Visit by Rotary District Representatives On Wednesday night, February 3, the club had two District 9820 guests, Stephen Daly as Assistant Governor, responsible or the eight Mornington Peninsula Clubs, who was our speaker for the evening, and Bill Degnan, accompanied by his wife Judy. Bill is the District Governor nominee, meaning he will be District Governor in 2021-22. He has been taking advantage of a short holiday from Traralgon, staying on the Peninsula, to visit, and get to know some of the Peninsula clubs. Stephen started his talk by recognising the success of this years Art Show (in fact he was a buyer), and the achievement of all of our club members involved in running it. He then outlined the benefits, of working as a cluster, essentially as two heads are better then one, it is likely that eight clubs working together can achieve more. He gave an example of the recent cooperation between Rosebud with their Furniture Warehouse and truck, assisting Mt.Eliza to move a range of furniture they had assembled to the bushfire area. On the subject of the Bushfires he highlighted that round $73k had been contributed by the Cluster Clubs to the Bairnsdale Fire Relief Fund, and is aiming for this to exceed $100k with the Cluster Fund Raising Dinner on Wednesday April 15th. (more details in the next few weeks). Stephen noted that he has convened several Cluster Presidents meetings this year, and there is another one this Sunday. One challenge the Presidents have been asked to address is whether there is a large Cluster Project that could be suitable for celebration of the the Rotary Centenary Recognition next year. Ideas are currently being sought. One that has emerged is whether Rotary clubs can play a role in the Bay Trails, walking and cycling paths that are planned by Local and State Governments that will link the top and bottom of the Peninsula, and both the Bays. Whilst Rotary many not build them, there are a range of community enhancements we might participate in, including vegetation, signage, rest stops etc. More ideas and details will emerge over the next few weeks, as Presidents take these ideas back to their clubs for discussion by members. What’s coming up ? This week, the 12th, we will have a Youth Speaker night including our recently returned Youth Program participant, Freya, speaking of her experience in Denmark, and Hannah telling us of her RLYA week. John will Chair that night . Our next Bunnings BBQ is on Friday Feb 14 and David L, is running it, and still has a couple of vacant spots. On the 19th is a Board Meeting that will firm up some recommendations on what projects we should pursue and where our funds should be invested this year for our members to resolve at our full meeting on February 26. In March we start with a great feature speaker, one of Australia’s top rated Financial Advisers, Paul Nicol. For anyone interested in superannuation or investment this will be a great night. The next week we have Kristy Kendall, Principal of Toorak College and then the week after that a full report on the Art Show. |