends for this fun opportunity of an exclusive look behind the scenes at Mercedes Benz Berwick whilst having a great social night out.
Why are we worried about Polio in our Polio free country where the virus is a distant memory to most? The polio vaccine was developed in the 1950s wasn’t it?
Polio is a forgotten global virus. When Rotary formed Polio Plus in 1985 to End Polio, polio paralysed 1,000+ children every single day in 125 polio-endemic countries.
Many reading this have lost a parent or grandparent to polio, or your older friends may be living with polio paralysis or post- polio syndrome - symptoms of muscle fatigue and chronic pain. But you, your children and grandchildren are polio free. Vaccines work
Today wild polio virus is present in only 2 countries in the world, Pakistan and Afghanistan. We are on a mission to find 12.5 million unvaccinated children. Strong immunisation systems everywhere are critical to stopping transmission of polio, sustaining eradication and eliminating and better controlling this preventable disease.
There is no cure The strategy to eradicate polio is therefore based on preventing infection by immunizing every child until transmission stops and the world is polio free!
Rotary members have contributed more than USD $2.6 billion dollars and countless volunteer hours to fight #End Polio. Together with our partners we immunize over 400 million children every year.
What can you do to help us End Polio?
This October we are asking you to ‘”Walk With Us “ for those who can’t. We are challenging you to walk, run or roll 10, 20 or 50km throughout the month and raise vital funds that will help eradicate and prepare us for a Polio free world.
Be part of something special: Be part of the end game strategy and raise funds to help make Polio history so that no child ever again suffers paralytic poliomyelitis. Walk with Us or sponsor us!
The Rotary Club of Berwick are fielding a team! Berwick Rotary Boomers and Shakers are back walking to End Polio from 1 - 31 October!
Join us and walk as a member of our team, or, if you can't walk, sponsor us! Previously we have raised over $3000. Let’s see if we can do better this time.
Did you know………every donation to End Polio through Rotary will have a triple impact. We have partnered with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation with a match 2:1 donation match!
Your donation will help Rotary, and partners obtain vaccines, transport and personnel.
Helpers wanted for loading RORP playgrounds - Saturday 19 October
The next container of twelve playgrounds are ready to be loaded into a container to be shipped to Cambodia.
If you are able to help please, contact Russell Fellows or Jen Marshall. We are also looking for one more towing vehicle to help out on the day. All drivers are reimbursed for fuel while towing.
Image: Helpers at the last RORP container load out with Rotarian and RORP co-ordinator Wayne Jenkins
Date and Time: Saturday 19 October, 8am - approx. 1pm.
Location: The playgrounds are currently stored at Rotarian Wayne Jenkin's House, 4 Jillian Way, Mount Martha.
The shipping container is located in the carpark of the New Peninsula Baptist Church, 370 Craigie Road, Mount Martha.
The job involves loading playground parts onto trailers at Wayne's house, towing the trailers 3 km to the shipping container located in a large carpark, unloading the trailers into the container.
Lunch and drinks are provided. You can grab a lift with Russell from Berwick, or drive yourself there.
This October, we are challenging you to walk, run or roll 10, 20 or 50km throughout the month and raise vital funds that will help eradicate and prepare us for a Polio free world.
How does it work?
1. Sign up – Sign up to walk or run as many km’s as you like through the month of October.
2. Get a team together – Getting on the journey with friends, family or colleagues will be more fun.
3. Walk with Us! Track your journey goal and aim to get yourself on our leaderboard.
When and where is Rotary Walk With Us 2024?
Rotary Walk With Us 2024 is an online fitness challenge which runs for one month from 1st October 2024 to 31st October 2024. You decide where and when to complete your challenge.
We are bringing back in-person events this year, although attending them is entirely optional!
What do I have to do?
Walk, run or roll 10, 20 or 50km throughout the month and raise vital funds that will help eradicate and prepare us for a Polio free world. Wherever you live, whatever your fitness level, you can decide where, when and how you Walk With Us to end Polio. Setting a challenging personal goal will make it more likely others will sponsor you.
Will there be an in-person events this year?
We are planning in person walks on the first and last weekends in October.
The month will be launched on Sunday 6 October at the Paws for Polio Walk in Elsternwick.
Details of all the in person walks are on the Events Page on this website.
Who can register?
Anyone! You don't need to be a Rotarian or Rotaractor. Whether you’re an individual, a team, a bunch of mates, or an entire sports club or a person with a Great Dane or 3 – registering for Rotary’s Walk With Us is easier than you might think.
How much does it cost to register?
It’s completely free to register and participate in Rotary Walk With Us.
Where do the funds go that I raise?
Every dollar you raise will go towards funding vital Polio eradication efforts. 100% of all funds raised with go directly to Rotary’s End Polio Now program. Every dollar is matched 2:1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Is there a minimum amount I have to raise?
Nope, there is no minimum! We definitely encourage you to fundraise and share your activities with others, but you aren't required for raise a specific minimum amount.
