Well, here we are at the end of another Rotary year, and what a tumultuous one it has been. As District Governor my time really kicked off at the International Assembly in San Diego in January 2019. This was where the first of the five most significant events of my Governorship occurred, when then incoming R.I President Mark Daniel Maloney’s unveiled his theme “Rotary Connects the World”.
International Assembly focussed my thinking, which led to the second significant event when I decided to also have a theme as Governor, and I chose “Breaking the Chains”.
The third significant event was the continuing serious drought issue running up Eastern Australia and, in our case, affecting farming families badly in the East Gippsland region of our District.
The fourth significant event was the catastrophic fires late 2019 and running into early 2020. Again, in our Rotary District, East Gippsland bore the brunt of this.
The fifth significant event was the global pandemic COVID-19 or novel coronavirus, which is still infecting record numbers as we near the end of June.
Each of these events has played a very real part in shaping my year as Governor.
Rotary Connects the World
RI President Mark’s theme is in hindsight remarkably prophetic. Connections is what it all is about during the time of COVID-19 and Rotarians throughout the world, and in my view especially in District 9820, have embraced technology to stay connected.
Only two of our 47 Rotary and Rotaract Clubs have not been meeting online.
Breaking the Chains
Like RI President Mark, I must have had some kind of second sight at the time I developed this theme for the District for the year.
I said when I first introduced the theme that 'Breaking the Chains' is about removing obstacles in our mind that prevent progress and adaptability, and that the objective was to recognise our anxieties around change, and allow us to better deal with a rapidly changing environment.
I knew to be successful; we need some kind of disruption to force us into action. COVID-19 has done precisely that and we have seen clubs embracing changes that might have been some years in the future otherwise, were it not for the pandemic. I saw a real need for change, for modernisation, for doing things differently to protect our own future.
One of the things I did different, was to hold cluster meetings in the first half of the year. One of the most important messages I shared during these has unfortunately not been picked up and embraced by clubs, Boards and members. I said, “the most important project you have this year is your own membership”.
While we have had so much success in “Breaking the Chains” the District membership figures remain very disturbing, so I would repeat my message to all for the next year “the most important project you have … is your own membership”.
East Gippsland Drought
Farmers in East Gippsland have been doing it tough for several years. I had heard of the amazing work being done by Bairnsdale and other East Gippsland clubs, so knew we would need to focus relief efforts to that area. That was before the fires! However, we have never lost sight of the drought affected farmers who in many cases are still in drought even though the publicity for that has quietened down a lot.
PDG Janne Speirs along with PP Gillian Reeve and “Mr. Hay” Rex Estoppey and others of course, have been driving support for the drought affected farmers actively throughout this last year. Some unfortunate drought affected farmers were also fire affected, so there has been significant collaboration between the drought and fire relief operations.
I took a position on the distribution committee for a major drought relief fundraising effort through Great Northern Brewing and Bendigo Bank working with Rotary Districts. More than $600,000 is currently being distributed from this through Eastern Australia.
East Gippsland Fires
District 9820 has done some of its finest work responding to the East Gippsland fires of December 2019 and January 2020. Assistant Governor at the time Ann Cross coordinated a meeting on New Years Day 2020 of the 5 East Gippsland Clubs, me and PDG Janne Speirs.
The result of this was the formation of the East Gippsland Rotary Fire Relief Committee.
A call was sent out to our D9820 clubs for funding so work could start. I have never been so proud as when I saw how our clubs responded to that call.
Since then the committee members, Janne and myself have been involved with support to East Gippslanders affected by the fires. EGRFC Chair Pearl Findlay-James along with her committee have been doing a stunning job on our behalf for our East Gippsland residents.
This is an overview of the financials for the EGRFC, which I think is illuminating. In addition to what is here are 3 pending global grants that PDG Janne has been working on for the new Rotary year.
To clarify, Emergency Fund covers personal assistance, firewood, community equipment, fuel cards, machinery, shipping containers and water. Farm & Stock covers fencing assistance, Bulka bags, fencing materials, fodder, freight, lick blocks, and pet food.
These figures don’t put a value on DIK items and warm clothing distributed. With PDG Janne, we have travelled up and down to Mallacoota 3 times now to provide support and assist toward their recovery.
