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From President David
Posted by David Farnsworth

from president david

Another Starsearch, that’s 40 of them and thanks to all those who attended and assisted of what I believe turned out to be a successful night. The talent in Geelong is exceptional and was certainly on show.
 
Special thanks to the Stephen and the Starsearch committee. A smooth running event comes about by a lot of behind the scenes work, the night itself is relatively straight forward but we shouldn’t  underestimate the work and dedication that was put in to make it a success. 40 years heritage is also something to be proud of and the immense work that has gone over many years should be celebrated and something the club can  be proud of. Reflecting on the “were are they now”, demonstrates  the success of the event for encouraging talent in the past. Speaking to one of the accompanist through the night they mentioned what an Institution the event is to the musicians in the local area.
 
We should collectively all be thankful to the sponsors of the event as without them the show would run at a considerable loss.
 
Well done Highton Rotary.
 
This week’s meeting is at the Yacht club and time for the committee’s to report on the years achievements, unfortunately due to a family member needing some minor medical assistance I won’t be able to attend but I’m hoping that a full and worthwhile discussion will be had as this becomes a learning point and discussion for next year committees, please make every effort to attend.
 
Remember we are a “gift to the world”  
 
David
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Another Star Search Celebrity
From "The Age" talking about the current "Sound of Music" production in Melbourne.
 
“I love this cast, I wouldn’t be willing to be in it and promoting it if I didn’t think it was up to scratch, but Amy Lehpamer is about the beret Maria I’ve seen in years and years”……Nicholas Hammond Melbourne “Age"

“The Sound of Music is not, I confess, one of my favourite things, but this charming and atmospheric production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most famous musical is enough to win over even the cynics among us.
Its biggest drawcard is Amy Lehpamer as Maria. Musical theatre stars don’t get much more versatile. She has vamped around to ‘80s hair metal in "Rock of Ages", cooked up a more wholesome sort of storm in "Margaret Fulton:Queen of the true Dessert”, and now channels the squeaky clean governess to perfection.

"If Lehpamer invokes shades of Julie Andrews’ immortal performance, with her bright vocals and diction as crisp as mountain air, she also strikes up an effortless rapport with almost every member of the cast, from “My Favourite Things” sung in duet with a whiff of mischief and private delight, opposite Jacqueline Dark’s Mother Abbess, to the gradual disarming of the seven von Trapp children through song.”….Cameron Woodhead Melbourne “Age"

Amy Lehpamer is a past winner of Star Search and we have been privileged to have had Amy be a compere on several occasions.
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This Week's meeting at Barwarre Gardens
 
 
 
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Polio this week

Polio this week as of 1 June 2016
  • Last week, health ministers from around the world met in Geneva for the annual World Health Assembly (WHA). Among other public health topics, delegates reviewed and discussed the latest global polio epidemiology and reaffirmed commitment to ending transmission in the remaining polio reservoirs. Read more
  • At the 42nd G7 Summit on 26-27 May 2016 in Ise-Shima, Japan, G7 Leaders reaffirmed their continued commitment to polio eradication in the Ise-Shima leaders’ statement.
  • The report of the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on immunization from their meeting in April 2016 has been published, including a discussion on progress made towards polio eradication.

Wild poliovirus type 1 and Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus cases
 

Total cases

Year-to-date 2016

Year-to-date 2015

Total in 2015

WPV

 cVDPV

 WPV

 cVDPV

 WPV

 cVDPV

Globally

16

3

26

2

74

32

- in endemic countries

16

0

26

2

74

 3

- in non-endemic countries

0

3

0

0

0

 29

 

 
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Change ?
From the “Rotary Membership” facebook page.  Food for thought?
 
