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Meeting No. 3167 - Monday 15th October 2007
President Jim Says
The Art show is the financial backbone of the club. I would urge all members to sell
their allocated Raffle tickets ASAP and especially their tickets to the Friday preview
evening. It is most important that we have good attendance – that will ensure a great
opening evening!
Share Rotary but more importantly enjoy!
President Jim Harpley
Announcements & Reports
See President Jim if interested in attending:
A dinner in Ballarat on November 22nd with RI Elect D.K. Lee.
ARRHF sponsored dinner, November 28th at Royal South Yarra.
Port Fairy Trivia Night is on again, Monday October 29th.
Just happens to be the Monday night we don’t meet.
Cars being organised.
Art Show Update – Chairman Rt John Sealey reported.
Rosters for raffle selling and Art Show duty times going around for members
to check or complete.
Rotarians needed Thursday morning 9-10am to stack chairs.
The final roster will come out with the Rotanews.
Sunday pack up afternoon – we require as many members as possible,
“many hands will get the job done quickly”.
Monday morning some Rotarians to help John with the final pack up
Raffle Master Rt Kym gave more hints on how to sell tickets.
Three Minute Speaker
Rotarian Melva Spencer thought that she would follow in the footsteps of other retirees
with regards to her 3-minute speech. But a recent session in retail therapy resulting
in fractured kneecap (patella) and then being in a splint for three months, gave her
something else to talk about. How frustrating, irritating, and boring those three months
could have been without the support of family and friends. Being an independent person,
having to rely on others for transport, shopping, just doing “things” proved a great
frustration and made her think of others who are permanently in this position through
illness or disability. Melva promoted to us to be mindful of people who don’t have
family/friends in Portland, in times of need.
Rotary Foundation
Club Committee Member Rt. Wayne Barrett gave the club an update on all things Foundation.
The latest figures for the year 2005/06 show the district gave a record $17,000US to
Foundation, and in 2008/09 50% of that comes back to the district for projects.
ARHRF also achieved record donations that year. Next year each club will receive
$500 to assist with matching grants. The best Rotary Projects often come from
Rotarians becoming aware of a worthy opportunity.
Guest Speaker
Rt. Roger Dundas introduced Mr Ron Waters with a look at a Seaman’s life. Ron has recently
retired after 65 years of toil on the oceans of the world. He started his seafaring life in
1942 at age 16 in the UK, doing a 4 year indenture apprenticeship for Kings Line with wages
for the 4 years of 60 pounds. He also had to supply his own clothing and bedding. Accommodation
was Spartan, there was no running water, and each day crew would collect their bucket of water
for washing body and clothes. There was no refrigeration, so after a week it was tinned food.
Ron spent a lot of his early ocean going days during the war, which meant longer trips avoiding
submarines. On one trip to Melbourne he met his future wife Val, went back to the UK and
applied to migrate to Australia, becoming a “10 pound Pom”. Life in Australia was easier
servicing lighthouses around Victoria and Tasmania. He then moved to Union Bulk ship tankers
and gained his Masters Ticket. Ron was Harbour Master in Portland 1976-1986, giving the club
accounts of some “mintee moments”, piloting ships into harbour. He than moved on to maritime
surveying, bringing his 65 year maritime career to completion. – Thank you, Ron, for a most
enjoyable account of your life’s journey!
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Meeting No. 3166 - Monday 8th October 2007
President Jim Says
Don’t forget to have a look at this month’s District Newsletter available for you to read
at the District 9780 website: http://www.clubrunner.ca/9780
(Click on DG Newsletter, then Oct 07 DG Newsletter -to view it)
Share Rotary, but more importantly enjoy!
President Jim Harpley
Announcements & Reports
Invitations:
RC of Warrnambool Central to hear Guest Speaker, US Ambassador to Australia,
Roger D. McCallum Jnr with wife Mary (Mimi) Rankin Weiss McCallum at Luncheon,
cost $20pp – more details in this weeks Rotanews.
RC Ballarat South to meet RI President Elect D.K. Lee on 22nd November at Ballarat Lodge.
More details from President Jim. Victorian Electoral Commission training to become Senior
Electoral Officials. Gain 8 – 12 weeks full time work every two years.
Contact details from President Jim.
Letter from DG Ric acknowledging his visit to our club and encouraging club members to lift
commitment to the Rotary Foundation.
President Jim – asking for assistance for duplicating Art Show Programmes on Monday
29th October 2007.
Rt John Sealey – 3.5 weeks to go until Art Show.
Raffle Ticket Roster – please fill in asap, can have 2 selling points on same day.
Art Show Weekend – please fill in roster lists for tasks if not done.
Setup on Thursday 1/11/07 – need more people to assist in morning.
Pulling down on Sunday 4/11/07 – all hands to help please.
Small Sponsorship $200 - $300 required, recognised in programme and in exhibition hall.
Attended RC Hamilton Art Show – gave report, good show.
Rt Andrew Jack – sold more cattle, made profit, thanks to Rt Michael Goldby for sale and
Rt Terry Hallett for agistment.
