2010-11 to 2019-20
2010 - 2011
President: Geoff Adcock
Furniture & Fittings stripped from Flora Hill Secondary College were packed in a container for East Timor.
Three Turkish Students visited the Club as part of the “Anzac Exchange”.
Leon Scott, Norm Kenyon, Annette Wiles, Carolyn Robinson and Ken Briggs went to East Timor for another work party.
The “Partners High Tea” raised #2,229-70 for the Clubs Relay for Life effort.
District Governor Iven Mackay made his Official Visit to the Club in October.
Ten Members from District 1070 in England were hosted by Eaglehawk Members as part of the Rotary International Friendship Exchange.
A Fundraising Bus Trip for the ROSE Program was held to ‘Forest Glade Garden’ at Mt, Macedon.
As usual the Club erected the Nativity Scene at the Town Hall, assisted with set up for Canterbury Carols, carried out numerous Sausage Sizzles and assisted with the Eaglehawk Australia Day Celebrations.
A number of Eaglehawk Rotarians assisted the Rochester Club Members and other Residents after the floods in January/February. The Club coordinated the Cluster Disaster Fund and received Donations in excess of $83,000-00 was received from other Clubs. By mid-February 38 x $1,000 grants had been made to flood affected victims.
A Trivia Night raised around $8,000-00.
Friends of the Library supplied 25,000 books which was the start of the Rotary Bookshop. This was initially held at St. Peters Church.
A Float was entered in the Dahlia & Arts Procession.
The GSE Team from District 5480 in Texas visited the Club.
Two Students from Eaglehawk Secondary College were sponsored to attend the Anzac Services in Turkey and assistance was given to some indigenous students from the College to visit Yulara.
ROSE Students Nick and Annie arrived from Thailand to attend Girton Grammar School while Ploy and Gift continued their studies at Girton achieving outstanding results.
At the Annual Changeover a Paul Harris Fellow Award was made to Leonie Adamson and a Sapphire was presented to John Haugh.
The Golden Eagle Award was made to Maureen Lougoon
2011 - 2012
President: Colin Hutchieson
More goods were salvaged from Weeroona College for East Timor. Heather Ridge went to East Timor as part of Team 24 and Leon Scott and Ron Moss as part of Team 25.
A Fashion Parade to assist in raising funds for the ROSE Program was held by “Blue Illusion” and realised around $1,000-00.
Playground Equipment at Comet Hill Primary School was dismantled to send to East Timor.
After a query from R.I., Parramatta it was resolved the region of operation of our Club be “City of Greater Bendigo and surrounding areas”. District Governor Keith Ryall and Gabrielle made his Official visit to the Club.
Two more containers were loaded for East Timor in February and working bees continued at Hall being relocated to Truscott Reserve.
GSE Team from India were hosted in March and also Festival Idol held.
Working Bees were re-commenced at Camp Getaway.
Assistance was given to the RSL for the Eaglehawk Dawn Service Morning Tea and also the Morning Service.
At the Annual Changeover Dinner P.P. Peter Cox and P.P. John Jones were presented with Paul Harris Fellow Awards and P.P. Bill Slee received a Sapphire to His PHF Award
P.P. Doug Poole received the Golden Eagle Award.
2012 - 2013
President: Colin Anderson
The New Generations Award was presented to the Club at The District Governors Changeover.
Commonwealth Bank, Eaglehawk Branch announced a $500 grant to purchase a marquee for the barbeque trailer.
Goods were salvaged from the Bendigo Ambulance Station and more containers loaded for East Timor.
The Trivia Night in September raised around $9,000-00 and District Governor Dennis Shore and Lynda visited the Club.
The Annual Swap Meeting and Christmas Stocking Raffle were again successful
The Rotary Club of Eaglehawk Book Shop opened in Rita O’Brien’s Shop in High Street, Eaglehawk. This was previously the Pharmacy operated by Foundation Member Bill O’Brien.
Festival Idol was held at the Wes Vine Performing Arts Centre at the Eaglehawk Secondary College.
Sister Lourdes from Timor Leste visited the Club and expressed thanks to the Club and its Members for all the assistance in Timor Leste.
