Sparkle 45 #33 11 March 2025 (Mar. 11, 2025)

**Foundation information**

We extend our gratitude to Graeme Willacott and his wife Jill for joining us on Tuesday night. Graeme shared valuable insights into the Rotary Foundation, explaining how our contributions make a significant impact on worthy causes worldwide.

**Conference Costume Committee News**

With only three weeks to go, our conference costume committee is working tirelessly behind the scenes to create an unforgettable collective costume. If you're interested in attending the conference, tickets are still available at https://rotary9815.org.au/sitepage/district-conference-2025/conference-home-page

**Clean Up Australia Day Success!**

A huge thank you to all members who participated in Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday. Together, we collected approximately 15 full bags of rubbish, making a tangible difference in our Emerald community. The delicious sausages and cake at the end were a wonderful reward for our efforts!

**Pave the Date – April 6!**

We're thrilled to announce that the PAVE Festival organizers have invited our club to participate in this year's event by offering us a complimentary stand.

Our dynamic Membership and Marketing team, in collaboration with Fab Fundraising, are busy preparing an engaging Spinning Wheel fundraiser that's sure to add a fun and lively element to the festival. We're looking forward to being part of the festive energy and making the day even more enjoyable for attendees! More details to come!

**Next Week: A Special Meeting! **

We're excited to host a bumper meeting next week, featuring a visit from our District Governor Colin Byron, along with DGE Peter Behm and DGN Emma.

Joining us will be presidents from neighbouring clubs in our cluster. Each president will share a few minutes presentation about their club, providing a unique opportunity for us to learn about the amazing work being done in our district.

We look forward to welcoming our special guests and sharing a great evening together!

Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will." - Zig Ziglar

AGENDA ROTARY MEETING 4 March 2025

In order to confirm numbers for meetings at the pub, please ensure that you communicate the following to PP PHF Lorna:

notify if NOT attending by 12 noon on the MONDAY before the meeting
and notify if bringing guests or visitor
notify at any time about future absences and holidays.

Thank You!

Last Week's Meeting

Opening Remarks

Guests Graeme and Gill Woolacot
Apologies were read out
Thank you to everyone who attended on the day and a special thank you to Ken for organising and to our wonderful BBQ team.
POW March 18^th – tickets sold out
Sycamore Blitz – please assist on the 9^th at 9 am at Lakeside car park
Next week – DG Visit and the Rotary Community Group meeting
Emerald PAVE Ap 6^th 10am to 3pm – Spinning Wheel option – save the date!!! Roster to be sent out
Thank you Srg for being Chairperson this evening

Chairperson – Rowan French

Guest Speaker Graeme Woolacot

Past DG of 9810 – 1996-7 – Monash Glen Waverley Club – 40 yrs and a multiple PHF –
Rotary Foundation his charity of choice and would like us to consider it being the same for us
Rotary Foundation – Doing Good in the World
Contribution to Foundation is an investment in the future locally and worldwide eg Polio funded for last 40 yrs.
$3,746.68 donated this yr by Emerald & District RC this year
Foundation has DGR status
You can give through
- Paul Harris Society
- Polio Plus Society
- Individual giving and major donations ($1000 a year recognised with a PHF)
- Regular giving assists with forward planning
- Corporate giving
- Bequests – Bequest Society is $10k+
Money is used for international and district grants

EVERY ROTARIAN – EVERY YEAR

For more information go to the following links:

https://www.rotary.org/en/about-rotary/rotary-foundation

https://www.rotaryfoundationaustralia.org.au/ - money stays in Australia to be used locally

RC of Emerald & District $3000 a year contributed.

3 members in the Paul Harris Society and we have a major donor in our club

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Pride of Workmanship – Gayle Barrot

18 March 6.30pm for a 7pm start @ the Discovery Centre

On track – thanks to Ian’s hard work
21 Rotarians going, 13 recipients

Environment – Vicki Van Den Burgen on behalf of Ken Miller

Thank you from Ken to everyone who turned up on Sunday

Membership & Marketing – Kris Ash

Know Your Rotarian – if you are willing to be a host please contact Vicki 

Kelly Closing Remarks

Thank you to our guests

Other News

New EVA Newsletter CLICK HERE

Thank you again to Shalini for a terrific article.

President Elect Peter Brock provides Rotary insights on a monthly basis.

Full Details on all the articles below can be found at https://emeraldrotary.org.au/page/rotary-matters/

Club Notices

Major Event Diary Dates:

The Pride of Workmanship Award, for which employers recognise outstanding employees is currently being planned for 18 March 2025.
2^nd March Clean up Australia Day,
11^th March Rotary Community meeting,
18^th March Pride of Workmanship awards,
27^th – 30^th March Conference

Other Items of Interest:

The new Emerald Village Association Newsletter is out with an article, as usual penned by PP PHF Shalini Penny - click HERE t o view.

DG Visit and Community Group 4 Workshop

Mar. 11, 2025

Pride of Workmanship - No Meeting

Mar. 18, 2025 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

District Conference - Bendigo - “We Belong”

Mar. 28, 2025 – Mar. 30, 2025

Belgrave Bingo Night

Apr. 04, 2025

View entire list

Vision Statement

Thriving and resilient local

and global communities

Mission Statement

Working together to create positive change

in the well-being of our community and beyond

Rotary Invocation

For good food, good fellowship and the opportunity for service through Rotary we give thanks

Rotary Toast

To Australia and the people of Australia (toast) To Rotary International (toast)

4 Way Test

Of the things we think say and do

Is it the truth?

Is it fair to all concerned?

Will it build goodwill and better friendships?

Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

CHOCLOTTO JACKPOT $132

Duty Roster 11 March 2025

Fellowship

Shaw, John

Chairperson

Adams, Marcus

Response

Barrot, Gayle

Furnishings

Van Den Bergen, Vicki

Guest Minder

Ash, Ian

Journalist

Ash, Kristine

Duty Roster 18 March 2025

Fellowship

Miller, Ken

Chairperson

McAllister, Kelly

Furnishings

Douglas, Allan

Journalist

Ash, Kristine

Member Birthdays

Vicki Van Den Bergen

March 16

Carol Cain

March 19

John Ritchie

March 19

Shelley-Anne Chilton

March 31

Join Date

Susi Wilson

March 6, 2018

7 years

Sangeeta Bajaj

March 14, 2017

8 years

Community Notices

Events

We are regularly asked to share information on other Rotary Club or community group events. Rather than list all of them in Sparkle, please check out them out HERE