I am so excited to let you all know that John Kane has agreed to be our President Elect, effective immediately!  Welcome John to our Board, I look forward to working with you!

 

As I will be attending the Rotary International Convention in Calgary Canada, our changeover will be held on Monday 21^st July.  Please put this date in your diary now.

 

On Thursday 20^th February, I attended the District’s President’s meeting at Bankstown Sports Club.  We got the normal updates on Regionalisation, Community Groups and the RYLA and RYPEN programs. 

We are encouraged to think about joining other clubs in supporting and managing projects.  Such as:  Purple Friday - Creating awareness of Domestic Violence and

Lift the Lid Walk - Focusing - on the mental health of youth

Please think about how Burwood could get involved.

 

It was interesting to hear PDG Janice Hall talk about the different ways clubs were looking at increasing membership. Talking about Satellite Clubs and special interest groups.  Perhaps we can look at how we could develop these ideas.

 

The Board has agreed to change the name of the Pride of Workmanship Awards to Vocational Excellence Awards and this year they will be held on Monday 12^th May.  Please think about the people in your workplace or maybe someone you come in contact with regularly.  Speak to their supervisor about the VEA and provide them with a nomination form.  Nominations to be emailed to:  burwoodrotary@gmail.com  by Monday, 28^th April 2025.

 

The Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment (RYPEN) is a weekend camp, for young people who are between 15 and 17 and are in years 9, 10 and 11, where participants develop their potential through a mixture of lecture-style sessions and adventure-based learning.  If you know of a student who may be interested, please talk to Rob, Anna Marie or myself.

 

Our Better World: through People and Rotary, a summit dedicated to sustainability and humanitarianism.  Join Rotarians and friends from D9685 and D9675 at Penrith 22^nd March 2025.  Together, we can cultivate a brighter future for all.  To register go to the Rotary District 9685 website.

 

Coolangatta is the venue for the 2025 Rotary Pacific Zone Conference, taking place from 30 October to 2 November 2025.  We are encouraging all Rotarians and Rotaractors to come together.  All are welcome.  You will be inspired and motivated as we connect and share ideas to grow Rotary and activate the strategic priorities of Rotary International and The Rotary Foundation.  Our 2025 event will be held at the Twin Towns Conference Centre.  There are plenty of things you can do in this famous part of Australia and its hinterland before or after the conference.  -  PDG Ingrid Waugh 2025 Zone Conference Chair.

 

A reminder that our Semi-Annual fees of $210, being for January to June 2025, were due on 31st December.  Electronic payment via bank transfer to the general account is preferred. Please reference with your last name.  The Rotary Club of Burwood.  BSB: 112-879  Account: 111453926

 

 

Please remember to send your apologies to Past President Sergeant Irene if you are unable to attend a club meeting. Email:  cigiardino@gmail.com

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If you have any articles you would like to see in Spoke, please send them to me at denniseh100@gmail.com Spoke is produced the week before each meeting, and the deadline for the Monday issue is 5 pm the Thursday before.

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Have a great weekend.  See you Monday night when we will hear from our NYSF and RYLA attendees.

NYSF – The National Youth Science Forum is a non-profit organisation that runs several residential programs to encourage young people in their passion for science.

RYLA – Rotary Youth Leadership Awards is an intensive leadership experience organised by Rotary clubs and Districts where young people can develop leadership skills while having fun and making connections.