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Club Meeting No 1848 10th February 2021

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF A WARTIME PROSECUTOR

It was with much gusto that at our combined meeting on Wednesday February 10^th at our old stomping ground, the Hyde Park Tavern, we gathered to listen with intense interest to our guest speaker Dr Grant Niemann.

Dr Niemann was a senior lecturer in the law faculty of Flinders University. His primary areas of interest include International Law, International Criminal Law, International Humanitarian Law, Criminal Practice, Advocacy and Evidence.

At present he holds the position of Adjunct Professor at the University of New Hampshire NH USA, where he teaches International Criminal Law courts and Special Tribunals. Dr Niemann was also the chair of the Red Cross International Humanitarian Law Committee in South Australia where he was awarded the Distinguished Humanitarian Law Service Award Citation for his contributions to Humanitarian Law programs.

As we eagerly absorbed each word that came from his mouth regarding the atrocities committed by man to fellow man, it became increasingly obvious that we are very lucky to be living in safety and in a country of fairness and hope. This is not afforded to many millions of people throughout the world we share, and listening to Dr Niemanns account of his dealings with the United Nations Court proceedings, the atrocities committed throughout World war 2, and the Serbian - Croation War, it simply highlighted the injustices of how ones place of birth is a like a never ending lottery of luck and privilege.

It is easy to bury ones head in the sand regarding atrocities on foreign shores but it is comforting to know that there are people out there like Dr Niemann, fighting for the rights of the downtrodden and advocating change.

It was a solemn subject but one we needed to hear and I am sure it reinforced to us as Rotarians that one way we can make a difference is our continuing service to communities in the best way we know. Fighting polio, aiding the less fortunate, training youth and extolling fellowship and hope.

Dr. Grant Niemann The President and the First Lady

Australia Day Ceremony

Unley Council held its annual Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony at the Unley Civic Centre with Hyde Park Rotary Club providing the nourishment for the new citizens by means of the Club BBQ and willing Club member helpers. Mayor Michael Hewitson welcomed the new citizens. A very successful day by all accounts.

A great team effort by all concerned. Many thanks to Rotarians and partners Rob, Norma, Yoshi, Rodger, Lyn, Mike, Neville, Jill, Judy, Gerry, Andrew, Bev and Colleen.

Club Sponsorship

The One & All

The One & All is a replica sailing ship that the SA Government use to take young people on short trips to get them used to feeling what it must have been like for some of the first settlers that came here from the UK. The Young people experience all kinds of tasks while on the five day trip.

Hyde Park Rotary Club in conjunction with their daughter club Eastwood Rotary Club have sponsored a young 18 year old lass, Tamika Barrett, from Thebarton Senior College to do the trip.

Bernie and Barbara Boxer from the Hyde Park Club and Terri Hamilton-Smith from Eastwood were dockside last Sunday the 27th of September 2020 at 8am to see Tamika and the other students off. There were quite a crowd of parents and Rotarians there when the District Governor David Jones made a speech to send them on their way..........

Club Meeting No 1840 September 29 2020

HYDE PARK WINS THE GREAT DEBATE

The annual debate between the Hyde Park Rotary Club and the Unley Rotary Club took place at the Unley Club's meeting place Damien on Fisher. The Subject of the Debate was "This house believes that robots will increase the quality of life". Unley chose to debate for the affirmative and Hyde Park chose for the negative. Our team in order of speaking comprised Peter Griffiths, Mike McAuliffe and Neville Highett. A lively debate ensued and the Adjudicator Tony Houey ruled in our favour. Well done team!

The losing Unley team of John Kirkett, David Middleton and Nathan White put up a good performance but not good enough and left with their tails between their legs. Click Read More to see pictures of the event.

Meeting No 1836 Changeover Night

PASSING OVER THE BATON

Returning to our old stomping grounds at the Hyde Park Tavern for one night of nostalgia and a chance to don our finery on July 22^nd 2020, our annual changeover dinner was attended by 37 members and guests.

