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PRESIDENT'S COLUMN
Dear Members and Friends,
Well, what can I say, but this is my last report for my year as President, in what has been a very challenging, but also very interesting, year for the Club.  However, I’m sure you will give the incoming President Philip all the support he so richly deserves to carry on the good name and traditions of Crows Nest Rotary.
Anyhow, back to the week’s news and updates, firstly with the BBQ, another $1000 raised in what we would call a reasonable result.  The start, on a cold, winter’s Saturday morning was very slow, to say the least.  But around 11 o’clock it started to pick up and was reasonably busy for the rest of the day.  Results would have been even better had it not been for supply issues with the sausages.  But rest assured, Bruce is on the case.
Many thanks to Philip in organising our Guest Speaker, Alex Bowler from Bunnings, Rydalmere Store, who talked about the workings of their organisation and the incredible customer focus they have.
Today, I attended as a volunteer, the D-Café at the Crows Nest Community Centre, and despite the weather and concerns around COVID, the turn out was very positive, and what an excellent morning Denise and her co-workers (not to mention the input of Rotary Club Representatives, which included Sue and Mark) had put together which was more than appreciated by the Dementia patients, but equally important for their Carers.  Well done by all involved.
Anyhow, in the meantime stay safe and I look forward to seeing you all for our Changeover and Pride of Workmanship Dinner next Monday evening.
In the meantime stay safe
Yours In Rotary
President Ian
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Board Minutes 07 April 2021
BBQ ROSTER
 
Our next Bunnings BBQ is 3rd July 2021.  
 
Please support Howard in his quest to build up a list of volunteers. Latest Roster - Click here.   
Meeting Responsibilities Roster
 
 
 
               2020-2021
             2021-2022
 

Next Meeting is Monday 28th June, being our Presidents Changeover and Pride of Workmanship Awards evening event at the Northbridge Golf Club.

The following Monday we resume Lunchtime meetings, and on 5th July we are meeting by Zoom and everyone is welcome!  Click here at 12.30pm.   We will be discussing our 2021-22 Strategy Plan!

We still are continuing to rotate every 2nd week between Zoom & Union Hotel.

Our last meeting was held on 21st June 2021 when our speaker was Mr Alex Bowler, from the Rydlemere Store of Bunnings.
Alex explained that after a long working life in corporate positions, he joined Bunnings 3 years ago.   Bunnings is part of Westfarmers.  Bunnings started with a Saw Mill in Western Australia in 1886 with two Bunnings boys.   But Bunning started to expand in 1994 first in Melbourne.  
We have 2 storey stores, and larger foot print, one floor, supplying building materials.   Bunnings has 25% of Hardware market.    In 2019-20 Bunnings had 2.1 Billion profit, turning over 15 Billion.   The Pandemic has been good with sales 14% up as nobody have been going overseas.   Bunnings has 375 stores.  95% of the Australian population live within 30 mins drive of a Bunnings store.   There are 45,000 products on the shelf and 45,000 we can order  and deliver to you.   Our aim is; The lowest price, the widest range and the best available service, and that’s how staff are trained.   Staff can make Decisions on the floor, so that you the community don’t wait.   Staff are made up of Young, 20 and below.   Middle aged 15-20% career minded people working up the ladder. Retirees are usually ex tradies.   They all receive Retail wages.   Tradies want every thing yesterday, instantaneous.   All staff wear the red shirt and green apron and even the Managing Director works on the floor, for experience.   Their aim is to engage with the customer and give the best service.  But with 45,000 products its hard to learn where everything is.   The challenge area is that to do some jobs you need to be Licenced and its difficult telling customers they are not qualified.    Unknown to the public, is that Bunnings supports the local community, even in pandemic, staff were paid by Bunnings Lockdown.  There is a Staff share scheme and Free health checks and Safe working practices deal with every movement of stock.    Unknown is Bunnings Community involvement ie  $43m through schools, women’s refuges etc.  Bunnings send staff to paint schools supplying all the materials etc.
Daily BBQs is a huge community involvement with a rolling 8-10 weeks program and during the pandemic Bunnings gave away $500 gifts to charities to compensate for the lack of BBQ earning days.    Car parks used for testing and vaccinations
They Support;
  • mens sheds
  • Blue beanies
  • Free Counseling service during pandemic especially in Vic
  • Garden clubs for retirees 
And ensure product are produced with No child labour, Responsibly sourced timber, and they practice Water recycling 
Rydlemere 40% trade 60% public
Currently, with the Building boom what was a  6 weeks ordering is now 16 weeks for timber.
Apart from our BBQs, once a week Bunnings run bacon and egg breakfasts for tradies, with supplier demonstration of products.
Theft is an interesting area.  Bunnings has Facial recognition cameras. 
Bunnings aren’t air conditioned.   Rest breaks, are supported.
Stocktake every 6 months, we weigh stock.
At night rearrange stock on pegs.
All members were mesmerized by Alex’s presentation and he was thanked by Kate.
 
During the Meeting;
International Toast - was proposed by President Ian to Rotary Club of Truro, Cornwall, UK who meets at the Truro Golf Club.
  
News:  
 - Three Pride of Workmanship nominations have been received.   
 - Angelo reported that Food parcels are being processed in East Timor. See Story below.  
 - Next D_Cafe is 28th July 2021
 - Howard reported that  Monte's East Timor Water project in Maliana project with Monte remains on hold due to COVID19. 
 - Ideas for new local projects for a district grant were received and are being processed 
 - Ross has updated our WWC (Working with Children) register.   
 
Reminders:
- Monday 28th June - Presidents Changeover Dinner, 6.30pm Northbridge Golf Club. Includes Pride of Workmanship Awards. 
 - Sunday July 4th - District Changeover 
 - Monday 26th July, District Governor visit to the club
 - D-Cafe 28th July at the Crows Nest Community Centre
Wednesday 4th August 5pm Board Meeting on Zoom 
D-Cafe
Zoom Meetings
This what our Zoom meetings look like; 
 
Until Further Notice every 2ND Monday meeting  will be on Zoom. Check eBulletin for dates. 
 
Please click on this link; Rotary Crows Nest Zoom
 
 
 
District Governors Trophy

FUTURE SPEAKERS

Jun 28, 2021
Dinner at Northbridge Golf Club 6.30pm for 7.00pm
Jul 05, 2021
Strategic Plan for 2021-22
Jul 12, 2021
?
Jul 19, 2021 12:30 PM
Flinders Ranges tour info’
View entire list
FOR YOUR DIARY
President Changeover & Pride of Workmanship Dinner
Northbridge Golf Club
Jun 28, 2021
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
 
BBQ July 3rd 2021
bunnings
Jul 03, 2021
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
 
BBQ July 17th 2021
bunnings
Jul 17, 2021
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
 
BBQ July 31st 2021
bunnings
Jul 31, 2021
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
 
Board Meeting August 4th
Aug 04, 2021
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
 
View entire list
MEETING RESPONSIBILITIES
eBulletin
 
Editor
Smith, Philip
 
International Toast
 
International Toast
Gugliotta, Ross
 
Speaker Introduction
 
Introduce Speaker
Staples, Mark
 
Speaker Thanks/Write-up
 
Thank Speaker - Write-up
Riddle, Kate
 
Front Desk
 
Welcomer
Clark, Cyril
 
Welcomer
Lee, Bill