FROM THE PRESIDENT'S DESK - 06.12.2017

We had another busy week at the Rotary Club of Berwick with members involved in many community activities. We picked up toy collection boxes from schools and shopping centres on behalf of the Berwick and District Benevolent Society making sure that no kid misses out at Christmas. The generosity of the students and the broader Berwick community is simply amazing.

We also hosted a BBQ at Nossal College for some 500 hundred hungry students, parents and teachers. Rotarian Bob Lay AM summed it all up nicely… “we have developed a great working relationship with Nossal that benefits everyone.”

Thank you and well done to all Rotarians who were involved in the various community activities this week.

At our meeting on Wednesday night we had the pleasure of welcoming Dr Tan as our guest speaker. He spoke to members about the time he spent over the years as a doctor in remote aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory. Since moving back to Melbourne he has made it his mission to spend up to 12 weeks each year travelling back up north to keep in contact with the communities and strengthen friendships. On a few occasions he took his children with him so they would get to experience the beauty of remote Australia, the tyranny of distance and the aboriginal culture.

Dr Tan spoke fondly of the people on Elcho Island (off the far north coast of Australia) where he practiced as a doctor for some years, their friendly disposition and their plight. Medical equipment such as x-ray and dialysis machines are not available on the island and patients often have to travel hours by plane or some 4 days by barge for basic care we often take for granted. Dr Tan came to Australia in 1982 just in time to complete Year 12 and has never looked back.

Members were very appreciative of Dr Tan’s presentation. Rotarian Russell Dunn thanked Dr Tan for his service to those in need and congratulated him on his excellent and engaging presentation.

Following Dr Tan’s presentation, we had the privilege to present some 200 children’s books to Susan Magee, CEO of the Casey North Community Support Services, to be delivered to children in the Casey community. The books were donated by members and friends during the Rotary Literacy month in October. The book collection was Jane Moore’s idea and it gave the club an opportunity to do something simple for the community that can have a ripple effect. This is about “Making a Difference”. Thank you Susan for so gracefully accepting these books and a big thank you also to all those who made it possible. Past President (PP) Gus Dominguez who was the chair at the meeting and also the chair of the organising committee for next week’s Christmas Carols took the opportunity to provide members with an overview of the plan and the allocation of duties.

Sergeant David Nutter delivered some excellent fines and Sandi Tarant nearly won the Joker’s Wild jackpot which is now at just over $2,000.

All in all, our meeting night was a good night of Rotary information and fellowship.

Next Wednesday the 13^th of December will be our Christmas Celebrations at Forest Edge in Gembrook and on Saturday 16^th we will be hosting the Christmas Carols for the Berwick and Casey community at the Edwin Flack Reserve in Berwick.

I hope you enjoy this week’s edition of the bulletin!!