On behalf of the Rotary Club of Brighton, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for attending our 50th birthday celebration last Sunday 1 October at the Sandringham Yacht Club. It was truly a memorable afternoon filled with warmth, laughter, and the joy of reconnecting with old friends. I really hope you enjoyed it as much as Stephanie and I did.
Our 50th birthday celebration was not just an occasion to mark the passage of time but also a testament to the enduring bonds that tie us together as members of our club. As we caught up with old friends, reminisced about past adventures, and shared stories, it confirms that our Rotary Club has been more than just an Organisation; it has been a family, a source of inspiration, and a force for good in our community for half a century.
It was heartwarming to see familiar faces from our early days, members who have been with us through thick and thin, and new members who have embraced the Rotary spirit with enthusiasm. Together, the Club has achieved so much over the past 50 years, and it was only fitting that we took the opportunity to celebrate our shared history and accomplishments.
As we raised our glasses and toasted Rotary and our Club’s 50 years, we also took a moment to reflect on the incredible journey of service, friendship, and Community service that the Rotary Club has undertaken.
I want to express my gratitude to all the volunteers, past and present, who have dedicated their time, energy, and resources to make these projects possible. Your unwavering commitment to the Rotary Club's values of Service Above Self has been the driving force behind our success.
Let us carry the spirit of our 50th birthday celebration forward, as we continue to serve our community, foster friendships, and make a positive impact on the world. The next 50 years will be challenging, however I have no doubt that with the dedication and passion of our members, we will continue to punch above our weight.
Finally, some thanks – first to David Smyth and Max Martin for updating and modernising the History booklet, a wonderful piece of work (and further copies are available for members). Thanks also to PP Peter Johns and PP Rob Tucker, our sole remaining Charter Members for their video contribution. Also thanks to PP Paul Nicholson and PP Julie Avery for their talks on Fundraising and Donations and recipients, as well as to Wendy Davis and Geoff Bentley for arranging the presentations of funds from The Brighton Lunch. It was also fitting that our PP David Grodski accepted the Certificate presented by the District Governor Ron Payne and signed by Rotary’s World President Gordon R. McInally to honour our 50 Year Membership of Rotary.
And last, but certainly not least, to Geoff Cunningham for putting the whole event togethe. Geoff – you did well – and how.
President Arthur Hubbard
Highlights of 50th Anniversary Lunch
Big Cheques Presentation
Geoff Bentley, Chairman of The Brighton Lunch with help from Wendy Davis presented 3 large cheques to beneficiaries of the 2023 Brighton Lunch. First up was Pinchapoo and Wendy accepted the cheque for $62,000 on their behalf. Second was Swinburne University of Technology and Katherine Goldman accepted the $43,300 cheque. Thirdly Trish Byram accepted the $62,000 cheque on behalf of the Small Steps for Hannah Foundation.
Our monthly update from Eam, Cambodian student
Hello Colleen and the Members of the Rotary Club of Brighton,
I believe you are doing good. I am here also having a great time and looking forward to communicating with you.
Welcome to September, I got some exciting news that I am curious to share with you about what I have done so far and involve with CRST. I will share about English class with TDSO, Join interviews with students and make Ansom with CRST for Phcum Ben celebration.
First of all, I would like to share about the English class with TDSO (Teacher Development Support Organization), an organization that CRST cooperates with that provides English classes to our students including me. I can say that this English class is an effective class where the teacher makes students feel not bored in class. Teacher had a great technique that included games, practice sessions and also asking questions for students. This is the most enjoyable class ever. One thing that I think is particularly valuable is the opportunity to develop my English skills with reading, writing and also using every single word in English. I am especially curious about pronunciation and I communicate as much as with my friends, communicating with teachers to improve my English-speaking skills. By participating in class discussions, I can learn to articulate my thoughts and ideas more effectively, which can be useful in both academic and professional settings. Overall, I believe that English classes can be incredibly valuable for me and other CRST students, providing me with a range of skills and knowledge that can be applied in many areas of their lives.
Recently, on 26th and 28th, I had a chance to join the New Students Selection program to select new students to be a member of Cambodia Rural Students Trust in 2023. It was an amazing experience for me that I got this chance to be involved and also to improve myself. As an interviewer responsible for selecting new students to be scholarship students, I would approach the tasks with great care and attention. I would ensure that the selection process is fair and transparent, with each candidate given an equal opportunity to prove their worth. I would evaluate their academic performance, extracurricular activities, and overall personality traits to identify the most deserving candidates. Additionally, I would keep an open mind and seek to understand each individual's unique circumstances, recognizing that some applicants may face more significant barriers than others. Ultimately, my goal would be to select scholarship recipients who not only excel academically but who also demonstrate a strong commitment to their studying, communities and a genuine desire to make a positive impact in society. As I joined and became involved with this activity, I am filled with excitement and anticipation. This is a great opportunity for me to learn and grow in many different ways. Not only will I have the chance to meet new students and learn about their backgrounds and aspirations, but I will also be able to use my own experience and knowledge to help guide them towards success.
In the morning on 30th of September, I made Khmer food (Ansom) with CRST students for Phchum Ben celebration. It was an unforgettable opportunity to showcase the culture and culinary delights of Cambodia and bring this to the pagoda on 1st. On the day of the event, our students eagerly gathered in the Campus, excited to learn about Khmer cuisine. We started with the preparation of the leaves of banana, banana, soybean, pork and other ingredients. After that, we started making the Ansom. I did not know how to make it, nonetheless, I learned from my friends and we laughed while making them. It was a great time that I learned to make it and for the first time, I could not make it and after that I followed my friend's advice, I made it. I was really happy when I could make it. It was an enjoyable time spending with everyone and having fun together. Not only that, we also had lunch and enjoyed the food. It was an unforgettable experience that everyone shared their knowledge of Khmer food and culture with our students, and we made this for going to the pagoda together. I was excited with these experiences.
Thanks for spending your time reading my emails.
Best Regards, Eam
Eam HOT ( She)
Junior Leadership Team Member
Volunteer Department, Manager
Project G - Empowering Girls- Assistant Manager
Cambodia Rural Students Trust
