This Saturday
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Ruth Konig Award Evening
Tonight, we celebrate the continuing achievements of our Ruth Konig Scholarship recipients and welcome our 2025 winner. Julie Lynch introduced our awardees and gave a brief overview of the Scholarship, in memory of Ruth Ko-nig. Ruth, a passionate and dedicated Rotarian and Teacher at Yea High School, believed in being able to make a difference to students lives, leaving a financial legacy which is funding the scholarship. Each student receives $2,000 annually for 3 years, which assists with travel, textbooks and living expenses while they study, we are proud of you all and celebrate your achievements.
Each student spoke of their tertiary studies so far and goals for their future.
- 2023 Winners Olivia Johnson— Nursing, RMIT Bundoora and Declan Fulford— Science, Melbourne University, branching into Bio Medical engineering.
- 2024 Winners Madilyn Granter - Occupational Therapy, La Trobe Bundoora and Louis Callander - Cyber Security, Computer Protection, La Trobe Bundoora
- 2025 Winner Madilyn Flynn Batchelor of Science & Master of Teaching, RMIT Bundoora
L to R Students: Declan Fulford, Olivia Johnson, Madilyn Flynn, Maddie Granter, Louis Callander.
Secretary Glenda:
Thankyou letters have been sent to all sponsors for the Art Show.
Letter received from St Lukes Anglican Parish, Yea, for the donation towards the Christmas Hampers.
Letter from Kimm Noonan, Yea Show Society, thanking Rotary for their assistance on the gates at the November Show, and enquiring if Rotary is still interested in assisting at future Shows. Kimm, who has been driving the catering team for many years, if handing over the reigns to Marlene, with Yea Show Committee continuing to cater for Rotary meetings.
Tonight's Caterers Yea Tigers Swimming Club, another delicious meal!
The catering team was led by Liz Bastion, assisted by Darren on the dishes, and the Water Tigers team. Thankyou
Club Assembly
Rebound Exchange Student, Nakaiah Kerr, spoke of their amazing experiences gained during their 12 week exchange to Taiwan. Nakaiah departed in November to undertake their second exchange, having spent 12 months in 2023 in Denmark. Nakaiah stayed with their host family, parents and 3 children, and at-tended a small school secondary school, attending 8 am to 4 pm plus travel, and had a mixture of classes ranging across 3 levels. They attended Rotary events and spent Christmas in 
Nantou County on a Rotary trip. The costume worn tonight was purchased at a market while on this trip. The host family provided many culinary experiences and ensured that they travelled extensively to enjoy the exchange.
Nakaiah thanked Yea Rotary Club for supporting this amazing experience!
Nantou County on a Rotary trip. The costume worn tonight was purchased at a market while on this trip. The host family provided many culinary experiences and ensured that they travelled extensively to enjoy the exchange.Nakaiah thanked Yea Rotary Club for supporting this amazing experience!
President Penny made a wonderful donation of toys to assist with the English Speaking Corners at the 3 Thai schools that we sponsor. There will be some very happy little English speaking students who unpack this donation!
Chairperson for the meeting was Darryl
Darryl thanked our caterers tonight—Yea Primary School, who once again served a delicious roast with lots of vegetables, followed by desert.
It is always wonderful to see the student leaders step up and assist with serving the meals. Thankyou!
Darryl thanked our caterers tonight—Yea Primary School, who once again served a delicious roast with lots of vegetables, followed by desert.
It is always wonderful to see the student leaders step up and assist with serving the meals. Thankyou!
Club Assembly—Directors Reports:
Finance—Gary Fitzgerald. Detailed reports have been provide to Board. Art Show almost finalised, with interim report showing approximately $14,000 raised,
Community Service—Les Hall. Paringa Field Day BBQ under control!
Youth Service—Chris Kellett
Currently looking for host families to support the 2025-26 Youth Exchange Program. Need news families to ensure the programs success.
International Service—Tippy Anderson
The English speaking program at the 3 Thai schools still require support. Thank you to Penny for the donation of toys and books.