Rt Gordon Page – RC of Portland Bay – Organ Donor Registration by Rotarians and families.
His grandson has Biliary Atresia (bile duct is missing) and is ill in Royal Children’s Hospital.
Story of two people benefiting from the one generous transplant organ donation, when a little girl,
near death, received a liver cut down from an adult donor, the remainder of the liver going
to an adult. Only 1 liver available for transplant so far this year, 7 in 2006.
If older organ donation cards already signed, please fill in a new one. This ensures your
wish to donate your organs can no longer be overridden by relatives’ decision.
Rt Neville Doodt:
Kyeema Fete - $750 raised. Thanks to Rt John Legg, Rt Terry Hallett, Rt Geoff McKenzie
for helping him on BBQ Trailer.
Major Upgrade on BBQ Trailer – thanked Club Guests, Nicholas Doodt for his welding prowess, and
Aaron Palmer and his father from Portland Fabrication for the fitting, folding etc. of the new
stainless steel BBQ plates. Rt John Legg gave his considered, favourable opinion of the upgrade,
thanking Neville for organising everything.
PE Brian McCabe – reported on his pre-PETS day at Ballarat.
Raffle Ticket Sales Slow
Rotarians- the sale of tickets this year is about 1,000 less compared to the same time last year.
Michael Lyons has doubled the selling places/times and duplicated the table/chair/money till.
The major deficit has been the dearth of volunteers to man the selling points. Tickets don’t sell
themselves and unless we get Rotarian bums on seats we will be $4,000 down on last year by the time
of the show. We can’t leave it all to Cor and Jo! We are all busy, but perhaps it is time for some
Service Above Self attitude. If you can spare a few hours on October 18, 19, 20, please call in a
Lyons Newsagency to book a slot.
After that October 24, 25, 26, 27, are all free for you to do your bit.
See me at the meeting next week (assuming I am not still swanning around sunny
Sydney still: you should see the sun tans up here!!!)
Kym Stock
New Member Speaker - Rt Bevan Ford
Born in Burwood, educated at Parkmore Primary School and Haileybury College, was very occupied
with debating, being House Captain and scoring for sport since not much good at school sport
Completed 1st Year Arts at Deakin University, became very involved in student politics for the
Liberal Party, left Uni to work with David Kemp, when he was Shadow Minister, then a Minister.
Bevan walked away from this at 23 years old.
Bevans father was Director of Penguin Books and his mother was a teacher, then housewife,
and then tax consultant. From his Dad being very involved on committees, Bevan very early
was involved in community activities. As a child, he sang in Victorian Children’s Choir, and
he can play musical instruments such as bagpipes and tuba.
Loved living in Nunawading, Wantirna and Sassafras before moving to Portland, buying into
Portland Holden. After his work with David Kemp, Bevan started in the car business as a cadet,
worked in Ford and Toyota dealerships, moved into general sales at Three Way Ford Altona, met Tanya,
came to Portland on holiday and ……
It’s been hard work in a very short time, about 12 months, to turn around the business at
Portland Holden. He was “hoodwinked” into Tyrendarra Football Club and is now Vice President.
His hobbies are travelling, eating out, football, cricket and billiards/pool an he follows
Melbourne in AFL.
Guest Speaker
Andrew Westlake, Group Operations Manager at Midfield Meats, Warrnambool
Rt Michael Goldby introduced Andrew Westlake, who is Portland born, bred and educated, left school
for a motor mechanic apprenticeship with Cleary Motors, worked for Portland Aluminium for 9 years
with David Judd, involved with Portland SES and CFA, ran in the 3 Bays Marathons, South West Triathlons.
He moved to Warrnambool, and then started employment 13 years ago with Midfield Meats.
He is Group Operations Manager and in the rendering area and development opportunities.Midfield Group –
started by Colin McKenna, with a vision when he bought the local abattoir, to build it up.
It is 100% family owned, employs 600 people, freezes meat, exports beef, lamb and mutton,
as well as Australian distribution. Colin’s fundamental values for the business have never changed,
even with the growth, development and diversification. It also includes 4,000 hectares in the area
for dairy herd and finishing off steers, bulls and lambs.Midfield Technologies – heavy investment
in robotics, by using the expertise of employees and imported persons to develop equipment/machines
on site, and training workers to use them. A machine to view and precision cut carcasses is
already in use.
Midfield Transport – transports the 200 tonnes of meat produced each day with own fleet and
facilities and having its own maintenance staff.
Midfield Co-products – rendering facility with inedible bits processed for bone meal etc
for other industries.
The Rendering Plant – As Group Operations Manager, always improving opportunities for the business.
High temperature rendering for no waste.
Even undigested grass sent to Woolsthorpe, is mixed and composted for use as fertiliser on farms.
Organic technology replaces need for chemical scrubbers and burning waste.
Turning wastewater into irrigation water, and working to turn wastewater into drinking quality water
to use to cool plant. Utilise geothermal water from future onsite bore at 40C, using reverse osmosis
to make it potable, heat to 82?C and save on power and gas.
