Website - https://rotaryoch.org.au/home

29th April 2020 Page 1 of 16 Volume 1, Number 36

ROTARY CLUB of OCH Inc.

District 9810 Victoria, Australia

Weekly Bulletin 2019-2020

Meets every Wednesday from 7:00pm at The Clayton Hotel 319 Clayton Road, Clayton (Melways 79C2)

(No meeting on public holidays)

29th April 2020 Volume 1, Number 36

In This Issue

• Important Information - (pg1)

• Upcoming Club Program - (pg2)

• Last Meeting & Notes

– (pg3)

• Foundation Facts –

(pg4)

• Upcoming Dates – (pg4)

• Club Positions for 2019/20 – (pg4)

• District 9810 News –

(pg5)

• Rotary District 9810 Training Assembly –

(pg6)

• Rotaract Club of Monash – (pg6)

• Where other clubs meet – (pg7)

• Reminders – (pg7)

• Joke of the Week –

(pg8)

• Rotary International News – (pg8)

Important Information

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING NOTICE Of

THE ROTARY CLUB OF OAKLEIGH CLAYTON HUNTINGDALE WILL BE HELD COMMENCING 8 PM ON 6th MAY 2020 VIA ZOOM TECHNOLOGY FROM YOUR HOME

Agenda 1. Record of Attendance & Apologies 1. To note the minutes of the last Annual General Meetings of the merged Clubs, (If

Relevant) 2. To receive & adopt any Reports for the Year 2118 – 2019 (If Relevant) 5. To receive & adopt a Treasurer’s Report for the Year 2018 – 2019. 6.1 To Elect the Office Bearers for the Year 2020 - 2021

The Board has endorsed the recommendation of the Nominating Committee as Follows;

PRESIDENT - Bronwen Lamond VICE PRESIDENT John Barnes SECRETARY- David Whiting

TREASURER- Warren Fricke SERGEANT-AT-ARMS TBA 2021/2022 PRESIDENT ELECT - Marcus Robertson

As per the Club Bylaws, Members are advised of their right to nominate a Rotarian for the above listed Executive positions. In the current coronavirus environment this can be done via email to the Secretary including confirmation of the nominee’s consent, or verbally at the meeting. NOTE: The Past President & President Elect will automatically be members of the Board.

6.2 To receive and endorse the Incoming President’s recommendation of; UP TO SIX DIRECTORS, MEMBERS OF THE 2020/21 BOARD

7. To receive and endorse the Incoming President’s recommendations for the following

positions for the year 2020 -2021

• COMMUNITY SERVICE CHAIR

• FOUNDATION CHAIR

• INTERNATIONAL CHAIR

• MEMBERSHIP / CLUB SERVICE CHAIR:

• NEW GENERATIONS CHAIR: (Youth)

• PR/MARKETING & PUBLIC IMAGE CHAIR

• PROGRAM / FELLOWSHIP CHAIR:

Website - https://rotaryoch.org.au/home

29th April 2020 Page 2 of 16 Volume 1, Number 36

Rotary Four Way Test

"Of the things we think, say or do: 1. Is it the Truth? 2. Is it Fair to all concerned? 3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships? 4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?"

• VOCATION CHAIR

• FUND RAISING CHAIR o Market Manager / Coordinator o Golf Day Manager

• ON TO CONFERENCE CHAIR

• BULLETIN EDITOR/ WEB SITE MANAGER

• CLUB DATA BASE MANAGER

• CLUB PROTECTION OFFICER

8. To confirm the appointment of the Public Officer of the Club for the Year 2020 -2021

9. To confirm appointment of any Honorary Members. (Currently Eight) 10. To Receive & Adopt a report to update the Constitution & Bylaws in accordance with changes from the 2019 Council on Legislation. 11.To Deal with such other General Business as the Chairman will allow, in Accordance with the Rules & By Laws.

David Whiting Secretary UPCOMING CLUB PROGRAM Moving forward our weekly meetings will resume via ZOOM on Wednesday Evenings commencing 8 PM. A ZOOM meeting invitation will be sent each week to all members by Michael Ellinger. The tentative program is as follows.

