Guests: Rowena Barbosa and Rob's Assistants Eukumbeth and Joanne
Attendance: 25 members 4 guests
Welcome
Chairperson Valerie Bonython opened proceedings and introduced President Rhonda who welcomed our guests.
Guest Speaker: Ian Coat - Calperum and Health of the River
Valerie introduced Ian who has been a member of RC Magill Sunrise for 11 years where he has held a range of positions including President. He is married to Suzette and they have 3 adult children. Ian has a special interest in social justice and is service oriented. He chairs the Calperum and The Environment Committee [CATE]. Both have a passion for nurturing our environment.
Ian provided a potted version of Calperum which had been a cattle station since the 1800s but overgrazing had seen the land become debilitated. It was bought by the philanthropic Chicago Zoo in 1993. The property of 2430 square km is now designated as internationally recognised wetlands under the RAMSAR Convention and is leased to the Australian Landscape Trust. The Trust aims to rehabilitate degraded land, improve water management and the wetlands, and improve sustainability, with 3 core functions:
Ecology Research through the Ecosystem Research Network
Educate through the Health of the River (Schools ecology in action program), CERT qualifications, indigenous programs, long term employment opportunities
Enable ecological experience through ecotourism at the homestead and camping ground....our club has played a significant role in improving Rotary house and in other areas. [Special applause for Jerry and Briony, Patsy and Graham B, and Valerie and Graham E]
There is a list of challenges including sustainability, solar power, fresh water, sanitation and internet connectivity, plus support for research data colllection. There have been tens of thousand of volunteer hours and $s expended.
CATE is a District 9510 committee with 3 main KPIs:
highlight the environmental initiatives across the District and to the wider world to increase awareness and attract volunteers Facebook is the major medium
coordinate Calperum activities eg Health of the River
generate funding opportunities
Within the ecological framework attention is being paid to reuse, recycling, water purity, habitat, species, sanitation and hygiene.
This year, the Health of the River program will run at Calperum from 15 -19 September with 8 students from Years 9 and 10. There is a sponsorship cost of $700pp and Unley will be supporting a student. Valerie has volunteered to look after accommodation and meals for the attendees. She emphasised that it will take many more years of effort to restore the land. A $1 for $1 funding arrangement worth $400k has been negotiated with the State Government - our District's share is $55k for each of 2 years. Donations to the Australian Land Trust are tax deductible. There are a range of practical initiatives like filling in unused dams to reduce goat numbers in sensitive areas.
Ian was applauded for his address.
Spots
President Rhonda advised that she and John Kikkert will be conducting mock interviews with Tabor College students next Thursday. There had been a meeting tonight of the Public Image Committee at which it was decided to split into 2 groups with Patty, Simon and Kate looking after social media and Simon and John managing the website. We need heaps of photos!!!
We also need heaps more tables and people for the Super Quiz night on 30 August as confirmed by Marie.
Chris Davis emphasised the need to have a strong turn-out at the POOTY presentation ceremony and luncheon at the Wayville Showgrounds on 5 September. The SA Police Officer of the Year 2025 will present to our club on 23 September.
Vivienne Wood enquired whether any member would wish to accompany a group from RC Edwardstown to Whyalla where Foodbank will be demonstrating its Feed The Farmer program to which that club has contributed tons of non-perishables. The net takings from the Thrift Shop for 2024/25 were $76,226.92
Judy Barton related a remarkable and heart warming message received from a Japanese Rotary exchange student who had stayed with husband Richard Peake's family some 55 years ago.
Patsy Beckett reported that Marlene was recovering from her nasty fall.
Finale
Bob Mills won the filth lucre and Greg did not win the chocolates...John P did.....pain compensation.
The meeting closed neatly at 7.55pm
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Larry A. Lunsford selected to be 2027-28 Rotary International president
By Etelka Lehoczky
Larry A. Lunsford, a member of the Rotary Club of Kansas City-Plaza, Missouri, USA, is the selection of the nominating committee to become Rotary International’s president for 2027-28. He will officially become the president-nominee on 15 September if no other candidates challenge him.
