Ron Brownlees was our chairperson for today's special meeting with District Governor, Emma Clark, as our guest speaker. Guests included club member partners - Bruno Santi and Gary Ramage.
President Neville was pleased to be back after a week of leave, and he welcomed guest speaker DG Emma Clark whom he first met during a President Elect training course.
Happy Birthday wishes to Helen Parker
Next week's club meeting is an evening meeting. When registering their attendance, members are requested to pre select their meal from one of five options - cost is $40 per head.
A reminder of upcoming events for club members to register interest to attend
- Sat 3/10 - Terry Kane's Share a Dream Rio Carnival Charity ball
- Fri 16/10 - Holland Foundation annual fund raising dinner
- Sat 24/10 - Visit to Riding for the Disabled in Moorabbin and see Remy - our club sponsored pony.
DONATION TO INTERPLAST AUSTRALIA - club members vote
In line with the club's standing orders for members to vote on donations that have been approved by the board for a value of $5,000 or more, the motion to donate $10,000 to Interplast Australia was put to club members.
Motion: That the club members of Bentleigh Moorabbin Central Inc approve a donation of $10,000 to Interplast Australia. Moved: Paul Ferguson. Seconded: Ian Ballantine. Motion carried.
GUEST SPEAKER - District Governor Emma Clark
President Neville and club members were pleased and honoured to welcome our District Governor Emma Clark to address our club. Emma is no stranger to our club having visited on previous occasions as a guest, but was more than happy to accept our invitation to speak to our club in her capacity as the District Governor. Emma provided a very spirited and engaging presentation on her personal Rotary story, the current state of Rotary, our district - where it is now and what holds for the future. Emma's connection with Rotary commenced 34 years ago, firstly in Rotaract for 10 years, before joining the Rotary Club of Emerald and District. She views Rotary as one of lifelong service to improve the lives of others in the community. Emma's background is teaching and education having taught in secondary schools in the Yarra Ranges. She is now the Principal of Emerald Primary School. She is married to husband, James, and mother to son, Patrick who has only ever known life as an extended member of Rotary. Emma accepted the role of DG as an opportunity to be involved and help shape the future of Rotary through the current regionalisation process which looks to encourage more collaboration between clubs with deeper engagement and support whilst fostering innovation and sustainable service. It recognises times are changing and that Rotary is evolving. The regionalisation process is for future proofing Rotary whilst retaining its core values and remaining relevant in current times. Plans include our regional zone will soon reduce from 19 districts to 9, and our District 9815 will merge with Tasmania resulting in 120 clubs in the district with 2,700 members. These changes fit with planned strategies for increasing our impact, expanding our reach, enhancing participant engagement, collaborating with clubs, fostering leadership and succession planning, and working and connecting with communities.
Emma's two focus areas involve Family and Domestic Violence, and Lifting the Lid on Mental Health, and mentioned a 'toolkit' designed by a club in NSW that other clubs could use when working on programs for family and domestic violence. Other focus areas include training (especially for treasurers and secretaries), club leadership succession, club growth plans, collaboration between Rotary Community Groups, and growing Rotaract. The district is soon to charter a new Rotaract Club bringing the number to 5 in the district. Upcoming events include the District Conference in the Hunter Valley 12-14 March 2027, where Emma provided an outline of the planned conference program, adding Sam Kekovich is a guest speaker; and closer to home - the upcoming Rotary South Pacific Zone Conference that will be held in the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre 30 October - 1 November 2026.
Emma's presentation was very well received by club members - a quick, but comprehensive summary of what holds for the future of Rotary. Thank you Emma for a great presentation.
President Neville thanked Emma and closed the meeting - Create Lasting Impact.