What a weight off my shoulders! The Deb Ball at attempt No.7 finally was held last Saturday at The Grand, Wantirna. And whilst it was hard for me to gauge its success, judging by the cheers, laughter and full dance floor I tend to think that all went well. Certainly, feedback has been really good and in the next day or so I should have the final invoice from the photographer and can then calculate how much has been raised. I am fairly confident that it will get us through to the end of the Rotary year. And all being well the next ball scheduled to be held on 11th June will raise a little amount to be rolled into Marcus’s year (pleased to say that Lorna and Lyn will be running this, however I will be in the wings to provide guidance). I would like to thank the members of the Deb Ball team who worked with me – MC John Henderson, who had just the right sort of patter and jokes to get the event off to a great start, Kris Ash our roving photographer, Gayle Barrot reading the Likes & Dislikes, Vicky Van Den Bergen who stepped in at the last minute to cover off the Thank you speeches that a couple of the participants normally undertake, Lyn Beckwith and Lorna Shaw who were with me from 1.45pm to oversee everything at the venue. Poor Lyn would have had a 12+ hour day as she still had to drive home after leaving me.
Hot on the heels of Saturday’s event was the Storm Recovery Festival at Monbulk on the Sunday. The event was well supported by Rotarians from throughout District 9810, including members from Emerald who assisted by distributing water bottles. It was the first time we could get together in a few years. The funds raised from the RAWCS appeal were distributed to worthy recipients (see the list in Sparkle). I was able to present cheques to Emerald SES and Rescue our Logs for the Children’s book and at least a couple of Club members have already placed orders for the book. Working with the Cluster clubs of Belgrave and Monbulk has been a successful exercise and I would like to mention as Community Chair Emma Clark has been heavily involved with this process along with Gloria Hargreaves who between them brought knowledge and skills – thank you.
Sadly, the next natural disaster has hit Queensland and Northern NSW. RAWCS have already launched another appeal for donations to help the victims. Information is in Sparkle, on the District web site and details are via: https://rawcs.org.au/
When we were hit with our own storm on Tuesday afternoon, I am sure some of you were worried what was ahead and I hope that you avoided damage. At the best of times wi-fi is a challenge at The Paradise so it was no surprise that the pubs eftpos and wi-fi was down. Thankfully superstar John Shaw lives virtually next door, had leads and the knowledge of how to tap into his home wi-fi system. This did at least mean that we could operate a limited hybrid system – sorry for those of you at home that you could only view the speakers and thank you John. We really do need to find a member who would be prepared to be John’s main back up – so if you are interested, please let John and I know.
Guest Speaker, Scott Megee from Artisan Bread was very interesting and it was such a shame that he didn’t bring any samples. He may just be able to fit the Emerald Community Market (renamed T2T) into his calendar so hopefully Catherine and Emma are onto it. The fact that Wandin Rotary raised funds for his youngest son’s prosthetic feet has raised the profile of the work that Rotary does so it would be good if Emerald Rotary could stretch our association with Scott – possible member? Tina has been on one of his bread making courses and Scott would be happy to run a class just for Emerald Rotary providing we can get 10 interested members – I am sure that we will have more than 10 people interested.
Think I have now made up for the short article last week – so see you on Tuesday.
Yours in Rotary,
Shalini Penny, President
Meeting at the Paradise Hotel Don't forget to let Lorna know you are coming :)
Hybrid Link
Join Zoom Meeting info:
https://zoom.us/j/7189478380
Meeting ID: 718 947 8380 Passcode: 106183
Last Week's Meeting
Scott Magee – Owner of the Artisan Crust Pty Ltd
Scott was born in 1972 and grew up in Springvale then moved to Monbulk – his parents owned a Blueberry farm
At the age of 15 he wanted to be a butcher or a chef did that because the world made sense to me through food
All adult life and working career has been associated with the food industry. In 1989 he undertook a 4-yr apprenticeship at Kenlock
Worked on Herron Island for a while, came back and worked at the Regent Melbourne and won best restaurant in Vic then moved on to the Sheraton in Pt Douglas
Came back and worked at Falls Creek for a season – skiing and cooking every day was such good fun!
He then became the Sous Chef at the Wild Oak Café here in the hills
Cooking hours and married life didn’t gel, so got a job at Chefs on the run and then started a recruiting business with Chefs on the Run for 6 months
Old Chef at Kenlock then asked him if he fancied teaching??Why not?? so this is what he has done for the last 16 yrs at Dandenong College, Swinburne, Box Hill, Dandenong and Holmesglen TAFE Moorabbin
Bread was always interesting to him as there is a science behind it so whist teaching he was alos learning how to bake bread in commercial setting
Entered a competition Artisan Bread in Adelaide – 3rd, $5000 grant to learn about Artisan Bread in Adelaide
From that competition he was chosen to represent Aust. In Italy, was an interesting scenario, looked down upon because came for Aust.But we one of the categories, best window display.
Father of 4, eldest 18 youngest 13
Entered competition and got best Danish, also applying for ISS Fellowship - $15,000 to travel to USA and Belgium
Went again to Italy and won 2nd place.
Swore never to do another competition, went back to Germany + European holiday – 4th in competition
Lives in Cockatoo – Started Artisan Crust – 10 yrs ago and started selling in Emerald Market. to cope with demand he hired a kitchen at Holmesglen TAFE and sold on the mountain.
Was a hard couple of yrs, teaching full time and running business part time.
Teaching 5 days teaching 2 days at Artisan Crust (longest shift 27 hrs)
Artisan Crust morphed over the years – needed a facility in the hills.Friends the Perry’s had a big shed and missed them.Came over and you must be looking for a new place to start bakery – nothing matched.
Rang back the next day, shed on property, would you like to rent the shed.3 phase hour at 100 amps. Needed water – run a small treatment plant to sterilize the water. The only thing that stopped them was money. A generous friend provided a sum of money to help Scott out - interest free loan.
Started doing both markets in Emerald and the one at Gemco.
Then COVID happened – changed to trading from the shed
Trade once every 2 weeks out of the Penny and the Pickle.
Son with prosthetic legs – Rotary raised $25k to help with the legs, so be encouraged with the work you do here, important part of the community – so thank you.
Wants to keep bakery local as bakeries have always been local.
Various Items
Reminder about Conference
Clean Up Australia Day Sunday – Vicki is going and if you would like to help - please contact her
Sausage booked at Alan’s – 2nd April, please keep the morning free to help out
Reminder contact Kelly about the Cocktails evening at Elevation
Deb Ball
What a wonderful evening for the Debs, their families and partners!! Well done to Shalini and the Deb Committee for an amazing test of resilience and endurance - a job well done!
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
Emerald Village Community
Emerald Village Community update can be found HERE
Ros Weadman adds a regular paragraph about Rotary in this newsletter.
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)
