Last Thursday night, we had the pleasure to induct three new members into our Club – Yulieth, Ian and his partner Sheryl. We’ll hear more about our new members when they do their “Life & Times” talks in the future but here’s a brief snapshot.
Yulieth Gonzales has been a Cuppa Conversation attendee for about a year, and enjoyed the benefits of Rotary so much she decided to give back to the community and join Adelaide Light. Yuli (pronounced Juli) came to Australia from Colombia seven years ago, and moved to Adelaide four years ago; she is a Mining Engineer. Yuli’s proposer was Rob McLennan.
Ian Delaere and his partner Sheryl Cranston were neighbours of our former member Margie Steffens who suggested to Ian that he “check out” our Club. From Ian’s first visit to our Club, this engaging “Rotary-curious” man volunteered two days later to attend our monthly Cuppa Conversation event; offered to take on a Bunnings BBQ shift two days after that, attended the next month or so’s meetings, and then decided that Adelaide Light was a great Club to join – and for that we are extremely thankful. Ian describes himself as an ex-Canadian, ex-Government scientist who is now in private enterprise specialising in the field of Toxicology.
During this timeline, Sheryl was away with her job in various parts of South Australia and when she returned and met everyone, we were delighted that she also decided to join our Club. Sheryl’s life is busy being a mum to two active teenagers 17yo Charlotte (who is our candidate for NYSF 2025) and 13yo Max who has often attended our events. Sheryl is a very dedicated Rehabilitation Counsellor in the Aged Care sphere working with the homeless, aged care grants, NDIS and other assistance packages. We are very pleased to have Sheryl as a new member. Yvette Reade was the proposer for both Sheryl and Ian.
Keep this date free – Saturday 30 November 2024 is our Christmas Croquet Challenge event where we play some matches to try to win back our Silver Teapot Trophy from the Rotaract Club of Adelaide City – and then enjoy a wonderfully casual meal and conversation to celebrate the festive season. President Steph Hopkins has assured me her Rotaract Club will lock this date in too. The Christmas event will be held at the South Terrace Croquet Club from 5.30pm to around 8.30pm.
President Steph let me know that Adelaide Light members are welcome to attend their meeting at the Cumberland Arms, 205 Waymouth St, Adelaide from 6pm to help with their “Backpack” project on Monday 28 October. Our “daughter” club is also celebrating its 12-year anniversary at the Wheatsheaf Pub, Thebarton on Sunday, 15 December 2024 from 2.30pm onwards. All welcome to attend.
Our heartrending guest speaker last week was Lyn Barrington who is a survivor of 30 years of narcissistic behaviour and abuse by her former husband. Still bearing the scars of a tortuous relationship that started soon after she was swept into a too-quick romance and marriage within six months, before slowly being subjected to increased behavioural patterns that took away her individuality, her sense of self, and actual separation from friends and family when they bought a property in the Southern Flinders. Narcissistic tendencies like bragging or making yourself the centre of attention is normal when they occur occasionally, but Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is more severe, more controlling of other people, and very isolating for the other person being manipulated. People who suffer NPD exhibit a lack of empathy, have delusions of grandeur and entitlement, often exploit others especially family members, are arrogant and often shift any blame to others. This behaviour impacts greatly on those who have been isolated from friends and family, belittled, abused and suffered domestic violence. Lyn is scarred from her years of mental and physical abuse from a person she thought she could trust; but has risen above the fear of being badly hurt or killed when she escaped his obsessive control several years ago. To hear from an actual survivor of this treatment instead of “experts” who see it every day, is a real eye-opener. Our members were spell-bound with Lyn’s story of the after effects of leaving a toxic relationship and trying to gain employment, permanent housing and re-establishing a life without fear. Thanks Lyn for giving us a very thought-provoking presentation on your experience of domestic violence.
This coming Thursday is Coffee Catch-up at the White Picket Cafe.
Best wishes and have a great week. Yvette, President.