Club Service—Glenn Milliken
Guest Speaker program for March, April and May have been booked up. This includes a visit to Broadmeadows RC on 30 April.
Cycle Dindi— Julie Lynch
Roster for duties currently being circulated, any help would be appreciated.
Over 100 registrations so far. Kyla Dowling has offered to do a sponsored ride so will be looking for sponsorship.
Kristie Luckman, on behalf of Eoghan, thanked all who helped with manning the gates at the local race meetings this season.
Club Assembly was followed by a fun music quiz session run by Penny
Finance—Gary Fitzgerald. Detailed reports have been provide to Board. Art Show almost finalised, with interim report showing approximately $14,000 raised,
Community Service—Les Hall. Paringa Field Day BBQ under control!
Youth Service—Chris Kellett
Currently looking for host families to support the 2025-26 Youth Exchange Program. Need news families to ensure the programs success.
International Service—Tippy Anderson
The English speaking program at the 3 Thai schools still require support. Thank you to Penny for the donation of toys and books.
Club Service—Glenn Milliken
Guest Speaker program for March, April and May have been booked up. This includes a visit to Broadmeadows RC on 30 April.
Cycle Dindi— Julie Lynch
Roster for duties currently being circulated, any help would be appreciated.
Over 100 registrations so far. Kyla Dowling has offered to do a sponsored ride so will be looking for sponsorship.
Kristie Luckman, on behalf of Eoghan, thanked all who helped with manning the gates at the local race meetings this season.
Club Assembly was followed by a fun music quiz session run by Penny
tonight's caterers —Yea Primary School,
Guest Speaker — Michelle Allen from Muddy Creek Health Group.
Michelle has worked as a massage therapist in the community, and with Seymour Hospital, for the past 14 years. This has been mostly working from home. Michelle is very proud to announce the expansion of her business, to a new location next to the post office, and to include other local therapists allowing all round healing to be offered om site. These will include osteopathy, counselling and the new Tesla Former—a muscle building and body toning device, where electromagnetic waves strengthen and build tone to your body.
We wish Michelle all the best with her new venture.
Vote of thanks—Peter Tull.
Haru gave us a snapshot of her first Australian Christmas and summer holidays experiences.
Christmas was culturally different as Japan does not celebrate with public holidays. She really enjoyed the hospitality—food and presents! Visited the Christmas Tree display in Alexandra with Penny and enjoyed New Year, with fireworks, with the Dredge family. Boating on Eildon at Bonnie Doon with Amanda and family—mastering the ‘biscuit’ ride, and watching The Castle to ensure she enjoyed the serenity of it all. Visit to Australian Open with other exchange students was fun. The penguins at Phillip Island were “cute”! Haru has enjoyed many experiences, thanks to host families.
Three minute speaker — David AndersonDavid brought to our attention that Sunday 23rd February is the 120th Birthday of Rota-ry.
Very fitting that the occasion falls in February, which is Peace and Conflict Resolution month. As a service and humanitarian organisation, peace is central to, the cornerstone of, our mission. The mission of Rotary Internation and The Rotary Foundation is: To help Rotary embers to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace by improving health, providing quality education, improving the environment and alleviating poverty.
Rotary is not alone is observing 23rd February. Whilst we call it Rotary Day, technically it is World Understanding and Peace Day but was establ
ished to mark the anniversary of the Rotary International.Cycle Dindi—Julie
Five weeks until our Cycle Dindi event, the 9th ride in the past 10 years. To date we have 62 on line registrations, which is fantastic. We will need a lot of help to provide a top class event, as usual, with raffle sales starting next week. (roster circulated), help with morning tea at Sinclairs shearing shed on the day (scones to be made) and help to set up the lunch spot on Friday, as well as help with cooking, serving and packing up after lunch,
Maybe family and friends might be interested in helping. Kyla has once again offered to do a sponsored ride, with all money going to our Youth Projects (school bursaries, RYLA, Ruth Konig scholarships etc.)
