Welcome
President John opened the meeting, welcomed our guests and asked Paul to introduce Gerry
Guest Speaker: Gerry Ganser - Rosefield Community Shed
Paul advised that Gerry was married with 4 daughters and 5 grandchildren. He spent 50 years in Whyalla, employed at the steel works and other enterprises. He specialised in computer work and was recruited after retirement in 2013 to help set up Rosefield.
Rosefield Community Shed (originally a men's shed situated at Julia Farr Centre in partnership with the Rosefield Uniting Church) is a NFP, and a member of the Australian Men's Shed Asociation, but for most of its life has had women members. Anyone over 18 can join. Men's sheds were set up to combat loneliness and depression among older males, some prone to suicide. Rosefied set itself the goals of skill enhancement, networking, improving self esteem, and fostering friendship. It has a motivating force, namely woodworking.
Gerry showed a 6 minute video of their workshop operations at the Barnyard Nursery in the Wayville Showgrounds where they meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays of each week for 10 months of the year. Currently there are 63 men and 7 women members, with this 70 about to swell to 80 . They have Bruce who is a skilled worker of wood and produces high quality carvings and other fine products like a viola. Equally dedicated is another member who is disabled but produces quality bird boxes. The video showed the construction of a large arch, reformation of a wagon wheel, farmyard nursery pens for the Show plus the above. Their range of equipment is impressive as is their output.
When the shed which had operated at Highgate Park from 2013 - 2018 could no longer be there, David Pisoni MP put them in touch with the Show Society which was happy to provide them with viable space. There is considerable 'quid pro quo' .......the shed produces materials useful for the Show in exchange for rent free accommodation.
A strategic plan is formulated annually. High on their list of purchase priorities is a Smart Board interactive screen with a wide range of applications eg inductions, training (including the priority given to occ health and safety), demonstrations, presentations relating to their operations plus others for the personal benefit of members by external providers. It will make life much easier for members of the voluntary management and training teams. Expected cost is about $3000 with HDI flex. The organisation funds itself through membership and session fees plus sales of its goods. Gerry thanked our club for funding a computer for them some years ago.
Gerry was applauded for his address.
Presidential announcements:
- The target of 19 volunteers for the Variety Club BBQ at the zoo on Wednesday 9 April is getting closer - 16 have now put up their hands. Arrival at the zoo by 9.30pm. There will be refrigeration and warming equipment for the food provided by Variety, RC Campbelltown to pick up our BBQ trailer on Monday, John to purchase all the bread, onions and sausages for the expected throng of 2900 (Variety estimate) and deliver on Tuesday morning for Campbelltown to kick off the snag cremation .....he will need some help transporting the food as the big trailer is not practicable. Probably need 120+ packs of sausages etc!
- The search by Living Choice for a restauranteur after 25 April is continuing.....there is a contingency plan in place to meet at La Scala.
- Bunnings BBQ yesterday netted $688.
Spot
Paul Duke raised the issue of whether it would be useful to meet on the Tuesday after Easter (22 April) with expected low turnout. Maybe club consultations, but no conclusion was reached.
Marie Rothe mentioned that Rhonda, Stephen and she (from the Youth Committee) had attended an open afternoon at Unley High School last week, handing out Rotary youth projects literature. District Assembly on Sunday was a "cracker" but the issue of governance weighed heavily. And not to forget the mighty Barossa Air Show to be held next Sunday.....see advert below. A feature will be the overpass of RAAF F18s.....they should have demanded the F111s in keeping with the other ancient aircraft, according to the editor. Potential member Deb Forbes found District Assembly to be inspiring.
Rhonda Hoare has spoken to Briony Casburn. Jerry and she have agreed that he is now in need of full time care due to his multiple medical issues. The plan is to go to Hampstead while waiting for an opening at a nursing home in or near Glenelg. Jerry and Briony - our thoughts are with you!!!!!!!!!
Finale
Patty Ascough won the filthy lucre (was it bribery or good luck?) and Leonie completed the clean sweep.
The meeting closed a tad late....maybe more than a tad.
6th April 2025 [10am - 4pm]
Rowland Flat Airfield
For more information and to purchase tickets:
https://barossaairshow.com.au
Adults $40, Kids 5-15 $15, Children under 5 Free $90 for family of 2 adults and 2 children
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Seattle resident Linda Low designated as a Rotary Champion of Peace
March 11, 2025
By Kai Curry NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
Linda Low, member of the Rotary Club of Global Partners in Peace, Washington, USA, Rotary Peace Fellow (2016-18, Duke University/University of North Carolina), and a People of Action: Champions of Peace 2025 honoree.
Some people find their passion and follow it throughout their lives. From the International Red Cross, to the Rotary, to a program she started,
Community Leadership Dialogues, Linda Low’s passion is creating common ground to build understanding. Recently, Low was chosen by the Rotary from members around the world as one of six “People of Action: Champions of Peace.”
“It feels like a full circle,” Low said. She was working abroad with the International Red Cross when she had an opportunity to become a Rotary Peace Fellow. This program, Low explained, enables those such as herself, who are already working in global development, to learn more so that they can “come back and contribute in even bigger, better ways.” It was a chance not to be missed. Low took what she learned to North Carolina in August 2016, three months before the presidential election.
“The biggest thing I noticed…was this tension, this anger, this animosity.”
