Rotary has had a cherished history since 1905 in Chicago, USA and now has some 35,000+ individual clubs around the world, all uniquely different and all powered by a willingness to use its members' skills and passions to make a difference to the world we live in.

Likewise, Rotary provides the power of networking with other individuals and clubs both locally and internationally to join leaders, share ideas and take action to make a difference.

A recent innovation in Rotary is the concept of a Satellite Club - a club that is linked to and supported by an existing Rotary Club with its own focus, its own projects and its own meeting schedule (which may be similar to the parent club, or completely different).

Rotary Club of Southbank is currently in the process of setting up 2 new Satellite Clubs - One for Millennials and one for Senior Executives.

Already over the last 4 weeks, an active group of 7 young millennials have been meeting online each Thursday night and are looking for a few more young and motivated people to help launch this new initative.  Their first project with the support of Darrell Lea involves chocolate.  Stay tuned for more details - Or join the club to see what they are doing for their communities during this time of hardship.

Please contact us now if you would like to know more information.

Who would have thought we would see the world change so dramatically that none of us remains immune to the impact of COVID-19.  Whilst the pandemic has caused us all significant disruption to our daily lives, on a personal level, within the workplace, and at Rotary, we as Rotarians, are fortunate to still be able to continue what we do bestproviding service to our communities, albeit at a distance.

There is no doubt that we are working differently by observing social distancing and being vigilant about washing our hands and keeping our homes and workplaces as clean as possible. Many of us may be feeling the impact of restrictions with travel and at home, as we all take responsibility for "flattening the curve".

There are many things we can all do to keep ourselves energized in all areas of our lives by taking a leadership approach through this time of crisis.  Even if you are not in a leadership role, you can still be a leader at Rotary, in your workspace, and even at home.  No matter what your role is, you are performing in it because you are considered a leader and expert in what you deliver, and there is no better time to demonstrate your expertise and show leadership qualities than through a time of crisis.

Here are some ideas on how you can influence Rotary's mission of providing service above self:

1. Be mindful of those around you.  Everyone is experiencing some level of change right now. Take the time to listen, to show empathy and to get to know those around you. Be understanding. Be supportive. When you focus on others, you tend to rise above your own issues.
2. Build morale by being positive. Every single person within any group impacts on the next by what they say and do, no matter what their role. Getting caught up in negativity is a choice. Instead choose to be positive. You will be surprised how much more satisfying your day will be, and how this will also impact on others.
3. If something is bothering you, decide who can help influence a solution or provide the right advice and talk to that person. There is nothing to be gained by complaining to people who can't do anything about your issue, or are unlikely to be able to give you good advice. Doing so, only adds to their stress load, and brings their morale down, as well as yours.
4. Use your initiative and be a team player. Being a team member means collaborating with and supporting those around you so that the team as a whole remains cohesive, productive and positive. Ask yourself what you can do to help others when you have the time. When you do something good for others, you feel good too.
5. Build relationships and provide the best service to others. In Rotary, if you are not providing service directly to our community, you are providing service to someone who is. At this time when people generally have some level of anxiety, it is the time to build deeper trust with those around you. You don't need a reason to pick up the phone to someone and genuinely ask how that person is doing, especially if you are sincere in your care. It's easy to build good relationships in good times, but in challenging times, you have the opportunity to build better than good relationships. You can build trust.
6. Stay focused on Rotary's mission.  It's certainly easy to lose focus during these times when the world is in crisis. However, we all have a role to play and we are fortunate to be part of an organization that is making a difference. Focus on this big picture, be the person who reminds everyone else of this mission and help turn conversations towards better ways of delivering the best possible outcomes.
7. Learn to be a winner. Is something not going your way?  Some times things won't, and it may not seem fair. Some times we are not always privy to the big picture and will not understand why a certain decision is made. But there is no point in sabotaging your own happiness, job satisfaction or voluntary work by not continuing to perform to your best. Being a winner is rising above setbacks, as winners know there is a bigger game at play.

As the saying goes, we are all in this together, so let's serve the best we can.

Rotary Club of Southbank sponsored Jennisha Arnanta for 2019 RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award). It is a residential camp unlike any other. Over seven days, participants are immersed in a program centered around  four key themes: Challenge by choice, diversity, community and time out. We give young people aged 18-25 the opportunity to step away from the distractions of their busy lives and provide the space to think about what is important to them.

