The travellers are back from the medical mission, this time from Masbate, an island in the central Philippines. The majority of the population are fisherman or work in the fields and there is a high poverty rate. We were based in Masbate City and each day bussed to various communities where we worked with the Eye Hear Foundation, along with other medical volunteers. Overall, we screened over 4000 people, and the ophthalmologist performed 580 operations. This was the highest number of any of the missions. The hospitality of the Rotary Club of Masbate was overwhelming, and our sisterhood with this club was renewed.
The orthoptic students benefited greatly from the experience, not only from the pathology seen but also from their introduction to a Third World community. They have also been introduced to Rotary. Please keep in mind that they will be presenting at our meeting on 30th November and it should be a fascinating meeting, so please come.
There is a lot happening in the immediate future:
Next week we will induct two new members – Pat Little and Ian Berg. Welcome to the club!
On 14 November, we will be running a Bunnings barbecue at Middleborough Road South Box Hill. Steve Clarke is the barbecue captain. Help will be required so please contact Steve if you are available.
Two days later, we will be conducting the food packing of Christmas treats. There is a lot of preparation to go in before this night but we will need members to attend and help pack. This will obviously take the place of a speech.
Our Christmas function has been organised to be held at the Eastern Bell restaurant in Balwyn on 15 December. This is a Tuesday but has been organised because the restaurant normally closes and we will have it entirely to ourselves. It will be a fixed menu and bring your own alcohol. A formal notification will be in the bulletin shortly.
And next year will be just as busy. It's our 40th anniversary and we obviously need to celebrate. Do we go formal or relaxed? There will be another Rotarians for Bees event in May, and there has been a suggestion that we should run a Food and Wine Fair.
Next week we won’t have a speaker but Joe Flinn our secretary will be discussing administrative changes that will be occurring next year.
Have a nice week and get ready for a very busy November.
Dr Brad Hodge's presentation about living magnificently in retirement comes from a lot of lived experience as a change maker for organizations. He emphasised three elements: 1.Autonomy 2. Purpose 3. Relationships. He asked us about what we missed about work and most of us missed the friendships, the relationships we had with our work colleagues. Not being liked, can lead to anxiety. We want to be acknowledged as valued members of the community. We want to feel both important and useful. We also desire the ability to make choices as to what we do and how we do it. We require the tension between this sense of connectedness and autonomy. Purpose is essential to climb the mountain. Purpose gives you the tools and strategies to take on the challenge. Brad mentioned something which may appear to be counter-intuitive, with a different view of life and philosophy of life, and then seeks to improve the sense of the relationship with people, particularly in organizations. In fact, according to Brad, there are many types of structures in organizations. Some are based on top-down , tiered models. Others are team-based, more collegiate in feel.
Brad is a dynamic speaker and presenter who asks the audience questions and prompts responses to a variety of queries, which deal with core values. It was an extremely pleasant presentation, one which made us all think very deeply about the way we respond to other people in our daily lives. He also has a sense of humour and a light touch, which is very tempting. We derived many useful thoughts and ideas from it.
The Canterbury Rotary Club lunch group usually meets bi-weekly at 12.30 for a meal and some fun. Above are members enjoying lunch yesterday at Green Acres Golf Club.
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.
The Rotary Clubs of Kew and Brighton North proudly organise this event to raise vital funds for selected charities. This year they are supporting Family Life, a community-based organisation that has supported children, families and communities for more than 50 years.
There are 18 Gardens being opened this year located in Kingsbury, Ivanhoe East, Ivanhoe, Northcote (2), Fairfield (2), Hawthorn, Camberwell, Glen Iris, Caulfield South, Mornington, Mount Martha, Merricks North, Merricks, McCrae, Rye and Blairgowrie.
The best way to experience Garden DesignFest is a Weekend Pass for $80. For garden lovers who don’t want to miss a thing! Your $80 Weekend Pass gives you entry to all 18 gardens across both Saturday and Sunday, giving you the freedom to plan your own itinerary and explore some of Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula’s most inspiring private landscape designed gardens at your own pace. One pass. Two days. 18 remarkable gardens. You can also purchase individual tickets for your favourite gardens.
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