Rotary Stawell Inc.

Hello to all our members Families and Friends for the second half of our 2011-12 year. As you can see this is January, Rotary Awareness month, and although we all think we are “aware”, we need to continually ask ourselves this question to remain, sharp and alert to those changes that are going on around us, that can easily get past us if we allow ourselves to settle into our, comfortable little rut, and not concern ourselves with such things.

But happiness is the foundation on which we all should start, so let’s move into January 2012, with excitement, at what the future may hold for us, and enjoy ourselves as we go.
To our family and friends who may not so well at this moment we are sorry to hear this and send our best wishes to you for a speedy return to good health.

Before getting off the Soap-box the Club Trainer elect, would like to have some basis on which to plan the future of training within the Club. [Beside what is required by R.I.] To this end a small QuizBIZ booklet was circulated to the members. It contains all manner of questions on things Rotary including History, interesting Events, Protocol, Programs and General Knowledge. This is an off shoot of the History questions, appearing in the news letters, and will become part of the presentation to new members, to assist in increasing the all-round knowledge of Rotary. The Ed has to apologise that two questions have been repeated, but as the second book will come out in a couple of months’ time these will be corrected. Along with an array of new questions..
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Good news about the Chinese Festival just seems to keep coming in. PN Kimberley has responded to a request to enter the Festival in an award ceremony to be notified on Australia Day? That’s further confirmation, win or not, of the interest that this project has brought to the town, let’s wish ourselves well.
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And so we farewell to 2011 and welcome 2012.
Welcome to 2012, was the theme of our opening evening at PN Kimberley’s home, “ta Kimmy”. Could also have been welcome to the heat, 36 degrees Monday and hotter Tuesday, A couple of Members couldn’t be with us , but we had a great time. We usually don’t do too much on our first night but there was a fair bit of information that came in over the festive break, so the Sec had a few words.
The word on the Festival is a real buzz for the Club and will be interesting to see how we go, But it is a hot field when one considers the competition, still it is a great result to be involved at all so stand by.
The sec brought along some receipts of Pauline’s fabulous “Citrus flummery’. Hear a whisper that some did not get it before.
Young Jacob has had a great time, from the Deb ball escort duties, to travel in the state a camp at Portland, and has or is going to the Australian Open Tennis, then back to school and getting ready for the RYE safari a little later. And sadly then we will lose him as it will be time in early to mid. June for him to head home, still we look forward to meeting his parents, later this month or early February 2012, We are sure that Jacob will be also, so all of that is yet to happen and is for us to look forward to.
Report on things such as Australia’s first e-Club in Sydney, Rotary Golf day at Lonsdale Golf Club, run by Ocean Grove, Very important information on the District Conference Registration on line etc., and equally as important Info on PETS. A Cricket Match, and sports evening at Central park to aid the Leukaemia Foundation, and quite a lot more.

While it was great to see everyone again, as mentioned before we were one or two members down, but it was a good night with great fellowship, we had a visiting Rotarian from Lake Geneva, Theo, a PP of that Club in fact, who is visiting Australia at the moment, Pres Val presented him with a banner and a Club Pen to mark his visit with us. An acquaintance some of us had met before, Richard from S.A., and a prospective member In Melissa McKinnon, so we hope to see her again next week, as she may attend our first meeting back at our venue. There wasn’t too much done as it was a fellowship evening, but we must thank PN Kimberley for throwing open her home to us for the evening, sensational ta Kimmy.

Fines for next Week: Good Tucker, although we noticed that PP Barry dropped 3 snags off the BBQ, several of us thought it unfair when it was mentioned that Barry was out of practice on the BBQ, any way we decided on a fine next week.
Another notable item was thought to be an impossibility, that was PP Des knocking back food, many were gobsmacked at this occurrence, stunned into silence, however that’s another fine next week.
And of course that serial offender, PE John, had his mug shot in the Local Rag today along with PDG Ted, he arrived late etc., etc., so there is another couple of Fines, heavens we will be a very rich Club at this rate..

Further reports:
The last ten presidents thumbnails have been completed, for the 60th anniversary, so it remains for the rest to be re worded and Photographs and further information to be added , and the whole thing is finished , nothing to it really,
Who said that, however the Call is now out for assistance by the members, friends relatives etc. , to fill, out the history, with photos stories anecdotes etc.

District news, is centred on the several important events that are to take place over the next few months. These are events that all Members should become involved where they can, remembering of course that the PE has no options on two of them PETS and Assembly, Assembly of course we can and should all be involved in, as we should be in the District Conference, R.I. Anniversary celebrations, and District change over. So further detail will become available on those programs as they come to hand, but if further notice is required please contact the secretary he will have the latest information.

Normans Nonsense: Can’t go any further without a gag, let’s hope they improve Norman.
Heard a Fellow, telling the following, to one of his mates.
“Over the Christmas break I went to the Local for a few beers, with the boys from work, and of course despite my best efforts ended up just a bit worse for the drink. So I did something I had never done before, left the car at the Pub I took a Bus home. I arrived home without incident feeling quite happy, but a little concerned; I had never driven a Bus before, and can’t remember where I got it from!” OooooooH dear!

Wotshappening
2012 January Rotary Awareness Month:
Not a great deal of organization required for this month, trust a certain Secretary to be organizing it:
24 January is a Board meeting, reports to Secretary by 21 January for forwarding to Members of the board.
31 January **No meeting at Home [Notify venue]
Then on to February, and is for Rtn Vaughan to organize for us.
2 February **Group Meeting at Maryborough [In place of our usual meeting of 31 January]
7 Feb. Board Meeting.
11 /12 Feb. The Jazz Festival to cater for.

And some Club news:
The Rotaract Club proposal has slowed over the festive season but is due for a further push in the near future with a visiting Rotaract Club from Warrnambool, to come to Stawell to speak to some of our younger people.
Think also that Inner Wheel is in the same Boat, not a lot that can be done over the Christmas New Year period.
The Annual Easter Art Show, organizing is already underway, with invitations to artists already in the mail. While the repainting of the stands, and the students from the college are still to be finalized.
We will wait on availability of certain people and venue before committing to the Collectables Fair.
And of course the set up for assembly, in May, we have organised the College and the Catering further information to come.
So In between this we have the odd BBQ, the remainder of the ticket selling for the Ballarat South Car raffle, and
Bowel Scan to finalize, Meals on wheels, so already we have a few things on our plate.

So that’s about all for this week folks, Stay happy, healthy and safe, you-all.

Remember: That being in love is like waking up knowing, that your reality is better than your dreams. Cheers ED.