A dinner was held at the “Foundry” to raise funds for ROMAC and more goods were salvaged from Golden Square Primary School.
A large number of Working Bees were held at Camp Getaway during the Rotary Year and our Club was represented at all of them.
At the Annual Changeover a Paul Harris Fellow Award was made to Mr Dave Richards and the Golden Eagle Award to Rita O’Brien
2013 - 2014
President: Ron Payne
District Governor Ross Butterworth made an Official Visit to the Club.
Twelve Members attended a Club Visioning Day held at the Mechanics.
Emma Lewis and Sarah Wainwright were inducted as the first “Friends of Rotary”
Club Meetings were transferred to the Truscott Reserve while extensive works were carried out to the underfloor ventilation system at the Mechanics Institute.
A visit from the Life Education Team was also received. It is the largest non-government provider of drug and health education to children. The program is delivered to children (in their grades) in a specially designed Mobile Learning Centre which is towed to each of the schools.
As well as catering at the Annual Swap Meet the Club assisted with car parking at the Comet Hill School.
A Christmas Market was held with a total of $1,030 being raised for the Eaglehawk Secondary College VET Program.
The Annual ROSE Christmas Stocking Raffle raised $14,918-00 and help was given at the Eaglehawk Canterbury Carols.
Assistance was given at the Eaglehawk Australia Day Celebrations and a frame for a Deck was constructed for a disadvantaged boy in Kangaroo Flat.
Over 40 Members and support staff of District 9820 “Ride To Conference” visited the Club in March and President Ron attended the District Conference in the Gold Coast.
A Hearing Loop was installed at the Mechanics Institute and the Club hosted the outgoing Dinner for the D 9800 GSE team with a number of District personnel in attendance.
At the Annual Changeover Dinner, President Ron Payne presented Paul Harris Fellow Awards to Rtn. Les Dingfelder and Liz Dingfelder. The Golden Eagle Award was presented to P.P. Leon Scott.
2014 - 2015
President: Richard Epskamp
There were about 20 Visitors from the Koo-Wee-Rup/Lang Lang Club which was the previous Club of Richard Epskamp present at the Changeover. On the Saturday morning they assisted with the Construction of a wood shed at Camp Getaway.
A number of Club Members assisted as Timekeepers for the Regional Games Special Olympics Swimming Day. Also assistance was given to the Rotary Club of Bendigo as gate-keepers for the Sheep & Wool Show.
On 30th July Members of the 2014 Group Study Team who travelled to Germany gave a comprehensive report on their activities while in Germany.
District Governor Murray Verso and Irene made his Official Visit to the Club.
The Twilight Market commence on Thursday 13th November and we again looked after F.J’s. Café at the Swap Meeting.
The Cluster held a “Foundation Dinner” at the Bendigo Stadium.
The Annual Christmas Stocking Raffle was held during late November & December and was a great success due to the efforts of so many members. Special mention was made of the fantastic contribution of Howard & Vivienne Osborne. Net profit was $10,700.00.
The Nativity Scene was again set up on the Town Hall Balcony and a Barbeque was held for the incoming students at Eaglehawk Secondary College. The Club again assisted with setting up for the Eaglehawk Christmas Carol night. The second Twilight Market was held on 13th December.
Wednesday 10th December was the Pride of Workmanship Awards night held in the Eaglehawk Band Room.
Recipients of the awards were:
Mark Polsen, Community Support
John Morton, Professional/Education
Gary Thomas, Apprenticeship Award
Cheryl Wiegard, Professional/Business
Mick Surplice, Tradesperson
Mark McCormick, Retail/Sales
Sincere thanks were extended to Lola Miller for the wonderful organisation of the Awards.
In December a Paul Harris Fellow Award was made to Maureen Lougoon.
The third Twilight Market was held on 12th February and the Club achieved the level of contribution equal to $500 per member to Australia Rotary Health.
The District Conference was held in Hobart when 6 members and families attended.
