First and foremost we were delighted to hear from Club Director for International Service, Steve Genoni that our outbound exchange student Emily Fisher is home safe and sound. This is earlier than planned but deemed essential given the ongoing issue of COVID-19 in Belgium. After a small hiccough at the airport Emily was allowed to go home to self isolate and has since returned a negative from her first test for the "bug". She told Steve that she is counting the days until she can "go out and hug my family and dogs and see my friends again" and thanked us all for the support she received throughout. We can't wait to have Emily at the Club for a first hand (and no doubt first rate) account of her Belgium adventure.
At its most recent meeting the Club Board agreed to implement a number fund raising ideas. These include participating in the State Government's "Containers For Change" recycling scheme; theLa Vigna Wine TastingNight combined with year round sales; a Melbourne Cup Night combined with Australian Rotary Health's "Hat Day"; a Quiz Night; Sausage Sizzlesat a Bunnings store; and an Artisan "WA Made" Fair. Stuart Diggins and Steve Genoni will be organising the sausage sizzles š and Kevin Baruffi has organised the La Vigna Wine Tasting Night šøon Monday 26 October 2020; the Melbourne Cup night šon Monday 2 November 2020 (both Partners evenings); and āContainers for Changeā. I thank all three for their willingness to take on these activities and encourage everyone to support them to the maximum possible extent.
Our guest speaker on Monday night was Don Gordon on the lessons he had to learn from starting out as a technocratic mining graduate to becoming a leader: most importantly that earning peopleās trust is absolutely foundational to a leaderās success and unlocks their ability to show care, with all the benefits that brings. Don has held numerous senior roles, has been a thought leader in several industries and lived in five countries. In 1993 the University of Melbourne awarded him a Master of Engineering degree for significant innovation. He is a Fellow of the AusIMM and of AIMWA and the author of "From Technocrat to Leader" which expands upon the central theme of the importance of trust.
To view Don's presentationClick here and to view more details about his book Click here.
Our Guest Speaker next Monday 19 October 2020 is Dr Barry Mendalwitz on Antinicrobial Resistance.
For our Club Jokers' Jokes delivered in style by Stuart Diggins and Greg VinesClick here.
It was Mary Henderson's turn toast and she chose the Rotary Club of Palm Springs in Rotary International District 5330, California USA. The Club was Chartered on 4 March 1941 and its thirty three (33) members are led by President John Fritch. They usually meet at the Hilton Hotel at the corner of Tahquitz Canyon Way and N. Calle Encilia, Palm Springs on Wednesdays at 12:00 noon. However they are currently meeting via Zoom as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19. That hasn't however held them back from doing Good Works which include doing two (2) The Rotary Foundation (TRF) Global Grants in India. One is a water project in the public schools. The other grant is for a Rehabilitation Center for the Blind. The club has just contributed $500.00 to the Meals on Wheels Program for Mizell Center and $500.00 to the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission. In addition the Club Foundation has awarded grants and scholarships to the Palm Springs Concert Association, Mizell Center Nutritional Program, Angel View and Boo2Bully; and to eight (8) students from Palm Springs High School.
