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This week from the sidelines
Posted by David Button on Aug 10, 2022
 
The talk from City of Casey CEO Glenn Paterson was exceptional, with a lot of relevant information about our area coming forward as well as an explanation of the current position within the Council. The meeting was very informative, with many questions being answered with detailed answers. We are very fortunate to live in a dynamic and progressive council area. Sure they don't get it right all the time, but they are trying under some significant fiscal constraints.
 
RCB members' attendance was poor, surprising since the speaker was a significant part of our Rotary web. None the less, the meeting was well worth the investment of $25 for the best dinner plus the best wine and fellowship I have had all week.
 
Photo Album for this week was taken by Sandi. Sandi works hard to get the best photos, so please take a moment to view her work: CLICK HERE
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In the absence of content there is always the past!
Posted by David Button on Aug 10, 2022
This week, we are swinging back in time to 2016 for a Presidents message of sorts. This week, our current President is delivering words of wisdom forged way back in August 2016. A man of vision!
Reasons to love Rotary
Posted by Isobel Caulfield on Aug 10, 2016
PP Gus gave us 5 reasons to love Rotary:
 
1: We will be eradicating Polio soon.
 
2: It’s all about social networking.  Paul Harris was the first networker. Attended the conferences and conventions to meet like-minded people.
 
3: Be connected to people who take action.  Rotarian’s have invented shoes that can be adjusted to 5 sizes, providing bicycles for Cambodian children to attend school, founding Men’s sheds, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money to end polio and supporting girls who are orphans in South Sudan.
 
4: Rotary leadership helps the brightest and best with scholarships.  Not only peace but clean water, education, sanitation, disease and growing local economies.
 
5: Science says Rotarians are happier and healthier.  Meetings offer genuine social connections so that the body release oxytocin, the happiness hormone.  Adults who volunteer and get recognition for their community involvement have higher overall wellbeing scores.  They have less stress than their peers.  Membership in social groups builds self esteem and provides a sense of belonging.
Pumping it up for MUNA
Posted by David Button on Aug 07, 2022
The purpose of the Rotary Model United Nations Assembly (or MUNA, pronounced 'mew-na') is to encourage young people to learn about other countries and to develop an understanding of the workings of the United Nations. Delegates will also develop debating skills, and gain self-confidence in public speaking and leadership skills. In many cases, long-term friendships are also made through MUNA.
 
It is all happening a Nossal High on the 20th of August, and the Rotary Club of Berwick are sponsoring two teams. The countries involved with this year's MUNA are:

Afghanistan, Brazil, China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic People's Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Haiti, India, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Turkey, Ukraine, United States.

Delegates are encouraged to wear an appropriate national costume and have fun doing it. The objective is to encourage young people to learn respect and tolerance for people of all cultures, races, religions and nationalities. MUNA is all about building bridges of goodwill for world peace and understanding in the minds of our youth. As we move into the third millennium, we hope that by encouraging and facilitating dialogue between young people, the future of our planet and of those who inhabit it will be enhanced.

MUNA challenges our youth to respect cultural diversity and differences of race and religion while retaining their own individualism and the best of their national customs and traditions.

There will be three resolutions debated:

Resolution 1: Climate change
Resolution 2: Violence against women and girls
Resolution 3: Space governance (That's Outer Space)

Don't be fooled by the simplicity of the resolutions! Look at the countries involved in the debate and guess how they would react to each resolution. The full brief can be found by clicking HERE

Rotary MUNA simulates the workings of the UN General Assembly right down to the Rules & Processes. Teams of two students from year 10 and (preferably) year 11 represent a nominated UN Member State. They are given topics well in advance. Resolutions are typically drawn from resolutions passed through the General Assembly or the Security Council and cover issues such as Education, Environment, Health, Human Rights, Nuclear Proliferation, Poverty, and Terrorism, the role of Women in promoting Peace and Security, and World Peace. Delegates must research the topics and be able to express the views of the country that they are representing, not their own or Australia’s (unless they are the Australian Delegation!).

 
That special feeling
Posted by David Button on Aug 07, 2022
On Saturday 6th August, a small band of Rotarians made a difference.
 
