Annual Report

93rd ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18

Rotary Club of Bendigo - Established July 30, 1925 Charter No 2104 A member of Rotary International District 9800 PO Box 131, Bendigo Victoria, 3552 E-mail: bendigo@rotarydistrict9800.org Website: http://www.bendigorotary.org

Officials 2017-2018 District Governor (D9800) Peter Freuh

Assistant Governor (Goldfields North) Jill Barker

Board of Directors President Vice President

Board Secretary Treasurer

Valerie Broad Larrie Winzar Hugh Wheeler Leanne Oberin Garry Gunnell

President Elect Libby Hughes Past President Glenn Reilly Club Service Noel Hobley Community Service Tom Dobeli International Service Robert Edgar

Rotary Foundation Vocational Service

Youth Service Membership

Julie Sloan Chris Fordham Peter Hyett Joy Bruce Libby Hughes

Club Officials Protection/OHS Officer Tom Dobeli Association Secretary Ian Monotti

Public Officer Wayne Smith

Media Noel Hobley

Past Presidents E M Vains 1925-1926 M G Guidice 1926-1927 W J Long 1927-1928 O Flight (Snr) 1928-1929 J Jeffrey 1929-1930 W Tredinnick 1930-1931 W Tredinnick 1931-1932 F Levy 1932-1933 A L Bolton 1933-1934 G V Lansell 1934-1935 G Eathorne 1935-1936 G Long 1936-1937 O V Morris 1937-1938 T H McNaught 1938-1939 H P Y Wright 1939-1940 W A Draper 1940-1941 L L Dungey 1941-1942 G P Hibberd 1942-1943 A E Davies 1943-1944 E B Pederick 1944-1945 G A Pethard 1945-1946 F.E.R. Biggs 1946-1947 B Mundy 1947-1948 A H Jones 1948-1949 J. Barton 1949-1950 E F Granger 1950-1951 N J Oliver 1951-1952 E A Cambridge 1952-1953 R H Trethewey 1953-1954 C W Baker 1954-1955 K W Hesse 1955-1956 R V Brock 1956-1957 T B Keith 1957-1958 R Campagnolo 1958-1959 H A Moors 1959-1960 W G Sones 1960-1961 S J Tongway 1961-1962 G E Mayne 1962-1963 A C Sandow 1963-1964 E M Monotti 1964-1965

J N Sutherland 1965-1966 J C M Jeffrey 1966-1967 K H G Ross 1967-1968 W N Johanson 1968-1969 J W Henderson 1969-1970 D L Martin 1970-1971 C Bell 1971-1972 K Mill 1972-1973 F A McManus 1973-1974 L Williamson 1974-1975 R W Cambridge 1975-1976 J M Adams 1976-1977 W J B Derham 1977-1978 J M Cartwright 1978-1979 R J Slattery 1979-1980 D T Watts 1980-1981 K G Scarrott 1981-1982 R W Paulsen 1982-1983 D J Samson 1983-1984 D T Potter 1984-1985 H J O’Sullivan 1985-1986 V F Moyle 1986-1987 P A Joseph 1987-1988 E J Rankins 1988-1989 W F Gray 1989-1990 N R Phillips 1990-1991 D W Brown 1991-1992 B T McMahon 1992-1993 B L Kinross 1993-1994 H G Wheeler 1994-1995 K A Reilly 1995-1996 R Poyser 1996-1997 G McLeod 1997-1998 C M Nankervis 1998-1999 G R Gunnell 1999-2000 L J Winzar 2000-2001 I R Monotti 2001-2002 B W Doherty 2002-2003 C J Burns 2003-2004 J M McLean 2004-2005

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M J Andrew 2005-2006 J Krakowiak 2006-2007 H G Wheeler 2007-2008 N A Hobley 2008-2009 A Hampton 2009-2010 J Gallagher 2010-2011 W W Smith 2011-2012 B P Figg 2012-2013 T G Seddon 2013-2014 R McDonald 2014-2015 L J Winzar 2015-2016 G A Reilly 2016-2017 V Broad 2017-2018

Members who are Past Presidents of other clubs Bruce Perrin 1972-73 Wangaratta Michael Pearson 94-95 95-96 Tennant Creek.

Peter Hyett 2000-01 Echuca/Moama Robert Edgar 2001-02 Frankston North Brian Figg 2007-08 Mildura

Members who have served as

District Governor Arthur Bolton 1936-37 Ern Granger 1962-63 Ray Downey 1977-78

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President’s report Valerie Broad

I was told that the twelve months when I was President of the Rotary Club of Bendigo would pass quickly – but I didn’t realise just how quickly! It seems no time at all since I stood on the stage of Ulumbarra Theatre and became the 92nd President of the second oldest Rotary Club in Victoria. I will never forget that night or the thrill I felt as you entrusted to me the task of leading our great Club forward.

I have to ask myself – have I fulfilled that responsibility?

Certainly I had a very chequered beginning. I flew out of Australia only days after my induction bound for New York with my choir to sing in Carnegie Hall and then, on my return, only weeks later I was involved in a car accident and was out of action. I was not able to do any of the things I had planned. For me this was extremely disappointing – but such is the calibre of the wonderful team we have, the Club ran very smoothly and continued to do good work – and the things I had already put in place were moving.

It is a real eye-opener to read the reports written by the Chairmen of the various Committees. They have worked consistently across so many areas both locally and internationally. I congratulate and thank all the wonderful members of our club for their efforts – and what a result. In excess of $90,000 raised to distribute to worthy causes.

Some of the highlights of the year for me were:

the ROS Committee, 2 members from the Department of Regional Development and a representative from each of Bendigo Blues and Roots Festival and Scots Day Out. The City of Greater Bendigo has contributed $10,000 along with $10,000 from our Club and we have been waiting for final confirmation that RDV will also commit $10,000. We have chosen our Consultants, they have accepted the commission and all is ready to go.

We have been given the end of June as the date when we will hear if our application has been successful. We are on our way!

The 50th Annual Rotary Art Show which was held over the Easter weekend and what a wonderful event that was. Our Gala Awards and Preview Evening had a capacity attendance and there were over 800 paintings on display, many of which were sold. Profits from the event amounted to $30,000. Congratulations to Brian Figg and his Committee.

The Music and Memory program which has had mixed fortunes. The trial at Strath-Haven has been extremely successful with 6 clients receiving benefits – but, unfortunately, the Arts Health Institute, from which the program was purchased, has gone into liquidation. This has not and will not impact on Strath-Haven, but Bendigo Health which also purchased the program was caught in the middle.

They did not receive all the equipment promised and have lost money as a result. We have not heard anything further regarding the liquidation, but have been advised that Melanie Karajas who spoke to our club earlier this year, has been appointed Australian Manager of the Music and Memory program which is no longer aligned to the Arts Health Institute.

I passionately believe in the power of music to assist those suffering dementia and many other forms of mental illness and will continue to work towards the dream of Rotary making it possible for all organisations in Bendigo who work with dementia patients to introduce a music program.

Discussions are continuing.

The 47th presentation of Carols by Candlelight which was held on a beautiful, balmy night and attracted an estimated 7,000 people to Rosalind Park. We were able to donate $3,500 to the Uniting Christmas Appeal to assist their work with underprivileged people in our community.

After so many years, at last our VOPA (Venue for Outdoor Performing Arts) Project began to move and a Committee was formed to prepare for a Feasibility Study – the first step. Along the way we changed our name from VOPA to ROS (Rotary Outdoor Stage) to better reflect the role of Rotary. The Committee comprises members from various divisions of the City of Greater Bendigo, 5 members of

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The Bendigo Youth Choir performed in Carnegie Hall, New York, on 17th June, 2017, following a generous donation of $10,000 from Glenn’s year as President. This attracted a further $2,500 grant from Rotary Foundation. On their return, the choir performed in the premiere of ‘Peace’, a Cantata for John Monash composed by Dr. David Kram, a member of the Rotary Club of Melbourne and Kevin O’Flaherty, in Hamer Hall, Melbourne, in September, 2017.

Following a successful first performance, Dr. Kram then

invited BYC to travel to Villers Bretonneux in France to sing an abbreviated version of the work, in French, in September, this year. ‘Rotary Down Under’ wrote an article which caused two members of the choir to be invited to sing at the 2018 RI Presidential Peace Conference which was held in the Sydney Town Hall in March. A wonderful thrill for the two young choristers – and another instance of Rotary giving young people opportunities they would not otherwise receive.