Change is hard for everyone, but very difficult for Rotary clubs.
John Kotter in an article on change in the Harvard Business Review said that 70% of change efforts fail to achieve their desired goal. Wow! Should we bother? My answer is that Rotary is usually in that other 30 percent that gets things done. Think about Polio Plus or the Peace Forums or clean water around the world. Rotary can make change happen. But change in our clubs has been a slow movement.
Club leaders have the ability to build a nimble team that is engaged and focused on continually getting better. They can see their clubs grow, expand and build better communities.
Membership is a critical change area for all service clubs. It is critical to continue to add new members, because each year members will leave for a variety of reasons. They move away, they pass away, they lose their interest, they run out of money, and they disagree with the way the club is going. It does not really matter why they leave, it is important to find new people to replace those who leave.
Too many clubs spend months thinking about how to recruit new members into their club. It is more important to find out how to attract members into your club.
 
Rotary Membership's photo.
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Rotary Conversations
Posted by Paul Brewster

news from the district and beyond

 
District Changeover is open to all Rotarians, Partners and Friends.
 
Registration is now open and can be done on line through Members access - you are able to also register your Partner and any Friends as your guest.
 
NOTE: REGISTRATION CLOSES 16 JUNE 2016
 
If you have any dietary requirements please indicate in the comments section of registration.
 
Click the link under UPCOMING EVENTS in the District web page to register
 
You shall receive a complimentary glass of wine , beer or fruit punch once you take up your seat. Lunch shall be two courses and include tea and coffee served to your table. Additional beverages shall be available at bar prices. Truffleduck pride themselves in excellence in food and service and the venue is open to the river garden with a wonderful vista.
 
Parking is available opposite the venue in the carpark next to the Fyansford Hotel. Please arrive at 12.15pm for a 12.30pm start.
Registration is strictly open until June 16th and shall close at 11.00pm. You shall not be able to register or attend the event if you have not registered by this date.
 
DG Jane Cox and DGE Stephen Lamont warmly invite you to attend changeover as we celebrate Be a Gift to the World and embrace Rotary Serving Humanity.
 
YOUR REGISTRATION IS NOT COMPLETE UNTIL PAYMENT IS MADE VIA THE PAYPAL LINK ON THE REGISTRATION PAGE.  REGISTRATION WITHOUT PAYMENT CANNOT BE RECOGNISED.  
- See more at: http://rotary9780.org/stories/district-changeover-action/#sthash.mChZv1LE.dpuf
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Rotary Moments

rotary moment

Rotary Youth Exchange has touched my entire family

Linda Mulhern, daughter, and Chile Exchange Student

The author, far right, and her daughter with a former Rotary Youth Exchange student from Chile.

By Linda Mulhern, a member of the Rotary Club of St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

When you become a Rotary Youth Exchange student, you never imagine how it might affect you in the long term. In my case, my exchange has connected my family in more ways than one.

As a Youth Exchange student to Sweden in 1979-80, I learned a lot about what I was capable of doing on my own, my strengths and weaknesses, and what it took to overcome obstacles. I had an incredible year in Sweden, and still speak Swedish fluently. I have contacts with many friends and communicate regularly with my host parents and host sisters.

After my exchange, I met my husband in ROTEX, a group for Rotary Youth Exchange alumni. He had been a Youth Exchange student to Argentina, and we bonded over travel stories. Once we had kids, I knew our experiences might inspire them to travel.

Our son has taken part in a Rotary Youth Exchange to Turkey and our daughter is currently on a Youth Exchange in Finland. She is one of three girls on a boys hockey team and loves it. We have also hosted over 20 Youth Exchange students over the years.

Dinner conversation
I have used my Swedish in my profession, and both my husband and I have been able to reach out to people with our language abilities. Our children are able to talk about world events at the dinner table, and we have received many compliments from our children’s friends about how fun it is to talk about world cultures, languages, and politics at the dinner table. They love the laughter, but also realize that to follow the conversation, they need to stay current on world events.

