Rotary club marks key milestones

WITH the end of the financial year approaching, it was time for Rotary Bendigo to celebrate its achievements and changed leadership.

A formal lunch was held at Bendigo Jockey Club’s Silks restaurant last Sunday for the occasion.

President of the past year Peter Reading bowed out to allow president-elect Daniela Ionescu to step into the role.

According to Mr Reading, the club’s members raised about $130,000 during the year through a range of efforts, the largest being the Bendigo Art Show over the Easter weekend which made $35,000.

Projects Rotary Bendigo contributed to included Rochester community recovery after the floods, including a donation of $18,000, helping the homeless with a gift $7500, and assisting Foodshare.

Ms Ionescu said she was “surprised” to find out next year’s focus for the Rotary clubs in the area at the district assembly in May, as they were what she’d been hoping for, with polio, empowering women, and mental health placed on the agenda.

“Two things are close to my heart,” she said. “We have started discussions with other community service and service organisations to work together on projects that empower women and provide for women on mental health.”

Mr Reading said he was looking forward to the club hosting its first international Rotary Youth Exchange scholarship student since 2020 next year, with a young woman from Denmark set to stay in the region.

“We’re also interviewing local students to be sent abroad for the 2024 year, so it looks like our youth exchange programs are back in full,” said Mr Reading.