Upcoming Club Program

Date Speaker Chairperson

29th April Special Committee Meeting/ general members discussion on important issue – Six Month Review, Market, Membership or PR Marketing (President to decide)

David Park

6th May ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING & time permitting members behind the Badge – Greg Telley & Lesley Zuccaro

David Park

13th May Open Forum & General Discussion David Park

20th May Youth Programs. National Youth Science Forum (NYSF) – Melanie Noonan & PNG Immersion Program - Patrick Stanhope

John Bethune

27th May Board Meeting David Park

3rd June General Meeting

10th June General Meeting

17th June General Meeting

24th June Board Meeting David Park

1st July General Meeting

Website - https://rotaryoch.org.au/home

29th April 2020 Page 3 of 16 Volume 1, Number 36

The Object of

Rotary 1. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service; 2. High ethical standards in business and professions; the recognition of the worthiness of all useful occupations, and the dignifying of each Rotarian's occupation as an opportunity to serve society; 3. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life; 4. The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.

Last Meeting & Notes Last Meeting (22nd April): Apologies = Peter Norman, John Goldspink, Jim Cochrane & Jean Cochrane. Make Ups = None. Leave of Absence = Wayne Milner. Visitors = DG Shia Smart. This week we held a successful zoom meeting which had 24 participants including DG Shia Smart. After a few minutes getting everyone organised the meeting went ahead chaired by David Park. There were some inspiring words from Shia as well as two excellent behind the badge speeches from John Barnes and Danny Petrie.

Here is hoping that members of the club can start to share their good news stories to the bulletin editor during this time so that they can be shown in the bulletin.

Website - https://rotaryoch.org.au/home

29th April 2020 Page 4 of 16 Volume 1, Number 36

Club Vision OCH Rotary is an energetic, fun-loving, forward-thinking Rotary Club that wishes to continue to grow strategically and provide all its members with opportunities to serve while undertaking worthwhile and sustainable projects locally, nationally and globally.

Foundation Facts

THE ROTARY FOUNDATION WEEKLY MESSAGES (By Rotarians for Rotarians) WHY IS THERE A NEW ROTARY GRANTS MODEL? In anticipation of The Rotary Foundation’s 100-year anniversary in 2017, the Trustees set out to develop a plan to move the Foundation towards its second century of service. The Foundation has made only slight modifications to its programs since its inception and the Trustees sought input from a wide variety of stakeholders through interviews, surveys, focus groups and input sessions in developing that Plan (known previously as Future Vision). The plan updates the Foundation’s mission and creates a more effective and efficient way to help Rotarians develop diverse projects with greater impact and sustainable outcomes.

Upcoming Dates Thursday 21st May 2020 – Foodbank pickup/delivery for Dixon House Sunday 24th May 2020 – Rotary District 9810 Training Assembly - The physical event has been cancelled, but online training is available, see the details in this bulletin. Monday 25th May 2020 – Charity Golf Day at Huntingdale Golf Club - This event has been postponed. Potential new date is Monday 28th September 2020. (click here) Thursday 18th June 2020 – Foodbank pickup/delivery for Dixon House Thursday 16th July 2020 – Foodbank pickup/delivery for Dixon House Thursday 20th August 2020 – Foodbank pickup/delivery for Dixon House Thursday 12th September 2020 – Spring Charity Garden Auction (TBA) Thursday 17th September 2020 – Foodbank pickup/delivery for Dixon House Thursday 15th October 2020 – Foodbank pickup/delivery for Dixon House Thursday 19th November 2020 – Foodbank pickup/delivery for Dixon House Thursday 3rd December 2020 – Foodbank pickup/delivery for Dixon House

Club Positions for 2019/20 President David Park Board Secretary David Whiting Board Treasurer Warren Fricke Board President Elect Bronwen Lamond Board Community Felicity Smith Board International Ian Phelan Board Youth John Bethune Board Vocational Peter Webb Foundation John Barnes Board Club Protection Officer John Jarvis Membership Steven Hill PR / Marketing Wayne Milner Programme Bronwen Lamond On to Conference Peter Child Board Also, on the Board are Jon Breisch, Anne Mooney and Cess Hodges.

Website - https://rotaryoch.org.au/home

29th April 2020 Page 5 of 16 Volume 1, Number 36

Quick Links

District 9810 News Morning Tea with the DGE

DGE Alma will be conducting regular virtual morning teas on Tuesdays at 10.30 am. These are intended to be informal session for any Rotarian to join for a chat, to ask questions or even to do a little gentle boasting about their club’s success in the current climate. Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMofu2gqT8oGda8I1CkxkgnKijqp8f6Celj After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

District 9810 - Changeover Event

District Changeover will be going ahead on 20 June as planned but it will move to the virtual world. An event committee has been formed and plans are being formulated. Details on how to book will be circulated as soon as they are prepared but please save the date now and look forward something very different from the traditional changeover.

