January is Vocational Service Month on the Rotary calendar.
Vocational Service is at the heart of Rotary, which was founded on the classification system of membership.
Business and professional life are the bedrock of Rotary, and Vocational Service is a major force in promoting honour, integrity, and trustworthiness in business.
ShelterBox: A desire to help, a global relief partner, opportunities to respond after disastersShelterBox, an internationally known disaster relief organization and one of Rotary's key partners, originated as a Rotary club
On Thursday 19th January, we received the very sad news of the passing of our friend, Rotarian Gerald Treasure.
Although he had been ill for quite some time, the news was not unexpected. However, it is still hard to process.
Gerald was a well-known local businessman owning Timber and Hardware stores in Beaconsfield and Drouin, as well as being a Board member of the Beaconsfield District Community Bank.
He was 90 years old and joined the Rotary Club of Berwick in 1994. Although he resigned from the Club in 2020 due to ill health, he has been an Honorary Rotarian since then.
Gerald was held with high esteem, respect and affection by the Rotary Club of Berwick members over his 28 year membership.
He was an active, engaged member who wove his personal, business and community life into Rotary, tapping into his resources and network to help Rotary in any way he could.
Gerald led the club as President in 1997-98 and worked consistently to mentor and support the club in the decades following.
We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.
This Rotary year keeps on giving us new Presidents, so who will lead us in the remaining six months?
Thank you to PP Gus Dominguez and PDG Tim Moore for stepping into the breach to provide quality leadership for the Club in their respective 3-month terms as President, during the first 6 months of the 2022-2023 Rotary year.
Since it is now January 2023, who will lead us for the remainder of the Rotary year?
In fact, we will have two Co-Presidents in PP Jack Kraan and PP Geoff Double.
This unusual arrangement is necessary because neither of them are in a position to take the job on singularly, due to the busy nature of their respective businesses.
We wish Jack and Geoff a successful and enjoyable 6-months as Co-Presidents of the Club.
Approximately 30 Rotarians and friends attended the Club's first social gathering of 2023, on Wednesday 18th January. After a bleak day, the rain stayed away allowing for a pleasant evening
As usual, the Kraan's property looked immaculate, as evidenced by the following photos provided by Trevor Watson.
Trevor also reported that, "Good food and great company were shared on a pleasant evening".
A special mention must be made of Mark Caulfield, who managed to light the Rotary BBQ trailer.
Thanks to our hosts Jack and Ann Kraan for opening their home again (they've been doing this since 1997).
(Extracted from the City of Casey's 'Catch-up' Newsletter)
The summer heat is back causing health problems, bush fires, and even a brief suspension of some of the Australian Open tennis matches.
While the hot summer months are lots of fun, extreme heat can be dangerous, especially for older people, young children, and those with a medical condition. It's important to be prepared.
Heat kills more Australians than any natural disaster!
In fact:
Extreme heat can affect anybody.
Heat can cause illnesses such as heat cramps and heat exhaustion which can lead to the life-threatening condition, heatstroke.
Heatstroke is fatal in up to 80% of cases but it is preventable.
Those most at risk are older people, young children and people with a medical condition.
Alternatively, you can view the following Victorian Goverment video "Heat Health - Effects of Extreme Heat" on YouTube, using the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPTwHKbb4KM
The Club has developed an ‘Extreme Heat’ policy and procedure to address situations where the heat can affect our Rotary activities. This can be accessed at the ‘Membership’ area of our website under Organisation – Documents - Policy & Procedures.
I am delighted to invite you to a free livestreamed event from Midday to 1.15pm on 26th January as we “Reflect, Respect, Celebrate” all that is Australia. Our wonderful and inspiring guest speakers include:
Thomas Mayo, a Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander man and the National Indigenous Officer of the MUA. Thomas is a signatory of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and has been a leading advocate since its inception in May 2017. Chairperson of the Northern Territory Indigenous Labor Network, Thomas advises the Diversity Council of Australia and the From the Heart campaign, is an executive member of the Northern Territory Trades and Labour Council and has authored four books, and numerous articles and essays published in The Guardian, Griffith Review and Sydney Morning Herald.
Professor Patrick McGorry, AO MD PHD FRCP FRANZCP FAA FASSA FAHMS, is a leading international researcher, clinician, and advocate for the youth mental health reform agenda. He is Executive Director of Orygen Youth Health (OYH), a world-renowned mental health organisation for young people that has put Australia at the forefront of innovation in the prevention and treatment of mental illness. He is also Professor of Youth Mental Health, Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne.
Costa Georgiadis has been the Silver Logie awarded presenter of Australia’s much loved and long-lasting show Gardening Australia. A landscape architect, environmental educator and television presenter, Costa has an absolute love for plants and people, which is evident in every project he touches and every presentation he makes. Costa’s charm, charisma and passion make him a particularly appealing public speaker who has a gift for making his important messages engaging and highly entertaining.
You will also hear from the following Rotarians:
Maurie Stack, Chair Rotary Foundation Australia speaking on "Rotary Foundation Australia in 2023
Tim Moore, Chair, Rotary Regionalisation - Implementation Taskforce speaking on "Regionalisation ... the Opportunities"
Amanda Wendt, District Governor, Rotary International District 9800 speaking on “Imagine Rotary”
Mikaela Stafrace, Chair, WomenCAN speaking on "All you need to know about our great organisation - Rotary"
Aviv Palti, President, Rotary Passport Club of Melbourne speaking on "Creating Future Leaders"
Renowned Soprano, Alison Jones, will also be performing. Alison has been a freelance principal opera artist for over 25 years, working in Australia, Europe, USA, and South Africa. Highlights of her career include performing for the Governess to Philip Langridge’s Quint in Britten’s Turn of The Screw and singing at Elton John’s birthday party!