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THE LIFE AND TIMES OF A WARTIME PROSECUTOR
It was with much gusto that at our combined meeting on Wednesday February 10th 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
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.
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..........
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.
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 22nd 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.
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Walk Round Australia
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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".
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 14th 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
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.
Rotary Opens Opportunities
Goodwood, SA 5061
Australia