There WILL be a District Changeover Event.

It WILL be Zoomed on Saturday, June 20th.

It may possibly commence at 7.30pm.

It may even go for about an hour or so.

Attendees WILL need to register online.

Attendees may even offer a voluntary donation to EndPolio.

There may even be a series of “after parties” organized in Clusters.

The incoming and outgoing DGs may separately Zoom in to all of them.

However uncertain all this reads there WILL be a District Changeover Event.

Stay alert for more information that WILL come to you soon.

AND YES, SAVE THE DATE

SATURDAY, JUNE 20 IT WILL BE GREAT!

Website - https://rotaryoch.org.au/home

29th April 2020 Page 6 of 16 Volume 1, Number 36

Special Announcements

29th April – Jon & Phuong Breisch

Wedding Anniversary

Rotary District 9810 Training Assembly

Update

Whilst the District Training Assembly as a physical event has been cancelled, we’re still very focused on supporting club office bearers in preparing for the year ahead. Now, more than ever, Rotary and the community needs strong clubs and well-prepared club leaders. Our request is that before the 24th May, club office bearers and any other interested members undertake the online learning modules in the RI Learning Centre relevant to their portfolio. Then, from the week commencing 25th May, we will offer online Zoom-based workshops for each portfolio to consolidate learnings and share ideas and questions with your peer group across the District. To facilitate this process, we ask that you register via Eventbrite if you haven’t already done so, so that we can arrange the relevant online workshops. The registration link and details of the online learning modules can be found on the District Assembly page on the District’s website: https://www.9810rotary.org.au/50071/Page/ShowSitePage?ClassCode=SitePage&Slug=district-assembly-2020 PDG Tony Monley OAM 2020-21 District Learning & Development Coordinator acmonley+Rotary@gmail.com 0438 515 273

Rotaract Club of Monash

Club Meeting Details: The Club meets on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the Month at 7:30pm for a 7:45pm start (Optional social dinner at 6:30, please order your meal by 7pm to ensure you can be there for the start of the meeting) at Waverley RSL (Upstairs in the Sunset Room) 161 Coleman Parade, Glen Waverley.

Upcoming Rotaract Events:

Website - https://rotaryoch.org.au/home

29th April 2020 Page 7 of 16 Volume 1, Number 36

Until further notice all Rotaract Meetings will be online only. Direct Message us if you'd like to join!

Rotaract Roster:

Date Rotarian to Visit

If you cannot attend on the night you are rostered, please organise a replacement to take your place.

Where other Clubs Meet A Rotarian can attend the weekly meeting of any Rotary club around the world. This is a “make-up” and counts as attendance credit when you are not able to attend a meeting of your own club. Details for all District 9810 clubs can be obtained in the district directory or website www.9810rotary.org.au Details for clubs around the world are available in the RI Directory (held by the club secretary) and on the RI website (www.rotary.org)

Reminders Please ensure that the club is aware if you will be missing a meeting. Contact Barry Cronan at Cron20@bigpond.com or mob: 0421 417 428 the day before the meeting, if you are not going to be present. Contributions for inclusion into the Bulletin should be passed to editor@rotaryoch.org.au by Monday evening of each week. Please remember if you cannot perform your rostered job, it is your duty to find a replacement to take your place.

Visit our new Facebook page at @Rotaryoch9810 or click

Website - https://rotaryoch.org.au/home

29th April 2020 Page 8 of 16 Volume 1, Number 36

Joke of the Week A man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy boulevard. Suddenly, the light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection. The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration, as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her mobile phone and makeup. As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and placed in a holding cell. After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects. He said, “I’m very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the ‘What Would Jesus Do’ bumper sticker, the ‘Choose Life’ licence plate holder, the ‘Follow Me to Sunday-School’ bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk; naturally ... I assumed you had stolen the car.”

