Last week's meeting was intended to be a fond farewell to President Donna Wright but unfortunately she caught the flu and couldn't attend which was a disappointment. Instead Vice President Ian Stacy took over the running of the meeting with help from
Chairman PP David Grodski.
David introduced Secretary Anthony Langley and he in turn presented Secretaries Announcements.
First up were the apologies:
Geoff Cunningham, Colleen d'Offay, Keiran Cromie, PP Norm Thomas, Di Allan, Rob Pinchbeck and Pres Donna Wright.
PP Ivan Vojlay then came forward to present a banner from the Rotary Club of Celle to VC Ian Stacy. Ivan had recently visited Hon member Michael Jess while in Germany. In the photos above:
1. Ivan makes a presentation of a special RC Brighton Certificate to RC Celle President Eckart Pfeiffer for their Rotary Moving on at their lunchtime meeting. 2. Ivan with Michael Jess. 3. The banner from RC of Celle. 4. Ivan presents the banner to VC Ian Stacy.
PP Des Thomas: Des spoke about Australian Rotary Health which focuses on the mental health of 0-12 year olds and he said that quite a few of our members are Friends or Companions of ARH. You become a friend when your total donations reach $100, a Bronze Friend when donations reach $1000, Platinum $2,000 and Diamond $2,500. You become a Companion at $5,000, Gold, $10,000, Ruby Companion $20,000, Emerald Companion $50,000 and a Diamond Companion $100,000. Our Club recently made a donation of $1000 to Aust Rotary Health. Des left some brochures on the tables for anyone interested in donating to fill in and he encouraged us to support ARH and help to "Lift the Lid on Mental Illness".
Anthony then said that at recent Club Board Meetings two causes were given Board support.
Anthony then called for Member's approval for the following items:
(1) RAWCS Western Victorian Drought Relief Fund, a donation of $15,000. The extended drought in Western Victoria has seriously impacted affected farming communities, despite some recent weather relief. Funds from the appeal will be directed by the DG from District 9780 in consultation with the Rotary Clubs in the affected areas. Funds will be used to provide emergency fodder and for Essential Cards for affected families, on a needs basis.
(2) RI Polio Plus, $10,000. Polio Plus is a longstanding RI program that aims to immunise children against the virus. Today, polio remains endemic only in Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, minor outbreaks do occur from time to time in other countries. As a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Rotary has reduced polio cases by 99.9 percent since our first project to vaccinate children in the Philippines in 1979.
Both were passed by a majority show of hands.
Chairman David Grodski then called for a minutes silence for our departed members
George Jerzyk and PP Geoff McGeary.
See tributes below.
Highlights of Meeting 19 June
Our first speaker was James Wall from Gardenworld and 3AW morning program and he gave us a very entertaining talk on how he became the owner of Gardenworld and more. After the meeting James thanked us for the opportunity to talk to the Rotary club. He said we are doing great things for the community and enjoying yourselves at the same time. He said it was a good night.
Next we heard from Mike Rikard-Bell, Director of TeamSports4All and he gave as update of how they were progressing helping kids from low income families get into sport. Mike said they had gone from a small group of ids back in 2011 to now helping 997 kids play sport. A fantasic result. See slides below for more information.
Next we heard from Stuart McIntyre who introduced Steven Young (Steam Teacher) and Anne Hostein from the Kitchen Garden Project at Hampton Primary School. The Rotary Club of Brighton donated $5000 to this project which was matched by the Rotary Club of Brighton Foundation, and we discussed the opportunity with Rotary Club of Hampton who donated $3000. This means $13000 in total will go towards funding the project.
This is a globally-recognised Kitchen Garden Program for Primary Schools and is a fun, hands-on learning program delivering curriculum integration and a focus on student health, wellbeing, collaboration
and leadership.
At the heart of the Kitchen Garden Program is pleasurable food education, which inspires children and young people to understand and connect with fresh, seasonal, delicious food through fun, hands-on learning in the kitchen and garden. This approach empowers students to develop practical skills, an appreciation of seasonal produce and a positive, confident and healthy relationship
with food for life.
Vale George Jerzyk
It is with great sadness that we advise of the passing of honorary club member George Bonaparte Jerzyk. George joined the Rotary Club of Brighton in 2002 and he was an active member for many years and will be sadly missed. He was larger than life and his life story designed by Max Martin was entitled "Man With No Borders' which sums up his extraordinary life. Our thoughts are with Barbara and family at this sad time.
Editor note: George is especially missed by myself. He was a great friend and the lunches with him and the Irish spy will be sorely missed. The White Eagle has flown the coop. Max Martin
A message from Ivan VojIay to members of Ivan's Hackers:
Many of you will remember George, who always had a smile on his face and enjoyed his golf. He had a very interesting life, especially in management positions in Europe and Russia, and always had a fascinating story to tell. He even wrote and published his autobiography. He was extremely popular in the very cold days of winter (at Golf) when he would produce "His Polish Officers Survival Kit," which, of course, was a Slivovitz Vodka or something similar.
He is one of our unique Ivan's Hackers players who achieved a hole-in-one. He was a good friend to many and is sadly missed
Ivan Vojlay, Founder Ivan's Hackers
Funeral details for George Jerzyk
Rosary Service 25/6/25 at 6.30pm
WD Rose Funerals, 139 Marriage Road, Brighton
Funeral Mass 26/6/25 at 11am.
Sacred Heart Catholic Parish, 13 Fernhill Road, Sandringham
Burial at 1pm.
Springvale Botanical Cemetry, 600 Princes Hwy, Springvale.
Wake
Springvale Botanical Cemetery (following the burial).
Vale PP Geoff McGeary
It is with deep sadness that Geoff McGeary passed peacefully from this world on Wednesday 18th of June, at his home with his family around him. He was one week shy of his 84th birthday. Dear husband to Anne, much loved father to Robert and Lou plus father-in-law to Rebekah and Rob and inspirational Grandad to his six grandchildren.
Geoff joined our Club in 1989 and was President of our club 1999-2000 and was awarded a Paul Harris + sapphire. He was a pioneer of the Australian travel industry and he grew his bus company into a global cruise and tour conglomerate. APT will continue to be led by his two children, Robert McGeary and Lou Tandy.
A celebration of life will be held at 2pm on Thursday 26th of June, at the Sandringham Yacht Club.
Geoff will remain forever in our hearts.
Sergeant's Session:
presented by PP Julie Avery
1. Bruce Crossley. Big welcome back to Melbourne. Now pay a fine.
2. Roger Fairlam. Thank for bringing Joyce along tonight.
Please pay a fine.
3. Seng Goh. Fined for not being able to come to Changeover.
4. PP David Grodski. Also not coming to Changeover so pay a fine.
5. Glenys Hitchen. She is here for a week or two then off
on a holiday again.
6. PP Arthur Hubbard. Welcome back and congrats on your Camino Walk but pay up a fine.
7. Lesley Kearns. Top of the Footy Tipping. Worth a big fine.
8. Anthony Langley. Can't wait to go on holidays so pay a fine before you go.
9. PP Ian Stacy. Well done on your year as stand-in President. Please pay a fine.
10. PP Ivan Vojlay. Welcome and lovely to see you. Thanks for the banner but please pay a fine.
11. Eric Barr, PP Ian Stacy & PP Des Thomas. Seen wining and dining at the Dendi Deli. They can afford a fine.
Last week's Raffle Results
Wendy Davis ran the raffle last week with help from
'Barrel Girl' Heather Stacy.
The winners were PP Arthur Hubbard (Wine), Glenys Hitchen (Chocolates) and guest speaker James Wall (Box of limes).
