Notes from the president.

On Monday night we welcomed back many club members after what seems like a long gap from the Canterbury Neighbourhood Centre. We also welcomed friends of Doug Hawley who had flown to Melbourne to celebrate Doug's 80th birthday party. These included Brendan Birthistle, his wife Rose, May Deng, and Lae. We were also happy to see Gary Pearce who has applied for membership to the club and Mark Lelliott, as well as the community group leader Michael Stillwell. Brendan has been a major donator to Doug’s Philippine missions. Brendan was presented with a Paul Harris Award with one Sapphire for his efforts.

The speaker was David Dobney who informed us about The School of St Jude in Tanzania and its program of incorporating recent graduates into community service projects before embarking on further training. It is obviously a very worthwhile Rotary project and one that Canterbury has donated to in the past.

On Tuesday night, Michael Stillwell and I attended a meeting at the Rotary Club of Balwyn where Meriki Onus presented information about NAIDOC and the First People’s assembly of Victoria, a Treaty that has been incorporated into Victorian government legislation. Changes will be slow but hopefully will improve the lives of many indigenous Australians.

Two social events are coming up. On 20 July a trivia night is being held at Auburn Bowls Club. If you wish to come along you need to book promptly. A film night has also been organised for 17 August at the Lido cinema in Hawthorn with the film chosen being “Holy Days”. Further information will be forthcoming.

I am also looking for members or friends to help with the cooking day for It’s the Little Things on Wednesday 19 August. This will be for four hours, and the food cooked will be stored and sent to various charities in the area. I need eight participants.

Once again, it was a very interesting evening, as all of our meetings are. 

See you next week at the trivia night.

Cheers Jill