SPOKE 'N' WORDS

Issue 46
7th June 2023
 
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
Meetings & Events
Recycling Presentation - World Environment Day
The Beaconsfield Club
Jun 14, 2023
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
 
View entire list
Our Sponsors

St John of God Hospital

Bendigo Community Bank Beaconsfield

June is designated as “Rotary Fellowships Month” by the RI Board.
 
This recognises the importance of international fellowship and good will among Rotarians with similar recreational interests.
Executives & Directors
President
Jack Kraan
 
Co-President
Geoff Double
 
Treasurer
Andrew Somers
 
President Elect
David Anderson
 
Secretary
Jane Moore
 
Membership and Public Image
David Anderson
 
Youth Protection Officer
Jeanette Blackwood
 
Projects and Fundraising
Jennifer Marshall
 
Rotary magazines 2023 Photo Awards

In Rotary magazine’s 2023 Photo Awards, we see the world courtesy of this year’s finalists.

 
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Welcome to our overseas visitors
Posted by Sam McCurdy:
 
We had the pleasure of welcoming American Rotarians Allison Longsdorf and her grandmother, Carol, to our meeting on Wednesday.
 
Photo by Sandi Tarant
 
Allison was our Overseas Exchange student from Ohio in the USA, during the 2013-2014 Rotary year. and expressed her delight in seeing many familiar faces again.
 
She and Carol are Rotarians at different clubs in Ohio and had attended the recent Rotary International Convention in Melbourne  They are currently being hosted by Co-President Jack Kraan and his wife Ann.
 
They addressed the meeting to outline activities at their respective clubs and to present us with their Club banners.
Economic and Investment Update
Posted by Sam McCurdy:
 
Matthew Sonnemann was our Guest Speaker at Wednesday's Club meeting.  His presentation was an Economic and Investment Update.
 
 
Matthew covered ten interesting things that have affected the economy and explained how they have influenced investment opportunities over the last decade. These included:
  • The Stockmarket performance in Australia and the USA.
  • Economic growth and inflation.
  • Expectations from corporate shares.
  • Consumer price index.
  • Risk averse investment
The presentation highlighted the many factors to consider when making good investment decisions and the emotional roller coaster associated with those decisions.
 
This was effectively illustrated by a sinusoidal curve that summarised the various emotions, such as 'excitement'and 'euphoria' on the upside, and 'anxiety' and 'panic' on the low.
 
Thanks Matthew for a very informative presentation.
Rotary Overseas Recycled Playgrounds (RORP)
Posted by Sam McCurdy:
 
The RORP project collects unwanted playgrounds from councils and schools and sends them to disadvantaged overseas communities. This is environmental sustainability in action.
 
Several Club members have been busy this week assisting contractors with the harvesting of three redundant children's playgrounds in Cranbourne.
 
On Monday, Trevor Watson and Russell Fellows helped contractors to dismantle a playground at Springhill Drive in Cranbourne. 
 
Work started on the installation of a new playround at this site on Tuesday.
 
Before harvestingFoundations being removed
Dismantling completedRemoval trailer
 
A second playground in Camms Road was harvested on Tuesday followed by another at Main Street, harvested by Russell, Trevor and Andrew Somers on Thursday.
 
In each case, the harvested items had to be taped and numbered, as a catalogue accompanies each dismantled playground to its destination, to facilitate its' installation.
 
All three of these harvested playgrounds will be sent via Donations in Kind (DIK) to the Eastern side of Bougainville Island in Papua New Guinea. Children at each destination will enjoy the benefits of these recycled playgrounds.
 
If you can assist with this project, please contact our RORP Co-ordinator, Russell Fellows, on 0418 577 684.
The Rotary Foundation -  Part 1
Submitted by PDG Tim Moore:
Part 1
A key part of Rotary is the work that is done by the Rotary Foundation.  
 
Most clubs and many of our members regularly donate money to the TRF.  This can be done at anytime, but it is often done by regular giving through the Centurion Club - $100Aus per year, or more through being a regular donor of the Paul Harris Society, $1000US per annum.  These are all tax deductible.
 
