Hold on to your hats because May is going to be whirlwind! A whirlwind of activity, that is. There’s so much on that it’s hard to keep track but, in an endeavour to help, I have added info and links for those that are part of our District activity.
Unfortunately though, I have to report that the Picnic in the Park event has been cancelled. When Parks Victoria delayed permit approval for so long, the committee decided there was not enough time to build the person-power required or to make the complex arrangements necessary to make the event a success. Such a disappointment that our major event to celebrate R100, and the only opportunity this year for the District to come together, now won’t happen. Every sympathy for DGN Ken Miller and his team – it’s such a difficult decision to have to make. In the face if this disappointment, I hope to see maximum numbers at the on-line conference this weekend and at District Changeover on June 26.
Governor’s travels this fortnight are quite extensive with activities all over the place. Including some R100 events and plenty of other Rotary activities.
Very exciting event for me in the last fortnight – I inducted my son into Rotary! See the story below.
It’s World Immunisation Week this week and to help your club to recognise the event, I have added a link to a great new video – 2 minutes of Rotary gold!
On 7 May, D9810 will be holding a Presidents’ and District Leaders’ meeting. It’s our first in-person meeting for the year as well as our last meeting for the year. All current and in-coming Presidents are invited as well as current and in-coming AGs, District Chairs, and members of the College of Governors. You will have received an invitation from District Secretary Judith Eadon. Please be sure to RSVP so we know we have sufficient capacity.
Also, at the District meeting copies of the Centenary Book will be available for sale. See below.
Other items in Open Doors this week include;
- Become a Centennial Centurion
- A couple of items about Rotary logos and signage
- Three RAWCS items – RAWCS basics, DIK and Cyclone Seroja appeal.
Plus, of course, lots, lots more.
See you at conference.
Governor’s Travels
Lots in the DG diary this past fortnight.
On Sunday 11 April, the Whitehorse baton relay and Centenary dinner took place (see below). Although the day was cold and wet the turnout was fantastic. I know a great deal of effort went into organising the day and I congratulate all involved. The pic at left was taken at Box Hill Town Hall where I met up with members of RC Box Hill Burwood, MASH and Whitehorse Rotaractors. The pic on the right was taken at Rise and Grind where NewGen Rotary meets. Here with members of MASH, Nunawading, and Mount Waverley. The final pics were taken at the Acre restaurant in Burwood where the “big baton” was on display and the two batons of the day’s events were held aloft in a victory salute! For more pics of this fabulous day click here for the Baton Relay Gallery put together by Lyndon Smith (it’s really worth having a look).
On Tuesday 13 April, I was at RC Emerald with visitors from RC Monbulk & District and RC Belgrave for the launch og their cluster Youth Wellbeing project in conjunction with Sport and Life Education and Tribe Youth. Here I am with various presenters and Rotarians including AG Brian Hodgson (right rear).
On Saturday 77 April another R100 celebration with members of the RCs of Lilydale, Croydon Montrose, Nunawading Maroondah, Emerald, MASH and Manningham. Also present the Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Kylie Spiers, Cr Suzy Stojanovic and Cr Marijke Graham. Rotarians walked around Ringwood Lake and handed out sweets and cakes to all the folk they encountered. On the way around we stopped to admire the Rotary Peace Garden, a project of RC Ringwood (now Maroondah) opened in 2015. Words on the plaque there are;
“This garden is a symbol of International Peace.
May all whopass by this place pause and meditate on peace – the ultimate ideal of the human state – and reflect on the unity of men women and children as One People”.
On Tuesday 20 April I had the priviledge of attending the opening of an entrance shelter at Yarra View Nursery. The nursery is a social enterprise employing more than 70 people with intellectual and other disabilities. The shelter was a project of RC of Lilydale which managed to gather many donations in kind from local businesses to complement their funding input to complete the project Well done to all concerned – a great job. Pics show the magnificent shelter complete with concrete floor, colourbond roof, plaster ceiling, and electricity. Next pic shows PDG Patrick Hartley, Scott Buckland (GM of Yarra View Nursery), Pres Madalyn Parlet and me. Note the great signage!
