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Weekly wrap up with President .
Barefoot Bowling Social:
Members gathered last Tuesday for a fun filled barefoot bowling experience at the WBC.
“Lawn bowls is a precision sport where players roll biased bowls to get as close as possible to a smaller white ball, called the "jack,"”
Getting close to the jack proved to be quite difficult 😞 though Ken showed good finesse in my group.
Players were enthusiastically cheered on by Margaret, John, Sharon, Robbie and Alan.
There was fine finger food provided including scones and cakes.
 
Thanks Svet, Robbie, Ken and Rachel for organising this social event.
Apologies: David Brown, John Hunt, Angela Wheeler, Brooke McLeod, George McLeod, Greg Lee, Judy Ross and Trish Canty
 
World Water Day was on the 22nd March
“Across the world, it is women and girls who most often carry the daily weight of water insecurity. In more than 80% of rural households without direct access to water, they are responsible for collecting it, walking long distances, and managing its use. This work consumes 250 million hours every day globally. It limits access to education, undermines health, and constrains women’s economic and civic participation. At the same time, women remain largely excluded from decision-making processes in water institutions holding less than 30% of management and technical positions in the water sector globally, and fewer than 20% of senior leadership roles in many public water institutions.
Our involvement in provision of Water:
Excerpt from 2016 Report on Sariri Village Project, PNG:
“Tony Austin (RC Warrnambool) showed the villagers how to hand sink a bore and set up a solar array and submersible pump to supply water for the village communal farm on Chief Tom’s land. The bore was sunk to 7 metres and was pumping 3600 litres per hour when completed. The “boys” gain great esteem from being part of a project team; to them the ”uniform” of yellow fluro vests (donated by John Harris of
Warrnambool) means a great deal. This project was made possible by donations from Wannon Water, the Wannon Water Social Club, Grundfos and RC Warrnambool fundraising”
 
 
Next Meeting:

24th March
Sharon Kenny talking about
Family Violence

6pm for a 6:15pm start
Warrnambool Bowls Club
Cnr Kelp and Timor St 
Warrnambool
 
 
If you are now able to attend, please message David Brown via
0438 647 536

Meeting Jobs:

Sergeant:
Svet Lineham
 
Fellowship:
Sharon Kenny
 
Invocation:
Robyn Blackmore
 
Property:
Glenn Brotchie
 
If you are not able to complete the upcoming position, please let Leon know via 0439 945 656 or leon.devilliers65@gmail.com
Upcoming Speakers:
March
24th
Social Night
Barefoot Bowls
31st
Family Violence presentation with Rotarian Sharon
 
April
7th - 
14th - NYSF Presentation
21st - Time Capsule Opening
28th - Bruce Campbell from Warrnambool Coast Land Care
 
May
5th -
May Race Week at Wangoom Hall
12th - Andy Alt
19th - Louise Mugavin
26th - RYLA Presentation
 
Upcoming Events:
 
March
27th-29th
District Conference with 9780, 9510 & 9800
 
April
4th
Book Sale
(Volunteering opportunity)
12th-17th
RYLA
 
May
5th-7th

Racing Carnival
(Volunteering opportunity for the Leila Rose Foundation)
12th
RYDA session #1
(Volunteer Opportunity)
23rd
Volunteer Expo
(Volunteer Opportunity)
 
August
10th-11th 
Science and Engineering Challenge
(Volunteering Opportunity)
 
September
7th - 9th
RYDA session #2
(Volunteer Opportunity)
Date
Sergeant
Fellowship
Invocation
Property
Mar 31st Svet Lineham Sharon Kenny Robbie Blackmore Glenn Brotchie
Apr 7th Svet Lineham Robbie Blackmore Rob McDonald Greg Lee
Apr 14th Svet Lineham Rob McDonald Rachel Furnell Rob McDonald
Apr 21st Svet Lineham Rachel Furnell Margaret Ross Glenn Brotchie
Apr 28th Svet Lineham Margaret Ross Leon de Villiers Kayla Biender
May 5th Svet Lineham Leon de Villiers Ken Sharpe John Hunt
May 12th Svet Lineham Ken Sharpe Kelly Curran Rob McDonald
May 19th Svet Lineham Kelly Curran Keith McLeod John Hunt
May 26th Svet Lineham Keith McLeod Judy Ross Kayla Biender
Additions to the bulletin...
Please contact Debra or Brooke via debferg61@icloud.com or brookeemmajensen@gmail.com
 
District Conference
Over the weekend, the multi district impact summit was held in Horsham with roughly 400 attendees from districts 9510, 9800 and 9780. This was a well organised and engaged with conference. District Governors Peter Shepheard (9800), Chris Dufty (9780) and Rajeev Kamineni (9510) mentioned that when they got together to create a multi-district event, they would either be geniuses or silly. Everyone at conference would easily say they are geniuses. Chris has labelled them a pack of Galahs though.
 
Highlights included
- Past International President Jennifer Jones
- A great showcase room
- Enjoyable socials including a western night 
- great speakers
 
You can read through the website on what the weekend looked like and who the guest speakers were:
https://www.rotaryimpactsummit.org/
 
 
Multi-District Conference 2027
It has now been officially announced that the multi-district conference will be located in WARRNAMBOOL in 2027! Dates are April 16th-18th. There was excitement in the air when it was announced within the theatre. Lets make sure we represent well!
Wisecrack of the week
from Rotarian John Beks
 
AN ALZHEIMER’S POEM
Do not ask me to remember:
Don’t try to make me understand.
Let me rest and know you’re with me.
Kiss my cheek and hold my hand.
I’m confused beyond your concept.
I am sad and sick and lost.
All I know is that I need you to be
With me at all cost.
Do not lose your patience with me.
Do not scold or curse or cry.
I can’t be different though I try.
Can’t be different though I try.
Just remember that I need you,
That the best of me is gone.
Please don’t fail to stand beside me,
Love me ‘til my life is done
The Gap nobody talks about
Here is a fantastic article from attendees of the International Assembly who point out the statistics of youth we engage with in Rotary programs, yet struggle to bring in youthful Rotary members. 
 
4+ million youth people through Rotary youth programs
300K young leaders engaged in programs every year
1.2 million global Rotary members
 
The math doesn't add up!
Click the button below to read the article.
Warrnambool Toy Library seeking volunteers
The local Toy Library is a wonderful organisation which has struggled in the last few weeks for volunteers and hasn't been able to open on certain dates. They run on Wednesdays 9:30-10:30am and Saturdays 9:30-11:30am. If you would ever like to volunteer for a one off shift, they would be grateful, it doesn't have to be a reccurring commitment. To get in contact with them, click the button below which will take you to their website.
Reminder! We are collecting 10c bottles for our projects. This is a really easy way of earning 100% profit for out club. You can utilise the app, or Brooke has business cards with the barcode on it (please ask for one). All you need to do is scan the barcode at the machine, then put the bottles in.
Alternatively, you can put your bottles in the bucket at each Rotary meeting, or drop them to Brooke and George's house on Kelp St.
Rotary Down Under Magazine
The Rotary Down Under magazine for March/April 2026 is now out and available to read. Click the link below to read online.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Graeme Ward
March 19
 
Wendy Gosden
March 27
 
Leon de Villiers
April 12
 
Alan Bowes
April 24
 
Join Date
Alan Bowes
March 2, 1970
56 years
 
Ann Donaldson
March 21, 2017
9 years
 
Trish Canty
April 22, 2025
1 year
 
Greg Lee
April 27, 2023
3 years