Dear Everyone,
On Wednesday, Lorna, Shalini and I met with Mark Protheroe one of the managers of the Paradise Valley Hotel at his request. He wanted to give us an update on developments since Ian Ash and I met him last year with some requests arising from the Member Satisfaction Survey. Thick curtains to absorb sound have been put up, exterior lighting to the lower carpark has been installed, and we have access to a stronger internet connection enabling videos to be shown and hybrid meetings hopefully. Mark is open to investing in more sound-absorbing materials such as rugs should the need arise.
Regarding our meeting-room:
If we have more than 28 people on the night, we will be seated on the veranda, but it is not the best use of space with fewer than 28 from the hotel’s viewpoint now that patronage is returning post-Covid. They will experiment with their tables to find the ideal configuration in the Clematis Room for 26 people.
And this underlines why we need to have our RSVP’s into Lorna by Tuesday 11:00am., because if our numbers exceed 28, we will be on the veranda.
Regarding the menu:
- Mark is completely fine with members choosing not to eat.
- You can order off the main menu, you don’t have to order from the set menu.
- The set menu can and will be changed from time to time, e.g. seasonally.
- A fifth option can be added to the set menu, but the more choices there are, the longer the service will take and Mark thinks speed is an issue for our group.
- I asked that the guest speaker’s meal be brought out first if possible, as the rest of us can continue to eat during the presentation, and Mark made a note of it.
- Shalini asked if some bread could be available early so that a later service of the main would not be an issue.
- Merlot is not available by the glass but Malbec is.
The next stage of the renovation is for a new function room with its own kitchen to be built downstairs.
Mark is also amenable to us having a Rotary Club sign like the existing one on the western side as you approach from Menzies Creek, when we have the resources for another one.
Lastly Mark asks that if there are further changes you would like to see, please let either Lorna, Shalini or me know and we will pass them on. He is keen for the channels of communication to stay open.
Shalini, Roy and Ali and I attended the Community Network Night on Wednesday night, put on by the Emerald Village Association and hosted by Dick Bartley. Mayor Brett Owen made the presentations to the Emerald Citizen of the Year 2020 Graham Legge, whose service to the community is formidable, and to the Young Citizen of the Year 2020, 16 year-old Blaise for his work in ICT with two peers. Brett also congratulated us privately on receiving the Shire’s award for the Event of the Year for the KFRWT, and I said how thrilled we were to receive such an honour.
The purpose of the evening was to speak about our plans for the year and I was lucky to be first speaker after the break. I covered topics such as the T2T Upcycle Recycle Market, Community Service’s ongoing voucher distribution and accompanying pamphlets on a healthy diet and mental health, the small fundraisers, R100 celebrations, the Youth Committee’s work with ESC, the Deb Ball and the KFRWT. I said that our overriding goal is to become better known and understood in the community, and quoted our Vision and Mission statements.
The other groups represented were the Puffing Billy Railway, Lions, U3A, Emerald Community House, FELP, Hills Photographic Society, RSL, the Library, the Tennis Club and Dandenong Ranges Renewable Energy Association (DRREA). Peter Cook, who represented this group, spoke about how Emerald is a leading “Solar Town” with many of our buildings having solar panels on their roofs now.
I was able to continue discussions previously begun with Ray Spencer from the Lions Club. Their Board has very generously allowed us to have their sign on Ogilvy Road which intersects with Belgrave-Gembrook Road, because they are not going to proceed with the market being advertised there. In return, the Lions Club would like us to work with them on the refurbishment of the Telopea Steps; back in 1994 our Club worked with them and the SES on the actual construction of the Steps. It’s great that both groups can work cooperatively together.
While we’re on the topic of “hands-on” outdoor physical work, are you able to help Sheila Hampson and the Friends of Emerald Lake Park with one or more of their Working Bees please? We say we are “People of Action”, and this would be a demonstration of that, and we will be helping the environment.
No experience is necessary but bring gardening gloves, a water bottle and a mug for morning tea.
Shalini sent out an email, and the dates are Saturday 6th of March (clashes with the Market😞), Sunday 14th and Thursday 18th of March from 9-11 am. Meet at the Lakeside car park and follow the signage.
Clean Up Australia Day is on Sunday 7th March, at Worrell Reserve, Emerald from 9-11. We would be joining the Emerald Clean Team on this day. Meet at the lower car park, below the Library.
Of course we would wear our Emerald Rotary polos and hats, as it’s also a public awareness exercise.
Finally, as you are all community-minded citizens, will you please complete the ten-minute online survey on the draft priorities prepared by the People’s Panel by next Wednesday 3rd of March 2021.
Please participate and help to improve the amenity of Cardinia Shire.
Thank you’s this week to:
- for making yet another application for grant money to extend our voucher program.
- Ian Ash for alerting us to potential budget shortfalls.
- for deferring her “Know Your Rotarian” talk given the length of the meeting.
- for her dedication to the development of the T2T Market.
This Tuesday night, on the 2nd of March our guest speaker is Box Hill Central’s President and our incoming Assistant Governor and all-round good guy Mark Balla talking about WASH.
** Next week:
on the 9th of March, it’s a “normal” meeting (is there ever such a thing??), but after the business is out of the way, we’ll have some Trivia Quizzes, with the winning team-members each receiving a tiny prize.
**The following week:
on the 16th of March our guest speaker is local apiarist Mark Lane talking about bee-keeping and attracting pollinators to the garden.
Don’t stay home come join us at the pub for a great night!
Stay safe and stay Rotary Even Prouder.
Yours in Rotary,
Vicki.
