The first round of Bayspeak, our high-profile public speaking competition for secondary schools, will take place on Tuesday May 6th at Mentone Girls Grammar School. The schools represented will be St. Bede's College, Kilbreda College and Mentone Girls Grammar. Bayspeak is organised and supported by Brighton, Sandringham and Brighton North Rotary Clubs.

Last week’s meeting featured the annual debating competition between Firbank Grammar and Brighton Grammar. Over the years that we have hosted this event, we have come to expect a high-standard debate between the two schools and this year the debaters again met our expectations.

The next BRIGHT on Community Singing Club get-together will be on Sunday May 4th , 2 - 4 pm at St Stephens Church, 109 North Rd. Brighton.

In honour of ANZAC Day, at last week’s meeting, Phil Wheatley gave us an enthralling presentation on his father’s service in the Royal Air Force in World War 2.

We met at the renovated Palace Church Street Cinema in relaxed seating on Thursday to see 'The Correspondent' which is based on the true story of Australian journalist Peter Greste's shocking imprisonment in Egypt in 2013 and the time and effort in challenging an authoritarian power for him to regain his freedom.   

 Bayside Farmers Market Saturday April 26th: volunteers required, especially for the first shift. This is an excllent fundraiser for our club. If you can help, contact Malcolm Baird malcolmbaird@gmail.com

Business Awards Promotion: we have A3 and A4 posters available for placing in shop and business windows or on counters. As the nomination deadline is May 2nd, we need to get these out asap.If you can help place a few of these, please contact Geoff Dobbs gcdobbs41@gmail.com

The next BrightON Community Singing Club get-together will be on Sunday May 4th , 2 - 4 pm at St Stephens Church,

109 North Rd. Brighton.

RYPEN:  2 students from Star of the Sea recently attended this program.

Bayspeak: Lyn Mortimer will be the MC for one of the sessions, Christina Rearick has volunteered as an adjudicator, Geoff Dobbs will liaise with school venues. We still need a couple of photographers - if you can help, please contact Geoff Dobbs

MUNA (Model United Nations Assembly): 2 students from Star of te Sea will be partcipating.

Bayside Rotary Radio Show: for our latest. broadcast, Geoff Dobbs and Anne Cobham interviewed Dean Lee, CEO of the Shrine of Remembrance, and also talked about our club's 40th anniversary and  achievements. To.listen to the podcast go to  https://www.southernfm.com.au/show/community-block/shrine-of-remembrance-highlighted-on-bayside-rotary-radio-show-april-2025-podcast/

Our next program is on this Tuesday, April 15th, 3 - 4pm, when Geoff Dobbs and Anne Cobham will  talk with Dean Lee, CEO of the Shrine of Remembrance about the history and role of the Shrine. We will also tell our listeners about our club's 40 year history and some of the important projects and causes we have supported, and give a round-up of Rotary events around our part of the bay. You can listen online at https://www.southernfm.com.au/listen-live/

DIK Warehouse: our next 'working bee' is scheduled for the morning of Thursday April 17th. Car pooling can be arranged. If you can assist, please contact Gerry Lambourne.

Business Awards Promotion: we have A3 and A4 posters available for placing in shop and business windows or on counters. As the nomination deadline is May 2nd, we need to get these out asap.If you can help place a few of these, please contact Geoff Dobbs.

Our guest speaker Louise Godfrey of Sri Yoga and Meditation informed us of the benifits of yoga for health and healing.  Traditionally yoga was taught 1:1 for men only until the 1960's. Louise emphasised that yoga is about the mind, not postures with the teacher adapting to meet client needs.

Over eighty people attended the joyful celebration of our club’s 40^th Anniversary  on Thursday April 3^rd including current members, past members, Past Presidents, and partners.

Beach Patrol: we are considering helping beach patrol 3186 The first Sunday morning of each month the group picks ups rubbish for one hour starting from Brighton Baths . They provide gloves and there is a limited supply of grabbing sticks. If you are interested, contact Christina Rearick  christinamrearick@gmail.com or text 0478408839. You will not be required to help every month or register but they like to know roughly how many are coming each month.

Bayspeak is a public speaking competition for high school students, run by the Rotary Clubs of Brighton, Sandringham and Brighton North during May and June.. Volunteers are needed to assist with adjudication and photography. The adjudication role does not require any experience and is likley to be a 'back up' role only. For more information contact Geoff Dobbs.

Small Comforts from Community (SCFC) project,  provides care bags and clothing to public hospital mental health units of The Alfred, Box Hill’s Upton House, St Vincents Melbourne and Royal Melbourne..

Members of the local community gathered at St Stephens Church for Bright On Community Singing Club today.

Guest Speaker Nina Fromhold, founder of Memory Lane Life Stories gave us an excellent presentation last week as well some valuable 'hands on' interviewing experience.

Fit for Purpose Review: please return your completed Rotary Needs Assessment Form to Russell Brewer ASAP. (You need not include your name if you prefer not to.) Russell aims to have a draft plan ready by the end of May.

2025/26 Board: Presidet Elect Anne Cobham has announced her Board for the next Rotary year - for details see next page.

Bayside Rotary Radio Show: the latest program can be listened to at:

https://www.southernfm.com.au/show/community-block/bayside-rotary-radio-show-march-2025/

Anne Cobham made a great debut as co-host with Geoff Dobbs last Tuesday. Together, they had lively, interesting interviews with Rob Pichbeck (Brighton Rotary) about the upcoming Classic Car Show and with Merv Ritter (Caulfield Rotary) about that club's successful Community Market. You can listen to the program at:

https://www.southernfm.com.au/show/community-block/bayside-rotary-radio-show-march-2025/