Metro's Mag (November 2023) - A Digest From Your Club
As always with the Toowoomba Metropolitan Rotary Club, a lot has happened since the last edition of this bulletin. We've had events, we've had excellent guest speakers, we have raised money and we continue to enjoy each other's fellowship.
It's been great having Gabby, our RYLA recipient and prospective member come along to our meetings. If you haven't met Gabby, please introduce yourself to her and get her thoughts about Ryler and her experiences there. It was really interesting to hear what she did and how she benefited from it and we can be very proud of such a wonderful representative.
Some important event/dates for you to remember between now and Christmas. Firstly, our annual general meeting will be held on December 6 during our breakfast meeting. We encourage all members to be there as this is an important part of Rotary life. It will also be the time where we nominate Office bearers for the next Rotary year. On Sunday, 3 December, is our annual Christmas party and the car rally with more information to come. Please ensure that you put this in your diary. Also, we have a Bunnings barbecue booked for January the 13th - Saturday. Finally, please get along to the Grassroots to Greatness lunch next friday. It's going to be a cracker.
This unique partnership between the farmer owned and operated Dairy Farmers Milk Co-operative and Toowoomba Metropolitan Rotary Club is an event not to be missed as we raise funds for the Rotary District 9620 Drought Relief Program and their signature Community Support Card.
We know that when farming businesses are struggling in droughts, businesses in town do it equally as tough. Rotary’s Community Support Card program utilises prepaid EFTPOS cards delivered to farming families in need via independent rural financial counsellors that can only be redeemed at pay points in local regional businesses. This ensures both the family and local businesses receive support in times of drought declaration, with all funds guaranteed to stay in rural towns and communities across southern Queensland.
Our guests will be inspired by Rugby League’s super coach & footy legend Wayne Bennett. He’s recognised in Rugby League circles as one of the most influential and innovative coaches. He is the longest serving coach of a single club, has one of the best winning percentages, and has the most premierships won as a coach at an elite level since World War Two. Talking all things leadership, he’ll speak to how leaders aren’t just born, they’re created!
100% of the funds raised by this event will be donated to the Rotary District 9620 Drought Relief Program.
Members, this is a project that has been largely driven by our President and is wholly backed by our Club. If you haven't got your tickets yet, please get on board.
Our Monte Carlo night was an absolute success. It raised more money than we thought it would, the venue was even better than we thought it would be and the vibe of the whole evening passed expectations. Congratulations to the committee led by Corin to get this most challenging event off the ground. We've raised some really good money ($6097) for Momentum Mental Health and as a result, we've developed another strong community tie and we as a club had a heck of a lot of fun on the way. (Yes, you, The Rotarian reading this. Yopu helped raise $6097 for a local not for profit organisation helping people in your town. Well done, you).
Following on from the success of the Monte Carlo Night, Momentum Mental Health came along and we were treated to a high energy and informative presentation from their CEO, Shirley-Anne Gardner. There is no doubt that we chose the right organisation to partner with and be our beneficiaries. The amount of good that they do for our community was an eye-opener for all of us. Further to this, Shirley-Anne's energy, drive, enthusiasm and passion for her organisation was infectious.
The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers (TCOF) was another real success. Thanks to the efforts of Craig and Miriam who drove the project this year, it was the biggest and best we have done so far. The float looked absolutely magnificent and took on a new theme this year with a beehive complete with a resplendent queen bee. It was also also a financial success in that we did not incur any cost to the club. In fact, we made a few dollars!
(Is that photo below not the best photo ever?!?!?)
A few glimpses during the Carnival of Flowers 2023.
Ride for Rotary - India
Ride for Rotary is Rotary is a District 3181 initiative where you either motorcycle or drive the length of India. Check out their website in the click me box below. Now there's an international project.....
We recently banded together a select group of members from the club to go out to Toowoomba West Special School andcook a barbecue for the staff. Our close relationship with the school has been aided by our very own member, Glenn Gatehouse who is the Principal. A good time was had by staff and teachers. Did we water the plants when we were out there?
CAPTION THIS PHOTO ABOVE!!! The person who responds to this with the best caption of this photo, will get their caption read out at the next meeting and receive thunderous applause and adoration from their colleagues. Final decision to be made by the bulletin editor and that decison will be swayed by accompanying donations towards the Rotary Foundation. Respond by return email with your best caption now!
