banner
Werribee River
 
Presidents Message
We almost had to put the “Full House” sign out at our meeting on Tuesday night. There was a good mix of members, partners and guests and the place was buzzing – a bit like the old days.

The evening had an international flavour with the attendance of five Filipino guests. It was great to meet PP Ric Vilda from the Rotary Club of Cabanatuan City and his family members. During his presentation, Ric expressed his sincere gratitude to us for our generous donation for the purchase and installation of classroom furniture and computers at the newly constructed Bahay Ni San Jose Orphanage school in Papaya, Luzon, Philippines. He said the children, who come from a range of difficult backgrounds, were so excited with their new surroundings. They now have the resources to enable them to receive a good education.

I would also like to acknowledge Nusrat Islam for speaking about the Entrepreneurial Summit that she attended along with 9 other local business women. Their attendance was funded by our club. Nusrat explained that the summit was very informative, particularly for those who were trying to establish their businesses. She thanked us for our financial support. Nusrat has agreed to do a job talk at a later date.

Next week I’m looking forward to hearing our guest speaker, Imran Kashem, a young businessman who has established a thriving photography business in Wyndham. Imran has been a guest of the club before, and it will be good to catch up with him again.
 
We will also meet Muhindo Matata and his family. They are originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) but now live in Werribee. Muhindo approached Donations in Kind (DIK) to assist in supplying wheelchairs and crutches for children and adults in his home country who have been maimed by landmines, birth defects and disease. Muhindo said “Imagine dragging yourself along by your hands because your legs are useless, blown off or crippled by Polio”. DIK assisted Muhindo with the shipment of a container of essential items to DRC. Also included in the shipment were new clothing, soccer balls, boots and books.
 
On Wednesday 22nd February, the Chirnside cluster of Rotary clubs will be hosting a Rotary in Action dinner at the Italian Sports Club. The function, which was also held last year, aims to showcase, to various community groups, the wide range of projects and activities that we get involved in. I would encourage you to come along to the night to mix with other Rotarians, to meet community members and to talk about the good work we do. I will be promoting this event at our next few meetings.
 
Pres Ian
 
*******************************************************************************************
 
THIS WEEK AT ROTARY
 
We had two guest speakers this week.
 
Nusrat Islam
 
Our own member Nusrat spoke to us. She briefly explained her current employment with Vicroads where she has been in senior roles for a number of years.
 
Nusrat is a member of a group called Warrior Women, which has 277 members, and its goal is to empower women business leaders.
 
Nusrat and her guest Ishrat, were part of a group of 10 people that WRC funded to attend a one day conference on Sat 8th October. The Conference was the South Asia Entrepreneur Conference.
 
The attendees were taught the 7 key elements of entrepreneurship.
  1. Get educated
  2. Understand the market you operate in.
  3. Have a Finance Plan
  4. Communicate, communicate & communicate
  5. Focus on Sales
  6. Be flexible
  7. Manage stress
 
 
Rick Vilda
 
Our second speaker was Past President Rick Vilda from the Rotary Club of Cabanatuan City, District 3770, in the Philippines.
 
Rick's Rotary Club was Charteded in 1948, and will be 75 years old on 17th July this year.
 
Rick was President in 2018/2019, and so far nobody has been President more than once. He and his wife are both nurses.
 
Rick was in Melbourne to visit his son and wife, who lives in Lalor, where he has just graduated from Latrobe Uni as a Bachelor of Nursing.
 
Rotary is a big thing in Rick's life. As well as being President, his wife was President of Inner Wheel, and his son was Rotaract President.
 
Cabanatuan Rotary's major project is providing potable water to a village in the mountains to the north of Cabanatuan City.
 
      
 
=====================================================================================
Next week at Rotary - Tuesday 7th February 2023
 
Next weeks speaker will be  Imran Kashen.
Imran runs a local business called Westend Phoptography, that focuses on Branding & Corporate Imagery.
 
The raffle is up to nearly $300, and there are only six cards to go.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 
 

OTHER BUSINESS

 

GOLF DAY  - FRIDAY 10TH MARCH.

Organisation for the Golf Day is proceeding well. 

We currently have 118 players registered, and only have space for another 10 players.

We are still looking for sponsors and raffle prizes.

We will shortly be calling for volunteers to help us out on the day - we need about 12-15 volunteers for the day, to fill various roles, from between 7.30am & 1.30pm. Let Ross Conley know if you can help.

