Sparkle 45 #18 29 October 2024 (Oct. 29, 2024)

Thank you to Vicki for taking the minutes this week :)

Last Week's Meeting - 22 October 2024

Pres Kelly Announcements

Welcomed our guest speakers: Acting Senior Sergeant Mark Muckley, Emerald Police & John Wall, Emersleigh Estate Emerald Winery and guest Paul Stevenson.
Introduced Carol Cain to read out the Apologies received.

Re the email asking for expressions of interest to join the Presidential Nominating Committee for the presidential year 2026-7, thank you to all who replied. Those joining Past President Sangeeta, President Kelly and President-Elect Peter are PPs Ian Ash, Ian Wakefield and PP DGN Emma Clark. A vote was taken endorsing those selected.
The Paul Harris Fellow Nominating Committee has also been formed.
Thank you to the Emerald Jolly Walkers for doing the EndPolioNow walk on Sunday.
Tomorrow night Wednesday is the Emerald Citizen of The Year Awards Night at The Hub. Tina will represent our Club.
Kelly received an email regarding Remembrance Day 11 November, the ceremony will take place at the Cenotaph opposite the Commonwealth Bank.
This Sunday is the Puffing Billy Running Festival and those who have volunteered to help need to arrive by 8 am.

President Kelly welcomed Chairperson PHF John Henderson who has been greatly missed over the last month. John’s introduction of Acting Senior Sergeant Mark Muckley was peppered with his characteristic witticisms, e.g. Gloria Hargreaves was wearing a mask to avoid detection.

Acting Senior Sergeant Mark Muckley

We were proud to introduce one of our dedicated officers originally from West Yorkshire, England, who currently serves as a Sergeant at Narre Warren in Casey. Recently appointed as Acting Sergeant in Emerald, he is eager to engage with the community and has prepared flyers and handouts to help spread important information.

In recent news, crime statistics in Cardinia Shire indicate a 17% increase this financial year, equating to 4,222 crimes per 100,000 people. While this figure is indeed concerning, it is worth noting that it remains below the state average for Victoria. The predominant crimes reported statewide include theft from motor vehicles, breaches of family violence orders, retail theft, and criminal damage, primarily associated with disengaged youth. To combat the rise in aggravated burglaries, we encourage residents to participate in the “9 PM Routine” by ensuring all doors are locked by that hour. Although violent crime is generally low in our area, instances of car key theft leading to vehicle theft are rising, making it imperative for residents to lock their cars. Additionally, the theft of number plates for unauthorized petrol purchases and toll road use, though low-level, continues to impact many residents.

October also marks Motorcycle Awareness Month; motorcyclists contribute significantly to our road toll deaths and injuries, making awareness crucial. Moreover, community members are reminded to be vigilant against online scams, particularly those targeting older individuals. If something seems off, it is best not to engage, especially in transactions involving Apple gift cards.

As part of our neighbourhood policing efforts, we maintain a “Community Issues Register” to address concerns with targeted patrols and strategic responses. The Emerald Police Station is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and we encourage residents to stay informed about local happenings by visiting our IWatch page on Facebook.

Concerns regarding aggravated burglaries are prevalent, paralleling global crime trends that are increasingly influenced by social media, which is narrowing the time gap between trends in Australia and those in major European and US cities. Notably, thieves in the UK have been documented using scanning devices to access electronic car keys from outside homes. To help protect against this, we advise residents to use Faraday boxes to block signals from electronic car keys.

If you experience any nuisances or wish to report a concern, please provide specific information to assist in our response, either by contacting the local police station directly or reporting to Crime Stoppers. We also have a Hoon Hotline for incidents related to reckless driving.

While recreational drug use poses a statewide issue, we are pleased to report that it has not significantly impacted our community. Please note that random breath tests do not detect cocaine use. Additionally, vehicles displaying a yellow sticker indicating they are unroadworthy are managed as Council issues.

We acknowledge a common perception that the Emerald Police Station may not always be staffed, which could contribute to the perception of our area as a “soft touch” for crime. However, we want to assure you that community vigilance here is noticeably higher than in other densely populated areas like Pakenham, which significantly aids our policing efforts. Lastly, for those who own firearms, please ensure they are stored securely as they are often targeted in our region.