Gerry Greenway ended his 2 year presidency by handing over the reins into the capable hands of Neville Highett, who was accompanied by his charming wife Jill. Chairman Peter Griffiths, his lovely wife Ros, District Governer Elect Jeff Neale, his wife Meredith and Area 9 Governor Di Clements rounded off the table seating, not to mention Gerry’s wife Judy who toasted eagerly as proceedings began.

As is the usual custom, having been called to do so by Chairman Peter, Bernie Boxer opened the proceedings with a Welcome to Country. This was followed by our customary toast to Rotary International and the people of Australia proposed by Lyn, and a response by Jeff Neale.

Di Clements then spoke to the group in regards to the structuring of the new area.

As the wine flowed and the meals were served, it was great to see so many familiar faces and to hear the chitter chatter of happy voices at a social occasion not so easily afforded to some other state populations in our great country of late due to Covid 19.

It was wonderful to see some familiar faces of old including Gordon Wilkinson, his wife Nereda, past District Governor Peter Ochota and his wife Meredith, Geoff Keynes and his wife Anne and never to be forgotten Mark Ikeda. It was also very nice to see Ian McIntyre, his wife Ann, and Maryann Kohlberger there to share the occasion with their fellow Rotarians

After the dinner Outgoing President Gerry presented his report and gave a brief summary of the year during which Alan Moss was asked to stand up and be acknowledged for being as Gerry said “ My Rock” as Secretary during his two years of Presidency. My Moss Rock he added! Gerry then deftly inducted Neville as our new president. Neville proceeded to give those in attendance his visions for the future and his intentions as to how this might be achieved.

A great night amongst old friends and good vibes for the coming Rotary Year.

Click on Read More to view pictures of the night.

Club Meeting No 1830 11th March

Cinemallunga

At our dinner meeting at the Goody on Wednesday March 11^thin a capacity room full of current and former members, those in attendance were treated to a very colourful presentation by past member Graeme Kennelly. Graeme recalled his days as a Hyde Park Rotary member and offered humorous analogy between his past days at the door with Alan Moss where they were likened to the Muppetts Characters Waldorf and Staedtler.

Club Meeting No 1828 12th February

More Than Rates, Roads and Rubbish

At our last meeting on the twelfth of February, the lucky few members who were in attendance were treated to a wealth of knowledge about our Unley community by the eternally youthful looking councillor Michael Rabbitt. (no relation to Peter or Jack)!

A locally born native, Michael left the area for only a short period, returning for the duration of his life in 1972 and finally settling in Millswood.

He is a father, grandfather, husband for 50 years and the proud owner of a Dalmatian dog named Denver (named after the late singer, John).

Having been involved in the finance sector for 46 years, Michael retired in 2010 and was elected to the Unley council in 2014.

At that time the council comprised of one woman and twelve men, but Michael was extremely happy to inform us that the new recently elected council introduced seven new members, the balance now being eight women and five men.

Councillors are expected to put in ten hours a week, with many working at least twenty.

The council is comprised of the Mayor and twelve ward councillors, two for each ward.

As a member of the” Save our Streets” group Michael felt a great deal could be accomplished by joining council.

He spoke to us in a very informative fashion alluding to several projects close to him and sharing his knowledge about the projects that Unley have accomplished or are planning to achieve in the forseeable future.

Of particular interest, was the Centennial Park Cemetery café project, a new development which will offer a place of refreshments for those visiting their loved ones. Along with this , Michel spoke of a behind the scenes tour that is available for the adventurous at heart who have the courage to visit the crematorium.

Sworn to secrecy, Michael spoke of wayward and tardy rate payers, some more than three years in arrears and of tree loppings in Hyde Park.

It was interesting to know that the city of Unley has four community centres, one museum, two libraries, a community bus service and a swimming centre.

Add to the above a men’s shed, a Buddies at breakfast group and other varied activities and forums for both youth and the elderly, the council is providing very functional services to its community.

