President: Richard Lawrence ACN 0019046G Secretary: Tim Anderson
Volume 73 Issue 22, 4th December, 2007
Editor Jim Saunders
PO BOX 161 Essendon 3040
Date / Committee / VenueMonday, 10/12 / Youth, 7.30 pm / TBA
Tuesday, 11/12 / Club Christmas Dinner / Fredricks, 6.30 for 7.00 pm. No lunch meeting
Wednesday, 12/12 / Vocational, 7.30 pm / TBA
Tuesday, 18/12 / Breakfast Meeting / Fredricks, 7.30 am. No lunch meeting
Today’s Speaker was Peter Cullen from the
RecLink and a founding force in the Choir
of Hard Knocks. Peter was introduced by Chair of
the Day, Lisa Lowcock.
This eclectic group of around 50 homeless and disadvantaged men and women, have come together to create an unlikely music phenomenum under the leadership of Founding Choir Director and winner of the Victorian Local Hero award 2008 Jonathon Welch, former Opera Australia Principal. With his guidance and expertise they have beaten the odds, performed 6 sold out showsat both the Melbourne Town Hall and Sydney Opera House and now appear regularly around Melbourne at corporate and community events.
The Choir of Hard Knocks aims to bring people together, build their confidence enabling them to contribute to their community in a positive way, but also to have fun.
We heard from Hank Kerr and Allan Crabbe who both had heart wrenching tales to tell of disadvantaged upbringings involving alcaholism, drug dependance, crime and time in jail. They had made huge adjustments to their lives and were now free of drugs and alcahol, had worthwhile employment and were now proud members of the Choir
Next week is Our Christmas Party, so no speaker but lots of fun and fellowship. If you have not already advised Jim Saunders of your attendance you have until noon on Thursday, 6th December. Don’t miss out on a great occasion.
Hey You Sporty Types!!
Are you ready for the Club Christmas Party?
The Fellowship Committee has organised a really great ‘do’ at Fredricks on 11 December, 2007, 6.30 for 7.00 pm. Come dressed as your favourite sports person, but Maria said ‘Please no bathers, I can’t cope with Cossies’.
Three course meal includes Ray’s Christmas Pudding, pre dinner nibbles, some wine on the tables, other drinks at bar prices, Bon Bons, Santa and his Helper, dance band courtesy of your Board’s generosity, all for $45 per person. There will be a few surprises, but you’ll have to be there to enjoy them.
Bookings are essential and should be made to Jim Saunders. Tables can be booked, but names must accompany the booking (if you book for 6, we must know who they are). In order to ensure you are not disappointed, final numbers and payment must be in by 4 December.
Any dietary requirements to be advised at the time of booking.
See you there!!
On to D9800Conference
Registrations for the 76th Annual District Conference, to be held in Shepparton from 13-16 March 2008, are now open. All the Conference program and registration info can be found on www.rotraydistrict9800.org.au Your ‘On To Conference’ Chairman, President Elect, Colin Bell has organised a wonderful program for Essendon attendees.
Please consider registering for Conference as this is a great opportunity to learn more about the wonderful projects undertaken by Rotarians at Club, District and International level. Conference is also a fantastic fellowship weekend away …
District Conference is a particularly important Rotary learning opportunity for newer members of the Club.
Raffle
The weekly raffle and bottle of wine was won this week by Joy Coulson. Joy failed to pull the Jackpot Joker for a prize of $1,075. The jackpot will be worth more next draw, but remember to be a contender you must come to the meetings.
Golf Day A Success
Alf Puglia reported on a most successful Golf Day staged by the Club and the International Committee last week. Nick Nicou and his team had put together an excellent program supported by very generous sponsors which resulted in the Club raising the princely sum of about $13,000. Great effort and well done.
Christmas Raffle
The Christmas Trailer Raffle was drawn during Tuesday’s lunch meeting at Fredricks. The Club wishes to sincerely thank all those who donated the trailer and the goods therein. Their generosity was a major factor in, what has been, the most successful Christmas Raffle the Club has undertaken.
