Opening
President Rhonda welcomed everyone, and handed over to the meeting chair, Greg McLeod
District Governor Rajeev Kamenini
Greg introduced District Governor Rajeev who was born in India where he has achieved renown as a film producer and financier. He came to Australia in 1997, has a bachelor degree, 3 masters degrees and a PhD, and has pursued an academic career, specialising in teaching business and entrepreneurship. He joined RC Adelaide in 2017, became President in 2022/23, and District Governor of 9510 in 2025/26. This must be some sort of record.
Rajeev explained that the 2 loves of his life are Cinema and Rotary. His parents are both doctors/specialists but this did not appeal. By the age of 6 he was hooked on movies and Star Wars of 1977 was the catalyst for his passion. He started work in a book store, then selling concrete, and with his scholastic attainment went into teaching, research and business development. He is married to Priya and they have a daughter. He has been involved in the financing of 35 movies and production of 14, with varying degrees of success, including a smash hit.
His father introduced him to Rotary as a 6yo. His parents worked 6 days a week and the 7th was for Rotary. He joined Rotaract, and then the clubs of Coimbatore Metropolis and Madras in India.....48 years of Rotary involvement. It was an honour to be selected as the 100th President of RC Adelaide.
This year as District Governor he has been emphasising that Rotary must change. The critical issue is marketing (as it is in business). We do not do it very well. We need to do lift our public image and pay attention to:
- attracting members who can commit to the Rotary cause. The ideal age is 50. There are often too many other priorities at a younger age.
- people like doing things (volunteer) but few want to join a club
- Australian adults have one of the highest % of volunteers in the world but they are not coming our way
- Regionalisation is still in an experimental phase and needs impetus
- one of the greatest strengths of Rotary is the Rotary Foundation with its ability to deliver on world projects
- the Taipei annual meeting attracted a monster attendance of 38,600
The key to success for any club is to 'strike the sweet spot', by developing a team of members willing to carry the club and its programs forward. In the last few years the average age of RC Adelaide members has reduced significantly to 57.
Come 1 July he will be back into research, teaching of business and entrepreneurship, consulting, and producing movies. Maybe we could all take acting lessons and offer our professional services to Rajeev for his next blockbuster Bollywood movie.
Rajeev was inspiring and thanked by acclamation.
Spots
Unley and Mitcham Salvation Army Chaplain Colin Sampson was introduced by the Prez. Colin expressed gratitude for the grocery parcels donated and the assistance of club members with the Red Shield Appeal at Unley Shopping Centre. To date, $2000 more has been collected this year. Colin has been pleased with the Gathering Place for community meetings and meals created after the relocation of their Thrift Shop. A successful grocery store has been established where free fruit and veg, and low cost groceries are provided for the needy. Founder William Booth's last word was - Others
Our club will match member donations $1:$1 for the Red Shield Appeal to a maximum of $1500. Please donate tonight!
Jerry Casburn announced that the caterer needs attendance and meal choices by the Thursday prior to each meeting. This will prove challenging but something needs to be done to help Providore.
Paul Duke explained that he and John Kikkert attended a Bunnings Mile End get-together for charity BBQers last week. Good food and an entertaining night. Dina, our supervisor, will be happy to provide a voucher for the club's quiz night, however we are not allowed to serve other than white bread. Multigrain is off the menu.
Eva Wodecki reported that the Vocational Service Committee is, due to timing, unable to hold the Teacher of the Year Award. To make next year bigger and better than ever, feedback will be sought from previous participants and the schools.
Bob Mullins thanked the club (particularly Patsy and Valerie) for the flowers and best wishes. Genese is on the road to recovery but it is a slow process.
President Rhonda:
- has received solid demand from outside but needs more support from club members for the Afghan film evening next Tuesday. Book by dialling up Humanitix Unley Rotary Afghan Film Festival 9 June 2026.
- announced Stage 1 of the Afghan Women's project was successfully completed. Stage 2 is now progressing with extra laptops and the training of computer and english skills being covered by the second tranche of $5000.
- produced a photo of Rob Freak (at about age 55) with a podium medal from a European cycling champions race finishing in Belgium. Please sign up with the QR card for Rob's 80th birthday shindig at the Unley Town Hall 5.30pm on 8 August and donate 10 bucks for his favoured cloud plant - Size 9 no doubt
Ross Smith will be judging the Fish Tank competition 6-8pm this Thursday at the Unley Town Hall. All members welcome.