Gala events such as the Tour down Under, the Gourmet Gala event and the French themed gourmet event, add to the cacophony of delightful experiences offered to the palates of an appreciative public accustomed to fine dining and good wines. King William Rd , although recently renovated and re paved also offers delicacies which would easily convince the diner they were in a cosmopolitan street of Paris or Italy.( let’s forget however the lack of parking since the re vamp)

Unley council has 250 paid employees and many volunteers and a very highly paid CEO.

The council is comprised of the Mayor and twelve ward councillors, two for each ward.

Michael mentioned that some of the council’s future plans include upgrade of both Unley and Goodwood ovals owing to a two million dollar grant offered by the previous Labour state government.

Proposed five storey apartment blocks proposed for Unley Rd were not passed by council but overridden by Local Planning act.

By the end of the evening this resident of Mitcham council was left a little envious of those lucky “Unleyites"who are governed by such a progressive group.

Club Meeting No 1826 15th January

Walk Round Australia

BROTHERHOOD AND BLISTERS 1969

Last week our guest speaker was no other than our illustrious President Gerry Greenway, who spoke very eloquently to his captive audience about the Apex walk around Australia which he formulated and coordinated in 1969.

Gerry was 34 years young and a member of the Blackwood Apex club when, participating in a local walkathon, his overactive mind started working overtime and he decided that it would be a novel idea to extend his walking ambitions beyond our borders.

At that time he hadn’t decided the why or wherefores of this rash decision, but it was destined to become a major money spinner for Apex and its eventual charity,Autism Australia.

The path to any brilliant scheme must come with the approval of both zone and National conventions and much to Gerry’s great relief his ambitious idea was approved.

Local sponsors were quickly procured, namely Claridge Motors, BP and the National Bank who donated $2,000 towards a prize for the person who could guess closest to the total distance covered at the end of the walk.

Claridge motors donated a fully fitted out sedan and BP donated the fuel.

Gerry reminded us that these were the days before computers and mobile phones and every single walk in all of the States had to have map references and local coordinators with whom he liased by trunk calls and copious plane flights using a map and pins from his mother’s sewing box.

Nine months of planning went into this ground breaking event and at all stages the weather was also a major consideration.

It was decided that the walk would proceed in a clockwise direction from SA to WA, eventually passing through each state with many local mini walks on the way, ensuring that as many local Apex clubs as possible could participate. Highway 1 was the major arterial route it would follow.

Support was rallied by the RAA, a bus company and local airlines.

Barry Ford, a banker from Perth, volunteered to participate the whole way which assisted enormously in the overall communication of information to all participants.

Here in Adelaide, Robin Millhouse, a local politician, and also the Lord Mayor supported the cause and local TV coverage was solicited.

The East coast of Australia was the most densely populated section of the walk, so in NSW QLD and VIC many minor road networks evolved so as many small clubs as possible could be included.

In the NT, one of our Hyde Park Rotary stalwarts, namely Neville Highett, our incoming president, walked with other Tennant Creek locals and on this occasion, he provided us with several colourful anecdotes of his experiences and those of several of his fellow walkers. Gruesome tales of pigs, donkeys, bones and death added to our interest in the evenings presentation steadfastly ensuring no one could comfortably finish their meals.

All in all with combined input from both Gerry and Neville we were left mesmerized by how one man’s crazy imagination and vision conceived in simpler times and with rudimentary communications, could result in such a wonderful result for such a worthy cause.

The sum of $120,000 was raised which in present times would add up to roughly $1,000000.

A total of 9,380 miles or 15,097 km were covered and the Topic of Autism had now presented itself to everyday Australians and would result in more research, more staffing and wider public awareness into the future.

Well done Gerry you crazy visionary for having the courage and fortitude to follow through on your dreams and never being afraid to “give it a go".

Christmas comes to Hyde Park

FESTIVITY, FRIVOLITY, FOOD, FUN AND FRIENDSHIP

Carols, calories, quiz and cuisine. All the elements needed for a successful soiree were present in spades on Saturday evening December 14^th when our club members gathered together with partners in tow for a happy night of fellowship and fun.