The Community Committee put the exercise together, organised ticket selling rosters, delivered and returned the trailer to its various venues and worked very hard to make the venture an outstanding success.
Particular thanks go to all those members who sold tickets, the schools that supported us with their sales of tickets. We returned half the value of the school sales to the schools concerned, about $1,500, and netted out in the order of $8,500 for the Club. What a super effort!
The draw resulted as follows:
1st Prize; Trailer and items therein: Bill Sortino
2nd Prize; TV Set: Sarah Corswell
3rd Prize; BBQ: J James
4th Prize; Health Care Products: Adrienne ?
5th Prize; Cosmetics: Don ?
6th Prize; Childs Bike: Lehzia Mondello
7th Prize; Sunglasses: Jude D’Argo
8th Prize; MP3 Player: Kam Tadros
Note: The Club has contact details for all winners.
Community Projects
Several projects require your support over the next few weeks. Please, can you help.
Carols by Candlelight
RCE is undertaking sausage sizzle and drinks on Sunday 9th December at Queens Park. 5 people needed 6 – 8 pm and 5 from 8 – 10 pm. Please call Grant Sheldon if you can help.
Flemington Police Project – Disadvantaged Youth Project
Working Bee in North Melbourne on Sunday 16th December. Please call Peter Duras if you can help.
Camp Getaway at Axedale Working Bee Weekend
2nd and 3rd February 2008. Overnight accommodation available. Again please call Grant Sheldon if you can help.
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Christmas Arrangements
Members please note that there will be no lunchtime meetings at Fredricks as follows:
11 December – Evening Christmas Dinner
18 December – Breakfast Meeting
25 December – No Rotary
1 January – No Rotary
8 January – No Rotary
9 January – RC Strathmore, Windy Hill (Optional)
16 January – Combined meeting with other clubs, Fredricks, 6.00 for 6.30 pm
RC Strathmore
Is holding a combined meeting at Windy Hill on Wednesday, 9th January, 2008. 6.30 for 7.00 pm, cost is $20. As in previous years, we have been invited to attend. This is an optional voluntary attendance as we do not have a meeting scheduled for that week.
New Members?
Membership Chairman, Michael Portelli has requested that the following two names of potential members be published. Any questions or comments should go to Michael or Tim Anderson.
Adrian McConnell - Retired Accountant
Lino Airo-Farulla - Retired Holden Draughtsman
Bahay Tuluyan
Visit to Bahay Tuluyan, Orphanage for Street Children, Phillipines. The Rotary Club of Essendon will once again be sending a delegation to the Phillipines to visit our project with Bahay Tuluyan.
The dates are as follows.
Thurs 27th March 2008: Arrive Manila
Fri 28th March: Attend Royce Abbey award presentation with The Rotary Club of Maynilad Seafront.
Sat. 29th March: Visit girls centre in Provincial area. Stay in local accommodation.
Sun30th March: Visit Boys centre in Provincial area. Stay overnight at Boys centre.
Mon31st March: Travel back to Manila, meet with Bahay Tuluyan representatives, visit craft store and poor areas. Evening: Fellowship with Rotary Club of Maynilad Seafront.
Previously when travelling through the Phillipine country side we had Catherine Scerri as our escort and tour guide. We visited some of the most wonderful restaurants and sights on our way to and from the Orphanages. Spending time with the kids was an indescribable highlight of the trip. They were the most wonderful young people. While in Manila Past President Sonny and The Rotary Club of Maynilad Seafront made us feel so welcome and offered very enjoyable hospitality.
Further information from Cathy or Shirley.
Announcements
46 members in attendance
Visitors
Peter Cullen – Speaker
Hank Kerr – Speaker
Allan Crabbe - Speaker
Visiting Rotarian
Vanda Mullen - ADG
Member’s Birthdays
3 December – Roger Leask
7 December – John Gordon
8 December – Ian Munro
Club Anniversary
6 December – Paul Dalmau, 13 years
6 December – John Gregory, 24 years
Quote of the week
Some days you’re the dog – some days you’re the tree.Anonymous