Pres Peter Brock, Peter Maloney, Russ Nielsen, Kris Ash, Gayle Barott
Peter provided a background of his journey in Rotary and the RSL. He joined Rotary in 1981 and was a member of our club in the early 90's. His involvement and presidency of the RSL meant he had to concentrate on that role.
Peter is a Vietnam Vet and came back from the war around 1970 at a time where Vietnam Vets were not well accepted, to the point he couldn't wear his uniform in public. However in 2011 Peter decided to march in the ANZAC parade on a wet day here in Emerald - it was a moment that changed his life. He found the comradeship at the RSL and soon became the President.
At the time the RSL wasn't connecting with the community and he worked to improve this situation, it was a club of WW2 diggers and has now evolved to being a well- respected part of our town.
In 2013 with the help of Russ Nielsen, Peter decided to create Anzac Place and to recognise the 32 young men who lost their lives in WW1. With the help of 3 tiers of Government, Anzac Place was built in 12 months. To top it all off the Governor General attended the opening in 2015, arriving on Puffing Billy. It was a wonderful celebration with period costumes and vintage cars to create the atmosphere of the time.
In 2018, to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1 Peter and the team decided to plant poppies around the town and put out a request for them to other RSLs. 26,000 poppies arrived!! Since that time we are known as the 'Poppy Town' and all over Australia - you will see the wonderful displays at the moment!
Committee Reports
Youth
- Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA) will take place Friday May 1st at Emerald Secondary College. Joining me will be volunteers Roy, Ali, Chris, Carol and Lyn
- Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) we have one candidate for this amazing Program
- Now that we are in the first week of Term 3 a number of Youth Programs are gathering momentum
- Interact – the students are discussing running a snack bar for the Inter-School Chess Tournament. There is a possibility that members who have leadership roles will visit us for a Club Meeting on 5th May. The aim is to start a bond between the 2 clubs. Some of the members will be part of our bag packing on the 12th
- EarlyAct – Emerald Jacquie reported on the various projects the children would like to take on that are relevant to the Groups they are in eg they are hoping to get involved with the John Hills Landcare Group. The EarlyAct students are moving towards meetings being run by the members Gembrook Leadership roles will be decided
- Projects for the Community, Environment and International Groups will be discussed. The exciting news is that the EarlyActors will be presented with their lanyards and Membership Certificates at a School Assembly at 2:30pm on this Friday afternoon . If you can come along to give a bigger Rotary presence you will be most welcome.
In The New - Golden Hour Cafe
Social Night 28th April
Rotary Revealed
Invite your friends to come along to our Rotary Revealed evening on Tuesday 2 June at the Paradise Hotel. Cocktails, fun and laughter as well as information about Rotary.
https://www.trybooking.com/DLQNA
