Club Meeting 03-12-2024
President Kelly - Welcome
- Welcomed our Guest speakers, EarlyActors Eleanor and Eliza, and their parents Lucy and Kate, and Sue Colic, a friend of Gayle Barrot’s, who has come to see what Rotary is about.
- Introduced PP PHF Lorna Shaw to read out the Apologies which were received from Marcus, the Bowyers, Kerry, Catherine, Tina, Ken and Melinda.
- We have a new sound system which has a second microphone and a new seating arrangement tonight.
- Thank you to the EarlyActors who are taking the first steps to making a real difference, are developing a sense of social responsibility and who are making a positive impact on their community already.
President Kelly welcomed Chairperson PP PHF DGN Emma Clark to introduce Eleanor and Eliza. Eleanor, who is in grade 5, is the Local Community Leader and Eliza is the Emerald Primary School Community Leader.
Eleanor spoke first and said thanks for starting EarlyAct at Emerald Primary School. The Club has been brainstorming a lot of ideas to make a positive difference. They visited the first responders to thank them for their hard work and support; the EarlyActors wrote cards and made cookies and protein balls to give as tokens of appreciation for the voluntary work performed by the SES and CFA, for example following the big storm in February.
Chairperson Emma then introduced Eliza, already a published author with her own YouTube channel. Eliza is one of the four school captains and an expert at “3 2 1 waterfall” in school assemblies, which she demonstrated by bringing our rabble to order. Eliza said EarlyAct has achieved so much locally and internationally, and thanked all who made it possible: Kerith and the other Rotarians. They hope to make enough money for taps on the school oval and are using the Container Deposit Scheme to assist. $150 has been raised so far. Eliza hopes this fundraiser will continue in 2025. She has loved the EarlyAct experience and gave thanks to the Emerald Primary School staff, the Rotary Club and the students, and for the invite to the meeting tonight.
Eliza will be going to secondary school next year so Emma advised her to keep an eye out for Interact.
Kerith Cummins EarlyAct
EarlyAct got started in term two, and met once a fortnight. It is amazing what the Club has achieved: $4,700 was raised for Wheelchairs For Kids, $200 was raised at the School Fair lolly stall, and the Casual Dress Day money was put towards the biscuits for the volunteers that Eleanor talked about. They are still working on the Container Deposit Scheme, they’ve got a way to go before they’ll get a tap on the oval. Kerith asked if you could donate some money when you take your containers to the SES to EarlyAct, that would be greatly appreciated.
Eleanor and Eliza were then presented with gifts.
Emma said the Emerald Primary School EarlyAct Club was one of the few in Victoria. There are 22 Interact clubs and we would like to get one going in Emerald.
From Left to right: Kerith Cummins, Eliza Watson (Emerald Community leader) & Eleanor Joshko (Emerald Primary School leader).
Committee Reports:
PP PHF Sangeeta Bajaj Fundraising Committee Chair
We will be fundraising at the Carols By Candlelight on Friday,13 December at Emerald Lake. Kelly and Andrew will be bringing the barbecue and popcorn machine, and Toni-Anne will demonstrate how the latter works hopefully. Ian Wakefield will return these items. Set up begins at 4 pm. near the old tea-rooms and the event will continue until 9 pm. The sausages for the barbecue have been donated and Anna is looking after the bread. Park in the lower car-park near the swimming pool.
Sangeeta is looking for people to help on 26 December at the Bunnings Pakenham Barbecue fundraiser.
PP PHF Gayle Barrot Vocational Committee Chair
The D9815 Conference is taking place in Bendigo from 28-30 March 2025. The all-important Conference Costume Committee is planning our costume for the Gala Dinner theme of “Rotary Rocks”. So can you please put your name on the list being circulated to say that you are attending the conference?
Breakfast Club at Emerald Secondary College finished today.
PP MPHF Russell Marnock
Spoke about SpendItWell who build toilets in East Timor. Russell received an email saying the 18th school has been built in East Timor and there was a big opening ceremony. It is good that SpendItWell is helping out with education in East Timor.
Following the meal break, Emma pointed out for the benefit of our guests that our Tuesday night meetings are to keep our members bonded and are not for planning as such, which occurs in our committee meetings.
Sergeant Rowan conducted a robust Fines session as usual.
President Kelly’s Closing Remarks:
Thank you to the EarlyActors for attending saying, “You are the future and our future is bright”.
On Sunday, 8 December it’s our Christmas party at Roy and Ali’s starting at 1 pm., so bring your singing voices for karaoke. Bring a gift costing up to $20 if you wish to take part in Bad Santa. Up to $20 was chosen so a lovely gift can be given instead of one destined for landfill. Anna will run Bad Santa as she knows the rules (allegedly).
Kelly and Andrew will be absent from meetings for the next two weeks, as Kelly is attending the Menzies Creek Grade 6 Graduation and their son AJ is turning 18 the following week. President-Elect Peter Brock will be Acting President and will chair next week’s meeting. When a volunteer to chair the 17 December meeting was asked for, PHF John Hendo’ Henderson was quick to step up.
Kelly thanked
- Toni-Anne’s son AJ and the other visitors for attending: Sue, the EarlyActors and their mothers.
- Emma for chairing and Rowan for his Sergeant duties.
Kelly asked how we liked the new seating arrangement and it was suggested the herringbone pattern be trialled as conversation was difficult tonight.
The new PA system is excellent.
Thank you to Vicki for the notes from the meeting.
All American News Article:
Other News
January Beach Day information:
Cardinia Youth Survey
Recycling Reminder
Remember that you can recycle your bottles and cans at the Vic Depot Emerald operated by SES Emerald container refund point and donate the funds to our very own Emerald Rotary Club.
All you need to do is select THE ROTARY CLUB OF EMERALD AND DISTRICT INC., Member # C2000010957 as your refund destination. Every little bit helps, both the environment and the community!
