Our Last Meeting
Venue: Damien on Fisher
Guest Speaker: John Hardy - Angel Flights Australia
Visiting Rotarians: None
Guests: Andrew Chen and John Hardy
Attendance: 25 members 2 guests (This is actually a made up number because I forgot to
count, but it feels about right).
President Trevor's Announcements
Trevor opined on current affairs, including the output from two royal commissions and the plight of asylum seekers, also expressing sympathy for those suffering the ravages of floods in the north and fires in the south.
He encouraged members who had not yet registered for the District Conference in Broken Hill to consider doing so, promising they would be very pleased if they did.
The Evening Under the Stars event organised by the Unley Road Association on February 23rd at the Soldiers Memorial Gardens was promoted as something worthy to attend, where only a non-compulsory gold coin donation will be requested.
Finally, he promoted the Lawn Bowling grudge match between Unley and Mitcham clubs and revealed some interesting (if slightly dodgy) strategies to help end our extended period as trouncees. He suggested that those who had them could wear their club shirts.
Bob Mills chaired the meeting.
Our Delegate to the National Science Forum: Andrew Chen
Judi Corcoran introduced Andrew Chen, a year 12 student at St Peter’s College. Unley sponsored Andrew to go to the ANU in Canberra and attend the 2018 National Science Forum that’s held each year. The club paid half the cost and the remainder was covered by his family. Judi was effusive in her praise of Andrew as a wonderful candidate, whose degree of organisation and general good guyness made him more than worthy of our support.
Unfazed by Judi’s complimentary introduction, Andrew gave an entertaining presentation, discussing the many aspects of the experience that he found intellectually stimulating and the social aspects he enjoyed. Most of the members eyes glazed over a little when he discussed the wonders of laser technology, astrophysics and quantum stuff. But we enjoyed his short video on robotics where the race between mini robots programmed by the students went terribly wrong and robot mayhem ensued. We had no problem understanding why he enjoyed the social activities that involved dressing up with other teenagers (albeit frighteningly intelligent ones) and having a good time.
Farewell to Louise and Peter: President Trevor
Since moving our meetings to Damien on Fisher, Louise and Peter have been there looking after and putting up with us. They have done so with charm and patience and become a part of our extended family. Nothing stays the same and they are each now heading off to start a new chapter of their life stories. Louise is heading back to live in Mt Gambier, and Peter is off to California for what he hopes will be an extended period in the domain of the Trumpster.
On behalf of the Club, President Trevor thanked them for their friendly service and provided a small token of our gratitude and good wishes.
Angel Flight Australia: John Hardy
Trevor introduced John Hardy a retired Police Officer with 41 years’ experience. John lives with his wife of 38 years in Nairne and has been doing presentations for Angel Flight since 2008. He became involved in through an aviation company he owns at Adelaide airport where there are a number of volunteer pilots.
Angel Flight is a group of volunteer pilots who give their time and the use of their aircraft free of charge to fly financially needy passengers and compassionate carers to receive medical help. They are not an ambulance service. Angel Flight receives referrals from social workers, doctors, hospitals and other medical professionals and services. Since 2003 the charity has completed 22,500 flights.
John showed two short, well produced and emotional videos showing the positive impact of Angel Flight.
They operate with no Government support and need donations to keep operating. 85% of what is raised is used for fuel and other flying costs. Flying aircraft is not a risk free activity and a recent accident in Mt Gambier is being thoroughly investigated. It is hoped that a bureaucratic over response will not derail this worthy venture.
Greg McLeod thanked John for his presentation to the club.
Spots
Mavis Martin took initiative in her role as almoner to seek out sick people in the absence of any coming forward. She contacted members we haven’t seen for a while on this ghoulish quest. Pauline Daly told her that Ken at 90 is faring better than he did last year but she was disappointed his driving licence had been extended. Geoff Hill is not sick; he’s just in Goolwa and will be returning soon. Stephen Bone is apparently also in chipping good health and will be at Rotary next week. Rachel Harding has safely returned from overseas, is back at work, and will presumably be back at Rotary soon. Nathan White did not return Mavis’s call so she left a message effectively saying that all work and no play makes Nathan a dull boy. She also didn’t hear back from Bob Laws or Glenyss, but she took this as a good sign as her message was only to call back if they couldn’t.
The Finale
Graham Becket won the card draw, no chocolates for anyone at this meeting. The meeting naturally ran overtime given the enormously ambitious programme and the late finish blemished President Trevor’s previously unblemished record. Slack has been given. At 8.15 there was a stampede for the door.
Upcoming Events
The Annual Bowls Match against RC Mitcham at Hawthorn Bowling Club on 26 February
Rotary News
What Rotary can do with even a little money
Joi Burton takes a drink from a new well during a trip to Kenya. A grant project between District 5790 and Homa Bay, Kenya, provided the well.
By Joi Burton, International Service Chair for District 6170 and member of the Rotary Club of North Garland County, Arkansas, USA
I have always had a dream of going to Africa. Soon after I joined Rotary in 1991, I noticed an article in
The Rotarian that a Rotary club from Eugene, Oregon, was going to Kenya to work on some projects. They were inviting people to go with them, and when I contacted them they accepted my offer. We visited several Rotary projects and a Rotary Club in Nairobi. That was the beginning of a long and productive relationship between my club at the time, Arlington South, Texas, and the people of Kenya that demonstrated the impact even a small club can have through the magic that is Rotary.