In March, the Presidents of all Rotary Clubs in Victoria received an invitation from the Governor of Victoria, the Hon. Linda Dessau AC, to a Vice Regal Reception to be held at Government House to honour Ian Risely, the current World President of Rotary International. It has been a great thrill to be President in the year that an Australian – a Victorian – from Melbourne – has been the International President of this great organisation. Four members of each club were invited and I was pleased to take Joy Bruce, Garry Gunnell and Libby Hughes with me.

Congratulations to Greg Galloway and all those who have been involved with car-parking. This has been one of our best and most consistent fund-raisers.

A very successful Swap Meet – the only event on our calendar which is shared with the 5 other clubs in Bendigo – and we were blessed with good weather.

I have a great interest in young people and our Youth Committee, under the direction of Joy Bruce, has provided wonderful opportunities to many through the NYSF program, RYPEN, Student Exchange and a Foundation Scholarship Grant which will assist two students at the Catherine McAuley College over the next two years. We have been delighted to host Laura Zeuner for the past 12 months and thank those families who have been her ‘host parents’ over that time. Congratulations and thanks to Joy and her Committee.

A truly wonderful program - one of my favourites - has been our ‘Basketball’ Project. Bob Edgar, Peter Hyett and Tom Dobeli have run with this and had amazing results. The Club was given a large amount of surplus basketballs, thongs, sports bags and singlets for distribution outside Victoria.

Pallets have gone to Miltaburra near Ceduna, to Nhulunbuy and the Drought Angels in Chinchilla. Thanks to contacts our Rotarians have, this project has used a network of businesses outside of Rotary – a working relationship which has brought joy to many children in outback areas.

2017-2018 ANNUAL REPORT

As well, the Club received laptop computers from Merck Sharp and Dohme (MSD) and these will be sent to projects in Samoa and Nepal. A few of the computers required some work and they have been donated to Crusoe College, where they will be repaired and given to needy students.

Our members have been involved in many other projects, including – Julie Sloan ‘rode the Peninsular’ to raise funds for End Polio Now; members provided and filled bags with toiletries to be given to homeless people through ‘Share the Dignity’ - including bags for men and children this year; helped out at the Wool and Sheep Show; gave needy children a present at Christmas through our ‘Giving Tree’; been involved in the Food and Fibre Centre of Excellence at TAFE; collected exercise books, pens and pencils to send to Samoa; been involved in a ‘self help’ program in Nepal to help eradicate leprosy (Hansen’s Syndrome); have collected and are still collecting used stamps to be used to end Trachoma in Australia by the year 2020 – and we held our first Autumn Market, in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Strathdale at the Bendigo South East College grounds. These are only some of the ways in which our members have “made a difference”.

The year has also been a very sad year. Our member Umesh and Jesmin lost their beautiful little daughter Brishti in March and our much valued, generous member, Bev Figg passed away after a long, courageous battle. Joyce Ackerman, wife of our member Barry, also passed away, whilst many of our members have been struggling with severe illness, bereavement and personal problems. The Rotary Club of Bendigo is a very family oriented group of people who support each other and the ‘We Care Committee’ has been extremely busy. Larrie Winzar, who heads this Committee, has been tireless. We thank her for her efforts on behalf of us all.

We are indeed ‘ people with a purpose’ who are ‘making a difference’ – and we make a difference in so many areas.

And we have also had some fun. The Annual Golf Night, our Bowls night, a Bar-b-que at the property of member Andrew and Heather Hampton, an Italian Night, the Great Penna Breakfast – and more - all provided opportunities for fellowship and friendship.

So – to answer my question – have I fulfilled the responsibility which was entrusted to me? With your support and encouragement I believe that I have. Our club is healthy and vital, contributing fully to the Community. It has been an amazing year and I have had the great privilege of being your President. It was an opportunity for me to get to know each of you better and to work alongside you. I thank all members of the Board – and particularly Leanne Oberin who has been a very competent and willing Secretary.

Through the experience, I have learned a great deal more about the great organisation to which we all belong – Rotary.

Thank you so much.

President Valerie.

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Members and Classifications ABBOTT Tabitha - Travel Services

PARSONS Robert - Video Editor

ACKERMAN Barry - Rubber Processing

PAULSEN Margaret - Business Administration

BROAD Val - Music Education

PAULSEN Ray - Business Machines*

BRUCE Joy - Primary Education

PEARSON Lisa - Nursing

BUTTOLPH Daniel - Pharmacy

PEARSON Michael - General Practice Medicine

CARTWRIGHT John - Optometry

PEMBERTON John - Business Banking

CLARKE Graeme - Lighting Retail

PENNA Barry - Locksmithing

COATES Ian - Regional Banking Services

PERRIN Bruce - Homes for the Aged

COIA Domenic - Hairdressing

RANKINS Ted - Postal Service

DeZILVA Tilika - Catering

READING Peter - Signwriting

DOBELI Tom - Health and Safety

REID Bruce - Property Improvement*

DOHERTY Brian - Insurance Brokerage

REILLY Rhonda -Administration

EDGAR Bob - Landcare

REILLY Glenn - Electrical Retailing

FIGG Brian - Body Corporate Services

RICHMOND Ken - Superannuation Consultancy

FLOOD John - Electricity Supply

ROBINSON Alida - Sales and Marketing

FORDHAM Chris - Financial Planning

ROGERS Ron - Insurance

GALLAGHER John - Plumbing Service

SAMSON Des - Confectionery Distribution

GALLOWAY Greg - Healthcare

SHRESTHA Umesh - Electricity Design

GILCHRIST Ken - Legal Services

SLOAN Julie - Primary Health Service

GLAZEBROOK Arthur - Banking*

SMITH Wayne - Water Engineering

GODFREY Nadia - Marketing Management

THEIN Sei Sei Mu - Interpreter

GRAVES Kaye - Community Health Admin

TREVORAH Evan - Accounting

GRAY Bill - Bearing Services

VANSTAN Rosalie - Pharmacy Administration

GUNNELL Garry - Project Management

VANDENBERG Richard - Chartered Accountant

HAMPTON Andrew - Funeral Directing

WATTS Daryl - Legal Office Administration

HOBLEY Noel - Media Services

WHEELER Hugh - University Edn Admin Services

HUGHES Libby - Friendly Society Pharmacy

WINZAR Larrie - Personnel Services

HUGHES Mike - Information Technology HYETT Peter - Farm Management IONESCU Daniela - Engineering Education KALMS Linda - Financial KANU Sanjeev - Accounting KRAKOWIAK John - Social Education LEHMAN Kaye - Human Services LEAN Frank - Investing LOWE Kim - Business Services McDONALD Rod - Human Resources McLEOD Geoffrey - Motels McMAHON Adrian - Club Manager McMAHON Bryan - Marketing Advertising MAHONEY Jim - Agricultural Supplies MONOTTI Ian - General Law Practice MUHLNICKEL Glen - Banking Financial Services NANKERVIS Colin - Civil Engineering OBERIN Leanne - Executive Assistant O’KEEFE Megan - Community Health Nurse

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*Honorary Member

COMMUNITY SERVICE

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT 2017

Director: Tom Dobeli This year has been a very busy year with many events supported by many Rotarians. Our services have been required at so many events that ‘person power’ is sometimes stretched to the limit and other organizations are coopted to meet the need of safety and service. These major events involved countless hours of volunteer work in the community.

In all forms of public entertainment from horse racing events, music festivals, wine expo’s, cross country running events and caravan and camping shows, Greg Galloway has rostered teams of people to park cars for the benefit of the community.

The Art Show under the leadership of Brian Figg and his committee, keep giving us a bigger and better event each year which compliments the Easter festivities in Bendigo.

The Swap Meet brings people from all over Australia to the show grounds and Libby Hughes and Rotarians from all Bendigo Clubs dedicate countless hours in servicing the needs of these bargain hunters.

Carols by Candlelight again provided quality entertainment to the community of Bendigo under the guidance of Colin Nankervis, record crowds enjoyed the balmy evening in Rosalind park.

To all these leaders and all Rotarians who volunteered their time to make these events so successful during the year a big thank you, as your service has made a difference.

Colin Nankervis

CAR PARKING Greg Galloway

Carol’s in Rosalind Park in 2017 was presented in perfect summer evening weather.

Pre event publicity provided by WIN TV and Bendigo Advertiser ensured a large public attendance for the program on the night.

The simulcast of the program and also pre event publicity

by Radio 105.1 adds another dimension to the program for people unable to attend in person.

