Happy New Year
12 months ago, our skies were blanketed with clouds of red that rained ash and embers from the devastating bush fires that ravaged much of our state and yet, during the last week, we have been blanketed with clouds of grey that rained life giving water.
Who would have ever thought then that the worst was yet to come?
Victoria, and in particular Melbourne, has borne the brunt of Covid-19 yet as a nation our political leaders both state and federal have banded together to try and minimize the effects.
Geographic isolation may have its disadvantages when seeking trade with the rest of the world yet also because of lower population densities and isolation our Nation Down Under has become the global shining beacon of Covid-19 containment.
It has been a year of isolation, lockdowns and Zoom meetings, yet as a people and as a club we have not been defeated as was apparent at our rowdy and well attended Christmas function at the Elizabethan Lodge.
As a service club we have had very few opportunities to serve and now, just when we thought that were through it another breakout that once again threatens our communities.
The highlight over the last six months was to be able to personally present two of our members with their Triple Sapphire Paul Harris Fellow's.
Congratulation to both Gabby Knaepple and Len Brear.
I am however extremely optimistic about 2021 and I am looking forward to new challenges and opportunities to serve.
Colin
Presidents BBQ Postponed.
With the new restrictions in place that limit only 15 people indoors there is no venue that can accommodate the number of members and guests that have committed to attend the Presidents BBQ on 9 January.
I did think about the option of an open park area however that would entail bringing our own tables, chairs and umbrella's and, hoping that it wasn't going to be raining, over 30 degrees or windy.
With Melbourne's unpredictable weather likely to produce all three in an afternoon I have decided to postpone this until such time as it is safe for all of us to attend.
Australia Day 26 January
Whitehorse Council has given us a golden opportunity to showcase Rotary and to organize an Australia Day event.
We have chosen Wattle Park as the preferred site and created a budget and a list of requirements. Now we need people to come along and help run it as well as stay and enjoy the afternoon.
It will be a chance to bring family and friends and enjoy Australia Day while filling in on a rostered shift. Bob Davis will be asking everyone to fill spots starting from 10.30 in the morning until 4.00pm in the afternoon.
An event of this nature would usually take a few months to produce however we have been given just over one month and, the council has been closed for Christmas so getting information from them was impossible.
If anyone has contacts with, or in the entertainment industry we are looking for entertainers to help make this event a lively one. We are inviting as many culturally diverse groups from within Whitehorse to participate anybody with contacts please don't be shy, let us know.
The council has offered to pay for the sausage sizzle so all we have to do is man it.
Other food vendors are being approached as well. If you have an idea of any sort let us know as there is no such thing as a bad idea.
Col