Greenhouse Emissions Reduction – from reduction in energy use for refrigeration etc.
To the Future – Andrew is studying with Australian Rural Leadership Foundation for 18 months,
travelling overseas and in Australia. He attends conferences in USA, including National Biodiesel
Conferences in USA, and Europe and visited South Africa and Botswana.
Biodiesel – already making it from tallow (fat from the animals), currently using own produced
high quality B20 (Blend of 20% tallow biodiesel / 80% “normal” diesel) in company Toyotas.
Samples passed around. Working with Flinders University in Adelaide to find the additive to
make the biodiesel suitable for ALL Australian conditions.
Producing 60,000 litres of B20 per week, potential to produce 150,000 litres of B100 (100% Biodiesel)
per week from all Midfield Abattoir activity.
Link up with other operators who can use biodiesel blended fuels.
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Meeting No. 3164 - Monday 24th September 2007
President Jim Says
Please seriously consider attending the district conference in Swan Hill
from 29th Feb to 2nd of March 2008. Not only will you have the opportunity
to share in some great fellowship, some great vineyards and magnificent
golf courses, you will be helping out the northern part of the District
which is doing it pretty tough at the moment with the impact of the drought.
Share Rotary, but more importantly enjoy!
President Jim Harpley
Announcements & Reports
Art Show Meeting for committee members at Lyons Newsagency at 5:30pm Tuesday 25th September.
Tickets for the Art Show opening night are now on sale. Members have been issued
with 10 tickets to sell.
Rt. John Sealey is home and progressing well. He will be at the Art Show Meeting.
Rt. Kym Stock: re Art Show Raffle - We need to work harder selling tickets
as only 10 books have been sold so far. He needs someone urgently for
Thursday 27th September outside Lyons Newsagency.
STOP PRESS>>>>>MORE RAFFLE SELLING VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED!!! <<<<<
PDG Wayne has visited with PDG Winston Thorpe who is not in good health.
Wayne spoke about Foundation, which does outstanding work throughout the world.
Donations from individual members e.g. $100 US per year is a great source of funds.
There are some in our club. EREY program (Every Rotarian Every Year)
donated from US$55.8M in 2002 to US$102.5M in 2006/07.
Guest Speaker
President Jim Harpley introduced Ric Robertson District Governor of District 9780.
Ric began his address to the club with the important issue of membership, citing
as an example Port Fairy RC that has increased membership in this last year from
8 to 25 members! Great result with focused effort.
He spoke warmly about what Rotary means to him in this year of his Governorship:
“Rotary is an amazing thing. It is magic! Ordinary people do extraordinary things!
They share through: Club Service, Vocational Service, Community Service, International
Service, and Youth – but the future of Rotary worldwide depends on new membership –
on which we must continually focus.”
Ric spoke about Rotary themes:
Rotary Cares, Rotary Shares, Service Above Self.
We share our time – our talent – our money.
Consider our District 9780 themes “Enjoy Rotary” & “Share Rotary” and
the Rotary International themes “Lead the Way” & “Rotary Shares”.
Our District Priorities are: Water, Health & Hunger, Literacy, Family & Rotary,
Youth, and Public Image.
We must look at local and international areas for ideas to express these goals & values.
Rotary must lead the way!Rotary Foundation is the world’s largest philanthropic trust.
It does not skim off any money for administrative costs like many other organisations
but instead invests funds to earn interest to cover costs. Every cent donated goes to a
vital program, not a paid administrator. We must “Sow the Seeds of Love” into the world.
Continuation of programs such as Scholars programme, Grants matching, ridding the world of polio,
promoting peace & goodwill throughout the world, Foundation Alumni is vital.
Clubs must set their own goals, using a bottom up approach -discover the grass roots need
& deliver on the cause. Our District Goal for 2007/08 is to raise $110,000. We have some
pressing issues needing action such as assisting with drought support (financial & psychological)
and continually to encourage new & younger members. We could create a new member incentive program
that recognizes & rewards new membership.
Finally … please support District Conference at Swan Hill from 29th February – 2nd March 2008.
President Jim was presented with a white glove with the place and dates of conference as
a conference symbol.There will also be a District Friendship Tour of the North East in April
2008 open to all Rotarians and partners. You will need to be quick to book. Contact the organiser
PDG Ken Broadbent
PDG Pat Robinson (also Ric’s wife) spoke briefly about Project Literacy and suggested our
Club could present early reading books to mothers of all newborns in our area with a welcoming
letter emphasising the critical importance of reading to children from an early age to improve
declining child literacy levels.
Thank you to Ric & Pat for visiting the Rotary Club of Portland and for your inspiring words!!
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Meeting No. 3162 - Monday 10th September 2007
President Jim Says
Rotarians!
Kim Stock needs help in filling the roster for the art show raffle ticket sales.
This is our major fundraiser and I urge you to assist.
Remember Share Rotary, but more importantly enjoy!
President Jim Harpley
Announcements & Reports
Foundation Meeting tonight. Emphasis on safety.