The earlier start to the program is proving popular with the public as they arrive at the venue early to gain a viewing position, this entertainment allowed a smooth transition to the main program again capably compered and managed

by Mr Bruce Roberts of WIN TV. The Christmas characters, mingling with the audience prior to the main program, and the arrival of Santa with a Scottish piper were new features in 2017.

Finally such a successful event is not possible without the great input over many months by Bendigo Rotary Carols Committee together with Valerie Broad OAM and Beverly Leeson as the musical directors, all ably supported by many varied community organizations including the performers, advertising sponsors and equipment suppliers.

BENDIGO SWAP MEET Libby Hughes

The Event Car Parking Committee has had a particularly busy 12 months. We have worked at the following events: Beach Party Race day Bendigo Cup Bendigo Leisurefest (3 days) Bendigo Centre Swap Meet Bull Riding Association Red Hot Summer Tour Winemakers Festival Schools Cross Country At times we have worked collaboratively with other Rotary Clubs, Junortoun Fire Brigade and Friends of Bendigo Kilmore to share the workload in some of these events.

Collectively we have raised $14,600 from the hard work of the many volunteers who have contributed to this success.

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We had a very successful Swap Meet, the weather was good and we sold lots of food and coffee. We changed the staffing arrangements this year as we did not have Next Generation RC, so to make up volunteer numbers we had four recipient groups that gave us 100hrs each.

The recipients were CFA Junortoun, Lifeline, Riding for the Disabled with South Mandurang Pony Club and the Special Development School.

The Car Club shared the risk of inclement weather and shared in the profits rather than charging us a fee. Each group received $3900.

For 2018 YMen’s have decided to withdraw from the Swap Meet catering. They exclusively sold pies, pasties, soft drink and water in 4 venues around the Showgrounds and the Combined Rotary Clubs Catering Committee has agreed to take on their role.

This means more volunteers are needed, hence we have decided to ask for six major recipients who will each supply 120 man hours. We will then divide the profits between 13. We will approach the groups we know are reliable and hopefully we won’t need to rely on the club members so much.

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EASTER ART SHOW Brian Figg

This year the Rotary Club of Bendigo celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Easter Art Show at the iconic Bendigo Town Hall. We commenced with a Gala Awards and Preview Evening on Thursday, 29 March, then opening to the public for four days from Friday, 30 March to Monday, 2 April.

A fantastic number of over 840 exhibits were on display at the Bendigo Town Hall from artists predominantly from Central Victoria but also Geelong, Melbourne, Southern NSW and Sydney. Once again, many new artists exhibited through word of mouth referral and invitation (our Artist in Residence, Nicholas Truscott, had over 20 of his students displaying at this year’s show).

The overall diversity and quality of exhibits continues to be a key ingredient for the success and the uniqueness of our ‘Community’ based regional Art Show, at such an iconic venue.

Exhibits were judged this year by Geoff Paynter, local artist and wonderful long-standing supporter of our Easter Art Show for over 45 years.

Best in Show Prize of $2,500.00 went to Do Noble of Melbourne for his painting titled “Garden Scene”.

Other major award winners were Best Oil/Acrylic - Claire McCall for ‘Outgoing Tide’, Best Watercolour - Be Goslar for ‘Autumn Elegance’, Best Small Image - jointly won by Mira Lambadaridis for ‘Willow’ and Fiona Gainger for ‘Untitled’,

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and Best Pastel / Charcoal/ Pencil – Meagan Penna for ‘Friendly Greeting’.

The Preview Evening was our strongest attended ever with over 300 people in attendance comprising paying patrons, artists, sponsors and Rotarians making for a very vibrant start to the 2018 Easter Art Show.

Our resident artist for the second year in a row in 2018 was award winning watercolour artist Nicholas Truscott from Mandurang who proved hugely popular during the event and himself enjoyed some success selling 7 of his paintings on display (included in the Club’s sales figures below).

On the financial side, sales were slightly down on 2016 and 2017, but still very strong with 178 exhibits sold (over 20% of total paintings on display) netting $14,794 in commission.

Revenue from Entry Fees $10,975.00 covered our generous prizemoney of $9,250.00, the Raffle with a donated Jian Xiong Wu painting (2017 Best in Show Winning artist) as first prize was again very well supported raising $3,727.30 and door sales were consistent with past three years with $13,405.00 received from paying patrons.

A big thank you to our major sponsors Bendigo Weekly, William Farmer, Bendigo Club, CR Martin Real Estate and City of Greater Bendigo for their generous support of our 2018 show.

With all the sums done and expenses paid, the Easter Art Show Committee were delighted to hand over, at our night meeting on 22 May, a cheque for $30,000.00 to Valerie Broad, President of the Rotary Club of Bendigo, for current and future club projects.

As Easter Art Show Coordinator, I extend an enormous thanks to firstly the hardworking Art Show Committee, and secondly, Club members (and many partners) for their fantastic efforts in making the 50th Anniversary Easter Art Show another outstanding success – it really is a great team effort that gets the job done each year.

Rotary Market

MUSIC AND MEMORY

Libby Hughes The inaugural Market at Bendigo South East College took place on a beautiful sunny day on April 22nd. It was a trial to assess if it was something we could carry on with. We had 38 stalls and the majority of the stall holders were pleased with the day and expressed an interest in doing it again.

The committee decided it was well worth running again and the feedback suggested a Friday night market , but not in winter. The thought is we will repeat it in September.

This was a joint Rotary Club event and we worked with Bendigo Strathdale who were great. Rotarians helped with a BBQ, End Trachoma and a Nepal stall and Gnome Painting.

A big thankyou to our Rotarian Kim Lowe for her excellent work on Facebook, publishing the event.

Valerie Broad The Music and Memory Program has been operating very successfully for over 6 months at Strath-Haven and the organisation is now a fully accredited provider of a Music and Memory Program.

However, unfortunately the Arts Health Institute, which provided the program, has gone into liquidation. Melanie Karajas who spoke to our Club about the program has recently been appointed the Australian Manager of the actual program and we have been in discussion with her regarding the future of the venture. It is operating so smoothly that Strath Haven will be able to run with it independently and present thinking is that this will continue.

We were in discussion with Bendigo Health and they, too, decided to run with the program but, unfortunately, were caught in the liquidation process and, although they had paid their subscription fees, did not receive everything which had been promised. As a consequence they lost money and are now devising their own program. I am looking at ways in which Rotary can be involved.

This seemed to be a tragedy at first, but it may well be that it will turn out to be advantageous and we are continuing to investigate all possibilities.

I am totally convinced of the value of the program – and not only for those suffering dementia. Music has a beneficial effect on people of all ages and this has been proven on many occasions. I have seen it work and I will continue to work towards helping all facilities in and around Bendigo to introduce and develop a program to help those clients and families who would benefit from being involved.

Attached to this report is an eMail I received from Kerryn Anderson, Leisure & Lifestyle Co-ordinator of Strath-Haven .

Good afternoon Val, As it is now 6 months since we started fully utilising music and memory with our residents I thought I would provide you with an overview of how successful this program has been.

In terms of use, we have 6 residents who are regularly offered music (individually chosen to their taste) the residents have been observed smiling, sometimes crying, swaying to the music, tapping toes or fingers and engaging with the person assisting them with eye contact from time to time.

For the staff assisting this has been a moving experience also at times. As we know music is a very powerful thing that reaches into the soul and has the ability to alter mood. Gail Godber has been very generous giving some time to assist with loading of music onto the laptop where all music is stored and can be uploaded onto the iPod’s as required.

Over time lifestyle staff will become more proficient with this part of the process but due to lack of time mainly this has been a slow road (as you know Lifestyle staff are always busy doing something for someone!)

Overall I am really proud of what we have achieved using this system, it has provided another means of making life more pleasurable for residents and gives another choice, which is wonderful. Thanks to the Rotary club support we have been able to make this dream come true.

Thankyou for your continued support Val and I hope to see you soon.

Kind regards, Kerry

CRAFT GROUP Libby Hughes The Craft group has been busy this year. We have carried on knitting blankets, but have also been knitting Trauma Teddies for the Australian Red Cross.

They are used locally at Bendigo Hospital and at St John of God Hospital for the Children’s ward and A&E. They are also given to dementia patients.

OPERATION CLEFT GOLF EVENT Glenn Reilly Our 10th golf event in support of Rotary’s Operation Cleft was a great night all round.

