Within Rotary International, August is designated as membership month, and what a way to celebrate by inducting three new members this coming Tuesday night. We are pleased to announce that Sally Randall, Wayne McLeod and Jess Kaur will be joining our club on Tuesday.
Sally and Wayne attended our 'Rotary Reveal' session in June and have since attended every club meeting, and are now well known by our members.
Jess was recommended by Dorothy Gilmour, a Rotarian outside of our club, who knows how welcoming we are, and how engaged we are to our local community.
Our reputation within the district as an active and welcoming club is growing all the time, and I'm pleased that our members are continuing the tradition of 'building goodwill and better friendships'.
Please continue to make Sally, Wayne and Jess feel welcome as they start their Rotary journey.
We also have an excellent local speaker coming to our club, and I'm looking forward to hearing from Lyn Watson, proprietor of Grace & Louie Books.
As Tuesday night will be busy, I'll be amending the agenda to give our guest speaker, and the three inductees, enough time to present and celebrate, without extending the meeting. As such, we won't be having committee / project updates, and after the inductions, we'll go straight into the fine session, then I'll close the meeting. I'm conscious of keeping to time and in this way, being flexible and adapting to our agenda, will be beneficial to all (excuse the 4 way test pun).
For those interested in the result of the Train of Lights event, we are very close to announcing the confirmed revenue and profit, and a full update will be provided on Tuesday 12th August.
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!
Rotary Meeting Notes
Welcome Remarks
Warm welcome to guests: Graham, Stacey, Sally, Wayne.
Special mention of Kirsty’s first week.
Updates & Announcements
Recent Activities:
Completed "Train of Lights" event two weeks ago; positive feedback.
Successful Bola accounts event.
Christmas in July event held; thanks to Catherine, Emma, and team.
Upcoming Events:
Rotary Conference (March); early bookings open on August 1st. District 9015 + 9030.
Reminder for members to check email and WhatsApp group for details.
Birthdays & Anniversaries:
Kelly’s birthday (July 30), wishes extended.
Marcus’s birthday (August 1); birthday song and celebration.
Catherine and Dom’s wedding anniversary (24 years); congratulations.
Club Fireside Chat - President’s Profile
Overview of President Peter Brock’s life:
Family: Wife, two sons (Cameron and Bailey), their achievements and interests.
Personal values: Queens Scout, proud of family and community involvement.
Residency: Emerald since 2004; appreciation of community and friends.
Professional Background:
Works for an investment fund managing public assets (hospitals, schools, roads, courts, prisons).
Managed notable projects across Australia including Perth Court, Sydney schools, and the Defence HQ in Canberra.
Past role: Chief of Operations, Singapore Sports Hub (2020-2023), with key achievements:
Fixed the stadium roof and pitch issues.
Managed large-scale events including international concerts.
Conducted roof climbs and stadium tours.
Rotary Involvement:
Enthusiastic supporter of Rotary activities worldwide.
Participated in international vocational trips:
Northern India: Donated desks & assisted local communities.
Support for impoverished communities: Providing shoes, bikes, and aid.
Active in local and international service projects:
Food programs in Singapore.
Disaster relief efforts.
Personal Interests:
Skydiving (celebrated 50th birthday with a jump).
Scuba diving and snorkelling.
Puffing Billy volunteer.
Skiing (notably in Japan).
Other Personal Notes:
Supporter of Collingwood Football Club.
Shares humorous and emotional experiences related to football and Rotary trips.
Club & Community Engagement
Regular Sunday walks with the Rotary group, maintaining social and fitness activities.
Emphasis on the value of small acts and personal contributions within Rotary.
Reflection on the significance of helping others, both locally and internationally.
Induction of New Member:Graham Heatley
Graham expressed his eagerness to participate in community projects and his desire to assist, especially related to dementia care and community service
Graeme's Sponsor & Mentor Tina McInerney
Club Reports and Announcements
Ken Miller, former District Governor, spoke about his support during his time as DG and shared humorous anecdotes.
