Presidents Report 3rd November 2023
Hello Members and Friends,
A huge thank you to our Environment Director Gerard Hogan for organising our visit to the Kaaraff Wetlands last Monday night. Thank you also to Bruce Turner and Margaret McPherson for supporting Gerard with catering.
The opportunity to visit the Wetlands was clearly of interest to both members and partners, given the numbers attending.
Our speaker Graeme Stockton from West Coast Indigenous Nursery in Bellbrae provided a great insight into the ecology of saline wetlands and their ecological importance to the whole marine environment. Graeme also spoke of the impact that development is having with the discharge of storm water and associated chemicals and rubbish on the wetlands. The poor wetlands which are managed by Parks Victoria, and inherit the consequences of decisions of local government, developers, landowners, and other agencies upstream.
On a brighter note, Graeme also spoke of the diversity of the flora and fauna and the critical importance that the saline wetlands play in sustaining and sheltering. We hear daily about the impact that the loss of habitat is having on wildlife and the human impact on our wetlands has had a direct impact on migratory birdlife, in some cases to extinction.
For those that are interested, Graeme advises getting out the binoculars and paying a visit to see what you can see.
Melbourne Cup Eve Celebrations
Thank you in advance to Neil Henderson who has organized our Cup Eve Celebrations next Monday night. There are 29 registrations including members from RC Grovedale Waurn Ponds joining us for the night.
Bring along some coin and cash to participate in the sweeps and brush up on your Melbourne Cup Trivia as well.
Club AGM and Assistant Governor Visit
Our 2023 AGM will be held on Monday 20th November at Kithbrooke Park. This will be a hybrid meeting.
AG Gillian Morgan will meet with the Club Board at 5.30pm prior to the AGM to discuss the Club Health Check and allow our Directors to provide details on club activities.
Say No to Domestic and Family Violence
I would like to publicly thank Linda Neale for her tireless work on several service fronts in our Club, namely Foundation Director, Box Fair Coordination and Say No to Domestic and Family Violence Champion.
I respectfully request that members make a commitment and confirm their support for the upcoming Say No to Domestic and Family Violence initiatives and activities.
As a reminder, I refer you to the emails that Linda has sent to each member regarding the Say No campaign. They are:
- Say No to Domestic and Family Violence T Shirts @ $30. See email 24/10/23.
- Yarm Bombing with Zonta during the 16 Days of Action. See email 24/10/23.
- Online Training Session to be conducted on 21st November 2023 9.30am-12.30pm. See email 26/10/23 for registration and details (it’s free)
- Say No to Domestic and Family Violence walk in Johnston Park on Sunday 25th November 2023. This walk kicks off the UN Women 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (25th November - 10th December)
- Film Night featuring the film Shayda which is a 2023 Australian drama film written, directed, and co-produced by Noora Niasari. Inspired by Niasari's childhood experiences, the story follows an Iranian immigrant woman in Australia who is raising her young daughter as the two live in a women's shelter, while also attempting to divorce her abusive husband. Screening at the Pivitonian Cinema Thursday 30th of November 2023, 5.45pm - 9.00pm. See email 26/10/23 for ticket purchase and other detail.
If you have not received this information by email previously, please let me know and I will ensure that you receive this information directly.
philip.beasley@rotary9780.org
