We thought this was another terrific meeting this morning.  Great speakers and guests, and most enjoyable fellowship.  Next week, Wednesday, 1st July, marks our last meeting as Co-presidents before handing over the reins to PE Ted Gretgrix (about 160 hours to go, as this is written …….).

 

As usual, Barb Mitchell did a great job as our Chairperson for the morning.  Our wonderful guests included our guest speaker, Ian McBurney, with his presentation on “An Epidemic of Belonging”;

 

we also welcomed Jeanette Lynch from RC of East Keilor, who is our district Rotary Friendship Exchange (RFE) coordinator.  Jeanette has since been in touch to say how much she enjoyed our meeting, and repeated her earlier thanks for our clubs’ continuing support of the Friendship Exchange programme.

Also joining our meeting were Rob and Sedi Dunn, from Lytham, on the west coast of England.  Rob and Sedi came to Bendigo in June, 2014, as members of an English RFE team (District 1190) visit to our district. 

They, and other members of their team, have repeatedly told us (Toni and Ray), that the time they spent in Bendigo was superb, due to our clubs’ very warm welcome and generous hosting.  In turn, several members of our club, Ray and Toni Carrington, Graeme and Merrin Lynas and Cathie Miller, went to England on a reciprocal visit in 2016, and enjoyed great times and fellowship.  Peter Downes, a past member of our club, and his wife, Helen, also formed part of the team.  Co-Presidential Tip: If you are ever able to spare the time to take part in an overseas exchange – do it!

 

Next Wednesday the 1^st July Adrian and Toni will be going to the home of incoming President Ted Gretgrix and his wife Liz, for a low-key handing over of the reins. The more formal changeover is planned for the end of August when hopefully we will be able to get together as a group once more.

 

No changes in the foreseeable future to the current situation.  Jason is hoping the pandemic situation will ease off in the relatively near future so he can welcome us back under safe circumstances.  Like Jason, we all look forward this happening as soon as possible.

 

We have tried to be supportive of Rochester RC this year, wherever we can.  On one occasion last year, Adrian Schoo went to the Rochester hospital to make a community presentation on prevention of injuries.  In November, Patti Cotton and Carol McCooke, accompanied by Glenn Maloney and Ray & Toni Carrington, went to a meeting organized by Rochester RC to speak to interested local folk about our Clubs’ Timor-Leste knitting program.  This was very well received by around the 20 or so attendees, and it was a most pleasant afternoon.

Debbie Bish, the president of Rochester RC, recently sent us an electronic record of their Annual Report for 2019-2020. In this report Debbie acknowledges and thanks us for our contribution and support. Debbie wrote:

SUPPORT FROM BENDIGO-SANDHURST

This year we have received great support from the Rotary Club of Bendigo Sandhurst, and we sincerely thank Adrian Schoo and Toni Carrington, the co-presidents, for their encouragement.  Adrian came and gave a presentation at REDHS (the Rochester and Elmore District Health Service) about preventing injury during sport and work.  It was a very interesting presentation, and had been publicised to sporting clubs and the community, but we were not able to attract any community interest.  However, two professionals from the hospital who attended did gain from Adrian’s expertise and experience.

We were privileged to have Patti Cotton come to Rochester to speak about her work with knitted clothing for Maubisse and what the knitters do.  Despite the difficult weather, a good group of people enjoyed Patti’s presentation and a successful afternoon was had by all who attended.

                                                                                   

The Rotary Club of Rochester sincerely thank Patti and Adrian for giving up their time and

making the effort to come and present to the people of Rochester.

The guest speaker for the meeting was Ian McBurney. Ian is the Director and Executive Officer of the bHive Cooperative. The bHive enterprise is built on the importance of the local community and connecting people first of all in neighbourhood groups to take advantage of social and economic opportunities. Ian believes that the community owns and takes responsibility for the local economy. He is committed to providing a forum so that people have access to local goods and services.

 

The eradication of poverty and the development of sustainable environmental practices underpin the work of the bHive Corporation. The village software in the first instance enables people to connect to others within a one kilometre radius of their home. This enables people to build relationships with others, plan events and make use of the sharing library. The necessary privacy protocols and proper agreements about the way the platform is used are in place when people sign up.

 

The bHive Corporation draws on the work of Michael Shumen, an American Economist. Michael's philosophy is based on the importance of "pollinator businesses"  which promote locally owned businesses, local self-reliance and the creation of local and shared wealth.

Ian has made very good use of the $60K innovation grant from the Fosterville Mine to further establish the bHive Corporation. It is based on ethical practices and uses terms like skills and needs rather than supply and demand. There is a strong body of research to say that the development of strong community connections are very important factors in personal health and wellbeing. This is captured in the phrase about the importance of creating "an epidemic of belonging".