​April 8th 2019 - Our club had a closed meeting tonight for our club assembly, it gave us a chance to brainstorm and come up with some new ideas. Watch this space!

​April 1st 2019 - Emilja our Finnish exchange student presented to us things she has learnt about Australia, some of the things she has learned is that kangaroos are not to be cuddled and flies are pests. Collingwood FC is either loved or hated, and koalas sleep most of the day. She hates vegemite and has observed that no one seemed to know the second verse of the national anthem. Other things noted was that Australians are more laid back than New Zealanders and Europe can fit into Australia more than twice, which makes Australia a vast land. 

​March 25th 2019 - Our guest speaker for the night was Seymour College Executive College Principal Gail Hardman. So if Rotary International runs numbers of large projects  and unites people on a global scale, does this mean we have the big shots and direct all our efforts to overseas programs and far away initiatives? Gail gave an example of how our club impacts and influences our local community. She focused on Rotary's value of "Service Above Self", observing that many Seymour Rotarian's invest considerable amounts of time and effort for the benefit of her students.

Ron and Greg enjoying the spread that the students at GoTafe put on.

Gail Hardman speaking about how our club has helped Seymour College,

18th March 2019 - We were honoured to welcome home Ben Charles our outbound Youth Exchange from his year in Switzerland. Ben quite frankly had a ball, he was enthusiastic about his experiences and embraced his time away as a life changing experience. From the skiing to learning German and travelling around Europe, to making new friends and gaining several new host brothers and sisters, Ben's returned a mature well adjusted young adult with the world at his feet. Ben has also joined ROTEX on his return to give back and will be travelling to Fiji in January to volunteer there for 2 weeks working on a community program. Well done Ben and remember to stay in touch.
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Ben home from Switzerland

Ben showing off his jacket covered in badges and memorabilia.

Ben with current exchange student Kimberly from Switzerland, Nick a past exchange student who spent a year in Denmark, Ben and Nick's little sister and President Mariam.

​13th March 2019 - Club members again travelled up the hill to take on Alexandra in our annual golf challenge. After a hard won battle we were the victors. Well done to the team that participated, loads of fun was had by all.

President Melinda presenting the golf trophy to our President Mariam.

President Mariam calling out Alexandra club on cheating with the raffle. The club members did not put any Seymour tickets in the bucket!!

Greg sinking his hole in one that gave us that winning edge.

​4th March 2019 - Nagambie Rowing Club’s Head Coach Sue Andrews is confident, poised and athletic in stature which makes a perfect advertisement for her preferred sport. Rowing, says Sue, essentially requires a keen sense of balance in order for the sculling boats to move quickly through the water. She led us through the development of women’s rowing from the time when it was rude to show an ankle until the slimline uniforms of today. 

Sue Andrews head coach of the Nagambie Rowing Club was our guest speaker.

Greg our Sergeant extracting money from us.

Emilja's brother Jooa trying on her jacket whilst visiting from Finland.

President Mariam with Emilja, boyfriend Kristian and family Mika, Nina, Minja, Inna, and Jooa with a seemingly ruminative Aana at the front

25th February 2019 - The club went on a vocation visit to the Seymour Police Station, we had a tour around the facility and it was fantastic to see our hardworking police officers at work. The station is much bigger than it looks on the outside and we got to catch up with Jan Williams a past Rotarian, who works there. Thank you Paulette for organising the visit and Sergeant Doyle for giving us the tour it was much appreciated.
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President Mariam and Ralph looking good!

Chris and Bella enjoying the evening.

Leanne was the winner of our spinning wheel and collected $25 for her efforts, watched on by Chris Bender.

