Hello fellow Rotarians,

      Our busy season is upon us and our club activities and fund raising events are in full swing. Next Monday, 21st October, we are having our annual Club Assembly. This can be  worthwhile as members have the chance to express their point of view on the many aspects of the club. Come along and help with future planning on our how we conduct meetings, fundraising, service projects and other topics.
 
On Monday 28th October we have a drinks and finger food "Membership" evening and this is a good chance for us as a club to invite possible new members to join Rotary. I do hope, as President, that we have success with increasing our membership as people bring new and fresh ideas to a club. 

In regard to service projects several members have been working maintence at Pea Soup, Rotary Park and Woodbine Road, many thanks to those involved.  We have filled our roster for Meals on Wheels commencing on the 28th of October. 

There has been discussion about  a new road sign and after contact with Vicroads it was decided to attach a sign"Keeping Port Fairy Tidy'' to the existing sign near the cattle yards. Our new Rotary at Work  A-frame board is proving to be effective on our car raffle selling days. I would also like to thank Wilma Preston for her donation of a painting for a raffle and which funds will be directed to Peters Project. 

Recently the club nominated Mckean Park solictors to review our By-Laws and incorporation.  Extra costs may incur as the clubs by-laws differ slightly. Michael Crowe has agreed to be our Risk Management Officer so thank you Michael for accepting that role. 

In the past weeks we have had several guest speakers. Barbara Haggar spoke of her experiences as a house sitter travelling overseas and Australia minding homes and pets. She spoke of costs to herself doing this and her love of seeing new places. Ken Dusting gave us an insight in surviving in rough seas off Port Campbell during a yacht race from Queenscliff to  Port Fairy. He and his crew were on the yacht Inception which sunk and they were in the water for two and half hours and fearful that they would not survive, but rescue came and they lived to tell the tale.

Also, Sue Adamson from the Port Fairy Yacht Club spoke to us about the program they have organised on October 19th for the opening of their sailing season.People can have  a sail in the bay on one of the club vessels and enjoy a Gourmet barbecue later, with funds going to Peters Project. Rotarians are encouraged to attend the day with family and friends. Movember will also be launched as well that day.

November 2nd is Port Fairy Show Day and again we are manning the gates.  Thank you to Jeff Mclean who is coordinating  with the Show Committee to have the day run smoothly, volunteers are required to fill  the roster. November 3rd is a big day too as we have the opening of the Lighthouse, thank you Adrian Crosier for organising the day, please look to see if any volunteers are required on that day. On November 18th we have our annual Trivia Night which is a lot of fun and will hopefully enjoy the company of other clubs, so get your thinking caps on and a organise a table. 

My focus for this year is Interplast and I have arranged a Open Garden Day in Port Fairy on Saturday December 14th with funds going to that cause. With five possibly six gardens open work with ticketing, afternoon tea, gate keeping, maps will have to be finalised.  I shall be looking for volunteers for that day. 

Finaly, I would like on behalf of our club congratulate Warrnambool Central Rotary on their 25th Anniversary and raising $100,000. 

I hope all our Rotarians are ready for the busy times in the next few months. Cheers..... Hester Woodrup