It's been a very busy month for our club and myself and I wanted to thank all the members for their incredible support and fellowship. My year began with our club Changeover on 1 July at WestWaters Hotel in Caroline Springs, which was a success with so many attending from our community. But the month and a half has certainly flown by quickly for me especially on a personal front . I have been away in Singapore visiting family since the 14 July and returned to Melbourne on 6 Aug. There is a saying that we have from Singapore, when one thing happens everything else happens too. It could not be a truer saying. My 94 year old father had been in hospital after a fall since July 8, hence why I went to Singapore to be with him. The good news is that he is now home but still not out of the woods as he is very weak. My 91 year old mother last week caught Covid and had to be hospitalized for a week in a Covid isolation ward. She has thank fully recovered some what and is now home too. Nothing like being in your own home to recover. I chat with them daily. As for me, on my return to Melbourne I tested positive for Covid just as I was about to start training for a new job. Needless to say it has been a trying month for me personally. Certainly not how I expected to start my time as President of Rotary Caroline Springs.
But I am very grateful for the amazing friendships and fellowships of our club Rotarians and for technology Our members kept things going in my absence. Whilst in Singapore I have zoomed into our meetings and watched as Tim Harris from Police Dogs unit speak about his role in handling Police dogs. Discussion amongst members as we planned the next few months program to raise funds and make our club known within our community, that our Peace Pole at Stevenvilles Primary school will be installed in October, planning for our BBQ at Bunnings on the 12 and 24 July. Both days were successfully run by the volunteers and members. PP Kathy's talk on regionalization of D9800 at the meetings went well. We also talked about holding a community day at a local venue Planning to hold a joint meeting with Rotary Hoppers Crossing on the 14 Sept. Imagine what we can do together. I have also zoomed in with our 1st cluster presidents meeting held on the 25 July and met with our DG and our board on the 4 Aug.
Our members also managed to successfully organised the National Tree planting day on the 31st July with more than 30 plus volunteers getting their hands dirty planting trees at Boronia Drive in Caroline Springs. Thanks to Tobin Brothers who supported us with a Coffee van that complimented the sausage sizzle afterwards. More than 500 trees were planted that day. It was great to see so many volunteers support us. Noting that many other Rotary clubs within D9800 also supported the day with planting trees and got to Hands on volunteering with the DG and members of the other clubs. At one of the meetings the members had fun when Wendy brought Beanies made by her mother and brother. As our winter has been cold these were a welcome addition. All members bought the beanies at $10 and we have more to sell if anyone wants. Our members also had a fellowship Movie night on 10 Aug. We will meet our DG, Amanda Wendt on 31 Aug at Bacchus Marsh Lawn Bowls with our cluster clubs. I looked forward to attending in person, however I will be on zoom as I have training that I missed when I caught Covid.
Upcoming events are in the bulletin and we do hope that you can join our meeting via zoom or better still in person for fellowship. I look forward to welcoming you. Just remember life happens so take care and look after yourself and your family. If you want to find out more do contact me on 0403821959 or at rotarycarolinesprings@gmail.com
Ronald Moss
President 2022-2023
Rotary Caroline Springs
