Spring is definitely here, even if the temperatures aren’t consistently warm, as evidenced by the activity and song of the birds, the avenues of white blossomed street trees, and the flowers and new growth appearing in gardens all around. It is energising and uplifting, prompting us to do more, especially outdoors.
The weather was kind for our working bee on Monday. See photos below of the great result achieved. Thank you Jillian and John Womersley and for helping me out as well as Jonathan Shepherd, Pam Norton, Mike and Sally McFarlane, Mark Bourke and Andrew Dalzeil from RC Kew.
We can use some of that new energy in our projects eg, at next weeks FAM, RIMERN, Sunday Market duty, catching up with new members we mentor. Several of you have volunteered to help on Saturday to finish the paving at the Peace Poles in Victoria Park. Please come at 9am, wearing sturdy shoes, hat and sunscreen, bringing gardening gloves and a metal rake or shovel if you have one. Thank you, Michelle, Joe, Benji, Steve C and John Mc. for volunteering. More welcome.
We had more visitors at the meeting on Monday, Geoff Stenike from Nth Balwyn Rotary, and becoming familiar faces now, potential members Michael Li and Fiona Anderson. It was a very animated gathering, with lots of fellowship.
Grant King Chaired the meeting and waxed lyrical about the speaker, someone he knows well, his wife Corinne. She spoke eloquently about her experiences and motivation to write children’s picture books. Corinne described some amazing experiences, and many of us queued up afterwards to buy her beautiful books for grandchildren! See Anne’s report for more detail.
New member, Alex Birnie, is on the Rotary Radio Show this Friday from 6-8 pm on 94.1 FM 3WBC so listen in. Alex will be our speaker on 22 September - you will discover a woman of many talents!
Next week is Footy week, with Graham "Smoky" Dawson, so wear your footy gear.
Kindly reply to John Braine’s email asking for feedback about what meals you would/wouldn’t like.
Our speaker on Monday evening, Corinne Fenton, is an author of children's picture and educational books. This is what she has been doing for twenty years. She has an impressive catalogue of picture books, some based on original stories and illustrations, others which require significant research about true stories, events and people.
Her picture book, "Queenie" tells the story of the elephant who contributed to the lives of visitors to the Royal Melbourne Zoo for over forty years. Adults and children had the pleasure of riding on her quite substantial back. Two other elephants, Betty and Peggy, also undertook the same activities. Queenie carried up to twelve people on her large frame.
The other icon of Australian history, "Dog on the Tuckerbox", was a major stopover for many families between Melbourne and Sydney, on the trip by car. Corinne created a beautifully illustrated picture book based on this monument. She displayed her personal photos which she took of her own children near the statue.
In a love story of Sydney Harbour Bridge, Corinne created a picture book for children, "To the Bridge", about a boy called Lenny who rode from Leongatha to Sydney to see the official opening of the Sydney Harboor Bridge.
Corinne tells stories about the special people, places and events in the lives of many Australians. She reveals the hidden stories to the current generation of Australian children who need to understand the real character of their nation. It is a combination of creative research, creative writing and creative illustration. She carefully selects her illustrators and carefully conducts her research to ensure authority and accuracy.
Many thanks Corinne for a very interesting presentation.
Graham "Smokey" Dawson, our speaker next week, is a veteran sports broadcaster known for his commentary on Cricket and VFL/AFL, and for working at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games, starting his career with the ABC in 1970.
He has called numerous major sporting events, including over 300 Test matches, more than 700 one-dayers, and over 1800 VFL/AFL games, including many Grand Finals. Dawson was a long-time, passionate supporter of the Hawthorn Football Club (which makes him undoubtably a terrific person).
Please come dressed for the meeting in your teams footy gear.
Lots a hands have contributed this week to assist with the construction of the peace poles in Victoria Park Kew.
The poles were put in place by Council staff last week and this week most of the paver have been installed.
Members from Canterbury and Kew Rotary Clubs have done a mighty job is manoeuvring the paver into a circular patter around the poles. More paving will be done over the coming weekend and the planting will follow in the near future.
Remember to put 11am, 21 September in your calendars so you are at Victoria Park for the Peace Poles unveiling ceremony. The Mayor of Boroondara as well as the District Governor and past District Governor will be in attendance - and you don’t want to miss the sausage sizzle afterwards.
Doug, Jill and Nora would like to again thank our supportive team for the FORaMEAL setup and event at Tay Creggan for the Year 9 Strathcona girls on 3 and 4 September 2025.
The setup was completed in a little over an hour thanks to Helen, Pat, Alan, Kyle, and the additional grovel response members of Elizabeth, Steve, Jules and Michael.
A big welcome is extended to Michael for his first introduction to our fabulous program and we hope that he will join us again at other events in the future.
The usual stalwart team showed up again for the actual event on Thursday. Jules, Marg (RC Port Phillip) Gretta (RC North Balwyn) and Yidan (RC Melbourne) were welcome additions to the team. The girls packed 26,500 meals and could have completed more if we had additional supplies. Not that the truck space and weight could have managed more!!
It was all done and dusted a little after 2.15pm and to be driving out of the grounds at 3pm was a fantastic effort and indicates how proficient we have become!
We have thanked and extended our appreciation to Strathcona staff on behalf of the team for their lovely lunch and hospitality.
Rest up. The next one is Scotch College on 18 September. Then a break for some but not all as some members head off to the Philippines for the 26th Eye and Ear Screening program. We wish them every success and safe travels.
John McCaskill represented the Club and R4BEES on Wednesday morning at the Rotary Club of Box Hill Central where the special presentation was given by two of the students from Parkmore Primary School.
They have just returned from Idaho in the US where they represented Australia in the FPS (Freedom for Protected Species) competition. Our members will recall them being interviewed by Costa at our most recent R4B's event.
We supported them with a small donation for their school pollinator garden. They did extremely well and came 5th out of 107 teams from all around the world. The photos show the two students presenting to the club this morning - they are hoping Costa will visit their school in October and film a segment for the ABC Gardening Program.
The Canterbury Rotary Club lunch usually meets bi-weekly at 12.30 for a meal and some fun. Above are members of the lunch group enjoying some cheer.
David Zrna looks after the reservations for the lunch group. Please contact David at david.zrna@canterburyrotary.org or on 0467033092 to advise that you will be coming to a lunch.
Spring is here and it is the time of year to think about getting outside with your family, friends and club members to participate in our Rotary Walk With Us fundraiser which starts on 1 October.
Please register yourself and your team to participate and fundraise for Rotary’s number one global project being the eradication of polio from the world. Dream up a catchy team name, garner support and start walking, running, cycling or any other movement that you wish.
What a wonderful way to get fit, collaborate and support this wonderful cause.
Please see the invitation below to the Paws for Polio Event. Bring your four legged furry friend and join in the fun. To register for this event click here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1459443
.jpg){kind=logo}