Neville Doodt announced that he is going to lunch with Frank Patterson,
George Wallace and Ian Lewis at Bridgewater on Friday 14th September.
Any other Rotarians would be welcome to come.
President Jim mentioned that there is a men’s call line 131120 from 6pm – 9pm
Thursday re: prostate cancer.
Three Minute Speaker
Rt. Steve Blaker spoke about powers of attorney.
There are four types.
1. A general power of attorney does not survive incapacity and is limited in its use.
2. & 3. Financial and enduring financial power of attorney covers all legal and financial
matters inc signing of all documents. This can be very dangerous depending on the aspirations
of the person appointed. There can be one or more persons appointed. Can put in limitations,
or put it on a future event eg. advice from the persons general practitioner.
4. Medical power of attorney, where an agent is appointed to act when you are incapable –
only when you are unable. An individual can have an alternative agent. A guardian can be
appointed by VCAT.
5. You can also have an Enduring Power of Guardianship.
Maybe we should all think about a Medical Power of Attorney after reaching the age of 50.
The Power of Attorney ceases after death. The Will takes over – managed by the executors.
Guest Speaker
President Jim met Rt Jim Swinden at the hospital and asked him to step in as speaker.
Jim is a member of the Melbourne Rotary Club. They meet at the Windsor Hotel each week
and have a membership of 300. He is presently at Portland District Health helping to
build a Health Services Plan.
His background – 1977 he started at the Alfred Hospital. He was in the consulting area for 12 months.
In the 90’s he became CEO of the Freemasons Hospital, which was nearly bankrupt.
He found that this was a marvellous experience. It took 5 years to get it into a reasonable
financial position. It was a tough beginning getting from a cash negative to a cash positive position.
The Private Hospital Sector is very hard environment. The staff were very positive.
It was important to enable staff to manage their own areas. Also the Board of Management
needed assistance. New IT systems were installed.
He then mentioned Portland District Health, where he will report about services needed –
current – outside town – what is available here. The questionnaire given to the public in
July to find out what they want was useful community feedback.
He is attempting to build hope and a future, and a platform for the Board of Management to
work from with the change of CEO. Things must be appropriately done or not done as the case may be.
Must have people on side. There are many issues – including relationships.
Services – what are the reasonable expectations?
Where do we stand?
Jim said that we do have a very good hospital.
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Meeting No. 3161 - Monday 3rd September 2007
President Jim Says
I would urge all members to read the District Governor's newsletter.
This is very timely given our recent success with a candidate for the
National Youth Science forum and the Siemens Science Experience.
Check out the newsletter on the website at:
http://www.clubrunner.ca/Data/9780/NewsBulletin/1101/NewsletterSeptember.pdf
Remember Share Rotary, but more importantly enjoy!
President Jim
Announcements & Reports
A copy of the latest District Newsletter was available at the meeting for members to read. Visit
http://www.clubrunner.ca/Data/9780/NewsBulletin/1101/NewsletterSeptember.pdf
The Art Show “Waffle Woster” has too many gaps in it. Roster is going around tables to be filled.
Remember this is our biggest fundraiser- see further details on next page.
Rotary International Convention 2008 will be held in Los Angeles; President Jim has information.
PP Neville Doodt announced that the Gatekeepers did a fantastic job on Saturday and the club
has another check for $200 from the Football Association. Percy Street Clock: the Glenelg Shire
has written back to say that the clock does not fit their criteria,
so the clock remains with the club.
PP Erin Barker reported that the club was successful in the Volunteer Small Equipment Grants 2007,
receiving $3,000 for the purchase of laptop computers for Secretary and Treasurer.
Members to think of equipment the club can apply for next year.
Rt Frank Farnsworth reminded members that Portland Aluminium has community grants available.
Rotary Information
PE Brian McCabe on… Make Ups
Rotarians can make up an absence from their regular club meetings by attending other
clubs meetings 14 days before or after a missed meeting. Rotarians are to maintain
50% attendance to meetings and 50% of that is to be at their regular club.
Make ups can also be claimed by attending district functions, Interact, or Rotoract meetings,
or attending club service meetings e.g. Art Show meeting, visit the Rotary e-club.
Make up cards are to be presented to the cashiers on return to a club meeting,
so that the attendance officer receives them to record attendance.
Three Minute Speaker
New member Rotarian Bill Lockley follows rugby union, and the Brumbies. Bill is married to
Donna and they have 3 adult children. Berowra is home. He loves being a Rotarian, and is
happy to join this club. Bill was brought up on a farm having an active childhood and attended
school at Cheville College in Berowra where the love of rugby was developed. His parents
told him he was to “get a trade as a minimum” education, not to go on the land. Engineering
was his chosen career working for CRA in a mining traineeship, then with Boral commuting around
brick work sites in Australia as a Commissioning Engineer. Bill is on contract at
Portland Aluminium, and does not know how long he will be in Portland. Rotary has allowed
Bill to do many things, one being walking the Kakoda Trail with his last club and his 17-year-old son.
