For a report of available Conference highlights, (which was from start to finish) continue reading this bulletin issue until you have finished all of the news and views
Next weekly meeting is – this week- Thursday 20th March 2014.
Don’t forget: Apologies/Guests to Rtn Joe by Mid-day Thursday.
Joe’s email is: mary.flynn4@bigpond.com
Meeting Venue: Rochester Wine Bar- Hospitality / Function Room.
Guest Speaker: There will be two- local students talking about recent World of Difference Tour.
Amanda Conway, Chelsea Macague
6th March 2014.
President Heather Watson welcomed Rotarians Graeme Nelson, , Joe Flynn, Noel Schier, Russell Anderson and Stewart McDonald.
Partners of Members– Jannette Nelson,Pam McDonald
Apologies: Ray Lewis- prior commitments
Bryan Griffiths- On route to annual District 9800 Conference- Jupiter’s Casino –Gold Coast.
On Leave: Rtn Noel Lucas
Guests: Debbie Sutton, Trevor Sutton
Guest Speaker: Haydon Sutton. attendee of January 2014 – Sail programme
Following the traditional Formalities proposed at the start of weekly Dinner meetings of the Rotary Club of Rochester
President Heather resumed in her role as Chair for the evening to welcome members, visitors and Guests to the weekly Dinner meeting held as being the norm in recent weeks in the Rochester Wine Tavern function Room
Reminder – Winery Tour:
A tour of district vineyards planned for Sunday 16th March is getting closer-
Gather up friends and colleagues for a great day.
To Book your seat for this function contact Rtn Stewart- remember bring a friend or partner s’all welcome
Cost per attendee for this activity is $30-this will give you a seat on the Club Community Bus,leaving Rochester Railway Station at 10.30 am returning to the source of the days travel at conclusion, all the fellowship that can be generated for the day will be included in the fare.
A Lunchtime meal will be partaken at a location of spendular, along with stops for refreshment tastings throughout the day..
Again watch this space in coming edition for a full report of available stories of the Day on a Winery tour by Bus with lunch partaken at a Country Hotel
Reminder- incoming Directors- 2014-2015 year- please commence preparing your proposed wish list Budget for submission at April Board meeting
Do you have a family member/friend / work colleague that may like to become more service Club involved in the Community
District 9800 will contribute $500 towards a Club marketing programme for new members, with Clubs to match with $500.
This will be available via a District Simplified Grant
The need to make people more aware of the work of Rotary in the Community, along with encouraging them to part in preparation of Community projects can never be overlooked
Please be sure to arrange a meet and greet with members of Rotary Club of Rochester at a weekly Dinner meeting if you do have a family member or friend that may like to know more about the work of Rotary International in the community.
Following the customary round of the table member input to the weekly meeting by attending members, Chairman President Heather invited Youth Services Director Rtn Russell Anderson to introduce our – Guest Speaker for the evening – Mr Hayden Sutton – a local Secondary School Student.
On January 23rd Hayden along with other Northern District young people travelled to Melbourne to take part in water based programme known as Youth in Sailing conducted and hosted by members of Rotary Club of Brighton.
This programme a Yachting programme conducted on the waters of Port Phillip Bay attracted a considerable number of excited, keen to learn participants for this three day programme.
Hayden was most appreciative of Rotary Club of Rochester for allowing him the opportunity to attend this event.
He stated that although he did not find his “sea legs” the exercise was very worthwhile, being at sea described as “interesting”.
Living in the Northern District of Victoria- albeit in a land locked part of the state, boating on Port Phillip Bay could quite certainly be described as “interesting”.
One could possibly compare the experience as going out on the waters of Greens Lake on a calm day, only to have a squall occur whilst in the middle of the lake.
Concluding Hayden thanked all involved in permitting him the opportunity to attend Youth in Sailing, especially thanking members of host Club for the programme Rotary Club of Brighton.
BUMPER ISSUE – PART 2. .
