Our guest speaker this week was Daybreak member Andrew Suggett who briefed us on his life’s journey which has been very interesting and varied, and enhanced by his positive and optimistic outlook. Andrew also touched on his current art project which involves collaboration with another artist to hopefully bathe some Warrnambool buildings in light projections.
Next week we will hear from the Committee of the Community Soup Kitchen where our Club volunteers in the months of May and August. Chris Preston will conduct a fun session.
RYLA – After our callout last week for RYLA participants we have been successful in finding a candidate to undertake the program under Daybreak’s sponsorship. Thanks to Drew Giblin for organizing this and into the future, we look forward to hearing how the program benefited the participant.
Future Guest Speakers and Fun Sessions – Listed below are the guest presenter and fun session roster for the weeks of February and into March. The rostered members are to either give a presentation or to organize another guest speaker. Remember that it can be just as interesting to hear the life story of one of our members, so don’t be too shy to speak about yourselves as it gives our newer members an insight into who you are and your life journey. Please advise me in advance if you have organized another speaker for your rostered session.
March 18 – The Soup Kitchen Committee (Jenny Turner), Fun Session Chris Preston
March 25 – Max Taylor, Fun Session Janey Preston
April 1 - Mr Adee-Jonathan Davidson, Urological Surgeon (Barry Brooker), Fun Session – Jan Read
April 8 – Children’s Day – Easter theme
April 15 – Peter Smid Membership Assembly
April 22 – guest Speaker Sandra Batten, Fun Session Peter Smid
The Peace Concert – I attended the 2020 Rotary Peace Concert held last week at the Lighthouse Theatre and felt it was a worthwhile night with good entertainment and an opportunity to highlight Rotary in our region, the accompanying catalogue assisted this promotion. The main section of the Rotary Peace Awards was held in the Green Room at interval time and away from the majority of the public which was a little disappointing. However, I also understand that such an event runs to a strict time schedule. Overall it was a very enjoyable evening that I recommend to members.
Invitations – Daybreak members have received two invitations in the past week, the first one is to a sausage sizzle and viewing of the Special Development School this coming Saturday February 14 (see poster attached). As Daybreak has donated a substantial amount to the SDS this is a good opportunity to visit and see how our funds have been used. The second invitation is from Rostrum who has received a grant to subsidise the fees of new members, an offer that is valid for the months of March and April. See attached posters for full details of each invitation.
Foundation and Centurion donations – As mentioned last week, there has been an urgent call out for increased donations to the Foundation and in particular through the Centurion Program. Since briefing the members last week, Secretary Cheryl has sent out further information to all members along with the appropriate forms for members to donate if they wish to do so.
Clean-Up Australia Day – we have a list of members willing to partake in Clean-Up Australia Day this coming Sunday, March 15. The meeting place will be our usual location along Aitkin’s Road at 10am and the boys from Clontarf will be joining us for this year’s cleanup. There will be a social catch up at the conclusion of the clean up, venue to be confirmed on Sunday.
District Conference – The District Conference is fast approaching and will be held from March 20-22. It looks like we have several members attending which is good for Daybreak. The booking links can be found on the district website, including tickets for the dinner and light show.
Easter Meeting – Our meeting prior to Easter on Wednesday April 8 will be open to children and we will have an Easter theme. There will be a contest for the best Easter bonnet with prizes for both adult and children’s sections; who knows, the Easter Bunny might even make an appearance! Get in the spirit and hop along to the meeting.
Membership Assembly – Our weekly meeting on April 15 will take the form of an Assembly based on Membership. Membership is the biggest issue facing Rotary and other Service Clubs worldwide. We are asking all members to make a special effort to attend this assembly and to bring to the discussion any ideas you may have to increase membership, ideas on a membership night or social event and any names and contact details of prospective members within our community. Whilst we do have a Membership Committee, membership is actually the responsibility of all Club Members. We look forward to your attendance and a healthy discussion on increasing membership and moving our Club forward.
Bunnings BBQ 2020 – We have been notified by Bunnings that as Saturday April 25 is ANZAC Day we will not be able to sell food and drinks to the public till 1pm. Bunnings have requested that we cook from 11.30 to 1pm but in that time period sausages and drinks will be free to the public; Bunnings will purchase the food and drinks for this period of time. Daybreak will set up a donation box if customers wish to make a donation during the ‘free’ period. Daybreak members are happy to comply with these requirements.
General Assembly – The 2020 General Assembly will be held on Sunday April 26 at Marion College Ararat. The cost is $30 which will include morning tea and lunch and the cost will be reimbursed by the Club. These days are filled with workshops that can assist you in Leadership roles within Rotary and also transfer to other areas of the workforce. The morning sessions include information for President Elects 20-21 and President Nominees 21-22, Secretary, Treasurer and Administration training as well as Grant Qualification.
The afternoon sessions include Membership Development, Website and Club runner training, Community and International Programs, information for Foundation Chairs and also a workshop on Strategic Planning.
There is usually a bus from Warrnambool taking members from the four Clubs to the Assembly and details of this will be confirmed closer to the date.
May Race Day Meeting – We will again be celebrating May Race meeting on Thursday May 7 in the Conference Room of the Lady Bay. Our guest speaker is currently being confirmed. More news on this event to follow.
Group 5 Social Day – Rotary Club of Port Fairy are hosting a Group 5 Social Day on Sunday May 17. More details will be circulated as the program develops but please mark this date in your diary as it is sure to be an enjoyable day. It provides great opportunity to network with the other Rotary club members within the Group 5 district including the Rotary Club of Portland and the Rotary Club of Portland Bay.
Foundation Movie Night –Our date for our next Foundation Movie Night is set for Thursday May 21 at 7pm. I am Woman which focuses on the story of Helen Reddy and the impact of her iconic song, especially on the feminist movement, is our selected movie. We will be asking members to sell tickets when they become available as this will be a major fundraising event for the Foundation.
Birthdays and Anniversaries – Congratulations to Leni Brockmuller who celebrated her birthday on Thursday March 12. Also congratulations to Ali Dennis who will celebrate a Rotary Anniversary on St Patrick’s Day March 17th, Ali first joined Daybreak in 2007.
Other Dates on the Rotary Calendar
March 15- Clean Up Australia Day
March 21-23 – District Conference, Swan Hill (registration now open)
March 25 – Health Support Network BBQ, St Pius Hall
April 8 – Children’s Meeting, Easter theme
April 25 – ANZAC DAY – Bunnings BBQ
April 26 – District Assembly, Ararat or Stawell (tbc)
May 7 – May Race breakfast meeting (Thursday) Lady Bay Conference Room.
May 17 – Group 5 Social Day hosted by RC of Port fairy
June 6-10 - Aloha, Rotary International Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii
June 24 – Change-over Dinner, Lady Bay Conference Room.
Enjoy your week and remember you are assisting Rotary in Connecting the World.
Liza