Guest Speaker
Chairman Mike Barrett introduced Jenny Merrett a Disability Support Officer to speak to the
Club about Mavis’s Orphanage in Lesotho. Jenny is known for her lead lighting and stained
glass work, and is a keen photographer.
Lesotho is a landlocked kingdom in South Africa, with a population of 1.8 million people,
30% of whom have HIV, 37 is the average age of adults. AIDS is also a big problem,
it has been predicted that by 2010 25% of the children will be orphans. Mavis’s Orphanage was
started by a woman named
Mavis, she still lives and works there
with the help of international volunteers looking after 96 children. Jenny is a friend
with 2 Australian volunteer teachers Nicole and Brad who keep Jenny informed of needs
and developments at the orphanage.
We saw a video of the children in their daily lives “happiness and hardship”. Basic is the
description of what conditions are like, old buildings are being renovated into schoolrooms
for the children, cots have been built to get the toddlers off the ground for sleeping.
It is hoped that soon there will be enough money to build bunks for the older children.
What is needed now is a Health Clinic, as there is no health care for the children’s continuous
sores, scabies, and general health. A nurse is expected to arrive next year to run the
clinic in a room that needs renovating. There is also a need for books for the children
to learn from, all lessons are in English.
Jenny is heading over to Africa with friends in 5 weeks time and will be taking 100kg
of equipment with her. As well as helping at the Orphanage she will be trekking in Kenya.
Lesotho = “Kingdom in the Sky”.
Rotary Art Show 2007
Rotarians! We still urgently require volunteers for the Art Show Raffle Roster for the
following dates:
Thursday 6th September at IGA, 10:00am to 1:00pm
Friday 14th September at IGA, 10:00am to 1:00pm
Saturday 15th September at IGA, 10:00am to 1:00pm
Please contact Kym Stock ASAP if you are able to fill these times!!
Raffle Ticket Selling Hints from Rt. Kym Stock
The Rotary Art Show is the RC of Portland’s number 1 $ earner. Raffle ticket sales are
a significant part of the total income of the Art Show. Raffle tickets do not sell themselves.
We need Rotarian & Volunteers to use their social networks to sell tickets to the Public.
Dates for the roster need to be filled, preferably the early dates first, then the later dates.
That means Rotarians need to consult their diaries to see when they have some spare time
for doing good works. All you need to do is pick up the gear from Lyon’s Newsagency
in Percy St (“our newsagency”) and go to it!
What is this I hear you say? “I suck at sales!!!”
Well here are some tips to get you to make your time worthwhile selling raffle tickets.
Realize that selling is hard work; no one really wants to part with their money; you have
to make them an offer too good to refuse.
Step one: Make eye contact.
Step two: Ask an innocuous question first. For example “Nice day/rotten day isn’t it”?
Answer: “Yes” (you have just got them to agree once).
Next Question: “Can I ask you to support the Portland Rotary Club project
(remember branding is important) to aid charities at home and abroad?
Last year we raised just under $20,000 for charity”.
Answer: “Yes (again) and what are the prizes? What is the price of a ticket?”
If they are reluctant, go for the close & say, “ I have the winning ticket here for you,
but you can’t win unless you have a go. You deserve a holiday and a $1500 travel voucher
is just the thing you need!”
Once they are filling in the ticket stub, say “Thank you
for supporting Rotary Projects (branding again)”
Will you sell to everyone you approach? No
Just remember the SW factor: Some Will, Some Won’t, So What, ..Next!
Unbridled capitalistic marketing hints courtesy of Kym Stock.
Reflections….
“I was always taught to respect my elders, but it keeps getting harder to find one!!
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Meeting No. 3160 - Monday 27th August 2007
President Jim Says
Rotarians, I would like to repeat my discussion on safety on the roads.
Please be careful, if you are tired, pull over and rest.
It is a bit hard to serve if you are dead!
Share Rotary, but more importantly enjoy!
President Jim Harpley
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP IS NOW DUE!
Please pay to Treasurer Michael Lyons as soon as possible
Announcements & Reports
President Jim Harpley attended an Inbound/Outbound exchange student weekend at Halls Gap.
There were 18 inbound students and 14 outbound students.
Not much sleep for the adults attending. Can be a hazard when returning home
eg going to sleep at the wheel.
PDG Wayne Barrett – spoke about the Regional Achievement Awards. He is on the judging panel.
Wednesday 29th August. There are 80 submissions. A number are from this community.
It was a lot of work going through them all. Next week he will be able to enlighten us on the content.
There is a lot being done by volunteers in the community.
Rt Neville Doodt – Saturday 25th August gate keeping was a success with those who volunteered
all being available. Needed again at Westerns on Saturday 1st September.
A number of members volunteered. Chrissy Hawker presented Neville with a
cheque for $200 for last Saturday.
Rt Brian McCabe reported on the Board Meeting from last week.
-Discussed Great South West Walk AGM – Neville attended.
-District 9780 has become incorporated from 19th August 2007.
-Finances – The $6,000 that was invested has been reinvested.
-Major Projects – Money is to be put aside each year for long-term projects.
-Seeding money will be needed to start a new project.
