Rotary Club of Point Gellibrand

What an entertaining night we had this week!! Our guest speaker John Liddell opened our eyes to the prospects of life after Zero Carbon, where electrical power is generated from passive solar and wind systems rather than carbon burning thermal systems as at present.  Cutting edge one might think BUT do-able by 2020 according to John provided we get the vested interest sceptics and politicians away from blocking the way forward.

What’s this photo??  It’s the first baseload Gemasolar power plant that now operates in southern Spain (yes Spain might have it’s current financial problems but they can see through the haze toward a more sustainable tomorrow)!

To view the full Beacon click here Beacon Volume 26 Bulletin No 40

The Gellibabies this week were in house and on project looking at the success of Pirates Day where we entertained some 100 kids from families affected by childhood cancer and reflecting on any areas for improvent.  Our partnership with Challenge Cancer support initiated by PP Mick the Boat many years ago has been an enduring and satisfying one and embraces the true Rotary spirit of service above self.

Numbers were a bit down due to Overseas trips, Interstate Trips, a crook Scribe (he’d got manflu!!) and other family things that sometimes get in the way!!!!  But the light of the Gellibabies was still shining and our youngest light (the Kid from Tolouse) was with us again!!

To read the full Beacon Click here Beacon Volume 26 Bulletin No 39

President Ross warmly welcomed the 23 attendees and guests including; Pip Smibert,our  guest speaker from EduHelp. Léo Bégué, now residing with the Dumbrell’s and Kathleen West the wife of Peter Ford. 

Our chairman for the evening PP Kevin Gunn was with our guest speaker to glean some background before the off!!

For Pip’s Presentation click Here 120429.CSMS Flood Recovery

To read the full Beacon Click Here Beacon Volume 26 Bulletin No 38

This week  we Gellibabies thrashed the Yarravillians at Tenpin Bowls instead of our normal meeting and despite the challenge from the young set (our’s and their’s) we had to rely on the Olde Scribe to top score with 180 and bring the trophy home!!.  On a night when only the brave ventured out ( it was dark, cold, wet and windy) it was good to see that the spirit of Rotary cannot be extinguished but when we reflect on the many other things that are happening I thought we should have a beacon to update everyone. 

To read the full Beacon Click here Beacon Volume 26 Bulletin No 37

After a break for Easter and Greek Easter the Gellibabies were back in town and even with a power failure in the Kitchen after the meals were served we not only survived but had a fantastic night with 25 attendees including guest speaker Murray Verso from the Williamstown Rotary Club and DAG Julie Mason. 

To read the full Beacon click here Beacon Volume 26 Bulletin No 36

‘Twas the week before Easter and all through the town, Big ears were the fashion and eggs could’nt be found, (Cadbury had sold out of eggs)!! The Gellibabies were back at the RVMYC, all was well with the world (if you discount the problems that governments create) and President Ross warmly welcomed the 29 attendees including Steve Burrows and Brodie White plus The Coulson Clan including guest speaker Jesse, his sister Chelsea plus Mum and Dad Sylvie and Neal.  Aso welcome back to the travellers Doug Bews and David Dumbrell.

To view the full Beacon click here  Beacon Volume 26 Bulletin No 35

This week the Gellibabies were on the road again for hopefully the last time for a while whilst the RVMYC carries out a stocktake prior to the new caterer taking over.  We were at our second home at Santorini Restaurant in Parkers Street with a warm welcome from Alex and his crew. We had many parners attending to hear Kathleen West (the wife of Peter Ford) speak about the changes in adoption that have taken place from the dark days when single mothers were demonised and their babies normally adopted to today where there are very few adoptions and adopted childrens rights are carefully protected.

To read the full Beacon click here :- Beacon Volume 26 Bulletin No 34

Back at the RVMYC this week for a ‘Mick the Boat’ inspired BBQ to hear from the Sea Shepherd warriers who having split from GreenPeace are going it alone to save the oceans of the world.  Even though we were light on for Gellibabies (not sure if it was lack of support or objection to the topic of the night) but this was made up for by a number of guests namely Crystal Gailbraith, our Guest speaker from the Sea Shepherd, Lilia Letsch, Australian co-ordinator of the Sea Shepherd, Melissa Meek-Jacobs, from Captain’s Retreat, Seema, a local resident, Michael Hurley, a guest from Captain’s Retreat,Tony Green, guest from Captain’s Retreat, Mary-Jane Benton, formerly of Williamstown Chamber of Commerce and our own Kathleen West, who will be our guest speaker next week.  And of course Léo Bégué was with us again together with late comers Janise Brooks and Cynthia Leman.

I must also thank PP Richard McKay for booking the BBQ space and providing access to the Motor Yach Club facilities.

To read full Beacon click here Beacon Volume 26 Bulletin No 33

Next weeks Meeting is at Santorini Restaurant 1 Parker St Williamstown at the normal time: meal cost $25 per head drinks at bar prices – Partners welcome – Apologies to Jim Grouios and let him know whether your partner is attending. 

The Gellibabies were at the District conference this weekend just look how good some of us looked!!

Post District Conference the Gellibabies were on the move again due to catering problems at the Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club.
We decamped this week to Breeze Restaurant in Nelson Place for a night of great Italian tucker and an in house presentation from Ross the Boss of the Cluster Bangladesh water project.

To read the full Beacon and what’s on next week click here Beacon Volume 26 Bulletin No 32

Another change to the routine this week, joing with the Rotary Club of Yarraville at DiK to help with the loading of a junk container and sorting of equipment for shipping overseas. 

Laurie Fisher was gobsmacked by the way in which both clubs banded together to get on with the task of filling the rubbish skip.   There were broken desks, pallets, bent wheelchairs old medical equipment damaged books, broken boxes and anything else that you could envisage enough to fill one of the biggest waste skips that could be delivered.

This was achieved in little over an hour of hard graft from the Gellibabies and Yarravillians whilst the ladies sorted bedding and medical fabrics before sitting down to a feast of roast chicken, spuds and salad.

A job well done which not only cleared up the site but provided adequate resources that saved more than two weeks of Laurie’s regular volunteers’ time.  Sso sorry for those Gellibabies that missed out but we only talked about you for a couple of hours and then went home!!  (We didn’t Really but Eh!!)

View full Beacon here  Beacon Volume 26 Bulletin No 31