Acting President – PP PHF Gayle Barrot
Welcome Guests
- Tanya Hill friend of Belinda
- On behalf of Catherine – warm welcome to Shelly Chiltern
Conference – Gala Dinner for partners only early bird tickets available @ $125 for the gala dinner only 14 tickets left!! Lots of activities to get involved in and Partner’s project for Monash Children’s Hospital around Maroona Lake - $25.
Accommodation – speak to Sangeeta.
Apologies were read out.
Melinda Moulday – Behind the Badge
Growing up, I had three brothers, and we lived in Keysborough. The market gardens in the area were great for playing around, and spending time with the farm kids was wonderful. I have always loved sports, particularly running and gymnastics.
When I was 10, my family moved to Macclesfield, where we had 12 acres of land but no other people around which was very different to Keysborough. Macclesfield Primary School had about 100 kids, which felt crowded compared to my previous school. We thought it was quite far away from everything and went to “town” in Emerald once a week for shopping.
I attended Emerald Secondary College as I wished to go to the local high school with my friends. During that time, I worked at the Avonsleigh store and later at Safeway in Monbulk. After finishing school, I went to Monash University to pursue a Science degree.
In 1994, I met Dan, and we’ve been hanging out ever since. We bought our first house in Emerald in 1997 and got married in 1999. Dan is into cars and has a Nissan Patrol 4WD, which we used for a big trip around Australia.
I started my teaching course the same day I went to check out the Diploma of Education program. (If you weren’t at the meeting, you should ask Melinda to share the story with you)! At one point in my teaching career I taught Don Borg’s daughter.
I have a passion for the beach, gardening in my veggie patch, and playing netball. Looking ahead, there are many adventures planned for the future!
Committee Reports
Community – PP PHF Tina McInerney
- Continued with projects from last year – for example, gift wrapping for Life View
- Vouchers are available for those in need at the pharmacy and petrol station
- We are again planning to support the hams at Christmas – for St Lukes Christmas hampers
- Next week speaker. Liz Grigg will talk about the Neighbourhood House therefore the Committee is waiting to find what is happening in this regard before we take more action
International – PP PHF Catherine Elfick
- You may have heard that in Gaza Polio cases are popping up due to the conditions people are living under. Please continue to support Polio Plus. Our club donation made the deadline and was tripled
- Russ Marnock reported on the club donation to a school in East Timor – the project has now successfully been completed
Youth – Kerith Cummins
- Gloria Ken and Lyn attended Model United Nations Assembly (MUNA) on Saturday. The club sponsored pupils from a school in Box Hill and a full report can be found HERE
- EarlyAct has joined the container deposit scheme as the pupils want new taps on the oval, every now and again please donate to Emerald PS as well a the club
- Primary School Speech Competition is coming up on 29 October – save the date!! Volunteer sheet will be coming around soon
Breakfast club Emerald Secondary College – if you have time Tuesday please volunteer. Lorna and Carol volunteer every week on a Friday – thank you so much they are unsung heroes!!
Vocational – PP PHF Gayle Barrot
- First Vocational event was held last Tuesday at the Station House, Gembrook - it was a great evening with some education on pizza making
- Mount Burnett Observatory evening is being planned
- PP PHF Ian Ash has organisation well under way for the Pride of Workmanship Awards at the Discovery Centre on 18 March 2025. Pride of Workmanship is an event the club organises where local businesses can put in a submission for an outstanding employee and that employee is awarded a POW award on the night. It is a great evening showcasing the club.
Membership Marketing PR – PP PHF Kristine Ash
- The notice board has been updated in town - current focus is on the KFRWPB as registrations are open
- Shalini continues to do a great job with her EVA newsletter article and continued relations with the local press
- Amber and Kris are working on social media and Sparkle
- Kris is maintaining the website
- There are a lot of moving parts and we have a master sheet to coordinate across all the PR channels to ensure all our activities get the appropriate coverage at the most impactful time. Please bear this in mind and reach out to MMPR if you would like additional information disseminated so that it doesn’t create unnecessary ‘noise’ for members.
If you haven't completed the Social Media Survey, please click HERE - it will really assist us in finding out how to communicate better!!
Environment - PP PHF Lorna Shaw on behalf of PDG PHF PP Ken Miller
- Bird nest boxes project is in hand and we are looking at a District grant for the project
- Recycling at the SES – please note the facility is open more days now
- The Committee is seeking a project in Gembrook
- The Committee is also working with Emerald Lake Park to find a project to work with them
Puffing Billy Running Festival – 8 Sept 2024 – don’t forget if you have volunteered for this!
Ali Bowyer was presented with her Rotary Badge
Toast to the Elderly – Sylvia Mason presented by PP PHF John Ritchie
I was born in Port Fairy and lived there until I was 16. I had an older sister named Myrtle, who often joked about being named after a cow. I loved playing the piano. I sang in the church and local choirs, even performing at the Blessing of the Fleet.
I attended the local high school and later Warrnambool Tech in Warrnambool, where I met my future husband, Norman. I moved to Melbourne to study industrial art at Emily MacPherson College for ladies, which later became RMIT. My specialty was sewing as a dressmaker. I worked at an exclusive Toorak dressmakers where we made and altered garments. During my studies, I lived at the Princess Mary Club, a hostel for girls with 150 residents. I earned $30 annually during this time and had to work for three years after graduation to pay off my diploma.
In 1956, I married Norman. I later became a textile teacher at Emily MacPherson College, living in Prahran and raising four children: Leanne, Trevor, Katherine, and Stuart. I eventually had nine grandchildren. As a textlle artist in spinning and weaving I taught at various senior technical colleges across Melbourne and regional Victoria. I also travelled extensively, visiting Europe, England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.
Now slowing down as a new resident, I look forward to my time of leisure at Emerald Glades.
Closing Remarks
- Thank you, Rowan for the fines session
- Thank you John for the Toast to the Elderly
- Thank you, Melinda – 22 August Melinda will be a 1 year member with our club
- Other anniversaries:
- 26 August – Lorna Shaw 16-year member
- Leading the pack PP PHF Russ Marnock 22 Aug 2006 – 18 years a member and happy birthday Russ
- Jenny Wakefield – happy birthday and happy birthday Lorna for the 25th August!!!
- Happy Birthday Lyn Beckwith on the 24th August
- Thank you to our guests for attending
