March 5th 2025

The month of March was flagged last week as being a busy month for the BBQ - (make sure the gas bottles are filled team!).  Well, it has started with a bang, the BBQ in Rosiland Park feeding participants of the Bendigo Fun Run was a BIG deal.  Many more than we anticipated, but fortunately the supermarket was only a quick sprint away (thanks Tim - perhaps you should enter the actual event next year).  Thanks to the team of volunteers who came together at such short notice.  MVP for this event has to go to PDG Ron who arrived at the event at 5am and worked the entire day - thank you Ron!  It was a great opportunity for our members and we are looking forward to next year's event.

The trip down the Calder to enjoy our meeting that was relocated to join with the Rotary Club of Castlemaine was an evening that ticked a lot of boxes.  We were treated to an evening of fellowship along with some extremely informative sessions that gave us a brilliant overview of how their club works in, and with, their community.  

• Rob Cordy, Art Show Chair spoke to how the art show raises funds but is also a quality outlet for local artists to gain exposure.  The event is run year to year within the guidelines of a template that has been developed over the years, a method that enables them to organise 150 individual artists and be confident in the security of some 450 entries.  Many community members are involved, leading to positive word of mouth promotion.
• Kerry Anderson is undertaking a major task in the coordination of the Club's forthcoming 90th Anniversary Celebration.  The event will be held on the 21st June and will honour the history of the club but will have a large emphasis on the present and the possibilities for the future.
• Lyndal McClure shared information about the Annual Christmas Carols event which now incorporates the annual presentations to the community groups.  This is a wonderful way to lift the profile of the grants provided by Rotary and increases the knowledge of the scope of how Rotary participates and contributes throughout the community.
• Gary McClure, a key organiser the Truck Show for 36 years, explained how originally the event was a fundraiser for the 'Miss Golden North Quest' but was eventually taken over by Rotary and has gone from strength to strength.  With an expansion that now includes many different categories, the entries come from Australia wide.  Most club members have a role to play and the volunteer capacity is boosted by some 150 volunteers in many different roles.  Sponsorship is paramount in the success of the event and incorporating a major naming sponsor has been a huge bonus for the event.

Thank you Castlemaine Rotary for your hospitality and the sharing of your wisdom - our members are in awe of your achievements and connections within your community

A thank you has been received from the Inner Wheel Club of Bendigo for the use of our Clubrooms for their recent fashion show and acknowledging the value of being able to use our facility for their meetings.

As we prepare for another BBQ (Bunnings - Saturday 8th) it's good to see our members jumping on board and filling the rosters for us.  

President Alison