SPOKE 'N' WORDS

Issue 21
22nd November 2023
 
Join our dinner meeting
 

Most Wednesdays at
The Beaconsfield Club,
Holm Park, Beaconsfield, 
Victoria, Australia 

6.30 pm for 7.00 pm

Enquire by Email:
Visitors and Rotarians are welcome.
 
Hi $FIRST_NAME$,

Transforming from regular Rotarians into community superheroes is totally on the table, thanks to our powerful network and the wisdom we gain from the world of Rotary. Sure, it's not an overnight transformation – it takes a dash of time and a sprinkle of effort, but hey, the more you put in, the more you get out, just like in the grand game of life!

Take a peek at the scene above featuring Sir Gustov Nossal and his bronze doppelgänger (an apparition or double of a living person.) – it's not just a statue; it's a symbol! Our club and Nossal High School share a timeline filled with camaraderie. Jack Kraan, Sam McCurdy, and Andrew Somers have been representing us on the school council for over a decade. By the way, this Bulletin is Best Viewed Online 

 
President Dave's take for this week
Posted by David Anderson on Nov 22, 2023
Hi everyone and a quick update from me before I head away to support my daughter and granddaughter as they compete in their national dancing competitions.
 
As a leadership team over the past weekend, we had to make a difficult decision regarding our scheduled meeting for 22 November. We had considerable headwinds, including most of our current peer leaders, including myself being unable to attend for various reasons, nothing solid by means of an external speaker to capture our attention, only two members registered for the meeting late Sunday evening and a handshake agreement with Vicki & Bob assuring minimum numbers so that they may have a commercially viable business. Against that background, we had no real option but to cancel the meeting, and I apologise for that outcome.
 
We must learn from this to ensure we are not left in that position again. The way I see it, we need to assemble a reserve (for want of another word) leadership team so we can call upon those Rotarians to step up when needed. This will be an agenda item for our upcoming board meeting next week, but now is the time to see hands go up so that we can create more capability and capacity around the club. You will be pleased to learn that Michelle Oliver-Rodrigues has already signalled her intention to step up, which makes me very happy.
 
All members to dig a little deeper and come up with ideas and contacts so that we can build a deep guest speaker roster. I have approached Australian Rotary Health and our friends at Bunnings to come and speak but that won’t be available until next year. If each of us were to provide two contacts/ideas to Marta that would help us create that program as well as share the load. I’ve called on this quite a few times already but now is the time to turn intention into action.
 
Be less afraid to invite guests to our meetings so that we can continue to demystify Rotary. David(s) Nutter and Button have been role models in this area and we can learn plenty from them. If we can do this better I will be able to get some more restful sleep.
 
The only other reminders I want to make are:
Our AGM is next Wednesday and I look forward to seeing everyone there. Please remember that we have discussed the creation of a Rotary Berwick collection of food/hamper items so that we can deliver something worthwhile to CNCISS. We’ve already shared the types of items to include in our edition of our bulletin on 18 October 2023
I’m sure you already know but you can access these via our web page: Download the Hamper Info Booklet HERE and Download the Christmas Appeal Letter HERE
 
The next part of the construction of the Community Garden is Saturday 9 December from 10 am to 2 pm. Please reserve some time in your busy calendar to lend a hand; many hands make life a lot easier.
 
The Christmas party is on Wednesday 13 December, members, family and guests welcome. All details are on the website. https://rotaryberwick.org/event/rotary-club-of-berwick-christmas-party/
 
Take care and see you soon. I’m off on my other job as a supportive family member.
 
Unveiling of Sir Gustav Nossal Statue
 
Posted by Sam McCurdy on Nov 20, 2023
On Monday 20th November, I represented the Rotary Club of Berwick at the unveiling of the statue of Sir Gustav Joseph Victor Nossal AC, at Nossal High School.
 
Sir Gustav Victor Joseph Nossal AC CBE FRS FAA FTSE is an Austrian-born Australian research biologist. He is famous for his contributions to the fields of antibody formation and immunological tolerance.
 
Nossal High School, is a government-funded mixed-sex academically selective secondary day school. The school was established in 2010 and caters for students in Year 9 to Year 12. 
 
Approximately 100 invited guests, friends of NHS, staff and students attended the event, which honoured Sir Gustav for his contribution and support for the school, which was named after him.
 
Council Chairman, Dr John Innes suggested the idea of the statue to School Council as an ideal way of commemorating the 10th anniversary of the school. Although supported by School Council, the project was delayed due to the COVID epidemic.
 
 
Founding School Principal Roger Page provided a brief history of the school’s creation and its’ naming.  Funding for the project was managed by retired Vice-Principal, Keith Butler, who managed to raise almost $90,000 through small donations by parents significant contributions by local businesses.
 
Acting Principal, Tracey Makin, gave a comprehensive summary of the exceptional achievements of 92-year old Sir Gustav. 
 
 
Before unveiling his statue, Sir Gustav thanked the school for this honour and provided advice to existing students to look beyond academia, to aim high and to broaden their interests on the national and international arenas.
 
