1st Edition                                                                                      July 2021 
JULY MESSAGE from the DISTRICT GOVERNOR
 
Welcome to the new Rotary Year of 2021-22, in which we follow the lead of our Rotary International President Shekhar Mehta and ‘Serve to Change Lives.’ Both Jenny and I look forward to meeting with you and working together in our District to better serve our communities and the wider world. Our District Newsletter has a new name, ‘Change Maker’ and will revert to being published during the first week of each month. This issue is late so that we can include images and reports from our District Changeover. Our District website has been updated and District events will continue to be published in the second week of the month in ‘Highlights.’ In the third week of the month, I will be hosting the popular and informal chat with the DG at ‘Sunday Sundowners’ and ‘Monday Morning Tea.’ Look for more information in this publication. In the spirit of innovation, I shall also be posting a short video message in the fourth week of the month. Entitled ‘DG Monthly Update’, I want to give you a brief report on key events and happenings in our District, so if you have some images or very short video clips I could use, feel free to send them to me. In addition, this year we are marking our 40th year as a Rotary District and will celebrate that at an event in July 2022.
 
My first meeting on my first day as your new District Governor was spent in meetings with our Rotary colleagues to the east from District 9820. We discussed the letter we have both received from the Rotary International Board which outlined our immediate situation and a pathway forward in the coming months. D9820 DG Bill Degnan and I have resolved to work collaboratively with a joint team to begin the task of compiling the Consolidation Report as required by RI by 1st December. Our first task as a District is to increase our membership numbers in D9810 and try to avoid the critical deadline of having/not having 1100 members by 1st July 2022. I look to all clubs and members to assist the Membership Team headed by PDG Alma Reynolds in this task. Regardless of whether we end up making the numbers or not by the due date, all our clubs still need to attract, engage and retain members. Further down the track, our two Districts could explore various options, but nothing has been decided in that regard at all and both parties are just seeking to full our obligations to the task at hand.
 
Our Rotary work continues and there are many areas of need in our various communities, and I would encourage all members to join in rising to meet the FOUR CHALLENGES I have posed for your Presidents and Clubs.
 
  1. CLUB EXCELLENCE – How are YOU making YOUR club and its activities attractive to potential members and also retaining your current Rotarians?
  2. CLUB INNOVATION – How are YOU building a culture of innovation and willingness to take safe risks in YOUR club?
  3. ROTARY FAMILY – How is YOUR club maintaining, nurturing and extending our Rotary ‘Family?’
  4. ROTARY SUPPORT – Is YOUR club doing all it can to support the work of Rotary in YOUR community and the wider world?
 
In closing, may I draw your attention to our ‘Rotary Dandenong Ranges Storm Recovery Project.’ This Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) has been established to provide funds for community recovery projects to be facilitated by our Hills clubs later in the year. Thank you to those clubs and individuals that have already donated, but please bear in mind that this appeal closes at the end of July, so that the funds can be made available and used in a timely manner as soon as possible. As at Friday 9th July we have raised $44,000.
 
PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY to the APPEAL because after all, this destructive storm took place in OUR District and involved OUR Rotary clubs and OUR communities.
 
Dr Daryl Moran
District Governor 9810
                                                                                                
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DG PARTNER MESSAGE
 
Rotarian Jenny Moran has chosen ‘Days for Girls’ as her DG Partner’s Project for 2021-22 and you can find out more about what will be entailed in the clip below.
 
 
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DISTRICT CHANGEOVER
 
Just over 200 Rotarians, family and guests gathered at the Southern Golf Club on Friday 9th July 2021 for the Annual District Changeover Dinner for D9810. The ‘buzz’ in the room as people renewed acquaintances and friendships again, just highlighted the fact that this was the largest gathering of our District Rotarians since mid-2019. First time MC, President Michael Hardinge from Healesville Rotary, showed skill and aplomb in keeping proceedings running well to time and order, and is to be congratulated on what could be the first of many times we see him in this role.
 
Past District Governor Shia Smart received a District Citation from PRIP Ian Riseley and took the chance to address the audience about the wonderful success of her ‘Books in Homes’ project. But it was (now) Past District Alma Reynolds, who was the star of the night as she recounted her many, many months of ‘DGness’ in front of a glass screen zooming into her District due to lockdown.
 
