Opening
President Rhonda welcomed everyone and handed the meeting over to Patty Ascough to introduce our guest speaker.
Guest Speaker: Bob Koster - Traffic marshalling for the Tour Down Under
Patty introduced Bob who has been providing marshalls for the TDU for 18 years. He comes from a strong volunteer background having been an office bearer with Kiwanis Reynella for the last 35 years and an organiser with the Variety Club Bash.
Bob is on the hunt for traffic marshalls. Janet Rice and Brendan Kenny are already committed. He suggested that this was the perfect way to earn cash for the club. What could be better than sharing in the tour and earning money? Training is short and sweet. It is common to have Ian Faulkner and a SAPOL rep at the Christies Beach Hotel for 2 hours explaining in a professional fashion the 'ins and outs' of crowd control and traffic management before the event. Editor wonders whether they cover stray kangaroos. Equipment is a high vis vest, a flag and a whistle. There has never been a traffic marshall seriously injured. While there has been an odd incident of poor spectator behaviour, there is a strong police presence if needed. Volunteers have to be able bodied with a good dose of common sense.
For the princely sum of $50, marshalls are active for about 30 minutes as the peloton rolls through. Volunteers can opt to help for as little as one session, multiple sessions in a day or multiple days for the event which is spread over 11 days for the men and women. Last year $9000 was raised for his Kiwanis club. Each day 600 volunteers are utilised.....1600 for the whole event. Each year the volunteer workforce needs to be refreshed and supplemented.
If we should raise a team for this venture it will be called the Lycra Ladies and Lads according to the editor
Bob was thanked for his contribution
Behind the Badge - Stephen Baker
Stephen talked about his privileged life as a baby boomer, with 3 sisters and hard working parents, solid schooling and employment within the State and Federal public service while studying economics at night. Sturt winning 5 premierships in the '60s was memorable.The 1970s were highly productive with marriage to his soul mate Beverley and birth of 2 outstanding daughters who went on to produce 6 wonderful grandchildren. Ground breaking activities took place in demographic and economic forecasting and moving the SA criminal justice system from cards to computers. His passion for politics saw him elected to the SA Parliament. There was electoral success in 1993 and energy was devoted to cleaning up the mess caused by the State Bank disaster. The late 1990s and turn of the century saw him working at the Asian Development Bank in Manila. He became a member of Rotary there. Consultancies of a financial/economic nature followed back in the Philippines, in PNG and India, and at home, together with Board work. He retired in 2019. Grandchildren, travel, volunteer activities, football and golf prevail.
Spots
Vivienne Wood displayed the certificate provided by the Hutt Street Centre when she and Christina delivered shelterbags last week. On Friday evening she, Virginia and Stephen visited the Salvos centre in Maud Street to learn about the monthly meal provided for the homeless and poor with a view to us providing meals month-about with RC Mitcham. We need 4 volunteers on the 3rd Friday of each second month from 4 - 8.30pm to serve an anticipated 50 people with mains and dessert. A number of members volunteered - its a goer. Please bring donations of food for the pantry.
Patsy Beckett needs help on the cash register and serving of drinks at Mitre 10 on the first Saturday of each month......the weekend quiz challenge between the morning and afternoon shifts is educational.
David Middleton announced that he is attending the District's club leaders seminar on 31 May at Glenelg. It is a good leaning experience about the mysteries of Rotary and he would be pleased for others (particulalry office bearers) to join him. Please advise by return email and he will register participants.
Marie Rothe mentioned that she, Rhonda, Greg, Christina and Stephen had attended an enjoyable concert at Unley High last night. The club's quiz night is scheduled for Saturday 22 August at the Fullarton Park Community Centre. Cost $25pp - tables of 10. More detail to follow.
Haydn Baillie sorted out his duties on the Salvos Red Shield Appeal table at the Unley Shopping Centre tomorrow.
President Rhonda:
- provided an update on the Afghan women's project. The first instalment has been expended, mainly on equipment, and the women are meeting once a week for 3 hours of tuition (computer skills and written English) in the tailoring shop and elsewhere. More laptops will be bought with the second instalment. There is a planned presentation to us at 6pm on 30 June.
- exhorted members to sell more tickets for the Afghan Film Festival on June 9. We need 200 to break even and many more to help fund our project. There have been only 19 bookings to date - 7 from club members. Assistance is needed with the serving of wine.
