Our chair for the evening was Past President Warren and welcomed our guest speakers Leanne Napper and Tania Dudas and Graham Thomson's guest Neil.

Youth Initiatives and Community Development in Eastern Geelong

Our first guest speaker Tania Dudas brought us information about the youth-focused activities in our area and, in particular, about the WAY group.
Tania is the Youth Community Development Officer with the Council looking after the Eastern Geelong region 3219.
Whittington has high levels of youth unemployment and early school leaving and the task is to get young people engaged in the community and maintain school connection particularly in the transition from primary to secondary school.
There is a big school holiday program with free activities and the National Youth Week celebration.
The WAY group itself has developed a program to encourage young people to maintain good mental and physical health and has raised funds from waste management at the Golden Plains Musical Festival to pay for a film night at the Newcomb Library to encourage young people's interest in the library and learning.
Through a variety of activities, the young people develop personal and social skills, vocational and leadership skills and improve their community and engage with other community groups with a focus on young people.
Education is seen by many young people in our area as too expensive and remote and young peoples' ability to access activities is seen as limited through inadequate transport opportunities and lack of driving tuition.
How can Rotary help?
We can avoid buying into negative perceptions of youth in the media;
We can sponsor young people in skill training courses;
We can provide opportunities for young people in employment and volunteering and with work experience; and
We can support the Council’s youth development programs including the L2Ps program (driving tuition).
Tania has seen how support and encouragement of young people can make such a difference.
Leanne Napper spoke on Karingal's Eastern Geelong Community Centre and the issues and needs of the Eastern Geelong area.
Since 2010, Karingal in consultation with the local community, has been working towards the development of a community hub and our own Past President Warren is a member of the community reference group which developed the logo and promoted interest via the community open day.
The community activities are already taking place in borrowed premises with the support of the Community Reference Group.
The building commenced in 2014 and the Karingal Foundation is active in fundraising. Completion of the centre is expected in March 2016 and the community is being asked to indicate what it wants the Centre to deliver.
The building is most attractive and has a range of facilities which will benefit a broad range of community groups and interests…and maybe a home for the Rotary Club of Geelong East?

Change Over - Tuesday 7 July.

Partners, families and friends are invited to attend to celebrate the year we have enjoyed and the year to come. 

Please indicate numbers on the attendance sheet which will go around at each meeting.

President Elect Andrew asked members to prepay for Changeover the week before to limit the work for the cashiers on 7 July.

No Joking Jackpot - Pay Early and Win….

The Club has weekly raffle draw for those who pay their annual subscriptions ($200.00 for the workers and $190.00 for the worked out) early.

You can pay your annual dues in cash, by cheque or by the miracle of the internet with a direct credit to the Club account.