Looks like Eric Smith has been busy - the signage at the Mechanics has been updated. Previously a phone number was supplied for enquiries about facility hire - and has been outdated for many years. Now we have the club's website listed as the point of contact. Our thanks to Eric for surprising us with this update.
With the extension of the Regionalisation Pilot until June 30th 2028 the position of Rotary Community Leader for our area will be filled by Peter Shepheard from 1st July this year. Eaglehawk Rotarians will be familiar with Peter as he has frequented our club over the last couple of years, attending our Annual Changeover Dinners, and recently as the current District Governor. Peter was also a huge part of the success of the Bendigo District Conference for the year that PDG Ron Payne was Governor.
We look forward to working with Peter in his new role and exploring all that lies ahead in our area for Rotary and continuing our work in the community.
Another water issue at the Mechanics facility this week. This time a bubbling of water at the base of the tree on the nature strip (you know the one, the tree that has been dropping its branches and breaking our fence for the last few years!) A call to Coliban Water put the wheels in motion, and it was determined that the tree had caused damage to the water main. The City of Greater Bendigo have now removed the tree, and works are underway by Coliban Water to repair the damaged water main.
The facility looks a bit different without the tree, and it's disappointing that we now have no shade for the facility; however, the positive is that it's nice to no longer have the fear of those tree branches falling.
Members will recall when Harriet and her father Tim were guests of the club - one of the most moving and inspiring speakers that we have heard from. Tim has contacted us to let us know that Harriet's team will be playing in Bendigo shortly and I have included a copy of the draw.
I am sharing this in the hope that some of our members will be able to go along and support Harriet and her team - this is a great opportunity. If you decide to go along, wear your rotary shirt and show our club's support!
Further to my email on 8th May I am writing with an update to an area of the proposal which created much feedback.
I'm pleased to advise that upon review and reflection the part of the proposal about some clubs from D9790 and D9800 moving to the merged D9815/9830 has been reversed.
All clubs will remain in their current districts as part of the proposed merger. That means Brighton, Brighton North, Chadstone/East Malvern, Malvern, and Toorak will remain part of D9800 and along with the rest of the district will merge with D9780 and D9790 from 1/7/28 if the merger is approved.
I appreciate this part of the proposal was contentious and pleased that those clubs spoke up and the task force listened.
We will now await confirmation of the proposals to make the current 19 districts into 9.
There is a 'Minimising Risk' subject provided in Rotary's Learning Centre. The course only takes about 10 minutes to complete and is a vital reminder of our obligations as Rotarians and as a club as to what we can do to protect ourselves, our clubs, districts and the Rotary Brand. It is highly recommended you spend some time working through this exercise. In fact, have a look at the other areas that are provided too - this is a fantastic learning tool for us as Rotarians!
Our club changeover function is scheduled for Friday 26th June and will be held at the Mechanics. Whilst this has been in the club diary for a while now, we thought it was a good idea to remind everyone and ensure that it is prioritised in your diaries.
President Elect Lindsay may be away at the moment, but he has already put in place the plans for the night, and your invitations will arrive shortly. There will not be a cashier on the night of the function, so you will need to pay in advance, at either our regular dinner meetings or through the direct deposit details that will be included on the invitations.
President Elect Lindsay Walkington and Margaret - currently overseas, enjoying a well-earned break and getting quite excited for the year ahead.
As previously advised, we are collecting phones for this worthwhile cause. The collection box is in the meeting room at the Mechanics for members to drop their old phones into for donation. I am a little surprised that there aren't more phones in the box ....... perhaps we will see that change over the next week - here's hoping!!
