Welcome back from the festive and holiday season! I hope all of you had an enjoyable time celebrating Christmas and managed to ring in the New Year as I did. Well apart from leaving the garage door and gate open and thus letting my daughter’s greyhound escape on New Year’s eve, but that’s another story.
My New Year’s reflections for the last six months have centred on the dedication and commitment that members continue to provide – the passion for service and the betterment of our community is really what it is all about. A huge vote of thanks to all those contributions. I will certainly continue to harness this energy and enthusiasm as we continue to work towards our shared goals in the coming months. We have some exciting outings and initiatives on the horizon, and as always your involvement and ideas are crucial to their success.
Our first meeting of the year was last Thursday with the focus on the Great Bayside Swim where the team confirmed they are well organised; the event is tracking to schedule and fine weather has been requested. Thank you to all the Swim team.
Our speakers who presented very informative talks were:
1. Kez Melvin, Water Safety Officer at the Swimwho is in charge of approx 60 lifesavers on the day. She spoke about her typical day at the Lifesaving Club.
2. James Sabell, Sports Science graduate and Head of Squad Swimming
Paul Sadler Swimland who spoke about "Getting out of the pool and into the Bay".
3. Steven Ooi, Club Member, Physiotherapist/Principal - Kieser Brighton
who spoke about "Sports Strength Training"
Please now remember there is no meeting next Thursday 25 January due to our Swim and the long weekend. Only a short gap, then back to some interesting meetings:
Thursday 1 February – a presentation from Yimba Uganda which is always interesting and inspiring.
Thursday 8 February – something with a difference. Our meeting will be held at R.A.W Garden -325 South Road, Brighton where we will see the garden we have supported, hear a wonderful and inspirational story and as a bonus, enjoy a meal catered for by the RAW team. More details to follow.
And that wraps it up from me, looking forward to seeing you all at the Great Bayside Swim on Friday.
President Arthur Hubbard
Presentation to PP Ian Stacy
President Arthur presented Ian with a Paul Harris Fellow in recognition
of his great service to the Club.
Secretaries Announcements
Secretary Nicole Chong presented her segment and first of all gave the
apologies which were:
John Schmoll, PP Julie Avery, Malcolm James, Eric Barr, PP Keith Cameron,
PP Norm Thomas and PP Pat Kearns.
Max Martin spoke about the Brighton Classic Car Show which is on Sunday 17 March 2024. He asked if there was anyone who was available to deliver the Car Show flyers to letter boxes in Brighton and if so there were flyers on the front desk. PP Ian Stacy kindly put his hand up for the job.
Colleen d'Offay spoke about the new exchange student from Brazil who is the younger sister of previous exchange student Marcella. They are still looking for host families and people to take her out on trips around Melbourne. Please contact Colleen if you can help.
Raffle Results from last meeting
At last week's Meeting the Raffle was run by Di Allan with help from son Trent. The winners were guest Nick Johnston and Max Martin.
2023 Bayside Family Christmas Event
There was loads of Christmas spirit with the annual Bayside Family Christmas Event in December 2023 at the Hampton RSL. Our guests enjoyed fun and games (including pickle ball, lawn bowls), Christmas Carols, a traditional Christmas dinner and a visit by Santa with loads of presents This annual joint community initiative brings joy to the 100+ invited Baysiders (despite this year’s challenging weather conditions 34 degrees and spots of torrential rain) - hosted by Rotary Clubs of Brighton, Hampton and Hampton RSL with much appreciated support from the Bayside Country Women’s Association, Team Sports 4 All, St Leonard’s College & Lennie’s Van, members of Bayside’s Victoria Police, BayCISS, Family Life, Vincent Care , Rotary Passport Club of Melbourne, and Bayside Council’s Youth Service and Enhanced Maternal Child Health. Thanks to all the volunteers involved Shout out to Bayside Mayor Fiona Stitfold and Local MP James Newbury for popping in. Report Jo Kwok.
St Leonard’s College FORaMEAL packing day
Thanks to the members of the St Leonard’s College Interact Club,teachers/students and volunteers from Rotary Clubs of Canterbury, Brighton, Brighton North, Rotaractors and Passport Melbourne (RPM) we had an action packed, fun and fulfilling FORaMEAL* packing day on Wednesday 6 December 2023. After weeks of planning, students, teachers and Rotarians rolled their sleeves up, working collaboratively and packed 15,000+ meals which will head off to flood affected regions in the Phillipines and to the front lines of Ukraine.
*FORaMEAL is a project founded by Dr Doug Hawley OAM (Rotary Canterbury) which is an initiative to help provide emergency relief meals for those impacted by natural disasters in the Asia Pacific region and beyond. This experiential learning program involved the St Leonard’s College Middle School Social Action group in a multi stage student-led project (with support from Lucinda Malgas, Director of Wellbeing and Social Action, Brighton Rotary plus the FORaMEAL team), involving education/awareness, planning and project management, fundraising, packing, distribution and reporting. The St Leonard’s Interact Club held a Year 5&6 Fun Fiesta disco which raised some seed capital ($1,500) that was then pitched to the Student Social Action Council, which successfully was approved with matched funding to cover the essential ingredients oats, lentils and rice together with essential vitamins and minerals. This culminated in STL Interact Club members and other students, teachers and Rotarians this week, working collaboratively with such enthusiasm, lots of Christmas Carols plus joy and heart for the FORaMEAL packing day. This resulted in packing 15,000+ (!) nutritionally balanced meals which will be freely distributed to vulnerable individuals and communities in their times of need! Report Jo Kwok.
Some Members & partners were all at sea on board the Queen Elizabeth in January!
Pic 1: Keiran Cromie with Anne. Pic 2: Keith Cameron, Wendy Davis. Julie Avery, Belle Parkin, Di Allan, Lesley & Pat Kearns and Brett Parkin.
Pic 3: Pat Kearns, Julie Avery, Brett & Belle Parkin, Wendy Davis, Lesley Kearns
