Opening Night
Thurs. 22nd Jan $30
Early Bird by Jan. 16th. $25
For an entry form send an email request to
yearotaryartshow@gmail.com
New Photography Prize
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Welcome to our Club!
Youth Exchange
Information on exchange and applying for an exchange
See Youth Exchange Menu
Guest Speaker - Elizabeth Sinclair, CEO, Yea & District Memorial Hospital.
Chairperson Chris Kellett introduced our guest speaker. Chris was very pleased to introduce her, as Elizabeth was under her leadership as a grad nurse at the Alfred Hospital (many years ago!)Thank you to RC of Yea for the support to give the sale yard program a permanent home. Together with the Elders Grant a portable building was ordered, this has now been expanded to a two room facility, plus veranda, thanks to generosity of Gerry Ryan and the Jayco Group. Rotary has also sup-ported the purchase of the mouth mapping software, which is 1 of only 4 in use in the world. This aids the early detecting of mouth cancer. The new facility should be in place and operational by the January cattle sales.
Yea Hospital has 10 acute beds, 25 aged care beds (high and low care) and community health programs to support the urgent needs of our community. We are an aging population, with 26.1% of Murrindindi Shire populations being over 65. Mental Health support is essential, with Murrindindi Shire having a higher than average suicide rate 20.3% compared to state average of 11.8 per 100,000 head of population, along with alcohol and drug related incidents, with Murrindindi having 61% more deaths than State average. Alarming figures. Respiratory Care and Asthma are also higher than state average.
To support these extra programs, not funded under the hospital funding, grants, partnerships and philanthropic funding has been sourced, allowing for the provision of these vital programs -
Cardiovascular health program; Farmer health program (at sale yards) Mental health clinician in schools; Primary mental health for Mitchell and Murrindindi Shires; Our Children our Community program for Murrindindi; Over the farm gate program; Indigenous mental health; Carer support program; Mobile health clinics; Health re-search; Lung function testing and respiratory clinic; Geriatric care; Cognitive, dementia and memory service.
We are so grateful for the care and support provided by the Y&DMH health team.
3 Minute Speaker Ian Lynch - Ian was a teacher at Yea High School, and of the 50 years he has been in Yea, there was a one year break—1997. Ian was awarded a Teaching Exchange Fellowship, with the op-portunity to teach Maths for 12 months in Fair-banks, Alaska. The exchange was a complete house swap for a teacher to come to Yea. Lots of challenges to move family for 12 months—ticket mix ups, passports out of date, car trouble …. Just to name a few! Arriving in winter meant serious snow falls, freezing temperatures and very short daylight hours in the day. It was a wonderful experience for the family and I to immerse ourselves into the Alaskan way of life for 12 months, and I know the Jarvis family who spent 12 months in Yea were rewarded with a rich experience.
Thanks to Deb Baynes and team for another delicious roast pork meal!
Guest Speaker - Livia Bonnazi, CEO Murrindindi Shire.
Livia spoke of her background before taking the position as CEO of Murri
ndindi Shire. Starting her professional career as an Architect, working both for herself and large companies, then moving into the corporate world, undertaking a degree in mechanical engineering, where she worked in the mining sector, involving a lot of travel. Livia furthered her interests by undertaking a Master of Business Administration. To accommodate her young family, she moved into the local government fields in Melbourne, then senior roles with Western Water Board. Taking up the role of CEO of Murrindindi Shire has allowed her to move into the area and immerse herself in the surrounds. There have been many challenges to navigate, and with a very low rate base (only 57% of income is generated by rates), there is the constant need to be applying for both state and federal grants to enable the shire to maintain the expected level of services. With such dispersed habitation within the shire, it requires duplication of services such as 
libraries, pools, halls. The average rate is $1,920 (lower than state average), and to break even an increase of 60% would be required, which is unsustainable!
ndindi Shire. Starting her professional career as an Architect, working both for herself and large companies, then moving into the corporate world, undertaking a degree in mechanical engineering, where she worked in the mining sector, involving a lot of travel. Livia furthered her interests by undertaking a Master of Business Administration. To accommodate her young family, she moved into the local government fields in Melbourne, then senior roles with Western Water Board. Taking up the role of CEO of Murrindindi Shire has allowed her to move into the area and immerse herself in the surrounds. There have been many challenges to navigate, and with a very low rate base (only 57% of income is generated by rates), there is the constant need to be applying for both state and federal grants to enable the shire to maintain the expected level of services. With such dispersed habitation within the shire, it requires duplication of services such as libraries, pools, halls. The average rate is $1,920 (lower than state average), and to break even an increase of 60% would be required, which is unsustainable!3 Minute Speaker. Jill Heath
Jill gave an insight into the life of Jill Heath! Growing up in Sydney and Newcastle before moving to Mt Waverley area where she finished secondary school then to go on to nursing at the Alfred Hospital, furthering her career by completing midwifery at Royal Women's Hospital. It was while working in private obstetrician rooms that she met her husband, Peter. Their interest in horseracing brought them to Yea, purchasing land in Limestone, where they were able to follow their equine dreams.
Jill gave an insight into the life of Jill Heath! Growing up in Sydney and Newcastle before moving to Mt Waverley area where she finished secondary school then to go on to nursing at the Alfred Hospital, furthering her career by completing midwifery at Royal Women's Hospital. It was while working in private obstetrician rooms that she met her husband, Peter. Their interest in horseracing brought them to Yea, purchasing land in Limestone, where they were able to follow their equine dreams.
