Posted by Karin Soster on May 07, 2025
Larry Green was our chairperson for today's club meeting at Cilantro.  Charles joined the meeting via Zoom.   Guests included Jules Gaddie, and Gary Ramage.
 
Vice President Linda O'Brien stepped in for President Tim Lynch who was absent  -  get well soon Tim. 
 
CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS - V.P. Linda O'Brien
1. District Assembly training will be held online over Zoom this year with sessions held over two weekends - Saturday 17/5 and Saturday 24/5.  These are training sessions particularly targeted for incoming club directors and officers and new Rotarians.  However, all sessions are open for all Rotarians  - and are a great way for club members to expand their Rotary knowledge.  Ian has provided a link on our club website for members to check the sessions available and register for any of interest. 
2. The club Awards Committee will convene to consider which club members should be recognised with a PHF or Appreciation Certificate for presentation at this year's club changeover on Saturday 29 June 2025.  Club members are also invited to nominate any club member for recognition -  by emailing their nomination with supporting reasons to the club secretary, who will pass on the nomination to the Awards Committee. Email: karinsoster@gmail.com
 
3. Geoff Gartly played the advertisement Southern FM is currently playing on the local air-waves to promote the Bentleigh Sunday Market.  A great ad - and it is being played hourly each day.  Well done Geoff.
EQUITY TRUSTEES - Linda O'Brien
Linda presented information on Equity Trustees and the case for investing the Frankston 'house' funds with Equity Trustees.   A copy of the presentation together with supporting information will be emailed to club members following the presentation.
Members are encouraged to peruse all the documents, in readiness for casting a vote on Wednesday 21 May 2025.  Members with any queries should direct their query to the board and emailed via the club secretary, Karin Soster, who will pass the query onto the board.  A response to the query will be provided at the club meeting on Wed 21 May 2025.  Email: karinsoster@gmail.com
MOIRA KELLY CREATING HOPE FOUNDATION - Ron Brownlees
Ron presented the motion for club members to approve a BMC Community Grant donation of $5,000 to the Moira Kelly Creating Hope Foundation for their roofing project - a joint project with RCBMC, RC Moorabbin, and Lions Club Melbourne Markets.    This vote was conducted by ballot, and presided over by VP Linda O'Brien and Secretary Karin Soster
Moved:  Ron Brownlees.   Seconded: Ian Ballantine.   Motion was carried (19 members - 14 YES / 5 NO)
FIJI TRIP - Ian Ballantine
Ian provided a brief presentation together with photos of the recent trip to Fiji with club members - Linda O'Brien, Paul Ferguson, Helen Parker, Peter O'Brien, and Jo Impey.  The purpose of the trip was to visit the R.C.Savusavu in Savusavu on the island of Vanua Levu to look at schools and current projects, and visit Lautoka Hospital on the main island, Viti Levu,  to check medical facilities for a possible future Interplast event.  The BMC team was very well received and hosted with much fanfare with speeches, dances and gifts. They were very appreciative of the presents - basket balls, and writing materials and accessories donated by the team.  We learned the hospital came under the management of Aspen Medical in 2022, and is being run like 'clock work' in a very efficient manner.  The hospital is currently installing a new laboratory and associated equipment.  
 
The BMC team also checked the playground that was built as part of a Scout project,  and supported with BMC club funds approximately16 years ago.  Much of the playground is in disrepair and needs attention.  Geoff Gartly will investigate and follow up. 
There are plans to submit an application for a global grant to meet some of the needs in Savusavu.
Ian will provide a more in-depth presentation of the Fiji trip at the club evening meeting on Thursday 29 May 2025.
EVENING MEETING - Our next evening meeting will be at Cilantro on Thursday 29 May 2025 - cost is $55 per head.  Note this is on a Thursday (and not the usual Wednesday).  Club members need to register to attend.
NEXT WEEK'S CLUB MEETING - Wed 14 May 2025.  Guest Speaker is from Emerge Support.