Dear Everyone,
Last Tuesday night’s meeting was a very enjoyable one as both speakers, Sue Gregory and DGN Ken gave very interesting talks. And it was lovely that PP Heather Nielsen joined us for the evening.
Please do not come to the Pub this Tuesday night as we will not be meeting there; we are supporting Cluster Club Monbulk and their Wine-tasting Fundraiser at the Monbulk Sports Pavilion instead. Nibbles are provided but you should perhaps have a large or late lunch.
This week I would like to talk about our Trash2Treasure Market. I have volunteered to take over filling the roster, and it has been suggested to me that, for the June one, I use the same roster as for the May Market, but I have these provisos: I am not assuming that you will always be available each month to do the duty you did in May. Secondly, the Market Committee has decided that as most patrons come through School Gate 1 on Heroes Avenue, we will not have members stationed at School Gate 2 near the Emerald Medical Centre. That will be for vehicular access only for the Stallholders. This decision means that we can eliminate the need for three people to be there. We do, however, need a minimum of 20 workers to run the Market. It is essential that we have some Rotarians for setting up and packing up, and to be on the Gate and at the Membership Stand. But regarding the Sausage Sizzle, one Rotarian is necessary, but the other two could be friends or partners, and this has happened in the past with Heidi Ravenscroft, Henk and Peter Dompietro. By asking our willing friends to help out from time to time, we can cover for our members whom we can’t expect to work for hours on end, and who have other commitments at times on Market days.
As I mentioned at a Club meeting a couple of weeks ago, the money the Market brings in does not go exclusively into the Operations Account for public awareness campaigns. Since the introduction of the Sausage Sizzle at the April Market, the money raised by it goes into the Fundraising Account. And as the Market will require less investment over time, it is hoped that more and more profits will be able to be diverted into Fundraising.
Can we all please make the effort to go all out to get the Market known for the 5th of June? The stallholders present their merchandise very attractively but we need the foot traffic, i.e. more customers; the stallholders deserve more patronage. Catherine has been working hard to put out signs, and there will hopefully be more signage next month at the four roundabouts, as well as at some intersections. We have Rotary balloons stashed somewhere I believe; could they not be used to attract attention with the signs around town? Members who live further out, for example, at Berwick, Gembrook, Monbulk, Pakenham and Upper Beaconsfield will be asked if they can place signs strategically where motorists are more likely to see them. Those taking children to and from school beyond Emerald could also look out for good locations for signs.
I intend to text the people I invited to the last Pride of Workmanship Awards to invite them to come to the Market and say hello, and perhaps buy a delicious sausage. Could you please do the same with your friends and contacts, and the people you invited to the Awards presentation? Can we all please make a concerted effort to let the people know about our Market, as it is a bit out of the way of the main streets of Emerald?
It’s not long to go now and the excitement is building for our R100 Celebrations on Saturday the 22nd of May. It is going to be an unforgettable train ride from Belgrave to Nobelius Packing Shed, with Puffing Billy and the stations decorated with Rotary banners showcasing our 100 years of service in Australia and New Zealand. On board will be wonderful dignitaries, DG Alma and husband Greg, PDG Shia, DGE Daryl, DGN Ken, and former Cardinia Mayor Graeme Moore to name a few. And importantly too, we will be sharing the happy occasion with many primary school children and secondary school musicians.
N.B. We are still looking for more volunteers to set up a table with Rotary information and a banner, and take enquiries from the public on the Emerald Station between approximately 11.30 and 1.00pm. This is really important as our celebration may be the impetus for some to finally approach the Club regarding joining.
Have you registered for the District Training Assembly running from Sunday 23rd of May to Sunday 30th of May? There are many excellent workshops on offer and you will learn so much to help you with your role, even if you have done it before, and better support incoming President Shalini in the new Rotary year.
Thank you’s this week to:
- Kerry and Sangeeta for volunteering to “person” the Membership Stand at Emerald Station during the R100 celebrations. More volunteers are needed please!!
- Ian Wakefield for his excellent organisational skills in bringing our R100 Celebrations to fruition.
- Ian Wakefield and team for finding three worthy candidates for the McLeod-Murphy Scholarship.
- Ros for her help in publicising the M-M Scholarship and our R100 event to the community.
- Tina, Ian Ash, Kris and Martin for their work in applying for District Recognitions.
- Kris for updating the Website with news from the International and Youth Service Committees.
- for giving us insight into the workings of District in his KYR talk. His future KYR should focus on the very interesting life he has led.
- Roy for negotiating with Cardinia Council for our All-American Car Display event next year and beyond.
- Shalini for accompanying me to the District Grants Seminar on Friday night. Ken appeared via Zoom.
- The Deb Ball Committee for supervising the Thursday night dancing lessons.
**This Tuesday night on the 18th of May it’s fun and games! Our meeting is cancelled!
We will not be meeting at the Pub but at the Monbulk Sports Pavilion at 6:15pm. supporting the RC of Monbulk and District’s Wine-Tasting Fundraiser! Please bring
your $10 payment.
**Next week: on the 25th of May, it’s Club Assembly again! - so much to look forward to!
**The following week: on the 1st of June, our guest speaker is Sandra Goss, a fantastic local physiotherapist and horsewoman, who will help us to enjoy good health in our golden and twilight years.
Stay safe and stay Rotary Even Prouder.
Yours in Rotary,
Vicki.
