Welcome to this fortnight’s newsletter. Hard to believe that we are already one and a half months into 2023. As discussed at our club meeting on Friday 3 February 2023, there are several activities coming up in the next few months including the North Ryde eFun Run 2023, IT Tour for Country Students, Youth projects, Pride of Workmanship, and others. It is going to be a busy second half of the Rotary year.
At our club meeting on Friday, 10 February we heard from Brian Bailey who spoke about Rotary Action Groups, and in particular WASH – Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Rotary Action Group. It was an informative segment of our meeting and we plan to have such talks from time to time for all of us to learn more about Rotary.
The Bunnings BBQ fundraiser on 11 February went well. Thank you to everyone who helped on the day. It was a very warm day as evidenced by more than usual sales of drinks. The occasional breeze was really welcome, particularly for those near the BBQ. It was great to meet up with Mike Hetherington, past member and a longtime friend of our club, who helped us on the day. It was also wonderful to make acquaintance with Navneet Kaur who is exploring joining Rotary and gave up her morning to help us. It was a successful fundraiser and with Garry’s awesome overall co-ordination, we seem to have nailed the running of this event perfectly!
It is great to hear that the Rotary Youth Exchange program has started again after the COVID pandemic resulted in the program being put on hold for nearly 3 years. Already 3 students have left for Brazil and 4 have arrived here from Brazil. Our club has supported the Exchange students over a number of years and will be doing so again. We are on the lookout for families who can host exchange students for 3 months at a time.
Earlier in January, RYLA 2023 was held as an in-person program, and it was a huge success thanks to the wonderful facilitators who do such a splendid job. Our club sponsored Bernadette Sear who works at Bunnings Gladesville to go on this program. We are looking forward to her talk about her experience at our upcoming club assembly at Dunmore Lang College.
Still on Youth, the dates for Northern MUNA (Model United Nations Assembly) have been announced as 20-21 May and it will be held at Arden Anglican in Epping. We are looking to sponsor a high school team to attend this wonderful learning event.
On 21 February, a committee of members will meet to further discuss North Ryde eFun Run which is planned to be held from Sunday 30 April to 7 May. Pam Wood and Bernie Mason are taking a lead role in getting us organized for this project and I thank them for all the work done uptil now.
On Wednesday 22 February, we will be holding the first multi-club meeting of the Riverside Rotary clubs – North Ryde, Macquarie Park, Ryde, Hunters Hill and Eastwood-Gladesville. Bernadette Horrell (President, Rotary Club of Ryde) has been instrumental in coordinating this event and we are expecting more than 50 members and partners/friends to attend. The meeting will be held at North Ryde RSL with a 6pm start for 6:30pm. I am looking forward to what promises to be a great start to better connection among the clubs and an opportunity to become involved in something greater than just our own clubs.
Carols 2022 debrief meeting is planned for Thursday 23 February at North Ryde RSL Sports Club. Members of the organizing committee from both our club and Rotary Club of Macquarie Park will be there. All club members are welcome to attend this meeting.
I thank everyone in the Club for their commitment, energy and contribution towards making a difference.