Lunsford attended Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri, on an academic scholarship, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting. He first encountered Rotary when he received a Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship to spend the 1981-82 academic year at the University of Newcastle in Australia.
A certified public accountant, Lunsford spent seven years working for Ernst & Young before joining a family-owned business, Bernstein-Rein Advertising, in 1990. He is currently executive vice president and chief financial officer for the Bernstein group of companies. He has held positions on the boards of the Kansas City Spirit Festival and the Variety Club as well as serving as director of a local bank and treasurer of the Epilepsy Foundation for the Heart of America. He has also served on Truman State University’s alumni and foundation boards and received the university’s Distinguished Service Award.
Lunsford joined the Rotary Club of Kansas City-Plaza in 1991 and has since served as district governor (2001-02), RI director (2013-15), and trustee of The Rotary Foundation (2021-25, vice chair 2024-25). He has been a member of RI committees, including the Executive Committee (chair 2014-15), Membership Growth Committee (chair 2016-18), and Nominating Committee for President of RI (chair 2023-24). He also has served on The Rotary Foundation’s Executive Committee (chair 2023-24), Finance Committee (chair 2022-23 and 2024-25), and Participant Experience Committee (chair 2023-24).
Lunsford has been awarded The Rotary Foundation Distinguished Service Award, The Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service, and the RI Service Above Self Award. He and his wife, Jill Lunsford, have two children and one grandchild. They are Major Donors, Bequest Society members, multiple Paul Harris Fellows, Benefactors of The Rotary Foundation, and Sustaining Members.
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 5 September 2025
Upcoming Meetings
Tuesday 19 August 2025 6 for 6.30pm Living Choice
Event: International Service Committee presentation
Welcoming team: Ross Burton and Robyn Carnachan
Tuesday 26 August 2025 6 for 6.30pm Living Choice
Guest Speaker: Jo Minniss SA School & Services for Vision Impaired
Welcoming team: Ross Burton and Robyn Carnachan
Saturday 30 August is our SUPER QUIZ at Fullarton Park Community Centre
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
Early: David Middleton & Nathan White | Late: Deb Forbes (Vera Holt) & Rhonda Hoare
Week 4: 23 August 2025
Early: John Kikkert (Stephen Baker) & Judi Corcoran | Late: Jason Booth & Vera-Ann Stacy
Week 5: 30 August 2025
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 16 August 2025
ALL the Bunnings Mile End Barbeque shifts are from 8am to 5pm
We have been allocated the last Monday of each month, the next being Monday 25 August 2025
The Tale End.....
Fond memories
Bob was thrilled when his company gave him a free ticket to the MCG AFL Grand Final.
But his excitement faded when he arrived his seat was way up in the nosebleeds
Halfway through the first quarter, he noticed an empty seat 10 rows from the field!
Taking a chance, he snuck down and asked the man sitting next to it, "Excuse me, is anyone sitting here?"
The man shook his head.
Bob, now grinning from ear to ear, said, "This is unbelievable! Who in their right mind would have a seat this good at the footie final and not use it?"
The man sighed, "Well, actually, the seat belongs to me. I was supposed to come with my wife, but she passed away. This is the first final we haven't been to together since we got married in 1970.
Bob felt terrible. "I'm so sorry" But couldn't you find anyone, a friend or relative, to come with you?"
The man shrugged, "Nope - They are all at the funeral."
Rotary
Club of Unley
This email was sent by Stephen Baker
Rotary Club of Unley | PO Box 18 | Unley | SA | 5061 | Australia
CATE is a District 9510 committee with 3 main KPIs:
Larry A. Lunsford, a member of the Rotary Club of Kansas City-Plaza, Missouri, USA, is the selection of the nominating committee to become Rotary International’s president for 2027-28. He will officially become the president-nominee on 15 September if no other candidates challenge him.
But his excitement faded when he arrived his seat was way up in the nosebleeds 
Taking a chance, he snuck down and asked the man sitting next to it, "Excuse me, is anyone sitting here?"
