Our last meeting for the year at the Canterbury Neighbourhood Centre was a cracker of a night!
Pam, helped by Phillip, put on a veritable feast of a grazing platter (including delicious prawns and smoked salmon) for each table and followed up with yummy chocolate bites. Jonathan Shepherd, who joined us at our meeting, thought it was his lucky day!
Thank you, Pam and Phillip, for catering for our Rotary meetings since we began meeting at the CNC, earlier this year. You, together with the hard work and support of our members, have helped make the move an outstanding success.
Canterbury member, Roger Taylor, was our speaker for the evening and he presented on the topic, ‘Surviving the Anthropocene’. It was a very detailed and sobering presentation which prompted many questions. See Anne’s report later in the Buzz for more details.
Next week we will finish the year with a picnic in Riversdale Park from 6pm, bring everything including something edible to share. Dress Christmassy! Thank you, Michelle, for providing the raffle prize of a handmade and decorated gingerbread house. We will also be collecting wrapped Christmas presents for children which I will deliver to St Vincent de Paul to be distributed to needy children. Please label the outside with the age and ‘boy’ or ‘girl’ of the recipient for which the gift is suitable.
As I finish my term as P1, I thank you all for your support and for your ongoing work to do good in the world and am confident in your continuing support of Co-President Jillian Woinarski as she takes on the role of P1 in the new year. Thank you, Jill, for your kind words and the gift of chocolates and champagne-my favourites.
Best wishes everyone for a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year
SURVIVING THE ANTROPOCENE : A ROGER TAYLOR PERSPECTIVE
The Monday night presentation, the last one for the Rotary Year 2025, was done by one of our members, Roger Taylor, who is passionate about all things involving the environment. It was an intense one, which was deadly serious in its intent.
Jill opened the presentation at the beginning of the evening with a definition of the word "antropocene", meaning the length of time which humans have had on impact on the Earth.
Roger began by showing a video by the late Dr Will Stefan, who explained all aspects of the Antropocene era.
Dr Stefan described what he regarded as the degradation of the Arctic Sea and the way humans have changed the different cycles on Earth. Dr Stefan made us aware of the self-awareness that humans are changing the planet.
Roger asked the essential questions - can population on Earth disperse and rebuild? What changes are happening to species diversity? He summarised more essential problems. He raised the belief that the planet continues to warm. He also emphasised the lack of policy and decision-making which political leaders display.
The question session was lively and confronting, in many respects. Doug responded to Roger that a more balanced view of the world was required. Ken added another perspective, that when managing change, it should be acknowledged that people have the potential to change. It was, in many respects, a thoughtful discussion which prompted more questions than answers.
The rotary lunch group held their last gathering for the year at the Harp Hotel with 14 members and friends getting together for a meal and Christmas cheer.
The Multi-District Impact Summit will be held in the vibrant regional city of Horsham, Victoria. This isn't just another conference; it's a powerful collaboration where Districts 9800, 9780 and 9510 will Unite for Good.
This year's summit brings together three districts to amplify our collective power and drive meaningful change. The conference be focusing on the incredible things we can achieve when we work together, sharing our successes, and planning our future impact. Check the flyer for information or click on https://www.rotaryimpactsummit.org/
For the new sets of cleaning & laundry needs RIMERN has started a fundraiser.
$50 buys a full kit (mop & bucket, broom plus dustpan & brush, laundry basket, clothes hamper & kitchen tidy bin) and every donation over $2 is fully tax deductible.
Every RIMERN client needs a mop & bucket, broom & dustpan, swing top tidy & laundry basket plus clothes airing rack, but none of these are available second hand so RIMERN has to buy them.
A full kit costs $50 and RIMERN needs 10 a week. Can you sponsor one or more? It's Spring, time to help the RIMERN clients with their cleaning! Thank you in advance!
.jpg){kind=logo}