In fact, among the many awards she presented to worthy clubs and individuals, was a Distinguished Service Award from The Rotary Foundation to PDG John Barnes which has been waiting for over 18 months to be presented in person. It should be noted that only 50 of these awards are made each year, so John’s is to be highly prized and is a just recognition of his work and service. District Rotaract Representative Claire Caulfield presented a most interesting visual presentation of the life and work of Rotaract in 9810 and as we said thanks and goodbye to Yarra Ranges Rotaract club, we also welcomed Knox Rotaract to our District. As proceedings moved on, the District Governor’s badges and chain of office was passed from Alma Reynolds to Daryl Moran and another Rotary year began. Many thanks and words of appreciation were heaped upon PDG Alma for her outstanding leadership and devotion to her Rotary work during a ‘most interesting’ year. As was said, ‘Cometh the hour, cometh the Alma!’
 
Newly installed DG Dr Daryl Moran’s first priority, was to remind those assembled of the great need to support the RAWCS Rotary Dandenong Ranges Storm Recovery Project and in to keep in mind that this event has now been classed as the worst storm event in Victoria’s recorded history. After all, this event happened mainly in D9810 and he pointed out that, this is OUR District, these are OUR Rotary clubs that need help and OUR Communities that need our care and support.
 
The speeches finally finished and much fun and friendship followed as those assembled revelled in being together once more. Congratulations to all those involved in making the night such a success and especially the Rotarians from Rowville-Lysterfield who turned out in force to ensure the night ran smoothly. Thank you to all those who attended and for coming out to support and thank Past District Governor Alma Reynolds for her year of ‘Opening Opportunities’ and to welcome new District Governor Dr Daryl Moran as he now works with all of us in D9810 to ‘Serve to Change Lives.’
 
       
 
 
 
 
 
To see many other photos from the District Changeover click here
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CLUB CHANGEOVERS
 
With so many club changeovers at this busy time of the year, it is just not possible to include a photo and report about each one, so the brief article and images from just one such event can serve to remind us of the importance of the year just past and the new one to come.
 
The Bentleigh Moorabbin Central Changeover Dinner celebrated R100 by the cutting of a special cake. Pictured are club member and Rotarian of 47 years standing, Charles Rener and the club’s latest Rotary Youth Exchange student Loretta DeNittis who returned from Finland in January this year.
 
 
 
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ROTARY DANDENONG RANGES STORM RECOVERY PROJECT (RAWCS APPEAL)
 
The incredible storm that swept through the Dandenong Ranges on the late evening of June 10th left a trail of devastation and destruction behind it and the nine or ten D9810 Rotary Clubs in the Hills in particular, were greatly affected. Once communications had been re-established, PDG Alma Reynolds and DG Daryl Moran met online with AG’s and the various Club Presidents to hear first-hand about the situation. It was not long before help was on its way in the form of volunteer assistance and practical items to cope in the difficult circumstances. Rotarians from our District distributed supplies to various collection hubs, prepared meals for other community service organisations and our District along with various clubs and individuals, contributed funds to the Hills clubs so that they in turn could apply the donations to those in need. But looking to the long term, D9810 has established a Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) fund raising effort designed to be used in time for Community Recovery Projects. A Project team headed by our RAWCS District Chair Alan Lunghusen (RC Rowville-Lysterfield) and our District Community Chair Bernadette Vanderwolde (RC Boronia) will work with our Hills clubs in partnership with others to bring these projects to fruition in the latter part of this year and early 2022. The campaign will conclude at the end of July, but already many of our Clubs and individuals have made significant contributions to the appeal. It should also be noted that organisations such as Yarra Valley Water and Rotary Districts in Tasmania (9830) and Western Victoria (9780) have also made contributions. Donations can be made through links on our District Facebook page, the RAWCS website or by following this link. https://donations.rawcs.com.au/89-2020-21
 
To date we have received over $45,000 in donations.
 