On 20th, 21st and 22nd March, during the Eaglehawk Dahlia & Arts Festival, an Art and Craft Exhibition and Sale was held at the Mechanics Institute. Sales of David Williams’ paintings went well and he was ably assisted by his wife Shirley. There was also a large display of Hand Made Quilts by Rtn. Alison Bacon.
Vocational Talks by Members continued as did the wonderful work at the Book Shop at O’Brien’s shop in High Street, Eaglehawk.
On Saturday 25th April the Club assisted the RSL by cooking the Gunfire Breakfast at the Eaglehawk Fire Station following the Dawn Service at Eaglehawk and then helping with the morning tea in the Band Room following the later Service.
Work commenced on the upgrading of the Cal Gully Mechanics Institute in June 2015 and meetings were held for some time in the Hall at St. Peters Anglican Church in High Street, Eaglehawk. The works, valued at over $200,000, was Greater Bendigo Council organised and included the addition at the rear of the building of new toilets – male, female & disabled – and store room, conversion of the existing Board Room to an assembly foyer and Bar and the construction of a ‘Secretary’s’ Office in the old Bar area. The Club also contributed $15,000.00 towards the cost. The Club also contributed extra funds for the development of the Bar Area.
Working Bees continued at Camp getaway
The Annual Changeover was held at the Bendigo District RSL Club on Wednesday 1st July 2015 when President Richard Epskamp presented a Paul Harris Fellow Award to Rtn Jack Millonig and the Golden Eagle to P.P. David Dolman
2015 - 2016
President: Carolyn Robinson
Carolyn Robinson was the first female to be inducted as the President of the Rotary Club of Eaglehawk.
At The Changeover PDG Murray Verso presented to the club a couple of district awards, the first certificate in recognition of the Club Service Project held on Australia Day this year. The second award being presented for our club’s contribution to Foundation. A District Citation was also presented to the club for our club’s achievements for the year
The now Annual Trivia Night was held at the Bendigo Showgrounds Exhibition Centre with a profit of around $4,000-00
Meetings resumed at the Mechanics Institute on 21st October 2015 after the renovations carried out by The City of Greater Bendigo.
Work commenced on the Clubs Mercedes Benz donated to the Club during Richard Epskamp’s year
In addition to working at F.J’s during the swap meeting we raised $2,500 from Car Parking at Lightning Reef Primary School.
District Governor Julie Mason visited the Club in early December.
The Christmas Stocking Raffle was, as usual, a great success.
In January the Club catered for the Central Victorian Swimming Championships at the Bendigo Aquatic Centre.
The Club again catered for what is now known as the “Rotary Club of Eaglehawk Australia Day Celebrations”.
A devastating arson attack took place on Rita O’Brien’s Shop (Our Book Shop) on Sunday 14th February 2016. Damage to the rear of the shop was extensive and also a large number of books that were being sorted for recycling were burnt. Fortunately there was only smoke damage to the rest of the shop and book stock.
The Club, under the leadership of Mick Costello, entered a float in the Annual Dahlia and Arts Festival – the theme being “50 years of R.C. of Eaglehawk”. Unfortunately the Club Car (Mercedes) would not start and was a late withdrawal from the procession.
The Art & Craft Show was again held during the Dahlia & Arts Festival with art by David Williams (assisted by Shirley Williams). The Bendigo Wood turners Club also had a display and sales section. The Exhibition was opened by Cr. Mark Weragoda.
Book shop was up and running again after the fire.
On Wednesday 20th April 2016 our meeting was transferred to St. Peter’s Anglican Church to take part in Fundraising for ‘Saltworks’. This dinner was held to assist in raising money for the provision of meals for needy and isolated people.
On Monday 25th April the Club assisted in providing the “Gunfire Breakfast” in Eaglehawk following the Dawn Anzac Day Ceremony and then at the Morning tea after the morning Commemoration Service.
The first Bingo Night was held in May as a trial.
