Judy Ross advised that Rotary House will be open for inspection on Thursday at 1:30 pm and the official opening will be at 2:00 pm. Judy added that it would be wise to bring your own chair.
Fabio
Our Youth Exchange Student Fabio thanked the Club and to quote him... "I am having the best time of my life".
Health Report
John O'Sullivan is still not well. Please phone before going to visit him.
White Ribbon Day
Ian Cairns advised that next Monday is White Ribbon Day. Our Rotary Club is one of the local supporters. Trees on the civic green have been wrapped in white ribbon. White Ribbon Day is a global movement working to stop violence against women. Men are asked to say NO to all violence and everyone is urged speak up when they witness violence.
Auction
A jar of yoyos was auctioned by President John. He said there had been a secret bid, when called for bids. As no-one bid as much as the secret bidder, he declared the secret bidder the winner. Someone with the initials J.H. bid $50 and topped the bidding. (It wasn't John Harris.)
At the end of a very pleasant evening, on behalf of the Club, John Harris thanked John and Anne Hunt for their hospitality.
About this time last year we learned about an alternative trip for “schoolies” at the end of their year 12 studies. The group leader, Mrs Geraldine Edar-Ralph, told us how for the past 3 years she had accompanied a team of 16 young people to the Philippines, her country of birth, and planned to do so once more this year.
Through her involvement with the Moyne Young Council, my granddaughter, Casey Vallance, got involved : a compelling presentation to our Club resulted in a sponsorship of $1000, to help fund a range of materials to be used for improving small rural school facilities in the Mindanao area. In January Casey will come back to our Club and report on her experience.
This year’s trip is set to leave this Friday, to return on December 15th. However, a large hiccup in the form of Typhoon Haiyan almost upset all plans, but after careful consideration of all safety aspects, organisers received the green light to proceed. Casey’s grandmother, however, still feels far from easy about this, in spite of the disaster area being some 18 hours further to the north.
Earlier this week Rotarian Gordon Curran distributed an extensive list of reputable organisations, worthy of financial support. I note that at this stage our Club has agreed to supply one Disaster Aid Family Survival Box, valued at $800, with Shelterbox Australia aiming to help some 4000 families.
“Schoolies” Tour leader, Geraldine, (who has lost 7 relatives in the disaster) also is raising cash to be converted into necessities, such as rice, upon their arrival in Manila. I will be able to direct any such donations to her in the next couple of days, prior to departure.
2014 Warrnambool Australia Day Awards
Nominations Now Open!
Nominations are invited for the 2014 Australia Day Awards which are presented annually to citizens and/or groups who have made an outstanding contribution to the community. The awards will be presented on Australia Day, 26 January 2014 at the Warrnambool Botanic Gardens representing the following categories:
– Warrnambool Australia Day Citizen of the Year.
– Warrnambool Australia Day Young Citizen of the Year.
– Warrnambool Australia Day Community Event of the Year.
– Warrnambool Local Achiever Award.
Nomination forms are available at www.warrnambool.vic.gov.au or from Warrnambool City Council. Nominations close5pm Friday 29 November 2013.
For more than 25 years the Rotary Friendship Exchange Program has given Rotarians and their families the opportunity to experience other cultures first hand, by participating in reciprocal visits with Rotarians from other countries and their families. At the same time this has supported Rotarian efforts to advance international understanding and peace across borders whilst developing relationships that lead to fellowship and service projects. These visits are normally of about two week’s duration with the visitors being hosted by a number of Rotary families in the overseas country. In recent years D9780 has participated in Rotary Friendship Exchanges with D1010 Scotland, D5010 Alaska, D1100 Great Britain, D5020 USA/Canada and more recently with D2980 Southern India. Many Rotarians and couples involved in the RFE Program choose to also include some private overseas travel either prior to or following the Rotary Friendship Exchange.
