​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.

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.