Rotary International News

ShelterBox team rises to challenge by Hank Sartinl

When El Niño caused abnormally intense rainfall in April and May 2019, Paraguay experienced massive flooding that displaced an estimated 60,000 people. In Asunción, the capital, the Paraguay River overflowed, and tens of thousands had to live in temporary settlements with inadequate shelter and poor sanitation. With the high waters persisting for months, residents needed humanitarian assistance while they figured out what to do in the long run. That’s how Ned Morris, a member of the Rotary Club of Walla Walla, Washington, found himself in Asunción for 22 days in July and August. It was Morris’ fifth deployment since late 2017, when he completed his training with ShelterBox, Rotary’s partner for disaster relief. In its May 2018 issue, The Rotarian followed Morris, fellow Rotarian Wes Clanton, and Rotaractor Katelyn Winkworth as they trained to become members of the ShelterBox Response Team. After 11 months developing the skills needed to assist displaced people around the world, they were invited to participate in the intensive final stage of training conducted by ShelterBox in the rugged countryside in Cornwall, England. After nine days dealing with simulations of the disasters they might encounter on a deployment, ShelterBox welcomed Morris, Clanton, and Winkworth to its response team, which numbers about 200 people worldwide. Since then, Morris has supported families in the Caribbean, Ethiopia, and Kenya as well as Paraguay, experiencing firsthand the power of the Rotary-ShelterBox partnership. “When we hit the ground on any deployment, Rotarians and Rotaractors are our first contact,” he says. “They help us identify safe and unsafe areas, the right places to set up base. They provide drivers and translators. We wouldn’t have the impact we do without the partnership.” In Paraguay, members of the Rotaract clubs of Asunción and Asunción Catedral were crucial to the mission’s success. Mariana Santiviago and Oliver Lugo Fatecha helped with translation, and Gabriela Grasso, Fanny Santos, and others provided logistical support. ShelterBox Response Teams provided shelter kits packed with tarpaulins and tools to help repair homes. They also distributed solar lights, mosquito nets, and blankets to displaced people in Asunción. As for Morris, he served on a team dedicated to monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL), part of ShelterBox’s effort to garner knowledge from each deployment. “The purpose of the MEAL team is to make sure we’re providing the right type of

Website - https://rotaryoch.org.au/home

29th April 2020 Page 9 of 16 Volume 1, Number 36

aid that’s needed now,” he explains. “And if they need other things, we want to know what those are. If it’s something that we can bring in the future to improve our response, we want to know.” Community engagement is key to the partnership’s success. The response teams work with local leaders and teach them to show others how to use the resources ShelterBox provides. That means the ShelterBox teams can be small, with lower deployment costs and greater ability to adapt to changing circumstances. The response teams also work directly with the people most affected by a disaster, but they are careful not to be intrusive. “These people are in a horrible situation and they deserve to be respected, consulted, and treated with dignity,” Morris says. “We don’t want to be a burden on them. They’ve already gone through enough.” ShelterBox is always preparing for its next deployment, without knowing where that might be. “We fundraise for the next disaster,” says Morris, who also works as a ShelterBox ambassador, spreading the word about the Rotary-ShelterBox mission. “We already had the supplies in place that we’re delivering now. We are ready when the next hurricane or earthquake hits, wherever that might be. Whatever it is, as soon as the next disaster hits, we are ready.”

BOARD MEETING REPORT - Wednesday 15th April 2020

Nine board members & four committee chair members attended the Board meeting via Zoom. The meeting reviewed all of the activities of the club prior to and as a consequence of the coronavirus lockdown. President’s Report The current status of membership health – identification of any member /member family requiring assistance in the current coronavirus environment, was the club’s top priority. 24 members attended our first general members Zoom & all other members are to be contacted personally.

Website - https://rotaryoch.org.au/home

29th April 2020 Page 10 of 16 Volume 1, Number 36

Most other clubs are now meeting via Zoom or other electronic mediums. District meetings including the District Assembly have been cancelled. Stay Connected with District activity at; https://www.9810rotary.org.au/page/staying-connected Six-month review feedback will be finalised at the earliest opportunity. Status of Drought Relief Project – via Rotary Mildura - $4,000 contribution. Tom Buzza to obtain an update – see separate report. Consideration of a trip to the region deferred. Bushfire response - $5,000 contribution via D9820. Working- bee of members deferred. John Barnes to clarify current status.

Signature Project on hold for now. Annual General Meeting Date & Club Positions 20/ 21 & 21/22 The Board endorsed the recommendation of the Nominating Committee chaired by John Barnes and agreed that the AGM be convened via Zoom on 6th May. See full details in a separate advice. The updating of the Constitution and By-laws to be reported on and discussed at the AGM/

Treasurer’s Report:

Treasurer’s Report for period 27.2.20 to 15.4.20 was approved Administration Account – balance $ 104.98 Committee Account - balance $20,418.00 Term Deposits Committee Funds - $55,000.00 Scholarship Funds Accounts - $ 174.50 Term Deposits BB Malvern (Scholarships) $75,000.00

Support for all project activities was discussed, which can be best summarized by the Treasurer’s updated details of Committee payments for year to 15.04.2020 as follows;

