This week's meeting had it all going on! It was one of those comfortable meetings where we could easily interact with our wonderful speaker and each other. It was our last meeting under the guidance of the Fab Four (Presidents), our Sergeant Funno and our Rotary year.
Our speaker, Simonette Charles from the City of Casey got us off to a good start talking about the range of animals, plants and insects we have swirling around our great municipality. Simonette threw in a few random quiz questions to test the intellectual strength of the audience before launching into some practical things we can do at home to attract a bit of Biodiversity to our home. It was a very informative, although sometimes rowdy. meeting, and we all went home with a free plant to start our Biodiversity journey.
Now if you missed out on this meeting, you will have another chance to meet Simonette. She will be at our tree planting morning at Grassmere this Sunday, 16th July at 10.30am. BBQ lunch provided but you must book in so we have enough food!!
You are invited to join in and lend a hand, enjoy the beautiful nature of the area, admire the four new seats installed by the Rotary Club of Berwick and stay on for a bbq, drinks, and friendship.
When: Sunday 16 July
Where: Grasmere Creek Wetlands, 45A Inglis Road, Berwick
Time: 10.30am - 12.00pm
Bring: sturdy shoes and gloves
This is a free event open to the public. Rotarians, please wear your polo tops so we can get some wonderful photos.
Please register for insurance and catering purposes at:
This coming Wednesday, 18th of July 2023, it is time to celebrate our Rotary Club and how far we have come.
Every President and Board member in our 63-year history has devoted their time, skill and energy to the leadership of our club to make a positive difference in the world. Each new President brings goals and aspirations designed to make their Club relevant in their community, but it takes the whole Club to realise these goals.
Changeover is an important event for every Club member to celebrate the past year and show commitment to success in the coming year. It is a time for members to change roles and move closer to projects that excite them. Step up the learning ladder, develop new skills and use those skills to make an impact. It is time to show that you are proud of your Club's achievements and want to be present in future successes.
Our incoming President is David Anderson. David is a new Rotarian who is not swayed by tradition. He will lead the Club differently, which is an exciting prospect.
I hope you will be part of welcoming David Anderson as our new President!
I hope you will be there to thank the Past Presidents for their service and all the Board members who served under them. I hope you are there to celebrate every Club Member who worked hard to make amazing things happen. From doing our administration, running our projects, organising our speakers and program, writing our bulletin and Facebook posts, taking our photographs, delivering our art screens, getting involved in our community, working with other Rotarians and the many other things our vibrant Club has to offer. I hope you will be there to support the incoming Board and be there to support each other.
I firmly believe that if you want something to happen, it is not up to someone else but to you. We should be part of something bigger than ourselves, be a little cog in the wheel that collectively creates something miraculous. I guess that is why I am a Rotarian. I do the little bits I can with my Rotary friends, and together, we do some awesome stuff!
This Sunday is one of those days where we do some little things that have the potential to be appreciated by generations to come. We have 1250 little trees and ground covers to plant at Grasmere Creek Reserve. I am extremely proud that my Club, with the collaboration of PP Jack Kraan and our very own Jen Marshall, have taken on an environmental project in our area. It is a project that gives back to the community, nature and the environment. We now have four park benches to prop on while we survey our work and enjoy the surroundings. How good is that?
One of Rotary's areas of focus is the environment, and I am very happy that our Club has leveraged a few $$$ from the Rotary Foundation District Grant program to support our contribution to making the reserve a pleasant place to visit (aka those four nice seats to take it all in). Our member contributions to the Rotary Foundation through the Centurion Club and personal giving flow back to our District to fund local projects like this. Rotary is an amazing organisation.
But, this story is not about what we have done. It is about what we will do THIS SUNDAY, 10.30 AM. Plant trees have a GREAT Rotary BBQ Lunch. Sit on some amazing ROTARIAN-installed seats (ie quality control) and enjoy the company of friends and nature. Of course, other groups are planting in this area, but let us be that little cog in the wheel and appreciate the awesome stuff we are part of.
DON'T FORGET TO BRING YOUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN. They are the ones who will appreciate our work for years to come.
The Grasmere Creek wetlands at Berwick’s Cardinia Creek Parklands North were created in 2020 as a joint project between Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria and the City of Casey. They were established to provide better water quality, floodplain connectivity, and valuable open space for locals. A highly valued waterway in the Cardinia Creek Catchment, the site is known for its significant plants and animals, including the rare and threatened Dwarf Galaxias fish and platypus downstream in the Cardinia Creek.
P.S. I really want some great Rotarian photos. Please wear your polo tops to see the true Rotarians in the crowd.
On Saturday, 22nd July between 9.00 am (to be confirmed) I am loading the truck with medical equipment from Berwick to deliver to Donations in Kind (DIK) in Footscray. I need four people to help load, and if possible two of those to come to DIK with me to unload. We have gravity on our side with the unloading, so that is a plus! So far, I have one person coming (thanks Jane). The job is suitable for any club member and a trip to DIK is always a pleasure.
If you are able to help, please text (everyone knows I always have my hands full when the phone rings) on 0409191822, email david.button@rotaryberwick.org or see me at the Changeover on Wednesday night.
Please welcome Leanne Byron as our new Assistant Governor.
Leanne has been appointed assistant governor for our Melbourne South East Cardinia cluster, commencing 1 July 2023. Leanne is the immediate Past President of the Rotary Club of Greater Dandenong and Endeavour Hills. She brings with her many local Rotary Club experiences. Leanne is married to our recent Assistant Governor Colin Byron, the now District Governor Nominee for the new combined District 9815 commencing in 2024-2025. Colin is an extremely good communicator during his time as our Assistant Governor, and I have always found Leanne to be the same.
Leanne will engage with our seven neighbouring clubs that comprise one of seven clusters throughout our current District. She will be involved with Berwick, Casey, Cranbourne, Greater Dandenong-Endeavour Hills, Narre Warren, Casey-Cardinia Rotaract, and Pakenham.
So what does an assistant governor do?
An Assistant Governor (AG) connects D9820 Clubs and the D9820 District. The relationships built within our Cluster Club leaders make our Rotary Cluster stronger. The relationships built between our seven Clusters make our District stronger.
An AG visits clubs regularly. They meet with each club in their cluster at least once a quarter, either in person, by phone, or by web conference. Meeting with an AG enables clubs to discuss their concerns and needs and for the AG to provide information, resources, and advice to help the club succeed.
Keep our District Governor, Linda Humphries, updated on each club’s progress and identify areas that may need attention.
Help club leaders prepare for the Governor’s official visit.
Monitor the progress of clubs toward their goals: After a club visit, they report their assessment and feedback through Rotary Club Central, and to the governor at the quarterly District Leadership Team (DLT) meetings or as needed. Rotary Club Central is an online tool to ensure your clubs are on track with their goals and achievements in membership, service initiatives, and giving to The Rotary Foundation.
Leanne is a warm, friendly, competent, enthusiastic person! She will serve our club and cluster well and bring her enthusiasm in spades.
I am very happy to have Leanne as our Assistant Governor to help our Club connect!
The Rotary Club of Mental Health & Wellness is one of the first cause-based Rotary clubs to focus on mental health and wellness. It meets online and welcomes members to join from anywhere in the world.
Scotsman will take office as president of Rotary International on 1 JulySecond Scot to lead the membership service organization will focus on mental healthEVANSTON,
This week's meeting had it all going on! It was one of those comfortable meetings where we could easily interact with our wonderful speaker and each other. It was our last meeting under the guidance of the Fab Four (Presidents), our Sergeant Funno and our Rotary year. 
Please welcome Leanne Byron as our new Assistant Governor.
