It's honour and privilege to be elected as president for the 2020-2021 year and I look forward to being part of such a dedicated team of community minded people working together to make a difference. It's remarkable gratifying to do something beyond yourself and may we encourage others to do that and join our club.
I would like to wholeheartedly than our immediate Past-President, Shane Burette, for more than ably leading the club for the past two years. Thank you for your foresight, dedication and comaraderie. I hope to enjoy my time as president as much as Shane appeared to. Thank you to everyone who attended our on-line virtual changeover on 4 July. It was nice to see all joining in our pyjama dress code!
Like everyone else, the Rotary Club of Wetherill Park has had to do things differently with the Coronavirus pandemic lock down. Many events have had to be postponed or cancelled, but we have enjoyed continuing with meetings on line. It's been great to be able to have some of our long standing members who were unable to make recent breakfast meetings join us online in the evenings. But this month breakfast face-to-face meetings resumed. I encourage all that can make it to come along.
Thank you to those who joined us for this year's Changeover and just for something different (pandemic induced) it was virtual! Congratulations to the new President, Brigette Pecora and new board for their election
Since we were all Zooming from home,we took the opportunity to celebrate in theme and wore our best pyjamas. Many also brought their own pizza and enjoying our favourite wine drop was wholeheartedly encouraged!
Our club has awarded a scholarship to 21-year-old Emma Kneipp to support her in her Bachelor of Nursing degree. It's wonderful to see young people wanting to get into the health area and support the community with an essential service. COVID 19 has put in sharp focus how much we rely on our health practitioners.
Emma is in her final year of study for a Bachelor of Nursing degree at Newcastle University and is set for a job interview later this month.
Emma said: "I would like to thank Rotary for the ongoing support and opportunity I have been provided. Your generosity has helped me to get through the first half of the very difficult year (because of COVID 19)."
Our annual Golf Day has had to be cancelled due to COVID 19.
Usually held in May, we tried to defer the date to 16 October, but unfortunately have been advised that it may not be able to be held. Due to the forward planning that needs to be undertaken we have decided to cancel the event this year. The day has been held every year since 2007 raising much needed funds for Autism Spectrum Wetherill Park (80%) and other local Rotary projects (20%).
If you would like to donate anyway, we will ensure 80% of your donation goes to Autism Spectrum. Send an email to secretary@wetherillparkrotary.com.au for bank account details and to receive a receipt.
You may have seen the new Rotary International theme and logo for this year, 'Rotary Opens Opportunities'.
The theme asks Rotarians to think about and create opportunities that strengthen leadership in our community, help put service ideas into action, and importantly improve the lives of those in need. These are things Rotary always tries to do, but a new theme and year is a good time to refocus those efforts and help us achieve them.
Our club is currently looking into undertaking a project to upgrade Braeside Hospital's viewing room to make for a more pleasant experience for patients and visitors.
Soon we will apply for a Rotary District grant to fund 50% of the $10,000 project.
Upgrades will include painting of the walls, new furniture (lounges, chairs, lamps and coffee tables), wall prints, roller blinds, curtains, coffee machine, cutlery and pot plants.
The Rotary Club of Wetherill Park as partnered with the Darlings (Rotary Club of Darling Harbour) to help fund water tanks for Thai schools and orphanages in need of clean drinking water.
The Darlings are working with Bangkok Rotary to identify recipients. Recently they completed a water project for a school in the Chang Mai area. Our club donated $1000.
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