On Wednesday 21 April, I attended the RC Boronia Anzac day commemoration for schools at the Tim Neville Arboretum in Ferntree Gully and on Friday 23 I attended the RC Noble Park Dingley Anzac day commenoration for schools at Dingley Village. Both wonderful occasions and an important part of ensuring the history and respect of the Anzac tradition are passed on through the generations. Pic on left shows the attendees at the Boronia event and on right IPP Peter Behm (RC Noble Park Dingley) and I in front of the beautiful war memorial at Dingley Village.
The actual date of the 100th birthday of Rotary in Australia was celebrated at the RC Knox dinner event with a “roaring 20s” theme. This was a fun night complete with interactive entertainment from swing dancers who had the whole group in motion with authentic jazz age moves. Lots of fun and a great night. Pics show AG Mike Finke and me and the celebratory cake.
On Saturday 24 April RCs Ferntree Gully and Bayswater held a baton walk around the Tim Neville Arboretum Park in Ferntree Gully. A small but enthusiastic group completed one lap of the park and those with more energy and/of fitness completed a further one or two laps. Rotarians stayed on for a barbeque lunch and some Rotary birthday cake.
On Anzac Day I attended the dawn service at Halliday Park, Mitcham. A good crowd started arriving about 5.30am for the 6 o’clock start. RC Mitcham plays a leading role in this event with Rtn Peter McPhee acting as MC and District Secretary Judith Eadon (RC Nunawading) presenting a reading. Plenty of Rotary representation including Crs Prue Cutts (RC Mitcham) and Cr Ben Stenett (RC Nunawading). Pic shows me with Judith after the ceremony.
Governor Inducts Son
As part of the Whitehorse Cluster Baton Relay event, I had the privilege of inducting two new Rotarians into the RC Nunawading NewGen Satellite. The first was former District Rotaract Representative, Naomi Fergusson and the second was my son, Perry Byrnes. This was a very proud moment for a proud mum. Did I mention I’m very proud of my son? I’m also one very happy DG!
Coming Events
Don’t miss any of these great events coming up in May. Remember to register for both the Virtual Victoria conference and the D9810 breakout session.
ROTARY CLUB OF SPRINGVALE CITY
End Polio Now Fundraising Night
On SATURDAY 22ND May 2021 at 6:30pm
MAXIMS RESTAURANT Level 1/17 Balmoral Avenue, SPRINGVALE
Cost: $60 pp for 5 Course Banquet Dinner Includes: Tea and Soft Dinks
Alcohol at bar prices
RSVP: By Monday 17th May 2021 with any special dietary requirements to:
Loc Huu Lam, President
Mobile: 0425 806 006
loclam1@gmail.com
Angelina Colombino
Mobile: 0402 168 935
All Victoria Interactors welcome to this virtual event.
For more information contact event Chair, Des O’Shanassy on 0401 287 050 or by email at desoshanassy@hotmail.com Or contact the D9810 Interact Chair, Salwan Shahine of RC Doncaster.
R100 Book “Humanity in Action” on sale in D9810
“Humanity in Action” book will be available for sale at the District Presidents’ and Leaders’ meeting on 7 May.
To order the books individually costs $25 plus $14.95 postage and handling. Greg and I have purchased 40 of the books and will sell them at the meeting for $30 each.
If we sell them all we will make a small profit on the deal which we will donate to End Polio Now.
If you or other members of your club are interested in purchasing a copy, remember to look for Greg King on the night.
World Immunisation Week – 24 to 30 April
This week is World Immunisation Week and a good week for each club to consider its End Polio Now donation for this year. If your club needs some inspiration, this video will be a significant motivator. Only 2 minutes but well worth showing at your club. https://cdn2.webdamdb.com/md_ATxV56VXabE1.mp4?1616510175
Become a Century Centurion
This month, Rotary marks 100 years of service in Australia and New Zealand and one great way for Zone 8 Rotarians to celebrate is by becoming a ‘Centenary Centurion’!
