This morning was our first meeting at Gilbert's Bentleigh in their well appointed room upstairs. There was a good turnout of club members, and comments from all and sundry were favourable. Considering this was our first visit, Gilberts was under pressure to prepare and deliver up to 25 or 26 meals within a short time frame which was handled very capably by Jane and her team.. It won't be long before all will settle in and work like clockwork,. . President Neville chaired this morning's club meeting. Guests included Raj Daniel, Arturo , Gary Ramage, Cheryl, Bruno Santi, and Mark Jones - our guest speaker.
PRESIDENT'S ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Neville acknowledged Rotary anniversaries and club member birthdays. He informed members that BMC commenced thirty one years ago in July 1995 following the merger of two clubs - Bentleigh and Moorabbin-Central and wished to recognise the current members of that time: Tony Ryan, Larry Green, Grant Perry, Alan Kempton, Charles Rener, Ron Brownlees, and Karin Soster.
Other club member Rotary anniversaries in July are: Tim Lynch inducted in July 1997 (29 years), and Marg Lucas inducted in 2018 (8 years). Happy anniversary to everyone.
Birthdays - a very happy birthday to Paul Ferguson who celebrated a birthday on the 11th.
GUEST SPEAKER - Mark Jones - R.C. Leongatha, photographer, conservationist,and humanitarian.
Mark Jones is a member of the R.C. Leongatha, and runs a business in Dandenong.
His passion for photography and conservation has taken him to Borneo volunteering and taking photos of Orangutans to Kenya to further his interest in elephants. He spoke of a trip to Kenya in 2019 where he and his wife Julie had a chance meeting with a young woman, Florence Nyambura, escorting local children in Kenya on their first safari to see elephants and animals in their native environment. What was unique was the children had never seen elephants or animals in the wild before, and for many, it was a first time excursion outside of Korogocho - their home in a poor slum area in Nairobi, Kenya. Florence grew up in Korogocho, however, with the benefit of education, she decided to use funds granted to her, to help other young children in Korogocho. From this KOCH was born - an NGO which stands for Keep on Creating Hope. She strongly believes the only hope for people born in Korogocho to break the mould and continuing circle of poverty and deprivation is education. Mark and Julie were so taken with Florence, they now travel back to Kenya often to assist Florence and her team to support children with food, education, and
protection, that includes wildlife trips to scholarships for girls pursuing catering college. Development commenced with education on weekends, however, plans are to expand their training programs, and create sustainable growth through community connections for continued food and education supplies. Mark is also a member of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi that supports orphaned elephants. As a kind gesture for the club, he donated $50 to the trust on behalf of BMC to support an orphaned elephant and presented us with a certificate. Thank you for Mark for your fabulous presentation.
President Neville acknowledged Rotary anniversaries and club member birthdays. He informed members that BMC commenced thirty one years ago in July 1995 following the merger of two clubs - Bentleigh and Moorabbin-Central and wished to recognise the current members of that time: Tony Ryan, Larry Green, Grant Perry, Alan Kempton, Charles Rener, Ron Brownlees, and Karin Soster.
Other club member Rotary anniversaries in July are: Tim Lynch inducted in July 1997 (29 years), and Marg Lucas inducted in 2018 (8 years). Happy anniversary to everyone.
Birthdays - a very happy birthday to Paul Ferguson who celebrated a birthday on the 11th.
GUEST SPEAKER - Mark Jones - R.C. Leongatha, photographer, conservationist,and humanitarian.
Mark Jones is a member of the R.C. Leongatha, and runs a business in Dandenong.
His passion for photography and conservation has taken him to Borneo volunteering and taking photos of Orangutans to Kenya to further his interest in elephants. He spoke of a trip to Kenya in 2019 where he and his wife Julie had a chance meeting with a young woman, Florence Nyambura, escorting local children in Kenya on their first safari to see elephants and animals in their native environment. What was unique was the children had never seen elephants or animals in the wild before, and for many, it was a first time excursion outside of Korogocho - their home in a poor slum area in Nairobi, Kenya. Florence grew up in Korogocho, however, with the benefit of education, she decided to use funds granted to her, to help other young children in Korogocho. From this KOCH was born - an NGO which stands for Keep on Creating Hope. She strongly believes the only hope for people born in Korogocho to break the mould and continuing circle of poverty and deprivation is education. Mark and Julie were so taken with Florence, they now travel back to Kenya often to assist Florence and her team to support children with food, education, and
protection, that includes wildlife trips to scholarships for girls pursuing catering college. Development commenced with education on weekends, however, plans are to expand their training programs, and create sustainable growth through community connections for continued food and education supplies. Mark is also a member of the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi that supports orphaned elephants. As a kind gesture for the club, he donated $50 to the trust on behalf of BMC to support an orphaned elephant and presented us with a certificate. Thank you for Mark for your fabulous presentation.
Website HERE
OTHER CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS
* Bentleigh Market Anniversary - Market Chair, Larry Green, informed club members that November 2027 would be the market's 50th anniversary, and is considering ways for the club to celebrate. Thoughts are to create a committee to plan how to celebrate this significant milestone. Initial plans are to include the Marketing Committee - Geoff Gartly, and Gabriela Ammendola-Santi.
* Next Week's Guest Speaker - Jim Magee, BMC club member, and walking the Camino Trail.
* RYDA - Rotary Youth Driving Awareness for Cheltenham S.C. The next RYDA event is scheduled for Monday 17/8 at Sandown. Volunteers are required to help out on the day - most of which is shepherding students from Cheltenham S.C. to the right location at the RYDA event. Members wishing to volunteer will need a current WWCC - Working with Children Check card. Ian will post details on the club website.
OTHER CLUB ANNOUNCEMENTS
* Bentleigh Market Anniversary - Market Chair, Larry Green, informed club members that November 2027 would be the market's 50th anniversary, and is considering ways for the club to celebrate. Thoughts are to create a committee to plan how to celebrate this significant milestone. Initial plans are to include the Marketing Committee - Geoff Gartly, and Gabriela Ammendola-Santi.
* Next Week's Guest Speaker - Jim Magee, BMC club member, and walking the Camino Trail.
* RYDA - Rotary Youth Driving Awareness for Cheltenham S.C. The next RYDA event is scheduled for Monday 17/8 at Sandown. Volunteers are required to help out on the day - most of which is shepherding students from Cheltenham S.C. to the right location at the RYDA event. Members wishing to volunteer will need a current WWCC - Working with Children Check card. Ian will post details on the club website.
