Daybreaker e-Bulletin
Rotary Club of Warrnambool Daybreak
Registration Number: A003751127
https://portal.clubrunner.ca/1971
October 8th, 2026,                                                             Edition 8
 
President 2026 -2027
Ali Dennis
 

PRESIDENT’S PEN : 30th September and 7th October

Terri Hibbert spoke to us on Wednesday 30th September about current Education Department initiatives to teach literacy in Victorian schools. Her enthusiasm and positivity were wonderful to see, as was her depth of knowledge as she answered our many questions. A great way to finish Basic Education and Literacy Month!

Our vocational visit to Loved and Shared on Wednesday 7th October was enjoyed by everyone who attended. Many thanks to Tyson for hosting us, and to Jan, Cheryl and Ann for organising the morning. Loved and Shared are certainly a worthy recipient of next year’s Long Lunch!

Hopefully I’ll see you all at next week’s meeting. 

Cheers, Ali .

 
October
is
Economic & Community Development Month
 
Rotary International designates October as Community Economic Development Month, highlighting projects that help communities achieve long term economic stability.
 
Core Focus Areas
  • Entrepreneurship Support.
        Mentoring, Business training, and                         capacity-building for local business owners.
  • Poverty Reduction.
​​​​​​​Sustainable economic initiatives designed to lift underserved communities.
  • Vocational Development.
​​​​​​​Workshop focused on financial literacy, job placement, and digital skills.
  • Long-Term Investment
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Emphasizing lasting economic growth rather than short term charity.
                       
 
 
David McIntyre
Executive Director
Warrnambool & District Community Hospice.
 
David spoke to us on Sept 23rd.
David was born Sydney and has been working in Warrnambool for 14 years nows.
 
Hospice is a network of houses in our end of life needs towards the end of a person life. Only 220 beds at SWH currently.
There is a current short fall of 180 age care beds in South West area and by 2024 the area will need 340.
 
WDCH covers 25,000 square kms cover 120,000 population.
There are only 9 beds available currently at South West Health  for palliative patients.
70% prefer to die at home but only 15% get that wish.
Hospice available 7 days a week.
In last 11 years have supported 370 families.
Hospice service now available in your own home.
Currently 2000 Volunteer hours provided each year by 110 volunteers.
with approx 35 clients at any one time.
 
 
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
Grant Howland
October 19
 
Chris Preston
October 20
 
Join Date
Mehul Patel
October 15, 2008
18 years
 
Terri Hibbert: Education Improvement Leader
 
Terri spoke to us about her role in supporting and training teachers to use changes in the education program for Literacy in South West Victoria.
She covers an area from Warrnambool to Horsham approx 6000 students in this South West region. Every government school is mandated to teach structured phonics in every government school in Victoria.
Every student in Victoria does phonics check in year 1 via an assessment.
 
Terri and her team help teachers lesson plan for this Literacy program and makes sure the schools meet Vic Ed expectations.
Tyson Jakitsch
CEO at Loved & Shared
We all learned so much on the vocational visit on Wednesday morning to Loved & Shared. This follow on opportunity from Tyson's visit as a Daybreak guest speaker on Sept 2nd certainly helped fill the gaps and show us the extensive product range along with the layout out of the Loved & Shared operation in Cooper street. Tyson said they are always seeking volunteers to help sort, pack or even clean and perhaps mend items for Loved and Shared.
If you were not at this vocational visit, just look at the figures in the above photo of how many items are sent out in 12 months and you should be amazed.
Loved & Shared have been announced as the major recipient of proceeds from the 2027 Warrnmabool Daybreak Long Lunch.
President 2027- 2028
Our AGM is scheduled for November 11th.
 
Secretary Gerard will circulate nomination forms shortly.
We as club members need to nominate names to fill the following roles for 2027-28.
 
President 
President Elect 
Vice President 
Secretary 
Treasurer 
 
In accordance with the clubs bylaws - elections for 2027 - 2028 Rotary year office bearers must be completed within 5 months of the closing of the books for the previous year.
 
If we don't have a President, Secretary or Treasurer then we are in breach of the constitution and the club (Warrnambool Daybreak) cannot exist.
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
Add text here