Attendance: 24 members plus Wade Simpson, Harry, AG Di Clements, Briony Casburn (McLaren Vale) and Bronwyn Kenny
A neatly attired President Jason opened the 4th Covid meeting at 7.00 pm.
He thanked Christina for her stamps fundraising, signaled a new vocational project, and mentioned that DG Tim Klar had provided him with a changeover format.
Guest Speaker Mish Simpson: Southern Koala Rescue
Jerry Casburn introduced Mish who is a data scientist and runs the koala rescue and rehabilitation centre in the Onkaparinga Hills with husband Wade and a band of enthusiastic volunteers. Mish became involved in animal rescue back in 2013, joined the RSPCA and undertook an animal science course to equip herself. She and her husband now specialise in rescuing and rehabilitating koalas and echidnas. Southern Koala Rescue is an accredited charity.
SKR runs a 24 hour rescue service in the southern suburbs and works closely with other animal welfare organisations. Koalas in South Australia face an uphill battle for survival. With koala habitat becoming increasingly fragmented from continued residential development and bushfires making food sources harder to find, our state’s koalas have to travel further for food. Unfortunately, this means that they often fall victim to incidents with cars and trucks. Dog attacks are also a major issue for urban and rural koalas. Not only do they suffer from the effects of habitat loss (from bushfires and urban development), they also have to contend with the increase of disease and illness, particularly Chlamydia, Retrovirus and Renal Disease that plague the population.
Mish showed us Harry who became an orphan in August last year and weighed only 500gms when saved. He was one of 13 koalas rescued and rehabilitated that year, with most being returned to their natural habitat. A more suitable property was purchased with the intention/dream of building a stand-alone hospital and rehab centre.......but it requires a lot of work. Briony Casburn and her McLaren Vale Club have got their hands dirty with clearing and cleaning up. A real winner was a visit to Donations in Kind at Salisbury from where where a range of helpful items, like syringes to feed baby koalas, were sourced. Briony has her eye on one of the X-Ray machines in storage.
Mish and her team are grateful for any assistance, such as a volunteer to look after the koalas, help with property improvement or donations to defray the ongoing costs.
Mish was thanked with a round of applause.....at least it may have been if we had all un-muted.
Spots
Sorel Coward was amazingly succinct.....changeover next Sunday at Damien's......only one spot left.
Chris Davis advised that he had 24 signed up for the Reverse Raffle.....26 more to go.
David Middleton asked about the key for the Thrift Shop and was given the top secret combination.
Almoner Mavis Martin informed that Bob Laws was coping well and sends his best wishes for changeover. Pauline Daly is now in better shape and raring to tell stories about Ken and Rotary.
Sorel Coward proposed a toast to President Jason for his stewardship of the club over the last year
Finale
Bob Mills reported the following induction anniversaries: Jerry Casburn (14/6/2005), Reno Elms exactly one year later, Alex Jonson(18/6/1985)....35 years; and Judi Corcoran (20/6/2017). He then told a dodgy elephant of a tale.
Jason thanked club members who had provided outstanding support to him during the last year and then closed the meeting at 7.47pm.
ROTARY NEWS
We were built for this
By Paddy Rooney, governor of District 7390 (Pennsylvania, USA)
“We were built for this.” They were just a few words, cast upon a sea of words spoken that evening. But it encapsulated everything that I believe Rotary to be about and what our challenge is for the future. The words were spoken by Rotary International Director Jeffry Cadorette and General Secretary John Hewko at a zoom gathering of district governors and governors-elect. Spoken above the blare of the evening’s business, these words offer a profound vision for Rotary in the months and years to come as we move through this pandemic into the future which awaits us.
I have previously written about the need to re-envision our future as Rotarians, quoting Director Cadorette to illustrate that if Rotary were founded today, it would probably look nothing like it does at present. We showed how this pandemic has changed our very modus operandi from its structured and formalized process into something that is already more dynamic and flexible while still meeting the needs of our members.
