Castello's Cucina, 123 Fisher Street, Fullarton SA
President John Peacham 0431 618 359
Next week we follow the Camel Men
Please bring Christmas Toiletry Gifts for the Salvos
Last Meeting
Venue: Castello's Cucina, Living Choice
Guest Speakers: RYPEN participants Luci and Amna
Guests: John Smith, Luci & Sherilee Tinsley-Smith, Amna Sattar, and Rob's assistants Eucabeth Mokaya and Jeza Bucog
Attendance: 25 members and 6 guests
Opening
Brendan Kenny delivered the invocation.....topically, all about weathering storms.
President John joined the Rotary march against domestic violence down King William St last Saturday. It was a good turnout covered by all the TV stations but not the 'Tiser. John would have liked to have seen more Rotarians marching. The Thrift Shop takings of over $2000 for last week were again a good result.
The Centenary of Rotary in Australia celebration event will be held at the Adelaide Oval on 4 February. Tables of 10 are being organised with a cost of $80pp. District would like each club to propose an organiser to maximise attendance.
Guest Speakers: Unley Rotary Youth Program Participants
Two of our speakers could not attend......Ethan (Youth Sailing Challenge) is in hospital and Honesio (RYLA - Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) had been delayed in Melbourne by the storms.
But we did have our two sponsored participants in RYPEN (Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment) which caters for young people in the 14 -17 age range. This year it was held over 3 days at Woodhouse. RYPEN aims to increase self-awareness, enhance personal skills and foster leadership.
Amna Sattar
Valerie Bonython introduced Amna Sattar who is a baccalaureate student at Glenunga International High School.
Amna elected to join RYPEN to improve her skills and to meet new people. Being without a phone was challenging and there was some trepidation in joining this group where she knew no one. On arrival she struck a welcoming environment which helped settle her fears. Day 2 was the very daunting Challenge Hill....an obstacle course with plenty of difficult tasks. Amna felt that, despite the physical difficulty, it had made her stronger and more resilient. Day 3 had workshops aimed at sharpening personal vision, putting energy into worthwhile pursuits and being more resilient to overcome minor setbacks. This helped her to rethink her ambitions.
Volunteer activities include conducting tours of her school, student leadership and as a debating coach. Her ambition is to travel widely, volunteer as much as possible and meet many people. RYPEN has been most helpful.
Luci Tinsley-Smith
Valerie introduced Luci who is in Year 8 at Unley High School. She too was anxious about walking into the unknown RYPEN but this quickly dissipated with the warm welcome and the very amusing ball and string game. The best part was meeting the other participants and the mentors. Challenge Hill was a favourite for its physical demands and the need for good communications, patience and teamwork. The skits with public speaking and 'getting to know you' exercises worked well. Guest speakers together with brainstorming on conflict resolution, and stress management proved very helpful. She thanked our club for this opportunity.
Luci's mother Sherilee observed that RYPEN had contributed to a growth in her daughter's confidence, leadership, and personal development.
Luci in action on the soccer field, playing for Hahndorf.
Amna and Luci were both roundly applauded for their excellent contributions and congratulated by President John.
SPOTS
Stephen Baker explained that, each year, Unley members contribute toiletries (male and female) to the Unley Salvos for use as Christmas gifts for those in the poorest of circumstances. Please bring unwrapped to next week's meeting. There was also a reminder that we are bagging sweets after the meeting next week for the children attending our Carols.
Garry Taylor ran through the planning for the Carols.
John Peacham confirmed that the Christmas dinner would be at the Hyde Park Tavern, 6 for 6.30pm on Tuesday 12 December. Jerry Casburn stated that he would issue an invitation to the dinner with a requirement that the cost of $60 pp be prepaid into the club's account. There may also be a pre-ordering of meals.
President John reminded everyone of the coffee chat at Impressa this Friday. A Board meeting will be held on Thursday at his joint.
Finale
Kate won the box of chocolates after Judy Barton charitably ordered a redraw.
And the meeting again closed benignly, this time at 7.54pm.
By Peter Roaf, Rotary Club of Ladner, Delta, British Columbia, Canada
Members of the Rotary Club of Ladner serve out Christmas dinner to members of a support group for families of children with autism and other conditions.
My first son was autistic. He was on the more severe end of the spectrum. His mother and I had to take ourselves from joy over our firstborn through denial and grief. We had to accept the harsh reality of raising a child with special needs.
John was a jolly little guy with a sense of humour, but he couldn’t talk, learn, or care for himself. As he was growing up, I wondered what he would be like – what we would be like – when he became an adult. How would we lead our lives when the time for his care as an adult arrived?
This was the same reality for other parents of young children with autism and other conditions in the Vancouver, Canada, suburb of Delta, British Columbia. To support themselves through this responsibility – one not understood by many other parents – they formed the Weekend Family and Peer Support Group more than 25 years ago.
As children in the group matured and the parents grew older, it became more difficult for the parents to organize the social events that are so important in overcoming the unavoidable isolation and loneliness. Cooking for the group of up to 50 young adults and parents became a real challenge for those already challenged.
Eighteen years ago, my Rotary Club of Ladner, in Delta, agreed to support the local Canadian Mental Health Association branch by cooking and serving Christmas dinner for the group.