OCH: COMMITTEE FUNDS AC 27/2 - 15/4 YTD YTD TOTAL

INCOME Month/Year to Date $2,564.34 $ 169,200.46

EXPENSES COMMUNITY SERVICE

Carols In The Park $ 6,801.75

Community Radio $ 60.00

CIS Mt Waverley $2,500.00 $ 2,500.00

CIS Oakleigh $2,500.00 $ 2,500.00

Dixon House incl March 2020

$156.90 $ 940.08

EDGE Community Fund $2,000.00 $ 2,000.00

Homeless Housing Project $ 1,560.00

Oakleigh Cricket Club $ 5,000.00

Oakleigh Amateur FC Crushers $ 5,000.00

Oakleigh Revolution SC Inc $1,500.00 $ 1,500.00

MONCAS $1,500.00 $ 1,500.00

Parkinsons Vic $ 5,031.25

Ronald McD House $ 2,500.00

Suicide Prevention Network $ 1,000.00

MND Ride $750.00 $ 750.00

Drought Relief - Mildura $3,000.00 $ 4,000.00

East Gippsland Bushfire Relief $ 5,000.00

Website - https://rotaryoch.org.au/home

29th April 2020 Page 11 of 16 Volume 1, Number 36

TOTAL COMMUNITY SERVICE $ 47,643.08

AUSTRALIAN ROTARY HEALTH

Ride For Research Sponsorship $ 1,640.00 $ 1,640.00

DG FAMILY PROJECT

Books for Kids incl Westall PS $ 3,250.00 $ 3,250.00

FOUNDATION

Annual Giving $ 6,027.00

Polio Eradication $ 2,175.00

PHF Medallion $ 16.50

TOTAL FOUNDATION $ 8,218.50

YOUTH SERVICE

Clarinda PS - BBQ & Camp $ 1,887.75

Girl Guides $ 500.00

Leadership Huntingdale PS 2020 $ 2,000.00

Leadership SOSC 2020 $ 2,000.00

Breakfast Program SOSC $ 2,000.00

NYSF $ 3,150.00

PNG Buildings $ 1,000.00

Primary School Awards $ 400.00

Rotaract $800.00 $ 1,250.00

RYPEN $ 2,280.00

MUNA $1,920.00 $ -

MUNA District Refund -$1,920.00

Sacred H Philippines Immersion $ 6,000.00

Sri Lankan Refugee Relief $ 510.00

Stepping Stones MCH $ 256.08

Westall SC Bursary $ 250.00

TOTAL YOUTH SERVICE $ 23,483.83

INTERNATIONAL SERVICE

RAM $ 1,500.00

RAWCS Indonesian Students $ 550.00

RAWCS Milking Project $ 500.00

TOTAL INTERNATIONAL SERVICE $ 2,550.00

VOCATIONAL SERVICE

School Citizenship Award $ 625.00

Website - https://rotaryoch.org.au/home

29th April 2020 Page 12 of 16 Volume 1, Number 36

TOTAL VOCATIONAL SERVICE $ 625.00

CLUB SERVICE

Caravan $ 628.78

Member Apparel

Member Apparel Reimburse

TOTAL Member Apparel $ 3,574.90

Membership Book $ 799.21

Trailer $ 130.76

National Storage Cheltenham

Storage D9810 1/3 Reimburse

TOTAL Storage $ 1,238.40

TOTAL CLUB SERVICE $ 6,372.05 TOTAL EXPENSES Month/Year $14,706.90 $ 93,782.46

Subsequently Approved Oak Carn RSL Welfare (Anzac)

$1,500.00

With all income activity either cancelled or deferred the Board will be closely monitoring all project and community support activity until the coronavirus lock down is lifted.

Community A request from South Oakleigh Wild Shelter was deferred for consideration at a later date

Dixon House Emergency Relief – Foodbank Pick Up - on hold

Foundation Members to be invited to contribute to Centurion program

Membership / Club Service & PR Marketing & Public Image Committees to meet at the earliest opportunity. International All activity deferred. Youth / New Generation MUNA 2020 - Cancelled & refunded Vocational See separate report. Program / Fellowship

As advertised Note: BBQ the home of Ian & Judy Phelan when social distancing lifted.

