2020-2021 Edition 52

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District Governor's Message
Thank you for a wonderful year ‘Opening Opportunities’!

We are now in the peak of club changeovers and DGE Dale, DGN Amanda, DGND Ron, partners and I have been greatly enjoying every event. I know I speak for all the G-train members when I say how amazing it is to see the incredible spread of Rotary activities across the District; to take in the atmosphere of every club; and to learn about the many successes that clubs have achieved during the 2020/21 year with the projects they have undertaken that make such a difference in the world. We are also buoyed by the plans that club leadership teams have for the year ahead.

I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all Centenary Presidents and club leadership teams for your incredible efforts in ‘Opening Opportunities’ through what has been a challenging year.  

My gratitude also goes to the District Board and Leadership Team for all that you have contributed to ensuring the incredible work of Rotary in D9800 has continued over the year, despite the pandemic…you have been inspiring!

To the Networker team…every week you have ensured Rotarians have been kept informed about the many projects, clubs, members, and partnerships happening in our District and I thank you for this and to accommodating my communication strategy in a year that has seen us in lockdown and in need of connection. It has been a tremendous team effort and I know first-hand from the many members such as PDG Des Hosking and Rotarian Elaine Bird from Rotary Williamstown (pictured), how they look forward to reading Networker every week with interest and pride.

I would also like to thank all District 9800 Rotarians for giving me the opportunity to be your Governor this past year. While it has been a year of challenges, especially under COVID, it has also been a fantastic year because of each one of you and the passion you have for Rotary. Tricia and I have so enjoyed the last three years as I have moved from District Governor Nominee to Governor. I have no doubt that we will continue to enjoy our Rotary journey for many years to come.

To District Governor-elect Dale Hoy and Maureen, I know you will have a tremendous year ahead. I also know that the District is in very good hands as you both “Serve to Change Lives.”

Again, thank you to all and…enjoy the week in Rotary service! 

Rotary District 9800 Governor Philip Archer

Paul Harris Quote of the Week (Final)
Connecting With the Spinal Cord Injury Community During COVID-19

Contributed by: Peter Boudville, President 2019/21, Rotary Brunswick-Tullamarine, Vocational Service Champion Gateway Supercluster

In May 2020, The Rotary Foundation, along with the Rotary Club of Brunswick-Tullamarine and the Rotary Club of Kew, partnered to provide a grant to the Spinal Research Institute (SRI), a for-purpose organisation working to improve the health and wellbeing of people with spinal cord injury. The grant was used to fund the development of an online video series to connect with the spinal cord injury community during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in Victoria.

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District Club Service Chair 2021-22, Sandi Fulcher, Focusing on Strong Fundamentals

By Tricia Reardon

It’s not so surprising that Sandi Fulcher has had a long involvement with Rotary with many achievements under her belt – one could say she was destined for it. After all, both her father and stepfather were Rotarians and her mother was a member of Rotary Melbourne, becoming its first female president in 2004/5.

Initially the Charter President for Rotaract Donvale in 1984, Sandi joined Rotary in 2003 whilst working in London as the General Manager of Burberry Airports. It was her mother who influenced the decision when visiting Sandi and suggesting that they attend a club meeting at Rotary Heathrow. Witnessing the 18-member powerhouse, Sandi had no hesitation in becoming a member. Returning to Australia, she felt the same energy and enthusiasm at Rotary Chadstone/East Malvern and joined the club in 2005. What struck her most about both clubs was that all members were fully engaged, committing to projects and events without a moment’s hesitation, and that the members of both clubs enjoyed so much fun. What’s more, members never missed a meeting. 

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The Four-Way Test Public Speaking Showcase Finalist

Speech by, Ben Zhou, Camberwell Grammar

Rotary Balwyn has run The Four-Way Test Public Speaking Showcase over many years with the objective of providing a competitive outlet for secondary students attending schools within the City of Boroondara to hone their public speaking skills and promote the Rotary Four-Way Test as a moral compass. In this competition students can speak on any subject that they feel is current, interesting or important. Their speech must however, be based on the application of Rotary’s Four-Way Test, with its principles running either expressly or implied throughout the entire speech.

The following transcript is from one of the four finalists, Ben Zhou.

Should artists be separated from their art? (Cancel Culture)

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Southbank Rotary

By Henry Drury

Things happen on riverbanks. On Monday 8 June 1835, John Batman wrote in his journal “…that I am glad to state about 6 miles up found the river all good water and very deep. (sic) This will be the place for a village”.

That river was of course the Yarra and the village, Melbourne. Unsurprisingly, the south side of the river became South Melbourne and supported the young city with breweries, engineering works and food processing while shipping utilised the newly constructed docks and warehouses.

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Rotary Fellowship of Leadership Education and Development

By Helena Wimpole

The Rotary Fellowship of Leadership Education and Development is a new, vibrant and extremely promising group. The idea for its establishment came from 3 three energetic and committed Rotarians who live in different parts of the world but had crossed paths with each other. One is from Silicon Valley in the US, another from Germany and the third from Australia.

The Fellowship was chartered by Rotary International in May 2021, possibly making it the most recently formed. The three Rotarians initially advertised online for expressions of interest in their proposed Fellowship. As a result, over 500 Rotarians, Rotaractors and Rotary Program Alumni joined them in their initial charter request to Rotary International.

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Farewell from the 2020-21 Networker Team
 
District Changeover 2021

** NOTE CHANGE OF DATE -
SAME VENUE / SAME TIME **

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