With 22 teams taking part and the highlight being, eight new teams coming along. With the glow in the dark balls working a treat, improved lighting on the fairways and a perfect night with mild weather and no breeze made for another fun event.

Rotarian Ian Coates and his team won a closely fought out event with Central Kitchens and DLO Plumbing taking out the minor places.

With the great support of The Bendigo Club, the hard working Rotarians on the night and numerous local sponsors this year’s event allowed us to present a cheque for $10,000 to this life changing cause.

A big thank you to all the members who have helped out over the years for this unique event. Over our club’s 10 year history with the golf event we have raised over $95,000 for Operation Cleft which has changed over 350 children’s lives.

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ROTARY OUTDOOR STAGE Valerie Broad During the year the Rotary Committee working on this project decided to change their name from VOPA (Venue for Outdoor Performing Arts) to ROS (Rotary Outdoor Stage) to better reflect the involvement of Rotary through our Club.

Although moving along at a slow pace, there are exciting developments in this project. The Working Party for the Outdoor Performing Arts Space Feasibility Study has met regularly to plan the way forward. The Working Party consists of: Rotary Representatives: Valerie Broad, OAM; Barry Ackerman; Andrew Hampton; Colin Nankervis and Rosalie Rogers.

City of Greater Bendigo Representatives: Bernie O’Sullivan, Director Strategy and Growth; Debbie Wood, Manager Parks & Open Space; Aaron Lindsay, Co-ordinator Public Space Design; Maree Tonkin Co-ordinator Arts & Culture; Jacqueline Murphy, Major Events Co-ordinator; Mark Stubbs, Senior Strategic Planner.

Regional Development, Victoria Representatives: David Tripp and Ben Rowbottom: Community Representatives: Colin Thompson, Bendigo Blues & Roots Festival; Chris Earl, Scots Day Out. Submissions from Consultants were called and interviews conducted, resulting in the appointment of our chosen Consultant, who has accepted the commission.

The project has been delayed because we have not yet received confirmation from Regional Development that they will provide the final $10,000 required to fund the Feasibility Study. We have received every indication that we will be successful in our application but cannot proceed until we know definitely.

We have been given the end of June as the date when we will be advised. In the interim, we have done as much groundwork with the Consultant as has been possible so that the project can be up and running as soon as we receive advice from RDV. So watch this space.

CAMP GETAWAY Wayne Smith On 7th April 2018, the new kitchen at Camp Getaway was officially opened by District Governor Peter Frueh in front of eighty invited Rotarians, partners and guests.

In perfect weather conditions and in an atmosphere of goodwill and camaraderie, Board of Management Chairman Wayne Smith welcomed dignitaries and guests to the event and gave a brief overview of the kitchen project. He then introduced Board Member Leon Scott who presented a more detailed overview of the project.

Leon told those in attendance that the project was first proposed in 2008, when the Board recognised that the successful future of the Camp required a significant upgrade of its kitchen and catering facilities. Then, after several years of planning, design, fund raising and obtaining a myriad of permits, construction officially commenced with a six-day working bee in January 2015, during which the then

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DG Murray Verso ceremoniously ‘turned the first sod’. And now, four DGs later, DG Peter is here to officially open the completed kitchen.

Leon advised that the kitchen had been constructed almost entirely by volunteers taking some 1,253 man days spread over 161 working-bee days. With this great saving in labour costs and with significant generous contributions by material and equipment suppliers and specialist contractors, the kitchen was able to be built on budget at just over $200,000, which amount was raised entirely from Rotary Club and private donations. Leon also took the opportunity to individually recognise all those who generously contributed to the project.

The official part of the day concluded with the ‘cutting of the ribbon’ by DG Peter and the presentation of a special award to Leon Scott, without whose drive and leadership the project would not have come to fruition.

Attendees then enjoyed a sumptuous afternoon tea provided by our Camp managers and volunteers and a casual tour of the kitchen and the camp in general.

Unfortunately, the year was not without its low light when with deep sorrow and regret we farewelled our long-time camp manager Dowell Mitchell, who finally lost his long battle with cancer in August 2017. Dowell was a true friend and colleague and is sorely missed.

On a happier note however, we welcomed our new camp managers, Benji and Tara Harrold and their two young sons, who moved into residence at the camp over the past Christmas – New Year period and are settling quite nicely into the job and their new lifestyle.

International Service Director: Bob Edgar Donated Goods Annual Report The Club has been very successful in obtaining a significant quantity of donated goods. More than 6000 exercise books and a large quantity of writing materials were donated at the start of the school year. The books and equipment have been sent to Samoa and have been distributed to schools on the island of Savai’i.

Laptop computers Bendigo based animal health firm Merck Sharp and Dohme provided a large number of laptop computers. Twentyfour have been sent to Samoa and will be installed in two primary schools by the volunteer team later this year.

Crusoe College has been given a further 20 to support the work of their year seven student intake.

Basketballs equipment Basketball Victoria Country made available to the Club a large quantity of basketballs, T-shirts and singlets. This has been distributed to schools and indigenous communities in Northern Australia. Rotary Clubs in Nhulunbuy, Katherine and Darwin South were each sent a pallet of equipment and a fourth pallet was packed for the Drought Angels in Chinchilla Queensland. Smaller quantities were sent to schools around Ceduna in South Australia and Cairns in North Queensland. The remaining goods will be taken by Tom Dobeli and Bill Gray to the Rotary Club of St George and surrounding schools in South Western Queensland.

A feature of the project has been the provision of storage and transport by local and national businesses at no cost to the Club.

Royce and Jean Abbey Scholarship Following the completion of her scholarship with the Club, Norma has settled back into her work in Samoa and is managing the “Farm to Table Project” for Women in Business Development. Using the internet, she has completed a unit of study at Bendigo TAFE. The scholarship has also helped to strengthen the links between WIBDI and the Rotary Club of Apia.

As a follow up to the scholarship Will Dalgleish from Bendigo TAFE has obtained funding for a group of 10 Bendigo TAFE students to visit Samoa in July 2018. They plan to link in with Norma and the work of Women in Business Development.

Rotarians Against Malaria The Club contributed $500 towards a Global Grant for the control of malaria in Timor Leste. A key objective is to prevent transmission of malaria in transient border areas situated between West Timor and Timor Leste as part of the National Malaria Control Program’s elimination campaign.

The Global Grant is supported by all districts in Victoria and Tasmania and with the contribution from The Rotary Foundation will total $250,000.

NEPAL PROJECT Julie Sloan Education and Training Program Mr. Nawang Tamang from Nepal was the successful recipient of the 2017-2018 Rotary Club of Bendigo Nepal Committee’s Education and Training Program. Nawang is committed to working with youth in Nepal to facilitate better mental health and wellbeing outcomes.

The Program will provide Nawang with academic financial scholarship, personal support and ongoing fellowship to attain a Bachelor of Social Work from Nepal School of Social Work, Kadambari Memorial College. Nawang regularly attends Namgyal Rinpoche Foundation where he is a student of Buddhist studies to volunteer his time in community activities such as community building, social inclusion and youth programs.

Nawang’s program nomination by Namgyal Rinpoche Foundation was based on his commitment to community, passion for supporting youth and academic achievement.... congratulations Nawang.

2017-2018 ANNUAL REPORT

Ms. Kamala Tamang, the club’s previous Program recipient, is now working as a health practitioner in a remote village health clinic in Kavre District, north of Kathmandu.

Kavre is at the foothills of the Himalayas and has many families in need of better health and housing. Kamala cares for villagers with conditions such as pneumonia, respiratory illness, gastritis, scabies, dysentery, vomiting, diarrhoea, conjunctivitis and hepatitis.

Community preventative health programs undertaken by Kamala include water and sanitation projects, maternal and child health, eye and ear screening and vaccination. Well done Kamala.

Livestock and Equipment Micro-Finance Program The Rotary Club of Bendigo has been working in partnership with the Progress Self-Help Group (PSHG) since 2013. The PSHG is a group of over 40 leprosy affected people living in Kapan, Nepal.

The collaborative partnership facilitates employment opportunities and financial independence to generate household income aimed at improving lifestyles for PSHG members and their families. The Rotary Club of Bendigo donated two sewing machines and 140 chickens to establish the micro finance project with the PSHG in 2016-17.

The project has had a very positive impact; outcomes have been far better than anticipated. Members involved in the micro finance project report finding it easier to run their daily livelihood and wish to continue working with the club to generate employment and income.

