This week our guest speaker Zane Shirley from San Marcos near 
Austin Texas is the current exchange student hosted by the Daydreamers and I have to say what a star in the making we have here. Zane’s ability to communicate and express how he has moved his thinking from an American centric view to a more global understanding having mixed with many different races and cultures during studies at Bayside College is so refreshing from a young man who has just turned 18. Zane’s the one with curly hair second from the front right.
We should remember that the Rotary Student Exchange Program helps create citizens of the world where acceptance of difference is an opportunity for friendship rather than a stress point for suspicion and conflict.
To read the full Beacon Click here Beacon Volume 27 Bulletin No 27
The first ‘Real’ meeting of the year for the Gellibabies was a very entertaining club night with lots 
of updates on the happenings over the past month with holiday adventures, Big Bay Swim happenings (the on line registration has resulted in more entries this year at this point than ever) BBQ’s galore with Mr BBQ Don Ward doing such a good job.
Back at home base this week with lots of visitors -Angela Altair The Mayor of Hobsons Bay, Young Athlete Sean Hardeman and his family, our old friend ‘Dermot’, the return of Arthur Gonis and a guest of Don Ward – Kate Moberley.
To read the full Beacon click here Beacon Volume 27 Bulletin No 26
Happy New Year to all following the first meeting of the year when the Gellibabies were out in
force to try out an alternative venue for when the RVMYC is being rebuilt (May 2013 might be the start time we understand). We didn’t have much formality just a get together to share stories of holidays and have a good feed courtesy of Ross the Boss and M along with Mick the Boat; Dave and Don who did the cooking (BBQ was great and the salads sooooooo fresh – not forgetting the to die for desserts.) – also thanks to Dianne Smith for her help with salads and the washing up.
Good to see such a big turn out of Gellibabies, partners and in the case of the Byrnes they even brought their daughter Veronica and Cristina’s parents along. Good to see Elaine Bird, Tina Beyer and Fumica (Doug Bews’ partner) from Japan with us for the evening and the buzz of conversation was only interrupted by the need to eat and drink!! Consensus was that it’s not a bad option to consider as our new home.
To read the full Beacon Click here Beacon Volume 27 Bulletin No 25
Well hello Christmas is nearly upon us (it crept up so quickly this year) and to start off the season
the Gellibabies got together with the Daydreamers (Rotary Club of Williamstown) for a combined Christmas dinner. We had Rotary royalty (PDG Des Hosking and Judy and DGN Murray Verso and Irene with us together with members of both clubs and their guests; including the Daydreamers exchange student from Texas. Typically numbers grew as the kick off approached but true to form, caterers Frank and Paul managed to feed everyone and then provided the music for dancing. PP Peter Shepheard from the Rotary Club of Altona and his dad Neil were with us to spruik the 50th anniversary of their charter. Santa arrived to the delight of kids young and old and presents and lollies were there for everyone.
We were entertained by Music Scholarship recipients Kit and Catherine from Williamstown High School as the assembled throng found their places all worked out by the able pen of Daydreamer Chris James, (he used a spreadsheet but eh!!) and off we went.
Got to say that the way in which people flitted from one table to another enhanced the sense of occasion and showed how close the two clubs are since everyone needed to catch up with everyone!!
To read the full Beacon click here – Beacon Volume 27 Bulletin No 24
The Gellibabies were treated to a history lesson this week courtesy of historian Rod Noonan following his trip to Darwin to attend the 70th anniversary of the bombing of Darwin in February 1942. We all learned a lot about how inadequately equipped our forces were both before the after the bombing and how panic set in with people fleeing which ever way they could. Shrouded in secrecy for many years the happenings up the ‘Top End’ are a stark reminder of how the support for the war in Europe made Australia vulnerable to the Asian theatre of war by failing to recognise the need for protection at home.
To read the full Beacon click here Beacon Volume 27 Bulletin No 23
So what’s going on at the Gellibabies this week one might ask?? The major fundraiser 
for the year the Jalna Big Bay Swim is cranking up a notch with a new website nearing completion thanks to Stephen Los from Undodesign CtrlZ. With more advice from guest speaker Peter Sherman of the Rotary Club of Brighton and a reflection on the year that was through the statutory AGM, it’s all happening!!
To read more click here Beacon Volume 27 Bulletin No 22
A visit from the boss (District Governor Dennis Shore and his wife Lynda) stimulated the 
Gellibabies this week but there is more to report in this weeks Beacon. The BBQ at the Smokin Aces Car bash on Sunday was a huge success with proceeds earmarked to go Challenge Cancer Support. From what I hear the team worked exceedingly well together and sold out of all food and contributed more than $1400 for the day. Thanks to the Macedonian Marvel (Jim Grouios) and his family for his fine organisation and tireless set up and wash up, his link to the Smokin Aces Guys was invaluable.
Whilst all this was going on the Olde Scribe, Smiley the Plumber and Kojak Smith were being brainwashed into the new Rotary ways for next year. The ease in which this was carried out stemmed from the Irish ancestry of the Olde One: all that was necessary was to fill his gumboots with water since the Irish have their brains in their boots!! (or somewhere close!!) But seriously the day was more inspiring than any others I’ve been to in the last 25 years and hopefully this will translate through to the District Assembly in May with less time where we are being TALKED TO and more time to share ideas.
To read the Full Beacon Click Here Beacon Volume 27 Bulletin No 21
The Gellibabies are back to ‘normal’ at the RVMYC this week after the lay-off for the Cup. 
But we had some fun on ‘Cup Day’ thanks to Ross and M and funds were raised too. A good turn out this week though a bit unruly which gave the Sergeant a challenge to keep us all in order. We welcomed our Guest Speaker Cameron Brown from ‘People with Energy’ introduced by Chair for the evening Jen Burrows.
To read the full Beacon click here Beacon Volume 27 Bulletin No 20
The Gellibabies were back home this week with a full program on a night to die for at the RVMYC. 
We had guests a plenty with the Butcher family (Mike, Joyce and daughter Corrie) (unfortunately Corrie’s sister Nicole couldn’t be with us) as guests for the last time as they were welcomed into the family of the Gellibabies; Ellie Horsey’s family; dad Arthur, Sister Sheila and brother in law John were here for the horse tips and more Gellibabies fun. Brad Spicer our guest speaker for the evening from Radio SEN and Spicer Thoroughbreds was here to talk horses and the Cup with support from Josh and Talia Rodder. Talia is a jockey who is taking a break from racing awaiting the birth of her first child but is still passionately involved in the industry as is her husband Josh.
To read the full Beacon Click here Beacon Volume 27 Bulletin No 19
Our major fundraiser for the year – The Big Bay Swim is fast approaching and tonight we were
blessed with our sponsors, supporters and the ambassador for 2013 marathon swimmer Chloe McCardel. It’s always interesting to see how the Companies, groups and individuals who support this event each year are so passionate about ensuring that the swim is enjoyable, safe and well run; the opportunities for improvement are welcomed as are the hard yards taken in planning and enhancing each years event.
To read the full Beacon Click here Beacon Volume 27 Bulletin No 28