Finale
Paul Duke snared the filthy lucre and Patty the chockies
The Prez closed proceedings at 7.57pm
Rotary International News
When The Rotary Foundation becomes a lifeline
By John Laramore, Rotary Club of South Ocean, Nassau, The Bahamas
Over the years, Rotary has taught me many things. But one lesson continues to stand out: when we
give to The Rotary Foundation, we are not just supporting an institution. We are creating the possibility for real, visible, life-saving change in our communities.
I saw that truth clearly through our Rotary Club of South Ocean’s project in Nassau, The Bahamas.
As my club’s Foundation chair and as our district’s incoming Paul Harris Society coordinator, I have become even more convinced that
the Foundation is one of Rotary’s greatest strengths. People often hear about grants in theory. They hear about giving, annual goals, and fundraising targets. But this project reminded me that the Foundation is not abstract. It’s practical. It’s local. And sometimes, it can mean the difference between life and death.
With a
grant from the Foundation and additional support from our club and partners, we were able to install an automated external defibrillator at Acropolis Cafe, a busy public location where staff and patrons now have access to emergency equipment that could save a life in a critical moment.
That matters.
Cardiac emergencies do not wait for perfect timing. They do not ask whether help is nearby. In those moments, preparedness matters. Access matters. Training matters. And that is exactly why this project touched me so deeply.
This was not simply about placing a machine on a wall. It was about extending Rotary’s heart into the community. It was about saying that the people who gather, work, dine, and serve in that space matter enough for us to act. It was about using Foundation resources the way they were meant to be used: responsibly, strategically, and compassionately.
What made the project even more meaningful to me was seeing how many hands helped bring it to completion. Club leaders, members, partners, vendors, and the business owners all played a role. We also ensured the final setup was completed properly, including signage, installation details, and the next step of staff training. That is the Rotary I believe in, not just writing checks, but following through with excellence.
In my incoming district role, I will carry this lesson with me. The
Paul Harris Society is not only about recognition for giving. It’s about belief. It’s about choosing, year after year, to invest in a Foundation that can turn generosity into measurable impact. Our project was an example of what that looks like. Rotary is at its best when service, stewardship, and compassion come together.
Coffee Chat at Impressa, Unley Shopping Centre
10.30 am on the second Friday of the month is good for a chat with Rotary friends and a caffeine fix - Next one is Friday 12 June 2026
Upcoming Meetings
Tuesday 16 June 2026 6 for 6.30pm
Living Choice Nature's Providore
Guest Speaker: Tony Schapel Coroner - Who speaks for the Dead?
Welcoming team: Greg Abel & Sarah Sullivan
Tuesday 7 July 2026 6 for 6.30pm
Living Choice Nature's Providore
Event: Club Changeover
Welcoming team: Graham & Patsy Beckett
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: 27 June 2026
Early: Stephen Baker & Judi Corcoran | Late: Jason Booth & Vera-Ann Stacy
Week 5:
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 29 June 2026
The Tale End.....
Another true story
A young doctor had moved to a small town to replace a doctor who was retiring.
The older doctor suggested that the young one accompany him on his rounds so that the community would become used to their new doctor.
At the first house a woman complains, ‘I’ve been a little sick to my stomach.’
The older doctor says ‘Well, you’ve probably been overdoing the fresh fruit. Why not cut back on the amount you’ve been eating and see if that does the trick?’
As they left, the younger man said, You didn’t even examine that woman, how did you come to your diagnosis so quickly?’
I didn’t have to examine her. You noticed I dropped my stethoscope on the floor in there? Well, when I bent over to pick it up, I noticed a half dozen banana peels in the waste bin. I knew that was what probably was making her sick.’
The younger doctor said, ‘Pretty clever. If you don’t mind, I think I’ll try that at the next house.’
Arriving at the next house, they spent several minutes talking with a younger woman.
She just didn’t have the energy she once had and said, ‘I’m feeling terribly run down lately.’
‘You’ve probably been doing too much for the Church’, the younger doctor told her. ‘Perhaps you should cut back a bit and see if that helps.’
As they left, the elder doctor said, ‘I know that woman well. Your diagnosis is almost certainly correct, she’s very active in the church but how did you arrive at it?’
‘I did what you did at the last house. I dropped my stethoscope and when I bent down to retrieve it, I noticed the preacher under the bed.’