In 2017-18 two PSHG members attended an advanced tailoring course as a basis for generating income through provision of tailoring classes for the community and selling hand-made merchandise.

We continue to seek alternate methods to use this program and education to facilitate independent income generating ventures.

World Leprosy Day (Health and Awareness Program) A Health and Awareness Program was held in Kathmandu to celebrate World Leprosy Day on 28th January. This was the first collaborative joint-project of the Rotary Club of Bendigo, the Progress Self-Help Group (PSHG) with the Rotary Club of Chitwan; the enthusiastic participation of President RTN Sarad Gopal Nyachhon, RC of Chitwan, and President Rtn Sarada Acharya, RC of Jawalakhel, was much appreciated.

The Program consisted of ISSOP (Inspection, soaking, scrapping, oiling and protection), wound-dressing clinic, medical check-up, self-care education and sharing livedexperience of being a Leprosy affected person in Nepal.

Major Program outcomes included 21 Leprosy Affected Persons with chronic wounds receiving treatment through ISSOP activities (many people had chronic recurring ulcers and infected wounds). 43 people received wound-dressing, necrosis wound cleaning and self-care equipment (Bowls, Jug, Towel) along with gauge, bandage and medicine.

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Over 60 people received free medical health check and medicine; three referrals were made to Anandaban Leprosy Hospital for septic wound surgery and heart hospital for high blood pressure.

We believe this to be the first such facility in a primary school on Savaii Island and will give the students of this area a great head start when they move onto higher education levels after primary school.

A computer training room was set up with 10 laptop computers now in operation and proved a great hit with the students and teachers. The Principal was heard to say that “this is the best day of my teaching career�, a very stern person who by the end of our time was smiling broadly.

A self-care education unit provided wound prevention information for 28 leprosy affected persons; information about protecting affected limbs and prevention of wounds, hand, foot and eye care and self care education for daily life included techniques for working in the field and kitchen, long distance walking and sitting, drinking hot beverages and daily activities.

The Program was a huge success for Leprosy Affected Persons and a great outcome for the PSHG, Rotary Club of Bendigo, Rotary Club of Chitwan and Rotary Club of Jawalakhel.

Leprosy affected persons participating in the program benefited by receiving free medical checks, equipment, medicine, self-care education and wound management kits to assist with early detection, self-management of ulcers and wound prevention.

The Program gave the PSHG an opportunity to know likeminded Rotary Clubs in Nepal. We hope this Program is the first of much more future collaboration in the area of Leprosy health promotion and self-managed care.

SOMOA PROJECT Garry Gunnell Our work in Samoa continues and this Rotary year our support to the Samoan community was recognised by the Rotary Club of Apia with the presentation of a plaque to acknowledge the 24 Years of Service given by The Rotary Club of Bendigo.

A class room was completed, renovated and painted, wall fans installed, computer desks constructed and installed.

There was significant electrical work carried out to increase the school capacity plus wiring to the new computer desks and fans to keep the air circulating. This will be a great benefit to now and future year 7 and 8 (Primary school has two extra years in Samoa) students as they prepare to move to a regional college from year 9 onwards.

As always, we look for additional support from the local community to achieve greater investment in the projects as we are only there for a short period and they have ownership going forward. We certainly enjoyed this support and were able to undertake additional work around the school with painting and with new tables constructed for the local kindergarten, plus other general maintenance work completed.

Joy and Rhonda joined the team to add extra painting capacity. This certainly helped us to complete the work as some time was lost in the first week with national school exams, so the team had to hold off as no noise could be created with exams being undertaken in the adjoining classrooms.

Late in 2017 a team again went to Samoa and work was undertaken in the village of Auala.

With two new members to Samoa, Glenn and Rhonda Reilly along with regulars Garry Gunnell, Tom Dobeli, Greg Young, Paul Kirkpatrick, Joy Bruce and Larrie Winzar, much was achieved.

A number of years ago work was undertaken in this remote village school so to be able to return and see how much pride the locals take in keeping this school in good condition was very satisfying and justified the decision to introduce a computer training facility to this location.

We were also able to catch up with our recently returned Royce Abbey Scholarship awardee, Norma. It is very obvious that the knowledge and extra confidence she has gained from her 3 months in and around Bendigo is helping. She now heads a department of 20 people and is showing great dedication and maturity in the new role.

Larrie undertook workshops for the Women in Business staff

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and it is hoped that similar workshops can be developed going forward, as this organisation is achieving great results in Samoa. Some great fellowship enjoyed by the team members after leaving the village was one of the highlights of this trip as we attended the Rotary Club of Apia’s Melbourne Cup activities.

There was some torrential rain and the live link to Flemington was down for some time but, as all seems to come good at the right time in Samoa, we did see a live broadcast of the race, no winners sadly. Not even the experience of significant earth movement, with a 6.9 earthquake off the coast, dimmed our enthusiasm and instead just gave us another story to talk about over breakfast the next day.

Work does not stop and planning is now underway for a similar project to be undertaken in another primary school perhaps later 2018 or earlier in 2019, so see Garry or Tom if interested, as always great to involve new members with the regulars on these trips.

I have been able to source a container going to Samoa from Sunshine Lions Club and we have been given some space.

This year the exercise books collected under the leadership of Frank Lean are heading to Samoa for distribution to village primary schools. We have also included 22 of the donated laptops received by our club and they will be stored in Samoa ready for our next village project.

Youth Services Director: Joy Bruce Our Club has certainly been enriched by our commitment to hosting and sponsoring Rotary Exchange Students.

The Incoming Youth Exchange Student hosted by our Club for 2017-2018 was Laura Zeuner from Neu-Anspach, near Frankfurt, Germany.

Laura arrived in July and joined us each week at our meetings. She has enjoyed her school, Girton College, who have looked after her very well, getting used to wearing a uniform and making friends.

Laura has experienced our Aussie way of life through her visits to Mildura, Apollo Bay, Anglesea, Lake Boort, camping

2017-2018 ANNUAL REPORT

at the beach and the river, Phillip Island, football matches, the three-week Safari, “Rock to Reef” around Australia.

Having daily seen our flora and fauna, especially kangaroos, Laura was involved in Rotary Projects including: parking cars, selling Santa hats at the Community Carols and packing handbags with toiletries for the Homeless.

During her year she experienced: stand up paddle boarding, surfing, wake boarding behind a speed boat, swimming with dolphins, she learnt to crochet, to shear a sheep, pick tomatoes, cook some of our dishes, and loved lots of our food.

Laura spent a Christmas, Easter and her birthday with us and she was he first exchange student in our club to have her football team win the Grand Final. Go Tigers!

What a delight to get to know Laura and share those experiences with her.

Thank you to Laura’s host parents and special friends who welcomed her into their homes and supported her, Joy Bruce and Garry Gunnell, Toni Nielson-Purcell and Andrew Purcell, Jen and Greg Galloway and their families. Also, a big thanks to the Pearson and Reilly families for taking Laura on weekends and for Peter Hyett for showing Laura country farm life.

A few words from Laura: It has been an amazing year in Australia for me and I am so thankful that Rotary gave me this opportunity. I want to thank all my host families for being so kind and patient with me. I will have them locked in my heart forever.

Joy, as counsellor and first host mum, I want to thank you for showing/introducing me to the Australian culture and especially Bendigo. All my Host families and all those people who spent time with me, are amazing and I am thankful for what they have done with me, unforgettable.

I wish I would have more time left in Australia and of course, thank you to the Rotary Club of Bendigo, with President Valerie, you all were so nice to me and helped me in many ways.

Thank you Rotary.

Outgoing Youth Exchange Students In January 2018 Juliet Baker returned from her year hosted by the Rotary Club of Flensburg, Germany. Juliet and her family are so grateful for the opportunities that the Rotary Youth Exchange Program and the Rotary Club of Bendigo have given her.

Our Rotary Club has been active in supporting students to attend many of the District 9800 Youth Programs. The Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN), the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) camp and the National Youth Science Forum(NYSF).

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The Rotary Foundation District 9800 Scholarship Grant The Rotary Foundation District D9800 Scholarship Grant is to support talented and motivated young people to overcome barriers to educational success and support those young people who are experiencing financial disadvantage. This was awarded to two Students from Catherine McAuley College Bendigo.

School awards In December President Valerie had the pleasure, on behalf of The Rotary Club of Bendigo, to present a grade 6 student of Bendigo Violet Street Primary School, with a Citizenship Award.

