Treasurer Neville Kruss was our chairperson for today's club meeting at Cilantro. Charles Rener joined via Zoom and Gary Ramage joined the meeting as a guest.
Our guest speaker was our own Jenny Stone - Member behind the Badge.
Our guest speaker was our own Jenny Stone - Member behind the Badge.
ANNOUNCEMENTS - President Tim
- President Tim recognised Jim Magee for his recently awarded OAM on Australia Day - Congratulations Jim.
- BMC Community Committee Grants Program - this program has commenced with applications open for community groups to apply for a community grant from our club. Our Community Committee has set aside $30,000 for grants - with the program being promoted on the club website, and via the Kingston and Glen Eira councils.
- Salvation Army Safe Haven for Women - this was a pilot program run by the Salvation Army and R.C. Mordialloc, and supported by other organisations and clubs within the Rotary Community Group. The pilot program has finished and will be reviewed if the program will continue.
- A dinner to celebrate Chinese New Year is planned for Thursday 20/2 at Mid Valleys Restaurant in 269-271 Bay Road, Cheltenham. Details will be circulated to club members.
- Wednesday 5/3 will be an evening club meeting at Cilantro.
- Rotary polo tops - it expected everyone should have a Rotary polo top. Anyone who doesn't have a top should follow up with Margaret Lucas.
- Ron Brownlees has taken over the role of Rotary Community Leader in our Rotary Community Group that includes our club and Bayside Rotary clubs - Congratulations Ron.
CLUB MEETINGS AND EVENTS - REGISTRATION
Ian B reminded everyone to please register for upcoming club meetings and events via the club website. Registration assists with catering numbers to ensure there will be adequate provisions for the event. All events will be displayed under the Events Tab - there is no need to wait for the bulletin to be issued to register attendance (or non attendance). After selecting Confirm to confirm your response - there is provision to add a guest as part of the registration process. Please call out if needing assistance with the process.
Secretary Karin has offered to 'walk someone through the process' if assistance is required.
GUEST SPEAKER - Jenny Stone - member behind the badge
Our guest speaker today was one of our newer club members, Jenny Stone, and we discovered she has led a very varied and eventful life.
Born in Adelaide, Jenny's first job at the age of 16 was in Aged Care whilst biding time to take up general nursing training at the age of 17 at Calvary Hospital in Adelaide. Work in the operating theatre was a highlight. Once trained and having graduated, Jenny took off overseas spending time in Singapore, London and Greece, with further travel through Europe and Russia. After a few years, Jenny returned to Melbourne to take up nursing at Prince Henry's and then at St Vincent's Melbourne in the operating theatre. Jenny spent 13 years at Monash Medical Centre when offered a management role which she undertook for 18 months before leaving as not a role she enjoyed. Other adventures beckoned - bushwalking, skiing, lodge management of a ski club for 5 years with her partner, that included volunteering as a member of Stan's Army to assist visitors to Mt Buller. Jenny's partner then purchased a 44 foot cruising/racing yacht which was used to sail up and down the NSW coast. This yacht was sold after 5 years, followed by volunteering to assist disabled people to sail smaller sail boats on calmer waters. However another and more luxurious 44 foot cruising boat came on the market, which Jenny and her partner bought and sailed to Noumea - though not without challenges due to poor weather and mechanical issues. Jenny also spent 3 weeks volunteering her nursing skills on the Africa Mercy Ship off the coast of Benin, West Africa which was described as an amazing experience. It was during this time, that her partner, John, was diagnosed with the early onset of Alzheimer's disease - and a total surprise considering how strappingly fit he was. Other interests of Jenny's are Bentmoor Community Centre that houses the Men's Shed, chair yoga, cycling, African drumming, Ukelele, Mahjong, and gardening. Jenny was introduced to Rotary through Helen Nodrum and Margy Lucas, and has participated in RYDA, the Bentleigh Market, attended the ALA Awards night, and enjoys hearing guest speakers and getting to know her fellow members at BMC. Thank you Jenny - what a varied and amazing life you have led.
CLUB BREAKFASTS - Tony Fritzlaff
Tony discussed the various options available for breakfast, and canvassed club members for their preferences. He will take these onboard for future breakfasts.
President Tim closed the meeting.
