Spoke N Words 19th April 2023 (Apr 19, 2023)

SPOKE 'N' WORDS

Issue 39

19th April 2023

Join our meeting

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

Enquire by Email:

secretary@rotaryberwick.org

Visitors and Rotarians are welcome.

Post: P.O. Box 30, Berwick 3806

Travel Guide Partners night: Canada
The Beaconsfield Club
Apr 26, 2023 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM

View entire list

Rotary provides immunizations and antibiotics to babies, improves access to essential medical services, and supports trained health care providers for mothers and their children.

Maternal and Child Health Care is recognised as one of Rotary’s Seven Areas of Focus.

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

Member Birthdays

Gus Dominguez

April 19

Fred Edwards

April 25

Garry Cooper

April 26

Jennifer Marshall

April 30

Spouse Birthdays

Cynthia Merrill

April 1

Mary Town

April 5

Pat Wingrave

April 7

Carol Evans

April 23

Steven Marshall

April 24

Anniversaries

Garry Cooper

Marlene Cooper

April 11

Laury Gordyn

Kate Gordyn

April 16

Fred Edwards

Pat Edwards

April 21

Trevor Watson

Sharlene Watson

April 27

Rotary Event Why should we care about Russia’s war against Ukraine
Rotary EventWhy should we care about Russia’s war against

Co-President's Report 21-4-23

Posted by Co-President Jack Kraan:

On Monday night, the Board meeting was held at David Anderson’s residence. Key items discussed were:

St John of God Langmore Centre garden:

We are still awaiting information from St John of God.

Mick Moreland Memorial football match:

We are awaiting a proposal from Brad Batten MP.

Mercedes Benz Berwick sponsorship:

Jen Marshall and the Co-Presidents are meeting with Mercedes on Friday 5^th May to explore this.

Grasmere Creek Wetlands project:

The additional 3 seats will be placed along the walking track on the morning of Saturday 13^th May. We are looking for a good rollup for the working bee – many hands make light work!

Birthing Kits assembly:

This is scheduled for our meeting on 10^th May.

District 9820 Training Day:

The Club has a number of members attending the District Assembly and Training Day on Saturday 22^nd April.

We are also conducting a BBQ for approximately 80 attendees at the end of the day, for which we are being paid.

Nossal High School Sports Day BBQ

Jane is negotiating an agreed payment with the school for cooking for 800 students.

Art Screen Hire:

Treasurer Andrew is investigating a proposal for increasing the fees for screen hire and reimbursing trailer towing costs. The current rate of $15.50 per metre has been in place for at least 4 years. There is the possibility of basing delivery cost reimbursement on the distance travelled, similar to ATO of 78 cents per kilometre.

The art screen hire is on track to earn $24k this Rotary year.

Rotary Myths video:

Jen Marshall floated the idea of the club producing a Rotary myth busting Tik Tok style short video to post on social media and public image sites. This is being explored.

ANZAC Day Wreath:

Sam McCurdy and myself will lay a wreath at the Berwick Cenotaph.

Nossal High School Interact Club:

The High School is keen to establish an Interact Club and Di Scheepers has agreed to look after this, as well as the St Margaret School Interact Club.

Proposed new Rotary BBQ:

Early in the week we received the news that the Bendigo Bank Beaconsfield marketing committee has agreed to provide $11,000 additional sponsorship to the Club for the purchase of a new BBQ trailer.

I am currently preparing the paperwork with the assistance of David Nutter to formalise this arrangement. The Board now needs to determine where the additional funds will come from. This sponsorship is a great endorsement of our Club by the Bank, which will benefit from additional exposure in the community.

The next Board meeting will be held on Monday 15^th May at Tim & Jane Moore’s residence. Members are welcome to attend.

'Quilts of Valour' Australia

Posted by Sam McCurdy:

Helen Comport, Past President of the Inner Wheel Club of Berwick, was our Guest Speaker at Wednesday's Club meeting.

She told the personal story behind the formation of the Australian Charity 'Quilts of Valour', which aims to award quilts to Veterans and Service Personnel of the Australian Defence Force and our allies, as well as the immediate family of Veterans and Defence Personnel who have passed.

Helen's second son, Matthew, was critically injured in a Black Hawk helicopter crash while serving with the Australian army in 2010, during his 3^rd tour of Afghanistan. He was airlifted to a US hospital in Germany, where he was in intensive care for 10 days before being brought back to Australia.

During his stay in the US hospital in Germany, he was deeply touched when given a 'Quilt of Valour' made by the Americans. It was such a powerful symbol to him in a traumatic time that he felt Australia should establish a similar process.

After his recovery, he and Helen decided to set up the 'Quilts of Valour' Australia charity and from local beginnings in 2012, it now operates across Australia, with contacts in all States and Territories. Nationally, Quilters have flocked to the cause and the number of quilts being produced annually has increased significantly.

The charity operates solely on donations and the goodwill of the cloth suppliers and the Quilters, who produce a wide range of quilts.

Two very happy outcomes from the story are that Matthew married the American nurse who cared for him in Germany and through the 'Quilts of Valour' project, Helen was able to reconnect with her cousin and estranged father.

At the end of her presentation, Helen presented Charlie Anderson with a 'Quilt of Valour' in recognition of his distinguished service in the Royal Australian Navy.

Helen Comport with Charlie Anderson

and his wife Julie OAM

(Photo supplied by Isobel Caulfield)

Thanks Helen for a very interesting and emotional presentation.

Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA)

Posted by Sam McCurdy:

The Rotary Youth Leadership Awards is a conference for 18 – 30 year-olds.

The 6-day residential camp focuses on personal development, leadership, and teamwork involving both in-classroom theory activities and outdoor practical activities.

Rotary provides financial support for each participant.

If you know of a suitable person for the program, please nominate them today at https://www.youth.rotary9820.org.au/ryla

Mock Interview Update

Posted by Sam McCurdy:

Mock Interview

Thanks to those volunteers for the Mock Interviews to be conducted at Nossal High School on the mornings of Thursday 27^thand Friday 28^th April.

In response to last week's request, Coordinator Di Scheepers can confirm the following volunteer allocation over the two mornings.

Name	Day 1 - Thursday 27/4	Day 2 - Friday 28/4
David Anderson	Whole session	Whole session
Jeanette Blackwood	Not available	Whole session
Keith Butler	Whole session	Whole session
David Button	Whole session	Whole session
Louise Carter	Not available	Whole session
Gary Castricum	Not available	Whole session
Isobel Caulfield	Whole session	Whole session
Tim Fisher	Part session	Part session
Jen Marshall	Not available	Whole session
Jane Moore	Whole session	Not available
Tim Moore	Whole session	Whole session
Ritesh Prasad	Part session	Part session
Di Scheepers	Whole session	Whole session
Sharmaine Squire	Whole session	Whole session
Trevor Watson	Whole session	Whole session

The Mock Interviews are a very rewarding experience and you will be impressed by the quality of the students.

If you can assist on either or both days, please contact Di Scheepers on:

0420 719 796, or by email at: di.scheepers@gmail.com.

Presentation Balls update

Posted by Sam McCurdy:

Coordinator David Anderson reports that ticket sales for the two Presentation Balls on Wednesday 17^th and Thursday 18^th May, are strong with more than 300 guests in attendance, and 29 debutants and their partners being presented on both nights.

The final practice sessions are mostly covered, as shown in the table below, but we still need someone to assist David at the final session on Monday 15^th May.

Session	Date	Wednesday Group	Thursday Group	Rotarians
7	Mon 24 Apr	3:30 - 4:30pm	4:40-5:40pm	D Anderson, I Caulfield
8	Mon 1May	3:30-4:30pm	4:40-5:40pm	G Castricun, M Somers D Anderson
9	Mon 8 May	3:30-4:30pm	4:40-5:40pm	S McCurdy, M Somers
Rehearsal	Tues 9 May	4:30-6:00pm	The Grand	D Double, J Blackwood
Rehearsal	Wed 10 May	The Grand	4:30-6:00pm	D Double, A Somers
10	Mon 15 May	3:30-4:30pm	4:40-5:40pm	D Anderson (Need 1 more)

Volunteers are also required to assist at the actual Balls, so if you are available to assist, please contact David on 0418 207 421, or by email at andersonfam@internode.on.net

Upcoming Event

Posted by Sam McCurdy:

Travel Guide #11 - Canada

Canada's ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's second-largest country by total area, with the world's longest coastline.

On Wednesday 26th April, Jack and Ann Kraan will share with us their travel experience in this beautiful country.

Free 3-day House of Friendship Pass

Email from Rotary International:

Register for a free 3-day House of Friendship pass for the Rotary International Convention in Melbourne.

Enjoy a 3-day pass, free of charge, to the House of Friendship, where you’ll be able to connect with thousands of fellow Rotary members from around the world and have access to hundreds of Rotary project booths, vendors, food, and entertainment at the 2023 Rotary International Convention in Melbourne, Australia. That’s right! A complimentary pass valid Monday-Wednesday, 29-31 May, for the House of Friendship*. No additional purchase is required. Here’s how you can redeem this special offer:

Option 1 – Fill out this brief Qualtrics survey with your information by 26 April 2023. Your pass will be ready for you to pick up at the convention center's registration desk (MCEC Exhibition Centre doors 1 and 2).
Option 2 – Visit the registration desk (MCEC Exhibition Centre doors 1 and 2) at the convention center to fill out a brief form and receive your pass on site.

Friends and family are also eligible to enjoy this special access to the 'House of Friendship', so bring them along to learn what’s special about Rotary!

We look forward to seeing you in the House of Friendship. Contact eventsupport@rotary.org with questions.

* Passes are valid for the House of Friendship only. Does not apply to convention registration or any affiliated events.

District 9815 nomination

An email to all D9820 and D9810 Rotarians:

You will recall that on 14^th January 2023 we called for District Governor nominations for the forthcoming merged District 9815.

The joint nominating committee met on Sat 15^th April 23 to conduct interviews.

It is with great pleasure that we announce that the D9815 Nominating Committee nomination for District Governor Nominee Designate (DGND) to fill the role of D9815 District Governor in 2025 – 2026 is Peter Behm from the Rotary Club of Noble Park Dingley.

Peter is a Past President of his Club, is presently the D9810 Public Image and Communications Chair and is part of the merger planning team as Co-Chair of the D9815 Public Image Focus Group.

Peter is also a Rotary Zone 8 Representative for Public Image. His previous experience in Rotary includes membership of the Rotaract Club of Chelsea and he served as a District Rotaract Representative.

In terms of Rotary International By Laws – Article 12.030 - Nominating Committee process, this nomination is subject to a 14 day challenge period. The challenge period will therefore end on Monday 1^st May 2023.

Kind regards

Ken Miller, District Governor D9810

ken.miller@9810rotary.org.au

Paul Mee, District Governor D9820

paul.mee@rotary9820.org.au