SPOKE 'N' WORDS

Issue 28
28th February 2024
 
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 very welcome.
 
Hi $FIRST_NAME$,

Being a member of a joyful, humorous, and effective group that integrates Rotary into our daily lives is truly wonderful. Engaging with like-minded individuals who, in turn, connect with the larger community, provides us with opportunities, insights, capabilities, and the means to execute various projects within our community. Together, we achieve outcomes that we would have no hope of delivering alone.

Bring along a friend or two to one of our weekly meetings. I am sure they will be surprised by our lack of formality and focus on getting things done. 

By the way, this Bulletin is Best Viewed Online 

 
Now a message from our President
Ports Victoria. Who are we? What do we do? How do we keep things safe?
 
Who would have thought that this topic would have been such an enlightening, educating and entertaining topic but I have to say that Sheldon Rodrigues did an outstanding job of bringing it all to life this week. We all learned about the importance of sticking to the guidelines, the structure of our waterways, what the actual water traffic using our ports is and also some of the near misses that have occurred from water traffic not sticking to the guidelines. It’s clear that Sheldon and the teams from Ports Victoria do an outstanding job all year round.
 
Next week, Barb Scanlon from the Society of St Vincent de Paul will be joining us to share the work being done by them and we will also recognise International Womens Day.
 
Thanks to Michelle Rodrigues for her enthusiastic approach to our program. I also want to give a vote of thanks to Diana Gomez-Fullaway for providing support in this area as well.
 
Michelle is calling for some insights into the things that each of our membership wants to see in our program and also the things we should not include. Please help out by providing the responses back to Michelle at m.oliverodrigues@gmail.com
 
It looks like we will have a fairly health contingent of helpers at our Clean up Australia event this Sunday 3 March at Buchanan Park, Clyde Rd Berwick commencing at 10.00 am. We should also have some of the Scouting fraternity joining us to help lighten the load. Many hands will help us clean things up pretty quickly freeing the way for a coffee etc afterwards. If you’re coming, please wear your polos and caps with pride.
 
Practice for the Berwick College Presentation Balls is well underway, and the till is working hard as bookings steadily come in. We have 57 Debutantes and their partners preparing to be presented over the 2 nights of 15 May 2024 and 16 May 2024.
We have a few Rotarians already helping out with our rehearsal schedule, and we would like a few more volunteers who can attend to help share the load. We need help on Tuesday 12 March from 3.30 to 5.30 pm at Berwick College PAC.
 
If you can help, please shoot me a note at andersonfam@internode.on.net
 
Finally I want to give a little teaser of something on the runway. Trevor and Andrew, through their association with Fitness for Blokes have been successful in securing an outstanding, entertaining and very well - known guest speaker for early May. We will be extending invitations out to a more broad community and I’m sure that this will further develop our brand and bring us further front of mind in our local community.
 
Enjoy the weekend and hope to see as many as possible on Sunday morning.
 
Clean Up Australia: Sunday 3rd March

Sunday, 3rd March, and make a real impact...Buchanan Park 10.00am

This year, the Rotary Club of Berwick is again putting its hand up to be involved. The local Scouts will also join us. We have also had members of the public help out, and it is an excellent opportunity to meet new people while doing community service.

As a bonus to represent our Club and Rotary, the Pakenham Gazette is spreading the word about community groups helping to Clean Up Australia. By wearing our club polos, we can be recognized. as participants, and it would be great to have our Club banner on show, too. (see below). They have booked a photographer but it would be a good idea if we took a few of our own shots too.

Join us at Buchanan Park this Sunday so Rotary can be a positive force in the community.

You don't even have to be a Rotarian to join in! We are happy to have anyone who wants to give back to the community join in and enjoy a morning chat while we get to work.

 

Crazies
Investing in our Community

In the intricate tapestry of community engagement, Rotary emerges as a beacon of purpose and a transformative force that not only binds individuals but also leaves an indelible mark on the collective welfare. Rotary isn't just an organization; it's a community of compassionate changemakers who are sculpting a brighter tomorrow.

Joining Rotary is more than a commitment; it's an investment in the community's well-being. The weekly meetings, filled with camaraderie and shared objectives, create an environment where like-minded individuals synergize their efforts for impactful change. This is not merely a gathering; it's a platform where passion meets action.

Rotary's projects are the embodiment of positive change. From bolstering local education to spearheading healthcare initiatives, the organization is at the forefront of community development. By being part of Rotary, individuals become agents of change, contributing to the greater good in ways that are both tangible and profound.

The success stories emanating from Rotary's endeavours resonate through the community, echoing the undeniable impact of collective action. Rotary is a conduit for individuals who aspire to make a difference – a worthy avenue where community members can channel their energy and skills towards meaningful projects that uplift society.

In a world often marred by challenges, Rotary stands as a testament to the power of unity and altruism. Being part of Rotary is not just a choice; it's a commitment to a legacy of positive change. Embrace the opportunity, become a Rotarian, and play a pivotal role in shaping a community that thrives on compassion, collaboration, and enduring impact. Join Rotary, where every effort, no matter how small, contributes to a community that flourishes under the banner of collective benevolence.

