Rotary Club of Point Gellibrand

Chartered in 1986 by the Rotary Club of Williamstown from a disparate group of business individuals the Rotary Club of Point Gellibrand has weathered well to become a cohesive team of Rotarians within District 9800 in Australia. Christened ‘The Gellibabies’ after attending their first district conference chaperoned by the Rotary Club of Williamstown where the spirit of the ‘Gellibabies’ emerged from a team of committed Rotarians short on ceremony but big on fun and dedicated to service above self. Discovering Rotary in the early years was a mixture of we do it our way with lots of support from Grandma (PDG David Wills) and our fantastic secretary Steve Margerson. I often liken our experience as learning to drink from a fire hydrant – so much information and so little time!! But the sense of purpose created a can do culture where the Big Bay Swim was created during our embryonic second year and born in year three and continues on as our major fundraising event each year. – More information is available at – http://www.bigbayswim.com.au/ The Gellibabies have generated a number of district officers with Mark Sheahan being Assistant District Governor and Group Study Exchange leader and Jeffrey Bird being District Governor in 1997-8 More district information is available http://www.rotarydistrict9800.org.au/ Meeting each Tuesday at the Royal Victorian Motor Yacht Club 260 Nelson Place Williamstown 6-45pm for 7-00 for dinner members enjoy one of the best views of Melbourne and the venue has the capacity to cater for upwards of 150 guests. Meetings are conducted in a convivial atmosphere with Fun being the underlying theme but our guest speakers often challenge our thinking and create further avenues for service both locally and internationally. Our projects cover hands on projects similar to the BBQ and Shelter constructed at Floyd Lodge and the pergola at Hazeldene to funding a literacy project in Nepal and ongoing support for Rotary’s Polio Plus project aimed at the total eradication of poliomyelitis across the globe. Our Recent Work includes:- Support for Challenge cancer through a Pirates day where upwards of 100 kids and their parents are entertained with a Pirates water fight, face painting, on land entertainment and BBQ. A dad’s weekend away is also included in the annual calendar so that families affected by juvenile cancer get the opportunity to let dad have a respite ‘Up the Bush’ at Mathoura on the Murray. Support for ‘Open Family’ through leadership group activities at Camp Getaway near Bendigo. And in co-operation with Williamstown Sport and Game Fishing club a fishing day where young people at risk are entertained for a day’s fishing and fun. Focus on literacy through support for the ‘Friends of Williamstown Libraries’ summer writing competition, The Williamstown Literary Festival and a junior school English literacy programme in Nepal. Many support programmes and funds to local schools and our ‘adopted’ drought ravaged community in East Loddon near Bendigo. Other Beneficiaries for our Support Include:- Williamstown Lifesaving Club Sandridge Lifesaving Club Bayside Secondary College Redskins Basketball Club Breast Cancer Research Floyd Lodge Garden Mercy Hospice Hobsons BayToy Library TS Voyager Mental Health Week Festival Rotary Club of Point Gellibrand Chartered 1986 Charter No 23943 2012-3 President Raimonda Krogmann