Tuesday night we were back at the bowls club and our guest speaker for the night was Phillip Liebelt from the Storey telling festival. Phillip was the minister of Uniting Church and retired in 2019. Phillip has been involved in Uniting Church OP shop and started the Uniting bookshop. He is now involved in the Storey telling Festival which is going to be the 5th year. The festival will run for 3 weeks from 27th June to July 13th .
They have many activities over the 3 weeks and have a panel of 4 experts. If you are thinking about writing a book and want to know the processes, go along and check it out.
You can find out about the festival and all of the events through the website: https://www.warrnamboolstorytelling.com.au/
Jemila Rushton came along for the night who has applied for the 2026 Rotary Peace Fellowship. Jemila wanted to find out more about Rotary services and values. Jamila has been working with the International Campaign to abolish nuclear weapons for the last 6 years, thank you to all who supported Jemila on Tuesday night and said she was very grateful for the opportunity.
Congratulations to the following winners of the May Race Carnival Sweep
1 st price - Maree McCosh
2 nd price – Keith McLeod
3 rd Price - Angela Wheeler
Last place John Hunt
Members Announcements
- Terry gave us an update of the winners of the sweep and Tony got a
consolation prize as his horse was scratched.
- Chris Stebbing Spoke about the RYDA workshop which is held up at
Emmanuel College on the 13 th of May. Chris is needing 2 more volunteers, if you can help out please contact Chris.
Thank you to Phillip Liebelt, Jack Joyce and Jamila Rushton for coming along and sharing a meal with us all.
Apologies for the night: Svet Lineham, Peter Smid, Janet Blackley, Glen Brotchie, John Hunt, Robbie Blackmore, Wendy Gosden, Graeme Ward, Angela Wheeler, Sharon Kenny and Margaret Ross.
Next week we have RYLA participants coming along for the night to talk about there experiences on camp.
Happy Mother’s Day and hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Have a great week
Kelly Curran
Next Meeting 13th May
RYLA Participant Presentation. Chair is Rachel Furnell.
6pm for a 6.15pm start
Warrnambool Bowls Club
Corner of Kelp and Timor St.
A reminder, if you cannot attend the meeting; please contact David Brown via 0438 647 536 or dljb3280@gmail.com
Meeting Jobs
Sargeant:
Greg Lee
Fellowship:
George McLeod
Invocation:
Svetlana Lineham
If you are unable to fill this position, please contact Anne Adams on 0418 528 787 or
adamsanne49@gmail.com
Upcoming Speakers
May 13th - RYLA participant presentation. Chair is Rachel 20th - Presentation from Maria Rezende and youth exchange. Chair is Brooke 27th - Sarah Wallace from the Wish Collective. Chair is Kelly.
June 3- Planning Night with President Elect Peter 10th - 17th - Tanya Wines. Chair is Cathy Bligh 24th - Change over dinner
Happy end of Rotary Year!
Upcoming Events
April
May 13th
RYDA Program with
Emmanuel College
June 20th
Warrnambool Central Changeover
July 27th
First Aid and CPR Training
August 11th-12th
Science and Engineering Challenge
September
October
November
December
Upcoming Meeting Jobs Roster
Date
Sargeant
Fellowship
Invocation
May 13th
Greg Lee
George McLeod
Svetlana Lineham
May 20th
Ann Body
Glenn Brotchie
Terrence O'Neill
May 27th
Ann Body
Graeme Ward
Wendy Gosden
June 3rd
Ann Body
Greg Lee
Alan Bowes
June 10th
Ann Body
Ian Sharman
Andrew Body
June 17th
Greg Lee
Janet Blackley
Angela Wheeler
June 24th
Ann Body
John Hunt
Ann Donaldson
July 1st
Ann Body
John Beks
Anne Adams
Additions to the Bulletin
Please contact Brooke and Sarah to add items to the bulletin
brookeemmajensen@gmail.com and sarah.adams2509@gmail.com
We’re launching a brand new online Rotaract club — built for gamers, by gamers.
The Rotaract Club of Australian Gamers is about linking Australia’s massive online gaming community with meaningful charitable causes. Whether you’re into Call of Duty, FIFA, League of Legends, Minecraft, or anything in between — there’s now a space where you can game socially while creating positive impact in the world.
WHY THIS MATTERS:
Around 86% of Australians aged 15–24 play video games — it’s one of the biggest shared interests in the country.
For many people, online gaming isn’t just a hobby — it’s a core part of how they stay socially connected.
We’re tapping into that energy and linking it to the power of Rotaract/Rotary.
GAMING FOR GOOD — Real Impact Examples
Gamers around the world are already raising millions through online events:
Z Event (France) – Raised €10 million in 2022 for various charities
A big thank you to those who were able to help last weekend planting trees at Janet's place.
'The International Walker' - Glenn Brotchie
Glenn and Marion are off on another amazing walking trip!
Glenn will be sending updates through the bulletin, but also through the club group chat on 'Whatsapp'. If you would like to be added to this chat, or help in how to get the app, please talk to anyone at the next meeting, it's really easy!
"3 days into walk, 65 out of 320kms completed. Had some very steep climbs each day, but the downhills are just as hard. Sheltering from the cold wind and enjoying a well earned cuppa"
"Photos are looking back towards Grasmere, another looking towards where we are going, (tough climb in both instances). The following day is worse with a total ascent of over 1300 meters."
