RCB Bulletin 10 November 2025
This week’s Rotary Club of Brighton meeting was an action packed one, with member David Smyth conducting a short observance to Remembrance Day, a big cheque presentation and an excellent talk from guest speaker Mr David Morgan who is a Specialist Plastic Surgeon.
 
Meeting Highlights
 
 
Remembrance Day Observance
David Smyth spoke about Remembrance Day and included slides showing some our Club Members and his family who served in several wars. Some of our members shown below were Keith Lindner, John Akhurst, Doug Cummins and Peter Sneddon. At the end of his talk he asked us to observe a minutes silence in honour of the fallen.
 
 
 
 
Big Cheque Presentation
John Schmoll then conducted a cheque presentation for an exciting new project with the Holloway Bend Scout Group supported by the Rotary Club of Brighton, the Rotary Club of Brighton Charitable Foundation and The Rotary Foundation.
 
 
 
Sean Straton, Holloway Bend Scout Group Leader of the fastest
growing scout group in Victoria gave us an overview of the difference
this customised trailer will make to these Bayside young people.
 
Below is Sean's address to our Club at the last meeting:
"Good evening President Colleen and Rotarians,
 
I am Sean Straton, Group Leader of Holloway Bend Scout Group, which is located just south of Brighton Beach. We are a very new group, having only started a little over a year ago. We are now the fastest growing Scout Group in Victoria, with over 50 youth members and 10 adult helpers, across Joey Cubs, Cubs and Scouts (ages five to fourteen, across all three sections).
 
I would like to also introduce Warwick Waters - Chairman of our Group Committee. Warwick joined in the early days of our formation and has brought his immense experience across business and not-for-profit organisations to help build our scout group.
On behalf of the Holloway Bend Scout Group, I want to extend an immense gratitude to:
 
The Rotary Club of Brighton in conjunction with The Rotary Club of Brighton Charitable Foundation, and The Rotary District 9800 Charitable Foundation,
for this incredibly generous $16,000 donation.
 
Your support will make a real and lasting difference to our young people. This funding will allow us to purchase a much-needed trailer — something which was just a dream for us as a new group established just a year ago. It will help us safely transport our camping gear, hike equipment, and activity supplies, opening up more opportunities for adventure, learning, and community service.
 
Scouting is all about building confidence, leadership, and resilience in young people — and with this trailer, we’ll be able to reach more youth and give them even richer experiences in the outdoors.
 
We’re deeply grateful to Jo Kwok and Stuart McIntyre for spearheading this support, for believing in what we do with youth in the community and for sharing in our mission to help young people grow into capable, caring citizens.
 
Thank you again for your generosity and for your ongoing commitment to the community. We look forward to ongoing engagement and collaborating with the Rotary Club of Brighton in making our community a better place."
 
Sean Straton
Speaker Mr David Morgan
Local Baysider Specialist Plastic Surgeon
(President of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons, previously National
Chairman of the Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, plus Board Director of Interplast) gave a fascinating presentation on plastic surgery - the history, myth busting and the amazing life-changing reconstructive work he has done with Interplast. The following are visual highlights of some of his wonderful work in Australia and Tonga:
 
 
 
David Smyth French Holiday
 
David sent some nice photos of his trip to France:
1. They knew he was coming so they warned the population.
2. His accommodation in the Dordogne area.
3. Beynac Chateau in the Dordogne region.
4. Outside the Chateau.
5. View of the Dordogne from the top of the Chateau.
 
 
 
 
Last Week's Raffle Results
The raffle was run by Christine Nicholson with help from Suzie.
Winners were Jo Kwok and PP Donna Wright. 
 
 
Sergeant's Session
Presented by Sgt Arthur Hubbard
1. Keiran Cromie: Only gave Sarg 5mins for his session.
"Whose rule is that?" asked the Sarg" - $2 fine;
2. Stuart McIntyre: Happy Birthday - please pay a fine;
3. All those who went to Flemington Races last week fined;
4. All those who had a flutter on the Melbourne Cup. Those who won folding please;
5. Wendy, Glenys and Paul: Great Melbourne Cup meeting previous week $1 fine. Plus all those who didn't attend $2;
6. PP Donna Wright: Sarg said he was missing her regular "I'm proud to be the President of the Club" she said during her year - $2 please;
7. Jo Kwok: Fined for not attending for a while;
8. PDG Dale Hoy: Early for next week award;
9. Max Martin: Had a Seniors Moment - thought the Seniors Lunch was last Friday. The Council considering adding his name to the guest list;
10. All those not going to the Comedy Night fined?
11. Pres Colleen: Apologised for not having the apologies list:
12. Max Martin: Fined for taking a phone call during the meeting;
13. PP Cameron Ward: Fined for late booking for the Comedy Night;
14: John Schmoll: How much was the cheque for the Trailer?
13k, 15k or 16k?
15. Geoff Cunningham: Sold his car after 16 years;
16: PP Donna Wright: Struggled to remember Toast; 
17.David Smyth: Left his wallet at home;
18: John Scmoll: Walked in front of reversing car. David Frauman
saved him just in time;
19: PP Robert Ward & Paul Laband: Late to the meeting.