Guests: Joy Bangsund, Sorel Coward, Maria Galatsanos, Thomas Scheuba
Apologies: Judi Corcoran, Rachel Harding, Geoff Hill, Rhonda Hoare, David Middleton, Bob Mills, Pam Trimmer
Chairman Jerry Casburn introduced Charlie (Khalil) who came with his family to South Australia from Lebanon in 1984. He is MD of Peregrine which operates the
On The Run service stations. His agriculture and applied science studies began in Beirut and were completed at Adelaide University. The family business was started by his father Fred with a service station at Woodville when they arrived here.......there are now 125 stations in SA and 100 gift shops across Australia. Charlie has played a leading role within his Muslim community promoting the broadening of relationships, Islamic awareness, aged care, student mentoring and refugee resettlement, and his efforts have earned him an AO.
Father Fred Shahin, an officer in the British Army, was warned by the British to leave Palestine in 1948 and fled to Lebanon where they lived in a tent for 5 years. During the period 1948-1984 his father rose to become a senior government official and his mother helped with refugees. There are 4 children including 2 doctors and a lawyer. In 1995 Fred and Charlie established the Islamic Arabic Centre.
Lebanon's population of 5.8m people includes 1.8m refugees [and there are about 22m across the Middle East]. About 600,000 of these live in a camp established by Palestinian refugees who fled there in 1948. Many of the others have come from nearby conflicts, mainly Syria. Charlie has visited Lebanon and refugee camps 7 times. He reflects that the Syrian refugees have been left in stateless limbo for 7-9 years. He met Rotary in Beirut and was impressed with their efforts to help. The refugee camps are quite basic and lack effective medical facilities. He presented a power point presentation of the prevailing conditions. Through his charity, containers have been sent with equipment and clothing to the camps. DIK is organising shipments from the RAH disposals. His 4 daughters have become actively involved in helping by shipping clothes and shoes to Lebanon.
Charlie was thanked by acclamation.
Spots.....another measles outbreak
Trevor McGuirk delivered smarties for Halloween......tasted good but what was the underlying message?
He has organised two Melbourne Cup sweeps ($2 and $1).......but only the bulletin editor is allowed to win. For those lovers of fine sounds, the Metropolitan Male Choir will be performing on 2 December.
Wendy Andrews announced that there will be a Community Services Committee meeting next Tuesday at 5.30pm.
Stephen Baker reminded members they had 7 more days to file improvements for the website.
Dennis Liddle announced that planning for Carols at the Rotunda on 17 December was progressing well.
Jerry Casburn went overboard:
- He needs more host families for the NZ Rotarians coming in April.
- The performance of Brideshead Revisited is on Friday 17 November
- DG Newsletter contains an invitation to support Polio Now at the film night next Wednesday at the Piccadilly Theatre.
Reno Elms announced that Salvos in Unley were 133 years old and their Thrift Shop was celebrating 10 years in existence. He asked members to support the Salvos Super Sunday event on 5 November, commencing 10am...our club will be helping with the BBQ. There will be a fashion parade and bake-off. The bake-off of cakes and biscuits in the afternoon, for those who haven't poisoned anyone of late, has an adult and children's section. Further details can be obtained from Marlene Whiting on 8261 1049.
The Finale
Ken Haines won the appalling squares and informed that he will be moving into new digs......double celebration. Happiness prevailed. Jerry announced 5 years of marital bliss/survival and Graham trumped him with 51 years. Chad has nailed a job with Lifestyle. Sheila has been elevated to White Ribbon advocate. Mavis is about to spend 3 weeks in Queensland......and Stephen the younger was just please that the Bs (Beckett and Bonython) team had survived Days for Girls, Mitre 10 BBQ, the Redex Trial and Bunnings.
The meeting closed at 7.55 pm
Below is a photo of the Eastwood winning rally team. Patsy and Valerie need to be seriously questioned as to why they were smiling!
And another photo.....the Days for Girls sweatshop with Valerie, Ali, Soheila, Beverley, Graham and Vivienne......Patsy took the photo.
Rotary News
Our Peru Project
Report of Activities – July to September, 2017
Prepared by DESEA Peru, Lamay, Cusco, Peru for Rotary International Grant with Rotary Club of Unley, Adelaide, Australia
Introduction
DESEA Peru continued during the second quarter (July-September, 2017) of a project to complete a wide range of water and health activities in the communities of Huarqui, Ttio Grande, Ttio 2B, Airepampa and Pampallacta. The following report outlines the activities and expenditures of the second quarter, highlights from the overall DESEA Peru project and presents the budget for third quarter activities.
Summary – full report available from Project Manager.
During the second quarter (Q2), DESEA Peru’s main accomplishments for the water program included the installation of 17 individual water filters (see across) and 587 filter monitoring visits by DESEA staff and qhalis. In regard to health education, nurses prepared and implemented numerous health courses/training for community members on family planning, accident prevention, early child stimulation, self-esteem for youth and participated in three adult health fairs. This quarter, DESEA also trained six new qhalis on filter use and maintenance, hygiene and sanitation, and diarrhea and dehydration. The accomplishments within the health service delivery component included 134 visits to lactating or pregnant women and the distribution of vitamins to 63 women and 316 children. An acupuncture campaign was also carried out in two communities with a visiting acupuncturist from the United States. Additionally, through the economic and social development component, DESEA staff continued its support in the design and construction of Huarqui’s community center as well as workshops with the Women’s Association on future textile projects for income generation. In Q2 there were 2995 total participants in all DESEA programs, including meetings, trainings/courses, health visits, and nursing.
Upcoming Events
Days for Girls The last sewing session for 2017 will be held Thursday 19 November from 1.30pm - 4.30pm at our meeting room in the Living Choice Complex
Our Club's Christmas Celebration 28 November
Carols at the Rotunda Sunday 17 December
Group 6 Breakfast Wednesday 20 December
Our Upcoming Meetings
7 November 2017 at Damien on Fisher at 6 for 6.30pm
Grant Lock - Life as a Missionary in Afghanistan