18th February 2019 - We had our wrap of conference tonight. Anne Reid started off the night, the Conference theme was ‘Peace Through Service’. Some sobering topics were discussed which highlighted the need for reflection. For instance, proliferation of nuclear weapons and the frightening reality that humanity possess an easy ability to destroy this planet in fairly short order was worth a momentary pause.
This horror story is balanced against Rotary’s surprising role in the founding of the United Nations, it’s enabling international health campaigns around vaccinations, maternal and neo-natal health care in developing nations and some prompt intervention programs in natural emergencies to disrupt child trafficking. Truly big picture stuff with Rotary front and centre.
We also heard from Ruth, Greg, Jane, Ron, and Catriona who gave their personal perspectives of the Conference. Briefly, each spoke of things of relevance which covered topics diverse as minimising the causes for homeless people sleeping rough, Black Saturday bushfires, encouraging and supporting women in leadership, meditation as a path to wellness, vulnerability of women during pregnancy, sanitation in India and dance programs for youngsters.
Impressed yet? You should be.
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Ruth, Mariam and Anne Reid from RC of Alexandra.

Ewan and John enjoying dinner.

Our beautiful exchange student Emilja.

Fred and Paullette

Alison spinning the wheel, where she won $5.00 and the jackpot continues to grow.

11th February 2019 - Our guest speaker Stephanie Woodhall's presentation was about her recent trip to Chile, which was enabled due to the Prestigious Lopez-Lochert Scholarship which was awarded to her last year. The scholarship allowed Steph to attend the study tour as part of her formal qualifications in hospitality. During the evening we also had the pleasure of inducting 3 new members to our club. So a huge welcome goes to Trevor Harmes, Steve Pink and Leanne Pink.
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Stephanie Woodhall

Trevor, Leanne and Steven being inducted.

Trevor Harmes and President Mariam.

Leanne Pink and Mariam with her member certificate

Mariam with Steve Pink

​4th February 2019 - Our annual bowls night was again held against the Seymour Goulburn Lions Club, it was a hard fought battle and thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended.

​21st January 2019 - Tonight we were hosted at the RSL, the ladies auxiliary put on a great spread. Emilja played on the keyboard and sang Hallelujah and Ewan did his 'Behind the Badge'. It was a great night of fellowship and catching up with friends.

Paulette and Mariam looking lovely.

Ewan McDonald giving his behind the badge.

Emilja and Sue.

Jane and Dave enjoying a joke.

Peter, Kay, Trevor, David, Kathy and Alison enjoying the evening.

​14th January 2019 - Kerrisdale railway was our destination tonight, a great evening enjoying a train ride up the mountain and hearing from both Andrew & Jennifer Forbes on their passion, the railway. They built the railway by hand over a number of years. If you need a great place to visit head the Kerrisdale.

Fred Sartori chatting to Andrew Forbes seated in the train engine.

Andrew Forbes talking about his passion the railway.

Enjoying the views from the top of the mountain,

An old Furphy!

The summit loop.

Andrew and his steam engine that he is building.

​7th January 2019 - We welcomed in the new year with a lovely evening at Mary's home in Tallarook. It was good to catch up with our friends and fellow Rotarian's after a break over Christmas.

Ian Chadwick and Alison Ridley on dish duty.

Tony Lee hamming it up!

Bryan Tehan & Alan Walton enjoying a laugh.

Our members enjoying the evening.

Another group of Rotarian's having fun and enjoying themselves

17th December 2018 - Thankyou to Jenny and her crew at Maygars Hill for hosting our Christmas gathering and providing, in the introduction, a history of Maygars Hills. With a plan hatched last year Sharon Anderson-Warne put together the whole event. As usual she did an outstanding job and the decorations where amazing, from the platters on arrival, the ginger bread people and the ginger bread house. A great night was had by all. Merry Christmas everyone.

Sharon presenting Xenia with the ginger bread house she won.

Sharon with Santa Claus

David, Trevor chatting with Chris.

Peter enjoying some Christmas cheer

Alison and Ewan

Cathy and Annie enjoying the evening

Jenny our host with Mariam.

Matt, IJ and Rita enjoying themselves.

Chris and Fred trying to take Santa down.....

