Guest Speakers: Behind the Badge - Jan Rice, Garry Taylor, Ross Burton
Guests: Rob's assistants Eucabeth and Bridget
Attendance: 29 members 2 guests
Opening
Meeting Chair Vivienne Wood commenced proceedings and paid tribute to the good deeds of Rotary. President David opened the meeting and announced that:
Rhonda and he had "Walked a mile in their boots" on Friday 7 August in aid of the homeless and Hutt St centre....a very successful event with 4000 walkers and $400,000+ raised
The District Governor had had a chat with him about the proposed changes to the composition of our District which is recommended to include the NT and East Timor. The reasoning behind the proposal was explained, namely it involved the least amount of change and would bolster the district membership.The meeting endorsed David's proposal that the Board agree to the change.
Nathan White decorated the television over the weekend.....providing legal support for those protesting against destruction of trees in the parklands.
Behind the Badge - Jan Rice
Vivienne advised that Jo Baxter was an apology due to sickness of Bill.
Jan Rice was born in Adelaide of mixed parentage, most notable of whom were Scottish doctors who worked in China and came to Adelaide via the US. She decided to be a nurse, achieving a Bachelor of Applied Science, a nursing degree and a range of certificates. She specialised as a breast care nurse at Flinders Medical Centre, and was awarded a public health scholarship relating to breast cancer care which saw her travel to various parts of the world. One of her overseas trips required her to perform surgery in a jungle in India. The most dramatic time in her working life was during Covid, often working shifts of 13 hours per day. She has 2 daughters, 2 son-in-laws, one grand child and 2 more on the way.
Her great love is music, playing timpani [concert percussion drums], and is a member of 3 orchestras. Bronwyn Kenny introduced her to Rotary at McLaren Vale. Next week she is again going to Nepal as part of Jason Booth's eye team. Her other pursuits include kayaking, cycling and has signed up to be a guide at the Adelaide Zoo.
Behind the Badge - Garry Taylor
Garry was an only child who lost his father in year 6. He is a proclaimed product of the 1960s....'booze, sex, rock and roll'....and the heady days of participating in anti Vietnam marches. He enrolled at the Adelaide Teachers College but struck an impasse with his intention to complete a Bachelor of Science, which he did, and went on to complete a PhD in organic chemistry under the tutelage of Sir Mark Oliphant. Post doctorate studies were pursued at the University of California, accompanied by his bride and wife of now 50+ years. They have a daughter and son.
On returning to Adelaide, he was employed by Gribbles Pathology. After completing an MBA, he made senior management, survived the sale of the company to a Victorian lawyer in 1989, and when the company was again sold, this time to a Malaysian consortium, was tasked with setting up pathology units in Malaysia and surrounding countries...which he did with his young family in tow.
6 years as CEO of Benson Pathology followed, thence a Victorian radiology company, and 5 years as manager of Adelaide University's medical training centres. He was head-hunted to set up Adelaide's first super medical clinic with a grant of $15m....the building went well but attracting local doctors was impossible.....solved by a recruitment drive in Malaysia and Singapore. Mount Barker super clinic followed for 2 years, then 6 years as manager of the Flinders medical school until he retired. A serious dose of lymphoma put him out of action for a year. He is now back up and running on most of his cylinders.
Behind the Badge - Ross Burton
Ross confessed to being a Collingwood supporter since 1978.....tis a pity that the age-old Rotary tradition of heavily fining serious offenders was discontinued......but his saving grace is that he also barracks for Sturt!!
Ross's father was a journalist and his mother a court reporter....they were prolific producers....5 boys and 3 girls. Like Garry his father died when he was in year 6 and his mother really struggled. He aimed to join the Commonwealth Public Service, starting with the Department of Northern Territory, followed by Customs, and Department of Territories in Canberra. He met his wife Mary at a Canberra hostel. Of the Commonwealth agencies in which he worked, the one which gave him the most satisfaction was the Australian War Memorial....dedicated, hard working staff. Mary wanted to return to Adelaide, and this coincided with a government decision to establish a regional workers compensation office here. Studying part-time, Ross completed law and accounting degrees.
A career followed with Australian Government solicitors working with the Australian Tax Office (including 7years on admin and debt recovery), private enterprise workers compensation, and 4 years on ASIC enforcement. After a redundancy in 2011, Ross took up teaching at Flinders Uni and then worked with TAFE. There are 3 sons - one in San Francisco, one in Melbourne and one here...travel to Victoria and USA is often on the agenda. He has spent 30 years volunteering in range of areas.
