Chairperson PDG Dale Hoy introduced Pres Colleen who asked PP Pat Kearns to give the Toast. Colleen then gave a very warm welcome to the Guest speaker last week, Dale Fisher AM, who was accompanied by Carolyn Bell and said it was lovely to see them both again. She then welcomed the guests Angie Biggin, Linda McMillan and Jan Thomas.
Colleen mentioned the very sad passing of long time member PP Ian Mence OAM and said his funeral would be held on Thursday 7 August at St Andrews Anglican Church. A wake for Ian will be held after the service at Mazi @ St Andrews Schoolhouse.He passed away on 26 July, 8 days after his 88th birthday. He will be sorely missed by all at the Club. Condolences to Suzie and Ian's family.
Colleen also mentioned that two members had recently resigned from the Club and they were Wayne Styles and Di Alan. Wayne who is currently caretaking the Car Show Committee whilst Rob Pinchbeck recovers and cited ongoing health issues for his decision. Di said it was due to heavy work pressures and lack of time. Both said they will continue to help at events when needed.
Colleen also said to please also keep Geoff Cunningham in our thoughts as he underwent bladder removal surgery last Wednesday and is currently in ICU. Geoff has asked for no hospital visitors at this time, but we will share updates as they become available
Secretaries Announcements
Secretary Anthony Langley said that there were no announcements.
Pres Colleen announced the apologies:
PP Paul & Christine Nicholson, Glenys Hitchen, PP Julie Avery and Geoff Cunningham.
Meeting Highlights
Our Club's District Awards
Pres Colleen called up PP Arthur Hubbard, Jo Kwok and Stuart McIntyre to receive 4 Awards made to the Rotary Club of Brighton at the District Changeover.
Community Service – Stuart McIntyre
for the Bayside Christmas Event
Brighton Rotary project (Jo & Stuart) led the 2024 Bayside Family Christmas Event for socioeconomically disadvantaged families in Bayside. 7th year that we have run this event – it was recognised as a nominee for 2024 Bayside Community Event of the Year for the involvement/contribution from a dedicated bunch of volunteers (Rotarians and other Baysiders making a difference including Brighton Rotary, Hampton Rotary, Rotary Passport Melbourne, Hampton RSL, Bayside Council, Victoria Police, BayCISS, Family Life, St Leonards College, Team Sports4All, Country Womens Association Bayside)
Environmental Sustainability – Jo Kwok
- Making change for Good
this initiative led by Stuart McIntyre/Jo Kwok is where the Container Deposit Scheme Victoria to make it easy for locals, to select Brighton Rotary when they have their collected recyclable items to select the 10c from each item collected to go to the Rotary Club of Brighton by choosing the Club as the recipient. Recognised for the innovation with developed branded wallet cards to promote this more broadly (which have then been distributed at Club meetings, and events such as the Brighton Classic Car Show). the Rotary Club of Brighton's approach to the Container Deposit Scheme initiative goes beyond just recycling -
it is about community engagement and education. We have demonstrated excellence and innovation through: - Established clear messaging to ensure the community understands the environmental impact of their actions. Within the first 3 months we had generated $250 with very little effort to go to Brighton Rotary Youth programs. This initiative will be ongoing - making recycling accessible and easy for all members of the community and making sustainability a shared responsibility, while raising Brighton Rotary’s profile in “Making Change For Good".
Vocational Service - Jo Kwok
Science and engineering challenge in 2024
This event demonstrates "excellence" and "innovation" through the highly engaging, hands on activities which aims to inspire students to consider a STEM career and choose appropriate subjects in Years 11 and 12 to create a local talent pipeline in this area of critical need . With over 240 kids from 17 different schools involved in 2024 at Deakin Burwood the event has a real buzz and a lot of positive association/profile for Rotary. Through the event led by Jo Kwok it has created an opportunity for a number of Rotary Clubs to work in collaboration, across Districts and has created strong interest with prospective employer organisations (Deakin Uni, Siemens Mobility, Boeing, Federal government) and industry groups such as Engineers in Australia and Women In Engineering who have subsequently
been keen in sponsorship and volunteering opportunities. This intergenerational project has also enabled us to engage with mature experienced Rotarians, plus younger Rotaractors and ex NSF'ers to strengthen connection and offer improved volunteering opportunities.
Youth Service -
PP Arthur Hubbard – Bayspeak
Bayside based competition which encourages public speaking skills for secondary school students. Established in 2021 by PP Arthur Hubbard based on the successful Wynspeak model. Recognised for the record number of schools involved in last year’s event, working in collaboration with a number of Rotary Clubs and clusters to hold
the first State based 2024 District Championship Finalists at Parliament House
Pres Colleen said that these recognitions highlight not only the dedication of 3 individual Rotarians but also the collective strength of clubs committed to creating lasting change. The calibre of service demonstrated here serves as a powerful example of what can be achieved when Rotary’s values are put into purposeful action
A heartfelt thank you to Jo for submitting the applications to District -without her efforts, the Club would not have received this
well-deserved recognition.
