It’s been another busy week at the Rotary Club of Berwick with members once again showing.jpg)
their commitment to participate in key activities to support the local community and promote Rotary.
From Rotary leadership training, to lifting the lid on mental illness, to helping young sharpen their job interview skills, raising funds for charity, and planning for the future… we have covered a fair bit of ground this week done and the best part is that we’ve had fun doing it all!!
On Saturday the 7th of October a group of dedicated Rotarians attended the first part of their Leadership training at the Rotary Leadership Institute (RLI). The RLI is an international network of Rotary and provides a series of fast paced, interactive, three one-day sessions designed to refine the leadership skills of Rotarians and increase their knowledge of Rotary. Excellent club leadership is essential to the future of Rotary in a complex and fast changing world.
Membership Director, Sharmaine Squire was one of the participants and she says that the first part of the training was very worthwhile and that she gained a lot from the activities. Sharmaine and other participants are looking forward to Part two of the training on the 11th of November.
Last weekend (7-8th October) the club hosted a kiosk at Bunnings in Narre Warren, as part of the Lift the Lid on Mental Illness awareness campaign during the month of October. The two-day event was organised by Past President (PP) Viv Armstrong who is also the Australian Rotary Health representative for District 9820. Viv was very happy with the support provided by members of the Club.
As one of the Rotarians who attended the event, it was encouraging to see the level of public support and engagement for an issue that impacts all of us at some stage of our lives. Viv will be presenting on the topic and more at the Club meeting on the on Wednesday the 18th of October. Make sure to book in early and wear a hat!! Visit www.rotaryberwick.org for details.
On Tuesday night Viv attended a “Doctors Networking” dinner and Mental Health was the topic discussed. Based on the discussions at the meeting Viv is confident that as a Club we are approaching the issue of mental health the right way by focusing on children at risk. By learning to identify the warning signs and how to tackle them early we can help avoid a lifetime of pain and suffering. Visit beyondblue.org.au and australianrotaryhealth.org.au for more information.
On Wednesday the 11th of October, David Collyer lead a team of six Rotarians to the Hillcrest Christian College to do a series of mock interviews for Year 10 students. From all accounts it was a great exercise and everyone was impressed with the students. Perhaps we may have discovered some future prospects for the many Rotary youth development and leadership programmes that the Club supports each year.
On Wednesday night at our Club meeting Greg Tantala (Communications Advisor) and Bernhard Held (Senior Project Manager) from the Level Crossing removal Authority were our guest speakers. They brought members up to speed with the progress that has been made to date with the crossings between Caulfield and Dandenong, and also provided an overview of what is in scope for the future for the crossings at Sth Gippsland Highway, Hallam Road, Webb Street and Clyde Road.
It was a very interesting and engaging presentation and all in attendance were impressed by the engineering feat achieved during construction works to minimise disruption to traffic and maintain the vibrancy of local communities. PP Laury Gordyn was our Chairman on the night and as an engineer, he had a deeper appreciation than most of the complexities involved with a project of this magnitude.
At the meeting we were honoured to welcome visiting Rotarian Josie Wilson, who the previous night had been inducted into Rotary as a member Rotary Club of Pakenham. Congratulations Josie and welcome on board. We are honoured that you chose the Rotary Club of Berwick as your first club to visit.
It was also great to welcome visitors Ricci Stuart, Stephen Webster, David Rowlands and Gaetano Fina. Gaetano has submitted his membership application and we hope to be able to induct him into the Rotary family very soon.
PP Gerald Treasure was back on board this week for birthday acknowledgements and presented a gift to PP Laury Gordyn who celebrated his 21st Birthday (again) on the 6th of October. Happy birthday Laury!! Also happy birthday to Carole Buchanan for the 17th of October! And congratulations to Eric & Wendy Boon who celebrated their Wedding Anniversary on the 7th of October, and also to PP Sjaak and Joy Kusters who will celebrate another milestone on the 17th of October. It was good to see our Sergeant David Nutter, in “fine” form.
On Friday night while I was having working dinner in Narre Warren with Assistant Governor Allan Collier and other Rotary Club Presidents from the cluster, Vice President Terry Carmichael accompanied by other members and friends of the Rotary Club of Berwick attended the Annual Charity Dinner for the Casey Cardinia Foundation at the Cardinia Cultural Centre in Pakenham. From all accounts both events were very productive.
What a week it’s been and there’s still more to come!! Thank you to all the members and friends of the Club who volunteered their time to participate in the many activities during the week. Thanks to your efforts the Rotary Club of Berwick
is making a difference.
I take this opportunity to send all our best wishes to Rotarians Doug and Rhonda Anderson and PP Bill Minns. We are thinking of you!!
Best wishes also to PP Mark and Isobel Caulfield who are doing the Camino Walk through Spain.
Hope you enjoy this week’s edition of the Spoke ‘n’ Words.
Ricardo
