Sad to hear of Jenny Phillip’s health journey over the last week. Special thanks to all the medical staff (from the local medical team, the ambulance staff to the medical staff of Calvary Hospital) who have looked after her during what would have been a very nervous journey until diagnosis and procedures were put into action. We also have Peter and their children in our thoughts as they care for Jenny on her recovery journey. Thanks to Julieanne for keeping all informed and we wish Jenny a speedy recovery to her former health
Rotary’s portfolio of Youth Development Programmes is respected world-wide. Last Tuesday members had the pleasure of hearing from those who participated in the Rotary One and All Youth Sailing Challenge, and The Health of the River. We need to remember these young people are not used to public speaking and while school curriculums have them making oral presentations, many do not make presentations in front of groups of complete strangers. I think back to my High School years, and would never have dreamed of being able to speak to large groups, but through the encouragement of others, and continued practice, I am able to speak in front of groups, especially when I have a passion for the topics of discussion (but still have the nerves that these people may have demonstrated). These speakers will be leaders of tomorrow and we can be part of their journey through encouragement and support. Let’s see where our Youth programmes take these young people as we follow our alumni. My special thanks to Vice-President Jenny Phillips for taking the dinner meeting in my absence
Thanks to all members for wearing their hats (or not wearing hats) on Melbourne Cup Day raising valuable dollars for Lift the Lid on Mental Illness.
Attending the Zone 8 Conference under the theme ‘Connect, Share, Grow’ – was another opportunity for Wayne and I to share in the wider vision of Rotary – from a Zone perspective and we are both glad we were able to have some ‘down time’ on the Gold Coast catching up with extended family.
Thanks to Jim and his Community Team for cooking the BBQ for 15 year old Neko from Unity College as he undertook his Passion Project, raising funds for awareness to Domestic Violence through the Zahra Foundation. I believe he has raised $1000 to date towards his $5000 goal.
Congratulations to Elizabeth Crawley and her Bags For Blokes project – reaching the 500th bag to be distributed to charities and services supporting men doing it tough – including 5 from our club distributed by Skylight Mental Health Service
Jacquie has continued her superb efforts with Calendar Sales at Drakes this week – Drakes have been so supportive in promoting our calendar sales and ensuring our Rotary members are comfortable in the surrounds being offered. On Saturday we shared the space with Lions as they sold their Christmas cakes
On Thursday, Caitlin and I attended a Webinar celebrating World Interact Week – celebrating ‘How communities celebrate Interact’ around the world. Although we do not have an Interact Club in Murray Bridge (as yet) the ideas discussed could be directed at any club wanting to increase younger membership numbers. The link is https://on.rotary.org/3JmS0Je if you would like to view the webinar – the most exciting take-away for me was to listen to and observe the project of the 2024 Interact Award – where Diana from South Africa shared her club’s passion for Making a Difference with their club project of turning plastic waste (predominantly plastic drink bottles) – into eco-bricks which were then used to build classrooms. They then used the prize money to continue the project and built an entire Early Childhood Centre – amazing work. Other speakers included Bianca from Brazil, Angela from the USA, Megs from the Philippines and Bruno from Argentina
Lyn has the Registration forms for attending the Callington Primary School event at the Semaphore Carousel on Thursday 11th December. Lyn is planning to follow the event with lunch at the Palais. Please remember to sign up in Club Runner.
Only a couple of days left for you to view the Youth Art Work at the Murray Bridge Regional Gallery – exhibition ends Sunday November 16th. It’s a great exhibition and shows the huge range of skills and talents of our young regional artists. Have you been to see it yet?
This Tuesday our meeting will be the next planning meeting of Committees under the Club Directors, where the remaining weeks of the 2025 year will be planned, organised and move into the presentation stage.
And remember – Tuesday 11th November is Remembrance Day 2025 – marking the anniversary of the end of World War 1 in 1918. We will pause for a minute of silence at 11.00 am to remember the service and sacrifice of those who served or were wounded in wars, conflicts and peace operations
Roxanne
