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

 

Next Meeting: 21st April at the Court House.

 April: Maternal & Child Health Month                                                                                                       Every day about 800 women worldwide die from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth. This equals 1.5 times the number of passengers fitting into an Airbus A380 or 2.5 times the number of passengers in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. 99 percent of these maternal deaths occur in developing countries and most of them are preventable.

The Rotarian Action Group for Population & Development (RFPD) joined forces with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) to combine two important factors in improving maternal and child health: FIGO’s medical expertise, Rotary’s network and RFPD’s experience in implementing successful maternal and newborn health projects. The collaboration between FIGO and RFPD was sealed with a Memorandum of Understanding at the end of 2012 with the aim of promoting and supporting best practices that sustainably reduce maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity.

Pres. Noel welcomed Rotarians Heather, Gay, Noel, Graeme, Bryan and Stewart and Rotary Partners Pam, Jeanette and Robyn. Apologies were received from Rtn. Ray. LOA: Rtn. Russell

 Rotary Foundation: PE Bryan reminded us that Rotary is marking the Foundation’s centennial with a year of festivities. The celebration kicks off at the 2016 Rotary Convention in Seoul and will culminate at the 2017 convention in Atlanta. The publication “Doing Good in the World” the inspiring story of the Foundations first 100 years is available at shop.rotary.org

Fund Raising: Thanks to all for your support of the Bunnings BBQ. Profit will be in excess of $600, a pleasing effort. We have also requested a Cake Stall at Bunnings for Saturday 21st May. To prepare for the cake stall the meeting of Thursday 19th May will be a Bake-In held at the Secondary College. Meanwhile Pres. Noel is to seek further information regarding the stall from the Bunnings Event organiser.

The Bus: PP Graeme reported that an altercation with a kangaroo on the Northern Highway near Heathcote has resulted in some damage to The Bus. The Bus is still drivable and Insurance assessment and repairs are being finalised.

 Donations in Kind: Pres. Noel, Robyn & Sec Heather recently transported a van of goods to DIK and then spent several hours sorting and repacking clothing before making the return journey home. This was Sec. Heather’s first visit to DIK and she was impressed by the size of the store and the variety of goods available. See Rotary Club of Rochester facebook page for evidence of Rotarians at Work.

International: PP Stewart drew members’ attention to recent newspaper articles that place Australia in a poor light with Timor Leste and Cambodia, two countries where we as a Club have a close relationship.

 

 

Reminder – Keep this Date Free:  Pie & Port Night is back again in 2016 and will be held at the Court House on Saturday, 7th May.Invitations have been issued.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce’s size 12 RM Williams leather boots have been immortalised in the Riversands pottery boot series. Filled with 1.5L of Riversands excellent Tawny Port, these boots could be yours.

Raffle tickets are to be available on Saturday April 23rd and 30th.

 

 

 

Council on Legislation: PE Bryan has been following the fb postings of PDG Dennis Shore who is attending the Council on Legislation. Bryan reported that:

• International dues will increase by US$4                                                                                                                                          • The distinction between traditional clubs & e-clubs has been removed thus enabling traditional clubs to conduct meetings via their website.                                                                                                                                                                       • After June 30th Club may – * stay as they are                                                                                                                                   * become more specific in compliance with Current rules                                                                                                                    * adjust operations to suit the ‘market place’

Meals on Wheels:                                                                                                                                         Mon. 2nd May – Heather Watson Thurs. 5th May – St Joseph’s

Tues. 3rd May – Noel Lucas Fri. 6th May – Stewart McDonald

Wed. 4th May – Noel Schier

Directors’ Reports: Directors are asked to submit reports in Word format for inclusion in the Annual Report ASAP.