Speaker Dale Fisher AM
Dale Fisher OAM is the the Chief Executive Officer at Silverchain.
At Silverchain they believe everyone has the right to choose where they receive care, and that home care helps you keep connected to your community. They also believe in the fundamental human right to choose to die at home.
It is increasingly clear that we cannot simply build our way out of the health care capacity crisis. It makes social and economic sense to divert our current investment in bricks and mortar to digital infrastructures that enables more care to be provided at home. A shift in policy and funding to home care will also free up the acute care sector to do what it does best.
To meet the care needs of the future, every care provider will need to invest in collaborative partnerships to design the care system of the future and improve the health and wellbeing of all Australians.
Courageous leadership is needed to remove the barriers to transforming the health care system, and ensure everyone can access the care they need, when they need it.
Australia has a unique opportunity to move more care into the home. Still, we fall well short of the proportion of care that can be and should be delivered in the home. More Australians want this shift, but policy and funding are lagging*. *Taken from Silverchain website.
It was a great talk from Dale and in fact Pres Colleen said that on behalf of the Rotary Club of Brighton, she sincerely thanked her for her engaging and thought-provoking talk. She said her insights were both informative and inspiring, and they sparked valuable discussion among our attendees. She said it was a pleasure to have her
speak, and that we hope to welcome her back again in the
future.Pres Colleen then presented her with a small token
of our appreciation.
Rotarians Volunteering at DIK
Drought Relief for Farmers in South West Victoria via DIK with funds provided from Rotary Club of Brighton and Rotary Club of Brighton North with the support of The Rotary Foundation. Recently volunteers from both Clubs packed goods from DIK totalling over 15 pallets from basic necessities through to some pamper products and toys for the children. The wish list of products was provided from Rotary Central Warrnambool and the local CFA. Thanks especially to Rosemary Rogan for coordinating efforts and Mark Stephens for the scones.
At the end of the meeting, Colleen gave a brief update with more to come - on the Farmers Relief Project in collaboration with RC Brighton North and DIK. Along with 5 members from RC Brighton North, Stuart McIntyre, Wendy Davis, Wayne Styles, David Smyth, PP Arthur Hubbard and our newest member Seng Goh, packing new items destined to the Western District farming communities.
Last Thursday 15 pallets were collected from DIK by Bega Cheese, who are partnering with RC Central Warrnambool and the CFA to support the farming communities of the Western District. Colleen advised that the 15 pallets contained a huge array of items totalling
over $104,000 in value.
As seen in the Age 31/07/25
I will miss you dearly Ian. Great mentor, friend, tennis opponent
and advisor. Gone too soon. I will miss you at the meetings and in life.
Condolences to Suzie and Ian's family.
Cheers Mate, Max Martin
David Smyth - Updated Meetings List
Last week's Raffle Results
The Raffle was run by Wendy Davis with assistance
from guest Carolyn Bell.
The winners were David Frauman,
and Wendy Davis.
Sergeant's Session
Sgt Arthur Hubbard
1. Happy Hour: All those who arrived before 6pm to take part in Happy Hour discount were fined;
2. Melbourne Supporters: All fined for their team capitulating to
St Kilda in AFL;
3. St Kilda Supporters: Fined for stealing the win from Melbourne;
4. Collingwood Suporters: Fined for trying to poach Silvagni from Carlton;
5. Speaker Dale Fisher: Fined for a great presentation;
6. Over 70 year olds: Fined for being at least 3 score years and ten especially PP Alan Pinkus;
7. Keiran Cromie: Fined for being seen combing his hair in front of TV screen;
8. Stuart McIntyre: Fined for his wife Carolyn being in hospital and he can't cook. Any resemblance to a cook is totally coincidental;
9. Pres Colleen: Fined for having covid and not able to attend the DIK Day;
10. Anthony Langley: Fined for returning from 3 weeks in Queensland.
11. Val Alphabet: Val Zdzitowiecki fined not for his name but for turning up to the meeting:
12. PDG Dale Hoy: Fined for being early to the meeting - second time this year. Roasting at Changeover must have worked;
13. PP Keith Cameron: Fined for being at the meeting. Welcome back Keith;
14. Steve Wolf: Fined for sartorial elegance in Ferrari jacket;
15. PP Pat Kearns: Fined for being an Essendon supporter seeing their poor performance recently;
16. PDG Dale Hoy: Fined for going to Perth next day - Tax Deduction?