 

AUSTRALIA DAY BREAKFAST

The Chirnside Cluster Australia Day breakfast at Wyndham Park was a success.

The cluster clubs participated selling egg and bacon rolls.

It is a shame Wyndham Council don't see the need to promote and publicise events they run, and not assume people will find out some how.

Brian Ahmed is donated the eggs. Many thanks Brian.

 

Margaret Purcell RIP

Margaret Purell, lLocal identity, and wife of past president Frank Purcell passed away this week. Watch the papers for funeral details.

 

Mercy Health FoundationTrivia Night

The Mercy Health Foundation is holding a Trivia Night on Friday 24 February at 7.00pm as a fundraiser.

It would be nice if our club could put a table together. Speak to Brian Ahmed if you can attend.

Brochure

 

BREAKFAST CLUB

Breakfast club is back up and running for term 1.

Tues 7/2 - Michael Redding & Alison Taverner

Wed 8/2 - Graham Roper & Liz Ross

Thurs 9/2 - Kim & Glenyce Deneys

Tuesday 14/2 - Theresa Gatto & Terry Argent

Wed 15/2 - Jane Larkin & Glenys Welsh

Thur - 16/2 - Norm & Margaret Johnson

 

 
BINGO

The Bingo Roster is:

Feb 6 - Kathryn Williams & Wendy Roper

Feb 13th - Paula Kudi & Mary Macaulay

Feb 20th - Ross & Ann Smith

Bingo last Monday 30/1 - 100 players & $1,200 profit.

 

FIT4USE STORE

Commencing immediately we are going to change the trading name of the Fit4Use Store to the Werribee Rotary Opp Shop. We believe that Fit4Use is a bit misleading, and Opp Shop better describes our business. Flags and signage is being organised.

We have a lovely group of dedicated volunteers at the Opp Shop. But we could always do with a few more. If you know of someone who would like to help out as a regular volunteer or to be on standby for when people are unavailable, please contact Graham Roper on 0403 437 349.

 

Bunnings BBQ

The next Bunnings BBQ is Thursday 23 February.

It would be nice for a few other members to put their hand up, and not just leave it to the same 8 or 9 people.

 

International Convention

The Rotary International World Convention, will be held in Melbourne in May 2023. It is being organised by a committee formed from the Aust Rotary Districts.

 

Click this link to view the flyer.

 

The committee is also asking for interested Rotarians to register for the opportunity to home host several overseas guests for dinner during the convention. There is also an option for Rotary clubs to host a larger group of guests.

Click here to view the home hosting flyer.

 

District 9800 Foundation Newsletter
 
Clink the link below to view.
 
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

          ANNIVERSARIES           
Member Birthdays
Tom Lentini
February 10
 
Graham Roper
March 7
 
Rob Fava
March 15
 
Peter Sandlant
March 21
 
Kathryn Williams
March 22
 
Tino Ballan
March 25
 
Ross Smith
March 28
 
Lou Dowling
March 30
 
Spouse Birthdays
Graham Roper
March 7
 
Nuge Ahmed
March 28
 
Anniversaries
Philip Purdy
Barbara Purdy
March 2
 
Ross Conley
Christine Conley
March 7
 
Enzo Maddalon
Adelina Maddalon
March 10
 
Ian Knight OAM
Genny Knight
March 14
 
Jeff Garfield
Pam Garfield
March 21
 
Ian Hovey
Micki Hovey
March 23
 
Peter Sandlant
Karen Sandlant
March 26
 
Graham Roper
Wendy Roper
March 30
 
Peter Ross OAM
Elizabeth Ross
March 30
 
Wendy Roper
Graham Roper
March 30
 
Join Date
Wendy Roper
February 4, 2003
20 years
 
Ross Smith
March 19, 1996
27 years
 
Mary Macaulay
March 24, 1997
26 years
 
          CLUB DIRECTORS          
President
Ian Hovey
 
President Elect
Kim Deneys
 
Immediate Past President
Graham Roper
 
Secretary
Ross Smith
 
Club Service
Ian Hovey
 
Treasurer
Kim Deneys
 
Youth Service
Ross Smith
 
Bulletin
Ross Smith
 
Other
Peter Sandlant
 
Advertisement for ClubRunner Mobile