Vol: 36 No: 16

October Theme: Economic & Community Development

Report of Meeting: 10/10/2017

Visitors: District Governor Ray Herbert and his wife Deidre, Assistant District Governor Di Crawford and her husband John and Sister of Janet Alexander, Elizabeth and partners of Rotarians.

President: The President introduced Garry O’Donnell to the members and asked the District Governor to induct Gary into Rotary membership. His classification is Logistics and his mentor is Rod Greer. Marion, his wife was welcomed as a partner. Congratulations were extended, as was a warm welcome to Gary and Marion.

- Lift the Lid for Mental Health was on 11^th October. A donation of a bottle of wine at  $15-$20 will helped to recognize this cause. This meeting was a designated partners night.

- Defibrillators. The plan is to develop a fridge magnet to identify the locations of ‘Defibs’ in Ocean Grove and to deliver them to households in the area.

- We intend to contact locations of ‘Defibs’ and follow up on maintenance checks.

- Members were advised that ‘anti theft’ screws for number plates are available free of charge from the Police station.

- Lions Club is celebrating 100 years. There will be an ‘Open House’ on Sunday 15^th October on the ‘Hygea’ at 5pm from the Geelong Wharf. See John or book with the Lions Club.

- There will be a Community Forum at the Bowling Club on 11/10/17. Candidates nominating for the Council Elections will be in attendance.

- Members are reminded that the Working With Children forms need to be filled in. A reminder has been sent to those who have not completed the form.

- A focus group will be established to determine if there is a need in Ocean Grove to support those people who are involved in domestic violence. It is proposed that the activity may be similar to that established in Maryborough. (See Bulletin June 6^th.)

- A visit to a project on water in Cambodia is being planned early next year. See John Calnin if interested.

Reports:

Secretary: The AGM will be held at the Bowling Club on 19/11/2017.

Art Show Sub Committee: Please return Raffle Books when completed.

Entries number 229. Please encourage all those you can to attend the show. The show is part of the Bellarine Arts Trail being held on the same weekend.

**Please note there will be no meeting on Tuesday 7/11/17 as attendance at the Art Show opening on Friday 3/11/17 will be the meeting replacement.

Social: Several events are planned including a visit to a drive in movie, progressive dinner and car rally. The Christmas Meeting may be at a winery.

Vocational: - Visit to the Waltons Piggery on Sunday 12^th November. Please see the recent email for details. There are currently 40 people booked. The Bus will leave from the Golf Club car park at 1.00pm and will return at approximately 6.00pm for dinner at the Golf Club rather than the Inverleigh Hotel.

Community: - The Committee recommends that the Club members resolve to work with the COGG, Barwon Coast and the local community to develop, upgrade and monitor the status of the Lookout Reserve by: Maintance of the historical signage and vegetation, support the removal of the last cypress and conversion of the stump into a wood carving, improve Rotary signage, ensure that signage in Orton street better conveys facilities and features of the reserve and upgrade the drinking stations. Other projects under discussion could involve Public Toilets, children’s sensory play area, BBQ and shelter, road repair and upgrade and a viewing platform. The entry places at the Nature Reserve are also on the agenda and the water feature saga continues.

International: - Ride the Bellarine will continue in support of Polio Plus. Janet Alexander has offered to train prospective cyclists for the ride. The Shelter Box will be shown at the January Market with treats for sale perhaps. A car boot sale may be held to provide much needed assistance to the area of Solemaid School as the recent flooding has affected food sources. Our two shelter boxes have been sent to Syria and Turkey.

Guest Speaker: Ray Herbert, District Governor.

During his visits to all the Clubs in District 9780 Ray has noted the differences as well as the great similarities between them all but all are committed to serving their communities in whatever way they can. He outlined most of the projects our Club is undertaking. He was particularly impressed with the involvement of all the clubs in Groups 9 & 10 with Barwon Health in the provision of patient transport. He also noted and praised the success of the Market in its new location, the Defibrillator project, Vocational events, Ride the Bellarine, Shelter Boxes and the involvement we have with primary and secondary schools.  Ray also told us of the aim held by the International President that Rotarians must make a difference and strive for a sustainable environment and world. He believes this could be achieved through partnerships, citing an example of joining with others for each person to plant a tree during World Earth Day next April.

Ray publicized the District Conference that will be held in Mount Gambier on 6 -8 April.

James Morrison will play and the Peace scholar, currently working in Brisbane will attend. He asked that attendees bring an example of how we have made a difference in their communities.

The partners project, ‘End Trachoma by 2020’ is progressing well.

Thank you, AG