-President Jim and Treasurer Michael are working with Rt Peter Walsh to set up Club Accounts
so that they are compatible with the auditor to reduce auditing costs.
-Members are asked to return the confidentiality form signed.
-Tony McGee has been granted a leave of absence for three weeks.
-Cost of attending District Functions. Rt Frank Farnsworth to survey other Clubs.
Rt Kym Stock – circulated a roster for the selling of raffle tickets.
Volunteers required! Kym will pass on hints to assist selling raffle tickets in the Bulletin soon.
Rt John Sealey is to have a hip replacement Tuesday 28th August 2007.
Guest Speaker
Chairperson Howard Barclay introduced the speaker Yvonne Biasol, Manager of the Seawinds Nursery.
The nursery was established in 1993 following the passing of a Federal Government Policy to help
establish businesses for people with disabilities. Portland Aluminium became involved and has c
ontributed much towards the nursery.
Yvonne has been with Kyeema for ten years, the last seven years with the nursery. She has been
twenty years in horticulture and has a certificate in Work Place Training.
She showed a DVD that was made to increase awareness in the community and as a marketing tool.
The nursery provides employment for persons with disabilities. Plants are raised from seeds or
cuttings and sold. They mix their own seed and cutting raising soils. School children participated
in a tree awareness day. Plants are small to very large.
The nursery is open 8:30am – 3:30pm, Monday to Friday and some weekends.
Some of the students/workers do various TAFE courses, including Horticulture, Landscaping, Design,
First Aid, Food Handling and Art.
All pots are cleaned and sterilised. They can do with more pots, so would be grateful for any.
Labelling of plants is very important.
Peter Malcolm does bus tours of the smelter and nursery. Some workers gave a summary of what they
do and appeared very happy. Yvonne said that there are many challenges. Seawinds Nursery is off
Wellington Road on the left past Derril Road.
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Meeting No. 3157 - Monday 6th August 2007
President Jim Says
Fellow Rotarians,
Thanks to all for participating so well in our recent Club Assembly.
These can be rather "dry" meetings, but I found last Monday night’s meeting
to be most informative for all concerned. The ideas expressed for the
forthcoming Rotary year have set me up well for the upcoming Group 5
Presidents meeting.
Share Rotary, but more importantly,
enjoy.
President Jim Harpley
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP IS NOW DUE!
Please pay to Treasurer Michael Lyons as soon as possible
Committee Reports
International Service
Director Frank Farnsworth advised that the committee would be looking for a project
that is ongoing possibly in the South Pacific Region. Fundraising would continue
to be by way of film matinees. He is unsure at this stage what is on the agenda for GSE.
Vocational Service
Director Brian Murphy said they plan to try and identify new vocations.
Industry visits will continue to be part of the programme. Bill Lockley has volunteered
to work on the Shine On Awards. They will be looking for candidates 18 – 25 years of age for RYLA.
Peter Simons will be taking on vocation of the month and will be looking for speakers.
Leigh Allen will be responsible for the Pride of Workmanship.
Art Show
Director John Sealey reported that this year will be the 25th year the Rotary Club of Portland
has held the Art Show. It will commence on Friday 2nd November to Sunday 4th November 2007.
Entry forms have been sent out to 350 artists who have exhibited in the last three years.
They will be looking for sponsorship again this year. A painting of Point Lonsdale valued
at $1,000 has been donated by the artist John Crawley and $1,500 donated by Harvey World Travel.
Community Service
Director Neville Doodt said they would be involved with Pivot Beach, Great South West Walk
and the Beach Front cleanup. Glenn Bennett-Hullin will have the responsibility of the
Bowel Scan Programme. Two new stainless steel BBQ’s have been fitted to the BBQ trailer.
Youth Service
Director Tony McGee advised that Aaron Cain was the successful candidate who is to go to
the Australian Youth Science Forum in Canberra. The cost of attending is $1,725 and the
club has donated $800 towards this cost. Two students will be going to the 3-day
Siemens Science Experience, Ben Clark and Kiernan Klopp. The Board has donated $95
for the fees. The Salvation Army urgently needs blankets for distribution to the
youth of Portland. Tony is getting quotes and will approach a few groups for funding
to provide these.
Club Service
Director Brian McCabe read through the Club Service Duty allocations for this year,
as per the Club Committee & Duties directory.
Three Minute Speaker
Rotarian Bob Menzel spoke about his time with the Portland Coast Water, when it was part
of the Shire Council. He was Chairman for 11 years and during that time the Henty Park Bore
was drilled. It was used for heating the swimming pool and several other facilities in Portland.
The charge for water was 20 cents a kilolitre and it was planned to pump water to Hamilton and
several other towns on the way. He attended many conferences around Australia that provided much
information about how the other states managed water services. The Shire Council decided that
the water service should be a separate service from the Council and is now known as Wannon Water.
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Meeting No. 3156 - Monday 30th July 2007
President Jim Says
PE Brian and myself recently reviewed the committee memberships. Some of you are
now on different committees and have been allocated some additional tasks.
We have attempted to mix the newer members with the more experienced Rotarians,
to get the new members involved.