Ken endorsed the upcoming district conference in Tasmania, highlighting notable speakers:
Rob Pendercott discussing his Australian adventure.
Captain Sarah Parry from Tasmania.
Emily Williamson from Cambodia, sharing her work on breaking the poverty cycle.
Expert on Artificial Intelligence (AI).
A young futurist speaker.
Suru Briley, featured in the movie “Lion,” to give a talk.
The conference promises to be engaging, with social events and opportunities for members to network.
Rotary’s Annual Kids Fun Run Event
Announced as the 23rd Kids Fun Run with Puffing Billy, scheduled for November 30th.
The committee is progressing well, with member involvement encouraged.
The funds raised will go toward painting murals in the children’s ward at Eastern Health.
Members are urged to participate actively; a meeting for the event is scheduled.
Donations, including toothbrushes and small prizes, have been collected for event bags, with support from the Rowville Men’s Shed. Wooden Toys
Youth Projects and School Engagement
Gloria provided updates from the youth team regarding projects at Emerald Secondary College:
The kitchen garden and Breakfast Club are ongoing.
Plans for an Interact Club in Term 1 of the next year.
Mentoring programs and involvement with the student council.
Early Act Club activities at Gembrook Primary School are progressing.
Youth-themed meetings are scheduled, featuring student representatives.
Dementia Café – PP PHF Kristine Ash
In 1905 Paul Harris founded Rotary with 3 other businessmen to do good in the world. That spirit lives on in our club as I am delighted to announce that PP Ian Ash, PP PHF Marcus Adams and PP PHF Sangeeta Bajaj have generously come forward to sponsor the seed funding for the Dementia Café, a total of $5,000.
We did not get the Cardinia Council Grant, but we are grateful to the Cardinia Community Foundation for providing $2,000 to support activity and equipment needs in our first year.
Next steps – we have some agreements to sign off with Umbrella Dementia Cafes and we then need to start planning and getting training underway as well as establishing the name of the Dementia Café
We are hoping to run a fundraising event in Sept – Dance Against Dementia and initial planning is underway to find a venue on a suitable date
Closing Remarks
Appreciation for attendance and participation.
Encouragement to engage in upcoming Rotary events and activities.
Humorous mention of ongoing support from the club with affectionate badges and camaraderie.
Action Items
Members to check email and WhatsApp for conference details.
Join weekly Sunday walks if interested.
Continue participating in Rotary service projects locally and abroad.
The new Emerald Village Association Newsletter is out with an article,
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 $150.00
Chocolate Winner
Sally
Duty Roster
Duty Roster - 5th August 2025
Chairperson
Moulday, Melinda
Fellowship
Ritchie, John
Furnishings
Penny, Shalini
Response
Shaw, John
Speaker Minder
Shaw, Lorna
Duty Roster -12th August 2025
Chairperson
St. Clair, Anna
Fellowship
Van Den Bergen, Vicki
Furnishings
Wilson, Susi
Response
Adams, Marcus
Speaker Minder
Ash, Ian
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Member Birthdays
Marcus Adams
August 1
Jess Kaur
August 11
Sangeeta Bajaj
August 13
Andrew McAllister
August 16
Russell Marnock
August 18
Kirsty Bates
August 20
Lyn Beckwith
August 24
Lorna Shaw
August 25
Graeme Heatley
August 31
Spouse Birthdays
Dee Harley
August 2
Andrew McAllister
August 16
Jenny Wakefield
August 24
Lorna Shaw
August 25
Anniversaries
Russ Nielsen
Heather
August 27
Join Date
Peter Brock
August 11, 2015
10 years
Melinda Moulday
August 22, 2023
2 years
Russell Marnock
August 22, 2006
19 years
Lorna Shaw
August 26, 2008
17 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 outHERE
