We had a fantastic Rotarian Behind the Badge from our own Ian A this past Wednesday. These sessions and presentations provide all of us in the club with an opportunity to get a better understanding of other members and some insight about what drives each of us in our personal, professional and Rotary lives. Ian's speech was from the heart, and I am glad we have a club that provides an opportunity for honest, open discussion.
It's likely that more of you will be tapped on the shoulder to make yourself available for your own presentation soon. Some of our club members have had many years since the last time they presented and likely have a lot of new experiences to share from the intervening time.
Speaking of time and of things taking a while to develop, I had a breakthrough at work in relation to a project that's been bubbling along for a while. I won't bore you with the details of APIs, data calls and filtering tables, but it means that a barrier to further progress on something has been overcome and a backlog of work can now be tackled in earnest.
Rotary projects can be like that. Sometimes we can struggle with a logjam for an extended period of time with no visible impact and then, with no warning, the blockage is cleared, and forward momentum starts to pick up. Things move ahead in fits and starts, sometimes. Persistence and stubbornness will often look like calm patience only in the rearview mirror.
What have we been doing?
Our own Len Brear received his Paul Harris Fellow with five sapphires, in recognition of his volunteering, efforts and generosity on behalf of the Nunawading club and the work of Rotary in our community and around the world.
What's up next?
No regular meeting this Wednesday, instead it's our Grandparents Club 2 social night at the Round. Be there at six-ish if you want to grab a bite or drink in the foyer prior to the show's start at 7 pm.
The Heathmont Jets Juniors awards event on Sunday, 31 August is your chance to represent our club in its role as a sponsor of this fantastic community sporting club. I'll be there and I hope you will too.
A tour of Parliament House -- hey, I work there -- on Monday, 1 September. Your tour guide will be Mr Nick McGowan, an Member of the Legislative Council for North-Eastern Metropolitan Region. Please make sure you get there in plenty of time to clear security. Bonus points may be awarded to the club member who can make the most appearances in the background of wedding photos taken on the front steps.
Our 3 September meeting provides a chance to hear from your sponsored RYLA participants this year, Erin and Hajera, and to welcome them as honorary members of the club.
Plus of course the upcoming September Bunnings sausage sizzle and Whitehorse farmers market and much more.
I'm still on the lookout for chair and sergeant candidates. It's excellent exposure for any raconteur work you're hoping to obtain, and you'd have my eternal gratitude.
25th August for Cheltenham Secondary, all volunteers will be provided by Bentleigh-Moorabbin club. 1st September for De La Salle College, at Sandown with our club providing the six volunteers and they are Janette, Wendy, Ken, Ian, John and Bob W. 10th October for Yarra Valley Grammar, we combine with Maroondah proving three volunteers each and ours are Gabby, Graeme and Bob W 20th October for Mentone Girls Secondary, all volunteers usually provided by Mordialloc club but many now not available so I am seeking any Nunawading members who could assist. 22nd October for Koonung Secondary, all volunteers to be provided by MASH club 23rd October Boronia, Mullauna and Lilydale colleges, all volunteers to be provided by Boronia, Mitcham and Lilydale clubs 24th October Bass Coast College Wonthaggi, Barb and Bob W to assist with Wonthaggi club members 28th October Carey Baptist Grammar with 300 students at Lilydale Lake, so Maroondah, Lilydale and Nunawading clubs to provide three volunteers each and ours are Gabby, Roger and Bob W 3rd December Final school for the year is Nazareth College at Sandown with volunteers from Noble Park Dingley and Nunawading clubs yet to be sought.
Marg and I took the time to visit the Waverley Garden & Floral Art Festival last Saturday. There were fabulous and varied presentations by creative members of the local community. I sat in on "How to pot, split and manage orchids" which I am keen to try.
We finished the with available scones, jam and cream. We saw the Brears, Gabby and Judith as well. I encourage Club members to visit next year's event. Our compliments to Coral and her hard-working team on a very successful weekend.
Now is the time to recognise the outstanding businesses providing quality products or services in Whitehorse. You can nominate any business you believe is making a difference and deserves recognition, even your own!
The Club will be sponsoring the category: Retail Business Award - A business that provides a retail product/service to consumers from a business location.
It has been some time since you received an update from the Regional Council on what is happening with the pilot. This update is shared with every member in Rotary South Pacific. This All-Member communication is a quick read, with some of the achievements and highlights. This is brief and there is further information that will follow later, this month.
Keep an eye on the RDU.one where there will be further updates as we progress through the year.
Marg and I took the time to visit the Waverley Garden & Floral Art Festival last Saturday.