Jennisha is passionate about people and public speaking, and values experience above all things. She believes that to be a well-rounded person, one must keep growing through exposure to new experiences, opportunities and constantly challenging oneself to push beyond the limits. She has been involved with Toastmasters at University of Melbourne (District 73) for the past 2 years as a Public Relations Officer to further pursue learning good communication skills and the art of being a good public speaker.

In early 2020, she travelled to Miaoli, a village in Taiwan as part of a program with AIESEC organisation to teach English to underprivileged children and execute cross-cultural exchange. When she is not cooped up with her studies, she makes it a point to go out and meet new people through volunteering or business events.

We hope that Jennisha with her family members can come to one of our meetings in 2020 to share her RYLA experience.

On the 5th March I attended the Women in Rotary, International Women's Day Event at Crown Palladium aptly named 'A Seat at the Table' . With an entertaining host, Musna Pasha we were introduced to an inspiring panel of speakers including Sally Capp (Lord Mayor), Terry Moran AC, (Chancellor Federation University), Deb Platz (Assistant Commissioner AFP), David Lesser (Journalist & Author) and Melinda Cilento (CEO CEDA) with Dr Gael Jennings as the Moderator. They all shared some fascinating stories, a personal favourite of mine being Deb's story of being a Policewomen and wearing a dress or skirt with your gun in your handbag and trying to chase perps in your high heels, including jumping over fences!

Some key messages were shared and we were left with real ways we can all make a difference, including calling out behaviour and acting with courage. Some of my biggest take away lines were 'We stand on the shoulders of the women who came before us" and " What you walk past, you accept"

Well done to the Women in Rotary and the Rotary Clubs of Brighton North and Melbourne for such an excellent event. I bought a friend who has never experienced Rotary and is now keen on getting involved!

Jaqui O'Donohoe

You are invited to join us at a Business Leaders Breakfast to raise funds for the Australian Bushfire Disaster Relief Appeal.  Bookings are now avaliable via Trybooking.

Date:	Wednesday 19 February 2020
Time:	7:00am for 7:15am (Concluding 9.00am)
Venue:	Hyatt Place Event Centre, 1 Larkin Boulevard, Essendon Fields VIC, Australia
Tickets:	$50 per person including parking or $750 for a Corporate Table ($750 per corporate or organisation table of 10. All corporates and organisations table bookings will be gratefully acknowledged)
Email Enquires:	bushfirebreakfast@rotarydistrict9800.org.au

Download a Printable Flyer (to print or email to fellow Rotarians and Business partners)

Make a One-Off Donation to the Australian Bushfire Disaster Relief Appeal.

Incoming RI President announces 2020-21 presidential theme

Rotary International President-elect Holger Knaack is encouraging Rotarians to seize the many opportunities Rotary offers to enrich their lives and the communities they serve.

Knaack, a member of the Rotary Club of Herzogtum Lauenburg-Mölln, Germany, revealed the 2020-21 presidential theme, Rotary Opens Opportunities, to incoming district governors at the Rotary International Assembly in San Diego, California, USA, on 20 January.

Rotary isn't just a club for people to join, but rather "an invitation to endless opportunities," said Knaack, who becomes president on 1 July. He emphasized that Rotary creates pathways for members to improve their lives and the lives of those they help through service projects.

Click on the Link below to view the rest of the article (and note the photo above of our current Dstrict Governor Grant Hocking at last years' International Assembly.)

https://www.rotary.org/en/holger-knaack-sees-opportunities-rotary-change-thrive

You may have heard that most people would rather die than give a speech. Public speaking is the number one fear for many people.

For 49 years, I too had a fear of public speaking. It was so bad, I would break out in a sweat. I'd leave the room. I'd find excuses, or ask other people to stand up and speak for me. Anything to avoid having to speak in public. A couple of bad experiences early in my life built up this fear, but I made it my goal to overcome it. Fifteen years ago at the age of 50, I was introduced to Toastmasters by a good friend, and I've been a member since.

Read more

Like all Australians, we have been deeply impacted by the bushfires in our country.  District 9800 has established a Bushfire Response Committee to coordinate our District response to the bushfires.   We are working with the other Districts to ensure we coordinate and maximise our response to those communities in need as base it on the identified needs from those communities.