Our caterers tonight — Yea Riding Club — a delicious meal. Slow cooked Moroccan lamb! Thankyou
Guest Speaker Brian D’Arcy, Principal, Yea High School.
Brian, (currently on long service leave), is Principal of Yea High School, having stepped up to the role in 2022, after arriving at Yea to take on the Assistant Principal role in 2017. Brian has been a Physical Education teacher for 41 years, commencing in St. Albans in 1983, moving on to Lilydale Heights SC and then Healesville SC, where he had an Assistant Principal role before coming to Yea, and is looking forward to seeing out his education career at Yea High School. One of Brian’s first roles in the Yea com-munity was to coach the local foot-ball team.
Brian spoke of the role of education in the community, and the impact of having a secondary school in Yea, providing a full and comprehensive education to local students within our municipality, and supporting Yea by being one of the larger employers in the district.
Whilst the school was built in 1964, the buildings require constant updating and refurbishment to maintain remain up to date for student use. The oval and sporting facilities have been refreshed recently and are offered for use to local sporting clubs.
Currently there are 200 students enrolled at the school and an off campus pro-gram run in Wantirna caters for 115 students. Brian encouraged members to be advocated for the school, to encourage enrolments at the local level, which in turn keeps families connected to the town.
The Rotary Club involvement is invaluable, with bursaries, mentoring and scholarships supporting our students to reach their full potential and making a difference to their access to education.
Brian, (currently on long service leave), is Principal of Yea High School, having stepped up to the role in 2022, after arriving at Yea to take on the Assistant Principal role in 2017. Brian has been a Physical Education teacher for 41 years, commencing in St. Albans in 1983, moving on to Lilydale Heights SC and then Healesville SC, where he had an Assistant Principal role before coming to Yea, and is looking forward to seeing out his education career at Yea High School. One of Brian’s first roles in the Yea com-munity was to coach the local foot-ball team.Brian spoke of the role of education in the community, and the impact of having a secondary school in Yea, providing a full and comprehensive education to local students within our municipality, and supporting Yea by being one of the larger employers in the district.
Whilst the school was built in 1964, the buildings require constant updating and refurbishment to maintain remain up to date for student use. The oval and sporting facilities have been refreshed recently and are offered for use to local sporting clubs.
Currently there are 200 students enrolled at the school and an off campus pro-gram run in Wantirna caters for 115 students. Brian encouraged members to be advocated for the school, to encourage enrolments at the local level, which in turn keeps families connected to the town.
The Rotary Club involvement is invaluable, with bursaries, mentoring and scholarships supporting our students to reach their full potential and making a difference to their access to education.
3 Minute Speaker — Chris Kellett
Chris spoke of her wonderful achievement of completing 9 annual Great Victorian Bike Rides, commencing 2007, taking in some challenging and rewarding roads across the state. Many days during the rides required 100 or more kilometres to be ridden, so many days of training had to be undertaken, with riding up Junction Hill the challenge each time!
It was a wonderful experience, with riders aged up to 80 years old participating. Bicycle Victoria provided catering, great camp facilities, entertainment and on- road back up support.
Chris spoke of her wonderful achievement of completing 9 annual Great Victorian Bike Rides, commencing 2007, taking in some challenging and rewarding roads across the state. Many days during the rides required 100 or more kilometres to be ridden, so many days of training had to be undertaken, with riding up Junction Hill the challenge each time!
It was a wonderful experience, with riders aged up to 80 years old participating. Bicycle Victoria provided catering, great camp facilities, entertainment and on- road back up support.
Caterers for meal tonight — Deb Baynes, with support from Michelle and Maree.
Thanks for another delicious meal!
And special thanks to Deb for doing a last minute emergency swap with rostered caterers!
Thanks for another delicious meal!
And special thanks to Deb for doing a last minute emergency swap with rostered caterers!
Club Assembly - First Formal Meeting of 2025
President Penny -
• Welcomed our guests, outbound exchange student Andrew Foster, together with mum Alissia and dad John.
