After an enforced "layoff" due to Covid restrictions, the Rotary Club of Port Fairy is pleased to announce the return of its popular "Open Gardens" event to be held on Sunday, 30th October 2022 between 10am and 4pm.
The Rotary Club of Port Fairy was pleased to induct its newest member, Jed Macartney, to the Club at its members meeting on 1st August 2022.
In trying conditions the weed team, Port Fairy Rotarians Bill Moore and Michael Crowe, set to work weeding the Barclay Street garden beds. Two big bags of weeds later the job was done.
With the blessing of the Moyne Shire Port Fairy Rotary has volunteered to keep the weeds at bay at this prominent site. These garden beds were established by the Shire as part of the recent upgrade of the church end of Barclay Street.
The Rotary Club of Port Fairy was keen to promote a battery disposal facility in Port Fairy and, as part of its research, we discovered that a company called EcoBatt, were already in the process of installing disposal centres in various IGAs and Home Hardware shops in south west Victoria.The Rotary Club is therefore pleased that our town's first recycling box has now been installed in Brookes Hardware store in Sackville Street.
The Rotary Club of Port Fairy held its annual Changeover Dinner on Monday 20th June 2022 at the Star of the West Hotel.
This was a very successful and enjoyable night culminating in the induction of new President, Graeme Cox for Rotary year 2022-23.
There are an estimated 2.3 million, or 42% of Victorians over 15 years of age who volunteer in Victoria. However the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted volunteering in Victoria, cutting the participation rate in half. Fortunately the Rotary Club of Port Fairy has been able to maintain its numbers over the COVID period. The Club's Annual Report released this month revealed the membership holding up at 22.
The Club's most recent recruit is Annie Ridgway. Annie is a Port Fairy resident and works in the field of human resources.
Annie Ridgway with Graeme Cox and Bill Moore
It was a big weekend for a small town when the Rotary District 9780 Conference 2022 was held in Port Fairy on 18-20 March. Over a hundred delegates attended with more following the Conference proceedings on line.
District Governor John Clue said that the Conference was a great event and he had received complimentary feedback from Rotarians across the District for the way it was run, the quality of the speakers, the Conference Dinner and the Welcome function. Several visiting Rotarians said it was a memorable and motivating conference that reinforced the Conference theme of Resilience, Renewal and Regeneration
In recognition of the Centenary of Rotary in Australia and the Port Fairy Rotary Club's 60th anniversary, a new drinking fountain has been installed in Rotary Park (Charles Mills Reserve) on the eastern bank of the Moyne River. The Club appreciates Moyne Shire Council's support on this project. Later this year the Council will construct a new path along the river bank, adjacent to the fountain.
Rotarian Tony Bawden was the driving force behind the drinking fountain project, with Milee Cox contributing the artwork for the fountain signage.
Port Fairy's night market is a highlight of the annual build up to Christmas. Rotary set up shop and held a one-night raffle, the prize being a hamper of Christmas goodies. The winner was local Renee Brown who was thrilled to take home the big basket. President Jill Gleeson presented Renee with her prize at the end of the night's trading.
Rotary's Summer raffle was part of the action at Port Fairy's Saturday markets over January. With three prizes up for grabs the Club sold nearly 500 tickets, making the raffle a very successful effort. The winners were:
- 1st Prize: Wilma Preston Painting valued at $150: Anita Chivell of Cobden
- 2nd Prize: $100 gift voucher from Bennings Boutique: Glenys Murray of Port Fairy
- 3rd Prize: $50 gift voucher from Baleka Homewares: Donna of Croydon Hills
Thanks to these donors for supporting Rotary's fund raising.
Wilma Preston with Harry Bracegirdle
The Rotary Club of Port Fairy recently undertook a cleanup of the back yard of the Port Fairy Sea Scout's hall in Bank Street. The first job was to remove the old ute that has been parked in the yard for a number of years. On 5 December the team of Adrian, Graeme, Milee, Jill, Peter, Bill, Reg and Michael moved in with brush cutters to tackle the long grass and remove some large items of rubbish. The job was finished off the following week with the removal of some rocks and other small items so that the grass can be safely mowed in future.
Port Fairy Rotary's contribution to the renewal of Battery Hill continued with tree planting at the historic site. This effort was part of a long-term project to return native vegetation, improve public access and restore the historic elements, co-ordinated by the Shire and local historian Marten Syme. Rotary is one of several community groups that have provided volunteer effort to the project over a number of years.