Low, who is originally from Canada, and whose parents immigrated there from Hong Kong, set out to do something about this troubling national atmosphere. In her role as a Rotary Peace Fellow, she is charged with taking on a “local challenge that has global impact.”
“What happens to the United States, happens to the world,” Low pointed out, which is just as true now as ever. Low wanted to understand the reasons for the tension and animosity, which she found to be nationwide. She created the program, Community Leadership Dialogues, which brings together people from differing backgrounds—people at odds with each other—and facilitates dialogue.
It was for this program, as well as her local virtual Rotary group, Rotary Club of Global Partners in Peace, that Low received the honor of Champion of Peace. To date, Low has personally facilitated dialogues with over 2,000 people. The program also responds to requests for training so that others can pass along their method in their own organizations and companies. “We come together based on geographical need,” online or in person, Low said. Those who participate could be other Rotary members or a group that wants to “foster inclusion.” One example Low gave was of a small community in conflict over water and land rights. Common subjects, including in the Seattle area, are homelessness and housing solutions.
Low, or whoever facilitates the gathering, starts by seeking common ground. If the topic is homelessness, for instance, she might start by asking the group, “What is home in your heart?” “We start with soft questions,” Low elaborated. “When everybody shares that, it changes the temperature of the room completely.” People “speak from the heart” and “we all connect immediately.” From this starting point, the facilitator begins seeking solutions from the group, yet in a very nonthreatening manner, such as, “What are the biggest challenges or opportunities that you see in your community right now [linked to X issue]?” Next, they might ask, “Have you seen a solution that worked?” Questions are typically framed in a manner that cools hot tempers.
Eventually, the session(s) will lead more directly to the hot button issues dividing the group. If a group seems ready, they might jump right into it from the beginning; yet more often, the program opts for a soft start.
“It’s been interesting to watch the conversations shift,” said Low, who now lives in Seattle. She recalled when the Black Lives Matter movement took off and they received requests about safety and diversity. “As we moved into the recent election,” it became about polarization, finding common values, conflict resolution, and peace building, she said. Low and Community Leadership dialogues have received requests for training and/or facilitation from diverse groups including South Asian, Chinese, or Ukrainian. Their aim is to equip participants with the tools to tackle divisive conversations on their own in the future.
Right now, the sessions come into being primarily by word of mouth.
“We are sort of this guerrilla team of facilitators across the country, and in some other parts of the world,” Low fondly described. She talked about a close friend and Peace Fellow who does the work in Africa.
“We’re passionate about it…We believe that enabling dialogue across differences is critical right now and always, but in particular right now.” All have other jobs. Low had just started something new for her when she spoke with the Northwest Asian Weekly. She just became the executive director of the U.S. chapter of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF).
“They’re anchored in feminist peace building,” she said. Her previous job was “more corporate,” yet Low knew that it was important right now to “show up in this space,” the nonprofit space.
Low moved to Seattle in 2020, just after the city shut down due to COVID-19. Although it was a “hard landing” due to the pandemic, “I love this city,” she said. “I love Chinatown-International District.” Low feels excited and optimistic about her work with WILPF and with the Rotary. Collaborating with other Rotary members, and community members around the world, as well as facilitating sessions for the program she founded, makes her “hopeful in these times.”
“People feel so helpless in the moment,” she said of why people take part in Community Leadership Dialogues. “This is action.”
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 is Friday 4 April 2025
Upcoming Meetings
Tuesday 8 April 2025 6 for 6.30pm Castello's Cucina
Guest Speaker: Martin Rowe, President Blackwood Rotary - Domestic Violence Project
Welcoming team: Rhonda Hoare & Brenton Judge
Tuesday 15 April 2025 6 for 6.30pm Castello's Cucina
Guest Speaker: Mark Redmond Topic TBA
Welcoming team: Brendan Kenny & Leonie Kewen
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: 5 April 2025
Early: Haydn Baillie & Wendy Andrews (Jerry Casburn) | Late: Robyn Carnachan & Leonie Kewen
Week 2: 12 April 2025
Early: David Middleton (Greg Mcleod) & Wendy Andrews | Late: Virginia Cossid & Vera-Ann Stacy
Week 3: 19 April 2025
Early: Greg McLeod (David Middleton) & Nathan White | Late: Vera Holt & Rhonda Hoare
Week 4: 26 April 2025
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 Saturday 5 April 2025
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, the next being Monday 28 April 2025
The Tale End.....
Instigation
At her high school reunion, my wife couldn't stop staring at a drunken man at a nearby table.
"Do you know him?" I asked.
"Yes," she sighed. "He's my old boyfriend. I hear he started drinking right after we broke up and hasn't been sober since."
I said, "Wow! Who knew someone could celebrate that long?"
And that's when the fight began.
My wife sat next to me as I was flipping through channels.
"What's on TV?" she asked.
"Dust," I replied.
And that's when the fight began.
When I went to apply for Social Security, I realized I'd forgotten my ID.
The clerk asked me to unbutton my shirt, and when she saw my silver chest hair, she said, "That's proof enough," and processed my application.
Excitedly, I told my wife the story when I got home.
She said, "You should've dropped your pants; they might've given you disability too."
And that's when the fight began.
One Christmas, I bought my mother-in-law a cemetery plot as a gift.
The next year, I didn't get her anything.
When she asked why, I said, "Well, you haven't used last year's gift yet!"
And that's when the fight began.
