RCB Bulletin 5 October 2026

Meeting Thursday 1 October 2026

Last week's meeting was held at the Hampton RSL. Chairman PE Rob Pinchbeck introduced Pres David Frauman who welcomed everyone including special guest speakers Tanya Nassau and Sara Meadows
from Handled with Care and  Brad Price, Frank Warner
and Kyra Snell from Community Bank - Highett.
Pres David then called for the loyal toast.
 
Pres David also welcomed guests Doreen Stockdale, Heather Stacy, Angie Biggins, Cathy Thoms, Carole Schmoll, Maria Hicks OAM, Mandy Frauman and Jill Barr.
 
RCB apologies:
 
Di Allan, PP Tom Buxton, Merve Boztepe, Bronwyn & Mark Stephens,
Keiran Cromie, Wendy Davis, PP Keith Cameron, PP Julie Avery 
and Geoff Cunningham.
 
 
Meeting Highlights
 
 
 

A Presentation from Community Bank - Highett

 
Brad Price who is the Chairman of Community Bank Highett with help from Kyra Snell, gave us a good presentation and said they were celebrating 25 years and that they had reached $42 million in community investment and continue to support the local organisations and volunteers that make their community such a special place.
They are Club sponsors of our 3 main events in the Kieser Great
Bayside Swim, the Brighton Classic Car Show and the Bayside Comedy Extravaganza. They said when people choose to bank with them the profits generated help support local schools, community groups and services. 
They looked forward to any enquiries from our Club members regarding
banking with them.
 

Book Now for the Bayside Comedy Extravaganza

Last year's Bayside Comedy Extravaganza 2026
sold out two weeks prior to the event so please don't wait.
Full details and booking link below.
 

 Book at: https://events.humanitix.com/bayside-comedy-extravaganza 

 
 
 
 
Raffle Results Thursday 1 October 2026
 
 
The raffle was run by Angie Biggin with help from Cathy Thoms.
The winners were Maria Hicks (chocolates) and Seng Goh (wine).
 
 
Speakers Tanya Nassau & Sara Meadows
 
 
Tanya Nassau and Sara Meadows are co-founders
of Handled with Care who specialise in home relocations, downsizing moves and clearing estates or properties in preparation for sale.
 
With a background in psychology and human resource management, Tanya approaches her work with empathy, sensitivity, and meticulous care, treating each client as she would her own
family. She has also worked closely with collectors and individuals exhibiting hoarding behaviours. Known for her patience and intuitive understanding of others' needs, Tanya counsels and supports
her clients through every stage of decluttering, downsizing,
and relocation.

After university, Sara began her career in social work, 
specialising in adult mental health. She then moved into the corporate sector, working in people and performance roles across various industries, driven by her love of helping people. Volunteering in the aged care sector sparked Sara’s idea for Handled with Care - easing stress
for individuals and families when moving or clearing estates.
She finds joy in giving back to the community, facilitating
countless donations of household belongings for her clients
to support those in need.
 
Their presentation pointed out some of the steps that you need to take when considering downsizing or relocation.
They spoke about decluttering. 
Here's what they suggest:
Step 1 - Define your vision -
For how you would like to use your space
Step 2 - Plan your approach -
Be organised - Complete one space before moving to the next
Be realistic - set yourself small achievable goals
Prioritise - What areas are easy and high impact?
Step 3 - Start to sort -
Keep - Sell - Donate or gift - Dispose
 
Here's what services they offer:
1. Sort, declutter and organise belongings
2. Pack and unpack your home
3. Provide packing boxes and materials
4. Supply home organising products
5. Arrange removalists
6. Sell, donate or dispose of items
7. Prepare detailed inventories
8. Arrange secure document disposal
9. Prepare the home for sale or rental
10, Arrange vacate cleaning.
 
To contact Handled with Care
phone 1300 185 866
 
 
 
Sergeant's Session
Sergeant John Schmoll
1. Fremantle Dockers:  All those who thought that they would be win the Grand Final were fined;
2. Heather Stacy: Fined for calling the Sarg Mr Schmoll;
3. Stuart McIntyre: Fined for no reason at all. Sarg thought that he deserved to be fined;
4. Best Dressed Rotarian: Pres David fined;
5. Second Best Dressed Rotarian: PP Norm Thomas also fined;
6. Fine across the floor: PP Alan Pinkus fined for being repetitive.
He said he couldn't even spell the word;
 
 

Vale Smutzy Smith

Dear Rotarians & former Rotarians,
 
It is with great sadness that I advise of the passing last Friday evening of former member Smutzy Smith.
 
Smutzy was a member of our club during the 1980/90's. Long term club members will recall him as an active Rotarian involved in many club activities including a project with the indigenous population of Elcho Island NT, which he visited with Geoff Knight.
 
Former member Bill Jeans advised that he Smutzy & Gerhard Sommer were fishing friends for years. Smutzy was previously head of plumbing at Brighton Technical School and later Holmesglen TAFE. He was a very caring teacher if any of his students couldn’t afford something essential he would badger the club youth committee to assist. He was Father Christmas for many years at the Rotary Christmas party and organised trips to his lodge at Falls Creek.
 
Bill sat with Smutzy and his daughter the day he passed. He had been based at Bright, but most recently was living at Mercy Place Fernhill nursing home in Sandringham.
 
Bill said Smutzy's son now runs the Airbnb in Bright. Smutzy was one of the most disorganised and generous people you could ever meet…
"l could tell stories about him for hours…" Bill Jeans

Thank-you to Bill Jeans and Eric Barr for details.
Our thoughts are with Smutzy's family at this sad time.
 
Anthony Langley
Secretary 2026/27

 

 

Paws for Polio Walk 2026

Sunday 4 October at Elsternwick Park, Brighton
Paws for Polio is the official launch of our Rotary Walk With Us Campaign, which goes all of October.  Teams and individuals walk, run, cycle, swim or just move to raise money for Rotary's number one Global project being the eradication of polio from the world.  Many dogs and their owners took part yesterday, running around Elsternwick Park, the dogs looking resplendent in their red bandanas.  A huge thanks to Maria Hicks and her team for organising the event and encouraging participation.
Here are some photo highlights of the event: