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I hope you all enjoyed a week off from Rotary. I didn't quite get the night off as other Rotary activities quickly filled in the gap, but it gave me some breathing space to plan for the months ahead. There are 135 active projects, portfolios, functions and committees constantly on my Rotary Club of Berwick radar/database. Shortly, I will have time to prepare a plan for our Club for next year and produce another "President's Plan" for 2021-22. My President's Plan 2020-21 was a bit of a shock to some in the club, but it gave a reasonable outline to newer members that helped them understand our Rotary Club, what it does and why we do it. It also exposed a shortfall in Rotary education in older members, which is OK because now I have areas of focus to strengthen our knowledge. Currently, my 2020-21 plan runs at 28 pages and naturally, no one wants to read it (including me!), but once we all have the same knowledge, there is no need to read it all. The plan is only there to unite us and bring us all to the same place. Knowledge is power and that power can change lives, enhance our own existence and make our involvement in Rotary meaningful. It took me ten years to work out what Rotary is all about, using the "let's not have a plan method", so let's move it to a new level and make the plan work in our favour. So, on with my week in review. At my work, there are two Chilean Backpackers. The conversation around the lunch table today was about Rotary. I have a newspaper article pinned to my fridge that sparked their interest. How can I be a Rotary President and work long hours at the same time was the question? I have no idea how to answer that question! Rotary is a life balancer that adds a different perspective, activities, experiences and challenges to "ordinary" life. I make time for what I like doing, although sometimes it can be hard to squeeze in everything. With help from other Rotarians and my family, I get most things done, some even on time! So the question got me thinking about why people from Chile would ask, whereas people from Australia don't seem to care. Maybe it comes down to the awareness of Rotary in their country. The Chilean Government has always been an enthusiastic supporter of Rotary, according to the Global Rotary History Fellowship: https://www.rghfhome.org/first100/global/regions/chile.htm. Let's get our Government enthusiastic about supporting Rotary too. Let them see us as active supporters and leaders in our community. Rotary can be a catalyst to change in many life-changing projects by engaging with other elements in the community. Rotary should be a leader in our community's future. On a global scale, eradicating Polio meant Rotary formed relationships with other organisations to make the program effective. In downtown Berwick, our Club can do the same, albeit on a smaller scale! Movers and shakers are evolving in our Club! We need to keep ahead of the game by ensuring these members are supported, and our collective efforts are successful. There are four imminent projects with green lights that need every member's attention and support. We are masters of our destiny, and we decide how the public will see Rotary by our actions. Clean up Australia Day: 7th March 10.00 am to 12.00 pm at Buchanan Park, Berwick. Jen Marshall has set the Club on fire with this "get out in Public" and flaunt your stuff project. Jen has done her research through the council and visiting the site. I visited Buchanan Park this morning, and I think this would be the perfect spot for our Club to clean up. - It's local
- It has a Rotary connection already with the Rotary rotunda
- There is enough rubbish for about 20 people to pick up over half an hour, scattered litter across the park and some areas like drains with quite a bit of rubbish (see attached photo for example)
- Its over the road from Maccas! We can have a coffee after our clean up (and put our cups in the bins afterwards)
- There is a new playground for kids to come along
- We are visible from the road.
But wait, there is more! You know, I mentioned working with other elements in our community. How about adding 40 cubs (scouts) and ten parents to our efforts and developing a relationship to overcome our aging and frail membership to become that catalyst in the community. A BBQ lunch might be on the cards after a small amount of work to cement/ bond/ find ways of working with our youth and other organisations to further the Rotary reach. Vocational Awards: Chairman Laury Gordyn This project was always going to be a long shot at getting it off the ground. We are in a cancel culture at the moment, but if we keep Holm Park as a venue, we can be flexible with timing, and if we need to postpone, there should be no cost with rescheduling. I have asked Jarrod Flanagan, current President of the Berwick College School Council and Careers Counsellor at Chisholm Institute of TAFE, to help us set up a great event. He has been involved with similar industry events before, and his involvement should enhance our Clubs' approach to this event. I am hoping that Jarrod will present to the Club on his experiences with vocational awards. Grasmere Creek Wetlands: Jack Kraan and Jen Marshall This has to be one of the most exciting local projects researched and proposed by members in a long time. PP Jack Kraan and Jen Marshall have been hard at it getting a project together that the Club can grow into over the long term. This is the sort of initiative that gets me excited about being in Rotary. I have been watching as Wilson Botanic Park has evolved and how the biodiversity and usability of the park has grown over the years. Rotary should be involved with the amenity of where it lives, as much as the lives it hopes to touch. We are very lucky to have a couple of "go get um" members, who are forging new avenues for our Club to engage in. Potential projects that Jack and Jen have identified so far include: - Tree planting in Area 11 on the concept plan (available on request).This would be co-ordinated through Council who have an agreement with Melbourne Water to revegetate this area.
- Provision of seating along the walking tracks throughout the wetlands. We can construct and install these, as long as we meet Melbourne Water specifications.
- Interpretive signage highlighting the area's indigenous and European cultural history.
- Bird hides, potentially at the existing wetlands in the east, or longer-term at the new eastern wetlands.
- Maintenance projects such as weed control and spreading mulch. The carpark area can do with some immediate attention - Melbourne Water does not have sufficient budget.
- Provision of bike racks
- Provision of nesting boxes (this was not discussed, but may be a possibility)
Melbourne Water has a funding program called Living Communities, Liveable Waterways, which we maybe able to tap into for funding to assist our projects. And remember the cubs/scouts? We may have physical help to implement many of these projects and extend our abilities to be a driving force in our community. Presentation Balls: PP Isobel Caulfield and PP Pete Batterham There is a seismic shift with this project, as our Club moves to take the work out of the project and move the time-consuming activities online. A lot of the intensive work involved administration. There should be enough technical knowhow in the Club to remodel this part of the project, which then leaves the much more enjoyable aspects. Dance practice and the presentations themselves will let members get in tune with the younger generation. If you have time, this is actually a very enjoyable project to be involved with and well worth volunteering some of your time. Our Rotary Club is moving forward. We have serious people focused on serious projects. We are engaging with the community and bringing positive outcomes. Our plans are only limited by our member's commitment to our community. |
Bob was introduced to the club by the late PP Mick Morland OAM, and has been an active member of the club for over ten years. 
On 9th January, several Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Berwick and their friends gathered at Alameda Homestead Nursery in Devon Meadows to pack 53 toiletry kits for Primary School children in the Northern Territory. 
Jen Marshall has organised with the City of Casey for our Club's involvement in the Clean Up Australia Day proceedings on Sunday 7th March. 
We will clean up, then grab coffees/teas from McDonalds across the road to have with morning tea and enjoy some fellowship. Morning tea will be funded by the City of Casey.