WOW - What a talented group of achievers we have!
All were warmly applauded
Spots
Vivienne Wood announced that the cooking team for Friday night's community dinner [4-8pm] at Unley Salvos will comprise Christina, Virginia, Vera-Ann and Vivienne with a recipe provided by Virginia. There will be another team on 16 October led by Donna.
Marie Rothe announced that there are 13 confirmed tables for the quiz night on Saturday. Volunteers were identified for the set-up at 3.30pm and help will be needed to pack up at the end. We are ready to rock and roll with Garry!
Judy Barton confirmed that the SA Police Officer of the Year 2026 would now be held in the Goyder Pavillion at 3.30pm on Monday 7 September followed by afternoon tea.
Brendan Kenny and Jan Rice will be heading to Nepal next week with Jason's eye team. The outreach will include 7 or 8 clinics, eye testing of 4-5,000 people, glasses for those in need and arrangements for cataract surgery.
Finale
John Kikkert scored the cash and Valerie the chocolates
President David reflected on the talent, experience and intellect of club members as epitomised by the 3 speakers tonight. We also had the enjoyable occasion of Rob Freak's 80th birthday last Saturday. There will be a Board meeting next Tuesday.
He closed the meeting at 7.50pm
Rogues Gallery
The club's heavy metal band moving a clapped out racing car engine from Rob's place; Rob in splendiferous shape with kobi at his 80th birthday celebration.
Rotary International News
Rotary projects around the globe – August 2026
Learn how Rotary clubs are taking action in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Thailand.
by Brad Webber
United States
After a popular home improvement show turned its cameras on Sebring, the small city in south central Florida saw an influx of tourists seeking to experience the bucolic charms depicted in HGTV’s Home Town Takeover program. There was just one problem: The area lacked a loo for the lookie-loos. In April, the Rotary Club of Sebring opened a public restroom off the town circle after a months-long construction project. “Having safe, functional restrooms with climate control, changing stations, and disabled accessibility seemed like a no-brainer,” says club member Debra Weiser. Club members offered pro bono professional services for engineering, construction, air conditioning, and other electrical work; another painted the structure at a discount, and Rotarian city officials sped permit approvals and fee waivers.
Canada
The annual used book sale of the Rotary Club of Sarnia-Bluewaterland in Ontario has been a fixture for more than 25 years. “We all realized we were in this because we loved books, we wanted to encourage others in the community to access great books at a reasonable price, and, yes, it was a wonderful way to generate funds to support local nonprofits,” says coordinator Dale Wilcox. In January, the sale raised more than US$42,000, with leftover books being distributed to several organizations and groups, including a Canadian Armed Forces unit stationed in Latvia. “Troops are already digging into the massive collection and finding a good book to keep at their bedside or take into the field,” Lt. Col. Colleen Grebstad reported in a letter to the club.
United Kingdom
When members of the Rotary Club of Borderlands (Passport Group) heard about the PolioPlus Society Kennel Klub, they excitedly enrolled their furry friends. An extension of the district-led PolioPlus Society, the Kennel Klub allows pets (well, their owners) to pledge at least $100 per year to PolioPlus and, in return, receive a pet-purrfect red End Polio Now bandana. “The Kennel Klub welcomes animals of any kind,” says Borderlands club member Beth Thomson, “and whilst ours are mainly dogs, there is a pet sheep (a Swiss Valais Blacknose) in there too!” The club, chartered in 2023, has 100 percent PolioPlus Society membership, donating about $5,500 per year to the cause. While the club hasn’t brought the pets to its breakfast meetings — “I suspect it would be a recipe for chaos,” Thomson says — it did persuade Past RI President Gordon McInally (whose wife, Heather, was the club’s 2025-26 president) to sit for a photo shoot with Kennel Klub idols Mabel, Angus, Applepip, Tess, Todd, Cora, and Fleet.
Thailand
Golf ball drops using cranes or drones might be ubiquitous, but the Rotary Club of Chiang Mai International, in a lush, hilly northern province of Thailand, takes it to new heights. In the sixth edition of its charity ball drop on 31 January, the club hoisted a tethered hot-air balloon to launch 300 labeled golf balls onto a green. Balls landing nearest, or in, the hole garnered gift vouchers. This year’s event netted about $4,000 for the club’s projects for children. While the drop is only a minor fundraiser for the club in terms of receipts, “the event attracts a lot of attention in our community and worldwide and is a good contact point for new donors and new members,” says club member John Schorr.