Vocational Service Chair: Peter Hyett As Rotary year is drawing to a close and limited opportunities are available to promote and take part in any vocational visits before our changeover, I propose to focus on the year ahead.

Libby has asked me to be Vocational Chair for her year as President and I thank committee members, Richard Vandenburgh and Bob Edgar for coming on board.

The concept of Vocational Service is to promote and organise a list of Businesses through the club and select ones thought most interesting to the club, for on site visits , and also speakers at our meetings.

To encourage local participation with TAFE and Secondary Schools with Rotary being the facilitator in some projects to enhance learning. (already starting with computers to schools). The basket ball project has used our Clubs Vocational skills to bring about a great result as well.

Looking forward to an exciting year ahead for the skills in our club to be used to benefit many projects.

Foundation Chair: Julie Sloan

vaccination of children. More than 90% of donations go directly to support global service projects with donations helping eliminate 99.9% of polio cases. The remaining .1% of polio cases are the most difficult to prevent due to geographical isolation, poor infrastructure, armed conflict and cultural barriers.

There are only three countries that have never stopped transmission of the wild poliovirus: Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan. Two of the three strains of wild polio seem to be eliminated and now India, and the entire World Health Organization South East Asia Region, have been declared polio-free.

In 2017 there were 20 cases of polio from the wild polio virus, down from 35 cases in 2016. Humanity is on the verge of one of the greatest public health achievements in history and The Rotary Foundation will continue every effort to eradicate polio. Rotary will raise $50 million per year over the next three years and for every $1 Rotary commits to polio eradication the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation commit $2.

President Valerie will make an appropriate club donation to the Polio Plus Programme and, when matched, club members were able to donate over $1,600 by supporting participation in Rotary Club of Geelong and District’s Bellarine Peninsula Recreational Ride.

District 9800 Grants The Rotary Foundation District D9800 Scholarship Grant is for students entering Year 11 in 2018. 10 District 9800 Foundation Scholarship Grants of $1,000 will be available each year. The Grant supports talented and motivated young people to overcome barriers to educational success and assists young people experiencing financial disadvantage.

Building stronger relationships between clubs and their local schools is an important outcome of the Grant process.

Each $2,000 scholarship, to the same student over Years 11 and 12, consists of a Club contribution of $1,000 and a matching $1,000 Foundation Grant from the District 9800 DDF Block Grant.

The Rotary Club of Bendigo has been able to use this Grant to benefit two Year 11 students from Catherine McAuley College, Bendigo. A District Grant that is currently pending is a Foundation District Grant Application submitted by the Bendigo Youth Choir; the choir is making application for $2,500.00 from District for the Choir’s upcoming trip to France.

The ‘Foundation Grant Account’ The club now has a dedicated Foundation Grant Account, which is a requirement when applying for Foundation Grants, and will help to promote a seamless process in the Club’s Grant Application Process. I wish to acknowledge the work undertaken in establishing this specific account and thank those involved for ensuring a smoother grant application process for members.

Polio Plus Programme During the past 100 years, the Rotary Foundation has spent $3 billion on life-changing, sustainable projects that make lives better.

In 1985 Rotary launched the PolioPlus program, the first initiative to tackle global polio eradication through mass

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Centurion Program A Centurion is a person who supports the Rotary Foundation by donating $100 Australian Dollars to The Rotary Foundation (TRF) each year. The Centurion Program has been running in Australia for many years and is managed by Districts.

The little Dish and Pole Set was started some years ago and is currently active in 11 of the 21 Australian Districts, including District 9800. The Centurion Sets have been well received

by Rotary Club of Bendigo members with many sets currently residing in member’s homes quietly filling with $2 coins!

The Rotary Foundation projects can be supported by donating $100 in $2 coins over the year which then qualifies members to become a Centurion.

Goldfields Cluster Foundation Dinner A combined Club Working Group coordinated the Fifth Annual Rotary Foundation Dinner held in Bendigo at the Kangaroo Flat Sports Club on Thursday, 30th November.

The nine Goldfield Cluster Club Presidents agreed to cancel their regular club meeting and agreed the Foundation Dinner would replace the meeting.

The Dinner celebrated the good works of the Foundation throughout the preceding year and provided an opportunity to learn more about the Foundation whilst enjoying an evening of fellowship. PDG Julie Mason moderated an interactive Q&A with special guests and attendees participating in an information session about The Rotary Foundation’s projects.

President Valerie will make an appropriate Club donation on your behalf to The Rotary Foundation, thus continuing the club’s long tradition of support. In conclusion, I would like to express my appreciation to Club members who have been able to support The Rotary Foundation and commend The Rotary Foundation as our personal charity of choice.

Club Service Director: Noel Hobley Once again our club service team has proven to be a well oiled machine working hard in their respective portfolios, getting the job done.

I must admit that as ‘Director’ of this area of service I have been pretty much invisible to the team much of he year, communicating via email, and as a large proportion of the committee chairs were board members I barely even had the responsibility of reporting their achievements to the board meetings.

I sincerely thank everyone for their patience with me and their continued contribution and commitment to these committees. I congratulate all Committee Chairs on the achievements of the year.

BOWLS NIGHT Chair: Daryl Watts Our annual bowls night was held on 13th February 2018 at the Bendigo East Bowling Club. 30 people participated and an excellent night of fellowship was enjoyed by all.

2017-2018 ANNUAL REPORT

Thanks to the Bendigo East Bowling Club for the use of the green and their facilities and to Brian Doherty, Des Samson and Rod McDonald for their assistance on the night.

An excellent supper was enjoyed by all and presentations awarded the winners: 1st: - Leanne Oberin, Daryl Watts and Hugh Wheeler(s).

2nd: - Chloe Metez, Lachlan Reilly and Frank Lean(s).

3rd:- Glen Mulhnickel, Rhonda Reilly and Des Samson(s).

SOCIAL COMMITTEE Chair: Glenn Reilly With fellowship one of the cornerstones of Rotary we have had another very successful year.

In support of Rotary’s End Polio Now we held a ‘World’s Greatest Meal’ night where we had a joint meeting with the RC of Bendigo Strathdale. Not only was it a fun night but it was for a great cause.

Our club’s Christmas functions are always a highlight and this year we enjoyed a hearty Christmas meal together at The Bendigo Club while being entertained by a melody of songs from some of our more vocally talented members.

The traditional Rotary lawn bowls night is always a great night and this year was no exception.

Sunday Feb 25th was the final Great Penna Breakfast after a long 25 year history. A silver platter was presented to Barry and Carol Penna in recognition of this fantastic event.

During May we enjoyed a casual BBQ at Andrew & Heather Hamptons Sedgwick property on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Thank you to Andrew and Heather for their generosity in putting this on.

Late May we had a fun night once again combined with the RC of Bendigo Strathdale where we enjoyed an Italian themed night with Italian food, wine and music.

On behalf of the Social Italian Night MC Committee we hope you enjoyed this Rotary year.

MEDIA COMMITTEE Chair: Noel Hobley Lots of things happening on the media front. We communicate to members electronically each week through our Fossicker email, which is a task to get together and I recognise Tabitha Abbott, ably backed up by Kim Lowe, in this role. Everyone has an idea on how it should work and what would be better, but in the end the information has to be put together and distributed by someone, every week, and I appreciate the work done here.

On other fronts Kim Lowe has done some great things on the Facebook page, Leanne Oberin has kept an eye on the communications via our website and our committee chairs in the sergeant and rostering areas have kept these areas on the website up to date.

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We have expanded the information about speakers and events on the website and tried to keep it up to date, not always succeeding I admit, and we had a little tweek of the website to include an address so we know where our enquiries and requests come from.

MEMBERSHIP Chair: Libby Hughes The Membership Committee have worked hard this year, lots of ideas have been discussed about looking at ways to attract new members and retain current members.

The Committee undertook a Membership Survey of the Club to determine members satisfaction with the Club and its processes.

57% of members responded to the on-line survey. Overall average of 74% satisfaction with the club. A good result but there were some caveats.

Communication with members was highlighted as an area to address.

The Fossicker was thought to be too clunky and not user friendly. Members of the committee are working with Media to address some of these issues. A major revamp is on the cards. The committee is looking at different ways of communicating, using all medium, hence the introduction of the white board where notices can be attached. The members will get regular updates of the workings of the Board and have a chance to give feedback.

We have been delighted to introduce 4 new members this year, who are all active in various projects. The committee felt they needed to hit the ground running! They are doing just that!