On a recent Sunday morning with rain and storms threatening Rotarians and Friends got down to the job of planting trees and shrubs. The work was done in small groups in order to comply with current COVID 19 regulations.
On 10 July local Rotarian John Clue was inducted as Governor of Rotary District 9780 for 2021/22. The event was held in Port Fairy and was attended by 100 Rotarians and friends from across the District, which stretches across western Victoria and into eastern South Australia. This is a high honour for John and the first time that the Rotary Club of Port Fairy has provided the District Governor. In accepting the office, John said that he and his wife Heather are excited to now start the District Governor’s journey over the coming year and look forward to meeting with clubs in person over the coming months.
John Clue
Jill Gleeson has stepped up to be the President of the Rotary Club of Port Fairy for 2021/22. This is Jill's second term as President since joining the Club in 2007. Jill was inducted by 9780 District Governor Phil Beasley at a well-attended Changeover dinner held in Port Fairy on 21 June. She takes over from outgoing President Tony Bawden who skilfully steered the Club through the difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020/21.
Jill Gleeson and Tony Bawden
Winter Weekends in Port Fairy celebrate the cold season with a variety of events and attractions. The Friends of Port Fairy recently joined the action with a High Tea trivia quiz afternoon. Held in the yacht club rooms, it attracted over 40 masterminds keen to test their knowledge of a range of question categories. The half-time highlight was a sumptuous high tea served by the Friends kitchen crew.
At the end of the day the 'P' team took off first prize of a half dozen bottles of wine, narrowly ahead of the second and third prize-winning teams.
The afternoon was a successful fundraiser for Rotary's various worthy causes. Thanks to all who came along and to the Friends and Members who worked hard to put on the event both on the day and in the weeks leading up to the weekend.
On 24 May 2021 Rotarians and local dignitaries gathered for a gala dinner to celebrate the Centenary of Rotary in Australia and to mark the 60th anniversary of Rotary in Port Fairy. The event took place in the Drill Hall, the venue of the Charter meeting of the Club on 25 March 1961. This year also marks 100 years of Rotary service in Australia.
In proposing a toast to Rotary, the Mayor of Moyne Shire, Daniel Meade, acknowledged the outstanding service provided by Port Fairy Rotary to the town and the district over the last 60 years. Other highlights of the night included a presentation on the history of the Club by Harry Bracegirdle, and addresses by District 9780 District Governor Elect (and Port Fairy Rotary member) John Clue, and Club President Tony Bawden.
Tony Bawden
Port Fairy Rotary assisted adventurer Lindsay Warner when he dropped into town recently during his circumnavigation of Australia on a jetski. Lindsay is undertaking this trip to raise awareness and funds for mens's health. Starting in Esperance WA, he was about a quarter of the way through his 16,000 km journey.
During his brief stopover Rotary helped Lindsay with refuelling his small craft, while Port Fairy Marine Rescue provided help with accommodation and drying facilities.
Lindsay Warner
on board
In January 2020 Destiny Kelly departed Australia for Switzerland, excited to be Port Fairy Rotary's Youth Exchange participant for that year. However as we all know in 2020 normality was turned on its head and Destiny's year away was not what she expected. Understandably COVID restricted many of the usual educational and social activities Destiny would have normally undertaken.
Destiny addressed the Club last week and spoke about her unusual year in Switzerland, illustrating how she made the most of the altered circumstances.
Destiny also expressed appreciation to the Club and especially Sue Robertson for her assistance over the year.
Destiny and Sue Robertson
Port Fairy Rotary's 2021 golf day was once again a great success. Held on the renowned Port Fairy golf links, 184 players hit off in perfect conditions in a Stableford competition. The players also enjoyed a BBQ put on by Rotary volunteers, and the opportunity to win the raffle. Prizes were generously donated by local businesses for grade winners, longest drive and nearest the pin.
All funds raised will be put towards the installation of a Town Clock in Port Fairy to mark the Centenary of Rotary in Australia.
Rotarians on BBQ duty
On 21 April 1921 the first two Rotary Clubs in Australia, in Melbourne and Sydney, were established. Along with 1100 other clubs in Australia the Rotary Club of Port Fairy celebrated this significant milestone with a special dinner meeting on 21 April 2021. Highlights of the night were a Zoom linkup with over 30 clubs in our District 9780 and a birthday cake compliments of Rotarian Jill Gleeson. Port Fairy member and incoming District Governor, John Clue, addressed the virtually assembled clubs on the significant of the achievement of 100 years of service by Rotary in Australia.
Margaret Broers and John Ellard cut the cake
Port Fairy, VIC 3284
Australia