7th:
"I will call this day a slog, tough, 21kms mostly uphill and difficult technical climb down to lake. Now at our 100kms mark, a third of the journey now completed."
"We are certainly following Alferd Wainwrights track across the UK. The photo of the pub was at Bampton, called Mardale Inn. It is a community run affair and was absolutely brilliant to drink, eat and sleep there. Almost halfway now being at Kirsty Stephen in Yorkshire dales."
"We just had an amazing night at dinner, and it reminded me of Rotary. People from over 5 countries all happened to meet at the same restaurant. They were all walkers we had met on route and will continue to meet over the next few days on the track to Robin Hoods Bay. I thought this is the meaning of why we are Rotarians. Meet and Greet".
Maria is off!
Our youth exchange student Maria is off on her 3 week adventure through Western Australia. Maria has also joined the 'Whatsapp' group and will send updates in that chat. They will be relayed here too.
"Hi Rotarians, I've been busy during the trip, not much time or internet, but I'll tell everything when I get back! On the 7th we went to the whale shark tour and it was AMAZING! W also saw from the boat some tiger sharks, a sea snake, sea cows (including a baby one, super cute!), a dolphin and a whale. We swam with the whale sharks, white tip sharks (which was crazy, scary, and amazing at the same time), a big manta ray, turtle and a lot of small fish."
Wisecrack of the week
From John Beks
WHEN GOD MADE A FATHER...
By Erma Bombeck (with minor adaptations)
When the good Lord was creating Fathers, he started with a tall frame. And a female angel nearby said: "What kind of father is that? If you are going to make children so close to the ground, why have you put the father so high? He won't be able to play marbles without kneeling, tuck a child in bed without bending, or even kiss a child without a lot of stooping."
God smiled and said, "Yes, but if I make him child-size, whom would children have to look up to?"
And when God made a father's hands, they were large and sinewy.
The angel shook her head and said: "Large hands can't manage nappy pins, small buttons, rubber bands on pony tails – or even remove splinters."
And God smiled and said, "I know, but they are large enough to hold everything a small boy empties from his pockets, yet small enough to cup a child's face in."
Then God moulded long, slim legs and broad shoulders.
"Do you realise you just made a father without a lap?" the angel clucked.
God said, "A mother needs a lap. A father needs strong shoulders to balance a boy on a bicycle, or to hold a sleepy head on the way home from the footy in Melbourne"
God was in the middle of creating two of the largest feet anyone had ever seen, when the angel could contain herself no longer. "That's not fair! Do you honestly think those big hoofs are going to swing out of bed early in the morning, when the baby cries? Or walk through a small birthday party without crushing at least three of the guests?"
God smiles and said, "They'll work. You'll see. They'll support a small child, who wants to ride a horse to Banbury Cross; or scare off mice at the holiday cottage, or display shoes, that will be a challenge to fill."
God worked throughout the night, giving the father few words, but a firm, authoritative voice; eyes that saw everything, but remained calm and tolerant.
Finally, almost as an afterthought, he added – tears.
Then he turned to the angel and said, "Now are you satisfied that he can love as much as a mother?"
And the angel said no more.
Walking Group on again! 9am meeting at the Pavilion. Social coffee at the cafe post walk
Reports for the Changeover Annual Report
Rotarians I have been tasked with getting reports together for our Changeover annual
report. The Changeover being 24 June.
The following is a list of office bearer’s, service areas, activities and the people who
“champion” them.
There may be others that I have missed. If so please let me know.
If you are an office bearer, or “responsible” for a project, fund raiser or activity can you
provide an overview suitable to be included in the annual report please.
To facilitate the compilation of the report easier and for consistency of appearance
please use the Arial Font at font size 11 point and do not include any complex formatting.
Where appropriate please provide one or a small number of images in .jpg format.
These will greatly enhance the appearance of your report.
To have the report ready for the Changeover I need everything finalised, at the latest, 6
June (approximately 2 weeks prior). I will also send reminders prior to that.
President (Kellie Curran)
Secretary (Janet Blackley)
Treasurer (Terry O’Neill)
Club Service (Anne Adams)
Rotary Foundation (Greg Lee)
Projects (Tony Austin)
Public Image (Brooke McLeod)
Membership (Greg Lee)
Early loss memorial (Janet Blackley)
Environmental project (Graeme Ward)
Science & Engineering Challenge (Brooke McLeod)
Youth exchange (Brooke McLeod)
NYSF (Brooke McLeod)
RYLA (Rachel Furnell)
Camp Quality cabin (Rachel Furnell)
Booksale (Deb Ferguson)
Garden Expo (Anne Adams)
Days 4 Girls (Ann Donaldson)
The PNG Project (Tony Austin)
Regards
Tony A
Rotary Down Under May '25 Issue
The latest issue of Rotary Down Under is here. This is a monthly subscription for all Rotarians in Australia. As a member you should be receiving either a electronic or physical copy of the magazine. If you don't get it, please get in touch with Janet (also check your spam folder).
WHY THIS MATTERS:
Around 86% of Australians aged 15–24 play video games — it’s one of the biggest shared interests in the country.
GAMING FOR GOOD — Real Impact Examples
Z Event (France) – Raised €10 million in 2022 for various charities