​11th December 2018 - Tonight we traveled to Southern Mitchell Rotary Club for an inter club visit. The guest speaker was PDG Philip Clancy outlining the plans for the new Kilmore peace arboretum being developed on land donated by Rotarian Sonny Gomez. Through Sonny and his families generosity the people of Kilmore and district will have a beautiful space which will grow and develop over the coming years.

PDG Philip Clancy, President Ian & Sonny Gomez both from the RC of Southern Mitchell

Rotarians Isabella & Jane

Ian & Chris Chadwick

3rd December 2018 - Our guest speaker this evening was Fay McCormack from Nexus Primary Health. Fay is an accredited EAGALA (Equine Associated Growth and Learning Association), a certified Mental Health Psychotherapist and Equine Specialist. The
organisation operates in 40 countries and every state of Australia. The program is aimed at helping victims of family violence and people with mental illness. Fay spoke with passion of the role horses play in the development of individuals expose to the program.
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President Mariam, Chairman Xenia and Fay McCormack our guest speaker.

Alison enjoying some Christmas cheer.

Ewan enjoying the evening.

26th November 2018 - Tonight was our AGM, the club confirmed the nomination for President for 2019-2020, PP John Keeffe will lead the club and our President Elect nominee was confirmed as Jane Challis for the 2020-2021 year. 
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Jane and Bryan dancing the night away.

President Mariam Baker

Doesn't our new marque look great or at least it did when the guys finally got it up.

​19th November 2018 - 
The Peter Toomey Police Officer of the Year award was presented tonight. This award was established by the Rotary Club of Pascoe Vale 8 years ago in honour of the late Peter Toomey who was a Police Officer and a highly respected member of the Pascoe Vale Rotary Club.
The aim of the award is to recognise those Police Officers who become involved in their communities in both an official and unofficial capacity. Those who go beyond what is required and who shows an outstanding commitment to the job.
This years worthy recipient is Sergeant Jamie Emond, Jamie is a wonderful example of an officer who is deeply committed to community safety and developing positive perceptions of the police force with a particular focus on family violence, suicide prevention and mental health.

Sergeant Jamie Emond being presented his award by President Mariam Baker.

Jamie and his daughter pictured with Mariam.

Area Commander Peter Kroger, Senior Sergeant Clayton Munro, President Mariam and Sergeant Jamie Emond.

12th November 2018 - Lindy & Michael Laker came along tonight to tell us about their Bali project. Mike & Lindy have been going over for several years now using their own funds to help improve the lives of the poorest of poor in the high mountain villages where the tourist dollars are not seen. They have supplied clothes, toys, mattresses, books and schooling supplies. They are currently raising money to get an eye van to visit one of the villages, as blindness and eye disease is prevalent. The cost of this is $2700, our club is thrilled to support them with this endeavor. If anyone can offer support go to Lindy's Facebook page. "Raising Money for Bali's poorest villages in Northern Bali"

Mike & Lindy Laker

Paulette with her winnings from the Melbourne cup sweep.

Chris Bender and Ewan McDonald

5th November 2018 - Our special Cup Eve celebrations saw the tables were set up with a horse representing each table. Not sure why Vivian and Hugh got the pink horse!  
Our on track bookie Vivian Beaumont along with Hugh Lawrence was responsible for our Cup sweep draws with all the $2 and $5 sweeps selling out. Winners will be advised next week. Thank you to Fiona McCarthy for organising the race themed games which were a hoot and well done to our fashion on the fields entrants. 

Viv and Hugh organising our sweeps.

Viv, Ralph and Eliot in the fashions on the field, you all looked very dapper but Eliot won by a short head.

Winners are grinners.

Jane was the resounding winner on the night, looking gorgeous.

One of the games pin the number on the horse, Emilja blindfolded trying to do it

29th October 2018 - We held an information night tonight to packed room. Thankyou to all the members that attended and a special thank you to our four guests. It is our night for us to showcase what we do as a club, locally, nationally and internationally.

