Daybreaker e-Bulletin
Rotary Club of Warrnambool Daybreak
Registration Number: A003751127
https://portal.clubrunner.ca/1971
August 27th, 2026,                                                                     Edition 5
 
President 2026 -2027
Ali Dennis
 

PRESIDENT’S PEN : 19th & 26th August

As I sit writing this fortnight’s President’s Pen, the news from Nepal is asobering reminder of just how fortunate we are to live in our beautiful and safe corner of the world. It also highlights the important role Rotary programs such as ShelterBox and The Rotary Foundation play in supporting communities in times of disaster. Every contribution we are able to give, no matter how small, can make a meaningful difference.

A quiet but very enjoyable social evening was held at The Cally last Thursday. Thank you, Robyn, for organising it!

Our club’s vote on re-districting has now been lodged, with a unanimous Yes from those who voted. Thank you to everyone who took the time to review the information provided by DG Tonie Thiel and District Secretary Paul Barrett before casting their vote.

Our proposed social weekend away is also gathering momentum! We are planning to head to Harrow on Saturday, 5 December, for the Harrow by Nightdinner and show, stay overnight and then meander home on Sunday. Many thanks to Robyn and Trish, who have kindly volunteered to continue coordinating the weekend while I am away.

The year is certainly ramping up, with another Bunnings BBQ this weekend and planning well underway for the Long Lunch, Oaks Day, a possible Foundation Movie Night in early October, and the Hole in One and Summer BBQs. A well deserved thank you to the many members who generously give their time and energy behind the scenes to enable these events to occur. We are the club we are because of you.

A shorter message from me this fortnight, but a HUGE thank you to everyone so capably keeping things running while I am away.

(.... and for those interested, both grandchildren have now arrived safely, so I can “relax” and assume grandmother duties for the next few weeks!)

See you all at the end of September.

President Ali.
 
AUGUST
was
Membership & New Club Development Month
 
This month was dedicated to celebrate current members, welcoming new participants into the fold, and building innovative new club structures to expand community impact.
 
As part of Membership Month, we heard from a potential member Gerard Felipe.
 
Gerard spoke to us about his journey from his home country to how he arrived in Warrnambool and is looking for a Rotary Club to join.
Gerard moved and lived in New Zealand for a short time, then Frankston in Melbourne where he was Youth mayor at age 19 for 12 months, then moved to Geelong where he joined a Rotary club there. He has just moved to Warrnambool to join his parents.
Gerard has secured a job with Beyond Bank which he starts next weeks.
Gerard is very keen to help with youth activities in Rotary.
He has a black belt in karate and has represented Australia Internationally in competitions. He is just organising classes and will be instructing karate lessons for youth in the near future.
Gerard was born in the Philippines, near a place called Baguio, high up in the Cordilleran mountains of Northern Philippines (6 hour walk from the main closest town).
Traditional indigenous dress above left from Gerards home region in the mountains.
Gerard photo right preparing. He will be performing in the up coming Warrnambool Multicultural Festival on Saturday November 7th on the civic green, free entry and food from around the world.
Executives & Directors
President
Ali Dennis
 
Secretary
Gerard Lourey
 
Treasurer
Jan Read
 
Bulletin Editor
Chris Preston
 
Club Administration
Sergio Bacchetti
 
Club Service
Janey Preston
 
Rotary Foundation
Ann Barker
 
Environment
Steve Giddens
 
Membership
Robyn Collins
 
Public Relations
Cheryl Bellman
 
Youth Service
Liz Bligh
 
Immediate Past President
Ian Harper
 
Strategic Planning
Jo Hill
 
Sergeant-at-Arms
Geoffrey Grec
 
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Steve Giddens
August 20
 
Geoffrey Grec
August 27
 
Peter Cassady
August 27
 
Next Bunnings BBQ
 
THIS 
Saturday
August 29th
 
Still 2 spots to fill
 
Koala in Chris & Janeys back yard tree in Woodford on Thursday 27th. Just passing through.
 
Help
 
Jo-Anne O'Brien is looking for a loan for 10 weeks.. Table Tennis Table and gear.
Weekend Getaway to HARROW. December 5th.
Robyn and Trish are organising this.
 
Please contact Robyn for accommodation details so you can secure a bed.
Hilite is.  Harrow by Night, Sound and Light Show on the Saturday night.
 
Guest Speaker - Dianne Riordan.
Dianne a member with Warrnambool Kiwanis club joined us and spoke about her time in Kiwanis and the parallel there are between the both Kiwanis International and Rotary International.
 
Kiwanis was established in Detroit Michigan USA in 1915. Initially focused on business networking, the organisation changed its focus to service in 1919 - specifically service to children. Today there are Kiwanis clubs in 80 nations and geographic locations.
 
Both Warrnambool Kiwanis and Warrnambool Daybreak have been working on the same project for a number of years with Santa Sacks. 
Our past president Barry Brooker kindly would let Santa Sacks use his garage for storage of collected toys  and items and the sacks, until business owner Reg Owen offered a new shipping container on his business property in Braithwaite St.
 
Dianne said Kiwanis membership is aging and declining in membership, harder to attract younger members these days, the younger generation are time poor even though they have all the mod cons. 
 
Member Profile - Peter Cassady. Past President 2020-2021
Peter kept us entertained and laughing with his stories as a child on the school bus, Peter grew up o the northern side of Cassady Bridge on Caramut Road. The bus driver would not stop to let the kids off and Peter said you had to stand in the door way and jump as the bus slowed at your house. Peter survived and grew up, he decided to be a motor mechanic, he got an apprenticeship with a local garage then when qualified he applied to Ambulance Victoria in Warrnmabool as a mechanic, secured that job and thought he would only stay a short time their, 36 years later he retired from there.
Peter told us how he had a heart attack 10 years ago and died 5 times on the way to the hospital in the ambulance.
Peter has been in Rotary and Warrnambool Daybreak since we started in 1998. 
 
We have so many skills and experiences amongst our members and it is great to hear these, This is what makes Rotary, we can draw on all members skills to make a better club and world.