The Annual Pride of Workmanship Awards were held in June. The recipients were-
Craig Arrowsmith, Professional – Education
Amanda Burrows, Business Administration
Sharon Wiley, Retail/Sales
Chris Coughlan, Tradesperson
Luke Gray, Apprentice/Trainee
An excellent farewell address by our Exchange Student Matilda Asund from Sweden was delivered on Wednesday 22nd June, 2016. President Caroline made a presentation of beautiful Australia gemstone jewellery made by member Jack Millonig
The Annual Changeover and installation of Ron Payne as President for 2016/2017 was held at the Foundry Hotel on Wednesday 29th June 2016. President Carolyn presented a Paul Harris Fellow Award to Rtn. Charlie Cunneen, a Sapphire to Graeme Lock and an additional Sapphire to Rita O’Brien.
2016 - 2017
President: Ron Payne
The Annual Changeover Dinner was held at the Foundry Hotel on Wednesday 29th June 2016. A Paul Harris Recognition was presented to Rotarian Charlie Cunneen and a Sapphires to Rita O’Brien and Graeme Lock. The Golden Eagle Award was made to Rotarian Leon McGlashan
A Photo of Club Members was taken in preparation for the Club's 50th Anniversary, and Bingo continued, although not very well attended
On 13th July we were saddened by the passing of Ruth Orde, devoted wife of P.P. Bill Orde, PHF, (President 1987-88) and Lady of Rotary
A Fellowship Christmas in July was held at Bendigo Pottery on 29th July 2016
Ari Fornaguera Castro arrived from Spain as our Exchange Student
On Sunday 8th August 2016 the Club celebrated its 50th Anniversary. This was held as a luncheon in the Mechanics Institute with District Governor Neville John, and Rebecca present together with many past members and partners and representatives from Sister Clubs in attendance. Included among the Guests was Charter Member, P.P. Pearce Grenfell and Olga.
A special presentation was made to Charter Member, P.P. Roy Parker, PHF, who is still a member after 50 years.
Chairman of the organising committee and M.C., P.P. Rob Layton, presented several specially struck Rotary Club of Eaglehawk Mugs with a gold band inside the lip to several Distinguished Guests and Members.
A resignation was received from Rotarion Shane McCloud
Rod Hanson advised that we had received a Foundation Grant of $2,500 towards our commitment of $20,000 for the Eaglehawk Playspace Project
A Friends of Rotary Night was held on Wednesday 31st August.
Discussions continued in relation to our involvement in the Bendigo Swap Meet
District Governor Neville John and Rebecca made an Official Visit to the Club on 7th September 2016. Six Partners joined us for the evening and pre-dinner drinks and nibbles were enjoyed
Two Year 11 students fro Bendigo Senior Secondary College were sponsored by District 9800 to attend the National Youth Science Forum
Rita O’Brien organised the ‘Mad Hat Night’ for Mental Health Week
Work on “Tony’s House Makeover" commenced
A successful Trivia Night was held at the Bendigo Showgrounds Pavilion on Friday 14th October 2016
Rotarian Lola Miller, AM, BEM passed away on 23rd October 2016, Aged 86 years. Lola had been associated with the Club for 50 years, having been a member since her late husband P.P. Bill had passed away. The Ladies of the Club catered for the afternoon tea at the Mechanics Institute after the Memorial Service at the Eaglehawk Uniting Church
There was no meeting on Wednesday 26th October due to a public holiday for Bendigo Cup Day.
The meeting on Wednesday 23rd November was cancelled to allow combining with the Cluster Clubs for a Dinner to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Rotary Foundation. This was held at “Silks” Function Room at the Bendigo Jockey Club.
The Annual Swap Meet was held 11-13 November when the Club again manned F.J. Café. Our new BBQ Trailer made its debut at the Swap Meeting.
Sale of Raffle Tickets for the Christmas Stocking commenced.
Jennifer Anderson from Eaglehawk Secondary College attended at RYPEN
Working Bees continued on constructing the new kitchen at Camp Getaway
Ten Rotarians rallied to cook a BBQ for the Bendigo Health Children's Christmas Party on Sunday 4th December.
The usual Orientation Day Breakfast was cooked at Eaglehawk Secondary College on Tuesday 6th December 2016
Ken Martin & Dean Pearce were inducted as Members on 21st December 2016
The Annual Christmas Function with our families was held on Wednesday 21st December.
