25 June, 2022

     Greetings fellow members,

Everything has come together for the Changeover Lunch, the venue, the menu and the costing. If you have not already done so, Tom Hickey is awaiting your RSVP please.  Our thanks go to the Katoomba RSL for organising this event.    

 

Our Board meeting was held via Zoom on Tuesday 21 June.  Ian, once again, stepped in as minutes’ secretary, for which I was indeed very grateful.

 

It was reported that the individual donations received to support Sakriya Lama and Manish Lama were $650, a shortfall of $350 of the requested $1000.  The Board graciously agreed to contribute this amount from our Club’s Charities Account.  It was also agreed that the annual stipend payed for the girls whom we directly support at the Astha Home should be made in two equal payments, one each at the beginnings of the financial year and the calendar year.

 

The small committee looking at “Catering Matters” have identified that we frequently have difficulty in filling roster spots, particularly for the morning set up and afternoon take down.  The committee will look to identify some groups of younger (and fitter) people to help with these tasks.  Another potential area of concern is the availability of tow vehicles.  This matter needs to be discussed by all members at a dinner meeting in August.

 

On Thursday 23^rd, June,   Ric, Lucian, Liz Romalis and I had a 2pm meeting at the Katoomba RSL club in relation to the launching the Dementia Café.  We now have 10 certified volunteers. The name will be Rotary Blue Mountains DCafe (we are now officially the seventh club!). It will be launched on 19^th July 2022 from 11:00-12:00. Once again, Katoomba RSL has come to play with us; they will provide the venue (free of charge), tea, coffee and biscuits.

 

We need to get the message out there that this service is available for dementia patients and their carers here in the Upper Blue Mountains.  We have decided that initially the Cafe will operate on a fortnightly basis.  

 

If anyone wishes to be a volunteer at the Dementia Cafe please let me know. In order to be become a certified volunteer (which is mandatory) simply go to the Dementia Friendly website, https://dementiafriendly.org.au.  It is a simple thing to go through and the certificate will be sent to you.  There is finally a light at the end of the long tunnel; I am so very excited.

 

Friday was also an exciting day.  First the munchkins at Lawson Breakfast Club were a joy to behold.  Another great morning with all the food and drink disappearing.  Then at noon Upper Blue Sunrise Club held their Changeover event at ‘BLAQ’ in Blackheath.  It was a really lovely venue and filled with lots of very noisy happy Rotarians.  What a memorable day!  Well done Bill Pixton.

 

At our next Wednesday meeting, 29^th June, we will have a very interesting lady, Sonda, from ‘Belong’ as our guest speaker. She will also tell us about ‘Zonta’.  So come along, have a lovely meal, something nice to drink and catch up with fellow club members.  I am looking forward to a busy changeover celebratory week; Blackheath’s on the 30^th June, the District changeover on the 2^nd July followed by our Club’s event on the 3^rd July at 12:00 at Katoomba RSL Club.

 

I have encouraged all our Board members to attend the Rotary International Convention to be held in Melbourne from May 27 2023, and extend this opportunity to all members to experience the big picture of Rotary. Perhaps some members would like to ‘club together’ and share accommodation to help reduce costs.

     

Stay healthy, get your shots, and enjoy winter in the mountains.