As an interim step in moving toward the new club leadership model, Foundation has
been elevated to a committee in its own right, with its director being a board member.
Next week is the first club assembly under the new structure.
If you wish to discuss the tasks allocated to you, please speak to me next week.
Share Rotary, but more importantly, enjoy.
President Jim Harpley
Announcements & Reports
President Jim announced the following:
Each Rotarian has their invoice for the annual fees.
You will note that it is $40.00 cheaper than last year due to:
1) The bulletin is now being emailed.
2) The Australian dollar is higher, therefore fees to be paid to head office
in the USA are less.
3) Insurance costs at District level are down because of the good work done by
clubs to ensure better occupational health and safety.
There is a Board of Management meeting tonight to consider a membership nominee.
The committee structure for next year will be discussed with President Elect Brian McCabe.
Are there any members who are able to assist with Meals on Wheels?
Please complete the Fellowship questionnaire and return ASAP.
Rt Roger Dundas has received the cheque of $467.00 for the bowel scan kits.
The pharmacists sell the kits at no charge and Rotarians do the testing.
PDG Wayne Barrett reminded members about the Rotary Foundation Day at Ararat on Saturday 18th August.
Please Note: The Portland Bay RC has decided on Wednesday 1/8/07 to cancel their Rock and
Roll Cabaret “Elvis Leaves His Mark” on Saturday 18th August due to lack of bookings.
Any current bookings will be refunded.
Three Minute Speaker
Rotarian Graeme Heley was born in Ouyen and had three brothers. His parents were pioneers
in their own right. His father started a cordial making business in Ouyen and continued
with it when they moved to Mildura. His mother was in the “picture” business.
She supplied the music for the silent movies before the talkies. That was in Ouyen and Mildura.
Graeme was educated in Mildura to metriculation standard. He joined the ANZ Bank and worked in
a number of centres before coming to Portland. He resigned after 18 years.
He is married with 3 sons and 1 daughter, 9 grandsons and 1 grand daughter.
In 1981 he ran a grocery shop in Heywood, which he sold when he joined Borthwicks working
as their purchasing officer and later as pay master. He really enjoyed working there.
Borthwicks closed in 1996. He and his son bought a motel in Ballarat, which they ran for 6 years.
Graeme then returned to Portland and purchased the Melaleuca Motel in 2003.
He is now negotiating a lease with someone so that he can take a sea change.
Guest Speaker
Rotarian Brian Murphy spoke of his recent experiences with Town Planning issues in the
vicinity of Incitec Pivot. Brian talked about how the vacant land above the IPL site
along Madeira Packet Rd between Bancroft St and Childers St was all zoned
Light Industrial – Port Related Industry, when the IPL plant was commissioned in 1968.
At that time it was predominately owned by the Port of Portland Authority and various
predecessors to the current Dept of Sustainability & Environment. In 1998 the State Government
initiated a plan across the state to sell off surplus government land, and in order to
maximize sale prices, numerous zoning changes were made without an appropriate consultation process.
In Portland, one of the zoning changes was to make the land in question here, Residential 1.
Various developers with a view to creating housing developments subsequently purchased the land.
IPL and other port related industries feel that allowing housing to encroach on existing
Industries and main arterial roads to the Port, is not good planning.
The Minister for Planning has “called in” the decision on the future of development in this
area on the basis that it raises “major state policy issues”. An appointed 3-person panel
heard submissions from Council, EPA, developers and Industry representatives and will make
a recommendation to the Minister on the proposed development at Rossdell Crt. Subsequent to the hearing,
another development has been proposed on adjacent land and this has also been called in.
Hence the appeal process will start again!
Brian also spoke of other areas along arterial roads into the Port where the interface between
industry and residential needs to be managed to ensure the safety of the public
and the sustainability of business.
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Meeting No. 3155 - Monday 23rd July 2007
President Jim Says
Please make welcome our newest member, Rotarian Glen Bennett-Hullin, and his wife Jennifer.
With the recent turnover of membership, the make up of each committee is being reviewed.
If you want to change committees please let myself, or President Elect Brian know next week.
Share Rotary, but more importantly, enjoy.
President Jim Harpley
New Member – Glenn Bennett-Hullin
Rt Tony McGee introduced Glenn Bennett-Hullin and his wife Jennifer.
Glen was born and raised in the Eastern Suburbs of Melbourne. He was educated at
Yarra Valley Grammar School at Ringwood and completed his Bachelor in Pharmacy at
Monash University. He moved to Colac, where he met Jennifer. They travelled,
returned to be married, moved to Portland in 1999, and then purchased the
Portland Amcal Pharmacy. They have two sons aged 7 years and 3 years.
Rt Dayle King inducted Glen, and President Jim presented Glen with the Rotary Badge,
Certificate and Kit, and Jennifer was presented with flowers. Glenn’s classification
is Pharmaceutical Services and will serve on the Youth Services Committee.
Welcome Glenn & Jennifer to the family of Rotary!
Announcements & Reports
President Jim advised the following announcements:
A short Board meeting will be held tonight after the dinner meeting.
