Given the current situation that is changing day by day, Toni and I have decided to suspend our club meetings until further notice. This was a very difficult decision, but we think it is necessary given the possible risks associated with the venue and current government advice. In the meantime, we encourage you to correspond via Club Runner group email so that we can keep in contact and discuss and or progress matters as needed and possible. Bruce will continue to send bulletins and we encourage all to submit material to keep us connected.
Presidents Report
Phillip Britton was inducted to our Rotary club last Wednesday. He is a long-time friend and colleague of Neville Sharpe, who introduced him to our club. Phillip has a long list of achievements in the education sector and still works as a consultant for La Trobe University; thus, his classification is Educational Services. Phillip has been a previous member of Rotary Club of Charlton where he has also been President. We very warmly welcome Phillip as a member to the RC of Bendigo Sandhurst.
It is currently a difficult time for all us Rotarians with the cancellation of the conference and the Easter Markets, due to the Corona virus pandemic. Thanks to Ted and Peter for all their hard work in now having to refund the site monies to the market stall-holders - all 270 of them. A thankless task, we’re sure.
The Lightning Reef Primary School has regretfully cancelled the monthly lunch program of our club and Inner Wheel ladies until further notice.
On Wednesday, the majority of members present voted to continue with our weekly meetings; this will be reviewed on a daily basis depending on the latest information provided by the Victorian Chief Health Officer. A number of Rotarians and their families have decided to socially isolate themselves and we respect their decision. Please try and keep in contact with these members to have a chat and ensure they are OK.
Thank you to Pauline and Maurice Woodburn for hosting our “Just Desserts” fellowship night; it was a lovely evening with a lot of calories consumed…...
Guest speakers this week were Alice and Rhiannon from the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion.
Alice informed us the Stupa is based on the Great Stupa of Gyantse in Tibet, as it is the same size and shape. It sits on over 200 acres of land that were donated by the family of the Stupa’s founder, Ian Green. Its construction begun 17 years ago, in 2003, and has now reached its final height of 48m. It is still under construction internally.
A stupa is the most sacred building in Buddhism and this stupa is the largest in the western world; the Jade Buddha is the largest Buddha carved from gemstone-quality jade in the world. The Buddha stands 2.7 metres high and weighs 4 tonnes.
Over 31,000 people visited the stupa in 2018 and everyone, irrespective of their religion, is welcome to take a moment to reflect upon peace. It is revered as an international peace icon.
Rhiannon spoke about a drug and alcohol program that she runs at the centre in partnership with the Salvation Army. The program runs weekly sessions of 2hrs with an average participation of 10-15 people each session. The programs’ activities include: -
Full tour of The Great Stupa
Q&A with a Buddhist monk or nun
Meditation
Art therapy
Gardening
Group discussions
Other mindfulness activities
Each session costs in the amount of $60.00, and Rhiannon was hoping the Rotary Club of Bendigo Sandhurst could help support the program.
The Barham weekend is now up in the air and Kevin will keep a eye on the Government rules closer to the date. It becomes a personal decision then for those self-isolating.
