Opening
President Rhonda welcomed Eva and Rowena, and opened the meeting
Guest Speaker: Kerre Willsher - Australian Rotarians Against Malaria
Valerie introduced Kerre who was born in Warracknabeal, and now lives in Whyalla. She has been a registered nurse and midwife, with a special interest in infectious diseases and child health. Work has taken her to remote areas of SA, the UK and PNG (where she caught malaria). In her PhD studies she looked at how parents with disabled children were coping in country areas. She has won a teaching award. As well as Rotary, she has been a volunteer with Girl Guides, Surf Life Saving and Red Cross.
Kerre thanked our club for sponsoring Whyalla student Malachi Cossatt in the Rotary Youth Sailing Challenge out of Port Lincoln in January.
Malaria is a killer - 610,000 deaths in 2024, with 70% of these cases being women and children. Hot spots include Africa (particularly Nigeria), South America (particularly Brazil), India [which has set a goal of eliminating it by 2030] and tropical islands like the Philippines and PNG. Australia is not immune with 100 cases each year in the Torres Strait Islands
Vaccines are still being developed.....the most effective to date requires 4 doses which is problematic in itself given the need to store in low temperatures and be delivered in often poorly accessible areas. Effort is being made to more effectively vaccinate pregnant women who are very vulnerable. ARAN is aiming its efforts at bed netting, repellent, spraying stagnant water, health programs, breeding reduction, surveillance, diagnostics, logistics and health scholarships. Australia has committed to eradicating malaria in West Timor and Vanuatu.
There are a range of other deadly diseases spread through different species of mosquito, including Ross River Virus and Japanese encephalitis.
ARAN would appreciated donations and purchase of its fund raising equipment.
Kerre was warmly thanked for her address
Special Moments
The Prez produced photos from Donna's recent nuptials, and Ross Smith announced he had successfully 'popped the question'.....marriage proposal to be more exact.....at Nine Mile Beach, Esperance.
Happiness prevails! Marriage counselling has potential.
Spots
Vivienne Wood successfully filled the morning shift at the Thrift Shop in Saturday 7 March with Donna and John P.
Christina Way had been chatting with Ken who is progressing well and intends to return in March.
Stephen Baker reminded members of the fabulous bowls evening with Mitcham Rotary on Wednesday evening of next week (no meeting on Tuesday).....all the details in the bulletin and invitation
President Rhonda gathered numbers for the Women in Rotary Breakfast at the Arkaba on 4 March. An invitation will be issued to join the Salvos for their Soup Kitchen meal on Friday 27 March.
Patsy Beckett announced that the Commonwealth Club will be holding a Choral Evening 6pm on 15 March to mark Commonwealth Day with HE the Governor in attendance.
Projects and Fund Raising
President Rhonda's 3 key projects this year are the Musical Garden, empowering women in Afghanistan and engaging in a peace mentoring program in conjunction with the Peace Poles. Last week members were asked to provide ideas for significant fund raising to enable the above projects, with priority on the young women of Afghanistan. $14,500 or part thereof is needed in conjuction with a Canadian Rotary club. There were a range of issues discussed, including security for the women involved. Garry did an AI check and came up with traditional big money spinners, mainly employed by resource rich organisations. Less ambitious but workable ideas included progressive dinners, birthday donations and perhaps a fair. Simon will be leading a talented band which includes Patty, Sarah, Marie and Robert to organise a Rotary Fair in October or November
Finale
Vivienne scored the filthy lucre and Greg was back in action again, snaffling the chockies. The motion to ban him from winning received widespread support but was not formally seconded.
The meeting closed at 8 pm
Rotary International News
Simple idea sparks innovation
By John Apostolou, Rotary Club of Alexandroupolis, Greece
For the past two years, through my involvement with the Learning Center and countless conversations with fellow Greek Rotarians at conferences and seminars, I kept noticing the same challenge: the absence of the Greek language on the platform made it difficult for many members to fully engage with the educational resources of Rotary International.
In September 2025, during the official visit of our district governor to our club, I decided to share a simple but meaningful idea: to personally begin translating Learning Center courses into Greek. The governor immediately supported the initiative and gave me the green light to move forward.
With his encouragement, I contacted Rotary International, established the necessary communication channels, and soon after, the first translated courses began to take shape. Today, three courses have already been published on the MyRotary platform in Greek — and this is only the beginning.
What I truly hope every Rotarian in our district sees through this story is the following: you don’t need a grand plan to start something impactful. Sometimes, all it takes is a single idea, paired with initiative and the willingness to serve. This is how meaningful and innovative projects are born.