Today I am one of the Rotary Club of Ladner members who, helped by family and friends, volunteer to produce the annual Christmas event. Some start by rounding up equipment, dishes, and cutlery and buying the turkeys, vegetables, desserts, and beverages.
On the day of the event, I join a team of volunteers in the kitchen of the Ladner Community Centre to peel, chop, and boil the carrots; boil and mash the potatoes; and cook the Brussels sprouts. Amid the hustle and bustle in the kitchen with fellow peelers and choppers, I look around and think about how I’m making Christmas a little happier for others less fortunate.
Mental health is a significant part of the meaning of Rotary International President R. Gordon R. McInally’s Rotary theme this year: Create Hope in the World.
That sense of fulfillment continues into the Christmas dinner evening. Faces light up and social chatter grows while we serve dinner. Entertainment with live, seasonal music keeps the evening upbeat. Santa Claus brings good cheer and gifts donated by local businesses. We all benefit from this lift to our mental health as everyone leaves with a good feeling inside (as they should at Christmas time).
On the strength of the Christmas dinner, our club launched an annual summer picnic for the support group. I join as many as 15 Rotarians, family, and friends to serve the 40 or so group members who show up for a barbecue and games. Group members always express their sincere appreciation to the club for these social events, which make a difference in their lives.
Rotarian and retired dentist Dr. Arthur Birk and his wife, Geraldine, have been leaders of the group. They arrange bingo nights, Chinese food nights, salmon barbecue dinners, and other social events with dinner and games every two months. They also collect and distribute free personal care and household cleaning items. Rotarian and businessperson Mike Storey and his wife, Kathy, have also been leaders for the larger events.
Christmas is approaching. Mental health is a significant part of the meaning of Rotary International President R. Gordon R. McInally’s Rotary theme this year: Create Hope in the World. this year, our Christmas dinner will have extra meaning.
My son John did not make it past age 15. But I now have a sense, in some small way, of what his adult life might have been like and what we, his parents, might have lived with. This service above self for those in need is a valuable part of my Rotary experience. This kind of experience will be found in communities throughout our Rotary world. Share yours in the comments section.
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 this Friday 1 December 2023
Upcoming Meetings
Tuesday 5 December 6 for 6.30pm Castello’s Cucina
Guest Speaker - Pam Rajkowski In the Steps of the Camel Men
Greetings Team: Ken Haines & Geoff Hill
Tuesday 12 December 6 for 6.30pm at Hyde Park Tavern
Event: The marvelous Christmas Dinner $60pp to be prepaid
Greetings Team: SIIK
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: 2 December 2023
Early: Jerry Casburn & Greg Mcleod (Haydn Baillie) | Late: Kate Porter (Robyn Carnachan) & Leonie Kewen
Early: David Middleton & Nathan White | Late: Vera Holt & Rhonda Hoare
Week 4: 23 December 2023 Thrift Shop Closed
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 one is Saturday 2 December 2023.
ALL the Bunnings Mile End Barbeque shifts are from 8am to 5pm
We have been allocated the last Monday of each month.....next scheduled one is Monday 25 December 2023....but this aint going to happen!
The Tale End.....
More useful trivia.
I just read a book about marriage that says treat your wife like you treated her on your first date. So tonight after dinner I'm dropping her off at her parent's house.
The best way to get back on your feet is to miss two car payments.
I love bacon. Sometimes I eat it twice a day. It takes my mind off the terrible chest pains I keep getting.
Driver: "What am I supposed to do with this speeding ticket?" Officer, "Keep it. When you collect four of them, you get a bicycle."
I asked a supermarket employee where they kept the canned peaches. He said, "I'll see," & walked away. I asked another & he also said, "I'll see," & walked away. In the end, I gave up & found them myself, in Aisle C.
I told my physical therapist that I broke my arm in two (2) places. He told me to stop going to those places.
I put our scale in the bathroom corner & that's where the little liar will stay until it apologizes.
When I was a kid, I used to watch the ‘Wizard of Oz’ & wonder how someone could talk if they didn't have a brain. Then I got Facebook.
Do you ever get up in the morning, look in the mirror & think, "That can't be accurate!"
Apparently RSVP'ing to a wedding invitation with "Maybe next time" isn't the correct response.
This email was sent by Stephen Baker
Rotary Club of Unley | PO Box 18 | Unley | SA | 5061 | Australia
Amna elected to join RYPEN to improve her skills and to meet new people. Being without a phone was challenging and there was some trepidation in joining this group where she knew no one. On arrival she struck a welcoming environment which helped settle her fears. Day 2 was the very daunting Challenge Hill....an obstacle course with plenty of difficult tasks. Amna felt that, despite the physical difficulty, it had made her stronger and more resilient. Day 3 had workshops aimed at sharpening personal vision, putting energy into worthwhile pursuits and being more resilient to overcome minor setbacks. This helped her to rethink her ambitions.
Valerie introduced Luci who is in Year 8 at Unley High School. She too was anxious about walking into the unknown RYPEN but this quickly dissipated with the warm welcome and the very amusing ball and string game. The best part was meeting the other participants and the mentors. Challenge Hill was a favourite for its physical demands and the need for good communications, patience and teamwork. The skits with public speaking and 'getting to know you' exercises worked well. Guest speakers together with brainstorming on conflict resolution, and stress management proved very helpful. She thanked our club for this opportunity. 
