We welcomed our new Assistant Governor Julianne Bartels at our last meeting. As one of District Governor Bronwyn's deputies, Julianne is keen to help resolve any issues that we may have during the year and to roll up her sleeves to support any of our projects.

Here are some of the basic details about Julianne:

• She was born and raised in Werribee.
• Her paternal grandfather worked for the State Research Farm and her maternal grandmother worked as a post-mistress in Werribee South.
• Her father was a school teacher based for may years at Laverton.
• She is very devoted to her family.
• Twenty-five years ago, her husband David established a business which processed infringement notices.
• Julianne is now the owner and principal director of that business.
• She joined the Rotary Club of Melton Valley in 2008 because she wanted to help others less fortunate than her. She also loved the fellowship that Rotary offered.
• One of her pet Rotary projects is Busy Feet, a dance and movement activity for children with intellectual and physical disabilities, aged 6 to16 years. She says it is a fantastic program.
• She is also heavy involved in WERN (Western Emergency Relief Network) which our club is a member of.
• Another project that she supports is End Trachoma which is aiming to eradicate the trachoma eye disease in aboriginal communities. She gets involved by accumulating packs of toiletries and distributing them to needy indigenous communities.
• Several years ago, she became a founding member of the newly-established Rotary Club of Caroline Springs.
• As AG, she will meet with the presidents of the Chirnside Cluster once a month to ensure that the lines of communication are kept open between the four neighbouring clubs.

In the same mould as the movie "ET", Julianne states that, if we have a problem or we need assistance, all we need to do is "phone home".

Julianne will be returning to our club in a couple of weeks when DG Bronwyn pays her official visit.

As part of our Club Assembly, the Chairpersons of each committee presented their plans for the year ahead. Here is a summary:

1. Youth (Marty Vaina)
   • Involvement in RYLA.
   • Search for a suitable Summer Science student.
   • Continue with the Apprentice Connect program at McKillop College.
   • Organise another Rock 'n Roll night.
   • Arrange a junior football game between Hoppers Crossing and Werribee Districts Under 18 teams to be played at Chirnside Park to highlight the Beyond Blue program. There have been a number of situations where boys from these clubs have taken their lives. The game is planned to be played on Saturday 11th August as a curtain-raiser to the main Werribee Football Club game.
2. International (Rob Fava)
   • The initial focus for this committee is to assess the practicality of organising a FAIM trip to the Kiribati Islands to build a community structure.
   • There will also be on-going support for our Uganda project.
3. Vocational (Michael Redding)
   • A number of projects are planned with Wyndham Central College including:
     • Mock interviews with 17 students to teach them how to handle job interviews. A number of members of the club who have businesses have vowed to support this program.
     • Year 10 Creative Expression competition. This proved to be successful last year and promises to be bigger and better next year.
     • Investigating the formation of an InterAct Club at the school.
4. Community (Geoff Smith)
   • Continue with the mid-week Bunnings BBQ's.
   • Organise another tree planting day. We would also invite the public to assist.
   • Continue to assist with the Carols by Candlelight, beach clean-up and the school breakfasts.
5. Cultural Fiesta (Lyn Fava)
   • This event will be held in conjunction with Wyndham Central College and is planned to replace last year's High Tea.
   • The aim is to focus on promoting and embracing diversity and will include food and dancing from many different cultures represented at the school.
   • There will also be a focus on making and selling Boomerang Bags. Lyn is asking members and partners to support this by supplying material that can be used to make the bags. If you have any old ties or off-cuts of fabric, sheets or curtains, please bring them to Rotary.
   • The funds from this event will go towards the ROCAN Wellness Centre which is planned for construction in the Riverwalk Estate.

You are invited to a special tour of the new Critical Care Unit at the Werribee Mercy Hospital on Thursday 26th July commencing at 6:30 pm.

President Graham needs to advise the hospital of numbers by this Friday (20th July). So, if you would like to attend and haven't already indicated your interest, please contact Graham as quickly as possible.

District 9800 has a new website. It now uses ClubRunner which is the same system that we use for our website and Bulletin. ClubRunner is used by over 5,000 clubs and Districts worldwide.

Click here to see the new site.

It has the same look and feel as our website. You can even click on the Member Login icon in the top right-hand corner of the home page to log in to the secure District members area using the same Userid and Password as you use for our website. This will be particularly useful for our club executives to update club and member information.

A smartphone app has also been created for the new website. Click here to download instructions on how to set it up on your phone.

For those who had some difficulty in understanding any of the above, please contact Geoff Smith or Phil Purdy for an explanation.

Have you booked for our 50th anniversary party on Saturday 18th August? If not, please note that registration closes at the end of July.

We are planning a special night to celebrate 50 years of service to the community and we would love to have your company.

This function will be held at the Werribee Racecourse Function Centre. The guest speaker will be Ian Riseley who has just completed his year as RI President.

If you haven't already received an invitation, please click here.

Click here to book on-line.

• Our new District Governor Bronwyn Stephens will be making her official visit to our club on Tuesday 31st July. President Graham would like to have as many members and their partners at the meeting as possible.

• Footy Tipping - Ross Smith has joined Tony Todaro at the top of the table again after a round of upsets. They are both on 101 winners followed by Mary Maguire and Ann Smith on 98. 

• Here is a photo of our Assistant Governor Julianne Bartels meeting with our brains trust before the club meeting. 

• Pictured below is an image of a kangaroo hand-crafted by Micki Hovey. It consists of pieces of aboriginal fabric appliqued on to backing material. It was presented, on behalf of the club, to our exchange student, Andrea, before she departed home to Denmark. Andrea was delighted with the gift and said she would get it framed and will hang it on her bedroom wall.

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