Good afternoon to all my fellow Mornington Rotarians and their Partners. I hope all is well and you are happy and healthy and staying out of trouble. A few items of note from our Club Meeting last week, that being; Peter Jay has once again revitalised our Clubs AFL Tipping Competition, so if you want to join in and become part of the fun then just send an e-mail or SMS to Peter ( thejays1@hotmail.com or Mob - 0414 936 074) prior to the start of each weekly round of footy. The AFL Comp kicks off this coming Thursday 18th March with Richmond up against Carlton and the game is scheduled to start at 7;25 pm, so try and get your tips to Peter at least 15 to 20 minutes prior the game start time. The cost is $30.00 per entrant, so lets see if we can get as many Members, Partners and family members involved for a bit of fun and friendly rivalry. GO PIES 

Victor informed all that he along with Eileen were fortunate enough to get a sneak preview of the works (99% completed) of the New Mornington Community Centre in Wilsons Road. You all may remember that these works commenced some 12 months ago in the buildings directly adjacent to the Auditorium in which we hold our Annual Art Show. From Victor and Eileen's observations the centre to say the least is "outstanding and very very impressive", with a large number of open spaces,  two large kitchen and dinning area's for a vary large seating capacity and numerous internal spaces for use by community groups. The New Centre is scheduled to open in mid April, and our President is hopefully looking at conducting a Club Meeting within the facility in May.

On the subject of new works, John Renowden provided us all with some very pleasing news in regards to the Roof Over The Long Table. We have been informed that our Club should be the recipient, subject to a formal application from our Club to the relevant authorities, of a Federal Govt Grant of substantial funds, and also accompanied by a ' top-up " Grant provided by Mornington Council, to go directly to this project. This is very pleasing news and thanks to John and his team, after many years of tireless endeavours we will hopefully, in the near future, see this project finally completed.

Club Meeting - Last Week: Guest Speakers 

At our Club Meeting, last week we had the pleasure to hear from Mr Andrew Taylor and Mr Simon Fee who are both from New Peninsula Community Caring Inc (CCI). Andrew is the General Manager of the CCI and its primary role on the Peninsula is to provide, via commercial Real Estate Agents, affordable long term rental housing for members in the community who suffer from very low financial circumstances as well as those who are afflicted by social and psychological circumstances.  Andrew's background has had a significant enfluence on his chosen Community Caring services , as he to grew up in a very low socio-economic  environment and an extremely stressful financial situation as a child and a young teenager. His life experiences provide him with the vital underpinning knowledge to go about his tasks with empathy and understanding. As Andrew informed us, that most of us in Mornington and surrounds and for that matter the wider Melbourne community see the Peninsula as a reasonably wealthy and at times an affluent region, but the truth of the matter is " there are many pockets and abject financial poverty, accompanied by the flow on effect of social and family problems".  We all know of such agencies that provide emergency crisis housing and one of significant note being The SALVOS, who are very very good at this service, but from this relevantly short term solution there has been a shortfall to provide/ offer long term housing for members in the community. The Private Rental Assistance Program (PRAP) is a joint venture between the CCI and the Mornington Peninsula Foundation and working in collaboration the aim is to offer services to enable those in need with long term housing . This venture can only enhance the living standards and offer security, in the form of a stable environment to rear children in a family environment, provide a sense self worth and " ownership " for the recipients. The purpose of CCI is act as a facilitator and mediator between the residents and the Real Estate Agencies, to offer advise on financial matters, such as shortfalls in ability to pay the rental requirements etc. They also can and do provide advice and assistance in general family and social problems, such as people who have found themselves at risk of homelessness due to marriage break downs, loss of employment, unexpected health issues, domestic violence, etc, all of which places many people in very vulnerable circumstances. Another initiative the CCI has very recently instigated is the Back on Track program as well as The Community Hubs. Both these initaives aim to provide such services as food donations and with the community hubs offer people who suffer from the terrible situation of loneliness, a venue to come together for a meal and and some good old fashioned conversation and company, which once again provides a sense of togetherness and community.  The Rotary Club of Mornington wish to extend a very big, "well done", for all the tremendous work that CCI perform's to those less fortunate than ourselves. Well done to Andrew, Simon and Jason at CCI and we commend you for your selfless efforts to help and improve the general living conditions of members of the Peninsula in need of help.

Guest Speakers from CCI: Andrew Taylor (l) Simon Fee (r) with Club Member Judy Seager.

Our Next Club Meeting - Wed 17th March 2021 - Mornington Hotel

At this weeks upcoming Club Meeting will will welcome the current Mornington Shire Mayor, Despi O'Conner. This should be a very informative evening, so if you are free please come along , and on that important note, our Social Officer, Eileen has requested if you could please inform her ASAP, of you and your partner's ability to turn up or as an nil attendance apology. This is important for menu selection and especially important for seating arrangements, as we are still under COVID guidelines for the number of persons inside the venue. Hope to see you all there.

Birthdays/ Anniversaries

Today, Monday 15th March, we will see another one of our long term members celebrate his Birthday, and that being David Lancashire. To David on behalf of our Club President , The Board all our Members and their Partners, we wish you a very big Happy Birthday, with many more to come, well done.

A Walk in The Park

For those who feel the need to get out and about and stretch your legs our President Ross will conducting a walk along one our somewhat slightly dilapidated pathways in town. So here's is an invitation to all members if you wish to join in and " check out the walkway ".  This coming Wednesday morning plan to meet at the Cnr of Barkly and Gordon Street at the Gateway Reserve, plan to meet at 9;00am for an easy stroll of about an hour duration, with maybe a coffee break or two along the way, hope to see you there. The weather will be on our side with a forecast of Fine & Sunny, Temp of 25oc. Bring a hat, some lose change and a comfortable pair of walking shoes.

Presidents Report  -    15th March  2021

Regards

Ross