Our Club has a long history of supporting the Rotary Foundation.
 
The Rotary Foundation transforms your gifts into service projects that change lives both close to home and around the world.
 
Since it was founded more than 100 years ago, the Foundation has spent more than $4 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects.
 
With your help, we can make lives better in your community and around the world.
 
Mission:
 
The Rotary Foundation helps Rotary members to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment, and alleviating poverty.
 
What impact can one donation have?
  • For as little as 60 cents, a child can be protected from polio.
  • $50 can provide clean water to help fight waterborne illness.
  • $500 can launch an antibullying campaign and create a safe environment for children.
Here is an internet link for more information and to personally donate:
 
CIRE Mock Interviews
Email from Secretary Jane Moore:
 
The CIRE Community School mock interviews have been rescheduled.
 
Thank you to those who have volunteered to participate - you are appreciated!
 
We need at least two more volunteers for the new date of Tuesday 13 June.
 
In the words of the school "The school is excited to have the involvement of the Rotary Club of Berwick. The Mock Interviews will make a difference to 45 senior students as they prepare for life after school" 
 
Date:  Tuesday 13 June 
 
Time: 11.30am - 1.00pm
 
Address: CIRE Community School, 120 Enterprise Avenue, Berwick
 
If you can help out, please contact our Mock Interview co-ordinator, Di Scheepers, as soon as possible.
m:  0420 719 796
 
Waste and Recycling
Posted by Secretary Jane Moore:
 
Did you know that the 5th June was World Environment Day? 
 
To celebrate World Environment Day with a reminder that Rotary's seventh area of focus is 'Protecting the environment', we will be recycling right!
 
Join us at our meeting on Wednesday 14th June, to hear from the City of Casey's Recycling Education Officer, Kathy Zu.
 
Do you have arguments in your household about what goes in which bin? Kathy can solve your arguments! 
 
Waste and Recycling has changed so much in the past few years and many people pride themselves on being good recyclers. But when was the last time you updated your knowledge? 
 
Come along to this fun and informative session to learn about the changes that have happened, what goes into which bin, and WHY. 
 
Tree planting at Grasmere Wetlands
Posted by Jen Marshall:
 
Please find below an invitation to assist with the second stage of tree planting at Grasmere Wetlands off Inglis Road in Berwick, on Sunday 16th July.
 
You may remember that our first stage planting of 1,000 trees took place on Sunday 28th August in 2022 (See the photograph in the Flyer below).
 
Since then the Club has also installed four summer seats at the site.
 
 
CNCISS Winter Coat Drive
Posted by Secretary Jane Moore:
 
Do you have a coat at home you no longer wear? Do you have children or grandchildren who have outgrown last year's warm winter coat? 
 
Jeanette has kindly offered to receive donations from you, family, or friends, at our June club meetings. Let's help those in need keep warm this winter.
 
All donations will be forwarded to Casey North Community Information & Support Service.
Your donation will be so appreciated!
 
Changeover Invitations
Posted by Secretary Jane Moore:
 
Incoming President Dave Anderson together with our 2023 four shared presidents, Past Presidents Gus Dominguez, Tim Moore, Geoff Double and Jack Kraan, invite you to celebrate the 62nd changeover of the Rotary Club of Berwick
 
When:     Wednesday 19 July
 
Where:    The Beaconsfield Club, Holm Park Reserve, Emerald-Beaconsfield Road, Beaconsfield
 
Time:       6.30 for 7.00pm
 
Cost:        $60 per person, inclusive of a complimentary drink on arrival, 3 course dinner and live musical
                 entertainment with a special guest appearance.
                 Cash bar
                 
RSVP:      14th July. Please register and pay via the online registration portal via this link :
 
Dress to celebrate: Lounge suit or sports jacket, tie optional, ladies you know how to do it!
 
Note:
 
Members of the Rotary Club of Berwick are also cordially invited to attend the Changeover ceremonies at the Rotary Clubs of Casey and Pakenham.
 
"It would be great to give huge encouragement to our members to attend our last round of District 9820 changeovers!  Quite historic really."
 
Details for each of these Changeovers are provided in the Flyers below.