Neville Kruss was our chairperson for today's club meeting at Cilantro. Barry Oliver performed Invocation and Toast to Rotary and Australia. Guests included Fr James Grant, Jenny Stone, and Cr Jim Magee; and our guest speakers Peter Allen - Asst Principal at Cheltenham Secondary College, and students Atika Saysouk and Lauren Hermann. Charles Rener, Tony Ryan, and Glenda Stahel joined the meeting via Zoom. Apologies were received from Sue Loeliger, Paul Fergusson, Sam Langridge, and Linda O'Brien.
PRESIDENT ANNOUNCEMENTS - President Tim Lynch
ALA Awards - the board has approved additional funds to sponsor this event
Paralympians - Tim referenced the recent Paralympics, advising everyone participating is a winner.
ARH - Mental Health - Everyone is asked to wear a hat at the club meeting in November during Melbourne Cup week in recognition of Hat Day where funds are raised for Mental Health
The Bentleigh Market - Tim is seeking to set up a small committee to look at ways for reinvigorating the Bentleigh Market.
GUEST SPEAKERS - RYDA Program - Rotary Youth Driver Awareness Program with guests: Peter Allen, Atika Saysouk, and Lauren Hermann from Cheltenham Secondary College
Asst Principal, Peter Allen, and teachers and students attended the RYDA program at Sandown Racecourse on Monday 19/8 together with volunteer from R.C. Bentleigh Moorabbin Central. 110 male and female students in Year 11 participated in the program that is designed to provide education in safe driving skills during a time when many students are on Learners Permits. Our guest speakers provided a brief outline of what they learned and got from the program, all indicating the lasting benefits for having participated. The program emphasis was the driver is responsible for making safe driving decisions for the driver, passengers and other people and that decisions made whilst being behind the driver's wheel can impact the lives of many people. Practical learnings included being aware of distractions, road and driving conditions, the impact of speed, and the need to be focussed. Passengers also play a role and should speak up if they feel the driver is driving in an unsafe manner. Asst Principal, Peter Allen, was pleased for his school and teachers to participate adding it is a great program, and one he wished his own daughter could have participated in. He would commend other schools to take up the program. Peter, Atika, and Lauren thanked our club for sponsoring their day at RYDA where they learned a lot with a lasting impact.
PDG Ian Ballantine strongly encourages BMC to continue to support and sponsor other schools to attend what is a very worthwhile program.
Refer previous story here.
ROSTERS - for the next Bentleigh Market, and club meeting were announced.
NEXT WEEK'S MEETING - Wed 18/9 - Libby Dewar, program coordinator from Glen Eira Leisure, will be our guest speaker
CLUB MEETINGS on Wed 25/9, and Wed 2/10 will be held at Onyx Cafe Bar at 328 Reserve Road, Cheltenham - PDG Ian asks everyone to use the registration process on the BMC Club Website for indicating if attending / or not attending either of these meetings.
President Tim closed the meeting.