A Rotary Friendship Exchange has been arranged with D3053 which covers parts of India including the cities of Bikaner, Jodpur, Ajmer, Alwar and Gwalior in the areas of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. This will involve a group of up to 12 people from D9780 visiting D3053 and a similar team from D3053 arriving in D9780 around the time of the Sydney Convention. Exact starting and concluding dates are yet to be finalised.
POSITIONS VACANT
Vacancies exist for up to twelve Rotarians and partners or unaccompanied Rotarians from D9780 to take part in this ROTARY FRIENDSHIP EXCHANGE as guests of Rotary District 3053.
* Your main financial commitment is to cover the cost of your own return travel to and from the starting and finishing locations of the Rotary Friendship Exchange in D3053.
You can indicate your interest in participating in this ROTARY FRIENDSHIP EXCHANGE by completing this form and posting it to PDG Ric Robertson, 296 Manifold Street, CAMPERDOWN VIC 3260, or emailing it to wombidowns@gatewaybbs.com.au
PLEASE RETURN IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, BUT NO LATER THAN 15th December, 2013.
Is your partner intending to be part of the Exchange? …Yes / No
Postal Address ………………………………………………………………………
Town/City ……………………………… Postcode………………………………..
Home phone ( ) ……………………….. Mobile ............................ Email ………..........................………………………….
If selected to participate in this exchange would you be prepared to host Rotarians from D3053 for approximately 3 nights at some stage during their planned return visit to D9780 in June, 2014
Yes / No
Please note:EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST MAY BE CONSIDERED IN ORDER OF RECEIPT
The Rotary International 2014 Convention is being held in Sydney from 1st to 4th June 2014 and the venue for this event is the Sydney Olympic Centre (the convention centre is being demolished).
Early bird registrations close on 15th December 2013, after this date, registration fees increase the closer to the event.
This is a great opportunity to witness the true internationality of Rotary and to see what Rotary is doing all over the world.
The last time the Convention was in Australia, it was held in Melbourne back in the 1990’s and 15,000 people attended from all over the world, it was held at Rod Laver Area and PP Eric Williams was able to secure for us, accommodation in Swanston Street, within walking distance of the venue.
Sydney is a city known all over the world and is expected to draw as many as the Melbourne held convention. Registrations are beginning to flood in and the demand for accommodation is increasing.
For those who haven’t been to a Rotary International Convention before, it offers an insight into the real world of Rotary and its work all over the world. It will provide the opportunity to meet and mix with people from all over the world as well as key people within the Rotary circles, including RI Directors, past RI Presidents, the General Secretary and Trustees of The Rotary Foundation.
Could I recommend this convention to those who have not attended a convention before, it is a way of learning about the international organisation to which you belong, its work and its many many humanitarian and educational programs as well as enjoying the friendship of Rotarians and spouses of the world?
It is in Sydney and it is on our back door step. You may never have a better opportunity to attend a convention without the expense and trauma of overseas travel.
For those who would like some help with registering, see me at Rotary or call me and I will assist you where I can.
You may never have a better opportunity to attend a truly international event like this again so register early and see Rotary at work.
Some slightly "socially incorrect" statements which might make you smile.
Paddy says to Mick, "Christmas is on Friday this year". Mick said, "Let's hope it's not the 13th then."
My mate just hired an Eastern European cleaner, took her 15 hours to hoover the house. Turns out she was a Slovak.
Since the snow came all the wife has done is look through the window. If it gets any worse, I'll have to let her in.
Just received my water bill which was $300. That's a lot. Oxfam can supply a whole African village for just $4 a month: time to change supplier I think.
Seven wheelchair athletes have been banned from the Paralympics after they tested positive for WD40.
A mummy covered in chocolate and nuts has been discovered in Egypt ….. Archaeologists believe it may be Pharaoh Roche...
Just a reminder to those who stole electrical goods in last year's riots....Your one year manufacturer's warranty runs out soon.
Two Indian junkies accidentally snorted curry powder instead of cocaine. …. Both in hospital...one's in a korma.. The other's got a dodgy tikka!
Japanese scientists have created a camera with a shutter speed so fast, they can now photograph a woman with her mouth shut.
