Meets Thursdays at 6pm for 6.30pm at Heritage Court House, Moore St. Rochester

Apologies to Heather by noon, Wednesday for catering.

043984217

ghwatson1@bigpond.com.au

                                                                                                                                           18 May Meeting

Next meeting is to be held on Thursday, 27th May. This is a Board Meeting & Directors are asked to get reports to Secretary Heather asap so that they may be included in the agenda.

 Pres. Bryan welcomed Rotarians Noel L, Heather, Gay, Noel S and Graeme and Rotary Partners Jeanette and Robyn.                                                                                                                                                                                                       A special welcome was extended to Cr. Leigh Wilson who had stepped in as a replacement guest speaker for Peter Walsh MLA and to Debbie & Eric Bish                                                                                                                                       Apologies were received from Rtn Stewart & Pam McDonald

Youth Service Month                                                                                                                                  The Lasting Legacy of Student Exchange

 In June 2016, fifty years after spending his year as RC Rochester’s first Exchange student, Akira Tajima returned to the town to introduce son Kenji & daughter Tomoko to his classmates of 65-66. Over the years Akira has made several visits to Rochester & has been visited in Tokyo by school friends & Host family members.

Akira’s exchange was during a time when there was still evidence of anti-Japanese feeling in the Australian community and at a time when the majority of Rotarians were Ex- Servicemen, some of whom had survived the horrors of POW Camps.                                                Along with lasting friendships, it has been said that Akira’s participation in Rotary Youth Exchange brought with it not only a greater understanding of another culture but contributed to a community’s healing.                                   As Akira continues treatment for an aggressive cancer, we wish him well.

 The Echuca Moama Theatre Company (EMTC) will be preforming Monty Python’s Spamalot from Friday 26^th May to Saturday 3^rd June.

 Guest Speaker:- Cr Leigh Wilson explained in some detail the mechanisms of Local Government and how it must work within the confines of both State & Federal Governments, the development of the Shire’s Strategic Plan, the Budget and the Delegation of Authority.                                                                                                                                          An important role for the Shire is in the area of Advocacy, the results of which are often long term and not always recognised by the Community. Amongst items touched upon by Leigh were:-

1. Funding for the 2^nd bridge that required the co-operation of two State Governments and the Federal Government.
2. Funding to improve Court Services and the safety of participants.
3. Train Services – upgrading of the line & the increase in services.
4. Telecommunications – the elimination of black spots.
5. SES funding
6. Agriculture policies to maintain farming land
7. Water and the challenges imposed by The Murray Darling Basin Plan that requires four State Governments and the Federal Government to all agree to any changes. Recent studies have shown that $500,000 has been lost to the local area due to the loss of water under the MDBP.

Leigh also spoke of the Council’s role in the Port of Echuca and the subsidies given to tourism.                                                In concluding, Leigh also spoke of possible outcomes to the Murray Goulburn closure.                                                   Thank you Leigh for a very interesting talk and discussion.