District Govenor Charlie Speirs 2014-15
Newsletters
A year in the life of a District Govenor


![]() From DG Charlie
Well, Rotarians, another busy month has passed by, effectively started by our Shepparton Conference which by all reports went really well with many special mentions regarding speakers and the Saturday evening function. Janne and I certainly had a ball and the RIPPR, PDG Edward Burongoh enjoyed the fellowship and warm welcome accorded to him and his son Edgar. Special thanks to IPDG Tim Moore and Jane for looking after them so well. From there and Easter it was straight into the RYLA weekend camp at Somers, with 17 young adults keen to develop their leadership skills in a variety of ways with speakers and great activities – going for a swim in the “icy” waters off Somers wasn’t scheduled but the foolhardy ones thoroughly enjoyed it! I would like to thank all the Clubs who supported a candidate either through direct nomination or through financial support. Rotaractors and young people from outside the “Rotary” family all had a ball and learnt a lot. It was great to see the candidates move from being strangers on the Friday night to a close-knit, supportive and encouraging group of team players by Sunday. Following on from this we had District PETS and Assembly which again had good reports although less present than expected. |





Every Rotarian is a source of knowledge in relation to his or her occupation and brings that expertise and interest to Club discussions and as guest speakers. The professional expertise of a Club’s members should be used to ensure the professional running of a Club.
From DG Charlie
What a wonderful organisation we belong to and have the privilege to serve. Every Club visit just reinforces the diversity of Rotary in our demographic, our service areas and the way we Light Up Rotary in our respective communities. I am nearly halfway through the Club visits and enjoying the hospitality and the constant engagement with old and new friends that we are making as we cross the District. People come to Rotary to make a difference and that is the uniting bond that we share. Thank you to all who have gone out of their way to make us welcome, show us their areas of service and added the dimension of a new café, tourist attraction or community perspective to our Club Visits.
Today, as I was sitting taking in the dominance of the Cape Schanck Lighthouse on the Mornington Peninsula, I was reminded that this structure was built to provide a Beacon of LIGHT so that it provided safe passage through the adjoining waters for travellers in the past. However it also had to be built strongly enough to withstand the storms battering the Coastline and stand the test of time to serve the community that passed by. What a great analogy for our organisation - we exist to serve, we serve to provide a passage through life that enhances our community and we serve people we know and sometimes, just like the lighthouse, we serve people that pass us by. However, whether we know them or not, because of our service we have added a new dimension to their life and journey (a Polio vaccine, a toilet block, a park bench, a community garden, or simply a helping hand) that makes their trip a safer and more rewarding journey. So Rotarians, it is imperative that as we look at Membership month we build Rotary Clubs that are strong, enduring and continue to provide light to make the travellers in our community safer in the future.
One of the challenges for a District Governor is to be able to get around the District and to join the Conversation about Rotary goals, challenges and activity and to assist in making a difference. I am looking forward to the DG Club visits and catching up very soon with those Clubs I missed during Club Changeovers.