While The Rotary Foundation is the beneficiary of the Centurion program, it is actually a program that was created by the districts of Australia and New Zealand. What’s unique is that the pledge of $100 or more is expressed in Australian dollars. This simplicity, along with the manageable size of the pledge, has made Centurion very popular with Rotarians.
Please consider becoming a Century Centurion by pledging $100 each year to the Annual Fund.
Your club can become a Centenary Centurion Club by having100% of their members become Centurions. For more information contact Ian Donald of RC Monash.
Rotary Club Clothing and the Rotary Logo
From time-to-time clubs decide that they need new club shirts or jackets or hats. If that time is coming for your club, then BEWARE. Many suppliers and embroiderers will tell you they have a Rotary logo on file and will look after it all for you, but they probably have the old logo and not the new (7 years’ old!) logo. It is vital that care is taken to ensure the new logo is used. Full artwork can be devised and downloaded for your club by going to the Brand Centre at https://www.rotary.org/en - you’ll have to log in.
Time Refresh Your Signage
While we’re on the topic of the Rotary logo, after more than seven years, it’s time for all clubs to review and refresh all instances of Rotary logos. Those sandwich boards, all weather banners and club signs need to be updated to the new sign format. The signs at the entrance to your area or city also need to be checked and the old ones either taken down or replaced. Don’t make me go out and take photos!
RAWCS Basics
You’ve heard of RAWCS, right? Are you not sure what it’s really all about and don’t know who to ask? Here’s a great short (less than 2 minutes) video designed as an introduction to RAWCS for Rotarians. See it here: (20+) Facebook
Donations In Kind
Many of you will have heard me talk about what a fascinating and amazing place is the DIK warehouse in West Footscray. If your club hasn’t been on a visit recently, I highly recommend you do. I hesitate to say “if you can’t get there watch this video” so let’s just say that for a great preview of your visit click on the link. http://mediarss.com.au/RotaryTV3/
Cyclone Seroja Relief Appeal
A relief fund has been established to receive donations to help out those families and businesses in towns like Kalbarri, Northampton and a several other Townships in the Mid-West areas of Western Australia affected by the destruction caused by Cyclone Seroja, it would be appreciated if you could pass this onto the clubs and Rotary members in your districts.
Diversity Equity and Inclusion in the Expanding World of Rotary International
RI Convention Bookings Now Open
Enjoy a special rate of $49 through 7 May 2021. After that, the registration fee is $65.
You can also join us early at a preconvention, 10-11 June, for Intercountry Committees, Rotaract, and Rotary Youth Exchange officers. Each preconvention will cost an additional $20.
The 2021 Virtual Rotary Convention and pre-conventions are open to all Rotary members and participants and include access to the virtual House of Friendship.
Don’t forget to visit the convention event page on Facebook to connect with others and stay up-to-date on event news and program highlights!
New WASRAG Newsletter Available Now
Clubs working on or interested in water and sanitation projects will be interested in the April issue of the WASRAG Newsletter.
Also, this year's World Water Summit which will be an online event and will focus on the crisis on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in healthcare facilities (HCFs).
It is reported that in least developed countries that 22% of health care facilities have no water service and 21% lack sanitation service.
Confirmed speakers are Joanne McGriff, Emory University and John Oldfield, Global Water 2020
Register by clicking on the links below;
Food Plant Solutions
One of my favourite Rotary Action Groups is Food Plant Solutions. Any club that has made strong contacts with an overseas community especially through current or recent projects is encouraged to check this great RAG. If food security or nutrition are concerns in the Community Needs Analysis, then it’s likely that FPS can help. To get an idea of what they do see their April newsletter and then explore the website. https://foodplantsolutions.org/april-2021-newsletter/
Regards,
Don’t miss your chance to connect with Rotary members at the 
On the Study tour I also became familiar with the work of Spend It Well a small charity with a big impact. They have partnered with the Balibo House Trust and Rotary Clubs including Bentleigh Moorabbin Central, Port Melbourne, Keilor and now Emerald & Dist to build and equip a number of schools, toilets and water supplies. Having great people on the ground and thanks to the generosity of donors they have been able to respond very quickly and effectively distributing immediate aid. 