President Darryl had the honour of presenting our Chilean inbound ex-change student, Cucky, with her dinner badge and a Rotary Club of Yea Shirt
While in Thailand recently, Tippy and David attended several Rotary Club meetings. Tonight, Tippy presented our club with a banner from the RC of Wiengkosai, District 3660
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Cucky and President Darryl | Tippy and President Darryl | ||
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Thank you to Sacred Heart Primary School, supported by Emma,Emily and students, for another delicious meal! |
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No Meeting - Shire BBQ and RUOK meeting at Town Hall run by Shire and Local Health Organisations.
Its Spring!Its BBQ Season!
President Darryl has been King of the BBQ tongs, with a sausage sizzle to support Murrindindi Shire’s RUOK day and the film “Runt” on Thursday evening, followed by a sausage sizzle at the Railway Park Sunday morning to support the GV Suicide Awareness Walk.
Both events reminding each of us that our family, friends, neighbours and strangers always need a smile and a chat..
This Thursday will see the “tongs” team busy at the Paringa Cattle Sales and of course, the BBQ will be running red hot for 2 days at the Garden Expo.
Suicide Awareness Walk
Aunty Angela, of Taungurung people, opened the event and conducted a smoking ceremony.
GV Suicide Awareness Walk was an opportunity for many to come together to support and walk the rail trail out to the blue tree beside the Melba Highway. Sunshine was brilliant and many families with children of all ages, and many others with their loyal dogs enjoyed the walk and then a well earned sausage as a reward!
Many walked in solidarity wearing t shirts promoting suicide awareness
GV Suicide Awareness Walk was an opportunity for many to come together to support and walk the rail trail out to the blue tree beside the Melba Highway. Sunshine was brilliant and many families with children of all ages, and many others with their loyal dogs enjoyed the walk and then a well earned sausage as a reward!
Many walked in solidarity wearing t shirts promoting suicide awareness
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LETTER FROM FABIO:
We have received a letter from Fabio, keeping us up to date with life in Switzerland. Fabio returned home from his exchange mid 2024.
Dear friends at Rotary Club Yea
I hope you are all doing well! It has been a while since my exchange year in Yea, but I still think back very often to the many wonderful memories I made thanks to you.When I came back to Switzerland in summer last year, I settled in quite quickly and was straight back into school. Three months ago, I finished Year 11, which felt like an important milestone. In spring this year, Millie [Charles] came to visit me here in Switzerland – it was so special to show her my home country after she had shared hers with me. Over the summer holidays I also caught up with some exchange friends which brought back lots of good memories.
Now I have started my final year of school. I’m working on my graduation project about ADHD in the workplace, which has been really interesting and challenging. Soon we will go on our final class trip to Amsterdam, and after that I’ll spend a week diving in Egypt with my family. Afterwards, I will visit my girlfriend Chloe in Sweden, where she currently plays hockey. In winter, I am planning to work as a ski instructor again for a few weeks.
Looking a bit further ahead: after finishing school next summer, I will serve for 18 weeks in the Swiss military, where I already received my function. Afterwards, I plan to spend another season as a ski instructor before finally returning to Australia in spring 2027 – something I’m really looking forward to! After that, I want to begin my studies in law and economics at the University of St. Gallen.
Life feels busy but exciting, and I’m very grateful for all the opportunities ahead.
I would love to hear how things are going in Yea. Does the Rotary Club currently have exchange students? Are there any new projects or community events happening? How is the Footy Club doing this season, and has the town changed much since I was last there? It always makes me happy to hear news from Yea, as it stills feels a little like my second home.
Please pass on my warmest regards to everyone in the club and thank you again for everything you did for me during my exchange year – it continues to shape and inspire me.
Warm regards from Switzerland,
Fabio
RC of Yea Vocational visit to Alexandra Standard Printers - The visit was a fun and interesting night, and concluded with a meal at the Molesworth Hotel, thanks to James for opening up for us.
Thank you to Karen Morrison, who has been with the Standard for 16 years, for giving us a comprehensive tour of the office and an insight into how the local paper is produced each week. The Alexandra office, opened in 1868, produces the Alexandra Standard and Yea Chronicle weekly, along with commercial printing jobs. Advertising is a big part of keeping the wheels turning for the company. They employ 7 staff, including 3 journalists. The paper is composed digitally in Alexandra and printed in Wangaratta on Tuesday mornings. A run of 1,500 Chronicles is produced each week.
Thank you to Karen Morrison, who has been with the Standard for 16 years, for giving us a comprehensive tour of the office and an insight into how the local paper is produced each week. The Alexandra office, opened in 1868, produces the Alexandra Standard and Yea Chronicle weekly, along with commercial printing jobs. Advertising is a big part of keeping the wheels turning for the company. They employ 7 staff, including 3 journalists. The paper is composed digitally in Alexandra and printed in Wangaratta on Tuesday mornings. A run of 1,500 Chronicles is produced each week.
The Group
Karen Morrison explaining the old and the current printing methods.
Colour was added to the previous mono print in 2010. The back rooms contain many of the old printing presses and lead print blocks, now part of history.
Thank you, Karen, the week-ly Chronicle is such an important asset to our community!
Thanks Penny and Glenn for organising the visit.
Thank you, Karen, the week-ly Chronicle is such an important asset to our community!
Thanks Penny and Glenn for organising the visit.
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| The group listening | Penny |
Service Above Self
Yea, VIC 3717
Australia