Thank you for your continued vigilance and support. Together, we can work towards fostering a safer community.

Response Andrew McAllister

“Thank you, your insights are invaluable to us.”

John Wall Emersleigh Estate Winery

Our community is fortunate to have an individual who wears many hats, including running a winery, chairing the Eastern Dandenong Ranges Alliance (EDRA), and serving as a tutor for the U3A Wine Appreciation class. He is here to promote an exciting upcoming event, the “Hidden Treasures of the Eastern Dandenong Ranges.” This wine-tasting occasion will take place at the Emerald Football Club's Chandler Reserve Function Centre on Saturday, 16 November, from 5 PM to 8 PM, with tickets priced at $55. With only 100 spots available, attendees are encouraged to secure their tickets quickly.

The local area boasts fantastic winemakers beyond just Emersleigh and Paternoster Wines. However, a pressing question arises: how can other wineries thrive with virtually no marketing? This is where U3A can lend its support, providing valuable resources to help promote local wineries. At the event, six local wineries, including Tiny Block, Full Circle, Emersleigh, Paternoster, and Solitude, will showcase a total of 12 wines for tasting.

Solitude Estate, located in Yellingbo, spans 45 hectares dedicated to wine grape growing, and their wines are crafted by the Gembrook Hills winemaker. Attendees can look forward to sampling three flights of four wines each, featuring a delightful selection that includes both still and sparkling Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Arneis, Heathcote Reds, and Yarra Valley Shiraz.

One of the unique offerings at the event will be Carmenere, a grape variety that dates back to the 1890s. Remarkably, while phylloxera devastated vineyards elsewhere, this grape continued to thrive in Chile. Additionally, guests will enjoy smokehouse meats from Chieftains and artisan cheeses, elevating the tasting experience. Members of the U3A Wine Appreciation class will be on hand to pour the selected wines and share their insights.

To purchase tickets for this exclusive event, please visit the EDRA website. In addition to this wine-tasting event, EDRA is also hosting a breakfast this Friday focused on fire awareness at the Hills Hub, which promises to be both informative and engaging.

https://edra.org.au/

Committee Reports

Kerith Cummins EarlyAct and PSSC Committee

The Emerald Primary School Fair is on this Saturday. EarlyAct is raising money for UNICEF by selling lollies, drop by if you can.

The Primary Schools’ Speech Contest at Cockatoo Primary School is next Tuesday the 29 October.
Remember your job allocation, your supper item and wear your Rotary regalia.
Vicki has high viz vests for those on car park duty.

PHF John Henderson Puffing Billy Running Festival

About 20 members have volunteered to help out.
The 10 at Emerald Lake Park acting as Course Marshals will receive a phone number in case of medical emergency. Please arrive at the Visitor Centre at 8 am.
Those on the Water Station, meet in the market area at Emerald RSL at 8 am.
Finish at 11 am.

PP PHF DGN Emma Clark District Governor Nominee News

Will start visiting Clubs - all 77 of them including Orbost - but has 2 ½ years to do so
Invited members to join her on her visits
Orbost held great appeal to the membership
Emma went to the Disaster Aid Australia Conference last Friday night
They expressed how much they loved Peter Hadwen too
Highly recommend that we do a Vocational Visit to DAA
Vocational Chair Gayle was in complete agreement
Is going to Queenstown next week for training and then to the Zone 8 conference
Promoted the Colour Their Lives Gala Ball on 16 November in Dandenong
Confirmed the Spangles will be performing as well as the Baker Boys
The Ball is to raise funds for Monash Children’s Cancer Centre, the project of the DG’s wife Leanne Byron.
Book via the Humanitix Website

PP PHF Sangeeta Bajaj Co-Chair of Kids Fun Run With Puffing Billy

The event is making headway
Ian Ash has taken over some responsibilities
Showbag packing will take place on 21 November after which we will have pizzas
No meeting on Tuesday 19 November
Tina has heaps of stuff, we will need some trailers – thanks Marcus and Ian Wakefield for your offers
A new run has been added
Sponsorships have been hard to get this time
Ian and Kris, who has been promoting, have done a fantastic job

