Like many people right now, I found the past week challenging. What started as a short-sharp lock down with a relatively low number of Covid infections is now in its 5th week and appears likely to run until October at the earliest. Clearly getting our community vaccinated is the preventative tool that we now depend on. The new normal will have to incorporate living with the Covid virus. But, on reflection, I have chosen to think about our club’s response in a positive way, taking into account the following:
- Clear signals from our political leaders that considerable relaxation of restrictions will occur before Christmas this year;
- The resilience of our club: we have a terrific meeting program through to the year’s end and we have pivoted to our Zoom meeting format seamlessly;
- Thanks to Rotary Melbourne member Ken Woollard, we will take delivery of audio-visual facilities within the next fortnight that will enable us to bring together the best of Zoom and in-person meetings as the restrictions are lifted;
- Our committees and project teams are active despite restrictions:
- We will present our first environmental sustainability Award on 15 September, in the presence of former Deputy Premier of Victoria, Professor John Thwaites AM. John is now a Professorial Fellow, Monash University, and Chair of the Monash Sustainable Development Institute, ClimateWorks Australia and Behaviour Works Australia. John will address the Club on how Australia is performing against the UN’s sustainability goals;
- The Around the Bay fundraisers are in full swing with the successful raffle drawn at last week’s Club meeting – congratulations Alan Trumble. Thank you to Rotary Melbourne members and friends who supported this raffle so strongly. The popular annual on-line silent auction will commence shortly packed full of attractive items;
- The Vocational Service Committee has identified an excellent Vocational Service Award recipient who will be presented the Award and address the Club in October;
At a meeting of District 9800 Presidents on 4 September, we were encouraged by District Governor, Dale Hoy to treat this lock-down as an opportunity to continue innovating and take advantage of the next few weeks as an opportunity to plan for exciting events and projects going forward, particularly in the new year.
This reflects my personal goal as we progress towards a post Covid world that will present exciting opportunities for Rotarians to continue to serve. I hope members will share my optimism. We will get through this.
Share this with your friends
