On a cool but fine Sunday morning in March, runners came from near and far to participate in the second Old Beechy Rail Trail Run, from Barongarook to Gellibrand along the Old Beechy Rail Trail in the glorious bush of the Otway ranges.

The Old Beechy Rail Trail is challenging, with undulating terrain and exhilarating descents.  Only part of this linear trail is used for this event, with the main challenging  hill being a steep ascent out of Watson & Facey’s at the 6.3Km point.

The 16 km Run kicked off at 9am,taking the runners from Barongarook down hill through delightful bush, then continuing up the one steep hill before winding through undulating bush and pastoral scenes to Kawarren, then on to Gellibrand..

At Kawarren the 7 km Run/Walk started one hour later at 10am.   Families, Mums and Dads with babies in push chairs  joined more competitive runners over the shorter course.

The event, run by the Rotary Club of Colac raised $7500,  which will go towards helping disadvantaged youth in the Colac Otway community, and put March 16 2014 into your diaries for the running of next years race

On a crisp and cool Sunday morning, Rotarians from around District 9780 came together in Stawell to hear the District Governor for 2013-2014, Ken McInerney, share his vision for the coming Rotary year with the theme of Engage Rotary, Change Lives

More than 300 Club members from the 60 Clubs that make up our District, listened, shared, learned, and celebrated all things Rotary.  30 Presenters got involved in sharing their knowledge and expertise to help Club leaders create the best possible year for their Clubs.  Its an annual event, but always seems to bring smiles and happy greetings as old friends catch up, new friends are welcomed and the work of Rotary goes from strength to strength.

In 1968/69, the Rotary Club of Warrnambool hosted an Exchange student from the USA.

Rhonda Butterfield, now from Anchorage, Alaska, was a 16 year old from a small town, Candor, in New York State, when she spent 12 months as a student at the Warrnambool High School, and lived with 11 different families.

Now a family law attorney, Rhonda recently attended a Conference in Sydney, and knew she had to include a visit to Warrnambool.  “No trip to Australia is complete without a visit to Warrnambool, in my eyes,” Rhonda said. Prior to her trip, she made contact with each of Warrnambool’s Rotary Clubs to see if it would be possible to meet with any of her host families. 

When she stepped off the train in Warrnambool, she was met by one of her host ‘sisters’, AG Judy Ross, a member of the RC Warrnambool, who recognised Rhonda immediately, despite it being 44 years since they last met. Judy and husband Phillip hosted Rhonda for 5 days, during which she spoke at 3 of the 4 Clubs in Warrnambool, and also had the chance to reconnect with members of several of her host families including two host parents, Fay Armstrong and PP John Reid (Judy’s father). She met with PP Don & Nan Dickson and some of their family in Geelong prior to her return home.

It is now official, Jane Cox will be our District Governor in 2015 - 2016.

Jane joined The Rotary Club of Geelong Central in 2001 and has held many positions, including President, Secretary and Treasurer.  She is currently Assistant Governor for Group 9 Clubs, and has undertaken many roles in her Rotary journey so far - attended an International Rotary Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, joined in a Rotary Friendship Exchange to Alaska, hosted GSE groups, received an Avenues of Service Citation and Paul Harris recognition to mention just a few. Her most recent achievement was being involved in the Chartering of the District's newest Club - Lara District Rotary.

“it is a great honour and a privilege to have been selected to be District Governor for the year 2015-2016 and lead our District 9780”, Jane said at the announcement of her appointment.  

CONGRATULATIONS JANE!