Vol: 36 No: 31

Lookout Reserve Maintenance Roster:

28/1/2018 – 10/2/2018   Geoff Chandler.

11/2/2018 - 24/2/2018   Peter Cullen.

25/2/2018 - 10/3/2018   Gary O’Donnell

11/3/2018 - 24/3/2018   John Paton.

25/3/2018 - 7/8/2018    Dick Clay.

Report of Meeting: 6/2/2018.

Guests: Nil.

Reports:

President: A warm welcome was extended to Vic, hopefully this will be the last interlude for

President John rests
his $2 glass of wine
on Rod's $2000 computer

sometime.

- A meeting will be held in March between the Rotary Clubs of Drysdale, Queenscliff and Ocean Grove to support the formation and conduct a course for those involved in mental health issues with young people. Each Club has provided $800 to provide advertising and initial running costs as well as contacting youth groups, e.g. scouting, sporting bodies and schools. The impetus has come from ‘Hero Town Inc.’ an organization based in Geelong who will conduct a course of 14 hours over a two-day period at the Point Lonsdale Primary School Hall. Judy Greer will provide more information if needed.

- ‘Honour Our Fallen.’ RSL. RI Ocean Grove, schools and other organizations are trying to identify tombstones of returned soldiers so an Australian Flag can be put on each grave this Anzac Day.

Announcements:

- RI Torquay is holding a Motor Show on 11/2/2018.

- Congratulations to Marion and Gil for passing the Rotary Leadership Course.

Rotary Merchandise is available either through Pearl Macmillan directly on the RDU website.

Fundraising: There were 487 books sold with $8849.00 raised. The club will make approximately $6500.00. Thanks to all who have been involved?

- Adrian Schmidt reminded the members that there would be a Sausage Sizzle at Bunnings in Leopold on Sunday 11/2/2018.

 -  ‘Ride the Bellarine is on Sunday, April 6^th. Volunteers are needed. See John Paton if able to volunteer.

MND Dinner and Auction

Planning is almost complete for the fundraising Dinner and Auction for MND to be held on 13/2/2018 at the Bowling Club. There has been great support shown by members, partners and friends with 208 people intending to attend. Members MUST notify the Club if they are attending and please pay ASAP. Time for the extravaganza is 6.30 for 7.00pm.

New bookings will not be taken.

Market: The funds taken at the market held on February 4th netted, BBQ $953.00, Stall site fees $1526.00, Raffle $196.00, Corn Toss $60.00 It appears the stallholders are very happy with the venue at Ocean Grove Park, (Ingermells Park).

Social:

- 3/3/2018. - Progressive Dinner. Three venues are needed for this event. See Richard Grimmett. - 17/4/2018 – Drive in Movie. – 17/5/2018  - Car Rally.

Youth, Nominations of people aged between 18 – 25 years for the RYLA course to be held at Kangaroobi on April 8^th – 13^th 2017 were called for. Please notify Judy Greer if you know of someone who may be interested.

- Sammy Gravener, a previous Rotary Exchange student has been admitted to Monash Medical School.

- The Graham Bath Community Development Award program is underway for this year The Primary Schools have been contacted.

- The links program for year 9 students has taken place where students were informed about various community programs including the notion of volunteering was discussed.

Vocational: Nominations are called for the Service Awards by 28/2/2018. The areas being recognized are Apprentice of the Year, Business of the year, Volunteer of the year and the Pride in Workmanship Award.  Forms can be returned to the newsagent or Martin Geerings. A selection committee will be formed and will meet before the Club meeting on 6/2/2018.5

Community: Community Bowls this year has commenced with the Club team being successful. Gerry Spencer stated that we could field another team. Please see him if interested.

- The water feature is to be relocated temporarily AGAIN. However it is still hoped that it will be sited at the Dunes area.

On to Conference: The District Conference will be held in Mount Gambier this year from 6-8^th March. Information and Registration forms are available on the District website. The theme is ‘Making a Difference.’ The full registration cost is $210.00.

A coach and block accommodation can be arranged at $299.00. Contact Lynne Carlson.

Guest Speaker: Rod Greer.  “A Frolic Through Foundation”     

 Rod explained that the existence of the Rotary Foundation is ‘To Do Good in the World.’

The foundation, which is Rotary’s only charity, has been in existence for 100 years. It was started with a donation of $20.16 given by Arch Klump. Today it is worth 4.1 Billion dollars. The foundation has won several prestigious awards throughout the world for ‘doing good.’ The distribution of funds raised is remarkable with 94% to projects and 6% to administration. Rod briefly explained how RI Ocean Grove’s involvement in the six Areas of Focus of the Foundation.

- Peace and Conflict Resolution

Clubs support Peace Scholars to attend universities throughout the world where they study how peace, mediation and conflict may be prevented and perhaps resolved.  The club has been directly involved with a scholar several years ago.

- Disease Prevention and Treatment.

The most obvious area is Polio Plus. The worldwide vaccination program has been greatly enhanced by the generosity of The Melinda and Bill Gates foundation where for each dollar raised by clubs has been matched with two dollars. There have been 11 new cases of polio reported in 2017. The Club has donated to this program in many ways, with current efforts going to ‘Ride the Bellarine.’

- Water and Sanitation.

The Club has contributed towards the provision of clean water in villages so girls can go to school and do not have to fetch water for the family or the village. The most recent countries of our involvement have been Cambodia and Viqueque in Timor L’Este.

Maternal and Child Health.

There has been a small donation for baby feeding formula through the Mphatso Children’s Foundation. The International Committee is considering assistance for this organization with other clubs in the District.

- Economic and Community Development

The Club has contributed to microloans to assist with the development of small businesses in village communities.

- Education and Literacy

The most recent involvement has been with the Solmaid School in Bangladesh. Our efforts have been enhanced through a District Grant that has ongoing financial benefits. We have provided a daily meal, clothing and books for the students.

- Centurian Foundation donation by club members in various forms is the most efficient method of contributing to Rotary’s own charity. Throughout the Club and District Foundation committee’s efforts combined with District Grants 16 projects have been funded.

I think the motto of the Rotary Foundation  ‘To Do Good in the World’ as explained by Rod is being well and truly illustrated and upheld by RC of Ocean Grove.

Thank you, AG.