Rotarians from Bunyip-Garfield, Pakenham and Berwick collected desks and chairs from two schools in Tynong for use in overseas schools. The desks and chairs were in excellent condition and will be well received by whichever school in whichever country they are assigned to. The donating schools made a reasonable contribution to cover some of the frieght costs associated with sending the furniture to an overseas school(s) rather than paying more to dump it into a landfill. Nothing comes for free these days, and asking for a financial contribution to redistribute donated goods keeps the service viable and sustainable. It also adds value to the goods by deciding if the goods are fit for reuse in their original form, better off in a landfill or recycled into something else. 
 
The desk and chairs were delivered to Devon Meadows and reloaded onto a truck to take them to Rotary Donations in Kind in Footscray. It was a whole truck by the end of loading!
 
The load was transported to Rotary Donations in Kind in Footscray and re-stacked onto pallets. For those who have not been to DIK, it is not the pretty drop-and-go destination you might think it is. When we go, we are after NEWS! And news we got. An update on the Tonga Dental project. Information about the complexities of Rotary Club amalgamations, Word about ESRAG and how Rotary can be more effective in the environment. River Keepers, new ideas, the scope for projects, freight and transport costs and all over a great cup of coffee and a biscuit!
 
On this trip, we had a backload. Who doesn't love a backload when the fuel costs and tolls are so high? This backload consisted of a hospital bed, a patient lifter, a wheelchair and a portable toilet. The backload was delivered to a home used to care for NDIS patients in Beaconsfield. The equipment cost would be over $10,000 if bought new, but it was delivered free not 500 meters from our meeting place in Holm Park.
 
This was a day of Rotary in Action, making a difference to people in our community and abroad in need using the resources that Rotary has available. The Rotary Club of Berwick is a member of Rotary Donations in Kind Inc and is part of their Board, along with other Rotary Clubs, mostly in District 9800. This day out will make a big difference to many countries but our small backload made a huge difference to Lachie's carers. "The equipment will improve the health and wellbeing of support workers who until now had no choice but to manual handle in meeting Lachie's care needs". 
 
What a difference Rotary can make when Rotarians take action.
 
I was grateful for the experience. I have never been to an NDIS house and met the carers and patients that need help. Every step a Rotarian takes outside their own world is a step closer to seeing opportunities to help others from the other side of the world or just metres from our Club meeting room. 
 
Thank you to District 9820 DIK Chair Roger Thornton for arranging (and lifting), Bill and John from RC Bunyip-Garfield for loading and transport as well as John Boon from RC Pakenham for loading. What a team.
 
 
Tree Planting morning
Posted by Jennifer Marshall on Aug 07, 2022
 
If you are available, including volunteers and Berwick Rotarians, please click HERE to register so we know the catering numbers. 
 
Further enquiries can be made by emailing Jen Marshall on jenmarshall30@gmail.com. Local groups are very welcome, and this is a great event to get to know a bit about Rotary.
 
Issue  6
3rd August 2022
 
Join our meeting

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

Enquire by Email:
Visitors and Rotarians are welcome.
 
Post: P.O. Box 30, Berwick 3806
 
August is Membership and New Club Development Month, when Rotary Clubs, around the world focus on membership in Rotary. Does your club have a plan? Are you executing your own plan to invite your friends and business associates to join your Rotary Club?

It’s time. Time to celebrate your Rotary club, your members, and the good you do in your community and around the world......

 
Book into a Meeting
Trevor Watson - Behind the Badge
The Beaconsfield Club
Aug 17, 2022
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
Travel Guide Partners night: Alaska/Canada
The Beaconsfield Club
Aug 24, 2022
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
Tree Planting at Grasmere Wetlands
Grasmere Wetlands
Aug 28, 2022
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
 
Peter Haine - Rotary Mailbag Ride
The Beaconsfield Club
Aug 31, 2022
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
View entire list
Add your story, event or Rotary experience to the Rotary Club of Berwick Bulletin!
 