John Apostolou is an assistant governor in District 2475 and his club’s learning facilitator, club service projects chair, and club Rotary Foundation chair.
Coffee Chat at Impressa, Unley Shopping Centre
10.30 am on the first Friday of the month is good for a chat with Rotary friends and a caffeine fix - Next one Friday 6 March 2026
Upcoming Meetings
Wednesday 25 February 2026 6.30 for 7.00pm Unley Bowling Club (next to Unley Oval)
Fun Event - Annual Bowls Engagement with Mitcham Rotary. There will be mixed teams.
Cost $15 to cover bowls and pizza supper
Tuesday 3 March 2026 Living Choice Natures Providore
Event: Membership and Public Image Committees Update
Welcoming team: Vera-Ann Stacy and Garry Taylor
Apologies and Meeting Enquiries to: Secretary Greg McLeod on 0417 811 838 or email to secretary@unleyrotary.org.au
Venue Set-up Enquiries to: Bulletin Editor Stephen Baker on 0403 687 015
Saturday Thrift Shop Roster
Early Shift: 10.00am to 1.00pm Late Shift: 1.00pm to 4.00pm
Week 1: 7 March 2026
Early:(Haydn & Sue Baillie) Donna Cavallaro and John Peacham | Late: Robyn Carnachan & Leonie Kewen
Week 2: 14 March 2026
Early: Greg Mcleod & Wendy Andrews | Late: Vera-Ann Stacy & Reno Elms
Week 3: 21 February 2026
Early: David Middleton & Nathan White | Late: Vera Holt & Rhonda Hoare
Week 4: 28 February 2026
Early: Stephen Baker & Judi Corcoran | Late: Jason Booth & Vera-Ann Stacy
Week 5:
Early: Bob Mullins & Wendy Andrews | Late: Virginia Cossid & Paul Duke
Rotarians, who are unable to attend as rostered, please arrange a swap or as a very last resort contact: Vivienne Wood 0408 819 630; e-mail: vwood@ozemail.com.au
Mitre 10 and Bunnings Barbeques
The Mitre 10 BBQs are the first and third Saturdays of each month. Morning shift 8.30am - 12 noon; afternoon shift 12.00 - 3.30pm, then clean-up.....next scheduled is 21 February 2026
ALL the Bunnings Mile End Barbeque shifts are from 8am to 5pm
Morning shift: 8.00am – 12.30pm | Afternoon shift: 12.30 – 5pm
We have been allocated the last Monday of each month. Our next one will be 23 February 2026
The Tale End.....
Time for some true stories
Sorrow
A man is sitting at a bar, just staring sadly at his drink for a good half hour. Suddenly, a big rough-looking biker walks up, grabs the drink, downs it in one gulp, and glares at him.
"I just drank your drink," the biker growls. "What are you gonna do about it?"
The man bursts into tears.
The biker softens. "Hey, man, I was just messing with you. I didn't think you'd cry. I can't stand seeing a grown man cry."
"This is the worst day of my life," the man says through sobs."Nothing has gone right. I overslept and showed up late to an important meeting so my boss fired me. When I went to the parking lot, my car was gone. Stolen. And I don't have insurance."
He wipes his eyes and continues, "I took a cab home and realized I left my wallet in the taxi. Then I walked inside and found my wife in bed with the gardener. And when I tried to leave, my dog bit me."
The biker shifts uncomfortably.
"So I came here," the man cries, "trying to work up the courage to finally end it all."
He looks up at the biker. "And then you came along and drank the poison."
The big bucks
A mechanic was in the middle of removing the cylinder head from a Harley motorcycle when he noticed a familiar face, a famous cardiologist, waiting in the shop for a consultation.
Seizing the moment, the mechanic waved him over.
"Hey Doc, c'mon, take a look at this!"
The cardiologist walked over, curious. The mechanic stood up, wiped his greasy hands on a rag, and said:
"Look at what I do: I take apart an engine, remove the valves, fix what's broken, and put it all back together. When I'm done it runs perfectly."
So tell me, how come I make $40k a year, and you pull in over $1.6 million when we're basically doing the same job?"
The doctor paused, gave a knowing smile, leaned closer, and replied quietly: "Try doing it while the engine's still running."
Editor's note......the tradies are catching up
Speed
Paul goes into a bar and orders seven shots of tequila and one Budweiser.
The barman lines up shots and goes to get the beer
When he comes back with the pint, all seven shots are gone.
The barman says: "Wow! You sure drank those fast."
Paul explains: "You would drink fast too if you had what I have."
The barman asks: "What do you have?"
The guy reaches into his pocket and says: "Fifty cents!"