A social evening was held on 11th January at Camp Getaway and on 18th January at the home of Graeme & Ann Lock.
The Eaglehawk Rotary Australia Day celebrations were again well supported, and the Club cooked the breakfast.
PDG Gordon McKern completed 40 years as a member of the Rotary Club of Eaglehawk.
The Meeting on 8th February was devoted to discussion on the future of catering at the Bendigo Swap Meet
Bingo commenced again after the holiday break
A Birthday Party was held to celebrate Ari’s 18th Birthday
A Float was entered in the Eaglehawk Dahlis & Arts Procession on 18th March and won the prize for the Best Themed Float
A number of Members took part in the Super Tuesday Bike Count
P.P. Peter Taylor and P.P. Jill Barker, formerly Members of the Rotary Club of Kangaroo Flat were inducted as Members on 15th March 2017. P.P. Jill is also one of the Assistant Governors of the Goldfields Cluster
Working Bees continued at the Kitchen at Camp Getaway
A resignation was received from P.P. Peter Cox
A Social Evening was held at Canterbury Park on 8th April
The Club cooked the Gunfire Breakfast after the Dawn Anzac Day Service in Eaglehawk, and a Pie & Port Night was held on 26th April.
Bingo continued
A Cleaning Roster was commenced for the Mechanics Building
District Governor Neville John & Rebecca made an Official Visit to the Club on 3rd May 2017 when a special presentation was made to P.P.Leon Scott for his exemplary work for Rotary Projects
A Fellowship Night was held at the Camp Hotel, Eaglehawk on Saturday 27th May
Gary Frank was inducted as a Member of the Rotary Club of Eaglehawk on 31st May 2017. A welcome was extended to Gary and his wife Lola.
Ariana Fornaguera Castro returned to Spain on Saturday 27th May 2017
Two BBQ’s were held over the June Long Weekend. One for the Car Club and one for the Table Tennis Association major tournament.
A tour of the new Bendigo Hospital was conducted on Tuesday 20th June.
The Annual Changeover Night was held at “Silks” at the Bendigo Jockey Club on Wednesday 28th June 2017
2017 - 2018
President: Alison Bacon
The Annual Changeover was held at Silks Function Centre at Bendigo Jockey Club. Presentations to both P.P. John Gurr, PHF plus 3 Sapphires and Rotarian Leon McGlashan,
PHF plus 2 Sapphires were made.
P.P. Walter Lourie was the recipient of the Golden Eagle Award.
A Cleaning Roster for the Mechanics Clubrooms was issued.
Ada Epskamp was successful at District Level in her application for the Youth Exchange Program for 2018.
A Christmas in July, organised by the Fellowship Committee, was held at the Bendigo Pottery on 21st July 2017
A Barbeque was held at Bunnings on 18th August 2017and again at the Energy Breakthrough on 19th August.
District Governor Elect Nominee, Grant Hocking gave a demonstration of the Defibrillator.
Another successful Trivia Night was held at the Bendigo Exhibition Centre on Friday 11th August 2017.
At our Meeting on Wednesday 23rd August we welcomed a number of business people from the Eaglehawk area when several of our Members gave short talks on the Avenues of Service within the Club.
District Governor, Peter Frueh together with his wife Anne made his Official Visit to the Club on Wednesday 6th September. D.G. Peter and Anne subsequently met a number of members on Thursday Morning cooking a BBQ at the Bendigo Bank at Eaglehawk.
Bingo resumed on Thursday 7th September after the Winter Break.
A Club Assembly was held on 20th September.
A BBQ was held at Coles Supermarket in McIvor Road on AFL Grand Final Day, 30th September 2017
On 11th October Rita O’Brien conducted a Mad Hat night as part of the Lift the Lid Campaign
Work commenced, under the supervision of Walter Lourie, to paint the front picket fence.
In future if a Member fails to apologise in time for the Meeting they will be required to pay for meal anyway.
A meeting was held with the Stroke Association of Victoria to ascertain the stage arrangements have reached regarding the SAV’s use of the Mechanics Building.
