Vol: 36 No: 34

Theme: World Understanding Month.

Lookout Reserve Maintenance Roster:

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: 27/2/2018.

Guests: Andrea Tierney and Chris Watson prospective new members.

President: Youth Mental Health First Aid Course. The decision to mount this course was made in December with the three Rotary Clubs on the Bellarine contributing $800 to enable participants doing this course free entry. The course is to be held for two days over the weekend of 17^th & 18^th March. The Club has sent out a letter to all the sporting groups, the Scouting Association and the Community Centre (now Bellarine Training and Community Hub Inc.) inviting them to register a participant. If any of the members know of someone who may be interested see Judy or Gil. The course alerts people to the early signs of mental health problems in teenagers and young adults and what may be done to instigate treatment and support. Hopefully there will be lots of photos in the ‘Voice.’

Announcements:

Administration:

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

Fundraising:

-  ‘Ride the Bellarine is on Sunday, April 15^th. See John Paton if able to volunteer. Raffle tickets for the donated BBQ were issued to members.

- The Sausage Sizzle at Bunnings netted $1,300 last Sunday. Well done! 

Market: Adrian has circulated the list for volunteers for the Market on 4/3/2018.

Health: ‘Coogs’ missed the last few steps checking a noise in the dead of night and incurred a damaged Achilles tendon. More water or adequate lighting needed in future????

Social:

- 3/3/2018. - Progressive Dinner. Three venues are: 6.30pm Greers for nibbles etc. Kings for Mains and Grimmetts for desert. Partners are welcome. Please bring own beverages and glasses.

- 17/4/2018 – Drive in Movie.

- 17/5/2018  - Car Rally.

Youth: The RYLA program will not be held this year.

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

Vocational: There are several nominations for each category in the Service Awards. The areas being recognized are Apprentice of the Year, Business of the year, Volunteer of the year and the Pride in Workmanship Award. These will be presented at the meeting on 20/3/2018.

Community: A DIK Collection will be collection on Monday 5^th March. Please see John Wynn if you have anything to donate.

The meeting on the 13/3/18 will be held at the Nature Reserve. ‘The Groove Cafe’ will supply the meal but BYO drinks, cutlery and seating etc will be needed. Bring Mosquito repellant and a torch might be handy, as we will be exploring in the dusk! Cost is $15.00 per head. 

Footy Tipping: It’s on again so if you need to replenish the cellar and have some fun see Alex Magee part with $50 and you are IN.

On to Conference: The District Conference will be held in Mount Gambier this year from 6-8^th April. 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: Garry McDonnell. (New member.)

Garry was born in Preston and educated there. He did not complete secondary school and went to work in his late teens. He worked in engineering and Industrial Supplies and developed an Aeronautical Engineering business. He sold this in the 1080’s and came with his family to Ocean Grove at this time. He began another business in Geelong dealing with storage equipment and fitting out warehouses. He also took on document storage that grew.  In the mid 1990’s he closed and sold this endeavor to concentrate on his West Melbourne business. This business was sold in 2015. He is also well occupied with 4 grandchildren.

Gary plays golf, follows cricket and the AFL and goes to Gym. He joined Rotary as a means of giving back to the community assistance and goodwill he has experienced.

Rod Bush showed a short video on how our club ‘makes a difference.’ He asked for comments and there were many forthcoming. This video is in response to a request from the District to be shown at the conference in April. Members felt that the work done by Rod was very good but suggested that the actual differences that have been made should be conveyed.

Thank you, AG