New Rotary Table Cloths.

New Rotary Table Cloths.  Thanks go to Westpac Bank West Geelong for donating these table cloths.  They are really trestle table covers which can be used at many functions including our BBQs. They look fantastic and are a great Rotary promotional tool.  Thanks to Christine Howard for organising this.

Canola Flowering Festival.  Don Lester mentioned that the ‘Canola Flowering Festival’ is on 14^th-15^th October.  Don was seeking feedback from members as to what assistance we could provide at the festival. The proceeds of the festival go to help the local farmers. Let Don know if you think Rotary could assist and if you are keen to help out in some way.

 

Last week we had the pleasure of hearing all about the fantastic work that Barwon Health Patient Transport does in the community. Zoe Waters explained that the program operates 364 days of the year. The service picks patients up from their home and takes them to their medical appointments.  Many go to hospital for things like dialysis treatment and to the Andrew Love Cancer Centre.  These people have no other way of getting to their appointments – so they rely on this special service.  BHPT operate 5 vehicles but only have four on the road at the moment due to funding issues.  Unfortunately, patients have to be prioritised because of this.  It costs approximately $10,000 per year to operate each of the cars.  They are driven by a group of dedicated volunteers.  We heard some terrific stories from the drivers and the patients about the importance of the service and how it is appreciated in the community.  The service was started by West Geelong Rotary and 13 clubs in the Geelong area have been contributing to the operational costs.  Lesley Goode will contact West Geelong Rotary to get an update on this project and to see if the Geelong and district clubs can be contacted to seek ongoing support assistance for this project.

 

Pastor David Spike and Year 11 Students – Lachlan Jarrat, Sophie Richmond and Gemma Hayden presented a report on the 2018 GLC Vanuatu Trip.  They were very passionate about what they had experienced and very appreciative of our support. The students fund themselves and the money donated by organisations like GWP Rotary goes directly to projects in the field.  Last year we donated money for a chicken coup and the group were able to report that the chickens have been busy laying eggs and they are now being sold to support some children to attend school.  (from little things big things grow). This year our donation funded some tables and stools for one of the local primary schools. The group also helped paint part of a hospital.  Lachlan, Sophie and Gemma shared with us lots of stories of their experience and said that another group will be going again next year.