Following his attendance at a meeting conducted by the Yarra Ranges Council on Thursday 8th July, D9810 Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) Chair, Alan Lunghusen provided the following information about the Storms of June 9/10 and their aftermath. I hope this material will be noted by all clubs and members as we seek to add to our funds for our ‘Rotary Dandenong Ranges Storm Recovery Project,’ which closes on 31st JULY.
 
 
THE STORM OF 10th JUNE 2021
 
DID YOU KNOW?
  1. 95 people were trapped in their houses or cars and needed SES assistance to extract them.
  2. Some of the trees that were uprooted were up to 300 years old.
  3. Some 670 Kms of roads have been impacted.
  4. 47 different agencies are now active in the Dandenong Ranges working on recovery efforts.
  5. Many businesses are receiving no help from the Victorian Government, because they have not had their property damaged by the storm.
  6. These businesses have not been able to trade since the storm due to Government road-blocks not allowing visitors to pass through.
  7. If a property has been given a generator, then they are not eligible for any further help.
  8. It is estimated that it will take 18 months to clean up the remaining debris and damage.
 
The Storm of 10th June 2021 is now regarded as the most devastating storm event in Victoria’s recorded history!
 
This is OUR District, these are OUR Clubs and these are OUR Communities!
 
 
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SHEKHAR MEHTA PROFILE
 
 
President 2020-21. Rotary Club of Calcutta-Mahanagar. West Bengal, India
 
Mehta, an accountant, is chair of the Skyline Group, a real estate development company he founded. He is also a director of Operation Eyesight Universal (India), a Canada-based organization. Mehta has been actively involved in disaster response and is a trustee of ShelterBox, UK. After the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, he helped build nearly 500 homes for families affected by the disaster. He pioneered a program that has performed more than 1,500 life-changing heart surgeries in South Asia. He is also the architect of the TEACH Program, which promotes literacy throughout India and has reached thousands of schools. A Rotary member since 1984, Mehta has served Rotary as director, member or chair of several committees, zone coordinator, training leader, member of The Rotary Foundation Cadre of Technical Advisers, and district governor. He is also the chair of Rotary Foundation (India). Mehta has received Rotary’s Service Above Self Award and The Rotary Foundation’s Citation for Meritorious Service and Distinguished Service Awards. He and his wife, Rashi, are Major Donors and members of the Bequest Society.
 
RI THEME
 
RI President-elect Shekhar Mehta is urging members to become more involved in their Service projects, saying that caring for and serving other is the best way to live because it changes not only other people’s lives, but also our own.
 
 
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DISTRICT HISTORY
 
 
The Rotary year of 2021-22 marks the 40th year of District 9810 having been officially launched with an inaugural dinner at Pitrone’s Function Centre, Keysborough on 16th July 1982. The function was hosted by the Rotary Club of Nunawading and Fred Hay from the Rotary Club of Waverley assumed the role of our first District Governor. District 981, as it was then known, was founded with 39 clubs and a membership of over 1500 Rotarians and although small geographically, was formed from territory ceded by Districts 979, 980 and 982. The inaugural District Conference was hosted by the Rotary Club of Waverley and was held in Launceston Tasmania in March 1983 and attracted some 700 attendees from Rotarians and partners. Plans are afoot to mark our 40th Birthday in July 2022.
 
FRED HAY (Waverley)
First DG of D9810 1982-83
 
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ROTARY CITATION
 
Your Rotary, Rotaract, or Interact club can earn a Rotary Citation for achieving goals that strengthen Rotary and your club. Goals include increasing club membership, developing sustainable service projects, giving to The Rotary Foundation, and building awareness of Rotary in your community. Club Presidents might choose to use the Citation as a good way of helping to direct their thoughts and plans during their Rotary year.
 
Follow the link below to find out more information.
 
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JOINT COMMUNICATION FROM ROTARY DISTRICTS 9810 and 9820
 
4th July 2021
 
Fellow Rotarians,
We write to inform you of a decision made by the Rotary International Board at their June 2021 meeting, the details of which are outlined below and which were conveyed to our Districts late on Tuesday 29th June.
 
DECISION: The Board
agrees to merge District 9810 and 9820 (Australia), effective 1 July 2024 (new district number to be determined), if District 9810 does not reach 1,100 members by 1 July 2022 and requests the districts to submit a Consolidation Plan to the Districting Committee by 1 December 2021.
 
