Rotarlight 17/18 #30 (Feb 03, 2018)

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Alain Charles

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Hello Rotarians,

Hope your weekend has been enjoyable.

Last Tuesday we welcomed Carey Westwood and Wanjiru Waithaka visitors from Kenya. After several years working within international and community development across Africa and in Kenya, Carey with Co-Founder, Wanjiru Waithaka founded Manasprings. Wanjiru is an inspiring Kenyan woman, who believes wholeheartedly in the empowerment of women in leadership and the importance of networking with like-minded leaders to solve the issues of poverty. Manasprings’ commitment is to provide a place where grassroots women leaders gather to refresh body, mind and spirit for re-energised service to their communities.

As you are aware, there have been many discussions taking place regarding proposed redistricting. The Board met for an extraordinary meeting last Monday to discuss the proposed merger of District 9600, 9630 and 9640.

I am extremely grateful for the work and research that has been diligently undertaken by our Rotarians. I would like to sincerely thank the following Broadbeach Rotarians Tony Lewis , Neil Jones, Neil Baldwin, Bob Jordan, Graham Sivyer.

As I ore-empted at last Tuesday’s meeting, an email was sent on Thursday afternoon the 8^th of February addressing details of the proposed merger between Districts 9600, 9630 and 9640. The email attachment covers a Summary of cases FOR the merger and AGAINST the merger. I ask that all members of BBRC please read them thoroughly so you are able to make a more informed vote.

This is an important outcome for our Club and next Tuesday the 13^th of February we will be voting as a Club on the proposed redistricting. Your attendance is very important and I look forward to welcoming you all on Tuesday at the Quality Hotel.

Yours in Rotary

Alain

ATTENDANCE REPORT 13TH FEBRUARY 2018

	Broadbeach Members
	Honorary Members
	Guest Speaker
	Visiting Rotarians
	Total Attendance

MEETING DUTY ROSTER

20 February

Door: Robyn Brown & Peter Dimond

Sergeant: Russ Hutchison

Toast: Kevin O'Brien

Scribe: Cec McPaul

Anecdote: Frank Adorjan

27 February - Fellowship meeting at The Hub

Door: Robyn Brown & Peter Dimond

Sergeant: Les Bulluss

Toast: Denis O'Brien

Scribe: John Monks

Anecdote: Uwe Seifert

06 March

Door: Ian Cowen & Bob Jordan

Sergeant: Les Bulluss

Toast: Alex Jorden

Scribe: Denis O'Brien

Profile: Harold Busch

13 March

Door: Ian Cowen & Noel Hodges

Sergeant: Russ Hutchison

Toast: Nasser Kaviani

Scribe: Bill Rex

Profile: Nigel Hyland

20th March

Door: Ian Cowen & Malcolm Daviess

Sergeant: David O'Dwyer

Toast: Nigel Hyland

Scribe: Grahame Werrell

Anecdote: David O'Dwyer

FUNDRAISING ROSTER REMINDERS THIS WEEK

Sausage Sizzle Friday 23rd February

8.00am Malcolm Daviess & Tony Lewis

11.00am Ian Cowen, Noel Hodges & Nancy Smith

Car Boot Sale Sunday 4th March

5.00am Harold Busch, Nigel Hyland, Neil Jones & Bill Waller

7.00am Peter Gowans & Denis O,Brien

FINANCE REPORT - PETER DIMOND

Meeting		6th February
Fines	$30.85	Bunning's Sizzle 2 February	$ 641.00
Copper Pot	$14.85
Raffle	$36.00	Car boot sale 4 February	196.00

TOTAL	$81.70	TOTAL	$ 837.00

SECRETARY REPORT - Tony Lewis

This is just to reiterate the comments from President Alain regarding the vote by members in regard to the proposed merger of Districts 9600 9630 9640.

Please note that only eligible members attending the meeting can vote. There can be no proxies or votes by other means. Last Thursday, an Email was sent to all members giving a synopsis of, and details of the cases for and against this proposed merger. Current records show that there are still some members who have not opened this Email. If you are going to vote you really need to read the content of it before the vote on Tuesday (13th February).

ALMONER REPORT - Bob Jordan

Nothing new this week. Pleasing to see Bill Waller back with us last week.

