Announcements
President John noted that $10,000, was sent to Venezuela to support its recovery from the earthquake. Fabian and Carlos outlined the extensive damage the country has sustained and the need for all support.
Turramurra Club is hosting Comedy for a Cause on 27 October, raising funds for End Polio. All were invited to attend.
Mary’s House will hold its annual Mary’s House Services Walk on 25 October. All are invited to join in to say No to Domestic Violence in our community. Check in commences at 8.15am at St. Leonards Park, the walk begins at 9.30 and finishes at 12.30.
The cCub’s AGM is to be held 1 December. Kevin Tattrie is President-Elect for next year. Nominations are being sought from members to join the Board for 2027/2028 year. Along with the immediate past president, an additional ten members are needed to fill all traditional roles on next year’s board. All members are encouraged to nominate. If you value our Club then we must all step up when required.
Guest Speaker: Peter Large (Books in Homes)
John Garrett introduced our Guest Speaker Peter Large, the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees and longstanding former CEO of books in homes Australia.
Peter described how, inspired by the success of the New Zealand program, Books in Homes Australia was launched in 2001
The program’s philosophy is to encourage early childhood literacy, through book distribution, to provide educational equity. Participating students in low-decile primary schools select brand-new books from brochures throughout the school year, to keep, for their personal home libraries.
By allowing children to select and keep their own books, the program aims to foster a love of reading, build home libraries, and improve literacy outcomes and self-worth. Books in Homes provides each child with two books, in a bookbag, labelled with their name, that is theirs to keep. Peter described how proud the children are to receive the books and the care with which they are handled.
As the children with bookbags and books become readers, they also become role models within their community showing what it is possible to achieve. The program helps to overcome adult self-consciousness amongst adult non-readers, when they see what their children are achieving.
The organisation relies on corporate sponsorships, philanthropic partners, community grants, and fundraising events (such as Rotary trivia nights and local club initiatives) to fund book distributions and hosting Book Giving Assemblies.
Books in Home Australia has distributed over 3.34 million new books, over 916000student orders have been processed. More than 825 schools and communities throughout Australia now participate in Australia.
John thanked Peter for his presentation.
Post Script
Thanks for reading this far. Now if you have good ideas for future bulletins, think interesting events, movie / book reviews, photos (especially), then send them to us at: clubservice@northbridgerotary.com.au. Thanks !
