Rotary is an amazing community service organisation with the ability to network to create wonderful outcomes!

 

DGE Paul Mees contacted current Presidents via AG Tim Wills about a group of Fijians who have been contracted to work at a local abattoir.

 

Coming from a much warmer climate, winter clothing was identified as an immediate need and I spoke about this at our Board meeting on Monday night. Since then, Moe Rotarian Rhonda Crooks has contacted me, and I have called the President of the Rotary Club of Morwell, David McInnes, to seek further information.

Apparently, through Morwell Rotarian, Mike Answerth, and his contacts at Vinnies in Morwell, warm winter clothing, particularly jackets and pants, have been sourced for sixteen men and four women.

 

Taking a step further, a BBQ is being organised at the Moe Botanic Gardens on Saturday 7 May. Morwell Rotarians are keen to be involved and I am hoping Moe Rotarians will join in and set up our BBQ onsite. Finer catering details are yet to be organised. Volunteers to assist with the BBQ will be sought at our meeting on Monday night.

 

This is a great opportunity for Rotarians to be seen as ‘People of Action’ and to extend the hand of friendship and to invite the Fijians along to events/activities. They will be here for about 3 years and that is a long time to be away from loved ones and extended family. Culturally, it will be a daunting to experience a different way of living initially, under very cold wintery conditions.

 

Therefore, the BBQ will be very social in nature and will seek to provide a setting for all to get to know each other and find ways to connect and make a difference. Please keep Saturday 7 May free and more information will be shared closer to the date.

 

On Monday night, we will have a Club Assembly meeting where committee chairs will report back to members, Secretary Maureen Bishop will provide an update of key correspondence and progress re. Annual Report, and other members are most welcome to share updates, news, and welfare items.

 

As I am awaiting a negative RAT result, I have asked PP Helen Morrison to step in and chair the meeting on my behalf. I will be there but will be confined to the screen!

 

Thank you, Jamie Hunt, for overseeing the Zoom component of the meeting. Jamie will send out a Zoom link on Sunday evening to all members so if you are not feeling well, please join me in Zoom land.

 

I am also pleased that Sandy Auger will again join our meeting as a guest.

 

Enjoy what looks like will be another gorgeous weekend of autumnal weather, and I look forward to seeing everyone, from a distance, on Monday night.