• Great to have Gary Cocks, Russell and Carol Hogg with us tonight
• Apology from Liz Fletcher, Greg is now is palliative care.
• Australia Day BBQ and Rotary Australia Day Community Award will be held in the plantation opposite the Shire Hall. Les is coordinating the BBQ.
• President Elect Nominee for 2026/27 year is Ann Drysdale.
• Yea Races on Saturday, thanks to those who responded to Eoghans’ call for ex-tra helpers.
• District Conference will be held in Albury this year. Early bird registration ends on 31 January,
• Cycle Dindi event planning is underway, with 10 riders already signed up!
• Welcomed our guests, outbound exchange student Andrew Foster, together with mum Alissia and dad John.
• Great to have Gary Cocks, Russell and Carol Hogg with us tonight
• Apology from Liz Fletcher, Greg is now is palliative care.
• Australia Day BBQ and Rotary Australia Day Community Award will be held in the plantation opposite the Shire Hall. Les is coordinating the BBQ.
• President Elect Nominee for 2026/27 year is Ann Drysdale.
• Yea Races on Saturday, thanks to those who responded to Eoghans’ call for ex-tra helpers.
• District Conference will be held in Albury this year. Early bird registration ends on 31 January,
• Cycle Dindi event planning is underway, with 10 riders already signed up!
Penny presented Andrew with the Rotary Club of Yea banner, to be gifted to his host club, Annual Report and club booklet, along with the Australian Flag, which will be proudly displayed and appear in many photos as Andrew travels.Thank you to Helen Haines, Federal member for Indi, for providing the flag.
ART SHOW—Ian Tobin
Ian gave an update on the Art Show, with special thanks to Carol and Russell, Glenda, Darryl, Penny, Less, Ian and Julie for their support, ensuring another very successful event.
The roster is being circulated tonight, with a few gaps to be filled. The final roster will be emailed. Please check!
Screens will be erected on Monday, with Bob & Paul installing the electricals on Tuesday.
Darryl has the catering in hand!
We have 217 entries to display.
Please remember to return your raffle ticket booklets and remember to dress to the Rotary theme of Magic, with lots of glitter and sequins!
Ian gave an update on the Art Show, with special thanks to Carol and Russell, Glenda, Darryl, Penny, Less, Ian and Julie for their support, ensuring another very successful event.
The roster is being circulated tonight, with a few gaps to be filled. The final roster will be emailed. Please check!
Screens will be erected on Monday, with Bob & Paul installing the electricals on Tuesday.
Darryl has the catering in hand!
We have 217 entries to display.
Please remember to return your raffle ticket booklets and remember to dress to the Rotary theme of Magic, with lots of glitter and sequins!
Darryl thanked members for supporting the Yea Cancer Charity Day held at Kingsmere Park last Sunday. $9,000 was raised - a fabulous result! Darryl is already planning for the 2026 event!
Tippy reported that she and David delivered the donations of books and toys to the 3 schools in Thailand for the English Corners. All the donations were very much appreciated, and the students love the program.Glenda has reached out to our past exchange students for updates and so far has had emails from Fabio, Lara and Caroline and a card and letter from Solenne. All giving really positive updates on careers and families
Our First Meeting for 2025 - A picnic Meeting
The weather turned on a perfect evening for our picnic meeting, held on the banks of the Murrindindi River, Murrindindi. Thankyou Darryl for arranging our visit with your neighbour, who had gone to great trouble to have the picnic site and car access to within metres of the riverbank mown and safe! Thankyou Ryan, Rotarians appreciated your generosity! Rodney had the picnic site adorned with our Rotary regalia and led us in toasts.
Penny and Darry welcomed members and partners, and ensured a very social evening was had by all
Penny and Darry welcomed members and partners, and ensured a very social evening was had by all
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 |  Welcome home Lily & Lachie | |
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Happy Snaps of a very enjoyable picnic meeting! Thanks Glenda & Glenn | ||