Steve Pink welcomed by Chris Bender.

Jane and Mariam

Trevor Harmes and Kathy Mills

Liz McBean, Viv Beaumont and Dave Freeman

Roger Furhmeister and Emilja Fihlam. Roger and his wife Jenny are Emilja's new host family.

Ewan and Tony W

22nd October 2018 - The club went on an excursion tonight to the Tallarook Fire Brigade, where they were given a tour of the station and shown how to use some of the equipment. Emilja had a go at the fire hose and consequently got wet. Our thanks goes to club member Xenia and husband David who had the club members visit for dinner by the river. Great company, great night.
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Emilja getting a shower outside.

Gary Doherty member of the Tallarook Fire Brigade showing Emilja their uniforms.

Emilja looking good in a fire fighting uniform.

Looking good Kathy

Paulette trying out the fire hose.

Great presentation guys and thanks

Some of the crew enjoying the evening.

The boys having a chat.

​15th October 2018 - Rosey Panelli, CEO of Goulburn Options, said how it has been a busy time for the organisation, formalising their move from their Delatite Road base to High Street. Goulburn Options not only raise funds, but they also have many, many activities for participants which enrich their lives and assist them in independent living, including horticulture, swimming, cooking, crafting, music (The GO Band are fantastic), the GO Floral Enterprise, GO Art, GO Ragz, and the GO Again Op Shop, where clients work 6 days a week.  The organisation presently has around 60 clients, ranging from minor to severe disability, and is not only for the intellectually disabled, as was originally the case, but also for people with physical disabilities. 
It was also a pleasure to introduce a new member to the club, welcome Isabella Marchetti we hope you and your husband Ge enjoy your journey in service.
  

Rosie Panelli with President Mariam.

Our newest member Isabella Marchetti

Sharon presenting John with his home cooked meal, which John won on our wheel. Smelt divine...

Don, Rita and Ralph having fun.

Emilja with her host Mum Fiona.

Isabella, Mark and Greg clowning around.

8th October 2018 - Tonight was a very special night for our club, we welcomed a new member, Ewan McDonald, presented two Paul Harris Fellows, one to Tony Lee and the other to Marlene Campbell. The District Governor was visiting our club and was on hand to help with the presentations. Both Tony and Marlene were awarded their PHF for their contributions to our club and community over many years of service.
DG Malcolm Kerr and his wife Jill were delightful guests and Malcolm took the floor to talk about being the Inspiration within our district. Jill's partners project is buy a bale , so it was with great pleasure President Mariam presente a cheque to Jill's charity for $500.00.
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President Mariam with DG Malcolm Kerr and his wife Jill.

President Mariam with our newest member Ewan McDonald and his partner Annie.

President Mariam,DG Malcolm and Tony Lee being congratulated on his PHF.

President Mariam congratulating Ewan.

President Mariam, DG Malcolm with Marlene Campbell receiving her PHF.

What a great bunch, Tony, Marlene and Ewan

Marlene and her daughter Sarah

Rotarian's enjoying fellowship.

Tony and Marlene, valued members of our club.

John Keeffe introducing Ewan MCDonald

​1st October 2018 - Thankyou Fred for hosting us this week at your place. Great food and company made it an enjoyable night. Ralph Baker (alias Deadly Ernest) talked about his early life and how he got his start in show business, by reciting poetry both English and Australian at their weekly street concert during and after WW11.

24th September 2018 - The annual football night was again played and won. This year Seymour was the victors and once again held the trophy aloft. Alexandra went home disappointed with a poor performance in the final 3 questions which decided the night.
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Chris Bender who was the umpire for the night.

Rita Collins having a go a quoits.

Gary also trying to make an impression with the quoits.

Some of the Alexandra's team dressed in their bombers colours.

President Mariam with our resident West Coast bogan, Tony Lee.

Sharon Fox from Alex also trying her skill.

