Well here we are at the end of the first quarter of the Rotary year and its been another Jam packed month. We got off to a vocational start with me taking part in Mock Job Interviews at Bayside College & Williamstown High and attending Rotary Richmond’s Excellence in Education awards where I got to meet and get to know their guest speaker Elida Brereton better known to most as Principal Ms Murray in Summer Height High.On Saturday 6th September I was honoured to attend the 3rd Annual Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards night. From 40 applications we got to meet the 16 finalists and then acknowledge the 2 winners being Szumai Anderson from Wildlife Victoria (Volunteer) and Barry Randall from Victoria Police (Paid). An uplifting night with two very deserving winners who now go on to represent our state in the National Final.
On Sunday 7th September I celebrated Father’s Day by attending the joint 9790/9800 Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment Camp held at Camp Getaway. Once again I was inspired not just by our dedicated volunteers who make this amazing event happen but to the young men and women willing to take the time to attend and learn more about themselves, new skills and make new friends.
During September I was able to visit a further 22 clubs in the district, bringing my total to 33 and thus over the half way mark of the total of 61. These visits are an opportunity to catch up with old friends but also meet new ones and share my thoughts about how we can collaborate to both strengthen and grow. I continue to be inspired by the wide range of activities being undertaken and thank all members, family and friends for their ongoing great work.
As you know I’m a great supporter of our Youth programs so was a pleasure to attend Rotary Werribee’s Young Womens Mental Health and Wellbeing night and also my pet project the Rotary Youth Sailing Challenge which on AFL Grand Final weekend took 8 students (4 from Bendigo area, and 1 each from Altona, Benalla, Brighton & Holbrook) on a 4 day voyage around Port Phillip bay on a replica of the sailing ship Enterprize).
On Sunday 21st September I was able to celebrate International Day of Peace at the official dedication of Peace Poles in Victoria Park Kew which are part of a Peace Garden being built by the Rotary clubs of Canterbury and Kew. On the same day Rotary Caroline Springs also had Peace Poles dedicated. Peace Poles are a great way to not just share the message of peace but also get you club name out in the community and provide a conversation starter. To encourage clubs to consider Peace Poles the district continues to provide 50% subsidy for any Peace Poles clubs want to purchase. See the District website for more details.
October will be another busy month and I am kicking it off by spending 4 days in Bendigo to visit all 5 clubs and take in their projects and all that Bendigo has to offer. I will also be taking part once again in the Rotary Walk with Us challenge to walk an extra 50kms above normal to raise much needed funds for End Polio. If you want to join in or are able to sponsor me please go to the website www.rotarywalkwithus.org
Unite for Good
Peter Shepheard