PHF Greg Adams

Presented Past District Governor Ken Miller with a bound book of Ken’s District Newsletters for the year
Ken was very happy to receive the book and greatly appreciated Greg’s kind and thoughtful gesture
Ken said Greg did a fantastic job getting newsletters out and they were very well read through the whole District. Data collected revealed that
The way Greg put the newsletter together was very innovative
Yesterday District Governor Colin Byron was seen being video’d dressed in his red EndPolioNow T-shirt in Times Square Emerald

PP PHF Community Service Chair Tina McInerney

Spoke about the logistical nightmare of storing the 26 pallets of donated goods
Would have given up had it not been for Melinda
Tina and Melinda wrote a list of how to proceed
Melinda said that she and her husband Dan could do it, despite his having a sore leg, which was later discovered to be broken
Tina said Dan and Melinda both worked really hard, so presented Melinda with a gift and said, “Thank you so much for what you did, and how you helped us on that particular day.”

PP MPHF Russell Marnock

Mentioned last Sunday’s epic march from Cockatoo to Gembrook for EndPolioNow and Polio Plus. He wished to raffle a Golden Token from the RI Bangkok Convention when $250 million was committed to secure the matching grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Russell would match any donation with the bidding having to start at $50. Peter Brock made the first bid of $50 and then various members and Sergeant Mark added to Peter’s bid. The bid stopped at $270 and with Russell’s $270, the amount raised for EndPolioNow was $540, a wonderful result.

Pres Elect Peter Brock was the lucky recipient of the pin.

PP PHF Tina McInerney representing the club at the local community event at The Hub

PP PHF Vicki Van Den Bergen - ‘The Nook’ Open Garden

Val Jackson is opening her romantic English-style Cottage Garden at 5 Tavistock Road Monbulk on Saturday the 16^th and Sunday 17 November 2024 from 10 am. to 4:30 pm. to raise money for the Monbulk CFA. There is a $10 entry fee. Val’s late husband Don was a horticulturalist and her garden is looking absolutely stunning this spring. Val has been opening on this weekend for around 19 years, and is hoping many members of the public will attend to raise as much money as possible for the local firefighters. Find her on Instagram Jacksonval317

It would be great if a group of us could go in support.

Sergeant Rowan happened to find Hendo’s Handbook from which he may have gained inspiration as he excelled himself in the Fines’ session, culminating in an even more boisterous and lucrative session than usual.

President Kelly’s Closing Remarks:

Had been laughing so much that her cheeks were hurting.

Kelly thanked our guests for coming Mark, John, Paul and Izzy, a friend of Toni-Anne’s.

Give Susi a hug if you see her.

Diary dates:

Tuesday 29^th October - Primary Schools’ Speech Contest at Cockatoo Primary School

Tuesday 5th November - Melbourne Cup Day therefore no meeting

Tuesday 12^th November - meeting at the Pinegrove Hotel, Upper Beaconsfield

Tuesday 19^th November - no meeting

Thursday 21^st November- meeting at Gembrook Railway Station for showbag packing

Tuesday 26^th November - Annual General Meeting at the Paradise Valley Hotel.

Monash Health Impact Review

Welcome to our celebration of your generosity, the Monash Health Foundation Impact Review for 2023-2024.

This publication is a small reflection of the enormous impact of what you, as part of our donor community, have enabled across the vast breadth of services at Monash Health throughout the last year.

Inside you will discover stories of hope, be taken on journeys of triumph over adversity and be inspired by brilliant medical minds, as we showcase how philanthropy fosters excellence and the delivery of world-class healthcare for patients of all ages.

No matter how you have given, no matter how much you have given, – you have made a direct impact on the lives of one of the people featured in this publication – and thousands more just like them.

Whether your support for Monash Health has been via a fundraising event, a gift given in memory of a loved one, support through your company or you have nominated to leave a gift in your Will, on behalf of our patients, their families and the team at Monash Health, I extend my gratitude to you and all our donors over the past year.

Again, thank you for your support, I trust that you will enjoy reading our Impact Review.

Yours sincerely,

Ron Fairchild CFRE, FFIA
Director, Monash Health Foundation.

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