On Saturday, June 1, Rotary Peninsula 2.0 held its club changeover evening. There were whispers the club was going to induct 15 new members on the night, so District 9820 Governor Linda Humphries approached President Gordon to see if he would like to attend.
A Rotary Peninsula 2.0 changeover is always an exciting event, and this year was no exception, with approximately 100 people attending, including Gordon and Heather.
The 15 new members were inducted, including one holidaying in Bali. Each new member gave a short message as to why they joined Rotary and chose Peninsula 2.0. Gordon also presented the outgoing President Diana O’Malley with a Paul Harris recognition.
PICTURED: Gordon, centre, was thrilled with the May edition of Rotary Down Under, which focused on mental health. He is joined by D9820 Governor Linda Humphries, left, D9800 Governor Ron Payne, D9780 Governor Ian Mackay and D9810 Governor Ian Ballantine at a luncheon held at RACV Cape Schanck Resort.
On Sunday, June 2, a lunch was held at the RACV Cape Schanck Resort. Supported by Australian Rotary Health, more than 200 people from across the country came to hear from President Gordon and Professor Patrick McGorry, who both spoke with passion about the mental health issues facing us today. While some of the information was confronting, Gordon spoke about the role Rotary can play in working on mental health problems across the globe.
On Monday, June 3, a business, community and school breakfast was held in the Rotary Room at the Frankston Arts Centre. Mayor Nathan Conroy welcomed President Gordon and Professor McGorry to Frankston. He spoke passionately about the role Rotary plays in the greater Frankston community and how mental health issues are at the front of what Frankston is doing within its community.
Frankston City hopes to work closely with Rotary and assist in rolling out more information on mental health, including the Mental Health First Aid and Train-the-Trainer programs.
More than 200 people attended the breakfast, including approximately 90 students from many schools.
Several schools already have established Interact clubs, so it was a great honour for those students to be up close with the Rotary International president and one of Australia’s greatest mental health advocates, Professor McGorry.
PICTURED: More than 200 people from across the country joined Gordon and Professor Patrick McGorry (pictured) at the luncheon, where they both spoke with passion about mental health issues.
Several other schools expressed interest in establishing an Interact club within their school.
Following the breakfast, Gordon and Heather visited Arthur’s Seat (yes, Scotland also has an Arthur’s seat), where they could see the sights of the bay across the Melbourne skyline and enjoy a hot coffee.
Before heading off to New Zealand, they also enjoyed lunch with Past Rotary International President Ian Riseley and Juliet.
“It was a great few days in Australia with Rotarians, Rotaractors, and others from District 9820 and the surrounding area focussing on mental health in general and youth mental health in particular,” said Gordon.
“Several positive outcomes have already been achieved, including interest in the wonderful Australian Mental Health First Aid program and the formation of new Interact clubs.
“An additional bonus was the opportunity to attend the changeover of the Peninsula 2.0 Rotary Club and witness the induction of 15 (yes, 15!) new members.”
MAIN PICTURE: Then Rotary International President Gordon McInally was presented with an ‘I love Frankston’ beenie at Rotary Peninsula 2.0’s club changeover evening, where he witnessed the induction of 15 new members.