Another outcome of the survey was the quality of the food each week. A trial of ordering your own choice from a menu each week is in progress . It appears to be successful with members and the kitchen staff and will probably be adopted. Members can then decide on something light or a substantial meal.

I would like to acknowledge all the committee members who have worked with dedication and enthusiasm to make our club a happy, vibrant and successful club.

SPEAKER PROGRAM Lin Kalms and Ian Coates We have had a very successful Speaker Program for the current Rotary year.

We have had excellent Life Talks from Rotarians, Noel Hobley, Sei Sei Mu Thein, Bryan McMahon, Michael Pearson (Trachoma) Graeme Clarke and Greg Galloway.

Bryan McMahon’s Melbourne Cup day and sweeps are always a highlight.

Exchange Students Laure Dumoulin, Juliet Baker and Jacob Pearson (RYLA) all gave excellent presentations together with Laura Zeuner on a weekly basis.

Our Speakers for day meeting have varied from Ruth Hosking (Nursing Home, Placements/Admissions Strath Haven, Robert Musgrove (Bendigo Bank), Melanie Karajas and Kerryn Anderson (Arts Health Institute Activities Coordinator at Strath Haven, Kaine Perry (NAB Economist), Phil Hogan (Helicopter Paramedic),

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President Val Broad (New York Choir), Cogo and Ez (Triple M), Peter Fruen (District Governor), Otis Foundation (Kurt Walder), Sheep and Wool - Diabetics, Margaret O’Rourke (City of Greater Bendigo Mayor), Michelle Woonacott (US Consulate / Melbourne), Emma Grant (AFL Womans Football), Margot Falconer (Bendigo Racing Club Chair Bendigo Cup Week), Ben Murphy (Kilmore Racing Club/ Bendigo Club CEO), Rotary Cluster Foundation, Garry Gunnell/Tom Dobeli (Samoa Trip).

3 Fellowship Meetings, John Hazeldene (Hazeldene Chickens), Peter Kennedy (Bendigo Weekly), Scott McGrory, Christian Grassman, Nick Stopler and Achim Burkart (Bendigo Madison), David Hyett (International Tunnels), Doug Lougoon (Easter Parade/ Sun Long Update), Rotary Art Show, Jason Priestly (General Manager - Southern Cross), Margaret Thompson (Hansens Disease / Leprosy), Cliff Richards (ANZAC Day), Bill Oakley (Global Grant - Timore Leste), Andrew Cairns (CEO Community Sector Banking), Donna Aranti/Maree Pearce ( Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation), John Jones (Imagination Library), Dirk De Moore (Hearing Specialist).

Excellent Night Meeting’s / Speakers were Christmas Fellowship, Lawn Bowls Night, Farokh Irani (Eye Specialist) and Italian Night with Rotary Club Strathdale hosted by Rod McDonald and Domenic Coia.

Our aim was to have speaker at every meeting and this achieved.

Thank you to our great committee consisting of Kaye Graves, Geoff McLeod, Glenn Reilly, Daryl Watts, Graeme Clarke, Ken Gilcrist, Joy Bruce and Brian Doherty

SERGEANTS' COMMITTEE Chair: Larrie Winzar I hope members haven’t compared who was rostered as Sergeant each week with the actuality of who was Sergeant at any given meeting.

We started the year with a committee of 8, only to find that we needed more members because of other commitments.

With a flourish, we attracted new members, trained them on Sergeant duties and created two rosters, June - December and January - June.

“If you want something done, ask a busy person” is the way the saying goes; and we did have busy people but they were also being busy elsewhere. Hence each week became a juggle - swapping, substituting, shifting.

We had a Sergeant at every meeting, but rarely the one rostered. In fact, the roster in the Fossicker and my list were rarely in alignment.

A big thank you to all Sergeants who became proficient in the art of flexibility. All Sergeants did a great job on the day.

Sincere thanks.

I particularly want to thank Wayne Smith, my ‘go to’ Rotarian when I ran out of options. Every time he said “Yes Larrie” when asked.

What did we learn this year?

What would we do differently?

Nothing….. really….. it was just one of those years.

WE CARE Chair: Larrie Winzar It’s been a privilege to be Chair of “We Care” this year.

What an important committee “We Care” has developed into since being introduced into our club when PP Geoff McLeod was President.

This year has been very busy. As an ageing club, it might seem obvious to say that there will be more members needing support. Whilst this is true, equally, there are members of all ages who need support for a wide range of life issues and changes.

Some members choose to share, in confidence, what’s happening in their life, whilst others are happy to be open about their situations. All are treated with the same care and respect.

We have experienced deep sadness in our club in the last few months.

Umesh and Jesmin Shreshna’s younger daughter Brishti died of an extremely rare, inoperable brain tumour. She was only 6 years old. Honorary Member, Bev Figg, beloved wife of past president, Brian Figg, was a much admired and generous contributor to our Club during her membership.

Bev died after a long journey with breast cancer. Earlier in our Rotary year, we were also saddened when Joyce Ackerman, beloved wife of long serving member, Barry Ackerman passed away. Club members will continue to support these families in any way required.

Ladies in Rotary is a group of women comprising club members, partners of members and widows of past club members. We meet every couple of months for an enjoyable afternoon tea and I thank Rosalie Vanston for her passion and coordination with this group. You would be amazed at the broad range of topics we talk about.

Thank you to each “We Care” committee member. I believe we have all shared our natural talents to share the caring – empathetic listening, practical support, providing meals, visiting and delivering flowers and posting cards are just some of the ways we support Rotary families. We were recently delighted to have club members sign a card and deliver a floral gift to Ted and Gwen Rankins to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary.

The “We Care” committee does its best work when we are kept informed about what’s happening in members lives.

Being on the “We Care” committee is a gift you give yourself whilst you give to others.

Joyce and Barry Ackerman

The Umesh and Jesmin Shreshna and family

Brian and Bev Figg and family

2017-2018 ANNUAL REPORT

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CLUB SERVICE ACCOUNT 1 JULY 2017 TO 4 June 2018 Note figures for full financial year will be presented at the Club’s AGM

INCOME

Changeover Function 2017 Club International Night Club Social Events Fines-Donations Interest Received Meeting Collections Member Apparel Member Joining Fees Membership Fees Member Welfare Miscellaneous Income Silverpot/Gold Pot Collections

$9,380.00 $1,854.55 $441.00 $1,684.70 $1,306.48 $23,693.75 $35.00 $181.79 $19,370.56 $491.43 $370.53 $1,052.20

EXPENDITURE

Administrative Assistance Badges, Banners and Awards Bank Fees Bendigo Club Membership Fees Changeover Function 2017 Club International Night District Assembly Fees Meeting Costs Miscellaneous Expenses President’s Allowance Printing & Stationery Rotary D9800 Insurance Levy Rotary D9800 Semi-Annual Dues Rotary Down Under Rotary International Dues We Care General Expenses

Transfer to 2019

$360.00 $1,421.60 $30.35 $1,659.09 $9,796.26 $1,963.64 $274.00 $20,665.41 $780.28 $3,500.00 $1,311.59 $1,704.71 $6,379.74 $2,400.00 $5,646.31 $526.37

$1,442.64

Subject to Auditor

Total Club Service Account

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$59,861.99

Total Club Service Account

$59,861.99

CLUB PROJECT ACCOUNT 1 JULY 2017 TO 4 June 2018 Note figures for full financial year will be presented at the Club’s AGM

INCOME

Art Show Bar-B-Que Activities Bendigo Swap Meet Bendigo Wine Expo Bowelscan Brishti Appeal Bull Riding Event Carparking Services Carols by Candlelight Gnomes Painting Project Great Penna Breakfast Lions Club of Tin Can Bay Miscellaneous Donations Nepal Project Night Golf Event Rotary Foundation - Polio Plus Stronger Communities Grants

$30,000.00 $1,289.40 $6,400.00 $1,500.00 $615.00 $5,640.00 $1,500.00 $11,600.00 $15,644.26 $60.00 $357.00 $200.00 $350.00 $20.00 $11,541.73 $429.50 $6,000.00

EXPENDITURE

Bar-B-Que Expenses Bendigo Swap Meet Carols by Candlelight Miscellaneous Project Expenses Night Golf Event