In response to this information and following a meeting with the Immediate Past District Governors of both districts on Thursday 1 July, we have taken the following steps:
  • Held a joint meeting with the District Governors (DG), District Governors Elect (DGE) and District Governors Nominee (DGN) of both Districts to discuss our way forward.
  • Met separately with our key District Leaders, our Past District Governors and District Boards.
 
Both District Governors have agreed to work in a collaborative manner on submitting a Consolidation Plan by the due date as requested and will soon establish a Joint Working Party to begin the task.
As with every Rotary District in the world, both 9820 and 9810 will continue to work hard at increasing their memberships in the coming months and we look to all clubs to enact and address their potential and current member engagement and retention plans.
As we move around our Districts in the coming weeks on our official Club Visits, we invite comments and suggestions from you as we work together to respond to this RI Board and Districting Committee decision.
The important day to day work of Rotary in our Districts needs to continue, especially in the context of new Presidents and Boards just beginning their new Rotary year and we look to your support as we work in both Districts to ‘Serve To Change Lives.’
 
Bill Degnan and Daryl Moran
Governors of District 9820 and 9810
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Join Zoom Meeting
 
Meeting ID: 828 8053 0607
Passcode: 252603
 
 
Join Zoom Meeting
 
Meeting ID: 856 2856 0696
Passcode: 316144
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2022 DISTRICT CONFERENCE

For the first time since 2018, D9810 will be holding its own District Conference on 25th and 26th of March 2022. Friday 25th will be held online whilst Saturday 26th will be staged at in-person at the Caulfield Racecourse. Club Presidents will have a sneak preview of the program and arrangements at the monthly meeting with the DG on Friday 24th September and Registrations will open on 1st October. Find out more details in the short clip below, especially the theme for the Gala Dinner!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kkx9rH1SzBw

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DISTRICT CALENDAR 2021-22
 
DAY
DATE
DETAILS for SEMINARS and WORKSHOPS
Thu
12 Aug
 Serve to Save Lives Local/International Projects Forum
Mon
16 Aug
 Community Service Forum
Mon
23 Aug
 ClubRunner Tutorial
Thu
26 Aug
 Vocational Seminar
Mon
30 Aug
 Social Media Workshop
Mon
 6 Sep
 Connecting and Engaging with Rotary Alumni
Sun
3 Oct
 Membership and Public Image Seminar
Mon
14 Feb
 Youth Seminar
Fri
13 May
 Grants – Club Qualification and Planning Seminar
 
DAY
DATE
DETAILS for OTHER EVENTS
TBA
TBA
 Rotaract Changeover
Fri
8 Oct
 ARH ‘Lift the Lid’ Hat Day
Sun
24 Oct
 Polio Day. Paul Harris. Society Lunch. Launch of Foundation Month
Tue
9 Nov
 D9810 Foundation Oration. Launch of Centurion Week
Sun
21 Nov
 AG Briefing and Pre-PETS
Fri
26 Nov
 District AGM
Mon
6 Dec
 Interact L&D Day
Sat
12 Feb
 MDPETS
Sun
13 Feb
 MDPETS
Sun
20 Mar
 Shine-On Awards
Fri
25 Mar
 2022 District Conference (Online)
Sat
26 Mar
 2022 District Conference (In-Person)
Fri
29 Apr
 Malaria Awareness Day
Sat
25 Jun
 District Changeover Dinner
Fri
1 Jul
 D9810 40th Birthday Event
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Hi to all.
 
Welcome to a new Rotary year where once again I am looking forward to being the Editor.
 
Just a reminder that in 2021/22 the District Governors Newsletter will now again be a monthly edition.
 
If you would like to see any Newsletters from the current or previous years click here.
 
Also "Highlights" will continue during 2021/2022 and will be sent out on the third Monday of every month with the first edition of the year being on the 19th July. So please start sending me all your events you have planned in 2021/2022.
 
In the meantime you can view all the current events here
 
All the best
 
Michael Ellinger 
Rotary Club of Oakleigh Clayton Huntingdale
Highlights Editor
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