What’s been happening?
What a year it’s turning out to be! Members of any community clubs, like Rotary, are certainly missing their contact with each other and with their community during covid restrictions. For Rotarians that means not being able to contribute to our community in our usual ways, but it does challenge us to create new ways of engaging and supporting each other. We have continued to connect to members, our extended Rotary family, and to our community in any way we can. Rotary meetings have continued in various forms since March, either as restricted meetings, working bees, 1:1 activities or online Zoom meetings.
- A road side clean up of our designated section of the Henty Highway was possible just before ‘lock down’.
- Changeover- In July, Tony Gregson took on a second term as President. Guest speaker via zoom was Dr Alan Finkel- Australia’s Chief Scientist, gave a very interesting presentation related to his significant roles on a range on influential committees – the national bushfire response, sourcing 1000s of Covid ventilators for Australia, and informing national low emissions energy policies.
- New Rotarian, Tim Hewitt spoke gave a talk about local family history
- Jess Taylor recounted her time time in the Defence Force
- Overhead shelters above the tables and chairs have been erected at Rotary Park.
- Country Education Foundation awardee, Patrick Lindsay, received extra funds to assist with his university expenses.
- Rotary Outreach Myeloma Program. Myeloma is a blood cancer with no cure and no dedicated support group until recently. The Rotary Clubs of Horsham and Horsham East have developed a Myeloma Support group in the Wimmera and now we also representative on the committee, thanks to Rotarian Helen Peters as does the Rotary Club of Nhill.
- David Ward presented an interesting account of his family’s history in local media over 100 years, up until the latest venture in re-establishing the Horsham Times.
- Ben Bentley was congratulated for his 40 years in community service as a Rotarian.
- New Rotarian, Rob McRae, shared the 60 year history of the Wallup Pipe Band with members.
- Kerrie Baxter and Lucy Lavery gave an inspirational presentation about their time volunteering at the Feeding Dreams school in Cambodia for children in dire poverty.
- Fiona Hewitt was our most recent guest speaker. Rotary donated some Robotics kits last year to St Mary’s Primary school and it was interesting to hear how they have been used in the whole school Robotics program.
What’s Coming Up?
If you’ve driven past Rotary Park in Kelsall St you might have noticed the initial developments of a community Dog Park. Warracknabeal is one of six sites in Victoria that received funding to help create this purpose built enclosure so that dog owners, whether local or visitors to town, can safely exercise their pets. Rotaract and Rotary and the shire have combined forces to complete the dog run, and hopefully it will be in use before long.
As Covid restrictions begin to ease hopefully Rotarians will be out and about in the community more as well as enjoying social club gatherings.
If any member of the community knows of a special need in our midst, and thinks Rotary may be able to help, please contact President Tony Gregson 0419504499 or community Services director, David Drage 0427991247
Find out more.
Keep up with what’s on. Do you have suggestions for Rotary projects? Are you interested in helping with projects or joining Rotary?
Contact a Rotarian, visit the Rotary Club of Warracknabeal website or find us on facebook. J
Dr Alan Finkel, Australia's Chief Scientist- Guest speaker 