$659.00 $2,500.00 $11,085.91 $264.46 $2,303.04 Sub-Total $16,812.41

Distributions Australian Rotary Health Research Fund Bendigo RSL Bendigo Writers Festival Bendigo Youth Choir Brishti Appeal BVSPS Student Award - 2015 Camp Getaway Fork In The Road Friends of Bendigo Kilmore Rail Trail Imagination Library Bendigo Kids Under Cover Lions Club of Tin Can Bay Music for Memories Nepal Project Operation Cleft Australia Outdoor Stage Rebuilding Samoa Project Relay For Life Rotarians Against Malaria Rotary Club of Bendigo South Rotary Craft Group Rotary Foundation Rotary Foundation - Polio Plus RYLA District 9800 RYPEN Salvation Army - Bendigo Sponsorship - NYSF Student Scholarship at Catholic College TAFE/Samoa Beekeeping Project The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation Uniting Christmas Appeal Vision Australia Youth Exchange Program Funds remaining to be distributed

$1,000.00 $500.00 $1,500.00 $1,170.45 $5,640.00 $50.00 $2,000.00 $4,028.20 $550.00 $1,800.00 $100.00 $200.00 $2,000.00 $20.00 $10,000.00 $10,000.00 $3,000.00 $500.00 $500.00 $1,150.00 $400.00 $4,109.27 $1,000.00 $736.36 $372.73 $6,000.00 $2,000.00 $500.00 $308.05 $5,000.00 $3,500.00 $250.00 $2,900.00 $3,549.42

Sub-Total $76,334.48

Total Club Project Account

$93,146.89

2017-2018 ANNUAL REPORT

Total Club Project Account

$93,146.89

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CONGRATULATIONS RECOGNISING THE OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION BY THESE ROTARIANS AND ROTARY FRIENDS During the year there have been many examples of ‘Service above Self’ from members making a difference in the community.

While I would hope we acknowledged them personally at those times, at the end of the year it is traditionally a time to recognise the contributions of a few individuals with our most prestigious awards. On behalf of the membership of the Rotary Club of Bendigo and with thanks to the Horizons Committee members, I am pleased to make the following announcements.

JOY BRUCE 2017-2018 Paul Harris Fellow A President of a Rotary Club is given many enjoyable tasks to perform and, today, it is my great pleasure to bestow a Paul Harris Fellowship on a much valued member of our Club.

Joy Bruce was inducted into the Club by President Hugh Wheeler on 10th June, 2008, with a classification of Primary Education. She is interested in young people and has shown that through her dedication to the Youth Exchange Program where she has been the Incoming Student Counsellor to young people from Finland, Hungary, Denmark, Austria, Norway, and Germany (on two occasions), many of whom she has home hosted. These young people have formed a very strong bond with her and they keep in touch. She has been on the District 9800 Youth Exchange Committee since 2012/13 and she home hosted the GSE Team from District 2203 , Spain, in 2009/10.

She has been a member of the Rotary Club of Bendigo Board in the capacities of Director of Community Service, Director of Club Service, Public Relations and, for the past three years, as Director of Youth Service. She was presented with a Ray Downey Award by President Wayne Smith in 2011/12.

She always responds when volunteers are called for in all areas of our fund-raising and has displayed our mottos – ‘Service above Self’ and ‘People with a Purpose’ - at every opportunity.

Joy is a most worthy recipient and I am delighted to be able to present her with this Award. Congratulations Joy.

JULIE SLOAN 2017-2018 RAY DOWNEY AWARD The Ray Downey Award is a Club Presidential nominated Award and is made by the family of the late Ray Downey who was a dedicated and long-serving Rotarian with over 45 years of ‘Service Above Self’ in the Rotary organisation. He was a member of four Rotary Clubs, (Mildura, Castlemaine, Colac and Bendigo) and served in almost every avenue of Service.

In his honour, the Award is presented to a member of the Rotary Club of Bendigo with less than 5 years membership for outstanding ‘Service above Self’ to Rotary.

It is my very great pleasure to present the 2017/18 Award to JULIE SLOAN. Julie was inducted on the 18th June, 2013, by President Brian Figg and since that time has thrown herself wholeheartedly into serving the community through Rotary. In 2013, 2014 and 2015 she was a member of the Indigenous Engagement Committee; in 2014/15 a member of the International Committee; in 2015/16 a member of the Nepal Health Promotion Committee; in 2016/17 a member of the Nepal Project Committee and during 2017/18 has been member of the Rotary Club of Bendigo Board as Foundation Director, whilst at the same time being Chair of the Nepal Project Committee.

Projects with which she has been, and is continuing to be involved, are flourishing.

She has also responded in all areas of Club Service when volunteers are called, including participating in ‘Riding the Peninsular’, a project undertaken by the Rotary Club of Geelong to support ‘Ride to Eliminate Polio’. She pedalled 60 km through drizzling rain and completed the course.

I have absolutely no hesitation in presenting Julie with this Award. She is a most deserving awardee. Congratulations Julie.

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PAUL HARRIS FELLOWS Recognising the outstanding contribution by these Rotarians and Rotary friends.

Barry Ackerman Malcolm Andrew # Bruce Beasley # Valerie Broad Reg Brock # Joy Bruce Bruce Burns # Colin Burns Daniel Buttolph Richard Cambridge ** Warren Cambridge # John Cartwright Domenic Coia Alan Cox # Allan Dingle # Brian Doherty Ray Downey (Sapphire) # Brian Figg John Flood John Gallagher Bill Gray Garry Gunnell (Sapphire) Max Gunnell ** # Andrew Hampton Ken Hesse # Noel Hobley Clark Jeffrey # George Jennings # Warwick Johanson # John Krakowiak (Sapphire) Frank Lean Neil McLean # Geoff McLeod Bryan McMahon (Sapphire)

Jim Mahoney (Sapphire) Charlie Martin (Sapphire) # Dal Martin # Bernie Masterson # Cyril Michelsen **# Ron Meurer # Ian Monotti Hal Moors # Violee Myers-Davey **# Colin Nankervis (Sapphire) Joe O’Sullivan # Margaret Paulsen Ray Paulsen (Sapphire) Jack Paynting # Barry Penna Carol Penna ** Bruce Perrin Frank Perrow # Norm Phillips # Karen Quinlan ** Ted Rankins Bruce Reid Glenn Reilly^ Kevin Reilly (Sapphire) # Ron Rogers (Sapphire) Des Samson Eugene Sandner # Keith Scarrott # Cas Sens # Ron Slattery # Wayne Smith Alan Spalding** Murray Stapleton ** Jack Svanosio #

Joan Thomas # ** Robert Trethewey # Tom Tweed # Bob Vanstan # Rosalie Vanstan Daryl Watts Hugh Wheeler (Sapphire) Ron Wilkinson # Bruce Williamson # Larrie Winzar David Wilkinson**

# Deceased ** Non-Member ^By Operation Cleft

Ray Downey Award Recognising the efforts of a member of five years or less for outstanding ‘Service above Self’ and presented by the family of the late Ray Downey.

Marshall Horne 2006-2007 Ian Shelton 2007-2008 Kaye Graves 2008-2009 Noel Hobley 2009-2010 Glenn Reilly 2010-2011

Joy Bruce 2011-2012 Tom Dobeli 2012-2013 Libby Hughes 2013-2014 Tabitha Abbott 2014-2015 Greg Galloway 2015-16

2017-2018 ANNUAL REPORT

John Pemberton 2015-16 Julie Sloan 2017-18

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And introducing . . .

Officials 2017-2018 District Governor (D9800)

Browyn Stephens (RC Melbourne South)

Assistant Governor (Goldfields North)

Jill Barker (RC Eaglehawk)

Board of Directors President

Libby Hughes

Vice President

Hugh Wheeler

Board Secretary

Wayne Smith

Treasurer

Garry Gunnell

Club Service

Noel Hobley

Community Service

Tom Dobeli

International Service

Sanjeev Kanu

Youth Service

Joy Bruce

Rotary Foundation

Julie Sloan

Membership

Peter Reading

President Elect

Michael Pearson

Immediate Past President

Valerie Broad

2018-2019 President LIBBY HUGHES

Club Officers Protection Officer/OHS Officer

Tom Dobeli

Association Secretary

Ian Monotti

Public Officer

Wayne Smith

Communications

Graeme Smith

2018-2019 rotary international theme

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93rd ANNUAL REPORT 2017-18

Rotary Club of Bendigo - Established July 30, 1925 Charter No 2104 A member of Rotary International District 9800 PO Box 131, Bendigo Victoria, 3552 E-mail: bendigo@rotarydistrict9800.org Website: http://www.bendigorotary.org