(If you have any comments or questions, please contact the editor)
President's Message 27 March 2026
Kelly Binyon
Hello,
Well it’s been a very busy week for the President!
Thursday 19thwe held our March Board meeting
I will also be sending out a separate email to members regarding a request to help with car parking at the Rip Curl Pro next week. So keep an eye on your inbox.
Monday 23rd saw us at Cosy Corner for our annual picnic meeting. We could not have asked for better weather and this ensured that we had a good turn out. It was lovely to see partners come along and we had a very special visit from Swedish Rotarian Rein Leipalu and his wife Yvonne. Rein reached out to attend as they are staying in the area as their son-in-law is from Victoria! We very much enjoyed our conversations and it was a pleasure to receive a banner from the Rotary Club of Solna Haga. We also had the pleasure of seeing Ed Hunter who has had his return delayed for another two weeks.
Click HERE for more photos of the lovely evening at Cosy Corner.
Tuesday 24th was BNI Surfcoast Connections with a 7.15am start at the Torquay Bowls Club. It was my turn to do the Keynote Presentation where I educated the members and guests on what Rotary is all about – focusing on our Club and its main fundraisers of Book Fair & Motor Show, plus our awareness project of Say No to Domestic & Family Violence and supporting Our Village. A huge THANK YOU to PDG Lesley Shedden, International Director Ray Ayres and Catering Queen Gail Birchall for supporting me and answering questions without notice!! Lots of positive feedback and building on the great relationship we have established with BNI who readily volunteer when needed.
Wednesday 25th I chaired the Zeally Bay Probus Club AGM at TCF. I was made very welcome by outgoing President Graeme Locke and had the honour of inducting Gayle Evans as President for the 2026-2027 year. This is a large club of very active retirees, and I was amazed at the amount of activities they have on offer. It was a great opportunity to connect with quite a few people I have dealt with professionally and also see a couple of our members there as well!
Outgoing President: Graeme Locke.
Incoming President: Gayle Evans Zeally Bay Probus Club AGM
In the evening Trevor Hall and I attended a Commerce Torquay event at the Torquay Community House. where the guest speaker was the 2025 Business of the Year Award winner, Thomas Earls from Coastal Nectar. He gave us a hands on presentation, tasting and beeswax candle making activity, and was extremely passionate about our very special bees. As he pointed out – no bees – no food! Unfortunately I had to leave early due to a family commitment, but it was good to catch up with local business owners.
Friday sees me and quite a few other members head off to Horsham for the Multi District Impact Summit (3 Districts combining their conferences). I will be taking Sue, Leo and Rebout RYE student Mietta and am looking forward to what’s on offer.
Next Monday we are back at The Lakehouse at Kithbrooke Park for Visit to Lese Oalai in PNG by Ray Ayres, International Services Director. Please register and pay online as soon as possible for catering purposes. A reminder that it is BYO drinks and please park in the gravel carpark or Clubhouse carpark. If you need assistance, please contact me and I can transport you to the Lakehouse.
Even though today is cold and wet – let's celebrate the rain and pray that it has fallen where most needed. I drove out to Teesdale on Saturday via the back way and could not believe how dry it was, with only one dam having water in it. Some very tough times for our farmers who have endured a LOT over the last couple of years.
Thursday evening, we helped Bunnings with their Easter Night. The weather put many families off, so their numbers were down. It was still a lovely evening and the children had so much fun. Thank you to our awesome team – Richard and Gail, you did an amazing job. Watching Gail thoroughly enjoying Fairy Floss made the night.
We need help with the upcoming barbeques. Please could you let me know which one/s you are able to help with? The barbeques have provided us with very valuable funds to support those so much less fortunate than ourselves.
We have also received an email to say that if there are enough stall holders, the Organising Committee of Cowrie Market, has been given permission to hold a May Cowrie Market. What do you think? Do we put our name down? Please let me know as soon as you can.
Thank you all and Happy Easter. Enjoy your chocolate. Safe travels if you are going away.
