Bruce Radford was the meeting Sergeant, and he welcomed District Governor Mark Williams and visiting RC Glasshouse Country members Tony Long, Rex Shelton, Ilia Starkovsky and Jack Julius.
Two members celebrate significant Rotary anniversaries: Ken Hinkly celebrates 40 years of Rotary membership on 7 February, and Mike Healy celebrates 33 years on 10 February.
International Toast
Les gave the international toast to the Rotary Club of Mataram Lombok in Indonesia.
Les has visited the club a number of times, and he wanted to recognise the ability of Rotary clubs to partner with other clubs and the importance of grants. The current President is Ace Robin, who has received many humanitarian awards. She has been President of the club since 2018. In 2006 our own club contributed $4,000, along with matching grants from District and Rotary International to provide 100 biosand water filters for the local community. Since then other partnerships and grants have enabled thousands of filters to be installed in schools and villages.
Directors Moments
President David asked DG Mark Williams to present Ken Hinkly with a 5 sapphire PHF, representing Ken’s significant commitment to the Rotary Foundation.
President David also thanked members who ran the recent BBQ at Bunnings, which raised $1801 for the Club to put towards charitable causes. There is another BBQ at Bunnings on 22 February, see the sign-up email sent by Ross if you can help.
Suzanne mentioned the Bunnings BBQs and the ROMAC trivia night, which is on Thursday, 5 March. She and Will are approaching local business in the coming weeks for raffle prizes.
Bruce thanked Greig and Suzanne for everything they did organising and running the Christmas trailer raffle, which was our most successful ever raising $28,524.
District Governor Mark Williams
President David introduced Mark, who started by telling us that he missed two AGMs at his club and got elected Secretary. (Hint, don’t miss our AGM in December – if you do, you may get elected to a Director role for next Rotary year!)
Mark stated there are three key entities in Rotary:
1. Clubs are the heart of Rotary, and we have a worldwide fellowship of clubs.
2. Rotary International is the overarching body.
District Governors support RI through membership.
Our District has a membership action plan to retain current members and attract new members.
District are running the Rotary Leadership Institute, normally run at Bostock House in Brisbane, however there will be one run on the Sunshine Coast before June.
District has also created a new club establishment taskforce.
3. Rotary Foundation, which gives us the ability to do both small and large things.
Peace Centre, cohort of 10 commenced this year
Fight to eradicate Polio, still a challenge 40 years on
Polio Plus Challenge, encouraging clubs and members to donate
Mark is encouraging clubs and members to donate to the District 9620 Glen Kinross AO Memorial Fund.
Mark is also encouraging clubs to submit a District grant application by 31 May, for service projects. He would like to see 50 applications from across the district.
Mark’s closing statement was about Rotary’s vision - Together, we see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change - across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
As Rotarians we prove year after year that people can be good and kind.
President David and Rex Shelton from the Rotary Club of Glasshouse Country thanked Mark. Rex also commented he often gets asked “What is Rotary?”. For Rex, Rotary is what fits you and is sincere. People join Rotary for fellowship, connection and service. Its where we get together and solve problems for other people.
Meeting wrap-up
Rex ran Riki Tiki, which was won by Eve.
Bruce fined people based on the ancestry of their surname - that was a bit of fun!
Next meeting is Thursday, 12 February, at which Isabella Buckland will be speaking on her National Youth Science Forum experience. RSVP by 16th February - 5pm please!