Past President David Dimech from Alex trying to steal the trophy.

President Mariam from the RC of Seymour holding the trophy proudly after our club won, after a hard fought battle.

​17th September 2018 - Emilja Fihlam our exchange student from Finland gave us a presentation on her life, family, hobbies and home.. Emilja has 3 sisters and 2 brothers, and lives with her parents in a town about 2 hours from Helsinki. She explained that Finland has 7.5 million shy people, 188,000 lakes and the best education system in the world. Emilja enjoys playing the piano (I have heard her and she is very talented), singing, swimming and Pesapello (Finnish baseball). Emilja has had to retire from baseball has she has sustained a serious shoulder injury, but now coaches and mentors other players.

Emilja pictured Kimberley here with and a Swiss exchange student visiting our club

Emilja being presented a club banner by President Mariam

Emilja in charge of our weekly wheel and Jacqui spinning for the jackpot. But alas she only won $50.00

10th September 2018 -  Our 1st club assembly was held with a lot of new ideas being suggested and fellowship enjoyed by all.
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Happy birthday Suzie!

Enjoying time together

3rd September 2018 - Past District Governor David Anderson presented on a special project called REAL. REAL is the signature project of the Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl, a club in Malaysia that was chartered just 3 years ago and is the only all female club in their district. 
REAL stands for Rural-focus English for All. The project's main aim is to provide materials to allow rural primary school students in Malaysia to enhance their grasp and knowledge of English. The project is a collaborative effort between the RC of Kota Kinabalu Pearl and the Sabah Education Department. As there is currently a a large divide between the education outcomes for rural and urban students, the REAL project aims to diminish this gap, and provide opportunities for rural students to gain a greater chance of building successful careers and lives. 

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PDG David Anderson giving his insightful presentation.

Mariam being presented a banner by exchange student Kimberley from Switzerland.

Club members enjoying fellowship.

President Mariam presenting Jacqui Brauman with flowers to thank her for all her hard work in organising the Busness awards for the club.

27th August 2018 - Rotarians had the privilege of visiting Sartori's Panel Works in our first vocation visit of the year. Fred took us on a tour of the shop, explaining the processes that go on in the process of windscreen and body repair work.
Fred explained that he now has a hands off role in the business, just doing the windscreens replacements, leaving the body work itself to his two sons, Mark & Robbie.

  

The girls all know about the art of panel beating now!

Fred showing & explaining the different processes involved in panel beating.

President Mariam chatting with Chaddy

Our delicious dessert served by the GoTafe students.

Paulette, Alison and Ron showing off their prizes won on the night.

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20th August 2018 - Our special guest tonight was Melissa Hebbard. Melissa is from the Milawa-Oxley Rotary Club, and is also the District 9790 Champion for EndTrachoma. EndTrachoma is a project supported by Rotary, which aims to eradicate Trachoma in Australia by the year 2021, Rotary's 100th year in Australia.  
Australia is the only developed country in the world where Trachoma persists, and is present almost entirely in remote aboriginal communities, particularly throughout Central Australia, as well as the Centre and West of Western Australia.  
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President Mariam with husband Ralph and Melissa Hebbard

Jane with our club guests, Isabella and Ge

Catriona with AG Elizabeth McCormack

Melissa Hebbard with Gordon Hastie from RC of Southern Mitchell and or very own Mary Greenshields.

Harley, Don & our guests from Southern Mitchell.

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13th August 2018 - Two young ladies from District 9790's ROTEX club, Nicola Gates and Rachael Feldtmann, spoke to us about what ROTEX's role is and how they help past, current and future Rotary Exchange students get the best of themselves throughout their entire Rotary Exchange experience. 
Nicola and Rachael explained that the ROTEX movement in District 9790 is rather new, and is formed by alumni of the Rotary Exchange programs from each year since 2011. ​

Nicola, Paulette, Mariam and Rachael. What beautiful young ladies.