Weekly meeting of Rotary Club of Rochester Inc
Held: Usual place- Rochester Wine Tavern Function Room.
Members present– all expect one-
Chairman– President Heather Watson, Treasurer Russell Anderson, Secretary Bryan Griffiths,Graeme Nelson,Ray Lewis, Noel Schier, Joe Flynn,Stewart McDonald.
On Leave: Noel Lucas.
Partners of Members: Janette Nelson, Pam McDonald.
Traditional formalities at the commencement of Dinner in the hands of Rotarians Bryan Griffiths and Ray Lewis being dispensed with,
President Heather Watson resumed her regular role as Chairman for the weekly Dinner meeting.
As is customary reports were received from attendees from those in attendance.
Youth Services Director Russell Anderson was pleased to report all arrangements have being put in place for two local Secondary School Students to attend RYPEN Camp on the weekend of March 21-23 at Lancefield.
We look forward to having Megan Baker and Isabell Holt speak to us at a weekly meeting upon their return from this enlightening weekend.
Applications are pending from other local students who have expressed their desires to be part of the forthcoming MUNA Camp to be held at Camp Getaway –May 2-4 May.
Confirmation is still be to received regarding a attendee at RAIC to be held in Canberra later in May.
Winery Tour:
A tour of district vineyards planned for Sunday 16th March is getting closer-
Gather up friends and colleagues for a great day.
Visiting wineries commencing at Mount Burrumboot, lunching at historic Tooborac Hotel, fellowship with fellow wine revellers.
Coach captain driving, is there a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon in the country.
Stay tuned for future editions of this Bulletin for a report of this tour.
Lead on Program
Rtn Stewart McDonald reported that progress was being made to commence this programme, further information of dates and time would be advised shortly.
Meals On Wheels.
Club Service Director Joe Flynn advised that week commencing March 24 2014 is the next allocated week for Club duty for this town service- please contact Joe to confirm your day and time for this effort.
ROADEC.
Community Service Director Graeme Nelson was pleased to announce that he had spent the day at the ROADEC site with local Secondary Students, along with a film crew from a promotions Agency filming the DVD that is proposed for marketing purposes for ROADEC.
Progress and availability of is DVD is expected to be confirmed at a forthcoming meeting.
Courthouse Project
Project Director Ray Lewis reported that application for release of further pre approved funding from Heritage Victoria was proceding slowly, further advice as to this funding is hoped to be announced in coming weeks.
Work is still to commence on site regarding the preapproved upgrade of the stained glass windows in the Courthouse.
District 9800 Conference- 2014.
Club Secretary Rtn Bryan Griffiths reported on his experience of attending this annual Conference held at Jupiter’s on the Gold Coast.
A very enlightening weekend of opportunity to aquaint /reacquaint with fellow Rotarians and partners of Rotarians from throughout the District. All there with the same cause in mind- the opportunity to increase awareness of the work fellow Club members do in their local and
international work as members of Rotary International.
Being introduced to the RIPER for the Conference early at the Friday night function was considered to be a honour, never missing a opportunity to increase Club numbers to increase percentage and attendance RIPER Representative PDG Jodie Sparkes of District 9465 accepted becoming a Honorary member of Rotary Club of Rochester for the duration of the Conference.
Alas- we still did not have the numbers to retain the District attendance trophy for Conference.
Well, two years out of two is still pretty good. maybe next year.
A number of enlightening speakers were in attendance, presentations of the work of clubs Cluster by Cluster in a voce over format were most interesting with ideas
for future projects along with consolidating existing projects possible from watching these presentations.
A excellent weekend of fellowship, networking and increased awareness of the work of Volunteers in the Community obtained by attending this Annual Conference.
Registrations are open now for attendance at the 2015 District Conference to be held at Wrest Point Casino, Hobart-March 12-13 2015. Pre / Post Conference Coach tours of Tasmania are planned as part of this Conference- Secretary Bryan has info if you desire more detail.