President’s Update

To my fellow club members, I would like to take this opportunity to say Thank You for your support through the first half of this Rotary year, to those who contributed to Club, and those who gave of their time to successfully execute on all of our activities and projects. Thank You to those who gave generously of their time and gifts to bring Christmas Cheer to our community groups.

I look forward to your support in 2019, as we continue to change lives in our community and communities worldwide.
I wish you good health and happiness over the Christmas and New Year time.

Club Christmas Celebration – 8 December

Club Members Amanda Hill and John Skerritt hosted a Christmas celebration at their home on Saturday December 8. This was a fabulous evening with members enjoying a wonderful night filled with fabulous food, company and Christmas spirit. We wish to thank Amanda and John for their generous hospitality on this great night!

Spreading Christmas Cheer to the Needy!

This December, as has been the practice for many years, Hampton Rotary Club members contributed hampers packed with Christmas goodies which are distributed to needy families in the area by the Salvation Army at Christmas. This project ensures the needy in the community get to have some special treats at Christmas and don’t miss out on having some Christmas cheer!

New Project Launched To Support St Kilda Mums!

Club members came together in December to support the amazing work done in the community by St Kilda Mums, who provide clothes, equipment and support services for needy mothers. This December, Hampton Rotary Club members packed tote bags with toiletries which were distributed to vulnerable mothers supported by St Kilda Mums. The tote bags were distributed to mothers in Latrobe Valley and Warrnambool as well as distributed in the local area. This was a great project that we’re proposing to continue into next year as well.

Santa Comes To The December Bayside Farmers’ Market

What a fabulous festive spirit we had at the Bayside Farmers market on Saturday, 15th December. The stallholders showcased a fantastic array of produce, the Vocally Wild Choir entertained us all singing Christmas Carols, and of course….Santa arrived to cheer the children and adults alike…escorted by the fabulous Bayside Police. Many thanks to Arran Ferguson (as our ever-amazing Santa), Lisa (driving the police escort vehicle), Rhonda and her daughter Jane (as Santa’s helpers) and a very special thank you to Christel and Siggy for providing Santa’s amazing car this year. The market was a huge success so thanks to everyone involved!

Youth Projects Update

Friendship Captains Announced for 2019!

The Hampton Primary School Friendship Captains for 2019 were announced by Geoff Tickner at the school assembly on 18 December. The Captains are Grace McMahon and Marcus Holdsworth. Each receives a book voucher, a Hampton Rotary Friendship Award sticker for insertion in their book selection and a congratulatory letter from the Club.
The Captains are elected by their peers who are asked to vote for a student who they believe best represents the characteristics of kindness, responsibility, fairness, friendship and acceptance by others. Their names have been added to the Honour Board for all to see now and in the future.
At the end of their year as Friendship Captains, Grace and Marcus will be invited to attend a Club meeting and outline their experiences throughout the year.
The photo shows Friendship Captain Grace McMahon, Hampton Primary Principal Sue Knight together with Geoff Tickner.

Resilience Award Presentation at Berendale School

The Resilience Award is presented by Hampton Rotary to a year 11 student at Berendale School in Hampton East who, in the opinion of staff, has displayed the characteristics of setting and attaining goals, participation in both sport and career development and a strong work ethic.
The 2018 winner is Nguyen Troung who has not only completed his full VCAL certificate majoring in horticulture but also completed a Certificate 2 in warehousing externally at a Dandenong training centre. He willingly assists classmates and volunteers whenever staff require assistance. Staff at Berendale commented that they had never encountered a student who had completed two Certificate 2s in the same year.
Geoff Tickner presented the Award which includes a certificate of recognition and a JB Hi-Fi voucher to Nguyen on 5 December.
The photo shows Nguyen holding the Honour Board accompanied by Principal Jennifer Hamilton and Geoff Tickner.

Community Projects Update

Community Grants Program Winners To Be Announced Shortly!

The community grants program had 26 applications registered, with applications coming in from a diverse spectrum of organisations in the Bayside area, ranging from kindergartens, sports clubs, primary schools, lifesaving clubs, healthcare and other organisations. Club members lodged their feedback on the applications and the selection committee went through the difficult process of short-listing applications to come up with their final recommendations.
Winners will be notified shortly and presentations of the Grants will be announced. Thanks to Neil and Emma Weckesser for so expertly managing the Grant’s programme this year.

Bayside Christmas Family Event – A Great Community Collaboration!

The Rotary Club of Hampton was again a supporter of the Bayside Family Christmas Event, which was held on the 18th December at the Hampton RSL. This event has become an annual tradition, and is sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Hampton and Brighton, Bayside City Council, Vic Police and supported by BayCISS, Family Life, and Highett Community Neighbourhood House.

A special thank you this year to Hampton Rotary sponsor, Noel Susay at Buxton, for providing 50 footballs which were given to all the children. Also, thanks to volunteers which included Club members Rhonda Pincott and Geoff Tickner for both coming along to assist on the night as well as members who donated gifts for the children as well.

This event provides some Christmas cheer to needy families in the local area and was a fabulous success.

Upcoming Events

January 2019 Programme

Club Fellowship Night – 15 January

All members are welcome to start off the New Year with a relaxed evening at Milanos Brighton. The evening kicks off at 6.30pm with an a la carte dinner served from the restaurant. We’re looking forward to seeing you there!

Board Meeting – 22 January

The monthly Board Meeting will be held at Milanos on 22 January. Only Board Members are required to attend this meeting.

Bayside Farmers’ Market – 19 January

Come along to our first Bayside Farmers’ Market for the New Year. By then you will have finished off all your Christmas supplies and need to replenish the larder. The stallholders will have all the latest in-season produce available so you can stock the pantry. We looking forward to seeing you there!

2019 Victorian Multi-District Conference – 15-17 February 2019

Club members are invited to register for the Conference which will be held in Melbourne with the theme “Together We Inspire”.