President

Alain Charles

Immediate Past President

Bruce Kuhn

President Elect

Pauline Armstrong

Vice President

Neil Jones

Treasurer

Peter Dimond

Secretary

Tony Lewis

Director - Admin

Robert Jordan

Director - Service

Harold Busch

Director - Membership

Les Bulluss

Director - Rotary Foundation

Pauline Armstrong

Director - Youth Services

Noel Hodges

Webmaster

Jim Hawkins

Forum Discussions - Redistricting

Quality Hotel

Feb 13, 2018
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Nasser Kaviani - about Beekeeping

Quality Hotel

Feb 20, 2018
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Sarah McGuinness

Broadbeach Rotary Hub

Feb 27, 2018
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Update from Robert Borbidge

Quality Hotel

Mar 06, 2018
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Rev. Jon Brook - Anglican Crisis Centre

Quality Hotel

Mar 13, 2018
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Member Birthdays

Andrew McTaggart

February 11

Spouse Birthdays

Denise

February 3

Anniversaries

Keith Hawton

Lorraine Hawton

February 6

Denis O'Brien

Claire

February 19

Join Date

Cec McPaul

February 1, 1979

39 years

Robyn Brown

February 9, 2016

2 years

MEMBER ANECDOTES

BRUCE KUHN

In 2007, I was seconded to the AFP to support the Regional Assistance Mission Solomon Islands (RAMSI), and one of my roles was coordinating AFP advisor personnel from the 15 countries supporting the mission to the 18 police posts across the nation.

During that period, an AFP officer of Welsh descent had a particular interest in a Police Post at Lofung in the far north west of the country, not far to the south of Bouganville. His interest was that the airstrip to service Lofung was an island called Ballallai. During WW2, over 500 British POW’s were taken from Rabaul by the Japanese to turn Ballallai from a small island into an airstrip to support the Japanese move south into the Solomon Islands, as the US navy moved north from Guadalcanal. The island became a significant ‘BETTY bomber’ base to launch their attacks, however they were eventually pushed back. Sadly, no British POW’s ever left the island.

I approved the officer's secondment which unbeknown to me at the time, his research became an opportunity for me also. The officer later contacted me to see if I could assist in making some arrangements, as I also managed the airframe supporting the mission. He had contacted relatives of some of the missing British POW’s and as a result, he had arranged with the British High Commissioner based in Honiara to travel to Ballalai on Remembrance Day and I got to escort him and his party. One of the girls in my office played the bagpipes (not a great instrument in a crowded base), and she also came along.

So on 11/11/2007, we arrived at the Ballallai airfield where the officer had given the memorial, built at the end of the war to the British POW’s, a well-deserved clean-up and we conducted a Remembrance Day ceremony, complete with bagpipes, which caused somewhat of a chill in the veins, followed by lunch.

Before we departed we walked into the jungle beside the strip where large numbers of the BETTY bombers were still parked where they were left as the US advanced, which made the solemn occasion even more eerie….

Coincidentally / ironically, in 1999 whilst I was stationed at Horn Island, the museum curator had arranged firstly for US personnel who had served at Horn Island during the war to visit and we joined for a Servicemen's dinner. Two weeks later she arranged for ex Japanese bomber personnel to visit the island where I was invited to lunch with them. One of those officers was a reconnaissance pilot who showed me on a map where he guided a bombing run of Horn Island from PNG. Lunch was followed by a solemn Japanese ceremony to recognise personnel who did not return from their missions.

UPCOMING ROTARY EVENTS

The “Fun with Rotary” Conference

District Governor Darrell Brown, together with host Rotary Clubs Surfers Sunrise and Gold Coast, invite you to come for Fun with Rotary at the fabulous Sea World Conference Centre on the Broadwater at Main Beach, Gold Coast.

The Conference Committee has been working hard to create an experience for you that is fun, exciting and inspirational. Only three weeks before the 2018 Commonwealth Games, you’ll be engaged in great activities with very special people from the moment you arrive.

The whole program is designed to make sure that everyone who attends feels welcome, involved, gets fully inspired and recharged, and most of all has FUN With Rotary.

Full details and on-line registration is easily accessed at www.rotary9640.org

Rotary Information Weekly

Forty-two million people are displaced by armed conflict or persecution, and 90 percent of armed-conflict casualties are civilians, half of them children

Through academic training, study, and practice, Rotary has developed the Rotary Peace Centers program that develops leaders who become catalysts for peace and conflict prevention and resolution in their communities and around the globe. Graduates of the program are reintegrating refugees in Sudan, creating jobs for disadvantaged women in India, and supporting reconstruction in devastated regions of the world.

Each year, Rotary selects up to 100 professionals from around the world to receive fellowships to study at one of our peace centers

Through academic training, practice, and global networking opportunities, the Rotary Peace Centers program develops leaders who become catalysts for peace and conflict prevention and resolution. These fellowships cover tuition and fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and all internship and field-study expenses.

