Year 2013-2014.
David Power was President and Bryon Puddy Secretary, President David reported, this year’s Rotary theme has been “Engage Rotary/ Change Lives”. As the first person to serve a second year as President of the Rotary Club of Moe, it is interesting to reflect on Rotary over the time since I was last President in 1979/80. The world and Rotary have changed and yet there are still many similarities between Rotary and the world in 1979/80 to Rotary now and specifically to the Rotary Club of Moe in 2013/14.There are still many needs of our community whether at a local level or the world at large. The relevance of Rotary and its members providing service to the community has not changed. Congratulations to those that have been awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship. The awarding of a fellowship is recognition of the great contribution each of you have made. The recipients are as follows; PDG, PHF, Bryon Puddy (Double Sapphire),PP Wendy Farmer, PP Peter Kingsbury, Daryl Benjamin(Figure head of Moe’s Good Friday Appeal), Carmel Cook (Gippsland Rotary Centenary House), John Buckton (Lions Club of Moe).
Community Service. Chairman Alan Bishop reported, in September 2013, our first big program began with the construction of a new pavilion at the Botanic Gardens, nicknamed “Pash’s Pavilion”. Pash and his handy team constructed the structure, the slab was poured in October and when all was complete the seats were installed in late October, also in October Albert Street Primary School approached us to assist with the construction of garden beds. A team of enthusiastic club members assisted on the day and constructed the garden beds and tidied up the surrounding area with new chip bark. As a part of the donation from the Fun Run proceeds, we assisted the Moe Rail Trail Committee by purchasing and fitting three seats along the trail. During the month of February we sold Polio Pins for the Polio cause. With the help of Sharlee, Daryl and Barry we managed to sell 75% of the badges and raised approximately $200 for this cause. We assisted the Newborough Girl Guides with some ongoing maintenance issues. With the help of Evan and Pash, we were able to repair a section of floor boards and clean out rubbish from under the building. Our plan is to assist with painting the interior of the building. In February we held a Hat Night to raise funds for Men’s Health. Members attended the meeting wearing a variety of hats. Prizes were presented for the biggest, most colourful and silliest hats.
International Service. Chairman Daryl Larsen reported, the Bali project supporting the Banyuning SD3 Primary School was continued. This year in November we had a total of 19 Rotarians, partners and friends attend the school in the village of Bunutan. Our group was very pleased to see the completion of the toilet work, the class room painting, new chairs and desks as well as the installation of 3 new ceiling fans all done by a local builder on our behest. New school uniforms (scout style) were also purchased and presented at the school to hand out to all the children.
In February we held an International Theme Night at 101 Beers in Yarragon. We were all entertained with the owner regaling us about the history and types of international beers available. The BBQ was organised and run by Neil McCluskey as chief chef on the night. Our Youth Study Exchange student from Swifts Creek, Tom Boucher-Hill, returned home and gave us a thorough run down on his year in Germany. We have also received confirmation that we have Vincent Powitz - an incoming German student arriving in the new Rotary year as well as a potential outgoing student Mikayla Arnold.
RAWCS was again promoted through the Club by selling stickers for dinner badges. Rotary International Foundation was also again supported. We supported shelter boxes through Disaster Aid Australia. This year with the Philippines typhoon disaster we also supported Rotary’s International Aid initiative. The Rotary International Conference was held in Sydney and was well attended by Moe with 7 Rotarians attending. Bruce Paull, Peter Kingsbury, Lyn Cassar, Neil McCluskey, Kishor Mannai (with wife Reshma and son Joey), Wendy Farmer (with husband Brett) and Daryl Larsen.
Vocational Service. Chair Maureen Bishop reported, our year commenced with a presentation from three Lowanna Students who attended the MUNA program in May 2013. Nicole Walker, Tonya Ryan and Isa Pendragan gave a great insight into their experience representing Egypt. In May 2014 we sponsored and supported two more Lowanna students, Summer Scott and Wade Evans they, attended the Forest Edge two day camp and represented Columbia. In October 2013, our Club was pleased to present two local businesses with the Vocational Business Excellence Award. Andrew Parniak from” Butchers on George” and Michael and Carmel Tyler from “Moe Fresh Poultry”.
Our Pride of Workmanship Awards was once again held in early December at Old Gippstown. Students from 13 local schools were identified by their teachers as being enthusiastic and task driven students and deserving recipients of an award. Rotary Junior Community Awards was conducted this year for the first time. The grade 6 students from Elizabeth Street Primary School have to complete four areas of activities: Community Service, Physical Recreation, Skills and Social Experience and maintain a diary of their experience. In order to assist the students in the Social Experience section, we arranged for students to attend our weekly meeting and give a report on their project to date. The program will finish in October, when their diaries are collected and marked by Rotarian volunteers. Our Club will then organise a presentation for them to receive their certificates. The John Dwyer Citizenship Award was awarded to Max Lietzau from Lowanna College. Our participation in the John Flynn Scholarship continued this year with Julian Pavey a third year medical student joining us. The National Youth Science forum is to be held in January 2015. Kellie Wilson has applied and approached our Club for Support.
Membership 38. Gained 4. Lost 5. Attendance 85.6%
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