A BBQ was held at the Eaglehawk Uniting Church Fair on Saturday 28th October
There was no meeting on Wednesday 1st November due to Bendigo Cup Day
The Annual General Meeting was held on 15th November 2017. Alison Bacon was elected to again be President in 2018/2019 and John Jones as President Elect (President 2019/2020)
The “Grange” Raffle was launched
Catering at the Bendigo Swap Meeting 17th to 19th November
Bus Trip to Macedon Gardens on Wednesday 22nd November
Fellowship Night ‘Bring a shared meal’ was held on November 25th
The meeting for Wednesday 29th November was cancelled and was replaced with the Annual Foundation Dinner on 30th November at the Kangaroo Flat Sports Club.
The Club Members were saddened to learn of the passing of Past President Bill Orde on 16th November 2017. Bill joined the Club on 9th June 1976 and was Secretary of the Club on 3 occasions and President in 1987/1988. Due to ill health Bill became an Honorary Member in 2010
The Club assisted with Canterbury Carols on Sunday 13th December and the Nativity Scene was again erected at the Eaglehawk Town Hall Balcony
P.P. David Dolman was inducted as an Honorary Member of the Club on Wednesday 6th December
On Saturday 3rd December the Members catered for the Bendigo Health Christmas Party
A Breakfast BBQ was held at the Eaglehawk Secondary College Orientation Day on 12th December 2017 and the Ladies held a Christmas Evening at the Rising Sun Hotel on Friday 15th December 2017.
The Great Grange Raffle was drawn on Wednesday 13th December with Tony Lethlean being declared the winner.
Brian Gould, introduced by Lean Scott, was inducted on Wednesday 13th December
The Annual Christmas Night was held on Wednesday 20th December 2017
A Social Evening at the Malayan Orchid was held on January 17th and at the Cambrian Hotel on Wednesday 24th January 2018.
The Club Members, with the assistance of Partners carried out the usual catering for Eaglehawk Rotary Eaglehawk Australia Day Celebrations.
A Club Assembly was held on Wednesday 7th February 2018
The Club Members were saddened to learn of the passing of P.P. John Haugh on 9th February 2018. John joined the Rotary Club of Eaglehawk on Wednesday 2nd May 1973 – a Member for very close to 45 years. He was President in 1988/1989 and was honoured with a Paul Harris Fellow in 1995. He was a Director and Treasurer on quite a number of occasions. John spent many, many hours helping in the restoration of the Mechanics Institute and in addition acted for many years in the Maintenance of the building, Caretaker, Cleaner and Booking Officer. John was also involved in the broader community, was a Life Member of the Eaglehawk UFS and a Member of the Knights of the Southern Cross. John was an Eaglehawk Citizen of the Year and opened the Eaglehawk Dahlia & Arts Festival when the theme was “A Touch of Irish”
A garden working bee was held at John’s home on the Sunday prior to the Funeral.
We received a cheque for $3,900 as a result of the Annual Car Swap Meet.
At our meeting on 21st February we were honoured with a visit from Thailand of Pang & Anne. Both were participants in the R.O.S.E Program, Pang in 2005 and Anne in 2007. Their Hosts during their stay were Les & Liz Dingfelder and they returned to assist Liz celebrate a significant Birthday. Pang went on to study IT and Anne to study Law.
Rita O’Brien was presented with her 5th Sapphire to her Paul Harris Fellow
President Alison, Rita O’Brien, Alf Thorpe & David Bugeja represented the Club when R.I. President Ian Riseley was tendered a reception at Government House.
A Float was entered in the Dahlia & Arts Procession on Saturday 17th March. Honorary Member, Jack Taylor, had the honour of Opening the Festival.
The inaugural Great Aussie Camping Swap Meet was held on 24th & 25th March at Malone Park, Marong. This was a great success and raised a considerable sum.
DGE Bronwyn Stephens visited the Club on Wednesday 21st March.