In just over a decade, the Rotary Peace Centers have trained more than 1,000 fellows for careers in peacebuilding. Many of them are serving as leaders at international organizations or have started their own foundations

The Rotary Foundation Weekly

Give the Gift of Rotary

On 23 February, Rotary will celebrate its 113th anniversary. Consider making a special birthday gift to The Rotary Foundation today. When you give to the Annual Fund, you empower Rotarians like you to improve their communities and make lasting change.

Talk to Pauline Armstrong today about making your personal EREY contribution/becoming a Centurion.

FROM LAST WEEK'S MEETING 6TH FEBRUARY 2018

Scribe: Russ Hutchison

Sergeant David opened the meeting, Ray Milton proposed the toast and President Alain welcomed our guests - Paul Armstrong (Pauline's son) and guest speakers Carey Westwood & Wanjiru Waithaka.

President Alain alerted all members that a club vote on the redistricting proposal would be held at next week's meeting. Secretary Tony will be emailing information regarding the proposal to all members later this week to enable all to be well informed of the pros and cons ahead of the meeting.

Sergeant David lightened our pockets. Jim Hawkins won the raffle and our guest Paul Armstrong won Heads & Tails.

President Elect Pauline introduced our two guest speakers for the evenings address.

The address was really quite a thought provoking event where we had Carey Westwood, originally from New Zealand and then to the Gold Coast for some years and in the past 25 years in Kenyain Kenya, with our second guest speaker from the same organisation in Kenya, Wanjiru Waithaka.

The two ladies are co-founders of an organisation named MANASPRINGS, a charitable organization in Kenya whose vision is to see healthy, vibrant communities led by ethical leaders, who are well able to influence sustainable solutions for positive change. Manasprings supports women community leaders throughout Kenya - the leaders of small grassroots organisations who carry the burden for the orphan, vulnerable child, single mother and impoverished family. These women are courageous and compassionate in serving their local communities. Manasprings currently supports women leaders through: Manasprings Leadership Events and Manasprings Community Service.

At present it would appear no monies are provided by the Kenyan Government but donations from overseas, (including a couple from the Gold Coast who have contributed a large sum of money) and small contributions from the women themselves sustain the organisation's activities.

Co-founder, Wanjiru Waithaka, one of ten children from a small Kenyan village and who, like Carey has given her life to supporting impoverished children in the community, added to Carey's remarks. Her message was similar to Carey's - one is never too old or young to achieve. Manasprings provides the connection for women in every community to learn and to work together. Her individual desire to do more has developed into a wider team effort - "if you want to walk fast walk alone but if you want to achieve more walk with others".

Their motto says it all "CONNECT - LEARN - INSPIRE"

Pauline did the vote of thanks on behalf of all in attendance to both ladies for their time and inspiring speeches.

The Week in Pictures

Pauline and son Paul with Nigel & Andrew Nasser & Nayer with Carey & Wanjiru

Sergeant David Ray proposes his toast President Alain

Jim won the Raffle Paul Armstrong won Heads & Tails

Guest Speakers Wanjiru and Carey Pauline thanks our guests & presents banners

WEEKLY LAUGHS

An Engineer dies and goes to Hell.
Dissatisfied with the level of comfort, he starts designing and building improvements. After a while, Hell has air conditioning, iced water, flush toilets and escalators, and the engineer is a pretty popular guy.
One day God calls and asks Satan, "So, how are things going down there?”
Satan says, why, things are going great. We've now got air conditioning, iced water, flush toilets and escalators, and there's no telling what this Engineer is going to come up with next.”
God is horrified. "What? You've got an Engineer? That's clearly a mistake – he should never have gone down there! You know all Engineers go to Heaven. Send him up here immediately!
"Satan says, "No way, I really like having an Engineer on the staff. I'm keeping him.”
God says, "Send him back up here or I'll sue you.”
"Yeah, right," Satan laughs, "and where are you going to get a Lawyer?"
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To prepare for my daughter's First Communion, I called the church in the town where we used to live to get a copy of her baptismal certificate.
We lived there for only a short while, so I didn't know the clergy well. When the secretary asked me the name of the father, I told her that I couldn't remember.
After a brief silence, she said, "Ma'am, I'm talking about the name of the baby's father."
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Q: What did the neurotic pig say to the farmer?
A: You take me for grunted.

Q: What do you get when two giraffes collide?
A: A giraffic jam.

Q: Did you hear about the guy whose whole left side was cut off?
A: He's all right now.

QUOTE FOR THE WEEK

- Thank you for viewing the Broadbeach Rotarlight -