Rotary Club of Southbank - Extras for Meeting No. 445

OUR VISION

A club that is enterprising, caring and productive. Developing fellowship and implementing activities rich in choice, for the benefit of our community.

Meeting 445 - 29 July 2008

A Note from the President …

DG Jim's message in The Networker suggests that "the honeymoon is over"; I am not so sure. For Southbank, I don't believe we had a "honeymoon" period - nor did we need it. This Rotary year, we hit the ground running! Our first event this year - the Presidential Changeover Dinner - was both a fundraising and a fellowship event. On the very first day of this Rotary year, Southbank raised over $5,000 to kick start the year. This was followed by a good attendance at the D K Lee cocktail party and the Club Plan and Club Assembly to follow. But it wasn't all just turning up at meetings.

Barely a month into the new Rotary year, we have already had completed one major project: supporting the Street Soccer National Championship Camp and Competition. Bettina and Michael F attended the Lord Somers Camp - thanks for representing our Club at the camp. I heard it was a great success. Even though our members didn't have a lot to do at Lord Somers, your presence was more than enough - well done!

Of course, there was the championship on Sunday 20 July. What a fantastic day it was. Every body took part in helping make the National Championship a great success. There were at least 5 Rotary Clubs represented: Melbourne, Southbank, Central Melbourne-Sunrise, North Balwyn and Albert Park (I have been told there were others). Southbank had by far the largest group of volunteers on Sunday (Bettina, Mandy, Jenny, Bobbi, Gordon, Nick & Vivienne, Tracey and Ross, Richard, Gabe & Aurora and Charles) and we started the day assisting The Big Issue setting up the pitch for the games. Our volunteers then helped with scoring and timing, cloakroom, kitchen, and other roles. Many stayed for the whole day and we were then treated to a fabulous dinner organised by Bobbi - thank you, Bobbi for a wonderful choice of venue! We were exhausted but had a great day. It is just an example of how our Club rises to the occasion to delivery great service to the community - and having fun!

All things considered, we have had a great start and I know it will just keep getting better!

Last Week's Meeting

PP Tracey – Street Soccer was successful with 12 attendees on Sunday. It is still not too late to volunteer for the Homeless World Cup in late November.

Some members indicated interest but felt it was too early to commit definitively.

PP Gordon – YAA has exhibition for “Hard Yards” company – will advise details shortly.

PP Wendy – Made announcement on behalf of PP Rhys for female members/partners to consider sending used bras to Fiji.

President Gabe – Announced Elle has resigned from the club.

Breakfast at RACV Club with Petro Georgiou, "Asylum Seeker - Where are they now?" on 12th August - we hope to have a table there, please contact President Gabe (see here for more information)

Jason has offered a 30% discount to stay at Crowne Plaza Torquay (including breakfast) during August – Gabe & Aurora are going (on Saturday 9 August) should anyone wish to join him, please contact Gabe.

Lyn – Lyn has generously offered to help promote our Club at Club 3004's “Rotary night” which will be held on Thursday 4 September at Ormond Hall. Gold coin donations for Rotary will be requested. Members are encouraged to attend to support Lyn's event and represent our Club at the function. Please contact Lyn for more details.

Speaker: President Gabe – Club Assembly

This meeting was intended to allow Club members to discuss the Club Plan presented to the Club at the previous meeting. Each area of the Club Plan were discussed in turn.

The first and most important is Membership: PP Philip reminded the Club that it is every member's responsibility to invite potential members to our Club.

Club Administration - President Gabe noted that Bettina has agreed to be Editor of the Southbanker till the end of 2008. Suggestions of a new & better name for this esteemed publication is sought. One suggestion proffered is "The Crown Jewel". Please forward any other suggestions to President Gabe. It is noted that the link to The Networker will no longer be emailed to members but the link will continue to be available in The Southbanker.

Fellowship - this is closely related to membership. Southbank Socialites is back. Rotary on the Greens is confirmed on Sunday 22 Feb 2009. Southbank's 10th Anniversary will be combined with the Presidential Changeover on 20 June 2009.

Vocational projects were discussed - PP Philip agreed to head the "Lyn's Books" project.

Community - a range of projects were discussed, including the next soccer camp in March 2009.

Foundation - headed by Bettina, she will keep the Club up-to-date on how we can contribute to the Rotary Foundation.

New Generation - PP Gordon has kindly agreed to continue heading YAA next year and suggested that we might invite other Clubs to participate.

International - we have many ongoing project but members were encouraged to make suggestions and participate in the organisation of these projects.

Fines session – In the absence of Sergeant Nick, the Richard & Philip team was back to issue a wide array of fines on short notice but filled with fun and laughter.

Assistant Governor Gary Goldsmith acknowledged PP Philip for his contributions to the District. AG Gary announced he is one of 12 assistant governors who will be acting as a ‘go between’ between individual clubs and District Governor Jim Studebaker. AG Gary also commended the Club for taking up projects across the full spectrum of Rotary.

Some Photos from Sunday's Street Soccer National Championship

Setting up in the morning. The school teams are already warming up.

The Big Issue staff were already there very early to set up the 2 pitches.

2 of the school team that participated. The Melbourne Girls Grammar School team showed great sportsmanship in the competitions.

AG Chris Wang (RC Melbourne) and Bob Adams (RC North Balwyn).

Mandy, Bettina and Gabe timing, scoring and holding the spare ball at Pitch 1.

The school competitions attracted a large crowd, despite being held on a cold Sunday morning.

Players practicing in front of the big screen showing Homeless World Cup footage.

Bobbi at the Cloakroom with her signature Crocs!

Bettina in front of Pitch 2.

AG Chris Wang (RC Melbourne), Justine Murphy (RC Central Melbourne-Sunrise), Bob Adams (RC North Balwyn) and Judy Pullar (RC Melbourne).

Gabe at the Cloakroom.

The Victorian Metro team and coach.

The National Championship Finals in action!

There is no stopping the Victoria Metro team captain!

The New South Wales team played an excellent game.

Half time huddle.

The New South Wales team won by 8-5 in a very exciting match. The championship was only decided in the second half of the finals!

RC Albert Park setting up for a sausage sizzle.

George Halkias at the presentation ceremony

Lord Mayor John So was there to present the awards. The City of Melbourne is a big supporter of the Homeless World Cup and the National Championship.

A huge crowd at the presentation ceremony.

George did a lot of talking on Sunday - both as commentator during the games and MC at the award ceremony at the end of the day!

Victoria Metro- the Runner-up team

The New South Wales team - National Champions! Every player at the championship is a winner!

Toni (SA team) won best female player

Coen (NSW team) won best male player - and another award (?). Coen is well known to Rotarian at the Cloakroom - a really nice guy!

Last Updated 03/08/2008