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 11 September 2026
Upcoming Meetings
Tuesday 1 September 2026 6 for 6.30pm Living Choice Nature's Providore
Guest Speaker: Michael Steer The Algal Bloom
Welcoming Team: Ross Burton & Robyn Carnachan
Tuesday 15 September 2026 6 for 6.30pm Living Choice Nature's Providore
Guest Speaker: Andrew DeGaris Polio Plus
Welcoming Team: Ross Burton & Robyn Carnachan
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: Haydn & Sue Baillie | Late: Virginia Cossid & Paul Duke
Rotarians, who are unable to attend as rostered, please arrange a swap or as a very last resort contact: David Pisoni 0412 844 384; e-mail: hon.david.pisoni@gmail.com
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 5 September 2026
ALL the Bunnings Mile End Barbeque shifts are from 8am to 5pm
We have been allocated the last Monday of each month. Our next one will be 31 August 2026
The Tale End.....
Deadly moments
A lawyer died and arrived at the pearly gates. To his dismay, there were thousands of people ahead of him in line to see St. Peter. To his surprise, St. Peter left his desk at the gate and came down the long line to where the lawyer was, and greeted him warmly. Then St. Peter and one of his assistants took the lawyer by the hands and guided him up to the front of the line, and into a comfortable chair by his desk. The lawyer said, "I don't mind all this attention, but what makes me so special?"
St. Peter replied, "Well, I've added up all the hours for which you billed your clients, and by my calculation you must be about 193 years old!"
A frog telephoned the Psychic Hotline and was told, "You are going to meet a beautiful young woman who will want to know everything about you."
The frog said, "That's great! Will I meet her at a party, or what?"
"No," said the psychic, "Next term--in her biology class."
A doctor was addressing a large audience in Tampa. "The things we put into our stomachs are enough to have killed most of us years ago," he said.
"Red meat is unhealthy. Soft drinks can damage your teeth and stomach. Fast food is loaded with fat and salt. High-fat diets can be harmful, and many of us don't realise the long-term effects of the germs that can be found in our drinking water.
But there is one thing that is more dangerous than all of them.
That's something that most of us have eaten, or eventually will eat.
Can anyone tell me what food causes the most grief and suffering for years after it's consumed?"
The audience sat quietly, thinking.
After several seconds, a 75-year-old man in the front row slowly raised his hand and softly replied,
Jan Rice was born in Adelaide of mixed parentage, most notable of whom were Scottish doctors who worked in China and came to Adelaide via the US. She decided to be a nurse, achieving a Bachelor of Applied Science, a nursing degree and a range of certificates. She specialised as a breast care nurse at Flinders Medical Centre, and was awarded a public health scholarship relating to breast cancer care which saw her travel to various parts of the world. One of her overseas trips required her to perform surgery in a jungle in India. The most dramatic time in her working life was during Covid, often working shifts of 13 hours per day. She has 2 daughters, 2 son-in-laws, one grand child and 2 more on the way.
Garry was an only child who lost his father in year 6. He is a proclaimed product of the 1960s....'booze, sex, rock and roll'....and the heady days of participating in anti Vietnam marches. He enrolled at the Adelaide Teachers College but struck an impasse with his intention to complete a Bachelor of Science, which he did, and went on to complete a PhD in organic chemistry under the tutelage of Sir Mark Oliphant. Post doctorate studies were pursued at the University of California, accompanied by his bride and wife of now 50+ years. They have a daughter and son.
Ross's father was a journalist and his mother a court reporter....they were prolific producers....5 boys and 3 girls. Like Garry his father died when he was in year 6 and his mother really struggled. He aimed to join the Commonwealth Public Service, starting with the Department of Northern Territory, followed by Customs, and Department of Territories in Canberra. He met his wife Mary at a Canberra hostel. Of the Commonwealth agencies in which he worked, the one which gave him the most satisfaction was the Australian War Memorial....dedicated, hard working staff. Mary wanted to return to Adelaide, and this coincided with a government decision to establish a regional workers compensation office here. Studying part-time, Ross completed law and accounting degrees.
