Last Wednesday’s Social Night welcomed three new members to RNF while enjoying the most scrumptious three-course meal in the cosmopolitan surrounds of the Continental Cafe, New Farm. Our new members certainly are dedicated to causes that build international and personal relationships, improve lives, and create a better world through a range of endeavours.
Image above: L to R. President Sue welcomes Gary and Lisa, after PDG’s welcome address. Not present in photo -transferring new memberfrom RC Geelong, Frank.
We started the social evening with a heartfelt welcome from President Sue and the rest of the evening is summarised as follows:
6.00pm | Welcome Members, Guests Chat, Drinks | President Sue MacKenzie |
Raffle Sales – wonderful raffles including wine and a writing set | Penny Koura | |
6.30pm | Call to Order & Welcome PDG Darryl, Lisa, Gary, Frank & Ruth, and Rotarians and their Guests | Monte Huebsch |
6.32pm | Acknowledgement of Country | Mel Wallace |
6.35pm | Entrée – bruschetta with tapenade or tomato | Continental |
6.50pm | Toast to RI | Monica Fraser |
Reply to RI Toast | Denise Buckby | |
6.55pm | Main Course – generous serves and choice of chicken with lime and rice/gourmet sausages on mash or goats cheese souffle, with spinach balsamic | Continental |
7.25pm | Lisa, Gary & PDG Darryl | President Sue |
Welcome to Rotary and Present New Badges | PDG Darryl Iseppi | |
Responses from new members and supporters, Lisa, Gary, Frank and Ruth Read on below to find our more about our new members and supporters. |
PDG Darryl Iseppi | |
7.45pm | Dessert – an amazing selection of sticky date pudding, ice-cream dressed with espresso and creme caramel | Continental |
Raffle Draw – congratulation to the winners! | Penny Koura | |
Thank You | President Sue |
Image below: possibly the best sticky date pudding in Brisbane.
It is fair to say we have some incredibly talented and experienced new members! Starting with the dynamic Lisa Fogarty – Lisa has worked in a voluntary capacity with Rotary in Cambodia Fred Hollow Institute and has now joined our New Farm Club, but this only shares a smidgeon of her story. I learned from her impeccably designed website that she is a top ranked sales professional with over 30 years sales success in both the retail and corporate worlds, recognised for achieving and contributing to record-setting sales with experience in retail and wholesale banking, cosmetics, fashion, finance, retail and wholesale automotive, real estate, retail and wholesale insurance, hospitality, mining, territory start-up/expansion and new account development. Lisa’s passion is people, she has already proven this with her high level of energy and engagement with others around her at our end of the dining table at our social evening. The next day I recalled how Lisa delivered the warmest reply to Darryl’s new member welcome including sharing her daily challenge was ‘doing two things to help others*’ . ‘Others’ excludes our work and family daily routines! (I’ll add that!) How can you help ‘two people’ every day?
Image above: Lisa’s new book, supporting a growth mindset. Link here
Now, on to Gary Bruce (Paul Harris Fellow) – Gary has re-joined Rotary. He was previously with Brisbane Hi-Rise. Gary is an educator, writer and speaker with over 35 years of teaching and leadership experience across state and independent schools, co-educational and single sex schools, and the private sector. He is an accredited instructor with Mental Health First Aid Australia delivering MHFA programs (Standard, Youth, Tertiary and “Conversations about suicide”), an accredited coach with ICF, a Master Practitioner of NLP and a certified Master Practitioner with the American Board of Hypnotherapists. Gary founded his company ‘Going Beyond Results’ after working with numerous students who benefited from one on one coaching to develop time management, improve organisation skills, assessment preparation and improve stress management. In his coaching business, Gary works to improve outcomes for his client by focusing on the individual by developing techniques, attitudes, skills and knowledge. If you’d like to know more visit Gary’s LinkedIn site.
Finally, previous Geelong RC member Frank Thompson (with three Paul Harris awards) and his lovely wife Ruth. Ruth’s contribution to the new members’ discussion actually made my night! I loved hearing about the ‘history of ‘things” especially practices that may have had to evolve from the various social and political climates in which they were first founded. Ruth enlightened me about the history of her club membership with ‘Inner Wheel‘ and what a fascinating club. Founded in 1924 as a kind of rebuttal to the fact that Rotary were not accepting female membership! You go girls! I am always keenly interested in the women’s rights movement and will be sharing this club movement to ‘those a lot younger that me’ as further evidence of ‘women overcoming the barriers creating today’s freedom’. Find out more about Inner Wheel here.
Now, back on to Frank and his background in Applied Chemistry working in Petroleum Refining and Distribution and now retired from Mobil Oil Aust. Ltd after a career that led him to Senior Management. Frank has contributed to RC of Geelong for almost twenty years. What a brilliant career and what a generous man, we are lucky to have them both.
We had a great Social and Induction night to welcome our new Members and devoured some delicious food – please make yourselves known to the new members and join us on our next social night!
What’s coming up?
ChangeOver 2023 Planning Raffles Auction
ChangeOver is on 5th July at the Brunswick. Penny is looking after Table Arrangements and Raffles / Auction. This is a ‘Club event’ and proceeds will be going to Club. Rotary New farm, like everyone else are facing cost pressures and we need affordable Dues to be able to attract and retain Members. Raffle and Auction items are needed, please help us by donating suitable items, such as bottles of wine, Champagne, glassware, chocolate, or perhaps a new-release book?
Please Book early as we need to confirm numbers to the Brunswick who advise we need 50 for us to use the Dining Room instead of the Bar Area. Click here. for Changeover ticket link.
Our next meeting is May 10th, 6.45am for 7.00am start at the NEW FARM NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE, 967 Brunswick Street (next to New Farm Bowls Club). At this stage we are hoping the Coffee Cart will be there.
Image below: L to R Pres Sue and Penny wrap-up the social evening.
We thank the Continental Cafe staff for their value for money meal and wonderful service!