I enjoyed the Kenyan people so much I decided I wanted to go back and live with them for a few weeks.
A fellow Rotarian introduced me to his friend from Bondo, Kenya. The friend said if I was willing to go to her village, she would make the arrangements and have a relative, Moses, pick me up at Nairobi airport, and that I could stay in her house.
Before I went, the Rotary Club of Arlington South gave me $500 to do a project in her village. It took a day’s drive from Nairobi to reach the village. We arrived at night and were met by all of the villagers, each with a lantern. This was an area with a few houses, several huts, a school, and a church, but no electricity, no water and several miles from the nearest road.
The next day I told Moses I had “a little bit of money” from my club and asked if there was something they needed. They told us they needed concrete to replace the floors in the school, as the children were getting their uniforms dirty from having to sit on the floor all day. Moses and I went to the nearest town and purchased gravel, sand, and cement. After it was delivered, the villagers completed the floors in all the rooms.
Each weekend, Moses would come from Nairobi to see if I needed anything. The second week I again let Moses know I still had “a little bit of money” and asked if there was something else they needed. They wanted glass to replace windows of the school, all of which had been broken. We bought large plates of glass. They were able to cut and fit all the windows of the school.
The third week, Moses informed me the villagers wanted some metal paint to paint the tin roof of the school as it had rusted. Having some of that “little bit of money” left, we purchased paint and brushes and they were able to make ladders with sticks and rope and painted the roof.
On the last week I approached Moses to let him know I still “had a little bit of money” and asked what they needed. They said they needed books for the school. They had only a few. We were able to go to a larger city, an overnight trip, to purchases some text books. We were able to purchase one teacher textbook and one student textbook of every subject for every grade kindergarten to eighth grade. With our last few dollars we purchased two cases of chalk. We had the back of the pickup truck completely filled with school books. What a wonderful time the students and teachers had as we drove up into the school yard. We later learned they were completely out of chalk.
This experience built the foundation for other efforts. The Texas club and Rotarians in the district went on to put together other grant projects to benefit the people of Kenya including two grants that provided wells for drinking water with the Homa Bay club. Several members made their own visits to Kenya after that initial outlay of $500.
What a difference one small, 30-member Rotary club can make with “a little bit of money.”
Our Upcoming Meetings
Tuesday 12 February 2019 6 for 6.30pm at Damien on Fisher
Guest Speaker: Collen Hanlon Grandparents for Grandchildren
Chair: Bob Mills | Set-up, Welcome & Attendance: Sorel Coward and Reno Elms
Tuesday 19 February 2019 6 for 6.30pm at Damien on Fisher
Guest Speaker: Julie Nunn Families4Families
Chair: Bob Mills | Set-up, Welcome & Attendance: Sorel Coward and Reno Elms
Tuesday 26 February 2019 Getting belted by Mitcham at the annual lawn bowling humiliation
- 6 for 6.30pm
- Hawthorn Bowling Club, 86A Monmouth Road, Hawthorn
- Cost $25 for BBQ meal plus $5 green fees for those playing bowls......please bring cash
Any practice beforehand might be eminently beneficial but ultimately fruitless
Apologies normally to: Jerry Casburn by e-mail
jerry@thecasburns.com.au or 0407 646 396
but until 9 March to Sorel Coward at
sorel@sorelcoward.com.au or 0408 406 558
Meeting Enquiries to: Secretary Greg McLeod on 0417 811 838 or email to unley.secretary@rotaryclub.org.au
Venue Set-up Enquiries to: Bulletin Editor Stephen Baker on 0403 687 015
Saturday Thrift Shop Roster
Early Shift: 10.00am to 1.00pm Late Shift: 1.00pm to 4.00pm
Week 1: 2 February 2019
Early: Vera Holt & Valerie Bonython (Jerry Casburn) | Late: Robyn Carnachan & Rachel Harding
Week 2: 9 February 2019
Early: Greg Mcleod & Chad Leader | Late: Wendy Andrews & Heather Kilsby
Week 3: 16 February 2019
Early: David Middleton & Nathan White | Late: Pam Trimmer & Ken Haines
Week 4: 26 January 2019
Early: Stephen Baker & Judi Corcoran | Late: Wendy Andrews (Rhonda Hoare) & Jason Booth
Week 5:
Early: Bob Mullins & Wendy Andrews | Late: Jerry Casburn & Reno Elms
Rotarians, who are unable to attend as rostered, please arrange a swap or as a very last resort contact: Pam Trimmer (T) 8293 2612; (M) 0415 238 333; e-mail: pamela.trimmer@bigpond.com
Bunnings Mile End Barbeque
ALL the Bunnings Mile End Barbeque shifts are from 8am to 5pm
Next Date: Monday 18 February
Morning shift: 8.00am – 12.30pm | Afternoon shift: 12.30 – 5pm
The next Mitre 10 BBQ (now first Saturday of each month) will be on February 2
The Tale End.……