Rotary Foundation Conference will be held on Saturday 18th August at
Ararat Secondary College. Please register with PDG Ron Pickford, 31 Langstaffe Drive,
Wendouree, Vic, 3355 (Cost $22.00) by Friday 10th August – Bookings essential.
Jim’s wife Felicity (President of Portland Bay RC) is looking for donations
of table tennis and totem tennis tables for Portland Primary School.
Does anyone have one of these not being used?
Portland Bay Rotary Club is holding a 30th Anniversary Cabaret evening for
the “King” (Elvis Presley) on Saturday 18th August at the Civic Centre.
Rt Tony McGee asked that completed fellowship questionnaires be placed in the “yellow box”.
PDG Wayne Barrett also spoke about the Rotary Foundation Conference in Ararat on the 18th August.
Rotary Association Committee and Rotaract will be conducting sessions. A major focus will
be on learning to enjoy Rotary! Some past RYLA students who are now busy Rotarians will
also address the conference.
Rt Michael Lyons advised that the Portland Rotary Art Show would open 2nd November 2007.
Raffle books are now available for selling. Someone is urgently required as Raffle Sales
Coordinator to co-ordinate a roster for selling tickets over the next few months.
Please see John Sealey or Michael Lyons if you are able to assist.
Rt Marty Hayden is now home in Portland and is progressing well.
Three Minute Speaker
Rt. Geoff McKenzie addressed the club saying that he has discovered that there is life
after running a business. Geoff operated Portland Exhaust Centre full time business for
25 years before selling the the business last year and enjoying a well earned rest.
Geoff’s wife Robyn began to suffer Chronic Fatigue Syndrome during the last year which
severely affected her ability to get on with a normal life, but the good news is she is
making a steady recovery. After a good break from work Geoff is now employed fulltime
for Australia wide transport group Kalari Pty Ltd. He is enjoying working for a boss,
instead of working half the night on his business, as before. He also told us how Kalari
is owned by the Swire Group, who have considerable assets & interests all around the world.
Guest Speaker
James McCormack was introduced by Rt Brian Murphy to speak on the Federal Government’s
“Broadband Now” -a high speed broadband communications initiative. James is employed by
Commonwealth Communications Department in Canberra and is currently speaking throughout
the Western Victoria on this particular project.Prior to working in Canberra, James worked in
the Solomon Islands. He is married and has two small children.
James spoke about Broadband communications in Australia. Generally speaking Broadband is
a “new technology” high speed internet access service delivering a much faster information
flow from the internet to a computer than via previous “slow” dial up services using conventional
telephone lines. This means having faster access to better multimedia services and applications,
bigger data files and new communication services such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP).
Broadband is “always on” allowing full time internet connection 24-7 without interupting
other traditional phone services. The incredible pace of development of communications
technology means that the delivery infrastructure must also keep up. This is a serious challenge
facing governments across the globe.
Not all citizens currently have access to this fast information flow. The hope is that all
Australians no matter where they live will soon have access to a fast broadband service– either
by land line via optic fibre, or wireless via new transmission towers or via satellite in
more remote areas.
Recognizing the importance of high speed communications in Australia in both economic &
social terms, a $600 million funding package was put forward by Federal Governmanet to
encourage private communications developers to deliver this broadband service to 90% of
people in Australia in the very near future.
Optus and Elders combined their resources to form a joint venture called OPEL and is the
successful applicant to deliver this new service. In response to recommendations by OPEL
the Federal Governmant raised the funding package to $958 million and this was matched by
a similar figure by OPEL raising the total value of the project to approx $2 Billion.
This enhanced project will deliver high speed low cost Broadband to 99% of Austalians over
the next 2 years via direct cable or tower transmission. The wireless network will be
completed by 2009. The remaining 1% of the population will have access via satelite via
a government subsidised scheme.
“Broadband Now” is a new customer information service to help consumers access broadband,
the options available to them and how to get connected. Visit www.broadbandnow.gov.au for
futher information
Some of the benefits of broadband:
Broadband is changing the way we communicate, the way we work, the way businesses interact in
the global marketplace and the way essential services such as health and education are delivered.
GovernmentBroadband is improving the online provision of information and services to citizens,
businesses, and other arms of government (e-government). For example, broadband can facilitate
remote diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and consultations with specialists (e-health).
Business Broadband is increasing the effectiveness of business. The benefits a business can gain
from effective e-business include cost savings and operational efficiencies, additional revenue
through the selling of information, products or services through websites and access to regional,
national and worldwide markets.
Education Broadband allows students to access large volumes of online educational resources.
Teachers can also take advantage of the many online education services and integrate them into
their everyday classroom activities.Broadband is changing the way students in isolated areas learn.
For example, interactive distance learning services give students in remote locations the
opportunity to participate in online or virtual lessons.
Home Broadband makes communication between family and friends easier through email, VoIP and
video chat services. Banking, shopping, entertainment and arranging and booking travel can
also be conducted online.
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Meeting No. 3154 - Monday 16th July 2007