Page 2 - Rotary Matters - December

Oprah Winfrey wrote: “The more you praise and celebrate life, the more there is in life to celebrate”.

The Rotary Club of St Peters invited us to celebrate with them the Design and Creativity Awards. Where
the club has sought to identify and recognize students who excelled in ‘non-traditionally-academic’ areas
such as crafts / photography / woodwork / engineering / art / design. It was an interesting and amazing
evening. An evening where we celebrated the achievements of some amazing young people, who literally
“swamped my mind” with their brilliance.

I continue to remind you of our 2022/2023 Conference theme, being “Proud of the Past – Confident of
the Future” and this cohort of young adults, gave me comfort in the future! We need to continue to foster
Rotary’s association with our youth – who will be our leaders of tomorrow. But we also need to maintain
the importance of our Alumni, fostering the importance of volunteering and hopefully influencing an
ongoing relationship with Rotary.

“Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus
with you when the limo breaks down”, were also words expressed by Oprah Winfrey and I consider that
this is our challenge as we foster our Alumni.

The atmosphere in the small but well equipped
factory was “electric”.

There was no doubt that the Toy Boys and their
supporters were gaining as much joy out of the
crafting and giving of these beautiful toys as I
am sure the little recipient will when they open
their Christmas parcel.

From what started in 1992 as a Men’s Shed type activity,
where retired people have been able to share and utilise
their skills has grown into what I have always in my
“childlike mind” – how Imagine Santa’s workshop. Six
charities have been afforded a wonderful support to
their respective Christmas offerings, by the gift of these
beautiful toys – over 500 individual wooden toys.

A beautiful British Racing Green Model T Ford
buckboard easily took my eye.
There is going to be a very lucky
boy this Christmas!!

continued over....