COVID-19 Pandemic
This is without question the largest disrupter to us over the past year and is clearly going to continue in DGE Mark’s year as well. Many of our District projects had to be suspended until COVID-19 has run its course. For details on these, an update was included in the March Issue of Froggie’s ChainMail. This was so frustrating as in many cases much work had already been put in.
Our Conference had to be cancelled which was a huge personal disappointment given the calibre of the presenters and speakers we had put together. I am proud though, that in D9820 we were on the front foot providing advice to our clubs on how to respond to and manage COVID-19. I am proud that we had the courage to make the call cancelling conference. I am proud of the way D9820 clubs have adapted to and adopted Zoom (or other platform) online meetings. Our District Changeover is planned to be a Hybrid – limited to 20 people face to face with all others needing to join over Zoom.
All of us have had to adapt. Almost all of us have done so.
There are many to thank
Many have contributed to the successes of the year. I especially want to recognise Froggie’s ChainMail Editor Sam McCurdy here from the Rotary Club of Berwick. Thank you, Sam, for your patience, for your tolerance of my pernickety proof reading and for being a genuinely great guy to work with. Thank you also for the way you have been able to get the best out of the ClubRunner programme allowing stories to be shared across Newsletter and home page on the website.
Big thank you too to our other retiring members of the District Team for their service to us: District Secretary Jane Moore, District Trainer as well as Constitution, Enactment, Resolutions and By Laws PDG Merv Williams, District Protection Officer PDG Brian Norris, Webmaster David Button, Finance Chair PDG Don Ripper, Assistant Governors Geoff Young (Melbourne South East), Steve Daly (Peninsula), and Peter Dell (Gippsland West), District Rotaract Representatives Chris Nelson and Tom Hill.
Thank you to District team members continuing on with DGE Mark for your service to District and to your clubs, and finally to this year’s club presidents and your club members for always making me feel so welcome and for the inspiring way you have adapted to this most unusual year. We have all truly 'broken the chains'.
Source Data: Victoria Dept. of Health and Human Services
Coronavirus update for Victoria - 23 June 2020
“This is the seventh consecutive day of double-digit case growth in Victoria, with a continuing and concerning number of new cases associated with transmission in households and families” Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton said.
“As a consequence, the Victorian Government has announced a tightening of the rules and has reduced the number of visitors you can have in your home to five. Outside of the home, people can now gather in groups of up to 10 only.
“This move is important to keeping our community safe and to ensure COVID-19 does not get away from us. We do not want Victoria to suffer like many major cities around the world who have been devastated by the severe impacts of COVID-19.
“Don’t take this disease lightly. if you feel unwell with any symptoms of coronavirus, however mild, you should stay home and get tested. If you have any fever, chills, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, and loss of sense of smell or taste - stay home, don’t go in to work and don’t visit friends and family. Get tested and stay at home until you get the result.
“It also remains critical to practice good hygiene in and outside the home – wash your hands regularly, cough and sneeze into a tissue or your elbow and try to avoid touching your face.
“Stay 1.5 metres away from anyone you don’t live with and avoid crowds, especially indoors. If you can keep working from home – you must keep working from home.
“By practicing these common-sense behaviours we can help keep ourselves, our families and communities safe.”
Submitted by PDG Tim Moore (District Trainer Elect)
District Assembly & Avenues of Service Part I held Sunday 21 June was highly successful and very well presented online using the zoom format. More than 120 Rotarians participated.
All members, especially Club board and committee chairs are encouraged to attend the second part of our District Assembly and preparation for year ahead.
There is a clear and undeniable trend and we haven’t hit 1st July yet.
Until clubs treat membership as their most important project this trend will continue. Please take it seriously because this is about your club’s future viability and capability. We all have to take accountability.
Extracted from the Rotary100DownUnder web site and Facebook postings.
Save the date Friday 10th July 2020!
We invite you to join Rotarians across Australia on 10th July for virtual fellowship, as well as meet our R100 Centenary Ambassadors, the Governor General and Mrs Hurley, as they launch our national centenary campaign. By joining us, you will witness the “Passing the Baton” ceremony. The baton that will carry the symbols of our centenary and will travel far and wide across Rotary clubs and Districts.
CELEBRATE OUR HISTORY, EMBRACE OUR FUTURE.
