Last week Lindy and I visited the Hunter Valley and Central Coast regions of NSW to catch up with some old friends, and I continue to be impressed with the number of Rotary signs you see driving into small rural and semi-rural towns, and the number of playgrounds and parks sponsored by local Rotary Clubs. We are truly part of a wonderful well-established volunteer organisation with highly visible examples of good charitable works - and of course many more not-so-visible.

 

And speaking of well-established, our speaker Richard Blakeman from RC Glenferrie gave an excellent presentation focussed on the Centenary of Rotary in Australia and New Zealand. And I extended a special welcome to the group from the Rotary Club of Richmond: President Anna, PE Janice and Rotarians Jo, Melinda and Joan, who came to hear Richard speak.

 

Richard specifically talked about the joint Eastside/Riverside Cluster joint R100 project - the Yarra Bend Park Playground, a $400K City of Boroondara redevelopment project where Glenferrie and Camberwell have contributed significant funds, and along with Canterbury and Balwyn have contributed a total of $90K. Our Club took the lead organising role in the dismantling and transport of the old playground (which will go to a needy community in Nepal) under the supervision of John Walmsley, and your Community Service Committee under the leadership of Teresa Molella has worked since 2019 on the Yarra Bend Park Playground project, which is due for completion in July.

 

Richard stressed the need to use this project as a catalyst for community engagement, as well as promoting the Centenary of Rotary in Australia. He also stressed the new member potential of a higher community profile within Boroondara and beyond. To that end, there will be a Grand Opening of the Playground on 1 August (save the date), an installation of bee hotels at the site, and an End Polio Walk centred on the new playground and the associated Yarra River paths. There will also be a Boroondara Business Breakfast later in the year, with Josh Frydenberg as Guest Speaker. All events will need an organising committee made up of champions from each of the participating clubs - so I will be calling for volunteers in the coming months!

 

I am looking forward to our own Centenary of Rotary dinner next Wednesday at the Amora Hotel Riverwalk. As our club has existed for 2/3 of the Rotary Century we are celebrating, it's fitting that we remember all the great things we have done and great projects we have initiated in our own club's history. With a panel of senior club members being interviewed by a group of younger members, it will be a great night of reminiscing and celebrating. Please make an effort to attend, bring your partner, spouse, kids, grandkids, friends, everyone!

 

Last meeting we had a significant number of no-shows, the cost of which exceeded the takings of the raffle and drinks. So I encourage you to, as a first preference, register and pay for your meal in advance through our website or via the link that Alan Lorenzini emails you - this process is now working smoothly; if you cannot do this, you must advise Alan if you are not attending (ie an apology) - if you do not, you will have to be billed for the meal that was provided to you. Ultimately I would like to see all weekly dinner payments made on line in advance, but for the time being we will continue to take payment at the Welcome Desk.

 

That's it from me - have a great week in Rotary.

 

 

Every month in Rotary has a special purpose. 

Refer to your Club Directory if you are planning an event to correlate with the Rotary Calendar.