Today's club meeting was our last in 2024 and also our festive end of year meeting to celebrate holidays, Christmas, Hanukkah or whatever anyone desired. President Tim presided over the meeting, whilst Charles R zoomed in on Zoom.
The morning's events commenced with a True or False quiz game presented by our own Quiz Master - Larry Green. We found not too many of us were very knowledgeable, with lots of questions finding us scratching our heads. We then moved to an activity less challenging for everyone - with a fun game of "Pass the Parcel to the Left or Right" following a story of Father Christmas who mislaid his special bag for delivering presents to all the good children of the world. The last person holding the box on each table was the lucky winner of a supply of delicious shortbreads made by our newly crowned President Elect Grant Perry.
CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Tim reminded everyone of the following:
Sunday 15/12 - End of Year Social function at the Sandringham Yacht Club
Wednesday 22/1/25- will be our first club meeting for 2025 at Alia Cafe in Highett Road, Highett. Details will be emailed to everyone prior to the meeting - please register
Wednesday 29/1/25 - club meetings will resume at Cilantro. Again please register.
REGISTRATION FOR ALL CLUB MEETINGS -2025
A reminder to everyone that moving forward, could everyone please register for club meetings - whether attending OR not attending. This will greatly assist with catering. Registration can be done on the club website. Please contact Ian B if needing any assistance.
NEW MEMBER INDUCTION
President Tim had the very pleasant task of inducting our newest club member - James (Jim) Magee. Whilst many club members would be aware of Jim's background as a councillor and a former mayor of the City of Glen Eira Council, we also found out he has a history in the timber industry having been the managing director of Victorian Timber Engineering. Jim's vocation classification will be Timber Engineering. Welcome aboard Jim.
CLUB DONATIONS FOR CLUB APPROVAL
- Australia Rotary Health - donation of $5,000
Linda O'Brien outlined the funding spread for donations to Australia Rotary Health and what is achieved with these donations, before putting forward a motion for club members to approve a donation of $5,000 to Australia Rotary Health.
Motion Moved: Linda O'Brien. Seconded: Ian Ballantine. Motion carried.
- The Rotary Foundation - donation of $10,000
Ron Brownlees outlined the work of The Rotary Foundation, and how funding is used to support humanitarian projects worldwide - before putting forward a motion for club members to approve a donation of $10,000 to The Rotary Foundation.
Motion Moved: Ron Brownlees. Seconded: Helen Parker. Motion carried.
FINALE
Where would we be if we didn't have a visit from Father Christmas, and this year was no different. Father Christmas must have found his bag, as he arrived resplendent in his Father Christmas outfit (aka President Tim), carting his bag of goodies, HO HO HOing, telling us stories, and giving out chocolates to everyone. We almost forgot we were adults! There was lots of fun and laughter - a very enjoyable morning for everyone.
President Tim finished by thanking everyone for their efforts in the year thus far, adding we have achieved much to assist our community with donations that help to improve the lives of others and make a difference. He asked everyone to enjoy their break and looks forward to catching up with everyone in 2025.
