I hope everyone who came along to our weekly meeting on Wednesday night enjoyed it as I did.
It was terrific to see our friend Leanne Byron join us, and we heard about the new communities we will be part of going forward. It was also important to toast our pioneer female Rotarians as part of International Women’s Day.
Michele Somers did a lovely job as our MC and the night moved along seamlessly. Jen sparkled again as our Sergeant and wasn’t it wonderful that Sandi’s problem was solved swiftly with the help of her Rotarian friends, Terry in particular.
The behind the badge presentation from our own Wendy Moseley was fascinating and now we know a lot more about what makes Wendy such a special human.
Just a few things to remind everyone of this week and in no particular order:
Presentation Balls support needed – Monday evenings 3.30 to 5.40 pm at the Leisure Centre at Berwick College, especially after the school holidays. You know how to put your name down.
Also if you can do either the Wednesday or Thursday evenings at the Presentation Balls, again let me know early. Spots are filling and we can only have 10 each night.
Next week’s meeting will be a cracker. Look forward to seeing you there.
It was a great privilege for our club to participate in the Peace journey with Beaconhills Berwick and Pakenham Campuses. Rev. Kathy Mildred and Rev. Peggy Kruse have been instrumental in ensuring that the Peace Poles' symbolic stature resonates with the students and the staff. This Peace Pole was placed close to the reception area and will be in full view of most of the school community daily.
This was the first Peace Ceremony of two, this time at Beaconhills Berwick Campus and the next at Beaconhills Pakenham Campus on the 22nd of May. The ceremony was held in the school theatre and was a spectacular event with student-led entertainment, speeches, and Bible readings. Some of the speeches were in the languages of the Peace Poles; French and Japanese. Andrew Somers and David Button represented our club on this occasion.
After the ceremony, Andrew and I retired for a delicious morning tea loosely based on the languages of the Peace Poles. After that, we attended their (very comprehensive and informative) school assembly, where Andrew addressed the middle school on Rotary's seven areas of focus. Rotary had already been well-represented in its work on Peace at this stage, but Andrew's sharp presentation rounded it out even further.
This morning, including the preparations that both sides made on the presentation/ceremony side, was a watershed moment for me, a veteran of almost 20 years in Rotary. Suddenly, a lot more pieces fitted into the puzzle of how Rotarians around the world, in fact, make the world a better place in more profound ways than we might see on the surface. All seven areas of focus bring stability into communities and foster self-reliance. Stability and self-reliance eventually lead to peace. I have looked at all the Rotary projects I have been involved in over the years, and I now understand the impact that Rotary has on so many levels, just in those projects. Imagine the impact over all the projects done in our cluster, district and zone. Do we even realise what our collective impact is? I don't think so.
Rotary is not just an organisation that talks about everything it can do. It is an organisation that does what it can do with the people who put the effort into taking words and ideas and turning them into actions and results.
This year’s theme reminds us that peace is not automatic. Peace is the result of action. Action to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and ensure that no one is left behind. Action to end the war on our planet and its natural gifts. Action to uphold and protect the human rights and dignity of every person — especially as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Action to use the timeless tools of diplomacy, dialogue and collaboration to defuse tensions and end conflict. And action for those millions of people living through the horrors of war.
Peace is not only a noble vision for humanity. Peace is a call to action. Let us commit to building, driving, and sustaining peace for all. Rotarians are People of Action.
Roger is arranging a visit to DIK & Melbourne Port on Thursday, 21st March.
We'll be leaving Pakenham around 9 a.m., carpooling. The maximum number is 20 people. And yes, we apologise to those who cannot get away from work, but this is an opportunity too good to miss.
We will visit the DIK warehouse first and then go to Melbourne Port. Sheldon will give us a guided tour of the control facility, and then we will have lunch at the harbour.
Trevor has been working hard to build our Art Screen business to help fund our many community projects.
Customer service and satisfaction are paramount, but so to is building comradery and workmanship between our members. Knowing that you trust people and want them on your team often comes from getting to know them on the end of an art screen. I have to tell you that manual labour is both the best way to judge how practical a person is and also the best way to judge how much a person is willing to go to make sure you will reach your full potential.
Getting involved with the Art Screen Crew is incredible! It is one of the best (secret) team-building activities that the club has, and it is well worth getting involved when the time allows.
Below is the EASTER roster update.
If you have some time and can put your name down, please contact Trevor: Email auwatsontj@hotmail.com or phone 0417479804
Tuesday 26-March > Delivery (Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron) - 8:30am at the shed (White Trailer) *49-screens - Driver Tow: Laury Gordyn; Helpers: Trevor Watson; Allen Roberts; Russell Fellows;(3-more required) Thursday 28-March > Delivery (Rye Community House) - 8:30am at the shed (Blue Trailer) *20-screens - Driver Tow: Russell Fellows; Helpers: Trevor Watson;(3-more required) Tuesday 2-April > Pick-up (Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron) - 8:30am at the shed (White Trailer) *49-screens - Driver Tow: Russell Fellows; Helpers: Trevor Watson; Wendy Moseley; Louise Jackel; (3-more required) Tuesday 2-April > Pick-up (Rye Community House) - 8:30am at the shed (Blue Trailer) *20-screens - Driver Tow: (1-required); Helpers: (4-required)
The Beaconsfield Club Holm Park Reserve 100 Beaconsfield-Emerald Rd Beaconsfield, VIC 3807 Australia
Our guest of honour, Australia’s most published sporting author, KEN PIESSE, will take us all on a delightful nostalgia trip telling stories tall and true about so many of our childhood favourites from Dermie and Plugger Lockett through to Warnie, the Don and Deano
Ken is appearing at no charge and will have a selection of his books for sale on the night, which he is only too happy to sign.
Don’t miss Australian sports master storyteller. All Rotarians, friends and family are welcome to attend. $30 for two course meal, drinks at bar prices. It’ll be a night to remember.
Join our dinner meeting most Wednesdays at The Beaconsfield Club, Holm Park, Beaconsfield, Victoria, Australia 
I hope everyone who came along to our weekly meeting on Wednesday night enjoyed it as I did.
After the ceremony, Andrew and I retired for a delicious morning tea loosely based on the languages of the Peace Poles. After that, we attended their (very comprehensive and informative) school assembly, where Andrew addressed the middle school on Rotary's seven areas of focus. Rotary had already been well-represented in its work on Peace at this stage, but Andrew's sharp presentation rounded it out even further. 
