Rotarians and friends were excited to be together face-to-face enjoying Pies and Port at Rochester on Saturday 7th May. The consistent sound of chatter and laughter was a sign of freedom from the past two years of lockdown and wariness of being in crowded spaces. Rotary Rochester welcomed District Governor Dale Hoy and Maureen, representatives of 12 Rotary Clubs and Community members to their Pie and Port and Changeover evening. The Pie and Port night commenced in the early 1980s as a social night for members only and has developed into an occasion known throughout Rotary District 9800.
The members of Rotary Rochester welcomed District Governor Dale and Maureen Hoy, Past District Governor Grant and Melissa Hocking, Past District Governor Keith Ryall and Gabrielle Butler, District Governor Nominee Ron and Deb Payne, and Assistant Governors for Goldfields Cluster Graeme and Merrin Lynas and Alison Bacon. Also present were representatives of the Lions Club of Rochester, Probus Club of Rochester, Rochester Community, Rotary Clubs of Bendigo, Bendigo Sandhurst, Bendigo South, Brighton, Carlton, Castlemaine, Central Melbourne, Eaglehawk, Echuca Moama and Woodend.The first Pie & Port was held at ‘Muddy Waters’ the home of Rotarian Keith Campbell. The pies were supplied from the local bakery and members shared their favourite bottle of port. It is now one of the Club’s major fundraising events.
Over the following years, the event was held in members’ homes, and Rotarians from Rotary Clubs of Kyabram, Echuca, Eaglehawk, and Bendigo were invited to participate along with Partners and representatives from various Rochester organisations.
In 1997 numbers had outgrown a private home and so Pie and Port moved to the Common School, home of the Historical Society. With its open fireplaces, this proved a popular venue, especially on a cold May evening.
In 2009 Pie and Port moved to the Court House with its welcoming open fire and Spartan kitchen. From 2011 till 2015 the Pie & Port was held at the Rochester Fire Station and guests have included Rotarians from all parts of District 9800. The firemen were very pleased to host the venue and to discuss the features of the station, the trucks and their fire-fighting prowess. Since 2016, the Pie and Port has been at the Heritage Court House, the home of the Club. The Rochester Bakery, seen on Postcards on Sunday 1st May, supplied the mouth-watering pies.This year we had 62 guests gather at the Heritage Court House for a night of fellowship, networking and fun. One of the highlights of the evening was surprising Maureen with a lovely birthday cake.
Sunday morning President Heather and Past President Bryan joined those who stayed in Rochester, overnight, for breakfast at Kit’s Kafe. Again, more fellowship and conversation was enjoyed.