Retirement .. Time to gear up, ride to the Goldfields Library, read THE AUSTRALIAN over a large Sim’r cap, pull out the iPad, join the emails fraternity, re-organise a ride to District Assembly, complete a survey for RI, corral photos for Knitting Team’s presentation at RC EH, and write some notes for our Bulletin, whilst flicking to FB, and “talking” to family in Seattle and Wolverhampton.  Then shopping to fill those Ortlieb panniers.

Wednesday at The Bridge, we had the privilege of listening to Janene, one of those quiet unassuming shy heroes. Janene heads up more silent carers steadily rehabilitating children impaired, disabled and handicapped, each Tuesday morning at Long Gully. The “PlayGroup” image was delightfully illustrated by a series of photographs, courtesy Janene’s assistant, Rob Fisher.

For once, the guest speaker’s contribution became a lively interactive, positive session:

We identified three opportunities to help these children:

o    One of members (Jim Rolfe, this time) researching and preparing a traditional board paper seeking a club funding grant, with Peter Elliott’s help, due June 5^th;

o    The Rotary Australia Compassionate Grant (Dick Smith’s $1M) scheme

§  I've emailed details to Rob Fisher

o    Re-enkindling communications between INTERCHANGE (the organisation “behind” Janene), and the board of our local D9800 Camp Getaway.  (John Cannon agreed to follow this one up with Rob Fisher).

And thanks to the local Catholic Education office, St Theresa’s School, and Jim’s Shed for the projection setup, and our in-club expertise.

Meantime, The Bridge and Rowcobs are navigating their new relationship:

I brought along the Bell and Four Way Test cheat sheet Wednesday, and am confident of finding our badges and a laptop next week. Gerard House will be in the (or at least a, chair), and I've asked John Cannon to Welcome and record attendees.

Gordon Cheyne ex anaesthetist, has edited yet another very readable Networker, and RDU has a brilliant A to Z article on The Rotary Foundation, for any skeptics.

Wednesday night I joined our Change-Over committee, and we  “nailed” a comfortable, welcoming venue for Friday July 7^th. Thence, out to The Gold Mines for a Community Leadership Loddon Murray networking evening funded by CoGB.  Positive outcome was rejuvenating communication with Pastor Dave Fagg of St Mathew’s Long Gully, and, inter alia, bringing him up to speed with Dick Smith’s funding the RACG scheme.

https://cllm.org.au

I'm still looking for a ride to DTA (Don't you hate acronyms … a historical glance indicates that even the ancient Greeks and Romans were at it).  District Training Assembly.  Bryan’s bus disappeared when the bus coordinator declared an overlooked double booking.

May 26 – 28 Rowcobs Chef Célèbre and sometime swineherd, Rob, will be leading our catering team for MUNA at Axedale.

For members, and interested, there’s a workshop session on myrotary website Saturday morning June 3^rd at Golden Square primary school.  June 4^th is clusters meeting. Greg’s open to agenda items

And, Marjorie and Co (Read Peter, Bronwyn and Grant) have published a 2017 – 2020 D9800 Strategic Plan, which would actually pass a public bar test as a readable sensible and well formatted document.

Enjoy the weekend.  Will Buckley lift them over The Hawks ?

G for George

P.S...

District Community Grant Application:

Our board members present Wednesday voted to support the motion cancelling the Application.

Stumbling block is The Rotary Foundation ruling exempting funding or co-funding of any identifiable asset owned by a Rotarian, or a Rotary Club.