Changeover president's report

Where has the past year gone?! Our changeover night was delayed for a month to enable travelling members to attend, especially outgoing President Bob. However, I started my year on the 1st July.

In early August we welcomed District Governor David McPherson for the annual DG visit. He was accompanied by Assistant Governor Nina Lunde and they both briefed the club on the proposed regionalisation of Zone 8 of which we are part.

August also saw us start a community / international project supporting Ukrainian refugees housed in Melbourne, predominantly women and children, and the elderly. Reaching out through contacts in the local Ukrainian community it was established that what they needed most was food.

Foodworks helped by locating a trolley for food donations at the Alexandra store.

Dobson’s Potatoes also came on board with a fantastic supply of their local produce.

The food was then transported to Carlton for distribution to the refugees.

The program has been refined by transitioning from direct provision of food to a voucher system, liaising with the Rotary Club of Carlton, and Carlton supermarkets.

A huge thankyou to the Rotarians, Foodworks, Dobson’s Potatoes and all who donated for making this happen. The Rotary Club of Euroa has since come on board to support this project with a generous pledge of funds.

In September Helen, Ian and I travelled to Lavington to their club’s international night where the Ukrainian Ambassador spoke; and in December Helen and I were invited to a “thankyou” evening at Ukrainian House in Essendon.

We enjoyed two nights of fellowship with the Rotary Club of Seymour where we shared the spoils of the footy and golf competitions, and we welcomed the Lions Club for a visit in November.

We continue to help out at community events, Australia Day, the P and A Show, Open Gardens, Christmas Carols, the Rodeo and Truck and Ute Show, as well as organising Music in the Park, the Art Show and in conjunction with Rotary Club of Yea, Cycle Dindi.

The Art Show was a huge success in the new venue of the Shire Hall and congratulations to Melinda and her team for a great outcome.

The wood raffles are always a welcome event on the calendar and enable us to provide wood for those in need of winter heating.

I’m very pleased to say that our membership has increased by 23% this year with nine new members having joined. Welcome to them all and they have brought new enthusiasm to the club.

My thanks to the Board for your work over the past year, a special thankyou to Helen my indefatigable secretary, and to Ross for the program he put together each fortnight, John Allcock for attendance and coordinating the meals and John Monteath my sergeant for keeping order in the house and Melinda our accurate “minute” taker of the proceedings at our club meetings.

Also thanks to our publicity officers - John Cannon for publishing the Bulletin and photos, and Tom Farrell for the website, Facebook and media liaison.

A special mention to Helen, Ian and Ross who were always on hand at the golf club setting up for the meal and meeting for everyone to enjoy.

To all the friends of Rotary who have helped out over the year – thankyou.

To Geoff and his incoming board, I wish you well and hope you have a successful and enjoyable year.

I have had a very gratifying year and thank all Rotarians for your support and look forward to serving Rotary for many more years.

Sharon Fox

President

Our new Rotary board .

Helen Gibb, Maria Price, Sharen Robinson, Geoff Proctor, Graeme Bylund, John Alcock, Sharon Fox and Ian Gibb