On Tuesday evening we had our annual joint project with the Rotary club of Bellarine North, the Dr John Birrell Police Awards.

 

What an inspiring evening, PDG Phillip Beasley open the evening with a toast to Rotary International and the Victorian Police.

 

We heard from last year’s recipient of the $3000 donation, Luke Elliott from Road Trauma Support Group. Senior Sergeant Sean Drew spoke about the achievements of Dr Birrell and the many lives that have been saved because or the introduction of seat belts and the .05 campaign.

 

Acting Superintendent Peter Nicholls informed us about the current road policing, and Senior Sergeant Craig Stevens introduced us to this year winner of the award, Leading Senior Constable Geelong Highway Patrol, Rob Nuske.

Rob’s father, retired Senior Sergeant Colin Nuske, also joined us, and it was an emotional presentation from Rob while excepting his award as he spoke about the enjoyment of the job he does

Rob nominated Andrew Britton from the, You Just Never Know, program, a program that targets teenagers and raises awareness and provides education around the dangers of irresponsible driving, in particular the use of drugs, alcohol, speed, and mobile phone while driving, Andrew excepted the $3000 cheque that was donation from RC of Bellarine North and Bayside Geelong.

 

MC Judy Beasley kept everything moving along so well, from start to finish where she organised the drawing of the raffle.

 

I have to say the official Police table did very well, even better than our usual raffle winner Brian Burch, that didn’t win this time. Love your work Judy, thank you.

Also thank you to Brian Burch for supplying the beautiful native flowers for the table centres that everyone was very happy to take home for a $5 donation. And to Aileen Brown for spending a few hours at the Burch’s farm collecting those flowers.

 

Judy also organised a raffle for the evening, thank you to friend of the club Anne Cotsell for supplying the filled drinks entertainment bucket and to Aileen for her succulent planter bowl that she grew for a raffle prize.

 

Thank you ladies All money raised from the raffle and flower donation went to the NSW flood victims.

 

Thank you to our official photographer for the evening Andrea Patterson for supplying all the photos from the evening.

 

Thank you to all members partners and friends for supporting this wonderful project

 

The lastly have to say the Portarlington Golf Club looked after us very well and I am sure there will be a few of us visiting again very soon.