Our R100 ribbons represent the Rotary road we travel, our runners tell the story of diversity and inclusion, our baton is filled with the energy of Rotarians around our countries lighting up our communities with service above self.
Mark Daniel Maloney
Rotary International President 2019-2020
Linda Humphries -
wife of 2020-2021 DG Mark Humpries
The R100 Baton Relay is an event across Australia & New Zealand to celebrate 100 years of Rotary working in our communities. R100 Baton Relay will run throughout Australia, State by State, District by District, Club by Club.
Our vision is to have every club to participate and involve their communities, to bring local colour and culture, to own their celebration of 100 years of Rotary service with the R100 Baton Imagine Rotarians, local personalities, Councillors, community leaders, community groups, and everyday people around Australia & New Zealand carrying the baton of service, and passing it forward
ARE YOU READY TO RUN WITH THE R100 BATON?
One of our main causes here at Rotary is Feeding Children, an issue that touches many lives. We spend a significant portion of our resources on tackling this problem. See how you can help by reading more or contacting one of our representatives.
HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?
Energise your club to create a a celebration of 100 years of Rotary service by planning an event Dinner, Fund Raiser, Walk through town, or maybe a Fun Run.
Involve your community in your planning, invite members of the public to be part of the committee, engage community groups and businesses to partner with you.
Be proud, be bold, be involved, get your local media involved. Be a true Rotarian and pass the baton of service forward
We have all been extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Sir Clem Renouf. He was a hero to so many of us.
In 1978/79, after a distinguished career in both business and Rotary, Clem Renouf became the second Australian President of Rotary International.
While he described himself as an “ordinary man”, the impact he had on our world was quite extraordinary. One thing for which he will be longest remembered is the pivotal role he played in initiating Rotary’s fight against polio.
Source: Rotary Club of Berwick 'Spoke n Words' 17/08/20
Congratulations to the Rotary Club of Berwick and the Rotary Club of Emerald who are the proud sponsors of the St. Margaret’s and Berwick Grammar Interact Club.
Unfortunately, Rotary rules prevented Emerald from being included “officially” as a co-sponsor as they are from another District (9810). Promotional items are expected to have the wording: “Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Berwick, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Emerald”, however, the Charter shows the Rotary Club of Berwick as the sponsoring Club.
On 9 June 2020, the Rotary Club of Bairnsdale club had it's hybrid changeover, a mixture of members present at their venue, the Bairnsdale Club, combined with Zoom attendees and videos from other non-attending members. Those present enjoyed the more intimate atmosphere in the actual room, but the Zoom attendees got a good coverage of the event.
Although there were a few hiccups before and during the meeting, it did not detract from the enjoyment of the occasion. New President Martin did a fantastic job of using several different devices, including WiFi on his phone, with Gillian operating and controlling (to a certain extent) from Queensland.
The club gave an enthusiastic welcome to new President Martin van Elst, who promised to lead the club forward during 2020-2021 encouraging a more youthful look and to continue on with the Club's many community projects. He introduced his board, who are all geared up to get the new year started.
Martin is the son of PP Gillian and this is the first time in the nearly 82 years of our club that a member has become President while a parent, who has also been a President of the club, is still an active member. We were trying to see if he was the youngest, but its a bit hard to get back 82 years. However, here is a good chance that he is.
Gillian gave a short speech saying how proud she was of Martin taking up this very important role. The whole club is looking forward to what the following 12-months have in store.
Whether it’s a club meeting, awards ceremony, or new member induction, you can still connect with and recognize your members even when meeting in person isn’t possible.
Watch our recent webinar, Connect With the (Online) Rotary World, and learn how to set up online meetings, use social media to engage with members, and maintain fun traditions virtually. We asked for questions before the session and compiled a list of the ones asked most often, along with resources. You can download the FAQ from the Learning Centre. (Signing into My Rotary is required.) Or search for the webinar title.
If you’re planning a virtual induction ceremony, have the new member induction video from RI President Mark Daniel Maloney ready to show. Look at the Meeting Online topic in the Learning Centre for more ideas on how to connect virtually.
If you enjoyed the Webinar (https://youtu.be/h-Voa94zLDA), or even missed it, “Black Snake – The Real Story of Ned Kelly” is a great read and provides a thoroughly researched and balanced account of the lives of two Australians of Irish descent, Michael Kennedy and Ned Kelly and the path leading to their fatal convergence.
