• You have provided two loads of donations to Torquay Food Aid, made up of essential food items, toiletries and gifts. A third carload of goods was also donated by members of BNI, arranged by Kelly, in support of our efforts . When we made our delivery, it was so pleasing to see such an impressive amount of donations provided by the community for those in need at this time of the year. Thank you to all who donated, we can only imagine the difference this will make to the families supported by Torquay Food Aid.

 

• Torquay Rotary Community Spirit and John McDonald Awards were presented to eleven local grade six primary school students in nine local schools, bringing many smiles to faces of the recipients and their parents. There were also some tears from parents and a sense of pride for our members presenting these awards. Comments such as “ This was the most important award to receive. Also his pop will be so proud as a past Rotarian” and “this (the voucher specifically) will make such a difference for the family and the start of the secondary school year” help you to understand the impact the awards make for the recipients.(Please note that we have received permission to use any photos published in this bulletin) 

• On Tuesday morning Lesley Shedden, Gerard Hogan and I joined with Kelly Binyon at the bowls club for a presentation to BNI (Business Network International). Kelly represents Torquay Rotary in this organisation and we were given the opportunity to provide some information about Rotary and what we do for the community. Members of BNI have helped us as volunteers on many occasions previously and a number of the businesses are currently sponsoring our club bulletin. We were impressed with the enthusiasm and energy of the members and most importantly they are prepared to give back to the community and were very responsive to our information regarding upcoming events, with many nominating to volunteer at various activities. 

Updates for members: 

Landcare thank you email: 

Please accept our sincere thanks for the contribution Torquay Rotary has once again made to our events. 
It is always a huge relief to know when your team are on site, that everything is under control, and participants will be well catered for. They really are amazing and all done, as we have previously stated, with a smile and humour!. 
Thank you and hopefully you can all enjoy the festive season with family and friends. 
Looking forward to 2025. 
Best wishes 
Lesley for the TDLG Committee 

• It’s great to hear that projects commenced some time ago are still progressing and communities continue to benefit from work done previously by Rotarians. I’m sure John Oswald won’t mind me sharing this email following communication he received from a colleague. 

• Following the earthquakes in Vanuatu over the last two days, RAWCS (Rotary Australia World Community Service) has immediately established a disaster relief fund to assist victims - RAWCS | Project Details. The board are currently in the process of approving funds to support this relief effort. 

Click this link for all the pics