Market While the market is shut down all of the background work is a high priority. Charity Golf Day Event cancelled Forward arrangements agreed with Huntingdale Golf Club

• Monday 28 September 2020 pencilled in as possible event if restrictions lifted in time. Subject to review at future meetings

• Monday 24 May 2021 is currently reserved for next year

Website - https://rotaryoch.org.au/home

29th April 2020 Page 13 of 16 Volume 1, Number 36

. Charity Garden Auction September 2020? Establish Sub Committee at a later time if restrictions likely to be lifted in time

Bulletin & Website Hard copies of the Bulletin to be sent to Jim & Jean Cochrane & John Goldspink Club Data Base Members reminded to advise of any change in contact details. Rotaract Funds allocated to support Rotaract members attending District Conference to be used by Rotaract to pay for coffee for frontline health workers via probably “The Grain Emporium” on Clayton Road. will be our chosen store.

Next Meeting Wednesday 27th May

VOCATION REPORT I am submitting a report on Vocational activities undertaken in recent times for the Board Meeting. Perc Moore Award for Best First Year Horticultural Apprentice at Holmesglen TAFE Danny Petrie and myself in conjunction with Ann Moore, head of Horticulture Studies interviewed the 5 nominated outstanding first year apprentices and selected Eden Zanker as the winner. All the nominated students and Eden were presented with framed certificates at the TAFE Presentation Night on March 12. Thanks to Danny and John Bethune for helping me with the presentation, and to Felicity for organising the framed certificates. Len and Edna Hawkett Award for Post Graduate Paediatric Nursing at Monash Medical Centre At present the department concerned is considering the nomination. They obviously have other priorities at the moment, but will advise asap. Allen James Award. Post Graduate Study in Disability Work at OC Connections. The nominated winner is Victoria (Tori) Williams. Thanks to Greg Telley for his help in the process. The Bill Norling Award. Best Automatic Apprentice at Chisholm TAFE. My thanks to Warren Fricke for liaising with the Norling family to gain their approval to donate $500 for the award again this year. Warren has also contacted the staff at Chisholm to gain a nomination for the award. Due to the Corona Virus interventions, Chisholm has postponed their Presentation Night indefinitely. They will inform us of the winner and the Presentation Night date, at a later date. The relevant parties concerned have been informed that our Changeover Dinner has been postponed indefinitely, but we will advise them of new date, when it is practical to do so. Peter Webb

DROUGHT RELIEF VIA MILDURA – DEAKIN ROTARY

In response to the $4,000 Drought Relief contribution we have made via Mildura – Deakin Rotary Cub this is a summarised version of the reports Tom Buzza & Felicity Smith have received from Assistant Governor Gary Klippel.

Gooday Tom, Good to hear from you. Hope you and everyone at the club is healthy. We are also having Zoom meetings (4 so far). We are fortunate being involved in Youth Exchange that we have been able to contact our past students and get them to join us from overseas, which has added a bit to the meetings. As you will be aware zoom meetings are fine in principal, but people are used to being in the same room and talking about what is happening face to face. Unfortunately managing a meeting online is a challenge. However, it is a way to ensure everyone is well and accounted for. What we

Website - https://rotaryoch.org.au/home

29th April 2020 Page 14 of 16 Volume 1, Number 36

have found up here is that for once our isolated position is a bonus. I believe we have had 5 cases (all recovered) and certainly are not feeling some of the isolation that I expect you are in the more populated areas We have had some rain, probably 2 inches in total though March/April. Would not say that the drought is over, however at least it is encouraging for those who have had the chance to plant a crop for the first time in a couple of years. As I mentioned in an email to Felicity, we have delivered Woolworths vouchers of $ 200 to 43 families who, after consultation with farmers groups were identified as the most needy. They were also consulted in the best way of providing assistance and hence the voucher. We also provided the local school students with 25 hygiene packs comprising, deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, handwash and a $ 25 voucher at BigW to purchase shoes. In effect, your club, Bendigo Rotary Club, the local clubs here and the Melbourne South Club have raised over $ 10,000 towards all of the above. All packs and vouchers included a list of the Rotary Clubs who donated funds as well as a brief letter I composed, wishing them the best for the coming year. Co-incidentally it rained the next day!! I am maintaining contact with the Landcare and Drought relief groups, in the event they require any further assistance, however meeting with them has been held up by other issues. I will continue to provide you with updates, probably more relevant once I can get in front of the farmers. I will be doing an article for our District newsletter (the last one got held up by the virus situation). And this will be sent to you as well. Look forward to talking with you again soon Cheers Gary

Website - https://rotaryoch.org.au/home

29th April 2020 Page 15 of 16 Volume 1, Number 36

Website - https://rotaryoch.org.au/home

29th April 2020 Page 16 of 16 Volume 1, Number 36