Author Leo Kennedy is the great-grandson of Sergeant Michael Kennedy, one of the three police officers killed at Stringybark Creek by the Kelly Gang. Leo was to be one of our keynote speakers at this year’s District Conference.
Anyone wishing to purchase the book can do so at one of these links:
After close to 15 years of effort Darryl Chambers of the Somerville-Tyabb club has just completed a record of exchange students by District clubs. This has been a major research project by Darryl that I am sure will fill in gaps in the records of many clubs, as it has for our District archives.
We have accepted Darryl’s kind offer to share this with our clubs, so Secretary Jane Moore will circulate to club Presidents, Presidents Elect and secretaries.
It has become clear during the COVID-19 pandemic that looking after our health – particularly our mental health – is more important than ever.
With social distancing rules in place, many of our supporters across Australia who would normally raise thousands of dollars towards mental health research, have been forced to postpone and cancel their fundraising events.
We can see that this virus is affecting our mental health tremendously. Therefore, continuing to support mental health research to learn how to best support our communities when unexpected events like these occur, is crucial.
We ask that you please consider donating to mental health research today to help Australian Rotary Health #Liftthelidonmentalillness in these uncertain times and ultimately improve the health and wellbeing of all Australians.
We have set a target to raise $200,000. Any dollars towards this will be greatly appreciated.
Registration for the 2021 Rotary International Convention in Taipei opens on 20 June 2020.
Hear from renowned speakers including philanthropists, world leaders, celebrities, and local heroes during memorable sessions. Learn about issues that affect communities globally and be motivated by the work being done to improve lives.
To register online you will need an active My Rotary account. Here is a handy guide on how to register.
Want to make friends around the world, explore a hobby or profession, and enhance your Rotary experience? Join a Rotary Fellowship! Rotary Fellowships are international groups of Rotary members, their family members, program participants, alumni, and even non-members who share a common passion.
From bowlers to jazz fans, scuba divers to history enthusiasts, photographers to lawyers, there’s a Rotary Fellowship for everyone. Currently, about 91 fellowships unite members in fun and friendship.
You can also find inspirational stories from various fellowships on the Rotary Service in Action blog. Subscribe to the blog to follow along. And read the Rotary Fellowships Annual Report to learn even more about these groups.
Well, here we are at the end of another Rotary year, and what a tumultuous one it has been. As District Governor my time really kicked off at the International Assembly in San Diego in January 2019. This was where the first of the five most significant events of my Governorship occurred, when then incoming R.I President Mark Daniel Maloney’s unveiled his theme “Rotary Connects the World”. 
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This is without question the largest disrupter to us over the past year and is clearly going to continue in DGE Mark’s year as well. Many of our District projects had to be suspended until COVID-19 has run its course. For details on these, an update was included in the March Issue of Froggie’s ChainMail. This was so frustrating as in many cases much work had already been put in. 
Big thank you too to our other retiring members of the District Team for their service to us: District Secretary Jane Moore, District Trainer as well as Constitution, Enactment, Resolutions and By Laws PDG Merv Williams, District Protection Officer PDG Brian Norris, Webmaster David Button, Finance Chair PDG Don Ripper, Assistant Governors Geoff Young (Melbourne South East), Steve Daly (Peninsula), and Peter Dell (Gippsland West), District Rotaract Representatives Chris Nelson and Tom Hill.
“This is the seventh consecutive day of double-digit case growth in Victoria, with a continuing and concerning number of new cases associated with transmission in households and families” Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton said.
Whether it’s a club meeting, awards ceremony, or new member induction, you can still connect with and recognize your members even when meeting in person isn’t possible. 
If you enjoyed the Webinar (
After close to 15 years of effort Darryl Chambers of the Somerville-Tyabb club has just completed a record of exchange students by District clubs. This has been a major research project by Darryl that I am sure will fill in gaps in the records of many clubs, as it has for our District archives.
Want to make friends around the world, explore a hobby or profession, and enhance your Rotary experience? Join a Rotary Fellowship! Rotary Fellowships are international groups of Rotary members, their family members, program participants, alumni, and even non-members who share a common passion.