- asked members to bring non-perishables and toiletries to our next meeting for the Salvos pantry.
Finale
Christina won the fithy lucre and Brendan won the chockies.
The Prez closed proceedings on the dot of 8pm.
For those who have not experienced the Joy of barracking for Sturt, particularly Bay supporters Bob Mills and Vivienne, Brendan has unearthed an excellent paper cutting
Rogues Gallery
Christina and Vivienne presenting Shelterbags to Hutt St Centre
A 'night at the opera' with Unley High School band
Rotary International News
Rotary, Rotaract empower extraordinary change
By Roshan Karki, Rotary Club of Rudramati Kathmandu and the Rotaract Club of Manohara, Nepal
I joined Rotaract in April 2010, without fully realizing how profoundly it would shape my life. What began as a simple desire to serve soon evolved into a lifelong commitment to leadership, friendship, and community impact. More than a decade later, I remain actively involved in both
Rotaract and
Rotary, carrying forward the same passion that first brought me into the movement.
My journey began with the Rotaract Club of Manohara as a charter member. Like many young members, I joined to learn, connect, and contribute. Over time, Rotaract became far more than a club — it became a training ground for leadership and service. I had the privilege of serving as club president in 2013-14 and again in 2014-15, experiences that taught me responsibility, teamwork, and the power of collective action. Most importantly, they showed me that leadership is not about titles, but about serving others with purpose.
As my involvement deepened, so did my vision. In 2023-24, I served as district Rotaract representative for District 3292 (Bhutan and Nepal). This role challenged me to think beyond individual clubs and focus on nationwide impact. During my tenure, we organized nationwide cleaning campaigns, uniting Rotaractors across districts to care for
our environment. Seeing young leaders come together with a shared mission remains one of the most fulfilling moments of my Rotary journey.
Another defining milestone was our nationwide blood donation campaign. Blood donation is one of the simplest yet most powerful acts of service, and the response was extraordinary. Together, we successfully collected 1,385 units of blood. That number represents lives saved, families supported, and communities strengthened. It reinforced my belief that when service is well-organized and driven by passion, its impact can be truly transformational.
While continuing my Rotaract journey, I also embraced Rotary. In March 2019, I joined the Rotary Club of Rudramati Kathmandu, marking a new chapter in my service life. Rotary broadened my perspective, allowing me to work alongside experienced professionals who shared the values of integrity, fellowship, and Service Above Self. I served as club secretary in 2020-21, gaining deeper insight into organizational leadership, governance, and sustainable service practices.
My service journey has since expanded beyond national boundaries. I currently serve as a council member of South East Asia Rotaract Information Center MDIO and have the honor of serving as chair of the Nepal Summit 2025. This role allows me to contribute at a regional level, connecting leaders across South East Asia and strengthening collaboration within the Rotaract movement.
What makes my journey unique is that I never had to choose between Rotaract and Rotary. I remain actively engaged in both. Rotaract keeps me connected to youth energy, innovation, and grassroots action. Rotary provides long-term vision, mentorship, and wider community reach. Together, they form a complete and powerful service ecosystem.
If there is one lesson my journey has taught me, it is this: service does not end with age, position, or title — it evolves. Rotary and Rotaract are not just organizations; they are platforms that empower ordinary people to create extraordinary change.
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 June 2026
Upcoming Meetings
Tuesday 2 June 2026 6 for 6.30pm
Living Choice Nature's Providore
Event: Visit by District Governor Rajeev Kamenini
Welcoming team: Greg Abel & Sarah Sullivan
Tuesday 16 June 2026 6 for 6.30pm
Living Choice Nature's Providore
Guest Speaker: Tony Schapel Deputy Coroner
Welcoming team: Greg Abel & Sarah Sullivan
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: 6 June 2026
Early:Haydn & Sue Baillie | Late: Robyn Carnachan & Leonie Kewen
Week 2: 13 June 2026
Early: Greg Mcleod & xxxxxxx| Late: Vera-Ann Stacy & Reno Elms
Week 3: 20 June 2026
Early: David Middleton & Nathan White | Late: Vera Holt & Rhonda Hoare
Week 4: 23 May 2026
Early: Stephen Baker & Judi Corcoran | Late: Jason Booth & Vera-Ann Stacy
Week 5: 30 May 2026
Early: Haydn & Sue Bailey | 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 6 June 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 25 May 2026
The Tale End.....
Messaging at its best
