Great feedback from last week’s member’s talks, always fascinated on other people memories and past lives, still cannot get over Johns family photo and eight sisters. Jim is proposing to hold several member memories over the course of the year, well done

Congratulations to John Cannon During the month John walked in excess of 10000 steps (the challenge) per day in and around in the Bendigo Regional Park and Greater Bendigo National Park, both around Lake Weeroona, Lake Neanger, Kennington Reservoir, Lake Nagambie and Seaford foreshore. Raising over $2000. Also John throughout the month gave us a running commentary of his walk(s) with a few photos at the end.

 

John’s photos have inspired a thought, in that if any member, in their travels finds something of interest feel welcome to contribute the photo and few words to the Bulletin, I am sure Bruce will be most appreciative.

 

Saturday past DG Dale Hoy called an impromptu meeting for the Goldfields Cluster Judy and I represented our club, for time I was in attendance the conversation mostly centred on happenings at club level from individual clubs, Judy to report on other half (mental illness). Opportunity for DG to offer advice and help at district level. Again common theme activities and projects scaled down due to Covid, but continue to plan future projects. A left field idea from Eaglehawk Rotary that they are brainstorming. Is that the Bendigo Clubs have a common venue, pooling resources, IT, cameras etc but still remain autonomous from the group ie huge Club House, could make for some interesting debates.

 

Liz, Judy and John Harkin shared some memories which are special to them with their fellow members. All three mentioned the important part which Rotary plays in their lives. Judy has had an interest in Rotary from a very young age because her father was a Rotarian for forty two years. Liz and John mentioned the opportunity to meet new people and a release from the pressures of work as been highlights for them. Many thanks to Liz, Judy and John for prompting in all of us the importance of cherishing and valuing those aspects of our lives which are especially dear to us.

Judy shared a lot of memories of growing up in Hopetoun where her father was the Editor of the local paper. It was all hands on deck on Thursday night when the papers had to be folded. Judy's family immigrated from Scotland and took up farming at Patchewollock. A choc wedge from Grandma's pocket money, adventures around the town taking in cooking sausages and even a packet of Turf cigarettes were some of the little things which provide wonderful memories for Judy. She has kept up the friendships from school and nursing days and remembers fondly her first job in a Coles Variety Store.

Liz has lived in Melbourne and many regional centres. Friends have been a very important part of finding support and developing social networks for Liz. She quoted Eleanor Roosevelt "Many people will walk in and out of your life but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart". Liz is a wonderful connector, she has stayed in touch with her neighbour Fred and supported him through the death of his wife. The Hump day crew which gathered on Wednesday for a meal and a drink were an important support for her at work. Discovering mutual friends with Ted is a recent delight for Liz.

John was brought up as one of eleven children (eight sisters) on the family dairy farm at Cowwarr in Gippsland. He remembers as a child holidaying in fairly modest living conditions at Seaspray. The ocean came in handy for bathing. After completing his studies in Veterinary Science he worked mainly for the Department of Agriculture under the many names it has had over the years (a Sign Writer's dream observed Mark). John has worked mainly in animal diseases, drought and fire relief. His work has taken him to many places overseas and he has completed many slick time trials in his trips around Victoria.