I am eager to set our District on course for a robust and vibrant future where people will ask to join Rotary, take on leadership roles, and not feel it is a burden they need to fulfil.
It is up to us to sell the sizzle of Rotary, not the sausage. No one buys a sausage off us because of the look of the sausage – they buy because of the smell of the onions.
So now let’s make Rotary membership the onion on our sausage…sell the positives of being a Rotarian and the difference that we can make.
It is an honour to be asked to be a Rotary member – so let’s not make it a task and let’s all enjoy the journey we are embarking on…
Share the load and the positions for the future of our great world-wide organisation
On a chilly day in Ballarat, Rotarians from around the District joined together at Allurah - a beautiful event venue, to celebrate with outgoing District Governor John Clue and welcome incoming District Governor Kathy Rivett.
Click here to see the District Changeover Photo Album
A collection of pet supplies was arranged in early March to assist the people in the flood affected regions of NSW – predominately the Lismore area after hearing how they were desperate for pet food.
The Ballarat showgrounds main pavilion was made available free of charge for us to use as a collection point and with banners and table set up, we were ready to go.
Media releases were sent to all local media and live interviews were held with ABC radio, 3BA and Power FM. The Ballarat Courier and Ballarat Times provided great coverage with half page articles and our Facebook page came to life with interactions with our followers wanting to help. Snippers Barbers came to our backup offering for people to drop donations there if they were unable to come during our limited collection times. A carload of items was collected by Snippers. The City of Ballarat posted on their page and Wendouree Breakfast Rotary club put a trailer in the Bridge Mall for a collection day and it was delivered to us full of pet food.
Pet Stock were great supporters providing 5 pallets of pet supplies, animal beds and vet supplies, the Ballarat Animal shelter came onboard donating pet beds and leads and the donations from members of the public were constantly rolling in.
The Housing Pod Project seeks to raise funds that will allow for housing pods to be provided for those displaced during the recent floods.
Click here to find out more information and to donate.
At the recent District Changeover, some unique "Imagine" cheese and charcuterie boards, hand crafted by DG Kathy's husband David, were made available for purchase through a silent auction with proceeds going to the Housing Pod Project. Thank you so much to those who purchased them - a total of $1200 was raised.
Every Club in our District has an Assistant Governor who assists Presidents and members. Each month we will focus on a different Assistant Governor, and let you get to know them a little better.
Always good to start at the beginning, so we will begin this month with a bit of information about Group 1 Assistant Governor Darren Brown from Casterton Rotary. Here is his story:
On 15th of June, 2022, University of South Australia, Mount Gambier Campus, held it's Scholarships, Awards and Grants Celebration evening. Students, along with their family and friends, gathered at the campus for a dinner presentation which recognised the achievements of the students and their success. District 9780 also had a hand in the night, with two awards 'Rotary District 9780 UniSA Grant' presented to two very deserving recipients.
Some background on the awards. Until 2017/18, the Grants were provided for students at Deakin University, Federation University and Australian Catholic University. It was then that Past District Governor, Ray Herbert of the Rotary Club of Mount Gambier West, identified that UniSA Mount gambier Campus was not included. This was despite the Campus was within Rotary District 9780's zone. Ray then initiated an extension of the University Grants to include the Mount Gambier Campus. As a result of Ray's efforts, two awards have been presented to selected students since 2018.
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