Volume 50                     Bulletin 47               4th June 2015

Important: Please make sure you contact PP Russell by Mid-day Wednesday if attending. This is to allow time to notify caterers. With meals being catered, it is vital that you notify Russell of attendance and/or visitors. Russell’s email is: suttoncourt@bigpond.com.au

Next Meeting: 11th June 2015- Courthouse- Rotary Club of Rochester Clubrooms 6.00 for 6.30pm.

 On a rather chilly evening Rotarians Heather Watson, Graeme Nelson, Russell Anderson, Bryan Griffiths, Ray Lewis and Noel Schier and partners Moira Lewis and Robyn Lucas were welcomed to the meeting by President Noel. We missed the company of Rotarian Stewart. Our condolences are extended to Jeanette, Graeme & Family on the passing of Jeanette’s brother, George.

Farm And Road Safety Expo: This long-standing Rotary community event will be held on Tuesday 18th August. Sec. Heather has been very busy searching the internet to get ideas as to how this event may be made more relevant and hands-on for this year’s attendees. A list of possible speakers and activities has been compiled and members are asked to follow these up asap. Meanwhile Pres. Noel & Sec. Heather met with Matt, the new proprietor of Mitre 10 to inform him of FARSE and to seek his assistance in contacting his suppliers who may be interested in having a display or activity available on the day.

Meeting June 18th: This will be a Vocational Visit to Bunnings Echuca. Bunning’s have supported our club by the Bunning’s BBQ sausage sizzle and by donations to a number of our club’s requests for fund raising support.

Dates of Club Changeovers: District Governor: Saturday 27 June 2015 at Ultimo Function Centre, Keilor. $70 p/p. Details on District website. Three members have indicated they will be attending. Any members still wishing to attend this function are asked to remit payment to Sec. Heather by 4th June so that Treas. Russell can finalise payment by the required RSVP date.

Bendigo – Sunday 28 June, 2015. Lunch. Bendigo Next Generation: Saturday 20 June, 2015.evening. R S L Bendigo. $40 p/p. rsvp June 5th- theme masquerade. Bendigo-Sandhurst –Sunday July 5th, 3pm High Tea. Bendigo South – Thursday 25 June, ‘15 Bendigo Strathdale – Tuesday 30 June “15 Eaglehawk –Wednesday 1 July, ‘15 Echuca-Moama – Saturday 4 July, ‘15- Radcliff’s Echuca-$55p/p. evening Kangaroo Flat – Saturday 4 July. Members wishing to attend any of these Changeovers are asked to make their own arrangements for payment.

 Congratulations to Sec. Heather on the presentation of a Spirit of ANZAC Award. As Heather was visiting Turkey at the time Rochester RSL Sub Branch presented the award to other recipients, family and friends were invited to a supper evening on Wednesday last for the presentation to Heather and to Hannah Thompson who had also been absent at the original presentation.

Directors are reminded that End of Year Reports are still required even though we will not be holding a formal Changeover and are to be submitted electronically to Pres. Noel by 4th June. As of this date, only Heather, Russell & Bryan have submitted reports.

Steam Rally: All is in hand for this year’s Steam Rally. We have 12 volunteers listed for Sunday with 7 being available for Saturday. There is still time to coerce family and friends to join us. While it may be a little damp under foot after the rain yesterday and over night, the forecast for the weekend looks promising. Rug up and enjoy the 52nd Steam Rally! See photos at end of newsletter.

2016 District Conference 12-13 March 2016, Bendigo. Move now and register on line. All information is available at the click of a key @ rotary9800conference.org.au

Court House Hire: a draft of hire conditions is to be circulated to members for comment and/or suggestions.

Global Grants: PP Ray has received correspondence from Kittypop Polsa, President of the Rotary Club of Chiang Mai, Thailand. Kittypop is seeking an international partner in order to obtain a global grant to assist with a hygiene education program his club wishes to introduce to local schools. When Ray & Moira’s daughter, Justine took ill in Thailand, Kittypop, who was then Secretary of his Club, came to the rescue and organised for Justine’s evacuation to Bangkok. Ray is to obtain further information on this matter.

                                 

We had a successful weekend at the Steam Rally. Thanks to Members, Family and Friends of Rotary who made this possible.

Pictured is part of the queue with Noel S & Olinda serving customers and Roger who took over the cooking of the damper.