District 9800 is providing two separate ways for Rotary Clubs, Rotarians and members of the public to provide donations to our Bushfire Recovery efforts.

The first fund will provide Rotary Clubs and individuals not seeking a tax deduction and allow us more flexibility to take immediate action.

Account: Rotary International District 9800 - Australian Bushfire Appeal

BSB: 633000     Account Number: 171227895

The second fund through Bendigo Banks Community Enterprise Foundation allows tax deductibility to individual donors or businesses who require this option.

Bendigo Bank has waived their administration fees.

For tax deductible donations please use this link:

https://www.communityenterprisefoundation.com.au/make-a-donation/rotaryd9800bushfireappeal

If you need to discuss anything related to the bushfire efforts please contact D9800 Bushfire Response Committee chair Sue Foley (Sue.Foley@bendigoadelaide.com.au or myself.)

Thank you again for all you are doing to support the bushfire affected communities.

Message from the District Governor Grant Hocking

Hello D9800 Rotarians and friends,

Like all Australians, we have been deeply impacted by the bushfires in our country. The loss of homes, landscapes, wildlife and lives is truly devastating, and our hearts go out to all those affected. I know you join me in sending our sincere thanks to the firefighters, charities and volunteers who are tirelessly working to assist in our country's recovery.

We have been moved by the outpouring of support Rotarians and our community has shown to what will be a long and complex bushfire season.

In the last few days I have spoken directly with District Governors in both the Gippsland and Hume areas of Victoria and we will be working together in our response. We will be coordinating our efforts (financial and logistical) with these Districts to ensure that all communities are supported.

As well as this the 21 Governors across Australia are in constant communication and coordinating the National relief efforts.

The aim is to ensure we coordinate and maximise our response to those communities in need as base it on the identified needs from those communities.

Immediate response

Emergency and Disaster response agencies in Victoria do a marvelous job in the immediate care and safety of the affected communities.

I am proud that we have many Rotarians volunteering for front line agencies and responding to requests for support from agencies working in the relief centres and elsewhere including animal welfare.

Generous offers are being received from many Rotarians, and there have been many individuals and clubs working in many areas to provide materials and food to affected agencies and communities. This includes the provision of 500,000 P2 face masks which are being distributed through Rotary Club of Melbourne and Donations in Kind.

Our District Bushfire Response committee would love to have a record of all these efforts from Rotarians and clubs in our district. Please contact PDG Jim Studebaker with information about your recent efforts and any plans for or to discuss future relief efforts. Contact Jim via email jimstude@bigpond.net.au or 0413 304 864.

Please contact D9800 Bushfire Response Committee Chair Sue Foley Sue.Foley@bendigoadelaide.com.au or myself to discuss the D9800 or your club or individual bushfire response.

The ongoing support of Rotarians will be invaluable over the coming months and as always is valued and appreciated. Thanks you for all you are doing to support the bushfire affected communities.

DG Grant Hocking

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Central Melbourne

Melbourne Bearbrass Probus for active retirees launches at Library at the Dock, 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade, Docklands at 10am-noon on Wednesday February 12, 2020.  

Have the honor of becoming a Bearbrass* foundation member, or just check us out. We'll also welcome potential office-bearers.

You'll meet like-minded friends, hear stimulating monthly speakers, and with new friends you'll enjoy

• Theatre, movies, music, arts, coffee, food & wine
• Walking, biking, bowls, golf, Pilates & fitness
• Bridge, mah-jong, books, ancestry, photography
• Victorian, national and offshore trips, and
• Discounts and attractive overseas travel cover

Regular monthly meetings will be from March, 2020 at the Dock Library from 10am on second Tuesdays of each month. Fees will be only $30 to join and $60 yearly (subject to club ratification).

Probus runs entirely for friendships and lifestyles of sociable retirees and near-retirees with lively minds. It does no charity fund-raising.

Bearbrass Probus, sponsored by Rotary Central Melbourne, caters for the city's huge growth in male and female retirees living in the CBD, Southbank and Docklands. But you can join from anywhere.

For more information, Contact:

Tony Thomas  - tthomas061@gmail.com and  0407 305 757, or

Robert Renshaw rren2422@bigpond.net.au and 03 9802 1901. facebook.com/tthomas061/  and

website probussouthpacific.org/microsites/melbournebearbrass

* "Bearbrass" was an early suggested name for the settlement that became "Melbourne".