(Unfortunately Brian’s brother is still not well, and we wish them both the best. So again you will have to cope with the stand in Editor ! )
The full program through to July, is now on the website and the side column of this Bulletin, and it includes
This week - May 12 – Guest Speaker – Perri Curtis – How your Brain Works. We will also have as a guest Mardi Shepherd, District 9820 Chair of Australian Rotary Health and a member of Langwarrin Club.
May 19 – Social Dinner at Mt.Martha Chinese
May 26 – Dinner and Tour of the new Mornington Community Centre, with dinner catered for by Homeground.
It is really important you let Eileen know who you are bringing or if you are not coming.
Last week our Youth Night coincided with Rotary Youth Month – and what a night it was ! Thanks to John R for organising it and this report.
This week’s youth focus meeting reminded us all of some of the range of Rotary activities that support young members of our community.
From Mornington Primary, Suzie Keil accompanied by Principal Susan Mattingly told us about
the Phonological Reading Program at the junior levels of the school. She strongly emphasised the vital part reading plays in the development and success of students in today’s world where communication skills are so vital. Suzie told us of the positive impact on student reading (and spelling) that the program was already having. We provided some of the sets of books needed for this program. The school is keen to continue to expand the titles of books in this program with an identified need for some ‘non-fiction’ books that seem to appeal to boys particularly.
Padua student Ben Hansen with parents David and Sarah spoke of his passion for Science and the enjoyment he gained from the online National Youth Science Forum he attended in the
January holiday break. Although disappointed that the program was unable to be held in Canberra, as planned originally, Ben made the most of it and gained a greater appreciation of various aspects of Science. He spoke of the on line tour of the large Hadron Collider in Geneva, Switzerland. This is the world’s largest particle accelerator with its 27 km ring of superconducting magnets. Ben also spoke of his plans for this year and his desire next year to begin an environmental engineering course at a university. A fine young man in our community. We wish him every success.
Francesca Di Paulo a graduate from Mornington Secondary College delighted us with a really avant-garde short video "Motherland" showing overlapping images and strong voice-over comments detailing key aspects of her life. This involved aspects of her migration from Italy, her relationships with her mother and family members, her worries, her concerns, her religion, and her teenage challenges. This Video was submitted as the final piece in her Arts program at VCE. It was selected for the Top Arts exhibition. This exhibition features the best of photography, drawing, painting, sculpture, mixed media, ceramics, textiles and film produced by VCE Art and Studio Art students. It is held at the Ian Potter centre and curated by the National gallery of Victoria. Great work by local student Francesca. View the video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8s1W8E0jN0
Also from Mornington Secondary College was Maiana Cameron, year 11 School Captain and voting member of the School Council. Maiana spoke about the challenge she faced during the COVID lockdown and how difficult it was to stay focussed and on task during this time. On-line lessons and zoom meetings with fellow students kept her in touch with friends and her teachers. She spoke highly of the effort teachers put in during this lock down although some hiccups occurred from time to time. The re-entry to face-face-teaching has been a little difficult but the school with extra tutors has worked hard to assist those who need additional support. Accompanying Francesca and Maiana were Principal Linda Stanton and Assistant Principal Jim Pappas.
Our final speaker for the evening was Assistant Principal Susan Cahill from Moorooduc Primary School. Susan told us about a most interesting and innovative program called “Racing
Hearts”. This program, involving the use of older ex-race horses, aims to connect with those students who need special support to link them back to the educative process. It does involve students listening to their ‘inner voice’ and recognising and understanding their feelings that may vary from day to day. The animals are used to engender personal development and provide a stimulating and confidence building experience outside the normal school program. Susan spoke of the success observed among the small group that have just completed this first program which our club funded. Improved school attendance and learning confidence has been observed among the students who have completed the program. Susan has sourced funding for a second program and is hopeful that racing Victoria may provide a broader funding base for its expansion across other areas.
All in all a most interesting and different night for our Rotary Club. A special thanks to Eileen and Ross for their hard work to support the evening.
District Assembly Sunday 23rd May This is the main Education and Information and Education activity conducted by the District each year. You should have received an email from District about it. It is being conducted on line. The first part can be done at any time, the second on Youth Protection and Insurance is on the Saturday, and on Sunday is the Main Plenary and then sessions for the President Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and then sessions for each Rotary Avenues of Service. Topic Information and registration links are here https://rotary9820.org.au/sitepage/district-assembly-2021/. I do recommend the Sunday to anyone who wants to understand more about Rotary.
Peninsula Voice’s next Forum “Is gambling harm your blindspot?” Thursday, 20 May 2021 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Peninsula Community Theatre, 91 Wilsons Road, Mornington. Details at https://peninsulavoice.org.au/
Mt.Eliza Rotary is celebrating 50 years on Tuesday May 25th, at the Ranelagh Club. If you would like to join me in attending please let me know.
District Conference May 1 Peter Orton and I both attended the live mini conference at Nossal High School Berwick. (we didn’t attend the multi district on line conference, of all the Victorian Districts, that preceded it, and also followed it on Sunday) .
My summary is that the condensed conference probably achieved much that a full conference achieves and it was a good use of time.
The face to face Conference had around 160 attendees, from nearly 30 clubs in Gippsland and the Peninsula, and ran from 3.30pm to 5.30 pm, followed by drinks and a dinner.
The formalities
There was recognition of 49 Rotarians who had passed away, from the District in the last two years, including Arthur Morton and Bruce Davis from Mornington.
There was recognition of the Ride to Conference which has raised over $1.1m in 20 years but has now discontinued due to the age of the participants.
There was thanks to Linda Morris and Mt.Eliza, for the enormous job of organising the conference in the few weeks since it became apparent that it could be run face to face, and recognition of Bill Degnan as the incoming DG and Paul Mee from Rosebud as the DG elect.
Avenues of Service
There were brief reports on several of the avenues of service and key topics.
Australian Rotary Health, Mardi Shepard, District Chair gave a very good presentation on Australian Rotary Health. There was good recognition of Ian Scott and Mornington’s role and promotion of the 40th Anniversary Dinner in Mornington on Friday August 20 2021.
Youth Robert Cook, gave an excellent presentation on Youth, the various programs and pathway. Please look at the website https://www.youth.rotary9820.org.au/ which is an excellent summary of this. A couple of noteworthy items beyond this - There are 4 Interact Clubs in the District and a new one at Frankston High School.
- Applications for this years NYSF are now open and MUNA opens this week.
Membership Linda Humphries is taking over Chair of this and took the opportunity to include an interview with Cr. Steve Holland about why he has chosen to join Mt.Eliza’s new Satellite Club rather than a conventional Rotary Club. A very sharp interview that highlighted a whole generation of people who want to contribute to their community but don’t want the formal structure and weekly time obligations Rotary expects.
International Rather than a presentation this took the form of recognition of the Clubs who have contributed to Foundation.
Five clubs were presented Bronze Awards for having contributed an accumulated amount over time of >US$100k
- Mt.Eliza
- Rosebud Rye
- Berwick
- Pakenham
- Frankston
The clubs who have contributed the most per member in the last year are
- Rosebud Rye - $500
- Berwick - $250
- Frankston North $300
Next Year
The 2022 District Conference is at Traralgon on February 25-27 2022.
Regards
Ross
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