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Visiting Rotarian DG Phil Beasley and his wife Judy were in attendance. Our guests included Jaimee Miller, Ali Kemp and our guest speaker Louise Serra. Speakers at today’s meeting DG Phil Beasley – is attempting to meet with Rotarians and clubs on a face-to-face basis now that COVID restrictions have eased. He spoke about the Big R and bringing clubs together to support community groups so that people will be engaged in what we do and subsequently we may be able to draw on these groups for membership. Biggest problem is that most people don’t really know what we do so we need to enlighten them. He also drew attention to the DG Partner’s project. Judy is highly interested in the indigenous literacy project and had a number of books on display, written by indigenous authors. He displayed the Centenary of Rotary in Australia and NZ baton that has been travelling around the district. Jaimee Miller - is the Social Connection Project worker. They have a government funded hotline and they are attempting to identify people who are isolated and connect them with community groups and local support networks. Louise Serra - from Anglicare. Their programs have been seriously impacted by COVID and in 2020 were only available for emergency care, with a focus on relief for those in dire financial situations. They continued to provide food packs but only for emergencies. They have continued to work with Brophy and the Salvo’s to facilitate social connections. They have 4 full time staff to assist with COVID recovery and focus on the real need and makin lniks between people and community services. There is a 3 month waiting list at the moment but they have a Social Support & Recovery Team tat can help in the short term. The team also works out of Mortlake and Heywood/Portland. Many of their programs have been impacted and only now are beginning to resume. The soup kitchen have started up in the last 2 weeks on a Monday night, they have begun doing lunch at the church again and still provide support for recently release prisoners. They have found that clients have appreciated their services more, once they were gone. Our shower and laundry project has been sorely missed and they welcome it starting up again. The regulars have missed the social connection and familiar faces on a Sunday afternoon. Members Announcements Newtons Ridge Winery - have to let us know that the grapes will be ready to be picked at the end of March or early April. They will contact us with a date late on. Clean up Australia day – We will be doing this on 14th March at Victoria Park and Levy’s Point. Clontarf will be helping us out at Levy’s. Centenary of Rotary In Australia – an application for a grant has gone to District and we will be partnering with Warrnambool Central on the Eastern Marr project at Lake Pertobe. Warrnambool and Warrnambool have their own project but will also support ours financially. Combined health Support Network – can we help them out with a bbq on Monday 29th March at St Pius. 4.30pm start – Warrnambool Lawn Tennis – are looking for support with their tournament over the long weekend. They need people to help out with line walking. To be done in 2hr shifts. More details to come. Fines. No fines this week, just hold on to them till next week  A picture of the new signwriting on our trailer. Thanks to David Cassidy from Cassign for the fantastic job. Also, thanks to Andrew Suggett for coming up with the design concept. And thanks to Ian Watson for donating the trailer in the first place, and organising the sign writing. The boys will now be fighting over who gets to tow it around. I reckon Harpo and Watto will want to buy new towing vehicles so they can look the part.😁 Might have to organise a new shed to store it in too 🤣
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