Executives & Directors
President
Gus Dominguez
 
Treasurer
Andrew Somers
 
Secretary
Jane Moore
 
Membership and Public Image
David Anderson
 
Youth
Greg Lee
 
Projects and Fundraising
Jennifer Marshall
 
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Wendy Langdon
August 2
 
Di Double
August 15
 
Jim Wilson
August 18
 
Eric Boon
August 19
 
Jack Kraan
August 23
 
Join Date
Maureen Scott
August 3, 2006
16 years
 
Andy Merrill
August 4, 2011
11 years
 
Russell Fellows
August 21, 2019
3 years
 
Stephanie A. Urchick selected to be 2024-25 Rotary International President

Stephanie A. Urchick is selected to be the 2024-25 president of Rotary International
 
Recognizing a woman’s worth

Programs of Scale grant-winner Together for Healthy Families in Nigeria helps families by focusing on the fundamental needs of women
 
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Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI)
Posted by David Button on Aug 04, 2022
District 9820 is once again offering a Rotary Leadership Institute course.  This is an excellent investment in increasing your understanding of all things Rotary.
 
The 2-day course is open to all Rotarians in the District and is held from 8:30 am to 4 pm on 27th August and 17th September at Gippsland Rotary Centenary House, 39 Valley Drive, Traralgon Vic.
 
The cost to attend is a very reasonable $100, usually paid for by Clubs. Please talk to President Gus or Secretary Sam if you decide to attend. NOMINATIONS close in a few days, so please be proactive and book in by contacting Gus or Sam.
 
Jane Moore commented: 
"I did RLI with Lea Paton, sponsored by the Club, which was excellent. A great thing for our newer members is to introduce them to the Rotary side of Rotary by understanding our core values and purpose and forging inter-club relationships with fellow attendees". 
 
 
 
Who is the course for?
Most Rotarians have not experienced the great scope of Rotary around the world and may not have considered what leadership skills are necessary to move Rotary forward. We encourage Rotary Clubs to select several candidates each year for the RLI. Participants return to their clubs with enthusiasm, new contacts, fresh ideas, an increased understanding of their potential as Rotarians, and valuable skills for their potential leadership in the club.
 
Topics include:
 
  • My Rotary World
  • Creative Service Projects
  • Analysing a Rotary Club
  • Building a Stronger Club
  • Club Communications
  • Vocational Service - Ethics
  • Leadership and Team Building
  • Effective Leadership Strategies
  • Membership - Attracting, engaging, and retaining members.
  • The Rotary Foundation
  • International Service
  • Public Image & Public Relations
  • Making a Difference
Benefits of attending?
Some comments from previous District 9820 participants:
  • “Very well-presented course with topical and relevant information and practical ways to improve as a Rotarian.”
  • “An enjoyable day of expanding knowledge of Rotary Leadership within Rotary.”
  • “This is a valuable exercise I think for all board members and potential incoming board members.”
  • “All good value as a newer member to Rotary. An informative day.”
  • “As with session one the information outlined in the current session was both highly beneficial and valuable.”
  • Great three days of learning and networking.
  • Assisted in clarifying the complicated, cohesive range of activities and objectives with which rotary in involved.
  • The leadership training session has been a regarding experience. To hear and share ideas from different perspectives and length of service. The level of workshops was excellent for this session. Overall, there should be more of this, and I will encourage others to attend next year.
  • Excellent presentations by all facilitators. Good pace and good topics covered for us to learn. Very worthwhile experience
  • A fantastic program which should become compulsory part of a member’s life in Rotary.
Cost:
The cost is $100.00 per head for materials and catering, and which is normally paid by Clubs.
 
Venues:
Gippsland Rotary Centenary House
39 Valley Drive,
Traralgon Vic
 
For further information or nomination form please contact:
 
 
 
David Hanlon
RLI Chair
Rotary District 9820
 
Phone: 0414 996 798 
Web: rotary9820.org.au 
 
    
 
District Conference 2023
Posted by David Button on Jul 24, 2022
On the 24th February 2023, we will have our District Conference at the RACV Cape Schanck Resort in Cape Schanck.
 
A District Conference is all about building connections within the District and having a bit of fun along the way.
 
In past years, before 2014, most Rotary Club of Berwick members attended the annual District Conference, and they were fun and memorable.
 
In 2023, I hope that our Club will make an effort to attend one of the last District 9820 Conferences ever before our District merges with 9810.
 
More details to follow.
 
Rotary Convention 2023
Posted by David Button on Jun 30, 2022
 
How good is this! A Rotary Convention coming to Melbourne in just a few months time. I would encourage you all to have a look at this ritzy website that is jammed-packed with local information: https://rotarymelbourne2023.org/ or click on the image above to take you to the registration portal.
Travel Guide is coming up
Posted by Di Double on Jul 28, 2022
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