Viv and John enjoying a chat

Fred, Bryan and Jane enjoying themselves way to much lol

Our winner Gordon Hastie from the RC of Southern Mitchell spins the wheel with Emilja and Greg looking on.

Alison and Peter having a chat!

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6th August 2018 - Tonight's special guest speakers were Scott Stirling and Martin Hirons from Red Dust. Red Dust work with indigenous communities to enrich lives, improve health and strengthen futures for indigenous children and their families. They work throughout the Northern Territory and Western Australia to this through activities and programs based around music, sport, art and dance. 

Scott Stirling, Martin Hirons, Gary Doherty and President Mariam Baker.

Our club saying Hello Finland for Emilja in Finnish.

Club Guest Ge & Isabella chatting with Greg Byers

Hugh & Cathy Lawrence, Fiona McCarthy with Emilja Fihlman.

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​30th July 2018 - What a fantastic night, our club welcomed a new member to the club in Chris Bender and also welcomed our exchange student Emilja Fihlman from Finland. As we celebrated our Christmas in July we also enjoyed a great night of fellowship with loads of laughs. We all look forward in getting to know both Emilja and Chris in the coming months.  

Welcome Emilja we hope you enjoy your 12 months in Seymour.

Our AG Elizabeth McCormack and President of RC of Southern Mitchell Ian Dempsey

Chris Bender being inducted as a member to our club by our President Mariam Baker.

Members all enjoying the evening.

Santa meeting Emilja

Greg Byers is very excited to be Chris's sponsor in joining the club.

Emilja and her host Mum Fiona.

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23rd July 2018 - Tonight's guest speaker was Rotary District 9790's insurance officer, Dennis Rebbeck. Dennis is a member of the Rotary Club of Euroa. This is not Dennis' first year in the role as insurance officer, having done the duty for a few years now. As we found out on tonight, he is an oracle of knowledge in all things insurance, and it is clear we're in good hands with him at the helm. Dennis began the night by announcing (on an unrelated note) that he would be sponsoring our Trivia Night through his business, which delighted members. 
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President Mariam and Dennis Rebbeck

Alisn Hall and Chris Bender enjoying a chat,

Ian Chadwick, Paulette Andrews & Chris Bender enjoying a joke.

Our members enjoying the night.

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​16th July 2018 - In celebration of NAIDOC week, tonight's guest speaker was Trent Wise. Trent grew up in Northern NSW town of Gunnedah, and is a member of the Kamilaroi tribe. The Kamilaroi Nation is the fourth largest indigenous nation in Australia, and extends from Central NSW, in the upper Hunter region, to Southern Queensland. The population of the tribe is currently around 7000, most of whom live within the boundary of the nation. Trent's father is Maltese and his mother is an indigenous Australian and is an elder within the Kamilaroi tribe. Trent also showed us a very special didgeridoo that was given to his grandfather by Albert Namatjira.
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Mmmm not sure what is going on but it was obviously funny.

Trent playing the didge for us.

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9th July 2018 - Tonight we herd from our newest member Peter Holland as he did his 'behind the badge', then Rotarian Harley put everyone to the test of their Australiana knowledge, needless to say I think the final score was Harley 1, members 0.
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President Mariam and Sue enjoying themselves.

Rotarian Peter Holland sharing his 'behind the badge' with the club.

Jane and Kathy sharing a joke!

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2nd July 2018 - President Mariam reiterated this year's slogan, 'be the inspiration'. She asked us to think about what it means to us to be the inspiration. Mariam asked us to think about how we can inspire ourselves, the community, how we can inspire our incoming Rotary exchange student, Emilja, and inspire the world through Rotary. Each of our portfolio chairs then outlined the year ahead for us.
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President Mariam outlining her plans and gals for the year ahead.

Seymour Bear showing off his new threads which includes a special bowtie that belonged to PP Bob Collins.

See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil!

Guest Chris Bender and Catriona Jarman listening intently.

Secretary Sue doing her report.