I am most proud of my kids because they will find ways to be inclusive with everyone they meet, find common interests, and start conversations to learn more about the world.
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The next 4 weeks
Posted by Paul Brewster

THE NEXT 4 WEEKS

 
 
9th June 2016 - Geelong Yacht Club 
Club Night and Directors' Reports
Chair - David Farnsworth
Welcome, Badges  and Property - Robert Johnson
 
16th June 2016 - Barwarre Gardens
Dinner and Description of facilities
Chair - Mark Seller
Welcome, Badges  and Property - Robert Johnson
 
23rd June 2016 - Lyndon Grove
Club Night with New Committees
Chair - Barb Sheehan
Welcome, Badges  and Property - Robert Johnson
 
30th June 2016 - Lyndon Grove
Changeover Dinner
Chair - David Farnsworth
Welcome, Badges  and Property - Robert Johnson
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Celebrations 3rd to 9th June 2016
Posted by Paul Brewster

Celebrations 3rd to 9th June 2016

Ann and Peter Jackman are celebrating a wedding anniversary on 3rd, closely followed by Jennie and Doug Green on 5th.

The 3rd is also an anniversary (but this time a Club Anniversary) for Malcolm Marquardt
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Leave of Absence

leave of absence

David Sinclair's going off on another trip from 7th June to 7th July

.Ian Campbell will also be away - from 1st July to 11th July

Rod Morrison follows that with an overseas trip from 11th July until 16th August

The Mark Seller will be away from 19th July 'til 28th August - visiting Marie Louise as part of the trip.
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Inspirational quotes
Posted by Paul Brewster

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES

 

If you wish to reach the highest, begin at the lowest. - Publilius Syrus

One person with a belief is equal to a force of ninety-nine with only interests. - John Stuart Mill

You must look into people, as well as at them. - Lord Chesterfield
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Humour ?
Posted by Paul Brewster

Humour ?

Three sons left home, said goodbye to their dear single mother, went out on their own and prospered. Then one day, revisiting together, they discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly Mother on her birthday. They all loved her dearly, and each wanted more than anything to give her something she'd truly love.
The first said, "I built a mansion for our mother. 26 rooms and a huge back yard filled with trees and flowers. A house that is fit for royalty, and will give her all the space she never had."
The second said, "Well I bought her a luxury car, and not just for her to drive, no. It comes with a private driver that'll take her anywhere she wants to go. She'll never need to drive again, and he can help her carry heavy things back to the house."
The third smiled and said, "I've got you both beat. You remember how Mum enjoyed reading the Bible? And you know she can't see very well any more. I sent her a remarkable parrot that recites the entire Bible. It took the Elders in the church 12 years to teach him. He's one of a kind. Mama just has to name the chapter and verse, and the parrot recites it."
The three agreed that all gifts were well thought out, and were sure their mother would be amazed and delighted.
Soon thereafter, their dear mother sent out her letters of thanks: "Milton," she wrote the first son, "the house you built is so huge. I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house."
"Gerald," she wrote to the second son, "I am too old to travel any more. My eyesight isn't what it used to be. I stay most of the time at home, so I rarely use the car my dear. And I must say the driver is quite rude!"
"Dearest Donald," she wrote to her third son, "you were the only one to have the good sense to know what your Mother likes. That chicken was delicious!"
 
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A man is dining in a fancy restaurant and there's a gorgeous redhead sitting at the next table. He's been checking her out since he sat down, but lacks the nerve to talk with her.
Suddenly she sneezes, and her glass eye comes flying out of its socket toward the man. He reflexively reaches out, grabs it out of the air, and hands it back.
"Oh my, I am so sorry," the woman says as she pops her eye back in place.  "Let me buy your dinner to make it up to you," she says.
They enjoy a wonderful dinner together, and afterwards they go to the theatre followed by drinks. They talk, they laugh, she shares her deepest dreams and he shares his. She listens.
After paying for everything, she asks him if he would like to come to her place for a nightcap.
The guy is amazed. Everything had been SO incredible!  "You know," he said, "you are the perfect woman, are you this nice to every guy you meet?"
"No," she replies. . .
"You just happened to catch my eye."
 
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Two old men went hunting one day. A hang glider came soaring overhead and the first old man raised his gun and fired. After a brief pause the second old man asked "Did you get it, whatever it was?"
The first old man replied "No, I think I missed it. But I sure as heck made it turn loose that poor fella it was carrying away!"
 
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Russell Hampton
National Awards Services Inc.
Sage