Meetings continued with James Garland from the Stroke Association of Victoria
There was no meeting on Wednesday 25th April as a Public Holiday was observed for Anzac Day. The Club cooked the ‘Gunfire Breakfast’ at the Fire Station following the Eaglehawk Dawn Service
A Display Cabinet was purchased to be housed at the Mechanics for the display of Club Memorabilia
Rotarian Leon McGlashan was presented with his 3rd Sapphire to his Paul Harris Fellow.
A Fellowship Night was held at the Courthouse Hotel on Saturday 12th May 2018
Four Members of the Rotary Club of Bendigo South made an Inter-Club Visit on 16th May
A letter of Resignation was received from P.P. Rob Layton on 16th May 2018.
2018 - 2019
President: Alison Bacon
Firstly, I begin with an acknowledgement to our club members for the amazing accomplishments made over the last year. The Annual Report details what the club have taken on and what we have achieved on a massive scale if you look at the financial contributions, but also look at the humanitarian assistance we have contributed; that too has been just as important.
The Cobar Drought Relief Project has been the standout achievement, with support from District funds we achieved possibly the largest humanitarian project ever undertaken by our club. I congratulate all members on this successful undertaking.
Club members continued to commit to a great variety of community events, projects and programs. We did so with both enthusiasm and a belief that we were ‘Being the Inspiration’ and were rewarded by seeing our efforts greatly appreciated by those who were in need.
I was honoured to have the opportunity to serve the club in a consecutive year of Presidency. An opportunity never afforded a president in the past, so indeed an honour from a club that has always valued its rich traditional history.
There has been a great deal of interest shown lately as to how I feel now that I am nearing the end of my Presidency. I have to say that I am as passionate now as I was when I took on the role two years ago. Passionate about both our wonderful organisation known as Rotary International and about the great leadership we receive from District 9800. But, above all else, I am excited to see the momentum we have created within the club. We are attracting new members who are coming to the club from a vast array of vocations, all bringing with them a real interest in our community and a belief that our club is a great fit for achieving some really good things in not just our immediate area but looking beyond our famous ‘bridge’ to our fellow Australians and overseas opportunities.
For the last 12 months our members have worked hard as a team, have done an amazing job as Rotarians, and it is great to be a part of such a wonderful group of like-minded people. Thank you to all our members for all that you have done. I do wish to especially thank the boards that I have worked with. These are the members who have given even more of their time, efforts and talents to ensuring the decisions made will always be in the best interest of the club. These members have gone above and beyond on many occasions to ensure we always ‘got it right’. They were brave enough to make the decisions that needed to be made, and they were strong enough to support each other in great teamwork. I confidently pass on the Presidency to a great Rotarian in PP John Jones, a Rotarian who exemplifies the true meaning of being a Rotarian.
We belong to the best service organisation in the world, and I look forward to continuing to play a role in the team that is the Rotary Club of Eaglehawk, working together to achieve not only ‘Being the Inspiration’ in our community but great things as ‘Rotary Connects the World’
2019 - 2020
President: John Jones
At the commencement of my year as president, I was delighted to progress and formalise our relationship with the Stroke Association of Victoria to share the Mechanics Institute as a shared facility. This has allowed us to expand our technology and have our building used on a regular basis.
A further highlight was the presentation of a Rotary Gold Citation to acknowledge the achievements of PP Alison PHF – one of six in the District.
Our capacity to be generous to our community is very much dependent on fundraising, with our Trivia Night and Christmas Stocking raffle being major contributors. Thank you in particular to David Kaye and Leon McGlashan for their leadership of these projects. The trivia night dedicated funds to our youth programs while the Christmas Stocking was dedicated to international and community service.
A further fundraiser was the Great Grange Raffle, which was won by Robert Chapman from Newcastle, NSW. A wonderful unintended consequence of the Grange raffle was Robert’s decision to donate the wine as a fundraiser for research into childhood brain cancer at the Hunter Research Institute in Newcastle.
In 2020 our fundraising has been curtailed by the impact of Covid 19. The cancellation of the Dahlia and Arts Festival and the Easter Fair, in particular, meant that we were not able to generate additional funds. Uncertainty around future events will continue to have an impact.