But now I realize that the challenge before us goes much deeper than just sustaining our clubs, our community outreach, and our fundraising programs. It stretches into the very heart of our communities, into the very being of our existence as members of those communities, and as forces for change in the future. As Rotarians, 1.2 million strong, we are embedded deep into the life of our communities throughout the world. We represent all sectors, trades, and businesses. But more importantly, we are leaders in our communities.
In the coming months, governmental agencies and political groups will seek to rebuild our economy while other groups will help rebuild our healthcare system which is stretched almost to breaking point. But for me the question is: who will help rebuild our broken communities? Who will heal the rifts and divisions exposed by the pandemic, reach across the divide, and rebuild a sense of unity that says we can and will make a difference in the lives around us?
As Rotarians, we are best positioned to lead the rebuilding, reforming, and reshaping that will be needed in our communities. This is who we are and this is what we do. Indeed, you could say that “we were built for this.” We know our communities better than anyone else. We know its strengths and weaknesses, good and bad, joys and sorrows. We know, and in many cases, we love our communities. We care about what happens and seek the very best for our communities.
Whether in clubs large or small, whether in e-clubs or passport clubs, whether we meet in person or virtually, whether we are Interactors, Rotaractors or Rotarians, we are one in Rotary spirit. With the resources of Rotary International behind us, we can help rebuild our broken and shattered communities. Indeed “we were built for this.” This is our time, this is our moment, this is our call. We can and will do this because we are Rotarians.
Upcoming Meetings
Changeover - 12.30pm Sunday 21 June Damien on Fisher
Tuesday 30 June 2020 6 for 6.30pm at Damien on Fisher
Event: Club Assembly
Chair: Bob Mills...…Set-up and Welcome: Bob Mullins and John Peacham
Tuesday 7 July 2020 6 for 6.30pm at Damien on Fisher
Guest Speaker: Mark Potter - Barista and training
Chair: Bob Mills...…Set-up and Welcome: Bob Mullins and John Peacham
Early: David Middleton & Nathan White | Late: Pam Trimmer & Ken Haines
Week 4: 27 June 2020
Early: Stephen Baker & Judi Corcoran | Late: Rhonda Hoare & Jason Booth
Week 5:
Early: Bob Mullins & Wendy Andrews | Late: Jerry Casburn & Reno Elms
Rotarians, who are unable to attend as rostered, please arrange a swap or as a very last resort contact: Pam Trimmer (T) 8293 2612; (M) 0415 238 333; e-mail: pamela.trimmer@bigpond.com
Watch this space for:
Bunnings and Mitre 10 BBQs......on resumption
The Tale End
Difficult decision
This test has only one question, but it's a very important one. By giving an honest answer, you will discover where you stand morally. The test features an unlikely and completely fictional situation in which you will have to make a decision. Only you will know the results, so remember, your answer needs to be completely honest.
THE SITUATION:
You are in Palm Beach with chaos all around you caused by a hurricane. You are a photojournalist working for a major newspaper, and you're caught in the middle of this epic disaster. There is a flood of biblical proportions. The situation is nearly hopeless. You're trying to shoot career-making photos. There are houses and people swirling around you, some disappearing under the water. Nature is unleashing all its destructive fury.
THE TEST:
Suddenly you see a man in the water. He is fighting for his life, trying not to be taken down with the debris. You move closer. Somehow this man looks like...WOW --- it's Donald Trump. At the same time you realize the raging waters are about to take him under forever.
YOU HAVE TWO OPTIONS:
You can save the life of Donald Trump, OR you can shoot a dramatic Pulitzer-Prize-winning photo, documenting the last minute of one of the world's most powerful and much loved men.
YOUR DECISION:
OK. Here's the question, and please give an honest answer:
WOULD YOU:
(A) select high contrast colour film, or
(B) go with the classic simplicity of black and white.
By Paddy Rooney, governor of District 7390 (Pennsylvania, USA)
