By ALANA MITCHELSON
THE Rotary Club of Bunyip-Garfield welcomed its new president John Legione at the changeover luncheon last week.
Mr Legione was inducted into his presidency on Sunday 10 July at Garfield Bowling Club.
One of the major focuses of past president Tony Murray’s leadership had been to purchase defibrillators that would be made accessible to the public.
Mr Legione intended to continue this project and said he was looking forward to a successful year.
“One of our major projects over the last six months has been the installation of public access defibrillators in the main streets of Garfield and Bunyip.
“We are in the process of installing these and purchasing a third defibrillator for Tonimbuk so that these communities have 24-hour access to defibrillators when needed,” Mr Legione said.
“Especially in Tonimbuk, there’s a scattered population of farming communities and it takes time for an ambulance to reach people in the event of an emergency.”
The club supports 11 local schools and kindergartens through a wellbeing fund, assisting children in need in attending camps and excursions.
It also provides picture story books to new mothers at the Bunyip Maternal Health Centre to strengthen the bond between parents and the infant.
The Rotary Club of Bunyip-Garfield will host its first car show in partnership with Pakenham Rotary in November.
Mr Legione said he planned to explore the use of technology in club meetings and to arrange for guest speakers to present talks via Skype.
“We’re only a small club but I think we do a good job,” Mr Legione said.
“Like all rotary clubs, we’re hoping to increase our membership over the next 12 months and to strive towards this year’s rotary theme ‘servicing humanity’.”