Our international programs continued as a priority. An initiative generated by Khun Toy (Rotary Club of Pattaya, Thailand) and Lara Osborne led to our decision to host Teerapat Seesanta (Thee) for three months to help her develop her English language skills. Thee was enrolled in an English Language course at TAFE and was home hosted by Mick and Mandy Costello and by the Osborne family – we thank them for their generosity. We do know that Thee thoroughly enjoyed her experience.
We have continued to support young people in Maubisse, Timor-Leste and currently have five students attending University in Dili. We have also supported twenty secondary school students, ten of those through a generous donation from a member. These young people have also been impacted by COVID-19, with tertiary students being asked to stay out of Dili and secondary school students also being encouraged to stay in their villages. The impact of limited attendance at university and school will only be able to be assessed when some sense of normality returns. Our relationship with BMFC was further consolidated when we were able to present Heather Ridge with A PHF – her management of the scholarship program, in particular, has been enormous.
In addition to financial support, several members continue to support the Bendigo Maubisse Friendship Committee through the collection, storage and shipping of furniture. I do know that BMFC values the contribution of members to this valuable dimension of international service.
Youth programs have also been impacted by Covid 19. Our RYLA candidate unfortunately withdrew from the program, but former participant, Katie Bacon, continues to support the program as a facilitator. Our NYSF student was unable to attend as the program was cancelled, but we did receive a refund of our contribution. We had also agreed to sponsor Lara Scandolera as a participant in the Rotary Citizens in Action (RAIC) in Canberra in May but, again, that program was cancelled. Lara was student of the year at Eaglehawk Secondary College, and we will be alert to opportunities to further support her in the future.
We continue to support six local primary schools and Eaglehawk Secondary College with scholarships and Junior Citizenship Awards.
We have continued our association with Youth Exchange in association with the Rotary Club of Bendigo South. We farewelled Luisa Flinkmann and welcomed Luna Garnisjordet from Norway. Again, COVID-19 has limited our interaction with Luna, but we know that she has really enjoyed her time in Australia. She has really enjoyed the Bendigo Senior Secondary College experience and made some enduring friendships. As an aside, it was delightful to catch up with Victor Saelens and Luisa Flinkmann via Zoom and to see that they are thriving in their educational (and social) environments.
Community service continues to be a very strong local priority and has been comprehensively reported by PP Leon Scott. A particular highlight was the renovation of a house of a local family where the father had terminal cancer. The plastering and painting, coordinated by Mick Costello and Geoff Gallagher, with some professional guidance from Matthew McKern, meant that the family was able to move from the communal arrangement in the lounge room to their own bedrooms. The father has since passed away but was able to see the renovations completed.
Our contributions to the Cobar community have continued, and the arrangements that PP Leon put in place attracted a number of significant donations which have since been passed on to the Rotary Club of Cobar. While there has been some good rainfall in the area, the impacts of drought in the area will continue for some time.
Membership continues to present a challenge to our club (and many other clubs) with the demographic highlighted by the Covid 19 crisis. We have attracted a number of new members but, unfortunately, some of these members have also featured in recent resignations. Reasons are many and varied, with the majority being for personal, family and health circumstances. Some have also highlighted a ‘conflict of personal values’. This could be interpreted as a generational clash where Rotary, with a very proud and significant philanthropic tradition, is not really maintaining connection with those who may be some decades younger than others. The balance between maintaining tradition and moving progressively into the future continues to be paramount.
And now to thankyous. I am indebted to PP Alison Bacon for her executive role. A wonderful sounding board, a direct contact to the Eaglehawk community and with an unlimited capacity to give, not only to the Club but also as Conference Secretary and treasurer of the Swap Meet committee. To PP Ron Payne, who has transformed our accounting practices to bring us into the current century and has also provided invaluable counsel to myself.
To my Board, thank you for your invaluable contributions to our decision-making and to your service to your portfolios. It has been something of a tumultuous year, and I could not have done it without you.
Best wishes to Mick Costello and the incoming Board for the Rotary Year, 2020/21. Mick has put together a very energetic and enthusiastic Board, and I am sure members will provide him with the same support that I have enjoyed.
It has been a privilege to serve as President of a wonderful Club.