Editors Note: 
Sam was on the NHS School Council when the statue was first proposed, so Sam attended the event (In full Club colours) as our representative.  Jack Kraan also served as the Club's community representative on the Council in its first 6 years before Sam took over for 3 years.  Andrew Somers is our current representative on the Council. The Rotary Club of Berwick has a long history with Nossal High School. Unfortunately, both Jack and Andrew are currently on the sidelines due to medical reasons, so it is terrific to have Sam representing our Club on this important occasion.
 
 
5th December Joint meeting opportunity
Posted by David Button on Nov 22, 2023
The Rotary experience for many Rotarians takes a few twists and turns to make things happen. In 2016, the Rotary Club of Berwick joined in with several other Rotary Clubs and organisations to embark on a journey of discovery, learning and ultimately help for the people of Balibo, Timor Leste. One of the main components of any great story is the existence of a person with intimate knowledge, passion and connections who can bring all the working parts together to deliver a positive result.
 
Meet Rino. The man who can make things happen. Rino grew up in a terrible time for his country and his people. Because of his experiences, he has made it his mission to help his people become the the best they can be in a world that is not that kind to such a poor country.
 
Marino “Rino” Fernandes was born in 1980 in a small village within the Balibo sub-district. As a survivor of the Indonesian occupation, Rino witnessed terrible atrocities. Human Rights Watch estimated that 70% of Balibo was destroyed during the militia violence that followed the Timorese vote for independence. It was this hardship that inspired him to help his community.
 
The meeting is at the Cardinia Club in Pakenham. Meals are ordered and paid for on the night. If you want to come along, all you need to do is email David Button on david.button@rotaryberwick.org with how many are attending so the Cardinia Club knows.
 
Tuesday 5th December at 6:15 PM
 Cardinia Club
71 Racecourse Road
Pakenham, VIC 3810
Australia
 
 
 
Ho! Ho! Ho! The season is nearly upon us!
 
Posted by Jane Moore on Oct 27, 2023
President Dave has brought us ‘home” to Holm Park to celebrate the festive season and party away our final club meeting for this 2023 year on Wednesday, 13th December.
 
 

T’is the Season……..

 
So let’s get jolly! 
 
Wednesday 13th December will see the Rotary Club of Berwick celebrate the festive season, with fun and frivolity, over a two-course meal at the Beaconsfield Club, Holm Park Reserve, 100 Emerald -Beaconsfield Road, Beaconsfield. Our last meeting for the 2023 calendar year.
There will be a visit from the man in red, prizes for the best Christmas outfit, perhaps a quiz or game, and, of course, a couple of rounds of heads and tales! Pocket some coins to bring along to chance a win.
The cost is $55 per person inclusive, of two course Christmas fare, and a drink on arrival.  For children or grandchildren, there will be a meal available.  Please contact Jane: jane@cinet.com.au for details so we can book your young one’s in, as our registration portal doesn’t stretch to multiple pricing!
Please invite your family and friends!  This is a purely social night of festivity, and time to spend in each other’s company.
To register and pay, please follow the link below:
Annual General Meetings
The Beaconsfield Club
Nov 29, 2023
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
Rotary Club Of Berwick Christmas Party
The Beaconsfield Club
Dec 13, 2023
6:30 PM – 9:30 PM
 
View entire list
Member Birthdays
Tim Moore
November 7
 
Russell Fellows
November 13
 
Rosemarie Hughes
November 18
 
Maureen Scott
November 30
 
Funno Funston
December 2
 
John Rosenthal
December 3
 
Isobel Caulfield
December 10
 
Rob Wingrave
December 27
 
Spouse Birthdays
Tim Moore
November 7
 
Judy Button
November 11
 
Helen Rosenthal
November 17
 
Peter Blackwood
December 4
 
Kate Gordyn
December 5
 
Isobel Caulfield
December 10
 
Debbie Giesen
December 28
 
Join Date
Gary Castricum
November 1, 2017
6 years
 
Laury Gordyn
November 3, 1994
29 years
 
Gus Dominguez
November 23, 2006
17 years
 
Adrian Froggatt
December 1, 1992
31 years
 
Jack Kraan
December 1, 1983
40 years
 
Sandi Tarant
December 11, 2008
15 years
 
Garry Cooper
December 14, 2000
23 years
 
Our Sponsors

St John of God Hospital

Bendigo Community Bank Beaconsfield

Executives & Directors
President
David Anderson
 
Treasurer
Andrew Somers
 
President Elect
Andrew Somers
 
Secretary
Gus Dominguez
 
Rotary Foundation Chair
Jack Kraan
 
Membership
Trevor Watson
 
New Generations
Di Scheepers
 
Public Relations
David Button
 
Club Protection Officer
Michele Somers
 
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This week's contributors to the Spoke 'n' Word
  1. President Dave - Message
  2. Jane Moore - Christmas Party update and a mountain of work behind the scenes.
  3. Sam McCurdy who represented us at Sir Gustav Nossal bronze unveiling and reported to us.
Anyone can help tell our Rotary Club story. Email me!