With all the members providing delicious contributions to the table, no one went hungry and the bar provided ample beverages with which to wash them down.

Everyone joined in to the Christmas spirit, carols were sung, stories shared and conversations flowed as freely as the wine that washed them down.

The grand master of quiz games namely President Gerry Greenway, provided an impromptu brain stretching quiz whilst Ros and Peter Griffiths had us guessing over sweet delights.

The lucky door prize was won by Ann McIntyre and husband Iain returned to his past role of leading the carols. Iain also succeeded in winning the quiz and money man Alan Moss guessed the coins.

A very successful end to another year of fellowship and service to the community. May there be many more to come.

Click Read More to see pics

Club Meeting No 1825 December 11th

Travels to Cuba and beyond

This week we were treated to an interesting travelogue by Chris Edwards who undertook a journey from Florida to Cuba and then on to Columbia.

After a confusing start Chris and his wife finally departed on their holiday and arrived in Florida and began their adventure exploring the wetlands. They saw examples of American wildlife including alligators and bird life such as bald eagles. Moving on they visited Disneyland in Daytona and also saw what is billed as the world’s most famous beach (they were not convinced) before visiting a gun shop which was more like a huge supermarket.

It is not possible to go direct to Cuba from the US and so they boarded a small cruise ship and sailed to Nassau in the Bahamas and then on to Cuba.

Cuba has a chequered history. It was invaded by the Spanish in 1492 and after 400 years of Spanish dominance Cuba was eventually put under American control following the Spanish American war in 1898. Cuba gained Independence in 1902 but 40 years later in 1952 Dictator Fulgencio Batista gained control with American backing. In 1958 he was overthrown after a Revolution and this heralded the first appearance of Fidel Castro as Prime Minister.

At this point the US imposed an embargo on arms to Cuba followed in 1960 by all goods except food and medicine. In 1962 the embargo was extended and included food and medicine. These embargos were placed to make life so miserable for the Cubans that they would overthrow the Castro lead Government. Obama eased travel restrictions to Cuba but Trump put them back. There are a lot of exiled Cuban expats in Florida and their vote is critical and they want the embargos to continue.

In 1976 Fidel Castro who had formed the Communist Party in Cuba with the help of Che Geuvara became President until ill health forced him to resign in 2008.

Chris showed us slides of places of interest in Cuban cities that they visited. The capital Havana is a vibrant city with friendly and very musical people. The Embargo has caused many buildings to be in a state of disrepair. There are many interesting buildings, churches and revolution squares in all the places they went. The transport everywhere is old as evidenced by many old cars and even horse drawn transport.

Cuba needs tourism as its only exports are cigars and sugar. Its economy is weak and relations with Washington are deteriorating. The new President is Miguel Diaz-Canel and the Secretary of the Communist Party is Rual Castro. Being a Communist State Cuba has full employment.

After visiting Cuba they went on to Columbia and then Panama before returning to Australia via the United States.

A most interesting and informative evening and after many questions Peter Griffiths gave the Vote of Thanks and presented Chris with a bottle of wine.

Our trailer BBQ comes with 2 cooks.

To book, or to discuss your requirements, please phone: ANDREW SULLIVAN on 0418 816 624 OR email Andrew here.

Before you call, check our Calendar (under Activities) in case it's already booked.

Minimum Hire Fee $300 with 2 people for 2-hours - food not included.

For big events requiring more members please discuss with Andrew.

We do not hire out the trailer BBQ without Rotarians in attendance.

Do You have Time for Rotary? Are you new to Rotary? Rotary welcomes women and men.

Interested in joining Rotary, or simply wish to hear one of our excellent guest speakers? Just email your request and contact details to: hydepark@rotaryclub.org.au or call Secretary Alan Moss (+61 0418 845 141) or Past President Mike McAuliffe (+61 0417 855 182) for an invitation to a meeting. It's as simple as that.