It is the responsibility of every Rotarian to share our narrative, promote our endeavours, and convey the satisfaction derived from our work to friends, family, and colleagues. Discovering the extent of Rotary's reputation in our community is truly uplifting, but without engaging in conversations, such awareness would remain undiscovered. The work put in by Jane Moore on our Facebook page to promote our work is awesome.

But it takes:

  1. Great photographs,
  2. Rotarians wearing their uniform with pride, 
  3. Rotarians in action, doing things, not always posing.
  4. Stories explained and told in simple terms.
  5. Links to get involved or find out more about us (I think you call that stalking).
  6. Opportunities to contact and engage with our Club.
  7. Sharing our Rotary Club posts to your own page.
As you can see by our latest Facebook post, Jane has captured our remarkable efforts for just one month! I would say that Jane gets an 11 out of 10 for her work this month. 685 people have seen this post so far.
 
What are we individually doing to improve our broader communities' awareness about Rotary?
 
Well, actually, a lot when we wear our uniform in public, and we are approachable to talk to by interested passersby. There are a couple of members who regularly share our Rotary Facebook posts to their own feed which both builds awareness and also creates the opportunity for others to share their experiences with Rotary (mostly with non Rotarians)
 
Finally, consider joining the Public Image Team and help Jane to bring Rotary to people who have the same values as our members.
 
Make the Club what you want to make the Club
For the first time in quite a while, someone is pulling out all the stops to create a weekly program that we do not want to miss. That Someone is Michelle Oliver- Rodrigues and she has already gained supporters to help her craft the Rotary Program of our dreams!
 
But firstly, Michelle is asking ALL the members a few questions to help in the formulation of the mix. It does not matter what is in the program, there will always be people who love it or hate it, but Michelle is trying to insure it is all about love and attendance.
 
So help Michelle as much as you can by answering the questions below (and sending her the answers). Take on the role of an advocate and passionately champion the program. Get actively involved to help Michelle create an outstanding program that every Rotarian, guest and visitor to our Club can enjoy and gain value out of.
 
Hello Fellow Rotarians
I’m forward planning our meetings till the end of June.
Please let me know the following:
1. 🥳 Your Hobbies/ interests 
2. 😍 Something new you wouldn’t mind hearing about. 
3. 😬 Something you would only sit thru coz ur a polite Rotarian. 
4. 🤢 A topic that’s just nah. 
5. 🤩 A topic you wouldn’t mind giving us a talk about. 
6. 🎙️ Any speakers you may know of. 
Could you please reply with your answers to: m.oliverodrigues@gmail.com (Please note the single ‘r’ between Oliver & Rodrigues). 
Thanks in advance for your time☺️
Warm regards, 
Michelle Oliver-Rodrigues. 
 
All Holden Car Show Volunteers 10th March 2024
 
Over the past few years, a dedicated group of individuals from the Rotary Club of Berwick has generously offered their time to support the Rotary Club of Dandenong-Endeavour Hills in organizing their car show. To those involved, you know who you are! As one of these volunteers, I can't help but express the immense joy and fulfilment that comes with being part of this larger Rotary endeavour, even though I might not be a car enthusiast myself. It's a fantastic opportunity to embrace the excitement of contributing to the broader Rotary community and witnessing the impact of our collective efforts.
 
If you would like to volunteer this year, please let me know: david.button@rotaryberwick.org
 
Clean-Up Australia Day
Buchanan Park
Mar 03, 2024
10:00 am – 11:30 am
 
Vinnies - Barb Scanlan
The Beaconsfield Club
Mar 06, 2024
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
 
Club Meeting - Behind the badge
The Beaconsfield Club
Mar 13, 2024
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
 
View entire list
Member Birthdays
Jeanette Blackwood
March 2
 
Jane Moore
March 4
 
Sharmaine Squire
March 5
 
Michele Somers
March 9
 
Di Scheepers
March 10
 
David Nutter
March 13
 
Gus Dominguez
April 19
 
Fred Edwards
April 25
 
Garry Cooper
April 26
 
Jennifer Marshall
April 30
 
Spouse Birthdays
Wendy Boon
March 1
 
Jane Moore
March 4
 
Rosaleen French
March 4
 
Sharon
March 7
 
Ann Kraan
March 13
 
Warren Lukey
March 18
 
Cynthia Merrill
April 1
 
Pat Wingrave
April 7
 
Carol Evans
April 23
 
Steven Marshall
April 24
 
Join Date
Marta Faithfull
March 4, 2014
10 years
 
Louise Carter
March 12, 2019
5 years
 
Louise Jackel
March 12, 2019
5 years
 
Mark Caulfield
March 16, 2000
24 years
 
Di Scheepers
April 12, 2017
7 years
 
Rob Wingrave
April 17, 2003
21 years
 
Di Double
April 26, 2007
17 years
 
Trevor Watson
April 27, 2022
2 years
 
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President
 
Treasurer
 
President Elect
 
Secretary
 
Rotary Foundation Chair
 
Membership
 
New Generations
 
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Club Protection Officer
 

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This week's contributors to the Spoke 'n' Word
  1. Di Double - photos
  2. Michelle Oliver-Rodrigues - story
  3. Jane Moore - Promoting our cause
  4. President Dave - story
Anyone can help tell our Rotary Club story. Email me!