Monday 6th May 2024 was RYDA (Rotary Youth Driver Awareness) also called RSE (Road Safety Education) which was brought to our district by Alan Collier. Several members helped out at marshalling the Dandenong High School Students around the presentations. 

As a first time volunteer I can say I was very impressed.

The first photo shows a dummy being set up for the car stopping distance demonstration. It graphically showed the need to not tailgate and how speed impacts stopping distances. 
The "i in drive" talked about the individuals personality and how this impacts the drivers and passengers communication and ability to prevent accidents.
"Mind Matters" covered things such as how you feel when getting into a var (e.g. angry), distractions (music choice) may impact how you drive.
"Road Choices" (second photo) of how experience plays a part in accidents along with fatigue. 
"Crash Investigations" covered a real scenario of what happened in the lead up (>24hours before) to an accident, things that played a part in the fatality and how the fatality chain could have been broken. 
"Drive SOS" showed a video and analysed what risks existed.

I will volunteer again as believe it is that worthwhile.

 

Tuesday 7 May 2024 Meeting we had Owen Carlton talk. The Rats of Tobruk was named from a German propaganda campaign and was adopted by the various allied forces with pride. Owen met some of the "rats" when they returned and were being retrained for jungle warfare in the Atherton Tablelands. It is part of history that must be kept alive.

Tobruk was the longest siege (241 days) in modern English military history, was supported by what was termed the "scrap iron flotilla" for supplies and evacuating the injured and were the first troops to defeat the Germans on land in WWII.

Ann-Marie Hermans MP attended to specifically listen to the talk and made herself available for member to discuss any issues after the meeting.

 

Thursday 9th May 2024 Howard and his team installed new seats at Dandenong Primary School
 

Sat 11 May 2024 was the D9815 District Assembly bringing Presidents Elect and District leaders together to collaborate, problem solve and share ideas. A Workshop on Club Experience, a Club Excellence Award based on the Rotary Action Plan and the importance of effective storytelling were some of the topics covered. A team of change agents that is being prepared for the rollout of our new merged District and the Regionalisation Pilot.

 

A huge reminder that we need to be present tfor the inaugural changeover to District 9815 (combining 9820 and 9810) which our own Colin Byron will be installed as Governor.

The Changeover will be held on 29th June 2024 at 6.30pm for 7.00pm at the Cardinia Cultural Centre, 40 Lakeside Boulevard, Pakenham and you can book HERE. You will be asked which club you are from and we will all be sitting together so book now and do not worry about making up a table.