At Today’s Meeting our Guest Speaker was Roger Williams. Roger is on the Board Of Mary’s House Women’s Refuge. Crows Nest Rotary Club has just completed a project/ District Grant with Mary’s House and Roger gave us an update on the outcome and the future plans for the Refuge.
Last Wednesday evening Angelo and I attended the Tree Of Joy Thank You Dinner at Roseville Memorial Club. The Tree of Joy 2018 was again an outstanding success and we heard from various organisations who expressed their thanks on behalf of their clients. One client commented “ This is the first time someone has bothered to give me a Christmas gift, Thank You.”
I wish to again Thank you, our Members for all the time and effort you gave to make Tree of Joy a resounding success.
On the 25th of February our Guest Speaker will be AG Ward Pollard . Ward will discuss and answer any questions on the possible District Merger. Please come and be part of this discussion. Hope to see you next Monday.
Next Meeting Monday 18th February 2019 - Club Forum.
Future Meeting Monday - 25th of February 2019
On the 25th of February our Guest Speaker will be Assistant Governor Ward Pollard. Ward will discuss and answer any questions on the possible District Merger of 9685 and 9675. Please come and be part of this discussion. See the article attached from the Rotary International President, below.
Last Monday's Meeting, the 11th of February.
Our Guest Speaker last Monday was Roger Williams, a Director of Mary's House.
For several years, Roger was the Co-Chair of Our Lady of the Way North Sydney Parish Council. He is a director of the St John’s College Foundation, University of Sydney.
He also works as a volunteer in the Outreach Programme of the Matthew Talbot Hostel, Wooloomooloo.
Roger advised that this Community Project, ‘Womens Refuge’ opened doors in 2016.
It receives no Government funding. All funding comes from private donors and Rotary Clubs and Service Clubs and donations. Existence of Mary’s House, has an obligation each year of over $500,000.
Last year Mary’s House was pleased to receive the new beds donated by the Rotary Club of Crows Nest.
The house can, at a push, can accommodate 15 women. All Races and Creds can apply, but there is a strict assessment procedure, which takes 24 to 48 hours and is undertaken by volunteers who are qualified experts in this field. If accepted, women can only stay a maximum of 3 months, to allow others to be assisted at their crucial time.
Surprisingly, for the North Shore of Sydney, the demand always exceeds supply and Mary’s House remains the only significant Womens Refuge on the North Shore.
Currently the main project of Mary’s House is ‘assisted social housing’ for Women who leave Mary’s House. Mary’s House continues to assist women who have left, but there is a lack of available housing! Negotiations are continuing with Government, in partnership with Vinnies and other organisations, to resolve this housing problem.
Roger finished his presentation by saying there would be no Mary’s House Womens Refuge, without Clubs like the Rotary Club of Crows Nest and he and the Board were very grateful.
The International Toast was presented by Celia, and introduced the Rotary Club of Napier in New Zealand which was chartered on 11 June 1924 and is the oldest Rotary Club in Napier, New Zealand. The Club still plays an active part in supporting the local and international community. They meet every Monday at noon at Hawke's Bay Club.
Reminders
Sunday, February the 17th 2019, Seminar run by Gina Growden, Promoting Rotary's Public Image.The seminar will be very interactive and participants will have the opportunity to explore the Brand Centre on rotary.org as well as design personalised logos, create People of Action advertisements, and write press releases, as well as share experiences of successful Public Image campaigns.The seminar is open to all Public Image Directors - and anyone else from your club who would benefit from learning more about promoting Rotary's Public Image. The seminar is free, but registration is essential. (Register at gina.growden@bigpond.com ).
Friday,the 1st of March-Sienna's (Neuroblastoma) Gala Dinner, of which our Club is a major sponsor
Club Directors Meeting at the Church Hall, the 7th of March, at 6pm
Friday 29th - 31st March 2019 - District Conference in Newcastle. Members asked to consider.
Tuesday 29th April 2019 - our Club’s 50th Birthday Celebrations!! Currently in discussions with the Kirribilli Club as to location for the event.
Once again the Rotary Club of Chatswood Sunrise is running a Trivia Night at the Dougherty Centre, Victor Street, Chatswood on Saturday 2nd March 2019. If you missed the last Trivia Night, don't miss this one as they are a great night of Entertainment!! See attached Flyer:
The Rotary International President has introduced the possibility that our District 9685 would merger with District 9675, due to falling membership. Read his full report attached:
Our Guest Speaker last Monday was Roger Williams, a Director of Mary's House.